There was no roster makeover, blockbuster trade or eye-popping free-agent signing for the Toronto Blue Jays this past off-season.

The club is essentially running it back with virtually the same core as last year and hoping the bats return to form.

B次元官网网址淭he mindset is just more excitement,B次元官网网址� said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. B次元官网网址淓xcitement for guys to get back to their norms a little bit offensively. Excitement for the pitching staff to do what theyB次元官网网址檝e done and find out ways to get better.B次元官网网址�

The 2023 edition of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 lone big-league team snagged the last American League playoff berth but was swept in the wild-card round.

Team brass did take a run at landing two-way superstar free agent Shohei Ohtani in the off-season but missed out. The Blue Jays then shifted focus to the foundation in place while hoping a few additions and some tinkering to team approach pays dividends.

The key cogs in the starting rotation were reliable last year and team defence improved significantly. However, offensive play was mediocre and proved to be the teamB次元官网网址檚 undoing in a brief two-game playoff run.

Some changes were made to the coaching structure with bench coach Don Mattingly adding offensive coordinator to his title and DeMarlo Hale returning to the club as an associate manager.

If the bats deliver and the pitching remains on point, the Blue Jays could contend in the American League East.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a complete club,B次元官网网址� said veteran slugger Justin Turner, who signed a one-year deal with Toronto. B次元官网网址淚 think the starting pitching, the bullpen, the defence, the potential lineup is insane.

B次元官网网址淭here arenB次元官网网址檛 a lot of holes in this room. IB次元官网网址檓 excited to be a part of it.B次元官网网址�

The pitching staff B次元官网网址� particularly the starting rotation B次元官网网址� was durable last season. But this yearB次元官网网址檚 spring training was not as kind.

Among the starters, Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah experienced shoulder issues. In the bullpen, closer Jordan Romano (elbow) of Markham, Ont., and Erik Swanson (forearm) are also building up after arm woes.

Jose Berrios will get the Opening Day start Thursday at Tampa Bay. HeB次元官网网址檒l be a key cog in this seasonB次元官网网址檚 rotation with Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi.

Bowden Francis will get a turn at the start of the campaign after a strong spring. Manoah, Yariel Rodriguez, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann will also be options throughout the year.

The bullpen lost Jordan Hicks to free agency but will have Chad Green for the start of the season this time around. Rodriguez, a Cuban right-hander who previously played in Japan, signed a five-year deal and could be used in a variety of roles.

Turner should provide some pop in the middle of the order behind leadoff man George Springer and homegrown stars Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just going to be playing every game like itB次元官网网址檚 almost a playoff game,B次元官网网址� Green said in a recent interview. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just playing every game to win, not taking days off and days for granted.

B次元官网网址淎s long as you can do that, thatB次元官网网址檚 what sets yourself up for success.B次元官网网址�

Third baseman Matt Chapman B次元官网网址� a defensive whiz who was inconsistent with the bat B次元官网网址� was lost to free agency. Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who signed a two-year deal, will likely spend most of his time at the hot corner.

Kevin Kiermaier returned on a one-year deal to keep the outfield trio with Daulton Varsho and Springer intact. With the recent departure of Santiago Espinal via trade, Cavan Biggio and Davis Schneider should see time at second base as part of their utilityman roles.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk will have an increased workload in the early going while Danny Jansen recovers from a small bone fracture in his wrist. Brian Serven will serve as a backup behind the plate.

A Toronto team thatB次元官网网址檚 in win-now mode will again have a tough task getting over the hump in a solid East division.

The Baltimore Orioles have a strong young team, the big-spending New York Yankees added superstar Juan Soto, the Tampa Bay Rays are always a challenge and the Boston Red Sox can be a handful too.

The Blue Jays, who have been swept in the wild-card round in three of the last four years, last won a playoff game in 2016.

B次元官网网址淲e know where we are,B次元官网网址� Romano said. B次元官网网址淲e know thereB次元官网网址檚 a sense of urgency.B次元官网网址�

The Blue Jays will play their first 10 games on the road. TorontoB次元官网网址檚 home opener at the renovated Rogers Centre is April 8 against the Seattle Mariners.

B次元官网网址楾he little things are going to be important,B次元官网网址� Schneider said. B次元官网网址淵ou try to make adjustments every year with what you need to do.B次元官网网址�

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