By: Matthew Chiu
After missing the playoffs by just a game, the Blue Jays began a nightmare off season by losing Marcus Semien, and Robbie Ray. The Jays were able to soften the blow a little bit by re-signing Jose Berrios, and pitcher Kevin Gausman, keeping the pitching rotation relatively unchanged, but the loss of Semien leaves a huge hole nonetheless.
Semien had signed a one-year ‘prove it’ deal with the Jays following a disappointing 2020 season in Oakland. The 31-year old then had a monster season for Toronto hitting 45 home runs (most ever by a second baseman), while finishing 3rd in the AL MVP race. The prove-it deal ended up paying off as Semien signed a massive 7-year deal worth $175 million with the Texas Rangers following his MVP caliber season. Although there was some interest in bringing him back, the Jays simply can’t afford to be giving out 7 year deals to 31 year olds, especially when Bichette and Guerrero Jr are due for massive contract extensions.
Robbie Ray was traded to Toronto during the 2020 season, and just like Semien signed a one-year deal in the off-season with Toronto. The 30-year old had his best season by far going 13-7 on the season with a 2.84 ERA and took home the AL Cy Young Award. Ray cashed in on his career year and signed a five-year, $115 million deal with the Seattle Mariners.
One positive to take out of this is that the Jays won’t be losing both Ray and Semien for nothing. Because they gave qualifying offers to the both of them, the Jays will be receiving a draft pick from the teams who signed them, in this case the Rangers and the Mariners. For a team like the Blue Jays who have been gutting the farm system, adding two valuable picks will certainly help them replenish the farm once again.
The Jays didn’t lose every key player fortunately. They re-signed Jose Berrios to a 7-year deal worth $131 million. A heavy investment, but a necessary one after surrendering top prospect Austin Martin to acquire Berrios from Minnesota.
Soon after losing Ray, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins quickly replaced the Cy Young winner by signing Kevin Gausman, 31, to a five-year, $110 million deal. In 2021, Gausman went 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA with the 107 win Giants, but they ultimately fell in the NLDS to the Dodgers. In an interview following the signing, Gausman said that “he wanted to win a world series” and ultimately believed Toronto was his best chance to get him there.
The Jays continue to have interest in remaining free agents. But the MLB has since announced it will go into a lockout indefinitely after the MLBPA and the MLB failed to come into agreement on a new contract. A lockout means zero transactions can be made, meaning if Toronto wants to make a trade or sign a free agent, it’ll be be stalled until the lockout is lifted. With no return in sight yet for baseball, it begs the question. What’s next?
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Ratio then