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Category: Analysis

Why Manny Machado would be perfect for the Blue Jays

Why Manny Machado would be perfect for the Blue Jays

By Travis Aylward (@travaylward). Recent rumours swirling around the baseball world suggest that Manny Machado would like a trade from the Baltimore Orioles, as well as a switch from third base to shortstop. Machado is obviously a step up from the Blue Jays current shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and is arguably better then Toronto’s current third baseman and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson. He would fit perfectly on the Blue Jays, and here’s why. Comparing Statistics (2017): Josh Donaldson: Avg: .270 RBI: 78…

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Offseason Predictions

Offseason Predictions

Editor’s Note — The following trade propositions do not reflect the opinion of other 360BlueJayNews writers. Following two straight trips to the ALCS, expectations were high coming into the 2017 season. With the Blue Jays coming out of last place in the A.L. East for the first time on the last day of the season, obviously they disappointed. Nevertheless, Blue Jays fans remain optimistic for the 2018 season. If the Jays have any chance of competing this year, they need…

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The Blue Jays weren’t supposed to be bad. Why are they?

The Blue Jays weren’t supposed to be bad. Why are they?

By Travis Aylward. The Toronto Blue Jays, currently sitting six games behind the second wildcard spot, are still unbelievably in the hunt, despite starting the season 2-11 and struggling as of late. With 34 games remaining in the season, there’s no question the Blue Jays still have a chance, even with them currently sitting last place in the AL East, but they were supposed to be good. What happened? Josh Donaldson’s recent resurgence gives Blue Jays fans reason to believe…

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Does Tulowitzki’s injury mark the end?

Does Tulowitzki’s injury mark the end?

Things were looking up — a four game sweep capped off by consecutive walk-off home runs provided some hope that maybe this team could win big. Maybe Toronto’s veteran core has one more run left in the tank. However, after dropping a three-game set at the hands of the Angels and losing Troy Tulowitzki for perhaps the entire season, that hope may be out the window. According to Shi Davidi, the two months left of baseball will likely prove too…

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Can Toronto turn it around in time?

Can Toronto turn it around in time?

I know it, you know it, we all know it – the Toronto Blue Jays have been really bad so far. How bad? To put it in perspective, 28 teams have been better than Toronto through a sluggish 26 games of the season. The Blue Jays never rebounded from a worrisome 1-5 start, and now find themselves sitting at a 9-17 record with just about 4 weeks of baseball in the books. It’s a simple question, yet a complex answer: Can…

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A 6-14 Record – Does it Matter?

A 6-14 Record – Does it Matter?

6-14 isn’t a pretty record, to put it mildly. The Blue Jays were lining up to be a quality team in 2017. The offense, albeit missing Edwin Encarnacion, was looking strong, and the pitching, while missing a sixth starter, is clearly stronger than that of last season. Then came spring training. Toronto has posted a 6-14 record in their first 22 games, and if spring is any indication, this season won’t go well. But does it matter? There are multiple…

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2016 vs. 2017 – What’s Different?

2016 vs. 2017 – What’s Different?

The 2017 Blue Jays are going to look a little different then the 2016 Blue Jays. No Encarnacion. No Saunders. No Cecil, but Jose is back and we’ve still got our MVP. Offense Despite them losing a 40 home run hitter in Edwin Encarnacion, they’ve acquired a good 30-32 home run hitter in Morales at first base and DH. They still have their 2015 MVP Donaldson, who can hit 35-40 home runs, and they just got back Bautista. Bautista had a…

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How To Win The World Series – Blue Jay Edition

How To Win The World Series – Blue Jay Edition

You can almost predict it sometimes – there are teams that just look built to win the World Series. You’ve all heard the saying ‘history repeats itself’, and it applies the exact same way when it comes to baseball. The Blue Jays didn’t win the World Series this year – the Cubs did. Why, you ask? If you look up and down Cleveland and Chicago’s roster, what do you see? Most of the talent is fairly evident – Cy Young candidates, Gold…

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5 Players Crucial to the Jays’ Pennant Run

5 Players Crucial to the Jays’ Pennant Run

The three way race between Boston, Baltimore, and the Blue Birds is way too tight to lose anyone. On any winning team, there are players who seperate the wins from the losses, and with series’ against the O’s and the Red Sox down the stretch, one or two losses could be considered substantial ground, and could literally be the difference between a wild card and a consecutive pennant. These are the players in the 6ix that put fans in the…

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The Jason Grilli Turnaround

The Jason Grilli Turnaround

There’s no denying that Jason Grilli has become one of the most valuable assets for the Blue Jays’ bullpen this season. His 1.75 ERA in his time with Toronto only proves it. But what prompted the reliever to change his ways once traded from the Braves?