The Toronto Blue Jays are struggling with a losing record despite adding veteran players to improve their roster. Manager John Schneider has issued a warning to an All-Star injury replacement amid these challenges.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: John Schneider manager of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 07, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays have struggled to recapture the momentum they enjoyed during a Cinderella run all the way to extra innings of Game 7 in the World Series last year.
After emerging as the best team in the American League, the Blue Jays fell just short to the Los Angeles Dodgers and added a variety of win-now veterans to the roster in what seemed to be a marked improvement. But, surprisingly enough, the Blue Jays have posted a losing record so far this year.
âMost recently, an offence that has been benign far too often this season was particularly meek under the bright new roof of the Trop,â Rob Langley wrote for the Toronto Sun after the team was swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in a series this week. âFacing the stellar Rays pitching, Toronto hitters managed just four runs in three games.â
The Blue Jaysâ biggest problem does appear to be the offense, which is a stark reversal from last yearâs success. And while fans wonât tolerate too many excuses, it would be fair to point out that the lineup is suffering from some significant injuries, including a fractured thumb that has sidelined reigning All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk.
John Schneider warned the All-Star injury replacement about the team's current struggles and the need for performance improvement.
The Blue Jays are underperforming despite a strong roster due to a combination of factors that have led to a losing record.
The Blue Jays reached extra innings of Game 7 in the World Series last year but ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Blue Jays added a variety of win-now veterans to their roster in hopes of improving their performance this season.
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In Kirkâs absence, the teamâs substitute catchers, Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela, have showcased some problems, with Valenzuela struggling against the Rays in particular.
âSaying it has not been a good week for the Toronto backstops is an understatement,â Langley added. âIn Florida, it was young Brandon Valenzuela who showed his greenness by burning both ABS challenges far too early and later in the game getting thrown out at second with an inexcusable blunder on the basepaths.â
And as Valenzuela makes his on-field case to serve as the primary backup for Kirk when he returns, manager John Schneider issued a warning to the young backstop about where he needs to improve.
âTo be an established major-league catcher, youâve got to understand game plans,â Schneider said, according to the Toronto Starâs Mike Wilner. âYouâve got to understand where youâre setting up and youâve got to understand game situations. Thatâs the last box to check off. Going back the last couple of years, I talked about the same things with Kirk. The quicker (Valenzuela) can continue to develop that is going to be good for him, but heâs got some pretty elite defensive skills.â
That warning suggested that Valenzuela will be heading back to Triple-A whenever Kirk returns to the lineup, with Heineman serving as the teamâs big-league backup. But sooner or later, Valenzuela will be returning to the majors, especially if he can convince the team heâs taken a step up in his game planning and pitcher management.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com