Blue Jays Opening Day Mailbag: Extensions, Call-Ups, and More

A Blue Jays Opening Day mailbag about Toronto's next call-ups, potential mega trades, the bullpen makeup, and more.

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Will the Blue Jays win the World Series in seven months?

I can't answer that question, but I can tackle your other pressing preseason inquiries. Below, I'll tackle a few mailbag questions before Opening Day, hitting on Toronto's current roster makeup, potential mega trades, and a few topics in between.

Big thanks to everyone who submitted a question, some have been edited for brevity and clarity:

Which players not on the Opening Day roster are the most likely to see significant playing time? -Maurice

The easy answer here is Otto Lopez, who was many people's (including this so-called journalist's) favorite to take Toronto's 26th-man spot until Nathan Lukes nabbed the role at the end of camp. Beyond Lopez, I expect big MLB impacts from Zach Thompson and Addison Barger.

With Mitch White on the shelf, Thompson should be the first arm up to fill any bulk or spot-start role in the next few weeks. Given Toronto's history of early-season bullpen shuffles, I wouldn't be surprised if he pitches in an MLB game before the home opener. Arden Zwelling's written quite a bit about what the Jays like in Thompson, and it's not hard to see the upside they're betting on with his 3.24 ERA/3.69 FIP season just two years ago.

Barger's more of a long-play. If the Jays need some temporary infield help any time soon it'll probably fall to Lopez or the recently signed vet, Ernie Clement. But if there's a long-term injury to any Jays infielder later this year, Barger could take the roll and run with it. After bulking up and ironing out his mental approach in recent seasons, the 23-year-old's become arguably Toronto's top power prospect, hitting 26 homers in 124 games across three minors levels last year. He'll start the season in Triple-A, but I'd be surprised if he doesn't get some run in The Show this year, at least as a test run for a bigger role next year (future 3B?).

Is the Opening Day bullpen good enough to win a World Series? -Harris

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes... but there's always room for more.

The Jays (finally?) enter a season with a mix of high-end talent and plenty of depth in the ol' arm barn. With Erik Swanson joining Jordan Romano, Yimi García, and the rest of the bullpen, Toronto has the high-velo, high-whiff arms to hang with many title contenders. And, they also have a full stable of guys pushing for roles in Triple-A. If one man goes down for a few weeks, Toronto can promote Nate Pearson, Trent Thornton, Jay Jackson, or someone else. They won't have the best bullpen in baseball, but on paper it's top-10.

Erik Swanson just retired the top of the Royals' lineup -- Nicky Lopez, Whit Merrifield and Andrew Benintendi -- in order, exclusively on his splitter.

Opposing hitters are now 0-for-8 against that pitch this year. pic.twitter.com/DM0XQBTcoL

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 24, 2022

The one concern I have for Toronto's current 'pen makeup is the lack of lefties, with Tim Mayza being the only LH reliever on the roster. The Jays have workarounds: Trevor Richards' changeup and Swanson's splitter both eat lefties alive and a Ricky Tiedemann late-season bullpen promotion would ease all concerns.

But, there's certainly room for a funky arm slot, high-leverage lefty to shut down Anthony Rizzio in late September. It's way too early to dream on deadline targets, but an Aaron Loup reunion would be functional and fun, wouldn't it?

How do you expect the Jays to break down the platoon in the OF?  -Ryan M.

I don't expect the Jays to run a strict platoon in the outfield this year, but Whit Merrifield should certainly see plenty of time in left field against lefties. Both Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier have splits that suffer against southpaws, but both outfielders bring defensive value that deserves everyday playing time.

Merrifield's history in the outfield (280 career games) and ability vs lefties (a career .293 average and .807 OPS vs LHP) should earn him a regular run against the weaker platoon split. Varsho and Kiermaier won't both sit against every lefty, but pushing Merrifield to the outfield means the Jays can give at least one a day off while simultaneously maximizing offensive matchups. While Kiermaier is expected to be an everyday player, it'll be important to find a few days off for the former Ray coming off hip surgery.

I get a sense the Blue Jays can't come to agreement on extensions with Vlad or Bo (not for lack of trying). If you know you can't sign Vlad or Bo, when do you pivot? -Seth

Gotta sneak one pessimistic question in at the end, right?

The Jays have been talking with Guerrero Jr. and Bichette's camps for the last few winters and mega-deals could still emerge. But, for the sake of this question, let's say they don't. When do you trade them, or do you at all?

With Bichette and Guerrero Jr. set for free agency after 2025, you can start talking yourself into retooling trades real fast. Just look at the returns for Luis Castillo and Juan Soto and the deadline last year! 

But, winning teams don't trade young stars. Those resets, retools, and rebuilds are left to the teams that have no other choice. Teams don't choose to enter a retool when they've got multiple years of players like Bichette and Gurrero Jr., and a solid core around them. As long last the Jays stay in contention, they should ride this thing out—even if Guerrero Jr. and Bichette are ultimately heading for FA.

Including this year, the Blue Jays have three true cracks at a championship. Enhance this group as best you can for the next three seasons, and try to win a title. Best case scenario, they get a few banners. Worst case, compensatory draft picks.