With Spring Training now officially underway for the Blue Jays, right-hander Alek Manoah recently spoke to reporters as he looks to put a challenging 2023 season behind him. As mentioned by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, Manoah is eager to move on from last year.
“When your team is going to the playoffs and you’re not there, it’s difficult,” Manoah said, according to Davidi. “But discussing 2023, for me, is not really worth it. It’s in the past for me now, which is really positive.”
It’s not surprising that Manoah wants to leave his 2023 season in the past. After an impressive 2022 season where the right-hander had a 2.24 ERA in 196 2/3 innings and made an All-Star appearance, Manoah struggled in 2023 with a 5.87 ERA and a 6.01 FIP in 19 starts for the Blue Jays. Instead of dwelling on his difficult season, Davidi notes that Manoah spent the offseason revamping his training and nutrition plan.
While it’s uncertain how well Manoah will perform on the mound this year, he is expected to be the team’s fifth starter behind Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, and Yusei Kikuchi. Manoah has received positive feedback from others in camp this spring, including Gausman. The veteran pitcher told reporters that Manoah “looks a lot more like himself than he ever did last year,” and believes that Manoah may not have been fully prepared for the impact of his workload in 2022 on the following year.
Although Manoah appears to be the leading candidate for the final spot in the rotation, he faces competition from right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who the Blue Jays signed to a five-year deal this offseason. Rodriguez, who turns 27 next month, was dominant as a reliever in Japan’s NPB but spent the 2023 season transitioning to a starting pitcher. The Blue Jays see Rodriguez as providing “starting depth” and the ability to fill multiple roles on the team. While it’s unclear if Rodriguez is a favorite for an Opening Day rotation spot, the Jays may reconsider if Manoah continues to struggle in spring training.
Another option for the rotation is Ricky Tiedemann, the team’s top pitching prospect. The 21-year-old left-hander made 15 starts across all levels of the minor leagues last year, posting a 3.68 ERA in 44 innings. He reached Triple-A and has been viewed as a potential contributor at the major league level this season. Manager John Schneider confirmed that the Jays have a plan for Tiedemann’s workload in 2024 and would prefer for him to pitch in the majors if he proves ready.
Despite his limited experience since being drafted in 2021, Tiedemann is considered one of the top 30 prospects in the sport and one of the best pitching prospects alongside Andrew Painter, Cade Horton, and Kyle Harrison. While it’s unlikely that Tiedemann will make close to 30 starts this year, the Jays could promote him to Toronto early in the season to maximize his opportunities.
Infield prospect Orelvis Martinez is also looking to establish himself at the major league level this season. The 22-year-old had a solid season in 2023, batting .243/.340/.496 in 125 games between Double-A and Triple-A. While Martinez has primarily played on the left side of the infield, he saw more time at second base last year. Manager John Schneider indicated that Martinez will continue to focus on second base in the 2024 season. With the departures of Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield, the Blue Jays have openings at second and third base. Players like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Justin Turner, Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio, and Santiago Espinal are all expected to see playing time, along with stars Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
While Manoah, Tiedemann, and Martinez are expected to have long-term impacts on the team, the same cannot be said for catcher Danny Jansen. Jansen is entering his final year under club control in 2024 and recently discussed his future with reporters. He mentioned that he and the team have had conversations about the possibility of him staying in Toronto after the 2024 season. While Jansen is not ruling out a return, his focus is currently on the upcoming season.
The 29-year-old catcher has had a breakout over the past two seasons, batting .242/.324/.493 with strong defense. His offense ranks fourth among catchers in the majors, behind Adley Rutschman, Willson Contreras, and William Contreras. However, Jansen has been limited to 158 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and the presence of Alejandro Kirk, who has received the majority of playing time.
According to the Source mlbtraderumors.com