Toronto Blue Jays 2018: At Least We Aren`t Baltimore

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This is a Toronto Blue Jays dynasty, using the September 1st quick start data. I will simulate to the end of the season, then start the take over from there.

The Blue Jays finished fourth place in the American League East division, with a 2018 record of 75-87. The Blue Jays have the number 1 ranked prospect in Vladimir Guerrero Jr, along with the number 14 ranked Bo Bichette. Many fans are excited to see how these two develop.

AL East Standings:

Boston Red Sox, 105-57
New York Yankees, 102-60 (Wildcard)
Tampa Bay Rays, 85-77
Toronto Blue Jays, 75-87
Baltimore Orioles, 48-114

Up next: 2018 MLB Playoffs!

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The 2018 World Series was a repeat of last years, as the Houston Astros takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Astros were the slight favourites going into the series. In the end, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the series in a thrilling game 7!

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Friday, November 2nd, 2018
Blue Jays confirm John Gibbons departure, hire new consultant for the team

The Blue Jays confirmed today that there would be a new coach for the 2019 season. “John Gibbons has brought this team more success then anyone has since the 92/93 seasons, and we will forever be grateful for that” said assistant GM Ross Atkins. "However, to move forward, we will need a new approach, and a few fresh approach for our players."

The Blue Jays have also hired Michael Wilson as a consultant for the major league team. It is expected that Michael will be working closely alongside Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro.

The Kansas City Royals have dismissed their manager Ned Yost after their 57-105 season. He was highly respected by the team, and rumours are already swirling that the Blue Jays will look into hiring him.

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Saturday November 3rd, 2018
Justin Smoak will be a Toronto Blue Jay next season

The Toronto Blue Jays have picked up the 2019 team option on Justin Smoaks contract. His 2019 salary will be $6,000,000. Justin Smoak lead the team with 78 RBIs last season, and hit 25 home runs with a .245 batting average. This is down from his 2017 breakout season, but the Blue Jays are hopefully for similar production next year.

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Tuesday, November 6, 2018

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Saturday, November 24th, 2018
Blue Jays Arbitration Hearings

Devin Travis (3 star second basemen) , to receive $1,600,000
Marcus Stroman (3.5 star starting pitcher), to receive $7,875,000
Aaron Sanchez (2.5 star starting pitcher), , to receive $3,000,000
Randal Grichuk (3 star left fielder), , to receive $7,500,000
Ken Giles (5 star closer), to receive $6,875,000

Kevin Pillar was approved for $10,000,000, and the Blue Jays decided to release him. They wish him well on his future baseball career.

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Sunday, November 25th, 2018

The top 10 free agents

1 Left Fielder Bryce Harper
Rumored demand: $32,500,000 for 9 years
The headliner of this star studded free agency class is the powerful Bryce Harper. Harper is coming off his second most sucsessful season in his MLB career, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 96 runs, with a .254 batting average. Harper struck out 173 times this season, his highest strike out rate yet. The 5 time all star is looking for a championship team, and with a possible record breaking contract coming to him, the Bryce Harper free agency saga will have the baseball world talking.

2 Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw
Rumored demand: $25,500,000 for 8 years
A relativly low demand for a starting pitcher of Kershaws status, will likely draw lots of teams interest to him. A 2018 world series champion, who sported a career best 2.70 post season ERA, will be an ace in any team he signs for. The Dodgers will likely pursue Kershaw, but he rejected the qualifying offer after exercising his opt out.

3 Third Base/Shortstop Manny Machado
Rumored demand: $25,333,333 for 9 years


4 Catcher Yasmani Grandal
Rumored demand: $20,000,000 for 9 years

5 Third Base Josh Donaldson
Rumored demand: $16,000,000 for 6 years

6 Starting Pitcher Dallas Keuchel
Rumored demand: $18,000,000 for 7 years

7 Center Fielder Aj Pollock
Rumored demand: $18,000,000 for 8 years

8 Left Fielder Michael Brantley
Rumored demand: $17,000,000 for 7 years

9 Second Base Jed Lowrie
Rumored demand: $17,000,000 for 6 years

10 Third Base Mike Moustakas
Rumored demand: $16,642,857 for 7 years

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Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
Blue Jays, Braves Confirm Trade: Martian traded to Atlanta

The Toronto Blue Jays announced a deal with the Braves today, sending 35-year-old C Russell Martin and 22-year-old minor league RHP Nate Pearson to Atlanta for 27-year-old RHP Julio Teheran. It had been talked about for the past few weeks and everything came together late last night. All players are expected to be joining their respective clubs shortly.

Atlanta will retain 75% of Teheran's remaining contract, leaving the Jays to pay only $2,800,000 of his contract.

Looking at his all-time stats, Martin has a career .249 average with 1386 hits, 253 doubles, 9 triples, 189 home runs and 758 RBIs to date. He has scored 783 runs, walked 772 times and stolen 100 bases.

Teheran has a lifetime record of 69 wins and 61 losses and a 3.62 ERA.

The move gives the Blue Jays $55,955,100 to spend this off season in free agency. The Blue Jays top priority right now is starting pitching.

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018
Tampa Bay Close to Signing Veteran SP?

One of the league's most prominent players, Clayton Kershaw, is reportedly seeking a contract with the Rays, sending fans of the organization into orbit. Management tried to put a lid on the rumors earlier in the day, preferring to keep any developments to itself. However, industry insiders confirmed that a deal is being negotiated, and that an offer of $150,000,000 is on the table should Kershaw want to take the Rays up on it.

The Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Tigers are all actively putting deals together to sign Kershaw as well.

Troy Tulowitzki is ready for the 2019 season
Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been medically cleared, and returned to the Toronto Blue Jays roster today. Tulowitzki has not played a major league game since July 2017.

Tulo is owed $20,000,000 for the 2019 season, and $14,000,000 for 2020. It is likely the Blue Jays will try to trade him, although with a big contract, that is easier said then done.

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Thursday, December 6th, 2018
Blue Jays announced new bench coach

The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled Mike Aldrete as their new coach. He has been signed for 3 years.

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Saturday, December 8th, 2018
Toronto Wins LF Harper Sweepstakes

Toronto fans are justifiably excited today as the team unveiled their latest acquisition in Bryce Harper. The 26-year-old is a big money player and will certainly have an immediate impact on the organization.

Some estimates have him making $195,000,000 over 6 years, though media representatives haven't been able to confirm the exact figure.

Harper's career batting average stands at .280, and he has 182 home runs.

The Blue Jays will hold a press conference soon for the new superstore player.

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Tuesday, December 11th, 2018
Toronto Inks Star Manny Machado to $150,000,000 Deal

As speculation mounted into the morning, rumors over a final agreement between Manny Machado and Toronto became a reality, with the star opting for a $150,000,000 deal over 6 years.

In his career Machado has racked up 1046 hits with a .282 average and .335 on-base percentage. His numbers include 210 doubles, 11 triples, and 173 home runs, along with 522 runs scored and 507 RBIs.

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Wednesday, December 12th, 2018
Toronto Blue Jays unveil its future vision

The media stood packed inside the rogers centre today, as the Toronto Blue Jays held a press conference officially announcing the signing of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

Bryce Harper signed a 5 year deal, worth 32.5 million a year, with a player option for the 6th year.

Manny Machado signed a 5 year guaranteed deal, worth a total of $124,000,000. Machado has a player opt out for the 6th year.

"We are here to compete" Machado said. "We could have made more signing somewhere else, but the vision and plan laid out by Ross Arkins and Mark Shapiro laid out gives me complete confidence signing with Toronto", Machado said.

Ross Atkins then unveiled Vladimir Guerrero Jr in a Blue Jays jersey, and stood side by side with him, Harper, and Machado for a photo op.

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Thursday, December 13th, 2018
Toronto, New York Trade Players

According to BNN there were mixed emotions by the players involved in the trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets. As part of the deal, the Blue Jays swapped 25-year-old 3B Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and 34-year-old SS Troy Tulowitzki to the Mets getting 29-year-old CF Juan Lagares in return. The players indicated it was good to get a fresh new start in another city, but it was difficult to leave your friends on the old team.

Toronto will retain a portion (50%) of Tulowitzki's remaining contract.

For his career Lagares is hitting .260 with 20 homers, 152 RBIs and 443 hits.

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Monday, January 7th, 2019
Blue Jays Trade Diaz to Rays for Pina
Earlier today, officials from the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays announced that they had finalized negotiations on a trade between the two teams. The deal will send 28-year-old 2B Aledmys Diaz to Tampa Bay in exchange for 31-year-old C Manny Pina.

The Blue Jays were in need of a catcher after trading away Russell Martian, and with one year left on his contract, they turn to Manny Pina for a short term solution. In 2018, Pina hit 8 home runs with 28 runs batted in.

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Thursday, January 17th, 2019
St. Louis Wins SP Kershaw Sweepstakes

Ending months of speculation, the St. Louis Cardinals finalized a deal with Clayton Kershaw earlier today, making the starting pitcher a very happy man. In his career Kershaw has chalked up 152 wins and 70 losses and compiled a 2.40 ERA.

The 30 year old left handed starting pitcher Kershaw has signed a 7 year deal, worth a total of $195,400,000. Kershaw has a player opt out before his fifth season.

Kershaw joins a very strong Cardinals team, who finished 2nd in the National League central division last season, with a 91-71 record.

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Saturday, March 2nd, 2019
Sanchez tears triceps in first spring training game

A blow for Aaron Sanchez today -- team doctors were able to determine the full extent of his recent injury. He will miss 4 months with a torn triceps. Sanchez suffered the injury on 02/28/2019.

Aaron Sanchez suffered this injury during his very first spring game. He will likely not be back until July.

This puts an even bigger hole into the Blue Jays starting rotation.

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Monday, March 25th, 2019
Top Free Agency Results

1 Left Fielder Bryce Harper
Rumored demand: $32,500,000 for 9 years ($292,500,000)
Signed for: $32,500,000, 6 years to the Toronto Blue Jays ($195,000,000)

2 Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw
Rumored demand: $25,500,000 for 8 years
Signed for: $27,914,285.7, 7 years to the Saint Louis Cardinals ($195,400,000)

3 Third Base/Shortstop Manny Machado
Rumored demand: $25,333,333 for 9 years ($227,999,997)
Signed for: $25,000,000, 6 years to the Toronto Blue Jays ($150,000,000)

4 Catcher Yasmani Grandal
Rumored demand: $20,000,000 for 9 years ($180,000,000)
Signed for: $21,000,000, 7 years to the New York Mets ($147,000,000)

5 Third Base Josh Donaldson
Rumored demand: $16,000,000 for 6 years ($96,000,000)
Signed for: $17,800,000, 2 years to the Boston Red Sox ($35,600,000)

6 Starting Pitcher Dallas Keuchel
Rumored demand: $18,000,000 for 7 years ($126,000,000)
Signed for: $18,000,000, 4 years to the New York Yankees ($72,000,000)

7 Center Fielder Aj Pollock
Rumored demand: $18,000,000 for 8 years ($144,000,000)
Signed for: $18,800,000, 6 years to the Saint Louis Cardinals ($112,800,000)

8 Left Fielder Michael Brantley
Rumored demand: $17,000,000 for 7 years ($119,000,000)
Signed for: $13,100,000, 5 years to the New York Yankees ($65,500,000)

9 Second Base Jed Lowrie
Rumored demand: $17,000,000 for 6 years ($102,000,0000
Signed for: $16,400,000, 4 years to the Boston Red Sox ($66,400,000)

10 Third Base Mike Moustakas
Rumored demand: $16,642,857 for 7 years ($116,499,999)
Signed for: $9,900,000, 4 years to the Cleveland Indians ($39,600,000)

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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019
Toronto Blue Jays 2019 Opening Day Roster

THE BATTERS:

SHORTSTOP: Brandon Trinkwon

Designated Hitter: Yangervis Solarte

Third Base: Manny Machado

Left Field: Bryce Harper

Center Field: Randal Girchuk

First Base: Justin Smoak

Second Base: Devon Travis

Right Field: Brandon Drury

Catcher: Manny Pina

Starting Rotation

Marcus Stroman
Dylan Bundy
Julio Teheran
Mike Hauschild
Ryan Borucki

Bullpen

Closer: Ken Giles
Set Up: Danny Barnes
Set Up: Preston Guilmet
Middle Reliever: David Paulino
Middle Reliever: Tim Mayza
Middle Reliever: Sam Moll
Long Reliever: Joe Biagini

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Thursday, March 28th, 2019
OPENING DAY 2019: Detroit Tigers vs Toronto Blue Jays
Marcus Stroman had a brilliant start as he threw 8 innings, while only giving up one run, and striking out 8. Stroman had run support from Bryce Harper, who hit his first home run of the season at the bottom of the 4th inning. Brandon Trinkwon, Yangervis Solarte, Manny Machado, Devon Travis, and Bryce Harper all had multi hit games. In the 9th inning, Joe Biagini gave up 2 home runs after 12 pitches, but the Blue Jays still won 9-4.

NOTES:
-49,386 in attendance to see Marcus Stroman pick up the win.
-Bryce Harper got the only Blue Jays home run
-Stroman struck out 8