The Toronto Blue Jays (64-52) have reeled off 16 wins in their last 19 games, largely due to the clubs acquisitions near the trade deadline, which saw the club bring in shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, pitcher David Price, outfielder Ben Revere and relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe. Here’s how each of those players have performed with the Blue Jays thus far.
Troy Tulowitzki
TORONTO, CANADA – JULY 29: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two-run home run in the second inning during MLB game action against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 29, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Tulowitzki was arguably the biggest fish the club brought in during the trade deadline when the Blue Jays acquired him from the Colorado Rockies, and so far he’s been a solid addition to the team.
Batting leadoff, the 30 year old has scored 15 runs, hit three home runs, and driven in 18 runs, while posting a .217 average and a .325 OBP in 18 games. While he’s not your typical speedy leadoff man, he’s scored enough runs to justify having him in that spot, plus it’s tantalizing for the club to have opposing pitchers to start a game facing Tulo-Donaldson-Bautista-Encarnacion.
Defensively, he’s been a noticeable upgrade at shortstop from Jose Reyes. He hasn’t made an error, and the former Gold Glove winner has made a nice double play partner with Jays second baseman Ryan Goins.
While his average may be low, it’s going to take time for him to be completely comfortable with his new team, batting leadoff. When he does come around, the Blue Jays lineup may be even scarier than it is now.
David Price
TORONTO, CANADA – AUGUST 3: David Price #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the second inning during MLB game action against the Minnesota Twins on August 3, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
One thing the Blue Jays lacked all season was a legitimate ace. Acquiring Price from the Detroit Tigers has alleviated that problem, and put less pressure on the rest of rotation. Instead of R.A. Dickey or Drew Hutchison having to worry about carrying the load, in three starts, Price has shown he’s the number one and let others settle in behind him.
While it’s a small sample size, Price has flat out dominated in three starts with Toronto. He’s posted two wins (he would have had three if not for a blown save), with a 1.61 ERA, a 2.21 FIP, a 0.99 WHIP, and a 9.7 K/9 vs a 2.0 BB/9. All three games have been high leverage situations, with great starts against Minnesota (when they were challenging for the AL Wild Card spot) and two versus the AL East rival Yankees.
While the cost to acquire Price was high, and ultimately he only may make a handful of starts for the club before bolting in free agency, he’s been exactly what the club needed – an ace who can pitch in big games every fifth day. Should the Blue Jays find themselves in a one game playoff situation, they know who to turn to in the rotation.
Ben Revere, LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe
TORONTO, CANADA – AUGUST 6: Ben Revere #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides safely into third base as he advances on a throwing error following his single in the fifth inning during MLB game action against the Minnesota Twins on August 6, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
None of these acquisitions had the impact of Tulowitzki or Price, but all three players have added important depth to a surging Blue Jays ball club.
Revere’s bat hasn’t yet come around, as he’s batting just above the Mendoza line, but he’s been an important cog in the outfield, where he’s making starts regularly and batting ninth in the order. An outfield of Revere-Pillar-Bautista is among the best in the league defensively, and his speed covers a lot of ground. While he might be best served as a fourth outfielder, Revere is a much better option than seeing Chris Colabello or Ezequiel Carrera out there, struggling to make catches.
The Blue Jays bullpen has been among the best in the league since the All-Star break, and adding Hawkins and Lowe has only solidified the club’s depth.
The 42 year old Hawkins, acquired from the Colorado Rockies, has pitched in eight games, with a 1.17 ERA, while becoming a solid sixth and seventh inning option for the team. He’s also become somewhat of a mentor for 20-year-old closer Roberto Osuna, which is a great story since Osuna was born the same year Hawkins debuted in the MLB.
Lowe’s first appearance where he allowed three runs and took a loss against the Kansas City Royals may not have been pretty, but since that ugly appearance he’s pitched four straight scoreless appearances and become another solid arm for the clubs bullpen. Lowe has a similar role to Hawkins, and can be counted on during high leverage situations.
The Blue Jays went all-in during the trade deadline, and so far the moves, whether big or small, have paid off quite well.
