The Blue Jays lost Cy Young winner Robbie Ray Jr. to the Mariners and phenomenal middle infielder Semien to the Rangers in the offseason. Ray will be missed in the rotation since he put up a career low 2.84 ERA with an outstanding 32.1% strikeout rate in 2021, but the Blue Jays did a wonderful job replacing him by signing another Ace, and one we like better, in Kevin Gausman.

Gausman had a breakout 2021 season with a 2.81 ERA and a .230 xBA, the emergence of his splitter definitely contributed in large part to his success. His splitter held hitters to a .133 batting average and a 45.9% whiff rate which made it one of the most effective pitches in the league. He will highlight a really good starting rotation that the Jays also added other pieces to in the offseason.

Toronto’s starting rotation really could be a nightmare in the American League. Led by Gausman, their rotation will feature Jose Berrios, Alek Manoah, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Yusei Kikuchi which is a formidable starting rotation. Big questions surround Nate Pearson and his potential 2022 production. The hard-throwing 25-year-old had a poor 4.20 ERA in 15 innings in 2021 and his 12 walks demonstrated he has some control issues. But with the signing of Kikuchi, Pearson could move to the bullpen and become a key piece of their pen.

Toronto will likely move Biggio back to second base for this season which really suits him better. That leaves a hole at third base and the Blue Jays filled that hole with one of the best third baseman in the league: Matt Chapman. The three-time gold glove winner is one of the best defensive players at his position, but he has regressed at the plate in the last few years. His batting average has slowly crept down to .210 in 2021 but we are hoping a change of scenery and a stacked lineup around him will help. Springer, Bichette, and Vlad Jr. is quite the top three in a lineup. Then you add in Hernandez in the clean up spot who can add 30+ HRs with those 3 in front of him followed by Gurriel Jr, Chapman, and Biggio and thats a 1-8 that will make any pitcher nervous.

This team is stacked with young talent and if their pitching can stay healthy and get some good bullpen production look out. The Blue Jays pose a legitimate threat to winning the World Series, American League, and definitely the AL East. Add in the fact that unvaccinated players won't be able to play in Toronto at all this year, as of right now, and you could potentially have the Yankees and other division rivals without key pieces for multiple games in Toronto. Aside from that though we love the talent on this team and think they are building a real winner in Toronto. We like them for the division and think it's worth a shot to bet them at 14/1 for the World Series and 7/1 for the AL.