Toronto Blue Jays Hot Stove: Staying Toasty in Tough AL East

The Toronto Blue Jays are trying to break out of the shadow cast by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL East. General manager Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro have made some solid moves this winter.

The Jays were one of the preseason favorites to win the World Series in 2022. They finished with a record of 92-70 and lost in the Wild Card round to Seattle Mariners. The last team they saw during the season was the first team that they would reacquaint with in an offseason.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Erik Swanson and Adam Macko. They also traded away Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez was traded before the World Series trophy was engraved. He will be a free agent after this season. The Jays say Mackos could contribute in late 2023.

Toronto signed Kevin Kiermaier and traded for Daulton Varsho to fill the void in the outfield. Chris Bassitt signed a three-year deal worth $63 million. Gabriel Moreno could become one of baseball's best catchers. He will be the third starter behind Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. The 33-years-old is coming off a career year with the New York Mets. Toronto is in a tough AL East. They play against the Boston Red Sox.

The Toronto Blue Jays have the third-highest payroll in the American League. The team's opening day payroll is projected to be $204 million.

Ross Stripling signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. Bassitt will be expected to equal Striplings on the mound.

Toronto Blue Jays need to sign a back-end starting pitcher and a high-leverage relief pitcher. They have already acquired Chris Bassitt and Erik Swanson. Michael Fulmer, Liam Hendriks, Will Smith and Johnny Cueto are potential targets. Cole Hamels is a free agent. The 40-year-old left-hander hasn't pitched since 2020. He made $4.2 million on a one-season deal with the White Sox last year.

Orelvis Martinez is the Blue Jays' second-ranked prospect. Yosver Zulueta is a right-handed pitcher with good fastball and two solid breaking pitches. He could be a pen option for Toronto in 2023. The Cuban hurler had 84 Ks in 55 innings over four levels of minor league baseball last year.

Toronto Blue Jays are in the top ten on the World Series futures board. They are third behind the Yankees and Astros to take the American League and second behind New York.