The home-run bug continues to haunt Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman. That could force a change of plans at the trade deadline
Hoffman has allowed 10 homers this season. The only reliever in the American League who has surrendered more is teammate Chad Green. That means even when the Jays closer appears to be in top form, he's often one pitch away from losing his grip on the game.
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National Post
10 hours ago
- National Post
Time for Blue Jays to load up at trade deadline: 'We've put ourselves in position'
In what has suddenly been a 12-year major league career, George Springer has seen it all at the flashpoint moment that is baseball's trade deadline. Article content He's seen the Houston Astros attempt to load up for a run at a championship run like they did in 2017, a triumphant season in which the now Blue Jays outfielder/ designated hitter was named World Series MVP. Article content Article content He's seen teams add bit pieces and he's seen other organizations clean house, like the Jays did to some degree on their way to a last-place season just a year ago. Article content And he's seen clubhouses adapt to the changing faces and chemistry that comes along with the pursuit of even bigger goals. Article content 'I think you just keep playing and you keep doing what you need to do,' Springer said in an interview with the Toronto Sun this week, when asked about the mix of anxiety and excitement that builds as the deadline nears. 'You go to war with the guys that are in the locker room every day. And honestly? Whatever happens, happens. Article content 'I can't speak for how anybody else feels, but for me it's just about the guys who are here now and we'll see what happens.' Article content That said, Springer doesn't have his head in the sand. He can read the standing as closely as the next guy. He can feel the buzz building in the city, country and throughout Major League Baseball. And he knows that the Jays have earned the status of pushing general manager Ross Atkins to be an aggressive buyer as next Thursday's deadline rapidly approaches. Article content 'I just think it's cool that we've put ourselves in that position where other people talk about us,' Springer said. 'I know it's not something that's talked about in here. I think guys love each other in here and what we've done so far. I guess (trade deadline talk) is just a byproduct of a lot of hard work and the good things that have come.' Article content When a team keeps winning like the Jays have – now 6-1 out of the All Star break after Thursday's big 11-4 victory over the Tigers in Detroit — it's easy to get excited about the possibilities. Article content 'It's on everybody's mind a little bit,' Jays shortstop Bo Bichette acknowledged during the Yankees series in Toronto earlier in the week. 'We've put ourselves in a position where we think that there should be things done to help us. Article content 'At the same time I think we're so confident in everybody in that room, honestly, that whatever happens we'll continue to come here and just try to win.' Article content Underlying the comments of Springer and Bichette is the expectation in a clubhouse of seeing the front office go if not all in, making additions that will enhance the potential associated with having the best record in the American League (61-42) on Friday. Article content If the Jays are to cement that status and parlay it into some post season success, there are roster needs, starting with a beefing up of the bullpen, especially with the uncertainty around Yimi Garcia's status. Starting depth has to be on Atkins' radar as does an impact bat to further add to the already dynamic Toronto offence.
Edmonton Journal
10 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Time for Blue Jays to load up at trade deadline: 'We've put ourselves in position'
In what has suddenly been a 12-year major league career, George Springer has seen it all at the flashpoint moment that is baseball's trade deadline. Article content He's seen the Houston Astros attempt to load up for a run at a championship run like they did in 2017, a triumphant season in which the now Blue Jays outfielder/ designated hitter was named World Series MVP. Article content He's seen teams add bit pieces and he's seen other organizations clean house, like the Jays did to some degree on their way to a last-place season just a year ago. Article content Article content And he's seen clubhouses adapt to the changing faces and chemistry that comes along with the pursuit of even bigger goals. Article content Article content 'I think you just keep playing and you keep doing what you need to do,' Springer said in an interview with the Toronto Sun this week, when asked about the mix of anxiety and excitement that builds as the deadline nears. 'You go to war with the guys that are in the locker room every day. And honestly? Whatever happens, happens. Article content 'I can't speak for how anybody else feels, but for me it's just about the guys who are here now and we'll see what happens.' Article content That said, Springer doesn't have his head in the sand. He can read the standing as closely as the next guy. He can feel the buzz building in the city, country and throughout Major League Baseball. And he knows that the Jays have earned the status of pushing general manager Ross Atkins to be an aggressive buyer as next Thursday's deadline rapidly approaches. Article content Article content 'I just think it's cool that we've put ourselves in that position where other people talk about us,' Springer said. 'I know it's not something that's talked about in here. I think guys love each other in here and what we've done so far. I guess (trade deadline talk) is just a byproduct of a lot of hard work and the good things that have come.' Article content When a team keeps winning like the Jays have – now 6-1 out of the All Star break after Thursday's big 11-4 victory over the Tigers in Detroit — it's easy to get excited about the possibilities. Article content 'It's on everybody's mind a little bit,' Jays shortstop Bo Bichette acknowledged during the Yankees series in Toronto earlier in the week. 'We've put ourselves in a position where we think that there should be things done to help us. Article content 'At the same time I think we're so confident in everybody in that room, honestly, that whatever happens we'll continue to come here and just try to win.'
Toronto Star
13 hours ago
- Toronto Star
The mystery behind Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer's fat lip. Was it actually a teammate?
DETROIT— Eric Lauer pitched one of the best games of his career Thursday night. And he did it with a fat lip. The 30-year-old left-hander, the junior member of the Toronto Blue Jays' veteran pitching rotation, threw eight innings of walk-free five-hitter, allowing only one run, in a series-opening 11-4 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park that propelled the Jays into sole possession of first place overall in the American League. But after the game, the first question was about the fat lip.
