Toronto Blue Jays

Multiple members of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, including some players, have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. 

Per Davidi, the positive tests are "related to the shutdown in Dunedin last Friday." 

Dunedin, Florida, is where the Blue Jays hold their spring training, though as Davidi wrote, "Dunedin is the most straight-forward option for training camp, but Florida isn't where you want to be."

That follows a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Sunday that "40 players and staff members" around Major League Baseball have tested positive for the coronavirus. And Colorado Rockies players Charlie Blackmon, Phillip Diehl and Ryan Castellani have tested positive, per Steve Gardner of USA Today.

While the players signed off on the 60-game season imposed by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday, there are serious questions whether the coronavirus will ultimately put those plans on hold. 

Many teams traditionally hold their training camps in various sites around Florida. But cases of COVID-19 have been spiking in the state, with a record-high 5,511 new cases reported on Wednesday, leading the MLB to decide that teams would be holding training camps at their home stadiums.

The total number of reported coronavirus cases in the United States is now over 2.3 million, per CNN.com, with 121,746 deaths. 

And the rules for the return to play will be prohibitive, per Nightengale:

• All lockers must be six feet apart.
• Players cannot enter the stadium if they have a temperature above 100.4. 
• There will be "temperature and symptoms" checks twice a day, saliva tests every other day and antibody tests once a month.
• No "lounging" in the clubhouse—players cannot show up more than five hours before a game and must leave within 90 minutes after. 
• No players buffet; only pre-packaged food.
• No showering at the stadium.
• Players must keep a six-foot distance from everyone when they walk onto the field.
• Not all players can be in the dugout to maintain distancing—some will have to sit in the stands.
• No spitting; no tobacco; no licking fingers; no batboys or batgirls. 
• No group celebrations over home runs.

Sounds fun, right? That's just a sampling of the restrictions in place.

MLB is taking the threat of the coronavirus very seriously. But as cases spike around certain parts of the country, it's calling into question whether that threat may ultimately shut down the season for good.  

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly closed their spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida. 

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Blue Jays shut down their facility on Thursday after a player showed symptoms of COVID-19. 

Passan noted the player is a pitcher currently on Toronto's 40-man roster and is awaiting results of his COVID-19 test, and that "testing will ramp up" if the player "is not an isolated case."

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told Passan they are "being overly precautious with testing."

According to Passan, the Blue Jays player "recently had spent time with players in the Phillies' minor leagues system."

The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that five players and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19, though it wasn't specified if the players were on the MLB roster or minor leaguers. 

This week has seen a surge in coronavirus cases throughout Florida. The state has set single-day records for confirmed cases in each of the past two days, going from 3,207 on Thursday to 3,822 on Friday. 

The Toronto Blue Jays added an elite hitter to their prospect talent pool after selecting Vanderbilt star Austin Martin with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft on Wednesday.

Before the NCAA canceled spring sports because of the coronavirus pandemic, Martin was making a case for himself as the best player in this year's draft class. He already built a strong reputation in his first two college seasons as a Freshman All-American in 2018 and a Baseball America All-American in 2019.

Martin only had 16 games this season to showcase his skills, but he made an excellent argument as an elite prospect. The Florida native hit .377/.507/.660 with nine extra-base hits and 15 runs scored. 

Per MLB.com, which had Martin ranked as the No. 2 player in the 2020 draft, his bat-to-ball skills are unmatched by anyone in this class:

"The best pure hitter in the 2020 Draft, Martin has tremendous feel for the barrel and makes consistent hard contact with a short, quick right-handed stroke. He's not overly physical and may not have more than average raw power, but his hitting ability allows him to tap into every bit of it. He controls the strike zone extremely well and uses the entire field, exhibiting no weaknesses at the plate."

Martin's ability to make contact separates him from a lot of hitters in today's MLB. The 21-year-old only struck out twice in 53 at-bats this season and was punched out 82 times in 543 at-bats in his college career. 

There are questions about Martin's ultimate defensive position. He played third base and center field this season. His limited power potential would make him much more valuable at center field⁠—or possibly shortstop, though Vanderbilt never used him there.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced him as a shortstop during Wednesday's draft.

Wherever Martin ends up playing in the field, the potential for a high-average hitter who gets on base and knows how to use his instincts to steal bases will make him a valuable asset for the Blue Jays.

While Major League Baseball remains on hiatus, league officials are doing their best to prepare for what a return to play could look like. On top of all the scheduling scenarios, one issue in particular that's sure to become a sticking point is just what kind of ramp-up period teams will need before their rosters are ready for Opening Day. 

According to Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro, that process may require a full month of training camp.

"Knowing that so many players are not even having any access to throwing at all or hitting at all, but most importantly just throwing, and probably limited access to just training and exercise, it's hard to imagine we could get ready in less than four weeks," Shapiro said in a teleconference, via the Associated Press. 

Shapiro acknowledged these talks are a bit premature as the world continues to grapple with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The team president said they're still waiting on a slowdown in the number of positive cases before baseball can continue. 

"I do think that we're, by and large, waiting for some sort of flattening of the curve and recognition that we have done our best to limit the strain on the healthcare system and the economic system," Shapiro said. "Until that time, the exact outcome and impact on our schedule, and all of the corresponding business that cascades off that, really can't be determined. It certainly looks like we are not dealing with days and likely not weeks, but closer to months."

MLB officially suspended activities on March 12 by canceling exhibition games and pushing Opening Day back by two weeks. It became clear shortly after that 14 days would not be a long enough delay. Commissioner Rob Manfred has not given an updated timeline on when the season could begin. In the meantime, two minor league players have tested positive for COVID-19 and the league is preparing for it to reach major leaguers at large. 

While athletes were given their own workout plans before being sent home from spring training, that can only do so much—and it's hard to adhere to strict exercise routines in the midst of a national emergency that requires staying home as much as possible. 

"The physical exercise they can do is as much about mental health and maintaining some semblance of normalcy and routine, and probably a little bit less baseball-specific," Shapiro said. "There's almost no one who could maintain game-ready shape in light of circumstances."

Teams still have yet to trim rosters down to 26 players and were still weeks away from doing so at the time training camps were halted. It all creates more hurdles for MLB as sports leagues worldwide continue creating new contingencies.

Whenever baseball does officially return, it's clear a ramp-up period will be vital. 

Five-time All-Star Tony Fernandez died Saturday at the age of 57 due to complications from kidney disease. 

The Toronto Blue Jays, who Fernandez played with for 12 seasons, offered their condolences in a statement:

We will miss you, Tony 💙 pic.twitter.com/3FfCgXaM7y

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 16, 2020

In December 2017, Fernandez announced on Twitter he was hospitalized in Florida after being diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. 

"I'm under medical treatment, I can barely speak," he wrote. "But I wanna ask my friends and followers to continue praying. God is in control."

Rob Leth of Global News Sports reported Jan. 31 that Fernandez was in critical condition due to an issue with his kidneys. 

“Tony Fernandez was one of the finest people I've ever met in baseball,” former Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez said, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. “He was a terrific person, first and foremost, a great father, a great husband and a great teammate, a hell of a player. I’ll always remember how much joy he had when he played the game. He loved to play the game.”

Fernandez signed with Toronto as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1979. He made his MLB debut as a 21-year-old in September 1983 and became a full-time starter during the 1985 season. 

From 1986-89, Fernandez won four straight Gold Glove Awards and was named an All-Star three times. He won a World Series title with the Blue Jays in 1993. 

The Blue Jays gave Fernandez the Level of Excellence award that recognizes tremendous individual achievement in 2001.

Over the course of his 17-season MLB career from 1983-2001, Fernandez played for the Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. He had a .288/.347/.399 slash line with 2,276 hits. 

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire was arrested last Friday for "exposure of sexual organs" in Dunedin, Florida, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. 

Davidi wrote that "a subject was seen inside an SUV exposing himself" in the parking lot of a strip mall. McGuire was taken into custody and has a court appearance on March 16 in Clearwater.

The Blue Jays issued a statement following his arrest: "The Blue Jays are aware of the recent police incident involving catcher Reese McGuire. He has been in communication with the club and we are working to gather more information. Out of respect for the legal process, neither he nor the club will comment any further at this time."

The Blue Jays are stationed in Dunedin for spring training. Their first game is Feb. 22 against the New York Yankees. McGuire's court date doesn't overlap with a game on Toronto's spring schedule.

The 24-year-old presumably has a shot at being the Jays' starting catcher on Opening Day, though he's currently listed behind Danny Jansen in the team's depth chart.

McGuire made 30 appearances for the team in 2019, batting .299 with five home runs and 11 RBI.

The Toronto Blue Jays are basically hoping that Hyun-Jin Ryu will be their Jon Lester.

For the moment, the ace left-hander is the biggest prize of the Blue Jays' offseason haul. His four-year, $80 million deal was first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman on Dec. 22 and finalized five days later.

OFFICIAL: We’ve signed LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu to a 4-year contract. Ryu led the Majors with a 2.32 ERA in 2019.

Welcome to our family, @HyunJinRyu99! pic.twitter.com/dww0Ld6Ybk

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 27, 2019

In Ryu's introductory press conference on Friday, it was Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro who uttered the magic words, per Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com: "This is the next step in what we feel is a plan to build a sustainable championship team."

Hence the obligatory comparison to Lester.

When the Chicago Cubs signed Lester to a six-year, $155 million contract in December 2014, they were technically far away from contention after winning only 73 games the previous season. However, combining his ability and experience with their strong base of young talent had the potential to work wonders. Spoiler alert: It did.

Though the Blue Jays are fresh off a 95-loss campaign in 2019, they at least succeeded in planting the seeds—namely Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio—for an American League powerhouse. That makes them well-suited to play the role of the Cubs.

All Ryu, 32, has to do is play the Lester role. For that, much will depend on him defying the odds on his durability and his pitching style.

On the surface, a multiyear contract at $20 million a pop is more than fair for a pitcher with Ryu's credentials.

He was consistently an above-average pitcher in his six years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he's coming to Toronto off a career year. In addition to having an MLB-best 2.32 ERA among qualified starters, he also led with a microscopic rate of 1.18 walks per nine innings.

On a less bright side, even words such as "alarming" and "concerning" don't do Ryu's injury history justice. Shoulder and elbow injuries limited him to one start between 2015 and 2016. He's missed additional time with hip, foot, groin and neck injuries over the last three seasons.

Even if Ryu were a younger man, a track record such as this would raise concerns about further injuries to come. He is, of course, not a younger man. He'll be 33 by the time Opening Day for the 2020 season rolls around. Between his age and collections of aches, pains and owies together, the Blue Jays have ample excuse to cross their fingers and keep 'em crossed.

In the event Ryu does stay healthy, there's a chance that the Blue Jays will enjoy a legit No. 1 starter at the top of their rotation over the next four years.

His 90.6 mph fastball hardly stands out next to the many mid- and high-90s heaters around MLB today, but anyone who watches him closely will get a sense of why that's no big deal. His changeup is his weapon, and he throws it liberally and is very good at using it in tandem with his heat:

Hyun-Jin Ryu, 3 Pitch K vs Baez, Overlay (89mph Two Seamer and 2 80mph Changeups). 🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/5MBwu9aYfn

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 17, 2019

Ultimately, command isn't Ryu's only elite skill. He's also proved himself as a master contact manager. To wit, his 85.3 mph average exit velocity ranked second to that of only Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks among pitchers who had at least 500 balls put in play in 2019.

Yet there is some volatility baked into Ryu's pitching style.

His typically unspectacular strikeout rates create a small margin for error. And as evidenced by how he outperformed his expected batting average and expected slugging percentage in 2019, even his best season wasn't quite as good as it appeared. That started to become more apparent in the second half, in which his ERA nearly doubled from 1.73 to 3.18.

It helped Ryu that the Dodgers had three above-average framers behind the plate as well as the National League's most efficient defense. Further, Dodger Stadium generally isn't a fun place for hitters, and that was especially true for right-handed hitters in 2019.

By contrast, the Blue Jays ranked 19th in defensive efficiency in 2019 and Rogers Centre is at best (for pitchers, that is) neutral to right-handed hitters. So thanks to Danny Jansen's framing expertise, only Ryu's catching advantage figures to carry over from Los Angeles to Toronto. And that may only last as long as the automated strike zone stays out of major league parks.

Meanwhile, the rest of the AL East won't clear the way for the Blue Jays in 2020.

The New York Yankees have topped 100 wins in back-to-back seasons, and Gerrit Cole's arrival could very well make it three straight. The Tampa Bay Rays still look like a contender after winning 96 games in 2019. Assuming they don't trade 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts, the Boston Red Sox should bounce back from a disappointing 84-win turn.

To their credit, the Blue Jays have added one key hitter (Travis Shaw) and more pitchers (Tanner Roark, Chase Anderson and Shun Yamaguchi) than just Ryu. They're also not done harvesting from their farm system. Specifically, live-armed righty Nate Pearson will be in Toronto soon.

Even still, the leap from pretender to contender is one the Blue Jays will be challenged to make in 2020. They stand a better chance of making it in 2021, and even that's assuming all of Ryu's red flags aren't looming even larger.

This is not to suggest the Blue Jays have made a critical error. They indeed needed a veteran top-of-the-rotation starter. And given how this winter's market has been trending, they didn't go over market value in signing Ryu for $80 million. Plus, there would seem to be room in their books for more big contracts.

But as potential franchise saviors go, this one is probably going to need some help.

               

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, Baseball Savant and Baseball Prospectus. Payroll data courtesy of Roster Resource.

The New Orleans Pelicans snapped the Denver Nuggets' seven-game winning streak, walking away with a 112-100 victory on Christmas Day at Pepsi Center.

New Orleans has won three of its last four games as well following a 13-game losing streak from the end of November through the middle of December.

The Pelicans were initially hopeful No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson would be available to suit up against the Nuggets when he underwent knee surgery in October. However, president of basketball operations David Griffin said last week that Williamson is still "a ways away" from getting on the court.

New Orleans didn't need the former Duke star to enjoy a Merry Christmas.

          

Notable Performers

• Brandon Ingram, SF, Pelicans: 31 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals
• JJ Redick, SG, Pelicans: 15 points, three rebounds
• Jrue Holiday, PG, Pelicans: 20 points, eight assists, six steals, four rebounds
• Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets: 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals
• Gary Harris, SG, Nuggets: 15 points, three rebounds, four steals, one assist
• Jerami Grant, PF, Nuggets: 17 points, two rebounds, one assist

          

Ingram Leads the Way to Close Out NBA's Christmas Slate

Crediting only Brandon Ingram for the result would be unfair because six Pelicans players scored in double figures and New Orleans owned a 52-40 edge on the boards. The visiting team was 18-of-43 from beyond the arc as well.

But whether he was creating offense for himself, hitting spot-up jumpers, or occupying the defense's attention to free up a teammate, Ingram was the Pelicans' best player.

Ingram (11 PTS) was a perfect 4-4 from the field in the 1st QTR! #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/5W93824Dfd

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 26, 2019

Ingram deserves the max in my opinion 🤷🏽‍♂️

— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) December 26, 2019

Ingram enjoyed a career-best night from the perimeter, hitting seven of his nine three-point attempts. His ability to stretch the floor is the biggest reason for his massive jump in 2019-20.

.@B_Ingram13 making the corner 👌 look easy pic.twitter.com/IbLbJ0rMZp

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 26, 2019

B.I. 👌🤫 pic.twitter.com/93gz3n469G

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 26, 2019

If Brandon Ingram is hitting 3s off screens from 4 feet behind the line, he's going to be a problem

— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) December 26, 2019

JJ Redick almost single-handedly gave the Pelicans a 58-55 halftime lead. He scored 13 of New Orleans' final 15 points of the half, capping off his offensive outburst with a heave at the buzzer.

JJ Redick from the LOGO! 🚨

He's up to 15 PTS at the half on ESPN. #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/gThD1k3eV0

— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2019

JJ Redick has made countless tough shots already this season, but he also banked in a three from near halfcourt to give #Pelicans 58-55 halftime lead. #AlwaysHeave Redick (15 pts) was huge in NOLA regaining the momentum after Denver run in 2Q

— Jim Eichenhofer (@Jim_Eichenhofer) December 26, 2019

The Pelicans' momentum didn't fade as they headed to the locker room, either. They maintained their lead over the Nuggets heading into the final frame.

Redick's one-man show toward the end of the second quarter helped turn the tide in favor of New Orleans.

        

Jokic Continues Hot Run in Losing Effort

Nikola Jokic's weight will probably always be a point of discussion, the significance of which depends on how he's playing in that moment.

When he combined to shoot 7-of-23 for 20 points in back-to-back losses to the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, the 24-year-old opened himself up to some extra criticism. That Lakers game was largely an anomaly in the month of December, however. He was averaging 21.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 8.1 assists entering the night.

Playing against the inexperienced Jaxson Hayes and defensively unreliable Jahlil Okafor helped Jokic on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/1210057760391303169

whenever Jokic has the ball pic.twitter.com/eNkt9iaqZf

— RingerNBA (@ringernba) December 26, 2019

How is there no help for Holiday 1 on 1 vs Jokic in the post?

— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) December 26, 2019

In general, though, Denver simply couldn't string enough quality possessions together to overtake the Pelicans in the second half. The Nuggets continued knocking on the door but would either have a lapse on defense or a poor shot attempt on the other end.

Pepsi Center is begging for a big 3-pointer from the Nuggets, who are down four with 6 minutes left.
Every time it feels like they're on the brink, there's an airball, and a quick response from the Pels.

— Mike Singer (@msinger) December 26, 2019

Nuggets have simply been awful defensively tonight. Multiple instances in this quarter where they aren't locating the New Orleans shooters, mixing up assignments. They've also given up 12 offensive rebounds.

— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) December 26, 2019

Denver has been making a lot of little mistakes — like just now when there were no Pelicans around and the Nuggets accidentally knocked the ball out of bounds — that are allowing the Pelicans to keep their lead. Pels lead 94-90 with 7:43 left in the game.

— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) December 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/MasonGinsberg/status/1210073989155917825

This is undoubtedly a game head coach Mike Malone will wish he could have back.

        

What's Next?

The Pelicans host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Nuggets remain at home Saturday for a matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Hyun-Jin Ryu cashed in on his career year, agreeing to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. There are no opt outs in the contract, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Last offseason, Ryu accepted the Los Angeles Dodgers' one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer rather than testing his earning potential on the open market. He had been limited to 15 starts in 2018, so it made sense to bet on himself and attempt to rebuild his value.

The strategy worked out brilliantly, as Ryu went 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA and 3.10 FIP in 29 appearances. His 4.8 WAR was 12th among starting pitchers, and he ranked first in walk rate, allowing 1.18 per nine innings. The veteran left-hander also narrowly edged out Jacob deGrom (2.43) for the MLB ERA title.

Ryu's talent wasn't in doubt. He went 28-15 and had 7.8 combined WAR in his first two years with the Dodgers.

However, he missed all of 2015 after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. He then logged 213.2 combined innings between 2016 and 2018. Throw in the Tommy John surgery he had in 2004 and long-term health is a big question.

His agent, Scott Boras, attempted to spin his injury history as a positive.

"He is, age-wise, 32, but the truth is, innings-wise, he's probably about 26 or 27, because he doesn't have many innings on his arm," Boras said in October to the South Korean Yonhap News Agency. "That makes him very valuable."

Ryu did have one advantage over some of his fellow free agents in that the Dodgers won't receive any draft pick compensation when he officially signs with the Blue Jays. Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel went unsigned this past season until after the draft concluded, which meant the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs, respectively, didn't have to give up any draft picks.

In general, the concerns about Ryu's durability might be overstated.

Fifteen pitchers registered at least 200 innings in 2019. That number was 34 in 2014 and 36 in 2009. Teams simply aren't asking their starting pitchers to go deep into games as regularly as they once did.

Toronto would likely be thrilled to see Ryu hit 200 innings in 2020, but it will probably be equally happy if he pitches like a No. 1 or 2 starter for 140 to 150 innings too.

Gerrit Cole was the crown jewel of this year's free-agent class, and his contract demands would inevitably price a lot of franchises out of the sweepstakes.

Signing Ryu allows the Blue Jays to strengthen their starting rotation without having to pay the king's ransom it required to get Cole, who agreed to a record-setting nine-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees.

However, Toronto is an odd fit given how far off playoff contention the team was in 2019.

The Blue Jays finished 36 games back of the American League East champion Yankees and 29 games off the final wild-card spot. They're still at least another year or two from seriously challenging for a postseason bid.

The front office most likely sees Ryu as a useful trade chip down the line. Signing him to this contract could prove a shrewd move if Toronto can flip him for a top prospect who matches up better with its general timeline.

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to engage the Boston Red Sox about a possible David Price trade, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Price is owed $96 million over the next three years, and Rosenthal reported the split of his remaining money between the two teams is a sticking point in negotiations: "Such an agreement is not close at this time, and the Red Sox are talking to other clubs about Price and examining different options as well, sources said."

Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner confirmed in September they would trim the team's payroll so as to get under the luxury tax. Boston is currently projected to be a little more than $23.1 million over the luxury tax line for 2020, according to Spotrac.

Trading Price is an easy way to get payroll relief, but his salary makes things a little difficult. Assuming they cover a portion of his contract, the Red Sox would need to make at least one more move in order to avoid luxury tax penalties.

Price has battled injuries in recent seasons as well. He made just 16 starts in 2017 and then 22 starts in 2019. Durability could start to be more of a concern for the 34-year-old after he was so reliable earlier in his career.

When healthy, Price remains an effective starter. He finished 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA and 3.62 FIP while averaging a career-high 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings last season, according to Baseball Reference.

The Blue Jays are looking to strengthen their starting rotation this offseason. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Saturday that Toronto made a "competitive offer" for free-agent left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. A Price trade might be a contingency plan should the pursuit of Ryu fall short.

Price was a member of the Blue Jays for the second half of the 2015 season, helping the team reach the American League Championship Series.

"We had a good group of guys. We had a lot of fun," he told reporters in April 2016 of his brief time in Toronto. "That's what you dream about when you're a little kid—playing in packed stadiums, doing it with guys you genuinely enjoy being around. It doesn't get any better than that."