A Year To Forget For The Blue Jays

The year of 2017 looked like clear skies for the Toronto Blue Jays. The team was coming off two straight American League Championship Series (ALCS) appearances, the pitching seemed to be peaking, and the red-hot offence was considered the best in baseball. Even with the departure of Edwin Encarnacion, the Jays looked like a team that could go into the playoffs, and possibly the World Series. But the skies were anything but clear for the Birds this year. Every position on the roster has been hampered with the nightmare known as the disabled list. That list has robbed the Blue Jays of grade-A talent, with the likes of star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, second baseman Devon Travis, and ace pitcher Aaron Sanchez gone for extended periods of time. However, that's not the complete list of players who have been injured. Jose Bautista, Russell Martin, Josh Donaldson, and Marcus Stroman were on the DL for short stints, but when they were injured, the Jays possessed gaping holes in their lineup, leaving utility players such as Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney to try and fill the holes once occupied with star power. Therefore, the offence is not red hot as it was in the past two years, and the pitching has struggled mightily, with the exception of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and closer Roberto Osuna. Yet, here the Jays sit, with a record of 61-72, last in the AL East division, and more than 8 games back of a wildcard spot. The team may create a miraculous run to a wildcard spot, but it's highly doubtful, as the team has struggled to find consistency now and the majority of this year. Fans and analysts alike may think it's time for the team to sell at the conclusion of this season, but this team still can be competitive next year if the players are in good health. Maybe 2017 was just a year full of bad luck and misfortune, a year deserving to be thrown in the trash. However, this team is aging, and it realistically has one or two competitive seasons left in them. The championship window is closing for the Jays, and if 2018 is much like 2017, expect the future to be full of turbulence and rebuilding in Toronto.