Toronto Blue Jays: 5 realistic expectations for the 2020 season

5) The bullpen and overall expectation

The Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen is objectively unspectacular. Ken Giles is one of the better closers in the game, but his talents are wasted if the other bullpen arms don’t keep the game close.

The ‘pen will rely heavily on journeymen Anthoney Bass and Wilmer Font, Japanese league standout Rafael Dolis, and inexperienced arms Jordan Romano and Sam Gaviglio. Not exactly a recipe for success. I do not expect much from this bullpen as a whole in 2020.

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I would love to see a .500 record out of the Toronto Blue Jays this year. I certainly think this is attainable thanks to the growth we will see in the young players and an improved, veteran rotation.

There are still areas (such as the bullpen) that need improvement, but that’s a quick fix management can make when they feel the team is ready to seriously compete. An even record would mark a 14 game improvement over 2019 – only three teams experienced this sort of improvement between 2018 and 2019, and two of those teams were the LA Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, who improved on already talented rosters.

I don’t think anyone will complain if the team enters September playing .500 baseball and is somewhat in the Wild Card race. This year will be about building for 2021 – the rebuild is almost over, Jays fans.

What is your take on our expectations for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020? Are there any more which you would include? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.