Saturday, May 25

With commerce for Hicks, aggressive Blue Jays prepared for large moments


Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins discusses Jordan Hicks commerce

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17 minutes in the past

TORONTO — The Jordan Hicks commerce represents a brand new sort of aggression for the Blue Jays.

This entrance workplace has been aggressive earlier than, dealing prime prospects and several other first-round picks, however these all have been offers to amass gamers with crew management remaining. Some trades have been made with extra of a “win-now” lean than others, however few strikes from this entrance workplace, if any, have regarded like this.

The Hicks acquisition is a traditional rental. He’s right here for 2 months — although, hopefully a bit of longer — to throw baseballs nearly as quick as a human being is able to.

“This really is just about as good a fit for our bullpen as we could find,” mentioned basic supervisor Ross Atkins. “I think he’s going to complement our bullpen exceptionally well. The power is obvious, the ground balls and an elite, elite ability to get very weak contact.”

Going from a vendor to a purchaser has energized the 26-year-old Hicks, too, after the Cardinals fell quick this season of their always-lofty expectations.

“[Toronto] is the team with the highest [batting average] against me, so it’s good to be here,” Hicks mentioned with a smile. “They’re a great group of young talent, a good team and good individual players. Inside the clubhouse, it just seems like a really connected team. I’m glad to be here.”

For Atkins: A daring (first) step
This is the precise sort of transfer that factors to additional aggression.

That could possibly be robust in a market that’s shallow on hitters, which is the place Toronto would probably want to show subsequent, however the Blue Jays acknowledge how large a chance this season is for them, and Hicks solely provides to that.

Prior to the deal, Hicks and the Cardinals had some stage of dialogue round a possible contract extension. That clearly by no means superior, however Hicks will likely be one of many prime names on the free-agent market this offseason at simply 27 years outdated. If the Blue Jays need to lean into this caliber of a bullpen as an id, not only a late-season peak, then they’ll be purchasing in that market, and so they now have two months to make an impression on the younger flamethrower.

“I absolutely would love to have that dialogue with him,” Atkins mentioned. “First things first, we want to welcome him into the organization. We are always glad to hear when a team is aggressively wanting their player back. That certainly is encouraging.”

For Schneider: A storage filled with Lamborghinis
The Blue Jays’ bullpen was already stacked, rating top-five in MLB in ERA, strikeout price and stroll price. There’s no such factor as too many choices, although. Good groups have one nearer. Great groups have three or 4.

“You can shorten up some games,” mentioned supervisor John Schneider. “I don’t want to look too far ahead, but when you’re talking about a three-, five- or seven-game series, you can really shorten some games and grab some really, really good matchups with really, really good pitchers if you want to.”

When Jordan Romano (decrease again irritation) returns from the injured record, the Blue Jays will discover themselves in conditions the place Hicks or Erik Swanson are getting used within the sixth or seventh inning in opposition to the center of an opponent’s lineup. This is strictly the place Toronto needs to be within the postseason, and whereas Schneider will nonetheless want to tug all the proper levers in relation to the matchups, most managers in MLB will likely be jealous of his choices.

For Hicks: A shot to chase a championship
With Romano on the 15-day IL, Hicks could possibly be used within the nearer’s position over the subsequent two weeks. The Blue Jays will unfold that love round based mostly on the state of affairs, however a fastball that averages 101 mph would look awfully good within the ninth inning.

“I didn’t even know Romano was out until I got the trade call. Then some of my ex-teammates were telling me, ‘Oh, you might close for a little bit,’” Hicks mentioned. “I’m just expecting to be in the back end of the bullpen when he gets back, helping out in whatever way I can. If he’s been used a couple of days in a row, maybe I can step in.”

Hicks will turn into the hardest-throwing reliever in Blue Jays historical past the second he takes the mound, and with the route this membership is headed, a few of the season’s largest moments are ready for him.

Content Source: www.mlb.com