As the Blue Jays prepare to take the first of 162 steps toward what they hope will be their fourth playoff berth in five seasons, they're dealing with last year's offensive frustrations the best they can-by using them as fuel.
"Lot of people motivated, hungry, headed into the off-season to come to camp this year and be the best versions of themselves," said Kevin Kiermaier, the centre-fielder who tested free agency in the off-season but wound up returning to the Jays on a one-year deal.
"I know there are a lot of guys who want to have bounceback years, and hopefully we get back to that Toronto Blue Jays offence that I played against for years (with the Tampa Bay Rays)."
The bats certainly did the job in spring training: hitting .269 as a team with an .804 on-base plus slugging mark, while scoring 5.7 runs per game. But that was spring training. The regular season starts Thursday in Tampa.
"I always want to play well, no matter where I am, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter," said shortstop Bo Bichette, who hit .345 for the spring.
After a moment's consideration: "I take that back. I think it matters. It's good that everybody... had a good spring and (they're) ready to go."
この記事は Toronto Star の March 27, 2024 版に掲載されています。
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Disgraceful behaviour on Parliament Hill
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Dutcher wins second Polaris award
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