The 2024 post-season is in full swing.
On Saturday, the Divisional Series kicked off, which also means that rosters were released. Two former Toronto Blue Jays were left off the roster, while the Jays’ organization saw another front-office departure.
Let’s dig in!
Another member of the organization departed
On Saturday morning, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported that T.J. Burton left the organization to become the executive director of the Ottawa Nepean Canadians.
TJ Burton has left the Blue Jays (final day was Friday) to take over as executive director of the Ottawa Nepean Canadians.
The former national team pitcher ran the Blue Jays’ amateur baseball programs, including Canadian Futures Showcase, making an impact across the country.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) October 5, 2024
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Burton’s role inside the Jays’ organization was running programs for amateur baseball, such as the annual Canadian Futures Showcase. Burton, who is an Ottawa native, was selected in the 18th round in the 2001 draft by Cleveland.
In total, Burton spent nine seasons pitching in the minor leagues, seven seasons with Cleveland, and two seasons with the Houston Astros in 2009 and 2010. Moreover, he represented Canada at the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Two former Blue Jays left off playoff rosters
With the post-season divisional series starting on Saturday, some former Blue Jays were left off the roster.
Shortly before the trade deadline, the Blue Jays sent outfielder Kevin Kiermaier to the Los Angeles Dodgers for left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough. Kiermaier is a defensive specialist with speed but struggled with the National League West division winners. In turn, he was left off the team’s playoff roster.
Here’s your 26-man roster for the NLDS. pic.twitter.com/7nAlksogVB
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2024
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Overall, Kiermaier slashed .203/.242/.322 with a home run in 64 plate appearances while also posting 1 Defensive Runs Saved and 2 Outs Above Average with Los Angeles. He announced earlier in the season that he’ll retire when the season ends.
Former Blue Jays Teoscar Hernández, Daniel Hudson, and Anthony Banda made the team’s 2024 National League Divisional Series roster though.
Marcus Stroman was left off the American League East-winning New York Yankees as they are set to play the Kansas City Royals in the Divisional Series. Originally drafted by the Jays in 2012, Stroman spent parts of six good seasons with the Jays before he was moved to the New York Mets before the 2019 trade deadline.
Our 26 for the ALDS.#RepBX pic.twitter.com/LebHPM28tU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2024
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After pitching for the Mets and Chicago Cubs, Stroman returned to the Big Apple to pitch for the New York Yankees, where he posted a 4.31 ERA and a 4.62 FIP in 154.2 innings pitched, along with a 16.7 K% and an 8.9 BB%.
On a positive note, former Blue Jay reliever Tim Mayza made it to the Yankees’ playoff roster. The left-handed reliever was the longest-serving player in the Jays organization before they designated him for assignment in late June. Since being called up by the Yankees, Mayza has a 4 ERA and a 3.94 FIP in 18 innings pitched, along with a 16.2 K% and a 4.1%. Not as dominant as he was in 2023, but significantly better than how he performed with the Jays in 2024.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.