As the year comes to a close, Blue Jays Nation is reflecting on the year that was and revisiting some of the top articles from 2024.
The #4 article in the countdown will look at an article by Cam Lewis about how Kevin Kiermaier was caught off guard due to a lack of interest from other team’s during his free agency. This quote comes from MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.
I’m as motivated as I’ve ever been right now, I’ve got this fire in me. This year, my offers weren’t anything near last year — after winning a Gold Glove, after I said that I was going to be the best nine-hole hitter in the game and play Gold Glove-caliber defense. I did everything I said, but still, not many teams were interested which caught me off-guard.
Coincidentally, Dec. 28 marks the one-year anniversary of Kiermaier officially re-signing with the Jays which begs the question, how did his year as well as the Blue Jays season go? The short version is not too great.
Kiermaier also noted that the team had “unfinished business” after finishing in the final Wild Card record with an 89-73 record in 2023. However, the Jays followed that up with a quiet off-season and a 74-88 record to finish at the bottom of the American League East division.
In 2023, Kiermaier slashed .265/.322/.419 with eight home runs in 408 plate appearances for a 104 wRC+ and a 2.8 fWAR, winning the fourth Gold Glove of his career. Keirmeir couldn’t replicate that success though, slashing .195/.236/.310 with four home runs in 217 plate appearances, giving him a 53 wRC+ and a 0.4 fWAR.
While the outfielder still had solid defence, the Blue Jays were sellers at the trade deadline, moving him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Ryan Yarbrough. It was a happy ending for Kiermaier, as he won the World Series with the team and went out on top.
Unfortunately for the Jays, it seems as if this off-season is a carbon copy of the last off-season, as they have many holes to fill, but have yet to do anything about it. Toronto swung and missed on the top free agents in each year, and while they’ve improved their bullpen, the team is yet to acquire an elite closer. The Jays also made a trade, moving a good offensive player for a defence-first glove player with a high-upside in Andrés Giménez.
Hopefully, they do something big soon, like sign Anthony Santander.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.