Tao of Stieb

Tao of Stieb: Hope builds for Jays, but 2020 must be a year of growth

The negotiating parties on both side of this MLB work stoppage should fully appreciate that they are already past their deadline, and the longer that the league remains in its current state of decaying dormancy, the greater the damage they do to the business they claim to want to preserve.

Baseball seasons are long. Luckily, this Blue Jays team is also one of the most fun to watch in recent memory, and if fans need some energy to sustain their enthusiasm, they’ll certainly find it between the lines and in the dugout over the next six months.

A rational approach to baseball and its history and traditions conflict at the annual All-Star Game, writes Tao of Stieb, both in the lead up to the game and the structure of the week itself.

“Meaningful baseball in September” is what fans pine for when their team is languishing. But once a team like the Blue Jays begins to play those consequential games, September is the month when the long season gets very short.

After four straight seasons ending in an acutely painful manner, a bland reassurance by management that all was well wasn’t the response that anyone was seeking, writes Tao of Stieb.

The Toronto Blue Jays’ serious pursuit for Shohei Ohtani should indicate that they intend to again be a significant player in the free agent market. Unfortunately, there is a steep drop off with the remainder of players available.

Spring has sprung in delightfully different Dunedin, Florida, and with the start of this year’s schedule of spring training games, the Toronto Blue Jays are now engaged in a heated battle for Grapefruit League supremacy.

Why should fans of the Toronto Blue Jays commit to the next six months of misery and suffering and torment? Tao of Stieb has the answers.

What ultimately becomes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette will be truly decisive as to the legacy of this closing competitive window, and the outlook for the Blue Jays' future. Fans are simply hoping for reason to believe again.