Toronto Blue Jays Odds: John Gibbons predicts big year in 2023
Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, who had two stints leading the team, is predicting big things for Toronto in 2023 as the team gears up to open the season on March 30 in St. Louis. Will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. end up in the race for AL MVP? Can Alek Manoah win his first career Cy Young? Do the Jays have a chance to reach the World Series? Gibby is giving his thoughts to Sports Interaction.
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Click below for episode one of Pitch Clock with John Gibbons.
AL MVP
Gibbons gives dual threat and betting favourite Shohei Ohtani of the L.A. Angels the best shot at winning AL MVP in 2023, but don’t count out Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
“I think Vladdy Jr., he’s going to be in the conversation every year as well, he’s that good of hitter,” Gibbons said.
Guerrero was one of the favourites to win AL MVP two years ago. In 2021, Guerrero led the major leagues in home runs (48, tied with Salvador Perez), runs scored (123) and total bases (363). Guerrero is coming off a 2022 season that saw him win his first Gold Glove award and earn All-Star honours for the second straight year. He finished the season with 32 homers, 97 RBIs and 175 hits.
Gibby also thinks Bichette could have a shot at AL MVP, which would be great value at +2353.
“Bo Bichette, he could win one this year. He’s had some incredible offensive numbers for a shortstop.”
Like Guerrero, Bichette also had an All-Star season in 2021, finishing the year with career-highs in home runs (29), RBIs (102) and hits (191). He was close to that pace in 2022, finishing the season with 24 homers, 93 RBIs and 189 hits. Keep in mind, Bichette is also nearing a contract extension and everyone saw what Aaron Judge did last year when he was up for an extension.
Cy Young
After Robbie Ray won the Cy Young in 2021, could opening day starter Alek Manoah become the second Blue Jays pitcher to win the award in the last three years? Gibbons certainly hopes so and describes himself as a big Manoah fan.
Gibby also thinks Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Degrom shouldn’t be overlooked if he can stay healthy, but the former Toronto skip is not keen on Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees.
“And then Cole, I don’t think he rises to the occasion, necessarily, in big games and I think Manoah can do that.”
Manoah had a massive breakout season in 2022, earning his first All-Star selection alongside fellow Blue Jays’ Guerrero, Santiago Espinal, George Springer and Alejandro Kirk. Manoah finished the year 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 196 and 2/3 innings while striking out 180 batters. He ended up third in Cy Young voting, but as Manoah is now the undisputed ace of this team, he could be due for an even bigger year in 2023.
World Series
In the AL, it’s no surprise Gibbons thinks defending World Series champion Houston has a good chance to repeat. He also says the Yankees can’t be overlooked, but he’s high on New York’s AL East rival, Toronto.
“I like the Blue Jays. They were there last year, there’s more of a balanced schedule, more playoff spots, that’ll help.”
Last year was the first year of major league baseball’s expanded playoffs. The postseason increased from 10 to 12 teams, six from each league, and the single-elimination wild card game is now a best-of-three wild card series.
As for the NL, Gibbons describes himself as a Braves guy. That shouldn’t be surprising given former Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who hired Gibbons for his second stint as Toronto’s manager, now runs the show in Atlanta.
“How bout this?” Gibbons asked. “I’m going to go Braves, Blue Jays in the World Series.”
If a Blue Jays versus Braves World Series sounds familiar, that’s because it has already happened. In 1992, Toronto beat Atlanta in six games to win the first of back-to-back World Series titles.
Toronto Blue Jays Win Total
The Blue Jays’ win total for 2023 is set at 91.5, which seems doable after Toronto finished last year with 92 wins. Incidentally, 2022 was the Jays’ highest win total since they won 93 games in 2015, under the guidance of Gibbons. So how does Gibbons feel about 91.5 wins for Toronto this year?
“Oh, I’m going over. I think they win 95, 96 games, maybe even close to 100. I got no problem saying that because I like the moves they made.”
Some of the moves Gibbons refers to include shipping outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to Seattle for pitchers Erik Swanson and Adam Macko. Swanson is expected to factor heavily in the bullpen. Toronto also picked up outfielder Daulton Varsho from Arizona in exchange for outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catcher Gabriel Moreno. Varsho will take over in left-field.
Toronto also made some moves on the free agent market. Kevin Kiermaier will take over in centre-field, which allows George Springer to move to right. Chris Bassitt was signed to a three-year deal and is expected to pitch near the end of the rotation. Two-time World Series champion Brandon Belt will likely share first-base and designated hitter duties with Guerrero.
The Jays are an improved team coming into 2023 and Gibbons makes it clear that he is still connected to Toronto.
“I’m a Blue Jay through and through until the end.”
