The 2017 Toronto Blue Jays season was the 41st season of the franchise in Major League Baseball, and the 27th full season of play (28th overall) at Rogers Centre. For the first time since the 2014 season, the Blue Jays failed to make it to the postseason, finishing fourth in the American League East with a 76–86 record.
Offseason The Blue Jays offseason began on October 19, 2016, when they were eliminated by the Cleveland Indians in the American League Championship Series. On October 24, general manager Ross Atkins held a press conference at the Rogers Centre to discuss the team's offseason plans. Atkins stated that the club would likely extend qualifying offers to pending free agents José Bautista and Edwin Encarnación, and pick up Jason Grilli's $3 million contract option for the 2017 season. He also told reporters that the team could explore stretching out Joe Biagini and using him as a starting pitcher, and that Roberto Osuna would remain a relief pitcher indefinitely. With regards to the coaching staff, Atkins stated that the coaches from 2016, with the exception of assistant hitting coach Eric Owens, would return for the 2017 season.
Center fielder Kevin Pillar underwent surgery in late October to repair a thumb ligament he tore in August, and was expected to be ready for 2017 spring training. Jason Grilli's option for the 2017 season was picked up by the team on November 5. On November 7, Bautista and Encarnación were each issued a $17.2 million qualifying offer for the 2017 season. R. A. Dickey signed with the Atlanta Braves on November 10. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., a Cuban player who defected in February 2016, signed a seven-year, $22 million contract with the Blue Jays on November 12. Encarnación and Bautista each declined their qualifying offers on November 14. Kendrys Morales signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays on November 18. The Blue Jays also claimed Dominic Leone and Leonel Campos on November 18, and added Anthony Alford, Ryan Borucki, and Richard Ureña to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. The St. Louis Cardinals and Brett Cecil finalized a four-year, $30.5 million contract on November 21. Steve Pearce signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with Toronto on December 5. The Blue Jays selected Glenn Sparkman in the Rule 5 draft on December 8, and lost minor leaguers Jorge Flores, Jorge Saez, and Matt Smoral in the Triple-A phase of the draft.
Edwin Encarnación agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with the Cleveland Indians on December 22, 2016. The contract was officially signed on January 5, 2017. The Blue Jays gained a compensatory first round draft selection in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft after the signing of Encarnación became official. On January 12, Darwin Barney and Ezequiel Carrera agreed to one-year contracts worth $2.8875 million and $1.1625 million respectively, avoiding salary arbitration. Aaron Loup agreed to a one-year, $1.125 million contract for the 2017 season the following day, leaving Marcus Stroman as the lone remaining Blue Jay eligible for arbitration. After several days of negotiations, José Bautista signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the Blue Jays on January 18. His contract also includes a mutual option for the 2018 season valued at $17 million, and a $20 million vesting option for 2019. Michael Saunders signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on January 19. Four Blue Jays players were featured to MLB's Top 100 prospects list when it was revealed on January 28. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was rated the top prospect for Toronto, ranked 34th. Sean Reid-Foley, Anthony Alford, and Richard Ureña were ranked 64th, 70th, and 94th respectively.
Entering February, the Blue Jays were still in search of relief pitching and catching depth. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was signed to a minor league contract on February 6. Three days later, the Jays signed J. P. Howell and Joe Smith to a one-year contracts worth $3 million each. Chad Girodo and A. J. Jiménez were designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Howell and Smith. Marcus Stroman won his arbitration case against the Blue Jays on February 14, and was awarded a $3.4 million salary for the season.
Free agency In Date Player Former team Details November 10, 2016 Kender Villegas Milwaukee Brewers Minor league contract November 12, 2016 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Industriales Seven-year, $22 million contract November 13, 2016 Felipe Castenada Minor league contract November 13, 2016 Shane Opitz Minor league contract November 14, 2016 Casey Lawrence Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 18, 2016 Kendrys Morales Kansas City Royals Three-year, $33 million contract December 5, 2016 Steve Pearce Baltimore Orioles Two-year, $12.5 million contract December 7, 2016 Brett Oberholtzer Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Minor league contract December 14, 2016 TJ House Cleveland Indians Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 15, 2016 Jeff Beliveau Baltimore Orioles Minor league contact with an invitation to spring training January 5, 2017 Gavin Floyd Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training January 18, 2017 José Bautista One-year, $18 million contract$17 million mutual option for the 2018 season$20 million vesting option for the 2019 season January 23, 2017 Gregorio Petit Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training January 30, 2017 Lucas Harrell Texas Rangers Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training January 31, 2017 Jonathan Diaz New York Yankees Minor league contract February 6, 2017 Jarrod Saltalamacchia Detroit Tigers Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training February 9, 2017 J. P. Howell Los Angeles Dodgers One-year, $3 million contract February 9, 2017 Joe Smith Chicago Cubs One-year, $3 million contract February 16, 2017 Mat Latos Chicago White Sox Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
Out Date Player New team Details November 10, 2016 R. A. Dickey Atlanta Braves One-year, $7.5 million contract$8 million club option for the 2018 season November 21, 2016 Dustin Antolin Washington Nationals Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 21, 2016 Brett Cecil St. Louis Cardinals Four-year, $30.5 million contract December 6, 2016 Joaquín Benoit Philadelphia Phillies One-year, $7.5 million contract December 9, 2016 Junior Lake Boston Red Sox Minor league contract December 11, 2016 Scott Diamond SK Wyverns One-year, $600,000 contract December 13, 2016 Matt Dominguez Boston Red Sox Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 20, 2016 Chris Colabello Cleveland Indians Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training January 5, 2017 Edwin Encarnación Cleveland Indians Three-year, $60 million contract$25 million club option for the 2020 season January 19, 2017 Michael Saunders Philadelphia Phillies One-year, $8 million contract$9 million club option for the 2018 season January 23, 2017 Josh Thole Arizona Diamondbacks Minor league contract January 26, 2017 Scott Feldman Cincinnati Reds One-year, $2.3 million contract
Waivers In Date Player Former team November 18, 2016 Dominic Leone Arizona Diamondbacks November 18, 2016 Leonel Campos San Diego Padres January 23, 2017 Juan Graterol Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Spring training Blue Jays pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on February 14 in Dunedin, Florida. Position players reported on February 17. Josh Donaldson suffered a right calf strain while working out on February 20, and was ruled out for 2–3 weeks. On February 23, the team announced that non-roster invitee Casey Lawrence would start the first game of the Grapefruit League season, and be followed in the rotation by Joe Biagini and Mat Latos. On March 10, in a game against the Detroit Tigers, non-roster invitee TJ House was struck in the head by a line drive. He remained on the ground for many minutes being attended to by medical staff, and left the field in an ambulance. Early in camp, concerns were raised about the health of second baseman Devon Travis and his availability for Opening Day. On March 13, it was announced that Travis, as well as Josh Donaldson, would take part in a minor league game the following day. On March 16, the Blue Jays renewed Aaron Sanchez's contract at the MLB-minimum of $535,000. The team had reportedly attempted to negotiate a raise in payment with Sanchez and his agent, Scott Boras, however the offer was refused by Sanchez and Boras.
On March 26, manager John Gibbons announced that Marco Estrada would be the starting pitcher on Opening Day, and be followed in the rotation by J. A. Happ, Marcus Stroman, Francisco Liriano, and Aaron Sanchez. Reliever Bo Schultz, who had been competing for a spot in the bullpen, underwent Tommy John surgery on March 29, and was ruled out for the entire season. On April 1, Gibbons signed a two-year extension with the Blue Jays, that also included an option for the 2020 season. The Opening Day roster was announced on April 2. Mike Bolsinger was designated for assignment, while Melvin Upton Jr. was released. Pitchers Roberto Osuna, Glenn Sparkman, and Bo Schultz opened the year on the disabled list, along with outfielder Dalton Pompey.
The Blue Jays ended spring training with a 12–18 win–loss record, excluding three tie games that did not count toward the standings. Their .400 winning percentage was the joint-worst (along with Detroit) among American League teams in pre-season.
Standings American League East
American League Wild Card
Records vs opponents
Record Games Left Opponent Home Road Total Home Road Total AL East Baltimore Orioles 4–6 3–6 7–12 – – – Boston Red Sox 1–8 5–5 6–13 – – – New York Yankees 6–4 4–5 10–9 – – – Tampa Bay Rays 6–3 4–6 10–9 – – – Totals 17–21 16–22 33–43 – – – AL Central Chicago White Sox 1–2 2–1 3–3 – – – Cleveland Indians 2–1 0–3 2–4 – – – Detroit Tigers 2–1 1–2 3–3 – – – Kansas City Royals 1–2 1–2 2–4 – – – Minnesota Twins 1–2 2–2 3–4 – – – Totals 7–8 6–10 13–18 – – – AL West Houston Astros 2–2 1–2 3–4 – – – Los Angeles Angels 1–2 2–2 3–4 – – – Oakland Athletics 4–0 1–2 5–2 – – – Seattle Mariners 4–0 2–1 6–1 – – – Texas Rangers 2–1 2–2 4–3 – – – Totals 13–5 8–9 21–14 – – – National League Atlanta Braves 0–2 1–1 1–3 – – – Chicago Cubs – 0–3 0–3 – – – Cincinnati Reds 3–0 – 3–0 – – – Milwaukee Brewers 0–2 2–0 2–2 – – – Pittsburgh Pirates 2–1 – 2–1 – – – St. Louis Cardinals – 1–2 1–2 – – – Totals 5–5 4–6 9–11 – – – Grand Totals 42–39 34–47 76–86 – – – Month Games Won Lost Pct. April 25 8 17 May 28 18 10 June 26 11 15 July 27 12 15 August 28 13 15 September 27 13 14 October 1 1 0 Totals 162 76 86
2017 draft The 2017 Major League Baseball draft began on June 12. Round Pick Player Position College/School Nationality Signed 1 22 Logan Warmoth SS North Carolina June 28 1* 28 Nate Pearson RHP Central Florida June 28 2 61 Hagen Danner C Huntington Beach High School (CA) June 25 3 99 Riley Adams C San Diego June 19 4 129 Kevin Smith SS Maryland June 19 5 159 Cullen Large 2B William & Mary June 19 6 189 Brock Lundquist OF Cal State Long Beach June 19 7 219 Colton Laws RHP Charlotte June 19 8 249 Kacy Clemens 1B UT Austin June 19 9 279 Zach Logue LHP Kentucky June 19 10 309 Justin Dillon RHP Cal State Sacramento June 19 – Toronto received the 28th overall selection after Edwin Encarnación signed with the Cleveland Indians.
Regular season Opening Day +Opening Day starters Position Name Catcher Russell Martin First baseman Steve Pearce Second baseman Devon Travis Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki Third baseman Josh Donaldson Left fielder Ezequiel Carrera Center fielder Kevin Pillar Right fielder José Bautista Designated hitter Kendrys Morales Pitcher Marco Estrada
April