January 19, 2020

By Lukas Weese

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO, Ont.-- The month of January in Canada generally means cold weather, snowy conditions and frozen ponds used for hockey.

The Toronto Blue Jays use January as an impetus for Spring Training and the upcoming regular season. The franchise’s third annual Winter Fest provided fans an escape from the snowy Toronto environment, to revel in the excitement of the past and present.

For the younger crowd, the club’s decision to revive their powder blue jerseys provided an aesthetic appreciation for the organization’s winning past. And when the four headline players appeared on the TD stage for the second straight day, sporting the new jerseys, the applause was boisterous.

Optimism permeated Rogers Centre amongst the 20,000 fans in attendance for the two-day event. The New Blue uniforms is one major facet to drive attention and enthusiasm towards Canada’s lone major league team in the middle of January.

“Bringing in old school stuff is great. We want to play old school on the field,” said Blue Jays sophomore Bo Bichette on the TD Stage Sunday Morning.

According to a Blue Jays press release, the team will wear the New Blue uniforms on Opening Day. There will also be special promotional games throughout the season, with the baby blue jerseys front and centre.

The concept of New Blue spanned years, with fans expressing a desire to have them included in the jersey line. As Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro explained, management “polled current players on various designs” and the response was overwhelmingly in favour of the powder blue.

“Blue Jays fans have expressed a desire for the revival of the baby blues,” Shapiro said in a press release. “With that feedback, the decision was very clear. We are thrilled to share this original New Blue alternate uniform with Blue Jays fans across Canada.”

While the powder blue fashion headlined Winter Fest, there was conversation surrounding the outlook for the 2020 Blue Jays team. The new-look Blue Jays pitching staff signals enthusiasm and belief that improvement in this area is possible.

Hyun-Jin Ryu’s four-year, $80 million contract with the Blue Jays means the team has a legitimate ace, unlike last year where openers were a recurring theme. Last season, Ryu was 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA and finished second in National League Cy Young voting. The Blue Jays are hoping his success playing for a Los Angeles Dodgers team that made two of the last three World Series’ will carry over to this season.

In addition to Ryu, the Blue Jays brought in Chase Anderson, Tanner Roark and Shun Yamaguchi from Japan. These free agent acquisitions signal a commitment to strengthening the team’s pitching depth.

Last season, the Blue Jays were 21st in the MLB in team ERA (4.79). By bringing in experienced pitchers, the desire to enhance team and fan morale is apparent.

“Ryu is a great competitor and pitcher. I am excited for what he is going to bring to the team,” said Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Alford to reporters.

With a new rotation, there is going to be an adjustment period. But also the need to be flexible if a pitcher demonstrates rapid progression.

Nate Pearson heads into spring training as the Blue Jays top-rated prospect. His fastball can get to over 100 mph on a consistent basis, and his slider is graded as the best amongst the team’s pitching prospects. Last season, Pearson recorded a 2.30 ERA across the three levels of Minor League baseball, including 119 strikeouts.

Pearson will most likely start with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but his work ethic and passion for the game are already rubbing off on some of his teammates.

“Nate is a big guy and he’s humble,” said Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Hatch. “Sometimes when you are that big of a star and have that attention, it can go to your head. Guys like Nate push you to be a better pitcher.”

Winter Fest provided an escape for Blue Jays fans from the cold, but this year, it offered them a glimpse into the club’s future, as well as some reasons for them to be optimistic about the 2019 season.

One thing is certain, the “New” Blue Jays will dominate the conversation once winter turns to spring in just a couple of months time.