The Toronto Blue Jays played their 39th season in 2015. This was the 26th full season of play (27th overall) at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays clinched a playoff berth on September 25, their first since 1993, ending what was the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports at the time. On September 30, the team clinched the American League East and opened the playoffs by defeating the Texas Rangers in five games, in the ALDS. The Blue Jays were eliminated in a playoff series for the first time since 1991, losing to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals in six games, in the ALCS.
Off–season The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Marco Estrada, Devon Travis, Josh Donaldson, and Michael Saunders via trades. The Estrada trade was a one-for-one swap of Estrada and Adam Lind, who went to Milwaukee Brewers after the Blue Jays exercised the option on his contract. In addition, both the Travis and Saunders trades were single-player deals. Travis came to Toronto for Anthony Gose, who went to the Detroit Tigers, and Saunders was exchanged for J. A. Happ, who was dealt to the Seattle Mariners. Toronto acquired Donaldson in a five–player trade, sending Brett Lawrie, Kendall Graveman, Sean Nolin, and Franklin Barreto to Oakland Athletics. Barreto played for the Vancouver Canadians in Single A in 2014, while Graveman and Nolin were September additions to the Blue Jays' roster.
In the free agent market, Toronto signed Russell Martin to a five–year contract, non-tendered John Mayberry Jr., and signed Jeff Francis, Ezequiel Carrera, Wilton López, Caleb Gindl, Jake Fox, Daric Barton, and Andrew Albers to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. Toronto offered Melky Cabrera a $15.3 million qualifying offer which Cabrera subsequently declined. Cabrera eventually signed with the Chicago White Sox on December 14, 2014, pending a medical, which he passed the following day. Toronto was compensated with a draft pick at the end of the first round. On December 16, Toronto signed Daric Barton to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Then Brandon Morrow signed with the San Diego Padres on December 16, 2014.
Justin Smoak was claimed off waivers by Toronto from the Seattle Mariners. He was non-tendered by Toronto, but later signed to a one–year contract. Toronto also claimed Andy Dirks. However, Toronto non–tendered Dirks. Chris Colabello, Juan Oramas, Scott Barnes, and Preston Guilmet were claimed off waivers. Juan Francisco was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.
Toronto hitting coach Kevin Seitzer left Toronto to become hitting coach of the Atlanta Braves. Brook Jacoby took over as hitting coach. Toronto's bullpen coach Bob Stanley was re–assigned to the minor leagues. Dane Johnson replaced Stanley as bullpen coach. Eric Owens became Toronto's first ever assistant hitting coach.
The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with Brett Cecil, Michael Saunders, and Marco Estrada. The trio signed one-year contracts for salaries of $2.475 million, $2.875 million, and $3.9 million respectively. However, the Blue Jays failed to avoid arbitration with Josh Donaldson and Danny Valencia.
Daniel Norris had surgery to remove "bone spurs and loose bodies" from his left elbow.
In January, the Blue Jays were in extended discussions with the Baltimore Orioles regarding general manager Dan Duquette. The organization wanted to replace Paul Beeston with Duquette, though Duquette was under contract until the end of the 2018 season. Discussions ended when it was reported that Baltimore was seeking a compensation package of 3 first-round selections (Jeff Hoffman, Max Pentecost, and Mitch Nay).
In February, the Blue Jays went to salary arbitration with Danny Valencia and Josh Donaldson, the first two cases for the Blue Jays since the 1997 season. On February 5, Valencia won his arbitration case and was awarded $1.675 million for the 2015 season. Toronto had offered him $1.25 million. A week later, Toronto won the arbitration case with Donaldson, agreeing to pay him $4.3 million. Donaldson had been seeking $5.75 million.
Trades Date Team in transaction Player(s) acquired Player(s) departed November 1, 2014 Milwaukee Brewers Marco Estrada Adam Lind November 12, 2014 Detroit Tigers Devon Travis Anthony Gose November 28, 2014 Oakland Athletics Josh Donaldson Brett Lawrie Kendall Graveman Sean Nolin Franklin Barreto December 3, 2014 Seattle Mariners Michael Saunders J. A. Happ
Free agency
In
Date Player Former team Details October 31, 2014 Jeff Francis New York Yankees Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. November 18, 2014 Russell Martin Pittsburgh Pirates Five–year contract$82 million over length of contractAnnual donation to the Jays Care Foundation. December 3, 2014 Justin Smoak One–year, $1 million contract. December 3, 2014 Ezequiel Carrera Detroit Tigers Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. December 12, 2014 Wilton López Colorado Rockies Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. December 12, 2014 Caleb Gindl Milwaukee Brewers Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. December 12, 2014 Jake Fox Philadelphia Phillies Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. December 16, 2014 Daric Barton Oakland Athletics Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. December 19, 2014 Andrew Albers Hanwha Eagles Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. January 15, 2015 Andy Dirks Detroit Tigers Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. January 30, 2015 Ramón Santiago Cincinnati Reds Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. January 31, 2015 Tiago da Silva Delfines del Carmen Minor league contract. February 6, 2015 Luis Pérez Atlanta Braves Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. February 26, 2015 Johan Santana Baltimore Orioles Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. March 1, 2015 Dayán Viciedo Chicago White Sox Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. March 16, 2015 Randy Wolf Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Minor league contract.
Out Date Player New team Details December 15, 2014 Melky Cabrera Chicago White Sox Chicago will forfeit their third round draft pick, and Toronto will receive a draft pick in the supplemental first round. December 16, 2014 Brandon Morrow San Diego Padres One-year, $2.5 million contract with undisclosed incentives. January 20, 2015 Colby Rasmus Houston Astros One-year, $8 million contract. February 23, 2015 Dustin McGowan Los Angeles Dodgers McGowan was later released by the Dodgers, and signed a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Waivers
In Date Player Former team October 28, 2014 Justin Smoak Seattle Mariners October 31, 2014 Andy Dirks Detroit Tigers December 8, 2014 Chris Colabello Minnesota Twins December 19, 2014 Juan Oramas San Diego Padres December 23, 2014 Scott Barnes Texas Rangers December 23, 2014 Preston Guilmet Pittsburgh Pirates
Out Date Player New team November 19, 2014 Juan Francisco Boston Red Sox March 27, 2015 Kyle Drabek Chicago White Sox
Spring training Prior to the official start of spring training, Michael Saunders tore the meniscus in his left knee on February 26 and was initially expected to go on the disabled list until the All-Star break. After undergoing surgery to remove his meniscus his injury outlook improved to between 5 and 6 weeks out of the lineup. On March 10, Marcus Stroman suffered a torn ACL while practising fielding bunts, and was ruled out for the entire 2015 season. Attending spring training for the first time, both Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro impressed Blue Jays management with their abilities, and both earned positions in the bullpen on the Opening Day roster. The team returned to Montreal's Olympic Stadium on April 3 and April 4, 2015, to face the Cincinnati Reds. The Blue Jays would lose the first game 2–0, but win the finale 9–1. In Grapefruit League play, Toronto finished with a 19–13 record.
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 6–3 5–5 11–8 – – – Boston Red Sox 4–6 5–4 9–10 – – – New York Yankees 5–4 8–2 13–6 – – – Tampa Bay Rays 6–4 3–6 9–10 – – –Totals 21–17 21–17 42–34 – – – AL Central Chicago White Sox 2–1 1–3 3–4 – – – Cleveland Indians 2–1 2–2 4–3 – – – Detroit Tigers 3–0 1–2 4–2 – – – Kansas City Royals 3–1 1–2 4–3 – – – Minnesota Twins 4–0 1–2 5–2 – – –Totals 14–3 6–11 20–14 – – – AL West Houston Astros 3–0 0–4 3–4 – – – Los Angeles Angels 2–2 3–0 5–2 – – – Oakland Athletics 3–0 2–1 5–1 – – – Seattle Mariners 1–2 1–2 2–4 – – – Texas Rangers 2–1 2–1 4–2 – – –Totals 11–5 8–8 19–13 – – – National League Atlanta Braves 1–2 2–1 3–3 – – – Miami Marlins 3–0 – 3–0 – – – New York Mets 2–0 0–2 2–2 – – – Philadelphia Phillies 1–1 1–1 2–2 – – – Washington Nationals – 2–1 2–1 – – –Totals 7–3 5–5 12–8 – – – Grand Totals 53–28 40–41 93–69 – – – Month Games Won Lost Pct. April 23 11 12 May 29 12 17 June 27 18 9 July 25 12 13 August 27 21 6 September 27 18 9 October 4 1 3 Totals 162 93 69
2015 draft The 2015 Major League Baseball draft was held on June 8–10. Round Pick Player Position College/School Nationality Signed 1* 29 Jon Harris RHP Missouri State University (MO) June 15 2 56 Brady Singer RHP Eustis High School (FL) Unsigned 3 91 Justin Maese RHP Ysleta High School (TX) June 15 4 122 Carl Wise 3B College of Charleston (SC) June 15 5 152 Jose Espada RHP Jose Collazo Colon High School (PR) June 15 6 182 JC Cardenas SS Barry University (FL) June 15 7 212 Travis Bergen LHP Kennesaw State University (GA) June 15 8 242 Daniel Young LHP University of Florida (FL) June 26 9 272 Connor Panas 3B Canisius College (NY) June 15 10 302 Owen Spiwak C Odessa College (TX) June 15 – Toronto forfeited the 16th overall selection after signing Russell Martin, but received the 29th overall pick when Melky Cabrera signed with the Chicago White Sox.
Regular season
Opening Day +Opening Day starters Position Name Catcher Russell Martin First baseman Edwin Encarnación Second baseman Devon Travis Shortstop José Reyes Third baseman Josh Donaldson Left fielder Kevin Pillar Center fielder Dalton Pompey Right fielder José Bautista Designated hitter Dioner Navarro Pitcher Drew Hutchison
April
The Blue Jays played against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day and won, 6–1. Toronto scored five runs in the third inning. Prospects Devon Travis and Miguel Castro made their MLB debuts, with Travis recording his first career hit, a solo home run. Drew Hutchison, who became the youngest opening day starter in Blue Jays history, pitched six innings giving up three hits, including a solo home run to Brett Gardner. Castro got the final four outs to close out the game. With the win, the Blue Jays opening day record improved to 20–19. After an off-day, Toronto suffered a 4–3 loss to New York. Entering the 8th inning with a 3–1 lead, Aaron Loup put all three batters he faced on base, before Brett Cecil entered the game and allowed all three to score. Due to his poor performance, Cecil was temporarily moved out of the closer role, and was replaced by Miguel Castro. In the series finale, prospect Daniel Norris earned his first MLB win, while Castro closed out the game for his first MLB save as the Blue Jays won 6–3. Toronto got five singles in the second inning to get four runs. Toronto won the series 2–1.