\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The 34-year-old is coming off a down year, though, with his .213 average and .676 OPS both outliers compared to his career numbers. Belt was dealing with right knee issues that had followed him for years, stretching back to meniscus surgery in 2015. He underwent another surgery in ’18, then required arthroscopic surgery in September of ’22, ending his season early.\n\nThe trouble went beyond baserunning and playing the field for Belt. Over the past couple of years, he says he hadn’t even been able to run around the backyard with his young sons. Now, with the surgery behind him, a refreshed Belt says a healthy knee has “completely changed” his outlook on what’s to come.\n\n“I didn’t know if I was done playing baseball,” Belt said, “but the recovery from it and me being able to know my body and feel my body, I felt great. Right away, I knew there was reason for optimism. That’s why I’m just so happy to get out there right now.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-01-11T00:35:22.424Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-01/10/1c3c4ea5-281b93e3-0260700a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"A deep dive discussion on the Blue Jays signing Brandon Belt, where he fits within the team in the upcoming season, and more on MLB Tonight","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:02:41","slug":"belt-s-impact-on-the-blue-jays","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-141","title":"Toronto Blue Jays","team":{"__ref":"Team:141"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-474832","title":"Brandon Belt","person":{"__ref":"Person:474832"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-network","title":"MLB Network","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlbn-mlb-tonight","title":"MLB Tonight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"transactions","title":"transactions","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/lxb8fpsqzk8ct6wxpr9h"},"title":"Belt's impact on the Blue Jays","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/belt-s-impact-on-the-blue-jays"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Belt owns a career on-base percentage of .356, which is an area the Blue Jays have prioritized. Toronto fell just short of the postseason in 2021 and went down in flames in the American League Wild Card round this past season, but both of those failures came with lineups that were exceptional on paper. How, then, could the Blue Jays approach the same old problem from a different angle?\n\nTheir answer has focused mostly on defense, with the free-agent signing of Kevin Kiermaier and a major trade for Daulton Varsho. Those two replaced fan favorites Teoscar Hernández and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and now with Belt, the Blue Jays are looking to diversify an offense that often leaned on right-handed bats to deliver a big blow.\n\nBelt, a lefty, has always hit right-handed pitching well and should have two fairly clear paths to playing time in 2023.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-01-10T15:07:14.869Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-01/10/9fdc874f-d22be3f2-07c9ef56-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Hot Stove discusses Brandon Belt agreeing to a one-year deal with the Blue Jays","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:04","slug":"belt-reportedly-headed-to-toronto","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-141","title":"Toronto Blue Jays","team":{"__ref":"Team:141"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-474832","title":"Brandon Belt","person":{"__ref":"Person:474832"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-network","title":"MLB Network","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlbn-hot-stove","title":"MLBN Hot Stove","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"transactions","title":"transactions","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"rumors","title":"rumors","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/dfbwzvl2mkhgd4nr5zbm"},"title":"Brandon Belt headed to Toronto","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/belt-reportedly-headed-to-toronto"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The easiest at-bats for Belt will come at DH, where he should see time on days that Alejandro Kirk catches. When Danny Jansen is behind the plate, Kirk himself may be the better DH option. But Belt is a good bet to end the season with the most at-bats there. If he can produce regularly, this would also allow the Blue Jays to keep their catchers fresh.\n\n“I’m so optimistic about this year,” Belt said. “I feel great. There should be no excuses for me; I’ll say it right now. I feel like I’m going to be who I was in 2020 and ’21. If it doesn’t end up like that, it’s not because of something physical.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Belt should also serve as Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s primary backup at first base, a position the veteran still plays regularly. Last season, Guerrero started 126 games at first, so it’s easy to envision 30 starts for Belt along the way. Don’t sleep on the value of his experience, too, which is something the Blue Jays are enamored by.\n\nAs long as Belt is healthy and productive, this is a bat that will find its way into the lineup. Besides, the Blue Jays aren’t spending $9.3 million -- especially with their current payroll -- to have a player collect dust on the bench. While it’s still possible the club adds another true outfielder to round out that new-look group, Belt’s addition feels like that “missing piece” to a lineup that has undergone some significant changes.\n\nWhile Belt, Kiermaier and Varsho were all acquired for different reasons, they all bat left-handed and all represent a philosophical shift for an organization that currently sits right in the middle of its competitive window but has yet to reach the heights that the talent on this roster is capable of.","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/brandon-belt-blue-jays-deal","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"TORONTO -- Consider the Blue Jays’ lineup remodeled, with the club finalizing a one-year, $9.3 million deal with veteran Brandon Belt on Tuesday.\nBelt had been a fixture with the Giants for 12 seasons, winning World Series rings in 2012 and ’14. He played some outfield when he was younger,","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-141","title":"Toronto Blue Jays","team":{"__ref":"Team:141"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-474832","title":"Brandon Belt","person":{"__ref":"Person:474832"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"transactions","title":"transactions","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"keegan-matheson","title":"Keegan Matheson","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/lpkduuodckve5p49rcgd","title":"Brandon Belt signs with Blue Jays"},"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/tor/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"t141-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"t141-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training Tickets","linkUrl":"/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Ticket Memberships","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/buy","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Quarter Season Ticket Memberships","linkUrl":"/tickets/quarter-season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"A Field Side Corner Club","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.fanportal-mlb.com/ballpark-renovation/100-level-renovation/field-side-corner-club","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Flex Packs","linkUrl":"/tickets/flex-packs","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Premium Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium/beyond","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jays Nest","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.fanportal-mlb.com/ballpark-renovation/outfield-district/jays-nest","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/single-game-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Promotions & Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Packs - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/packs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Leadoff Offer","linkUrl":"/tickets/leadoff","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1724878800"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"3-Game Bundles - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/bundles","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rooms - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/rooms","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"TD Executive Suites","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.fanportal-mlb.com/beyond/td-executive-suites","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Specialty Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/theme-days/specialty-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"TicketFinder: Find the best tickets for you!","linkUrl":"/tickets/ticket-finder","linkTarget":"","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Outfield District Ticket","linkUrl":"/tickets/outfield-district","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Value Combo","linkUrl":"/tickets/value-combo","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"FriYAY Special - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/friyay","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Peanut/Nut Reduced Games","linkUrl":"/tickets/peanut-nut-reduced-zone","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/ticket-offers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Virtual Venue - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"http://bluejays.io-media.com/web/index.html","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Concerts & Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/concerts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Box Office","linkUrl":"/tickets/box-office","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MyBlueJays","linkUrl":"/tickets/my-bluejays","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Accessibility","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/accessibility","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Seating Options - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/seating-options","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sightlines - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/sightlines","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Management Help","linkUrl":"/tickets/ticket-management","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Contact Us","linkUrl":"/official-information/contact","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Card Centre","linkUrl":"/tickets/gift-card-centre","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/toronto-blue-jays-tickets?aid=15992&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=bluejays_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"City Connect","linkUrl":"/fans/city-connect","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Promotions - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions/schedule","placement":"mobile","visible":"false","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"rewards","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Become a Season Ticket Member","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/buy","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Current Season Ticket Member","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/members","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Quarter Season Ticket Memberships","linkUrl":"/tickets/quarter-season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"A Field Side Corner Club","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.fanportal-mlb.com/ballpark-renovation/100-level-renovation/field-side-corner-club","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Full Season Ticket Memberships - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MyBlueJays - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/my-bluejays","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticketmaster Lounge - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/ticketmaster-lounge","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"TD Clubhouse - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/td-clubhouse","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"In The Action - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/in-the-action","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training Season Ticket Memberships - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training Schedule","linkUrl":"/spring-training/printable-spring-training-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Schedule Highlights","linkUrl":"/schedule/highlights","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Printable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/printable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Promotions & Events Schedule","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Downloadable Schedule - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/schedule/downloadable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sortable Schedule - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/schedule/2024/fullseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcast Schedule - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/schedule/list","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Radio Network","linkUrl":"/schedule/blue-jays-radio-network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Fans","linkUrl":"/fans","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Know Before You Go","linkUrl":"/ballpark/know-before-you-go","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Contest Central","linkUrl":"/fans/contest-central","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fan Pack - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/fans/fan-pack","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Kids - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/fans/kids","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jr. Jays","linkUrl":"/tickets/theme-days/jr-jays-sundays","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jr. Jays Club","linkUrl":"/fans/jr-jays-club","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Newsletters","linkUrl":"/fans/newsletters","linkTarget":null,"visible":"True","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Connect with the Blue Jays","linkUrl":"/social","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Guide - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/fans/gift-guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Authentics","linkUrl":"/fans/authentics","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Walk-Up Music Playlist","linkUrl":"/ballpark/music","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1696194600"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community","linkUrl":"/community","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":"globe","tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Families - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/community/blue-jays-families","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"J FORCE","linkUrl":"/fans/j-force","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1701122400"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Boston Pizza Viewing Party - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/fans/boston-pizza-viewing-party","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"gameday","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre","linkUrl":"/ballpark","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour","linkUrl":"/tickets/concerts/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Know Before You Go","linkUrl":"/ballpark/know-before-you-go","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Renovation","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.fanportal-mlb.com/ballpark-renovation/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Information Guide","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Food and Beverage","linkUrl":"/ballpark/food-and-beverage","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Seating Map","linkUrl":"/ballpark/seating-map","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Virtual Venue - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"http://bluejays.io-media.com/web/index.html","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Netting - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/ballpark/netting","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rogers Centre Concerts & Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/concerts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Walk-Up Music Playlist - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/ballpark/music","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Accessibility","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/accessibility","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transportation","linkUrl":"/ballpark/transportation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Stadium Tours - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/ballpark/tours","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jays Shop","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/team-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"TD Ballpark","linkUrl":"/spring-training/ballpark","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Careers","linkUrl":"/team/career","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Renovation","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.fanportal-mlb.com/ballpark-renovation/","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"baseball","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Baseball Academy","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Instructional Clinics","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/instructional-clinics","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball Weekend","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/play-ball-weekend","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Academy Week","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/academy-week","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Canadian Futures Showcase","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/canadian-futures-showcase","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"HIDDEN - Canadian Futures Showcase Tryouts","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/canadian-futures-showcase/tryouts","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/diversity-equity-inclusion","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Coaches Initiatives","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/coaches-initiatives","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Find a League Near You","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/baseball-associations-partners","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Contact Us","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/contact-us","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Field of Dreams","linkUrl":"/community/jays-care/field-of-dreams","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Virtual At Home Initiatives","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/virtual-at-home-initiatives","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Instructors","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/instructors","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Alumni","linkUrl":"/community/baseball-academy/alumni","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Roster","linkUrl":"/roster","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"40-Man Roster","linkUrl":"/roster/40-man","linkTarget":"","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Non-Roster Invitees - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/roster/nri","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Chart","linkUrl":"/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top 30 Prospects","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/bluejays/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"/roster/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Report","linkUrl":"/news/topic/blue-jays-injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Front Office Directory","linkUrl":"/team/front-office-directory","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Coaches","linkUrl":"/roster/coaches","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcasters","linkUrl":"/team/broadcasters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pronunciation Guide - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/team/pronunciation-guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Draft Results","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/all/team/bluejays","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/roster/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Stats","linkUrl":"/stats/team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospects Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats?teamId=141","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Affiliate Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats/affiliates?teamId=141","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/team/141","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Rookies Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/stats/american-league?playerPool=ROOKIES","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/roster/probable-pitchers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Official Releases","linkUrl":"/news/topic/blue-jays-press-releases","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Pipeline","linkUrl":"/news/topic/bluejays-pipeline-coverage","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Stream - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/team/photos","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays History","linkUrl":"/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays History Feature Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/blue-jays-history-trivia","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB News","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/news","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"favorite","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Jays Care","linkUrl":"/community/jays-care","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Video","linkUrl":"/video","placement":"right","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Home Runs","linkUrl":"/video/topic/blue-jays-homers","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Most Popular","linkUrl":"/video/topic/t141-default-vtp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Game Recap","linkUrl":"/video/topic/blue-jays-game-recap","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Reviews","linkUrl":"/video/topic/blue-jays-reviews","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Cut4","linkUrl":"/video/topic/blue-jays-cut4","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"In the Community","linkUrl":"/video/topic/blue-jays-in-the-community","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Podcasts","linkUrl":"http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.jsp?c_id=tor","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"appears:1685548800;expires:1688054400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-club-2023","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"watch","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=clubMENU","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Offseason Package","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Link Account","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"/team/shop-splash","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Store Location","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/team-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Canadian Online Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.ca/toronto-blue-jays/t-47785679+z-810208-902130772?_s=bm-mlbcom-link-2020-OfficialShop-tray-torCA","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLBShop.com","linkUrl":"/team/shop-splash","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blue Jays Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://bluejays.auctions.mlb.com/?_gl=1*1ed2ukt*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+TOR&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=mki8i1dARcxDt3WwReTi6kJOREHftyZJNK-Xg3m10ZpEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+TOR&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav+MLB&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop - Homepage","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en/c/shop-by-team/american-league/toronto-blue-jays?portal=DL9M3N57&CMP=PSC-DL9M3N57","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"expires:1636577506","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Apps","linkUrl":"/apps","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB","linkUrl":"/apps/mlb-app","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Rally","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/apps/rally","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Beat the Streak","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/apps/beat-the-streak","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Ballpark","linkUrl":"/apps/ballpark","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Play","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/play","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MiLB","linkUrl":"https://www.milb.com/about/milb-app","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Home Run Derby","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/apps/home-run-derby","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB FAQs","linkUrl":"/apps/mlb-app/faq-apple","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Ballpark FAQs","linkUrl":"/apps/ballpark/frequently-asked-questions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Play FAQs","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/help/play/frequently-asked-questions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Rally FAQs","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/apps/rally/faq-apple","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#1d2d5c","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#134a8e","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#666666","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t141_url_logobluejays_url_svg/eebc69eae8b1cf79fe58288e3b087044/t141_url_logo.svg"},"headerMastheadTagline":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t141_header_masthead_taglineletsgobluejays_svg/52e9009448c6009bf8031e3b85208885/tbj_horz_masthead.svg"},"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"45px"}},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}]},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","id":141,"division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Person:474832":{"__typename":"Person","id":474832},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Athletics","shortName":"Athletics","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbbluejays","linkInternalFilters":"toronto,bluejays"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Toronto Blue Jays","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
TORONTO -- Consider the Blue Jays’ lineup remodeled, with the club finalizing a one-year, $9.3 million deal with veteran Brandon Belt on Tuesday.
Belt had been a fixture with the Giants for 12 seasons, winning World Series rings in 2012 and ’14. He played some outfield when he was younger, but he comes to the Blue Jays as a first baseman and DH option, giving manager John Schneider a major upgrade as a bench bat on days when he’s not in the lineup.
With three to four teams involved at the end, Belt’s decision wasn’t all that complicated.
“We felt like this was the best situation and best baseball decision for us,” Belt said on an introductory Zoom call Wednesday. “When I thought about the teams I had to choose from, I just got really excited about the thought of going to play for Toronto. It’s a great roster, a great, young group of guys, and they were a good baseball team last year that got better this offseason. That’s what gets me excited about playing baseball next year.”
OFFICIAL: We’ve signed 2x World Series Champion INF Brandon Belt to a one-year contract.
The 34-year-old is coming off a down year, though, with his .213 average and .676 OPS both outliers compared to his career numbers. Belt was dealing with right knee issues that had followed him for years, stretching back to meniscus surgery in 2015. He underwent another surgery in ’18, then required arthroscopic surgery in September of ’22, ending his season early.
The trouble went beyond baserunning and playing the field for Belt. Over the past couple of years, he says he hadn’t even been able to run around the backyard with his young sons. Now, with the surgery behind him, a refreshed Belt says a healthy knee has “completely changed” his outlook on what’s to come.
“I didn’t know if I was done playing baseball,” Belt said, “but the recovery from it and me being able to know my body and feel my body, I felt great. Right away, I knew there was reason for optimism. That’s why I’m just so happy to get out there right now.”
Belt owns a career on-base percentage of .356, which is an area the Blue Jays have prioritized. Toronto fell just short of the postseason in 2021 and went down in flames in the American League Wild Card round this past season, but both of those failures came with lineups that were exceptional on paper. How, then, could the Blue Jays approach the same old problem from a different angle?
Their answer has focused mostly on defense, with the free-agent signing of Kevin Kiermaier and a major trade for Daulton Varsho. Those two replaced fan favorites Teoscar Hernández and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and now with Belt, the Blue Jays are looking to diversify an offense that often leaned on right-handed bats to deliver a big blow.
Belt, a lefty, has always hit right-handed pitching well and should have two fairly clear paths to playing time in 2023.
The easiest at-bats for Belt will come at DH, where he should see time on days that Alejandro Kirk catches. When Danny Jansen is behind the plate, Kirk himself may be the better DH option. But Belt is a good bet to end the season with the most at-bats there. If he can produce regularly, this would also allow the Blue Jays to keep their catchers fresh.
“I’m so optimistic about this year,” Belt said. “I feel great. There should be no excuses for me; I’ll say it right now. I feel like I’m going to be who I was in 2020 and ’21. If it doesn’t end up like that, it’s not because of something physical.”
Belt should also serve as Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s primary backup at first base, a position the veteran still plays regularly. Last season, Guerrero started 126 games at first, so it’s easy to envision 30 starts for Belt along the way. Don’t sleep on the value of his experience, too, which is something the Blue Jays are enamored by.
As long as Belt is healthy and productive, this is a bat that will find its way into the lineup. Besides, the Blue Jays aren’t spending $9.3 million -- especially with their current payroll -- to have a player collect dust on the bench. While it’s still possible the club adds another true outfielder to round out that new-look group, Belt’s addition feels like that “missing piece” to a lineup that has undergone some significant changes.
While Belt, Kiermaier and Varsho were all acquired for different reasons, they all bat left-handed and all represent a philosophical shift for an organization that currently sits right in the middle of its competitive window but has yet to reach the heights that the talent on this roster is capable of.