It’s a new day, which means it’s time for a new News and Notes.

We’re just two days away from the first game of Spring Training, which begs the question, who’ll start the game on Saturday? There have also been a few signings which make the Isiah Kiner-Falefa signing questionable, and there’s even more Alek Manoah news!
Let’s dig in.
<h2>Cavan Biggio taking batting practice</h2>
It was reported earlier that Cavan Biggio was the only Blue Jay player dealing with any sort of ailment. Well, it appears the concern is over as he was taking batting practice on Thursday, as reported by MLB.com&#8217;s Keegan Matheson.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Cavan Biggio (shoulder tendinitis) is out taking batting practice on the field today. 
The issue never sounded too serious, but still a good sign after he’d been limited earlier in camp. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a>
&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1760701981092401352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Biggio was one of the best Blue Jays’ hitters in the second half of the 2023 season, slashing. 272/.404/.361 with two homers in 183 plate appearances, along with a 15.8 BB% and a 21.9 K% for a 124 wRC+. It’s to be seen what his role will be, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he platoons with Davis Schneider at second base, or once again plays a super utility role on the team.
<h2>Ricky Tiedemann starts on Saturday</h2>
It appears that the future Blue Jays ace will get the ball to open the Blue Jays season. Well, Toronto’s Spring Training, as 21-year-old left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann will start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
No. 1 prospect Ricky Tiedemann will start the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a>’ Grapefruit League opener on Saturday. Bichette, Jansen, Turner and Varsho will be in the lineup.
On Sunday, Bowden Francis starts.
&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1760726805609370006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Last season, Tiedemann had a 3.83 ERA and a 1.98 FIP in 47 innings pitched between Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. His 43.7 K% was the second-highest in the organization with 20 or more innings pitched, but he did struggle with walks as he had a 12.2 BB%.
Still, he’s a left-handed pitcher that touches a tick under 100 mph with the heater while featuring two plus secondary pitches. Health and command are big determining factors in how far he goes, but Tiedemann certainly has ace potential.
Bowden Francis will get the ball against the New York Yankees on Sunday… speaking of which.
<h2>Juan Soto will make his Spring Training debut against the Jays</h2>
The Blue Jays may not have made a big addition to their roster this off-season, but the Yankees sure did. They traded a handful of pitching prospects, including Drew Thorpe, to the San Diego Padres for rental Juan Soto. Well, he’ll play in his first game against the Blue Jays.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Juan Soto will make his Yankees spring debut on Sunday at home vs. the Blue Jays, per <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryHPhillips?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GaryHPhillips</a> <a href="https://t.co/wgdQLuvO7D">pic.twitter.com/wgdQLuvO7D</a>
&mdash; Talkin&#39; Yanks (@TalkinYanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1760730986680340727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Last season, the 25-year-old outfielder slashed .275/.410/.519 with 35 home runs in 708 plate appearances for a 155 wRC+, one of the best seasons of his young career. The good news is, that he may only be a Yankee for one season as the 2024 season will be his final year of arbitration. Perhaps, the Jays will attempt to sign him next off-season.
<h2>Alek Manoah developing a cutter</h2>
It’s no secret that Alek Manoah struggled in 2023, posting a 5.87 ERA and a 6.01 FIP in 87.1 innings pitched after finishing third in American League Cy Young voting in 2022. Coming into the 2024 season, he has to find a way to get back to where he was, and one way may be by adding a new pitch &#8211; the cutter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
New pitch alert: Alek Manoah is testing out a cutter this spring.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a>
&mdash; Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760717204805337156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A cutter is essentially a fastball that “cuts” late and can be used against left-handed batters for Manoah. Out of his four pitches, the changeup was the weakest link, but it was also the pitch to be used against lefties.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Alek Manoah is throwing live and they’ve got him at a consistent 92-93 with the heater. That’s a very encouraging gun reading. <a href="https://t.co/btr9rLmpvH">pic.twitter.com/btr9rLmpvH</a>
&mdash; Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760710382602059828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Moreover, there’s been some encouraging signs with his velocity, as TSN’s Scott Mitchell reports Manoah has been around 92-93 mph with the fastball. Manoah’s frame is already pretty built out, meaning there isn’t much in the way of projection, but hitting your average from the past three seasons before Spring Training games start is a good sign.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Manoah averaged 93.7 on heater in 2021 … 2022 it was 93.9 mph. Last year he fell to 92.8, below MLB avg. The slash line on below league avg heaters velo-wise spike dramatically, especially when you can’t command it. He needs 93-94. Heard he was 87-88 in Feb 2023, 92-93 today. <a href="https://t.co/Mz7yOF8wum">https://t.co/Mz7yOF8wum</a>
&mdash; Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760765411421986908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Tim Anderson signs with the Marlins</h2>
The Blue Jays now can’t corner the market on mediocre infielders, as Tim Anderson has signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Miami Marlins, reports The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Source confirms: Free-agent shortstop Tim Anderson in agreement with Marlins on one-year, $5M deal. First: <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JesseRogersESPN</a>.
&mdash; Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1760688309532324298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Anderson is a great bounce back candidate, as he slashed .318/.347/.474 with 51 home runs in 1641 plate appearances from 2019-2022. Of course, he struggled in 2023, slashing just .245/.286/.296 with a single home run in 524 plate appearances, but Anderson has proven to be a great hitter in years’ past.
For what it’s worth, it appears that the Jays had little interest in Anderson, according to TSN’s Mitchell.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
For what it’s worth, heard there was very little interest from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> on TA this winter. <a href="https://t.co/EQG1LaJD7X">https://t.co/EQG1LaJD7X</a>
&mdash; Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760702822213955817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Maybe if he plays well in Detroit, the Blue Jays could trade for him at the trade deadline.
<h2>Gio Urshela signs with the Tigers</h2>
Former Blue Jay Gio Urshela has signed with the Detroit Tigers for a one-year, $1.5 million deal, reports Jeff Passan.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Infielder Gio Urshela and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Urshela, 32, should help at third base and can play a variety of positions. And his ability to hit left-handers suited what Detroit has sought this winter.
&mdash; Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1760729966906626466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Urshela slashed .299/.329/.374 with two homers in 228 plate appearances for his lowest wRC+ of 92 since he was a Blue Jay. Urshela’s best season so far came in 2019 with the New York Yankees, one season after being a Blue Jay. That season, he slashed .314/.355/.534 with 21 homers in 476 plate appearances, along with a 132 wRC+ and a 2.8 fWAR.
Earlier in the off-season, Isiah Kiner-Falefa signed a two-year, $15 million deal to produce less than Urshela. In fact, if you combine Urshela’s, Anderson’s, and Ahmed Rosario’s deals together, they barely make more than Kiner-Falefa does while producing more offence. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Now it&#39;s IKF is making only $500K less than Anderson, Gio Urshela and Amed Rosario combined. <a href="https://t.co/NaWZTsGMgg">https://t.co/NaWZTsGMgg</a>
&mdash; Joshua (@JoshuaHowsam) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshuaHowsam/status/1760730494919168440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
No idea what the Jays were doing when they signed Kiner-Falefa, but hopefully he proves us all wrong.
The first Spring Training game is just two days away. I can’t wait!
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
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It’s a new day, which means it’s time for a new News and Notes.



We’re just two days away from the first game of Spring Training, which begs the question, who’ll start the game on Saturday? There have also been a few signings which make the Isiah Kiner-Falefa signing questionable, and there’s even more Alek Manoah news!

Let’s dig in.
<h2>Cavan Biggio taking batting practice</h2>
It was reported earlier that Cavan Biggio was the only Blue Jay player dealing with any sort of ailment. Well, it appears the concern is over as he was taking batting practice on Thursday, as reported by MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1760701981092401352

Biggio was one of the best Blue Jays’ hitters in the second half of the 2023 season, slashing. 272/.404/.361 with two homers in 183 plate appearances, along with a 15.8 BB% and a 21.9 K% for a 124 wRC+. It’s to be seen what his role will be, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he platoons with Davis Schneider at second base, or once again plays a super utility role on the team.
<h2>Ricky Tiedemann starts on Saturday</h2>
It appears that the future Blue Jays ace will get the ball to open the Blue Jays season. Well, Toronto’s Spring Training, as 21-year-old left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann will start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1760726805609370006

Last season, Tiedemann had a 3.83 ERA and a 1.98 FIP in 47 innings pitched between Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. His 43.7 K% was the second-highest in the organization with 20 or more innings pitched, but he did struggle with walks as he had a 12.2 BB%.

Still, he’s a left-handed pitcher that touches a tick under 100 mph with the heater while featuring two plus secondary pitches. Health and command are big determining factors in how far he goes, but Tiedemann certainly has ace potential.

Bowden Francis will get the ball against the New York Yankees on Sunday… speaking of which.
<h2>Juan Soto will make his Spring Training debut against the Jays</h2>
The Blue Jays may not have made a big addition to their roster this off-season, but the Yankees sure did. They traded a handful of pitching prospects, including Drew Thorpe, to the San Diego Padres for rental Juan Soto. Well, he’ll play in his first game against the Blue Jays.

https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1760730986680340727

Last season, the 25-year-old outfielder slashed .275/.410/.519 with 35 home runs in 708 plate appearances for a 155 wRC+, one of the best seasons of his young career. The good news is, that he may only be a Yankee for one season as the 2024 season will be his final year of arbitration. Perhaps, the Jays will attempt to sign him next off-season.
<h2>Alek Manoah developing a cutter</h2>
It’s no secret that Alek Manoah struggled in 2023, posting a 5.87 ERA and a 6.01 FIP in 87.1 innings pitched after finishing third in American League Cy Young voting in 2022. Coming into the 2024 season, he has to find a way to get back to where he was, and one way may be by adding a new pitch - the cutter.

https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760717204805337156

A cutter is essentially a fastball that “cuts” late and can be used against left-handed batters for Manoah. Out of his four pitches, the changeup was the weakest link, but it was also the pitch to be used against lefties.

https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760710382602059828

Moreover, there’s been some encouraging signs with his velocity, as TSN’s Scott Mitchell reports Manoah has been around 92-93 mph with the fastball. Manoah’s frame is already pretty built out, meaning there isn’t much in the way of projection, but hitting your average from the past three seasons before Spring Training games start is a good sign.

https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760765411421986908
<h2>Tim Anderson signs with the Marlins</h2>
The Blue Jays now can’t corner the market on mediocre infielders, as Tim Anderson has signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Miami Marlins, reports The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1760688309532324298

Anderson is a great bounce back candidate, as he slashed .318/.347/.474 with 51 home runs in 1641 plate appearances from 2019-2022. Of course, he struggled in 2023, slashing just .245/.286/.296 with a single home run in 524 plate appearances, but Anderson has proven to be a great hitter in years’ past.

For what it’s worth, it appears that the Jays had little interest in Anderson, according to TSN’s Mitchell.

https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/status/1760702822213955817

Maybe if he plays well in Detroit, the Blue Jays could trade for him at the trade deadline.
<h2>Gio Urshela signs with the Tigers</h2>
Former Blue Jay Gio Urshela has signed with the Detroit Tigers for a one-year, $1.5 million deal, reports Jeff Passan.

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1760729966906626466

Last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Urshela slashed .299/.329/.374 with two homers in 228 plate appearances for his lowest wRC+ of 92 since he was a Blue Jay. Urshela’s best season so far came in 2019 with the New York Yankees, one season after being a Blue Jay. That season, he slashed .314/.355/.534 with 21 homers in 476 plate appearances, along with a 132 wRC+ and a 2.8 fWAR.

Earlier in the off-season, Isiah Kiner-Falefa signed a two-year, $15 million deal to produce less than Urshela. In fact, if you combine Urshela’s, Anderson’s, and Ahmed Rosario’s deals together, they barely make more than Kiner-Falefa does while producing more offence. 

https://twitter.com/JoshuaHowsam/status/1760730494919168440

No idea what the Jays were doing when they signed Kiner-Falefa, but hopefully he proves us all wrong.

The first Spring Training game is just two days away. I can’t wait!

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.

<hr />

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" data-wpel-link="external">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
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News and Notes: Alek Manoah debuting a cutter, Ricky Tiedemann starts on Saturday, and more!

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