Remember that fire-breathing rookie who called Gerrit Cole the “worst cheater” in baseball? Yeah, him. Alek Manoah, the Toronto Blue Jays’ flame-throwing Cole rival, is looking to shed the 2023 ashes and rise like a phoenix for a comeback season in 2024.

Last year was a nightmare for Manoah. After finishing third in Cy Young voting in 2022, he imploded, sporting a disappointing 3-9 record and a sky-high 5.87 ERA. The whispers got loud: Was he out of shape? Was his arm hurt? Could he ever recapture his former glory? But hold your horses, Blue Jays fans.

From “Worst Cheater” accuser to comeback kid: Can Toronto Blue Jays’ Manoah silence doubters after rough 2023?

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, teams inquiring about Manoah’s trade availability were met with a firm “no” from the Blue Jays. Apparently, Manoah’s been putting in the work this offseason, and the Jays have faith in his redemption arc.

Here’s the juicy part: Manoah’s 2022 season wasn’t all doom and gloom. Remember that dominant All-Star campaign with a 16-7 record? That fire still burns within him. Let’s not forget his fiery personality, the same one that fueled the Gerrit Cole accusation (which, for the record, Manoah does not regret at all). So, can he silence the doubters and become the ace Toronto Blue Jays need?

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Here’s what we know: He is healthy. There is no structural damage in his arm, just a mysterious “discomfort” addressed with an injection, and he is motivated like never before. Remember that “worst cheater” comment? The guy thrives on competition. The team’s belief in him plays a surmountable part in getting him back to his prime. They’re not open to trading him, which is a clear sign of confidence. But there are hurdles.

Manoah’s path to redemption won’t be a cakewalk. Staying healthy is paramount, considering injuries wrecked his 2023. He also needs to rediscover his control, having walked an alarming number of batters last season. Can he handle the pressure of being Toronto’s ace and becoming a leader instead of just having a fiery personality?

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These hurdles loom large, yet his story still possesses the captivating elements of a baseball movie: a fallen star seeking redemption, a simmering rivalry, and a shot at reclaiming his glory. With a healthy Manoah, can the Toronto Blue Jays finally claw their way to the playoffs?

The Jays’ 2024: More hype than home runs?

The 2024 Blue Jays are a team shrouded in “what ifs.” Sure, their .256 regular season batting average was respectable, and their pitching staff boasted the 4th best ERA in MLB. But let’s not sugarcoat it: allowing the 671 runs in the league exposed a gaping hole in their defense, and their three straight playoff sweeps raise serious concerns about their ability to perform under pressure. The offseason hasn’t exactly calmed these anxieties either.

Despite a bigger budget (standing at $240 million for this season per FanGraphs—$22 million more than 2023), they haven’t addressed their starting pitching woes, leaving a major question mark hovering over Alek Manoah, the once-dominant All-Star who needs to rediscover his magic touch. So, where does that leave them?

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The Toronto Blue Jays have the talent, but their recent playoff history and lack of key offseason moves create a sense of cautious optimism rather than unbridled excitement. Their 2024 picture holds more questions than answers, and until they fix their run prevention, see Manoah return to form, and maybe pull off a surprising trade or two, their season might be more hype than home runs.