John Gibbons admitted Wednesday that the Blue Jays need to "keep pace" with the Yankees and Red Sox even when their division rivals pull off monster moves like the Bronx Bombers acquisition earlier this week of National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton.
That doesn't necessarily mean Gibbons expects his team to make a huge splash this offseason. Instead, it's more a case of continuing to build a legitimate contender and not rolling over to concede the American League East or a wild- card berth to others.
"You expect those teams to always -- they're almost forced to -- they always make big moves, or try to make big moves," Gibbons told reporters at the baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando. "You got to try and keep pace with it.
"I think there is limitations, sometimes, to what you can do; but I don't think you can be distracted by that, it's reality. Hey, if you want to beat these guys you got to try and keep pace. That's the reality of it."
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Like Blue Jays executives Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins stated earlier in the week, Gibbons praised the team's core, emphasizing that there are areas that need to be addressed, but, despite missing the playoffs last season, this is still a solid club.
Gibbons did say the club "needs more offense" and that adding depth to the bullpen and starting rotation are also priorities. He clearly is impressed with veteran free agent lefty C.C. Sabathia, who met with Jays officials on Tuesday.
"Oh, yeah, I love him. I've always liked him," Gibbons said of the 37-year-old Sabathia, who made 27 starts a year ago, posted a 14-5 record with a 3.69 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
"He's coming off a big year, yeah. And he's available. He's a workhorse, man. He's always pitched well against us. One of the great competitors in the game for a number of years. I thought he looked strong last year."
The Jays skipper also looks forward to Aaron Sanchez being healthy again in 2018. After going 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 2016, Sanchez missed most of last season because of blister issues that limited him to only eight starts and 36 innings pitched.
Atkins informed reporters on Tuesday that Sanchez resumed playing catch recently and doctors cleared him to begin his regular offseason throwing program.
"Well, naturally, I think the rotation is going to be that much better with getting Sanchez back, that's a huge boost," offered Gibbons.
First and foremost, Gibbons said he thinks the Jays "need more offense" and pointed to filling a hole or two in the outfield as the place to improve the lineup, "especially without (Jose Bautista)".
In recent days, free agent outfielders Carlos Gonzalez, Jay Bruce and Carlos Gomez had their names linked to the Blue Jays. Bruce is the best of the lot, but requires the most money and term to sign. Gonzalez comes off a down year and could be agreeable to a shorter-term contract to reestablish his value. Just two years ago he drove in 100 runs, three more than the previous season.
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"We play in home run-hitting heaven, all the teams in there, it's a slugfest," said Gibbons. "So you got to be able to do that with them."
Again, keep pace with the slugging Yankees and Red Sox, something the Jays believe they can do with the likes of Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak already entrenched in their lineup.
"We're coming off a tough year, no doubt, but you got guys like Russell Martin, Donaldson coming behind you, got a lot of good things," stated Gibbons. "It's a good veteran team, it's got the potential and chance to win some."