Brandon Belt

Kevin Kiermaier hasn't played a regular-season game in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, but he sees big things in store for his new team in 2023.Ahead of his first Opening Day with Toronto, Kiermaier said the Blue Jays have the potential to not only win the AL East but dominate with a 100-win season."Knowing this group and what guys are about, (100 wins) is very attainable," the 32-year-old told Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. "If we stay healthy - and with the balanced schedule - I like our chances. I'm going to do everything in my power to motivate guys as best I can."If we can keep each other in check and say look, 'We're playing for October,' and the more we win, the more we will buy into each other. If we get that from one through 26 on the roster and are adamant about that, it will be amazing what this group can do."A 100-win campaign would be new territory for the Blue Jays, whose franchise-best mark of 99 wins has stood untouched since 1985. The team has won 90 games just three times in the past 30 years, including during each of the last two seasons.Toronto's 92-win 2022 campaign ended in devastating fashion, as the team blew a seven-run lead in Game 2 of the wild-card round to be swept by the Seattle Mariners.While core players such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer, and Alek Manoah remain following that disappointment, the front office has rejigged the roster. Kiermaier, a longtime divisional foe during his years with the Tampa Bay Rays, was one of several veterans to join Toronto in free agency, alongside Chris Bassitt and Brandon Belt. The team also traded for outfielder Daulton Varsho and reliever Erik Swanson.The Blue Jays will likely spend the summer battling the New York Yankees for divisional supremacy. It was the Yankees who served notice early last year, bursting out of the gate in April en route to 99 wins and a runaway divisional crown. Kiermaier wants the Blue Jays to be the team that sends an early message this season by taking immediate control of the AL East."I'd love to set the tone and go out there and try to win the division," Kiermaier said. "We're trying to take the next step. Everyone knows (winning the division) is important. That's the goal."We have to let our play do the talking. These guys have always had high expectations, but let's do something different this year and really scare teams. We're playing for October and we want the division."Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Belt (illness) will serve as Toronto's designated hitter and cleanup batter in Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies.

Brandon Belt is in a different uniform these days, but he hasn't changed one bit.

In situations calling for a swing-for-the-fences pick, these unheralded MLB players could give you unexpected fantasy value at every position.

Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall is planning on having first baseman Joey Votto finish his career with the only franchise he's played for.However, Krall told The Athletic's Jim Bowden that he'd consider trading Votto to his hometown Toronto Blue Jays if the Reds were out of playoff contention and Votto made that request.Votto was born and raised in Toronto. The 39-year-old made headlines this offseason when he documented some of his adventures around his hometown. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joey Votto (@joeyvotto) Votto is recovering after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last August. The six-time All-Star was limited to just 91 games in 2022. He struggled to the tune of a .205/.319/.370 slash line with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs. The Blue Jays have reigning Gold Glove winner Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entrenched at first base. The club also signed first baseman Brandon Belt this offseason.Votto is scheduled to earn $25 million in 2023. The Reds hold a club option for $20 million in 2024 as part of the 10-year, $225-million extension he signed in 2012.The veteran is one of the most accomplished players in Reds history. Votto ranks second on the all-time Reds list in home runs, third in RBIs, and sixth in games played.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.