Steve Phillips: Orelvis Martinez’s suspension contributes to Toronto Blue Jays’ disappointing season

“Surprise and disappointment” is how both Jays manager John Schneider and general manager Ross Atkins described their feelings when news broke over the weekend that Orelvis Martinez, Toronto’s most promising hitter, had been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.

These are the same words that have been used by fans, media and baseball analysts about the Blue Jays season.

The suspension is a microcosm of the Jays’ season. The Jays promoted Martinez last Tuesday when shortstop Bo Bichette went on the injured list with a calf strain. The hope was that Martinez’s power bat would help the struggling lineup and add much-needed momentum.

Inexplicably, the infielder sat on the bench and watched two games before finally getting his chance and getting his first major league hit. Like the Jays, Martinez had big expectations we were waiting to see play, but just when we saw a glimmer of them, they vanished.

If Martinez thought it was painful to wait for his first major league batting appearance while sitting out the first two games, he hasn’t seen anything yet. He will now serve an 80-game suspension for testing positive for the drug clomiphene.

His explanation that he took the substance as part of fertility treatment may be true, but it is still inexcusable in this day and age. Players have been told time and time again not to put anything into their bodies without first checking with the team’s medical staff to see if it contains anything on a banned substance list.

A fertility doctor in the Dominican Republic or Topeka, Kansas or Windsor, Ontario, will not know which drugs are on the safe list and which are not. That is the player’s responsibility. It is an issue that the MLB Players’ Association takes seriously and constantly reminds players of the rules.

Now Martinez’s reputation is ruined. His career is on hold and he has missed a huge opportunity with a team desperate to get him to perform. He can bounce back – others have – but he is unlikely to have an impact this season.

Atkins and Schneider said they respect the way Martinez took responsibility for his mistake. What should he have said? “I didn’t take it on myself”?

Atkins said they will support the young hitter during this process. That will be important because Martinez will soon feel invisible and marginalized. Most will forget about him until he starts back on the field at the end of his 80 days. Even then, he will likely have to wait until next season to play in the major leagues again, considering there are only five games left in the Blue Jays’ season once his sentence expires.

Blue Jays in a desperate situation

The Jays have now lost six games in a row and eight of their last ten games. They just can’t score enough points and are in a desperate situation.

They now play three games against the Red Sox, who they swept last week, and then they come home to play four games against the Yankees. After that comes a series with the Astros, who have won five in a row, and the Mariners, who are in first place in the AL West. It’s not going to get any easier, and no one feels sorry for Toronto.

Despite all the chaos and bad vibes right now, the Jays are still only 6.5 games out of the third wild card spot. That doesn’t sound bad, but it feels pretty bad because it looks pretty bad. The Martinez situation is the icing on the cake.

Despite everything, the Jays are in the same place they were before the losing streak began. They can’t yet fully define themselves as exclusive buyers or sellers. The season has its ups and downs, as does the mindset in a front office. They need to prepare for both possibilities. Atkins will have scouts evaluating prospects in organizations that have interest in his major league players and scouts evaluating major league players who could help them win this season. The Jays will strategize for the best and worst case scenarios.

I would still consider a plan that would have the Jays become aggressive buyers of hitters and relievers right away. Then I would see if those moves had the necessary impact over the next month. If so, I would finish the season. If not, I would sell the players I acquired and then sell some of the current players before the deadline.

I want to give the 2024 season every chance to change because I don’t have to decide at the deadline whether to trade Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. If things don’t change, there’s a legitimate argument that the Jays should trade both.

As things stand, the Blue Jays could have the following hitters available, among others: oft-injured outfielders Eloy Jiminez and Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, outfielder Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels, outfielder/DH Brent Rooker of the Oakland A’s, outfielders Jazz Chisolm, Bryan de la Cruz and Jesus Sanchez of the Miami Marlins and third baseman Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies.

The following relievers could be available: Will Vest, Jason Foley, Alex Lange and Andrew Chafin of the Detroit Tigers, Michael Kopech and Steve Wilson of the Chicago White Sox, Mason Miller and Lucas Erceg of the Oakland A’s, Tanner Scott and Declan Cronin of the Miami Marlins and Jalen Beeks and Victor Vodnik of the Colorado Rockies.

One thing I’ve learned is that when you think it can’t get any worse, it will. It can change slowly or it can change quickly. This is the turning point for the Blue Jays. They will either start to recover from their season in the next two weeks or their season will be over.