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| Jose Bautista leads the Blue Jays into 2012. The first season of the 5th Wild Card and realistic playoff hopes. |
There were two teams in 2011 that were fun to watch. The Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
This is just going to be another season of Blue Jay baseball. That means there's going to be over 80 wins and a lot of Home Runs. And in the Rogers Centre, you won't need a jacket.
These Blue Jays, however, possess a bullpen that has been given a facelift. It features Sergio Santos, Francisco Cordero and Darren Oliver. Don't be surprised if a 13-10 Blue Jays lead after 6 innings will stick for the rest of the game.
The rotation will be helter skelter as per usual. It is headed by Ricky Romeo, who is one of the most underrated pitchers in the AL. After that, it is all kids and question marks. Look out for Henderson Alverez, who I feel may be the #2 starter by the end of the season. Between Brendan Morrow, Brett Cecil, Dustin McGowan and Kyle Drabek; The Blue Jays need to fill out their rotation with quality pitching if they want to compete for the wild card in 2012.
As for the lineup, watch out for Brett Lawrie. This kid has a steadily improving glove and has all of the offensive tools you look for. Definitely somebody the Blue Jays want to eventually protect Jose Bautista. These two will be surrounded by J.P. Arencibia, Kelly Johnson and Adam Lind. These three all fit into the Blue Jays offense perfectly. Colby Rasmus now has a full spring training to get his feet under him with Toronto. The offense will be dynamite. The lineup will be too much fun to watch in 2012.
X-FACTORS:
Lineup: OF Colby Rasmus. We know what the rest of this lineup is capable. Rasmus struggled last season and must now find his niche in this Toronto offense.
Rotation: Kyle Drabek. He may not be projected to be in the rotation on Opening Day, but he better be by the All-Star Break or the Blue Jays got robbed in that Roy Halla-Trade.
Bullpen: Sergio Santos. The former shortstop will serve as Toronto's closer. His ability to lock down the 9th inning goes a long way in Toronto.
The Kids: 3B Brett Lawrie. This kid returns after a cup of coffee in 2011 with a starting job in hand. If he gets hot this season, Jose Bautista hits 50 home runs. Mark my words.
ROYAL LIST:
#17 C Travis d'Arnaud: More complete catching prospect than Arencibia was.
#39 OF Anthony Gose: If Rasmus doesn't pan out, Gose is a viable option for Center Field in 2013.
#67 OF Jake Marisnick: Raw prospect. Will be in minors for at least the next year and a half working on offensive tools.
#91 LHP Daniel Norris: Never hurts to have an 18-year old lefty on this list.
PROJECTION: 4th Place AL East
-Lacks pitching depth of Tampa Bay, New York and Boston. However, they are not the one trick pony of yesteryear.
This is just going to be another season of Blue Jay baseball. That means there's going to be over 80 wins and a lot of Home Runs. And in the Rogers Centre, you won't need a jacket.
These Blue Jays, however, possess a bullpen that has been given a facelift. It features Sergio Santos, Francisco Cordero and Darren Oliver. Don't be surprised if a 13-10 Blue Jays lead after 6 innings will stick for the rest of the game.
The rotation will be helter skelter as per usual. It is headed by Ricky Romeo, who is one of the most underrated pitchers in the AL. After that, it is all kids and question marks. Look out for Henderson Alverez, who I feel may be the #2 starter by the end of the season. Between Brendan Morrow, Brett Cecil, Dustin McGowan and Kyle Drabek; The Blue Jays need to fill out their rotation with quality pitching if they want to compete for the wild card in 2012.
As for the lineup, watch out for Brett Lawrie. This kid has a steadily improving glove and has all of the offensive tools you look for. Definitely somebody the Blue Jays want to eventually protect Jose Bautista. These two will be surrounded by J.P. Arencibia, Kelly Johnson and Adam Lind. These three all fit into the Blue Jays offense perfectly. Colby Rasmus now has a full spring training to get his feet under him with Toronto. The offense will be dynamite. The lineup will be too much fun to watch in 2012.
X-FACTORS:
Lineup: OF Colby Rasmus. We know what the rest of this lineup is capable. Rasmus struggled last season and must now find his niche in this Toronto offense.
Rotation: Kyle Drabek. He may not be projected to be in the rotation on Opening Day, but he better be by the All-Star Break or the Blue Jays got robbed in that Roy Halla-Trade.
Bullpen: Sergio Santos. The former shortstop will serve as Toronto's closer. His ability to lock down the 9th inning goes a long way in Toronto.
The Kids: 3B Brett Lawrie. This kid returns after a cup of coffee in 2011 with a starting job in hand. If he gets hot this season, Jose Bautista hits 50 home runs. Mark my words.
ROYAL LIST:
#17 C Travis d'Arnaud: More complete catching prospect than Arencibia was.
#39 OF Anthony Gose: If Rasmus doesn't pan out, Gose is a viable option for Center Field in 2013.
#67 OF Jake Marisnick: Raw prospect. Will be in minors for at least the next year and a half working on offensive tools.
#91 LHP Daniel Norris: Never hurts to have an 18-year old lefty on this list.
PROJECTION: 4th Place AL East
-Lacks pitching depth of Tampa Bay, New York and Boston. However, they are not the one trick pony of yesteryear.
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