Every year we hear the same thing when it comes to the Toronto Blue Jays. How many times have we read in a season preview that Toronto is ready to compete with the Big Boys in the AL East. The Red Sox and Yankees have dominated the division for the last 15 years, and the Blue Jays haven't made a postseason appearance since they repeated as World Champions in 1993. This season are we going to hear that this team from north of the border is going to keep pace with Boston and New York?
Well, I guess it depends on your definition of being competitive. This team will finish at least 10 games out of the division, and will stay in it for maybe the 1st half of the season. They will probably be 6-7 games back in third place at the All-Star break and won't make a serious run the rest of the way. The Red Sox and Yankees will be too tough. Now, there are people out there that think the Yanks will be down from last season, which is a possiblity. However, who in their right mind could think that the Blue Jays will finish ahead of the Yanks in the division and squeak out a second place finish. I know I don't.
Well, Toronto signed David Eckstein and acquired Scott Rolen in the offseason. That's the most noise they made during the winter months and I don't see it being that big of a deal. Yes, Rolen is a talented 3B, but he was hindered by injuries last season and might not be 100 percent the entire season. Eckstein is a scrappy player but not one that will completely turn around a franchise. Aaron Hill, Lyle Overbay and Rod Barajas round out the infield. Does that really scare anyone?
Vernon Wells is coming off a subpar season and we'll see what he brings in 2008. The only player I have confidence in is Alex Rios, who hit .297 with 24 hr and 85 rbi. Even those numbers aren't stellar in today's game. Frank Thomas, who reached the 500 HR milestone last season, returns as the DH. He will hit at least 30 homeruns if he stays healthy and will dive in his fair share of runs, but the Blue Jays can't rely on Thomas to have an injury free season. He's been a long time veteran in this league and he turns 40 in May.
As for the pitching staff, Roy Halladay is always the name that stand out. He's had his injury concerns in the past, but when he stays healthy, he is one of the best in the game. I'm surprised he is still with this ball club and hasn't signed with a powerhouse like the Yankees or Red Sox. They still have A.J. Burnett, who is still trying to prove himself in a Blue Jay uniform but after that, it's nothing to brag about.
Closer B.J. Ryan, who was Toronto's big acquisition two years ago, had a great 2006 campaign. In 2007, he suffered a season ending elbow injury last year and now is looking to make a succuessful comeback. He's the anchor of this Blue Jays bullpen and with a suspect pitching staff, this team will need all the relief help they can get.
It's as simple as this. The Blue Jays will finish third again. How can they not? The Red Sox and Yankees are the class of the division and the Orioles are horrible. The Rays might make a run at being third, but will fade late. The Blue Jays have finished third several times over the last decade and will see similar results in 2008.
1 comment:
I agree that they will finish third. But I disagree the Rays will contend with them. The Jays are an 84-88 win team. Their rotation is better than you think though. McGowan and Marcum are a good 3,4, and that bullpen is pretty solid. VW should bounce back and play better than he did. They would be a playoff team if they were in the NL. They just are stuck behind the two largest payrolls in the sport.
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