Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 20, 2008 21:14:05 GMT -5
Last season: 83-79, 3rd in A.L. East
Manager: John Gibbons, 5th season, 270-266 (.504) career record
New faces: C Rod Barajas (PHI), RHP Shawn Camp (TB), RHP Kane Davis (PHI), SS David Eckstein (STL), LHP John Parrish (SEA), 3B Scott Rolen (STL), IF Marco Scutaro (OAK)
Left town: IF Howie Clark (MIN), 3B Troy Glaus (STL), OF John-Ford Griffin (LAD), IF Ryan Roberts (TEX), RHP Ty Taubenheim (PIT), RHP Josh Towers (COL)
Overview: Injuries to several key players, which have been well documented, kept the Jays from any serious contention last summer. And after banking that a healthy team, in its current form, is good enough to contend, G.M. J.P. Ricciardi has laid it all on the line this season. Anything short of a post-season berth and there could be a sweeping of the deck in the Jays' front office. There's no doubt that they have the pitching to contend and the arrival of David Eckstein and Scott Rolen, one year removed from a World Series title in St. Louis, gives a new, gritty left side of the infield. One area that they will need to address is their inability/unwillingness to stop opponents from stealing bases, leading to runs that could have been avoided. This is a watershed season for a franchise that hasn't played a post-season game at Rogers Centre since Joe Carter "touched 'em all" 15 Octobers ago.
Stat to ponder: Blue Jays starting pitchers allowed an AL-leading 102 stolen bases last season. A.J. Burnett and Dustin McGowan combined to allow 60 of those. This will need to be remedied if the Jays are to truly contend. Top prospect: OF Travis Snider: Led the Midwest League (A) with 93 RBI while batting .313, 35 doubles and 16 home runs. The 20-year old also made a strong impression in the Arizona Fall League (.316, 4 HR, 11 RBI in 24 games).
Hitting
'07 AVG (RANK): .259 (24th), RUNS/GAME: 4.65 (17th), HR: 165 (19th)
If they can stay in the lineup, and put up the numbers that they have throughout their individual careers, then this can be a very potent offence. The key is the return to form of centre fielder Vernon Wells, who suffered through shoulder woes that turned an All-Star into an easy out. Eckstein takes over in the lead-off role and should be a good table-setter. Alex Rios and Aaron Hill appear poised for superstardom and an average year from the oft-injured Rolen (.283, 28 HR, 109 RBI) would be welcomed, but his seven Gold Gloves represent a considerable upgrade over the departed Troy Glaus. The big question is whether they can get much offence out of the catching tandem of Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas. Any in-season acquisitions might involve this position.
Pitching
'07 ERA (RANK): 4.00 (3rd), OPP AVG: .251 (4th)
Considered a weakness just a year ago, injuries to the rotation and bullpen allowed the likes of Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum, Jesse Litsch, Jeremy Accardo, Casey Janssen and Brian Wolfe to show their stuff, and the Jays are a better team for it. Roy Halladay is still the ace and A.J. Burnett is as good a number two starter, based on stuff, as anyone in the game. McGowan finally started trusting his stuff and could win 15-17 this season. All eyes are on closer B.J. Ryan this spring as he tries to come back from Tommy John surgery. If he's good to go, it will have a domino effect on the entire staff with Janssen likely taking over the fifth spot in the rotation after a dominant 2007 in the set-up role.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: A season-long battle with the Yankees behind the Red Sox, and a run at the Wild Card deep into September. But they are still just short of being a playoff team and it will all be for naught if they can't stay healthy.
Manager: John Gibbons, 5th season, 270-266 (.504) career record
New faces: C Rod Barajas (PHI), RHP Shawn Camp (TB), RHP Kane Davis (PHI), SS David Eckstein (STL), LHP John Parrish (SEA), 3B Scott Rolen (STL), IF Marco Scutaro (OAK)
Left town: IF Howie Clark (MIN), 3B Troy Glaus (STL), OF John-Ford Griffin (LAD), IF Ryan Roberts (TEX), RHP Ty Taubenheim (PIT), RHP Josh Towers (COL)
Overview: Injuries to several key players, which have been well documented, kept the Jays from any serious contention last summer. And after banking that a healthy team, in its current form, is good enough to contend, G.M. J.P. Ricciardi has laid it all on the line this season. Anything short of a post-season berth and there could be a sweeping of the deck in the Jays' front office. There's no doubt that they have the pitching to contend and the arrival of David Eckstein and Scott Rolen, one year removed from a World Series title in St. Louis, gives a new, gritty left side of the infield. One area that they will need to address is their inability/unwillingness to stop opponents from stealing bases, leading to runs that could have been avoided. This is a watershed season for a franchise that hasn't played a post-season game at Rogers Centre since Joe Carter "touched 'em all" 15 Octobers ago.
Stat to ponder: Blue Jays starting pitchers allowed an AL-leading 102 stolen bases last season. A.J. Burnett and Dustin McGowan combined to allow 60 of those. This will need to be remedied if the Jays are to truly contend. Top prospect: OF Travis Snider: Led the Midwest League (A) with 93 RBI while batting .313, 35 doubles and 16 home runs. The 20-year old also made a strong impression in the Arizona Fall League (.316, 4 HR, 11 RBI in 24 games).
Hitting
'07 AVG (RANK): .259 (24th), RUNS/GAME: 4.65 (17th), HR: 165 (19th)
If they can stay in the lineup, and put up the numbers that they have throughout their individual careers, then this can be a very potent offence. The key is the return to form of centre fielder Vernon Wells, who suffered through shoulder woes that turned an All-Star into an easy out. Eckstein takes over in the lead-off role and should be a good table-setter. Alex Rios and Aaron Hill appear poised for superstardom and an average year from the oft-injured Rolen (.283, 28 HR, 109 RBI) would be welcomed, but his seven Gold Gloves represent a considerable upgrade over the departed Troy Glaus. The big question is whether they can get much offence out of the catching tandem of Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas. Any in-season acquisitions might involve this position.
Pitching
'07 ERA (RANK): 4.00 (3rd), OPP AVG: .251 (4th)
Considered a weakness just a year ago, injuries to the rotation and bullpen allowed the likes of Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum, Jesse Litsch, Jeremy Accardo, Casey Janssen and Brian Wolfe to show their stuff, and the Jays are a better team for it. Roy Halladay is still the ace and A.J. Burnett is as good a number two starter, based on stuff, as anyone in the game. McGowan finally started trusting his stuff and could win 15-17 this season. All eyes are on closer B.J. Ryan this spring as he tries to come back from Tommy John surgery. If he's good to go, it will have a domino effect on the entire staff with Janssen likely taking over the fifth spot in the rotation after a dominant 2007 in the set-up role.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: A season-long battle with the Yankees behind the Red Sox, and a run at the Wild Card deep into September. But they are still just short of being a playoff team and it will all be for naught if they can't stay healthy.
