Run Differential: +27
Toronto was better last season than their record shows as they finished the season by scoring 27 more runs than they allowed. Usually this would lead to a record of three or four games above .500 not twelve under. Aaron Hill and Adam Lind had breakout years but even that was not enough to offset the numerous injuries that befell the team's rotation. Still, by playing in the American League East, no one took the team seriously including the team itself. The team's best player and arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Roy Halladay, was dangled on the trading block before being pulled back in late July. Once the season ended, GM JP Ricciardi was fired and Halladay was shipped to Philadelphia in a three team trade signaling a major rebuild.
After the dust had settled, new GM Alex Anthopoulos came away with P Kyle Drabek and 1B Brett Wallace as prizes.
Neither of these two are likely to see much - if any - action in 2010 but each is regarded as a top prospect. What was a bad system before the Halladay trade remains a bad system but there are at least some impact players at the top. In 2011 the lineup should feature Lind, Snider, Wallace, Hill, and a few pitchers that have made it through 2010 without injury. What Anthopoulos might need to do, however, is trade a player like Hill while he's hot to further stock the minors because AL East or not, this team is not close to contention. This leaves 2010 as a season where the team will evaluate talent at all levels and chart their course to become competitive again. This would explain why no free agents seriously considered Toronto during the offseason and why you'll probably hear several trade rumors regarding the team's veterans. It seems likely that once June hits they'll just be playing out the string.
Likely Opening Day Roster:
Pos. | Name | My Two Cents |
C | John Buck | Royals cut him loose to save $. Low OBP but good power |
C | Jose Molina | No hit all glove |
1b | Lyle Overbay | By limiting his ABs vs. LHP, had what looks like best yr w/ club |
2b | Aaron Hill | Broke out last season but doubtful it can be replicated |
3b | Edwin Encarnacion | Reds grew tired of waiting for him to realize potential |
SS | Alex Gonzalez | Now both A.Gonz’s have played for Jays |
LF | Travis Snider | This season will be what was expected in ‘09 |
CF | Vernon Wells | New GM must be pissed Wells is most expensive player |
RF | Jose Bautista | Only a placeholder until real RF is found |
IF | Joe McDonald | Decent glove no bat. Miracle he’s still playing |
4C | Randy Ruiz | Can’t DH two guys so Ruiz has to play “D” sometimes |
DH | Adam Lind | Team’s best player by a mile. Too bad D is worse than Dunn’s |
SP | Ricky Romero | Expect improvement but Jays wish they’d taken Tulo instead |
SP | Shaun Marcum | “Veteran” starter has just 64 career starts |
SP | Dustin McGowan | If healthy team could have decent rotation |
SP | Marc Rzepczynski | Groundball pitcher hopes Encarnacion brings glove in ‘10 |
SP | Brett Cecil | Big surprise last year hopes to hold off Morrow as 5th starter |
Swing | Brandon Morrow | Club wants to define role but might not happen until after spring |
Cl | Kevin Gregg | Flopped w/ Cubs. Strangest signing of winter |
SU | Jason Frasor | Will close if Gregg can’t refind form |
RP | Scott Downs | Darkhorse closer candidate |
RP | Brian Tallet | Long reliever but Jays want more. Not gonna happen |
RP | Jesse Carlson | Avg reliever is no LOOGY |
RP | Shawn Camp | As long as he keeps it on the ground will stay in majors |
RP | Jeremy Accardo | If fully healthy will give Tor very good bullpen |
DL | Scott Richmond | Could be a decent reliever but that will have to wait |
DL | Jesse Litsch | TJ surgery will likely wipe out this season |
DL | Dirk Hayhurst | Will become Southwest gold member w/ trips between Tor and LV |
Say Hello To: Brandon Morrow, Kevin Gregg, Alex Gonzalez, Dana Eveland, Merkin Valdez, John Buck, Brett Wallace, Jeremy Reed, Jose Molina
Wave Goodbye: Roy Halladay, Marco Scutaro, Rod Barajas, Brandon League, Kevin Millar, Joe Inglett, Russ Adams, Brian Bocock, Michael Barrett
Rookies: Brett Wallace - Acquired just after the the Halladay trade, the guy can hit but probably won't see the majors until September.
Potential Breakout: Travis Snider - Didn't have the season many expected of him but maybe the expectations were unrealistic for a 21 year old rookie.
Welcome to Earth: Aaron Hill - A very good player but I'm not expecting 36 homers again
Likely to Rebound: Dustin McGowan - Didn't pitch at all last year after knee surgery and '08 was cut short due to an injured labrum. He was pretty good in '07 though and I think not pitching last year gave his arm time to recover.
Top 3 players: Adam Lind, Aaron Hill, Travis Snider
Top Prospect: Kyle Drabek - one of the few prospects where Keith Law and I disagree. I think Drabek will be a top of the rotation starter who makes several All Star games.
Prediction: 70-92 5th place AL East
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