What does the rest of the AL East think of the 2010 Jays?(part 4 of 5)
February 9th, 2010 | by jays1992 |
Today, we highlight the answers provided by Tampa Rays’ blogger, Jason Collette. This series of q and a was actually his great idea. Thanks for that and for these responses, my friend.
1. Who will be the predominant leadoff batter for Toronto this season?
Sure, pick the tough question first. That’s almost impossible to answer right now based on who is projected to start because none of that group is a prototypical leadoff hitter. I’ll go with Jose Bautista and his steadily improving walk rate. Last year’s 14% was a career high and he has had 5 straight seasons of double digit walk rates.
2. Adam Lind and Aaron Hill were both Silver Slugger winners last year. Do you see a drop in production from either of them this season?
I see a drop in Hill’s production because his HR/FB rate is going to be very tough for him to maintain. His HR/FB rate doubled from his healthy 2007 yet his flyball rate was nearly identical. Last year was amazing, but I do not believe he can top 30 homers or 100 RBI again this season.
3. Should the Jays resign Carlos Delgado as their likely DH or should they look at internal options?
There is not much left with Delgado. We can all recognize the club cannot contend in 2010 so there is little to be gained by giving a 37 year old at bats that a building block of the future such as Brett Wallace could use as a learning experience. I would rather see Randy Ruiz and Brett Wallace split that time at DH than to give a blast from the past a contract. I prefer to remember my former team stars as the stars they were and not see them play as shells of their former self.
4. Brendan Morrow has been a starter/reliever throughout his time is Seattle. Where would he be most valuable to the Jays?
Whatever the Jays do, they should stick with their decision. Seattle’s handling of Morrow was rather poor as they could never quite make up their mind on whether he was a reliever or a starter. I hate to see such high draft picks slotted as relief pitchers at a young age so give Morrow his chance in the starting rotation. Besides, he is one of the few healthy arms the Jays have right now that is not coming back from some ailment in 2009.
5. Where would you bat Vernon Wells and where should he play in the field?
I stick Wells and his declining defensive skills in left field where most players of his ability play and I hit him 6th. His offensive skills are in decline, even at 31. He is a detriment to the team if he hits anywhere higher than that.
6 What do you expect out of Edwin Encarnacion this season offensively?
I have been a fan of Encarnacion for a long time and I am hoping he can capitalize on his second half last season in which he hit .252/.323/.470. He is also turning 27 this year so he is at the prime age to show us all what he is truly capable of. His defense is not the greatest in the world and that was really his undoing in Cincinnati where Dusty Baker couldn’t tolerate it but was certainly capable of tolerating the faults of other players such as Willy Taveras for much too long.
7 Who will be the Jays MVP this season?
I expect huge things from Adam Lind in 2010. He is a special young man and he is the one player I do not want to see up in late and close situations against my Rays. I think his efforts in 2009 are both sustainable and possibly even beatable in 2010.
8. Who is the sleeper pick, from this roster and why?
I love the Kevin Gregg signing. He was victimized with too many unfortunate long fly balls in Wrigley but had an outstanding year with both K/9 and his strikeout to walk ratio. That HR/FB will regress and a back end of Gregg, Downs, and Frasor is going to be very tough for the division.
9 Let’s say, on Opening Day, the Jays lead by a run in the top of the ninth. The reliever who comes on to close will be ________.
Kevin Gregg. Again, I thought it was a terrific late signing by the club and a guy I was hoping the Rays would acquire.
Tags: AL East, blue jays, Tampa Rays, toronto blue jays
