Jays’ open camp amid many storylines

With the beginning of spring training there are a number of storylines that are being discussed among the local media.

Today, we will look at some of them and venture our own opinions.

Vernon Wells

He is dogged by the big contract, which makes him immovable for at least a couple of years. We get that. But, this is a guy who is a capable outfielder with a good glove, albeit his range has been impacted by injury troubles. Offensively, he underperformed last season. There’s no denying that. But, it is worth noting that he is still a lifetime .280 hitter with six 20+ homer seasons and five years with at least 80 rbi. If he can play injury free there’s no reason why he can’t approach all of those numbers in 2010.

Brandon Morrow

He was acquired in a deal that sent Brandon League to Seattle and will get a chance to finally prove that he is a major league starting pitcher. In three years with the Mariners, he split his time between starting and coming out of the pen, with modest success in both areas. The Jays’ club management has made no bones about their desire to use him exclusively out of the starting rotation, likely in the number 3 role. At 25 years of age, he should be just coming into the best years of his career and the road for a successful run, seems paved in front of this talented righty who has struck out better than a batter per inning pitched over his career total of 198 innings pitched.

Lyle Overbay

After a winter during which he was rumored to be in trade talks, Overbay still finds himself in a Toronto uniform. He has indicated as much surprise at that outcome, as any Blue Jays’ observer. Toronto has a number of options lined up behind the veteran, led by Brett Wallace, who came over in the Halladay trade, is rated as the eventual heir apparent. Randy Ruiz showed lots of power in a late-season cameo last year and Brian Dopirak is also in the mix. The Jays have also discussed the possibility of Adam Lind possibly learning how to play at first base as opposed to the outfield or DH spot.

The Closer Situation

The signing of Kevin Gregg gives the Jays another option here beside incumbents Scott Downs and Jason Frasor, who both had some success at the back of the bullpen last season. At the very least, the late innings of Toronto ballgames do give Manager Cito Gaston options to consider. If things unfold as expected, Gaston’s loyalty will lead him to go with Frasor to start the season with that role.

Cito’s loyalty and management style
Gaston has been celebrated during times of team success and chided during down tomes. That is every manager’s lot in baseball life. He is currently on record with his preference to keep Aaron Hill in the two hole, Adam Lind in the three spot and Vernon Wells batting cleanup. He has displayed a reluctance to move players around in the batting order. When compared to most other manager’s this is viewed as an unorthodox strategy, but Cito defends that sentiment with his belief that a batter needs a definite offensive role in the same way that defensive positions are defined.

We will keep an eye on these and other storylines as they continue to unfold. Just talking about baseball should help fans in the Toronto to divert our attention from the foul winter weather we are currently enduring.

Posted in Brandon Morrow, Brian Dopirak, Jason Frasor, Randy Ruiz, aaron hill, adam lind, blue jays, cito gaston, lyle overbay, toronto blue jays, vernon wells | No Comments »

Offense shouldn’t be a problem for 2010 Jays

Much has been said about a young starting pitching staff taking the mound for the Jays this year. Due to the projected shortcomings of such an inexperienced starting rotation, Toronto is not expected to field a competitive club this year. According to most preseason predictions

The Jays do however possess plenty of offensive weapons and may be able to surprise a lot of rival clubs as a result.

Consider that the dynamic duo of Silver Slugger winners from 2009, Adam Lind and Aaron Hill are returning to try to duplicate their spectacular offensive stats. Last year they combined for 71 homers and 222 rbis. Those numbers rival the output of all American League clubs when looking at the potential production from the number three and four spots in the batting order.

Add to that the potential that may be expected from the following sources:

Vernon Wells batted .287 over the final two months of 2009 and should be able to approach that average with the talent to return to the 25 homer. 100 rbi range, which he has topped three times in his career.

Lyle Overbay hit over .290 with plenty of extra base power over the latter stages of 2009, after shaking off the long-term effects of a broken wrist, which hampered him for the better part of a calendar year.

Travis Snyder is projected as a future threat to lead the team’s offense with a solid power stroke. He’s only 22 years old but seems poised for a breakout season after learning the ropes last season.

Edwin Encarnacion was another power bat who was limited by injury trouble early last season. He also shone in the latter stages of 2009 and gave indication that his power stroke was in good order with a torrid final month, where he hit five homers and drove in 16 runs.

Randy Ruiz was a late season revelation with 10 homers in only 115 official at bats. There is some question about where he fits into the lineup and he’ll be challenged to cut down a high strike-out rate.

Still, there’s the potential for these seven power bats to make the Jays’ batting order quite a minefield for opposing pitching staffs.

They could provide plenty of fireworks for an underrated Blue Jay ballclub.

Posted in Edwin Encarnacion, Randy Ruiz, aaron hill, adam lind, blue jays, lyle overbay, toronto blue jays, travis snider, vernon wells | No Comments »

What does the rest of the AL East think of the 2010 Jays?(Part 5 of 5)

Today, I have come up with my own answers to the nine questions I posed to my peers in the AL East.

1. Who will be the predominant leadoff batter for Toronto this season?

The early indications are that Jose Bautista will get the first chance to take on the role of leadoff hitter for Toronto. Manager Cito Gaston has stated that he likes Bautista’s patience and ability to work the work. He is also one of the club’s better baserunners, in the absence of a bona fide base stealer.

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?
   
When you look back at their niumbers, both were among the very best sets of power       stats in all of baseball and might be viewed as career years for both of these talented youngsters. Can they possibly repeat these totals? I say, “yes”, but will differentiate between the two of them. I think Lind has the more natural power stroke but we are hearing that he may play first base, left field or DH. If they could narrow that role, I would really like his chances. On the other hand, Hill has no such issues. In fact a year ago, there was serious concern about what kind of comeback season he would have. This year, he begins from a high level of comfort and confidence in his ability.

So I think Hill will have the easier time in repeating his 2009 marks.

3 Should the Jays resign Carlos Delgado as their likely DH or should they look at internal options?

As much as I was a big fan of Delgado, the Jays have a host of healthy options to take on the roles at first base and in the DH slot. Lind is a candidate, as are Lyle Overbay, Randy Ruiz and Brian Dopirak, to say nothing of hot prospect, Brett Wallace.

4 Brandon Morrow has been a starter/reliever throughout his time is Seattle. Where would he be most valuable to the Jays?

He has been jerked around between the roles of starter and reliever throughout his time in Seattle and has openly stated his preference for one role. Given his live arm, his ability to keep his hits totals down, compared to innings pitched, to go along with his ability to get the big strikeout totals, he might be a project who will pan out in the 3 or 4 spot in this rotation. The fact that he is a righty and the Jays need to identify at least three right handed arms in a rotation that was skewed to the left side during much of last season. 

5 Where would you bat Vernon Wells and where should he play in the field?

I think Vernon gets one more chance to start the season in centerfield and I would bat him in the sixth spot in the order. Lind and Hill should get the three and four holes. Given Wells’ huge contract he needs to play. If his work in centre falters, they could always move him to left or right. 

6 What do you expect out of Edwin Encarnacion this season offensively?

He starts his first full season armed with knowledge that he is the everyday third baseman for the Jays. He’s also armed with his late-season power surge from last season, to take away any lingering concerns over a wrist injury early last year. He can also point to a 26 homer year in 2008 and a .289 batting average in 2007, when he was healthy. I would bat him fifth and see if he can have a big offensive year.

7    Who will be the Jays MVP this season?

Aaron Hill was vitally important at bat and in the field. His professional approach and durability last year really made him a “glue” guy on the roster. His quiet leadership will be a focal point for this team gong forward.

8.   Who is the sleeper pick, from this roster and why? 
 
If he sticks, in the outfield and more particularly at the top of the batting order, I like Jose Bautista as a sleeper. He could score a lot of runs ahead of the group of power hitters in the middle of this order. I just like the situation that is available to him. I felt the same way about Marco Scutaro last season and that was a great pick.

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 ________.

I think the Jays would like to see a real flame-thrower with an intimidating presence, to take on that role. Jason Frasor and Scott Downs have done a decent job in short term appearances as last’s year’s closer options. However, newly acquired Kevin Gregg needs to get a shot, based on his 84 saves over the last three seasons. Put simply, the guy is a closer and assuming he’s over the injuries that cut last season short, he ought to get a chance to strut his stuff. If he falters, the other two options will again get shot at the role.

Posted in American League East, Brandon Morrow, Edwin Encarnacion, Jason Frasor, Kevin Gregg, aaron hill, adam lind, blue jays, jose bautista, scott downs, vernon wells | No Comments »

Nostalgia vs Commitment to Growth

With rumors swirling around the Jays and their alleged interest in former star Carlos Delgado, GM Alex Anthopoulos is faced with a dilemma.

Every step of the way in his rebuilding plan this offseason has been with an eye toward an infusion of youth with potential.

Then, last week, aside from the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes, where the Jays were beaten out by Cincinnati, came the news that Toronto was taking a long hard look at reacquiring the aging slugger.

At 37 years of age, Delgado is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Mets, where he appeared in only 26 games, he is apparently damaged goods and has a lot of work to do in order to be physically capable of playing at all next season.

The Jays already have a number of options at First Base and DH in Adam Lind, Lyle Overbay, Randy Ruiz and Brian Dopirak. Adding Delgado would be a bone for fans of the Jays, who might like to see the return of one of the best players in franchise history. If he’s not going to be productive and take at bats away from younger options, who would expect to be more productive, it will be a move that takes away from all the other moves to date, all done with an eye toward creating a positive future for Toronto baseball.

We say, take a pass on Delgado and stay the course.

It’s time to build for the future and too late to cling to the past.

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Charting the future course is critical for the Jays

By Paul Bruno

The end of a miserable season came arrived after a series sweep at the hands of the cellar dwellers in the American League’s East Division, the Baltimore Orioles, this past weekend.

The enormity of the club’s decline in the public eye was further underscored by the fact that the last game was not even televised locally on any regular cable channel. 

The Jays ended the season with a firestorm of controversy around Manager Cito Gaston and it culminated with the firing of JP Ricciardi.

Several players vented their thoughts, anonymously, and that was quickly squelched by President Paul Beeston.

Now it’s time for the upper management to get down to business.

This past season, the entire team payroll came in at almost $80M US.

Heading into next season, only eight players are under contract and their salaries for the 2010 season total almost $82 M US. Now a number of other players are still under the Jays’ financial control with entry level contracts and arbitration eligibility. So they reasonably expect a large number of players on the roster to return, should management retain that interest.

For a player like Adam Lind, it’s a no-brainer. The club will make a good offer designed to keep one of their brightest stars in the fold.

Clearly, though, the total salary hit that is projected with the “must haves” among the currently unsigned will push that team salary figure higher.

Upper management pieced together the 2009 roster with 14 rostered players earned more than $1M US, and the rest, including callups below that once magical figure.

As far as next year is concerned, if the Jays decide to increase their team payroll, they would be sending a positive message to a declining fan base, that the club is interested in rebuilding it’s following.

If they try to dump loads of bigger salaries, that declining fan base will continue to evolve and be reminiscent of the last years of the Montreal Expos.

We all know how that turned out.

Posted in adam lind, cito gaston, jp ricciardi, paul beeston, toronto blue jays | 1 Comment »

Jays Hammer Red Sox, Part Two (still lovin’ it!)

By Paul Bruno

How about that?

For the second day in a row, the Jays put up a four-spot in the first inning. Then they let the Sox claw back to within one before Yoooooouuuuukkkkk takes a called third strike with the tying and winning runs on base.

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

Yesterday’s win was also highlighted by a six homer binge, led by Adam Lind, who had three before accidentally (yeah, right) getting plunked by Jonathan Pablum-bum.

I am really getting tired of all these Blue Jay hit batsmen of late.

The odd thing is the only time Toronto retaliated drew lots of negative ink, because that was against the other sacred cow of the AL, the Yankees.

It looks like the Sox and Yanks are deserving of a different set of rules.

Well, you know what I say:

It’s high time and long overdue, that we all play by the same rules. Here’s hoping that MLB’s Competition Committee grows a pair and finds a way to level the field (SALARY CAP).

Until then, why don’t the Yanks and Bosox just play each other 162 times next year.

In the meantime, I will have to content myself by watching Roy Halladay do another number on the Boston Babies tonight.

Posted in Boston Red Sox, adam lind, toronto blue jays | No Comments »

For these Jays, this has been a season to remember

By Paul Bruno

We’ve been talking, for weeks about a season that has gone up in flames, from a team standpoint.

Today, we look at the silver lining as a few players have made their mark in a very positive way.

Aaron Hill has secured his place among the best all-around second basemen with his All-Star-caliber season. Offensively, he has established club records with 32 homers and 98 rbis, while batting a robust .285, mostly from the important number two slot in the batting order. On defense, he has produced an amazing library of gems, reminiscent of the greatest Blue Jay of them all, (in this humble writer’s opinion that would be) Roberto Alomar. Who would have expected this season when we recall that Hill missed the second half of the 2008 season with post-concussion symptoms. He’s giving pitchers massive headaches this year.

His fellow 30-homer teammate, Adam Lind, is also enjoying a breakout campaign as he has 30 homers to go along with 103 rbis and a .297 batting average. That is a rare combination, to be a power hitter and hit for average, too. He is expected to be a fixture in the middle of the batting order for years to come. On the flip side, he has alternated between left field and the DH spot as there is some concern about his arm strength in the field. Still that bat will be reason enough to look for big things from Lind.

Travis Snider is a third young gun who will hit for prodigious power. He has been up and down this year, but is finishing strong, particularly at the plate, where he is seen as the best power-hitting bat of the three guys we are highlighting as the club’s offensive cornerstones.

Two guys, who are in for some interesting paydays, as free agents, also deserve congrats for fine years.  

Marco Scutaro has enjoyed a career year as the club’s everyday shortstop and lead-off hitter. He has slipped to a .285 batting average after flirting with .300 for much of the season and has been exceptional in his defensive role. His .382 on base percentage is among the league’s best for players at his position. It is this combination of attributes that he and his agent will be marketing in the off-season. The soon-to-be 34 year old would be welcomed back if he doesn’t go out and break the bank somewhere else this off-season.

Rod Barajas has enjoyed a fine offensive season, totaling 18 homers and 60 rbis, among the league leaders at the receiver position in the Majors. He has also earned high praise for his durability and handling of the large number of pitchers who have toiled for the Jays this year. As with Scutaro’s case, Barajas will be 35 next year and will be looking to parlay his big year into one more, good contract.

All, in all, their have been some solid offensive contributors in this lost 2009 season.

Posted in Rod Barajas, aaron hill, adam lind, marco scutaro, toronto blue jays, travis snider | 1 Comment »

Jays’ struggles may prove costly

By Paul Bruno

It seems like eons ago that the Jays started this season with a 27-14 record, for the top record in the Majors, at the season’s quarter pole mark.

Well the mighty Jays have fallen to a 30-47 mark since and it doesn’t look like they will be getting up any time soon.

A couple of landmarks in this slide are fairly easy to pinpoint.

First, it was the pressure brought upon Roy Halladay amid all kinds of trade speculation. He had a 10-1 mark at one point in the year. In 12 starts since then, he is only 3-6, having surrendered 34 runs in 84 innings, for a 3.64 ERA as opposed to a 2.52 ERA prior to that watershed.

When the ace of your staff struggles, your club is in trouble. The Jays have been no exception. This supporting cast, made up of a numbers of inexperienced hurlers has wilted under the bright lights after some unexpected early success.

Second, the trade of Scott Rolen came at a time when the Jays lead the Majors in team defensive stats. Since his departure (whether or not it’s coincidence, we’re not sure) the Jays have slid to 12^th in the AL.

The team hitting numbers continue to have two tiers, with Marco Scutaro, Aaron Hill and Adam Lind on the positive side and the rest of the club on the negative side of the ledger.

The club’s indifferent play, during these dog days of summer, is leading to dwindling attendance numbers.

These are all bad signs for at team that will be trying to acquire talent to fill holes in this roster during the upcoming off-season.

We didn’t even mention the uncertainty in the front office…oops.  

Posted in aaron hill, adam lind, marco scutaro, roy halladay, toronto blue jays | No Comments »

Meet the 2009 All-Star Blue Jays

By Paul Bruno

While the Jays’ team fortunes may be sagging at the mid-season mark, they did get some good news over the weekend. Two members of the club, and possibly a third, are headed to the All-Star Classic in St Louis, later this month.

You probably guessed that Roy Halladay would make that roster some time ago. That was a no brainer. I mean, look at what he’s done so far this season. In 16 starts, he has averaged 7.3 innings pitched and produced a league-leading 10-2 record, supported by a 2.79 ERA.  With 98 strikeouts and only 17 walks his ratio of K’s to Bases on Balls is almost six to one, where three to one is considered outstanding.

The Doc has been performing at this level for seven of the last eight years and will be making his fourth all-star appearance. He is expected to be the starting pitcher for the American League. So this is old news for him.

At the other end of the spectrum, Aaron Hill was added among the AL reserves in recognition of an unprecedented half-season by any Blue Jays second baseman in club history. At the plate, he has already produced a club record 20 home runs, more than any one has ever hit in a full season at that position for the Jays. He also has driven in a team-leading 59 runners from his customary number two slot in the batting order. Those numbers lead all AL second-sackers. He is also batting a robust .299. That’s only half the story, though. In the field he has worked diligently to make play after spectacular play in solidifying the Jays’ middle infield. He has only six errors but also four or five times that many Web-Gems, sparkling fielding plays that have regularly made all the nightly highlight packages around the league.

A third potential Blue Jay All-Star is Adam Lind, who is one of 5 players nominated on www.mlb.com for the final roster spot, one that will be filled by the highest fan vote. Lind has made a compelling case for himself over the first 80 games played. The young left-handed slugger leads all AL DHs with 18 homers and 57 rbis to date and is hitting at a .310 clip. It’s not often that a hitter combines that much power with such a high average. Lind has recently moved up into the heart of the Jays batting order without a drop-off in his production, too.

That these two hitters have garnered this much attention bodes well for the Blue Jays. Now if they could only find a way to add about $100 million to their budget, they might have a puncher’s chance in the AL East.

That’s a story for another day. Today, Jays’ fan can celebrate the recognition accorded to their (we’ll call it three) three All-Stars.

Posted in AL All-Stars, aaron hill, adam lind, blue jays, roy halladay | No Comments »

Rios and Wells move down in batting order—finally

By Paul Bruno

Cito Gaston is one loyal manager, almost to a fault. His patience has been tested this season with the underperformance of the long-time three and four hitters, Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, this season.

Finally, though the switch has taken hold on this lineup. The Jays lineup has recently been overhauled as Scott Rolen and Adam Lind have been moved up. Those two hitters have been very consistent throughout the 2009 campaign.

In fact, Rolen is currently enjoying a career-high 20 game hit streak after singling in yesterday’s series opener against the Yankees. He is also stinging the ball at a .332 clip, good enough for second in the American League as we reach the midway point of the season.

Meanwhile Lind is also enjoying a breakout campaign. He has 16 homers and 53 rbis along with a .310 batting average.

So the Jays have taken advantage of viable options in terms of the shakeup. The other concern is that the Jays have some much money tied up in the two struggling outfielders. Who is willing to take on a contract like Wells, whose deal carries an average annual hit around $20M over the next few years? The answer is nobody.

Then there’s Rios who has alternated between looking disinterested or overmatched throughout much of the first half. The two mainstays have combined to hit 17 home runs and only 75 runs while hitting in the middle of the order for most of the year.

Maybe they will respond to their news challenge. In yesterday’s game, they each accounted for one rbi and Wells did swat his 8^th home run of the year. It wasn’t enough to win the game but it might be an indicator of better days ahead for the beleaguered duo.

Posted in adam lind, alex rios, blue jays, scott rolen, vernon wells | No Comments »