While we set record lows in the deep freeze that was last week, Canada’s boys of summer are down in Dunedin, Florida getting ready for a fresh 162-ballgame campaign. Jays’ pitchers and catchers reported for duty early last week, with position players joining in this past Friday. New acquisitions are “excited” about joining the Jays, and fans are psyched about the makeover they got this past off-season. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays!
Wave goodbye to:
Colby “The FIVE tools” (or just a tool) Rasmus, Centrefield (CF). Good riddance. You never lived up to your potential here.
Melky Cabrera, Left Field (LF). It’s too bad that Alex Anthopoulous was unable to re-sign Melky after such a solid season. The contract he got with the Chicago Cubs was not unreasonable considering his performance. Rogers should have paid up—the Milkman was a good fit with Latino buddies Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.
Adam Lind, Designated Hitter (DH). Another slugger that was really starting to come around last season. Not a huge loss, considering the signing of a certain quality catcher and the failure to trade a certain fairly well-hitting catcher who could also play DH quite well.
Brett Lawrie, Third Base (3B). A substantial loss; however, what we got for him and a couple of prospects (see below) tips the scale in our favour. If he can stay out of injury trouble, he will undoubtedly become a great ball player. But if his overzealous, competitive nature continues to dominate his game, this trade has the Blue Jays on the better end of the deal.
Casey Janssen, Pitcher (RHP): Left as a free agent at the end of last season, as expected. While he was certainly a valuable piece to the Jays (serving as the full-time closer for the last two seasons), there are several candidates who are auditioning for his role. LHP Brett Cecil is one name being thrown around, but the overpowering velocity of youngster Aaron Sanchez is not to be overlooked either, if he doesn’t come through as a starter.
J.A. Happ, Pitcher (LHP): Hot and cold, overall a starter the Jays could probably part with. When he was good, he was really good, but when he was bad, oh man… he was really, really, really bad. The final starter spot is going to be a story to follow at spring training.
Brandon Morrow, Pitcher (LHP): His inability to stay out of injury trouble led Alex Anthopoulous and Jays brass to finally give up on him. This is indeed unfortunate, as Morrow had shown sparks of talent and a serious ability to win ballgames. However, with the window of time to win with this roster closing, the Jays would need him healthy now so as to win… now.
Say hello to:
Russell Martin, Catcher (C). The best Canadian in baseball is in town. Martin not only brings pop at the plate (.290 batting average, 67 RBI’s with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year), but he is also one of the most defensively talented catchers in the game, something the Jays will need as they develop their young pitching.
Josh Donaldson, Third Base (3B): In what will be just his third MLB season, the Oakland A’s handed over their best player and all-star third baseman in a trade for Brett Lawrie. Batting .255 with a whopping 98 RBI’s and 29 home runs, it’s no wonder this man finished 8th in AL-MVP voting last year. Adding his bat to the mix will make the top of the Jays line-up one to be feared.
Mike Saunders, Left Field (LF): Canadian eh? Acquired from the Seattle Mariners for J.A. Happ, this one is a relatively young player, and by no means a bad one. Not a replacement for the Milkman’s big bat, but certainly a useful piece to have: Last year with Seattle he hit .273 (batting average) with .341 OPB (on-base percentage). He is also much more athletic in the field, which will certainly help the Jays down the stretch. Unfortunately, he needs to recover from his meniscus tear, which will have him out until at least the second week of April.
Johan Santana, Pitcher (LHP): Following shoulder surgery, the Jays signed Santana to a one-year minor-league deal this season. If he can get back to his pre-injury form, we could have ourselves a quality pitcher. Though production is by no means guaranteed, if he delivers, this two-time Cy Young winner will be a huge asset.
Plugging the holes…
Dalton Pompey, Centrefield (CF): Having not acquired a new centrefielder and after wisely giving up on and shipping seemingly infinitely long project Anthony Gose to Detroit (why would they even take him?!), young Canadian Dalton Pompey will be expected to build on his performance at the end of last season. Athletic and not apparently not challenged with a bat, this is one bet that could be a good one.
Dioner Navarro, Backup Catcher/Designated Hitter (C/DH): Understandably a little teed off after being replaced as the everyday catcher by upgrade Russell Martin despite a solid season, Navarro asked the Blue Jays for a trade. Regardless, it would be best for the Jays if he could be happy playing DH game in, game out, at least for this year, and boost an already-strong batting line-up.
?????? ??????, Second Base (2B): This is the one hole that continues to plague the Jays. This gap in the infield could be a serious issue. Ryan Goins is hardly starter-quality, and the body they got for Gose, Devon Travis, is not exactly up-to-snuff either. Then again, a somewhat decent-hitting second baseman appears to be a rare commodity these days. This will quite likely go unsolved yet again, so we had better hope that the rest of the defence and the other bats are able to provide consistent, quality play.
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