Last season, the last managed by Cito Gaston who has retired, the Toronto Blue Jays finished 85-77, good for fourth place behind the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox. New manager John Farrell comes over to manage after serving as pitching coach under Terry Francona in Boston from 2006 through 2010. Farrell takes over a young team full of power hitters and promising pitchers.
Gone from last years team is closer Kevin Gregg who saved 37 games and also Jeremy Accardo, both of whom left to join the division rival Baltimore Orioles. Replacing them though are a cast of pitchers who once were closers on other clubs.
John Farrell is the new manager. Farrell was pitching coach of the division rival Boston Red Sox from 2006 to 2010, so he knows the A. L. East well. After working with star pitchers like Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Jonathan Papelbon, he will now oversee a nucleus of Blue Jays pitchers who could be on the verge of accomplishing great success.
If Hill falters again, Brett Lawrie could press him for playing time. Lawrie came over from the Brewers in an off season trade for pitcher Shaun Marcum. Lawrie is considered a potential future all star and a possible rookie of the year candidate if he can find a spot in the lineup. He might have to play some outfield, but it is also possible that Hill could hit in the designated hitter spot with Lawrie playing some at second base.
With a few all or nothing hitters in the lineup, the Blue Jays made some moves in hopes of getting more contact hitters who can get on base ahead of their big sluggers. Rajai Davis was brought in after hitting . 284 last season with the Oakland Athletics. Davis stole 50 bases while providing speed in the outfield and he could hit lead off for Toronto. Another lead off candidate is Scott Podsednik, a key member of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. Last year while playing for the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers, Podsednik hit . 297 while stealing 35 bases.
With the departure of Marcum, lefty Ricky Romero becomes the ace of the Toronto staff. Romero went 14-9 with a 3.73 era, 174 strikeouts in 210 innings last season. He is joined by fellow lefty Brett Cecil, 15-7, 4.22 era, 117 strikeouts in 172.2 innings last season. Brandon Morrow is a hard throwing right hander who could one day lead the league in strikeouts. He came over prior to last season in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Brandon League. Morrow finished 2010 strong, with a 10-7 record, a 4.49 era, with 178 strikeouts in 146.1 innings.
At just 23, outfielder Travis Snider is already entering his third major league season. Injuries plagued Snider last year, but he still hit . 255 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs, but he finished the season strong, hitting six homers in September. If he puts it all together as expected, Snider is seen as easily a 30 homer, 100 RBI hitter.
In addition to strong pitching and an improved bullpen, the Toronto Blue Jays feature one of the most powerful lineups in the American League. Leading the offense is third baseman Jose Bautista who had an unbelievable season in 2010, pounding out 54 home runs while driving in 124 with a . 260 average and a . 617 slugging percentage. The Jays are sure to score plenty of runs and with the potential contribution from Drabek, Toronto could contend with the Red Sox and Yankees in 2011.
Gone from last years team is closer Kevin Gregg who saved 37 games and also Jeremy Accardo, both of whom left to join the division rival Baltimore Orioles. Replacing them though are a cast of pitchers who once were closers on other clubs.
John Farrell is the new manager. Farrell was pitching coach of the division rival Boston Red Sox from 2006 to 2010, so he knows the A. L. East well. After working with star pitchers like Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Jonathan Papelbon, he will now oversee a nucleus of Blue Jays pitchers who could be on the verge of accomplishing great success.
If Hill falters again, Brett Lawrie could press him for playing time. Lawrie came over from the Brewers in an off season trade for pitcher Shaun Marcum. Lawrie is considered a potential future all star and a possible rookie of the year candidate if he can find a spot in the lineup. He might have to play some outfield, but it is also possible that Hill could hit in the designated hitter spot with Lawrie playing some at second base.
With a few all or nothing hitters in the lineup, the Blue Jays made some moves in hopes of getting more contact hitters who can get on base ahead of their big sluggers. Rajai Davis was brought in after hitting . 284 last season with the Oakland Athletics. Davis stole 50 bases while providing speed in the outfield and he could hit lead off for Toronto. Another lead off candidate is Scott Podsednik, a key member of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. Last year while playing for the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers, Podsednik hit . 297 while stealing 35 bases.
With the departure of Marcum, lefty Ricky Romero becomes the ace of the Toronto staff. Romero went 14-9 with a 3.73 era, 174 strikeouts in 210 innings last season. He is joined by fellow lefty Brett Cecil, 15-7, 4.22 era, 117 strikeouts in 172.2 innings last season. Brandon Morrow is a hard throwing right hander who could one day lead the league in strikeouts. He came over prior to last season in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Brandon League. Morrow finished 2010 strong, with a 10-7 record, a 4.49 era, with 178 strikeouts in 146.1 innings.
At just 23, outfielder Travis Snider is already entering his third major league season. Injuries plagued Snider last year, but he still hit . 255 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs, but he finished the season strong, hitting six homers in September. If he puts it all together as expected, Snider is seen as easily a 30 homer, 100 RBI hitter.
In addition to strong pitching and an improved bullpen, the Toronto Blue Jays feature one of the most powerful lineups in the American League. Leading the offense is third baseman Jose Bautista who had an unbelievable season in 2010, pounding out 54 home runs while driving in 124 with a . 260 average and a . 617 slugging percentage. The Jays are sure to score plenty of runs and with the potential contribution from Drabek, Toronto could contend with the Red Sox and Yankees in 2011.
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Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on New York Mets Watch and Milwaukee Brewers Bedding
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