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Toronto Blue Jays Look To Contend

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.

Jon Rauch comes to the Toronto bull pen after pitching for the Minnesota Twins last season. With Twins stopper Joe Nathan sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, Rauch served as closer until mid season when Minnesota traded for Matt Capps from the Nationals. The Blue Jays signed free agent Octavio Dotel who finished last year with the Rockies. He also pitched for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles last year and is a journeyman, having also pitched for the Astros, White Sox and Royals in his career. He is effective when healthy however and adds a veteran presence to the Jays relief corps.

Though they had to trade ace Roy Halladay a few years ago, the Blue Jays still have plenty of pitching. In fact, to make room in the rotation for potential Rookie of the Year Kyle Drabek, Toronto traded Shaun Marcum, who went 13-8 last season with a 3.64 earned run average in 195.1 innings.

The Jays got back second baseman Brett Lawrie from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Marcum. Lawrie is considered a top rookie prospect. But with the power bat of Aaron Hill established at second base, Lawrie, projected as a potential future all-star, may have to move to the outfield. But Hill is coming off a sub par season in 2010 and if he struggles again he could be pressed by Lawrie.

While providing plenty of power, second baseman Aaron Hill and first baseman Adam Lind struggled with low batting averages. In an attempt to add more balance with speed and higher on base percentages, the Blue Jays traded away Vernon Wells while they brought in Rajai Davis and Scott Podsednik. Podsednik stole 35 bases last season while with Kansas City and Los Angeles. Davis stole 50 basses and hit . 284 with the Athletics. The veteran outfielders will add speed to the top of the Toronto order and will try to get on base for the big sluggers hitting behind them to drive them in. If this happens consistently, the Jays should score even more runs than last year.

Toronto has three young players who appear ready to step up and contribute. Pitcher Kyle Drabek is a potential Rookie of the Year candidate and likely will slide into the young rotation behind Brett Cecil, Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow. Outfielder Travis Snider is coming off of an injury plagued 2010 season but is still just 23 and already has two years of major league experience. Many feel that he can become a top run producer. Second baseman Brett Lawrie came over in a trade with the Brewers. He is also a Rookie of the Year candidate and projects as a possible future all star, though he is currently blocked by Hill.

Drabek in particular could be a key to Blue Jays success this season. He could solidify an already strong Toronto rotation that gives the Blue Jays quality innings. Along with the added speed of Podsednik and Davis to blend in with the already formidable power, the team should score plenty of runs. With a veteran bullpen full of former closers, they should be able to protect leads as well. The 2011 season should be fun for Jays fans and the future looks bright.

Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on New York Mets Watch, St. Louis Cardinals Watch and Philadelphia Phillies Bedding

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