Key Additions:
Dana Eveland (SP)
Brandon Morrow (SP)
John Buck (C)
Jose Molina (C)
Alex Gonzalez (SS)
Brett Wallace (1B)
Kyle Drabeck (SP)
Key Departures:
Roy Halladay (SP)
Brandon League (RP)
Rod Barajas (C)
The Toronto Blue Jays had a very busy offseason in 2009/2010. Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos did more wheelin' and dealin' than an auctioneer, dealing Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies for Kyle Drabeck, Michael Taylor, and Travis D'Arnaud. Anthopoulos then dealt Taylor to the Oakland Athletics for another minor league starlet in Brett Wallace. The Jays also brought in Jose Molina from the Yankees to take over behind the plate to manage their young pitching staff. Anthopoulos also allowed Marco Scutaro to leave for the Boston Red Sox, and in so doing received the Red Sox's first round draft choice.
All of the transactions made by the Jays this offseason indicate that they have given up on competing this season. I am sure that everyone in that organization will tell you that they made the moves they made so that they could be competitive this year and beyond, but I would offer to you that they are telling one big fat lie. Dealing a player like Halladay in his prime proves that the Jays were not intent upon challenging for the division this season, and quite honestly, why would they think they had a chance to. The moves made by Anthopoulos position the Jays for 2011 and beyond.
Therefore the 2010 season for all of you Jays fans out there is one in which to watch the development of your young core of talent. If the Jays do indeed challenge for the division, expect their young stars like Aaron Hill and Adam Lind to play major roles in any success the Jays may have this season. The big days to watch for if you are a Jays fan are the Major League debuts of Brett Wallace and Kyle Drabeck, the two best prospects in the system at the moment.
The Jays lineup as it is currently constructed is not meant to blow anyone away. There is no natural leadoff hitter on this roster and looking at the six through nine hitters there is no one that can consistently bat at a .290 or above clip.
I am excited to watch the maturation of their young staff and to see whether or not a change of scenery pays any dividends for Brandon Morrow. And it will be interesting to see how Dustin McGowan recovers from his injury.
I honestly wish I could say better thing about this team, but I can't. Hope for better in 2011 Jays fans, because you won't get it this season.
Projected Starting Nine:
1. Alex Gonzalez (SS)
2. Aaron Hill (2B)
3. Adam Lind (DH)
4. Vernon Wells (CF)
5. Lyle Overbay (1B)
6. Travis Snider (LF)
7. Edwin Encarnacion (3B)
8. Jose Bautista (RF)
9. Jose Molina (C)
Projected Starting Rotation:
1. Ricky Romero
2. Shawn Marcum
3. Brandon Morrow
4. Mark Rzepczynski
5. Brett Cecil
Best Reliever: Jason Frasor
Closer: Kevin Gregg
Predicted Finish: 4th in the AL East.
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