Blue Jays, 2013 edition

[Perry Mason]

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

With Spring Training just 4 weeks away and all the excitement due to the total revamping of the team, time to begin the 2013 edition...

Yes, a bit early, but since we have already made it to the World Series on paper, time to review the season that is yet to come!

Is it for real or is it all hype? A bit of both?

The starting pitching certainly seems formidable, with lots in reserve to back up those unforeseeable injuries and failures. The bullpen? Even Lincoln may have trouble finding a job!

The defence seems very strong, too. The addition of Reyes and Cabrera seems like a huge improvement. Arencibia has improved, too. And either Izturis or Bonifacio are at least as good as Johnson defensively, perhaps much better and, certainly, potentially a huge improvement offensively.

The offence looking good. I love all those swich hitters for a team that historically has had very few. And lots of power in it.

Lots of talent for the running game... if Gibbons knows how to let it loose!

OK... let the predictions, arguments and fun begin!

Just make sure you reserve your tickets early... World Series seats should be for sale before Spring Training ends!!! :eyebrows:

Perry

 

[insidevoice]

I'm very excited about their prospects for the 2013 season. Of course there are question marks as no professional team these days does not have a few holes. In my mind the main question marks would be closer and team chemistry. Other question marks could be: Can Jose come back strong from last season's wrist injury? Is JP good enough to keep up behind the plate and be your everyday catcher? How will the team deal if they start slow out of the gate? Will Cabrera be the same without the juice? Can EE handle the glove well enough at first base? Even with those question marks I am WAY hyped for this coming season! Go Jays Go!

 

[teassoc]

Let's hope all that investment by management is rewarded by great performances and a big increase in attendances. :biggrin1:

 

[RandyAndy2]

OK, here's my prediction, noting that last year I called for 87 Blue Jays wins and they only got 73 (in my defence, I don't think many people called for the Jays to fall flat on their faces last year).

93 wins, wild card spot, lose the ALCS. One of the new starters fails to deliver, Romero has a bounce back season, Bautista cranks out 41 HR.
But I could be wrong.

 

[Ironhead]

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:


Yes, a bit early, but since we have already made it to the World Series on paper, time to review the season that is yet to come!


Perry

Ah yes. Remind me again, who did(do) the Jays beat in the ALCS ? :thumb:

 

[mandrill]

Ah yes. Remind me again, who did(do) the Jays beat in the ALCS ? :thumb:

Orioles, 4 games to 2. Bautista hit a walk off in the 11th.

 

[elvis4ever]

Orioles, 4 games to 2. Bautista hit a walk off in the 11th.

man, 4 weeks til spring Training...odd...seems so soon given the late start to hockey. oh well, thank goodness for Manchester United!

 

[Rockslinger]

Is Adam Lind still a Blue Jay? If yes, will he hit 30 HRs and drive in 100 runs?

How will the Yankees (Jeter, A-Rod), Rays, Red Sox and Orioles do? It is a tough division.

 

[RandyAndy2]

Is Adam Lind still a Blue Jay? If yes, will he hit 30 HRs and drive in 100 runs?

How will the Yankees (Jeter, A-Rod), Rays, Red Sox and Orioles do? It is a tough division.

While it's a tough division, AA probably went all in because he saw vulnerabilities in the other teams, and taking the division was possible. Yankees are getting old, Red Sox have a big hole to climb out of, Rays need offense and the O's may back slide after their breakthrough season.

 

[MrJake]

How does adding 3 guys from one of the worst teams in Baseball make you a championship contender?

 

[Perry Mason]

How does adding 3 guys from one of the worst teams in Baseball make you a championship contender?

ABRACADABRA?

Perry

 

[Boss Nass]

I wouldn't even bother remembering last year. Nobody could have carried on after the unbelievable injury situation they ran into, and the whole team has been overhauled to such an extent that there's no comparison. The only part of last year that would have affected a normal season would be Romero's meltdown.

But despite all the hope and hype, let's remember that they have yet to play a game. Can't wait though!

 

[Butler1000]

Bought a 10 pack of tickets this year.
Really only 2 minor holes at 2nd and closer(have to see if he comes back strong).
Love our starters
But most important of all is I see from the interviews of the various players a swagger....a feeling that they are now just here to contend but to win.
The fact that almost all the players are locked in for 3 years tells them that the organization is in it for real too.......these guys want to win. The theme seems to be that from all the interviews I've seen.
And I think the city is going to fall in love with R A Dickey and maybe Reyes.

 

[Hornet]

How does adding 3 guys from one of the worst teams in Baseball make you a championship contender?

While I think the Jays have a legitimate chance at the playoffs I won't bank on the WS until they prove they have a true Closer and the pen can perform. But, let's explore your comment a bit.

1) Jose Reyes: A true lead-off hitter, which the Jays haven't had in a long-time, and a switch-hitter to boot. He's a 4 time All-Star with very good speed. He sets the table for Bautista and EE which is something that has been lacking
2) Buehrle: a LH innings eating horse that always delivers 200 IP / year. He'll provide leadership and will take pressure of the pen by giving them a chance to rest. A 4 time All-star and 4 time Golden Glove winner (last 4 years in a row).
3) Johnson: A history with injuries but with great stuff. "Ace" potential if he can stay healthy. A 2-time All-Star
4) Bonifacio: Another switch-hitter with great speed. If he becomes the starting 2B, his defence is questionable, then I can see him as the #2 batter and another table setter for Bautista and EE. Or, he'll be the # 9 guys with Cabrera as the #2 guy and still be a table setter.

Take this deal as an enabler for the Cabrera signing and Dickey deal and this is now a good team.

Last year was a disaster but if you dig deeper into the W/L's you see some things that could be encouraging:
- Almost half the games are against division rivals so any teams chance lies with whether or not they can win in their division. Last year the Jays record against division rivals was 29-43 and the rest of the league 44-45:
TB 4-14 (2011 - 6-12; 2010 - 8-10)
NY 7-11 (2011 - 7-11; 2010 10-8)
BAL 7 - 11 (2011 - 12-6; 2010 15-3)
BOS 11 - 7 (2011 - 8-10; 2010 6-12)
TEX 3 -6
Sea 3 - 6
Was 0 - 3

Merely reversing their fortunes against their East rivals to put them in the small winning percentage brings their wins back into the mid 80's all else being equal. The pitching should have improved enough to allow our bats a chance to beat TB (the AL East rival that I fear the most). Baltimore was a bit of a fluke last year with their 1-run and extra inning wins. BOS is vulnerable and NY is a question mark with their age and injuries (although still a threat). Then in 2013, 7 games will be against Houston which we should be thinking sweep and picking up another couple of wins against the other teams puts them into the 93+ wins territory which should be a playoff spot.

 

[shack]

Just to make sure business is well taken care of, after securing Darren Oliver for the year (I consider this a considerable accomplishment. I guess Oliver figures the team has a very good chance.) they managed to avoid arbitration with Happ, Bonifacio and Thole.

My life is will be spoken for come April. Play golf during the day and watch the Jays at night. Well, maybe some work as well.

 

[shack]

While I think the Jays have a legitimate chance at the playoffs I won't bank on the WS until they prove they have a true Closer and the pen can perform. But, let's explore your comment a bit.

1) Jose Reyes: A true lead-off hitter, which the Jays haven't had in a long-time, and a switch-hitter to boot. He's a 4 time All-Star with very good speed. He sets the table for Bautista and EE which is something that has been lacking
2) Buehrle: a LH innings eating horse that always delivers 200 IP / year. He'll provide leadership and will take pressure of the pen by giving them a chance to rest. A 4 time All-star and 4 time Golden Glove winner (last 4 years in a row).
3) Johnson: A history with injuries but with great stuff. "Ace" potential if he can stay healthy. A 2-time All-Star
4) Bonifacio: Another switch-hitter with great speed. If he becomes the starting 2B, his defence is questionable, then I can see him as the #2 batter and another table setter for Bautista and EE. Or, he'll be the # 9 guys with Cabrera as the #2 guy and still be a table setter.

Take this deal as an enabler for the Cabrera signing and Dickey deal and this is now a good team.

Last year was a disaster but if you dig deeper into the W/L's you see some things that could be encouraging:
- Almost half the games are against division rivals so any teams chance lies with whether or not they can win in their division. Last year the Jays record against division rivals was 29-43 and the rest of the league 44-45:
TB 4-14 (2011 - 6-12; 2010 - 8-10)
NY 7-11 (2011 - 7-11; 2010 10-8)
BAL 7 - 11 (2011 - 12-6; 2010 15-3)
BOS 11 - 7 (2011 - 8-10; 2010 6-12)
TEX 3 -6
Sea 3 - 6
Was 0 - 3

Merely reversing their fortunes against their East rivals to put them in the small winning percentage brings their wins back into the mid 80's all else being equal. The pitching should have improved enough to allow our bats a chance to beat TB (the AL East rival that I fear the most). Baltimore was a bit of a fluke last year with their 1-run and extra inning wins. BOS is vulnerable and NY is a question mark with their age and injuries (although still a threat). Then in 2013, 7 games will be against Houston which we should be thinking sweep and picking up another couple of wins against the other teams puts them into the 93+ wins territory which should be a playoff spot.

Kudos to you for having the patience to provide such a detailed response for someone who couldn't figure out that even bad teams have good players.

 

[Casa_Nova]

On paper we have as good a team as any. You simply can't have a team full of all stars. Heck not even the Yankees can field that with their deep pockets.

Projected lineup:

Reyes (if he can stay healthy, he'll be the best leadoff guy the Jays have had since the White/Henderson days)
Cabrera (Yes, how much can he deliver without the juice? we'll have to find out...)
Bautista
Encarnacion (These two will set the tone on whether the Jays have the bats to truly compete)
Lind (Can he protect Jose and Edwin?)
Lawrie (may switch him with Lind depending on who has the hotter hand. Will Lawrie continue to improve his numbers?)
Rasmus (can he duplicate or top his production from last year?)
Arencibia (had made improvements year or year. having a chance to play with Dickey during the WBC should help with familiarity hopefully)
Izturis (anything we can get from this spot is a bonus)

 

[MrJake]

Kudos to you for having the patience to provide such a detailed response for someone who couldn't figure out that even bad teams have good players.

Please read my post, I did not say the players the Jays got in the trade were not "good players".

 

[Rockslinger]

and watch the Jays at night.

Will the Jays still play all their weekend games during the day in 2013?

 

[gcostanza]

Will the Jays still play all their weekend games during the day in 2013?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/schedule/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays

There's the schedule, look it up.