Post by JaysGMSteve on Jul 27, 2016 13:55:54 GMT -5
As we dawn upon a new season, its time to look at the Toronto Blue Jays. Is this their year? or will they fall off in the Ty Cobb division?
Starters:
1) Arrighetto Semeticolo starts in the #1 spot, he was solid last year good for his usual stats and is an absolute work horse throwing 226 innings last year.
2) Simon Warner was a tale of two pitchers after being acquired from St Louis, he was unreal for his first 9-10 starts as a Jay, but average the rest, but he is more than capable of 15+ wins with 200K's and 200IP
3) Jacob Jennings slightly disappointed last year, but the talent is there and he is still only 27.
4) Cristo Valdez was having a RoY and possible Cy Young consideration type year before a torn labrum ended his year. He was leading the league in wins and had top 5 numbers in several other categories when he went down, lets hope he can do it again without the injuries.
5) Carlos Ramirez is Mr. Reliable, he pitches out of the bullpen in the rotation and just gets the job done wherever I put him
DL) Wily Peralta is still a month away, but having that boost in the rotation will help
Bullpen:
Pretty much the same as last year, Chapman is still the closer, mid season acquisition Paul Clay will get it to the 9th and Felix Aleman and Alfonso Apina will be there to bridge the gap too, there is lots of depth down lower but nothing spectacular, so there may be changes throughout the year with the rest..
Catchers:
Mike Chamberlain was solid smashing 30 homers and posting over 3 WAR, he will start and former Royal Kellin Deglan will be the veteran backup.
Infield:
1B Kyle O'Coleman looks to be the guy at the end of 2025 after his stint in AAA, and not the guy from the beginning, 2B will be manned by Carlos Ramos who came over from St Louis last year, he will start the year leading off providing a .300 average 40SB threat. Manny Mansort returns as the SS, he wont blow you away with power or speed, but he is solid defensively, doesn't strike out much and hits for enough average that he is a major league player. Tom Harrison returns at third while his SB's were down, he scored a career high in runs and hit .340. Trever Morrison and Edgardo Zambrano were brought in to spell the infielders when needed.
Outfield/Designated Hitter
Poor LF George Hull, hits 33 Homers drives in an SBL best 143, hits .325 has a close to 1.000 OPS and 6 WAR and doesn't even make the Top 3 for MVP! he looks to show that he can do this at will. CF Cedric Van Munster returns after a season ending injury cut him off last year, he was hitting well too. RF Ed Cox hopes to rebound after a horrible showing in the 2025 playoffs, he isn't bound to lose his job, but his leash is shorter this season. Defending MVP David Martin was remarkable last year, coming super close to a 30/30 season all the while flirting with .400 for a good part of the year, He lead 7 offensive categories last year. Dan Ward will come off the bench.
This year will be a telling sign for this team, they have what appears to be a solid core with a good window to win, but they have to get through the Cobb division first before they can try to avenge last years crushing 7 game WS loss and go for it all this year