Toronto Blue Jays Add Speed, Bullpen Arms

After the retirement of Cito Gaston, John Farrell has taken over as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. Farrell inherits a team full of good young pitchers and a lineup of hitters with explosive power. But as fans know, the American League Eastern Division is perhaps the toughest in baseball to win win because of the presence of perennial contenders New York, Boston and recently, Tampa Bay.

After he hit 20 home runs and 67 runs batted in while hitting just . 243, former first baseman Lyle Overbay signed a one year, $5 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Lind takes over at first after hitting . 237 with 23 homers and 72 RBIs in 2010. That was some what of a disappointment following 2009 when Lind hit . 305 with 35 home runs, 114 RBIs and scored 93 runs. The team hopes he can rebound with a bit more pop while adding more base hits.

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.

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.

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.

Marc Rzepczynski 4-4, 4.95 era last year, rounds out the staff along with Drabek, with Jesse Litsch, Zach Stewart, and Dustin McGowan in reserve ready to be called on if needed. McGowan, however is recovering from two arm surgeries and has missed the last two seasons.

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.

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