TORONTO BLUE JAYS
There are holes teams dig for themselves and the Jays made an attempt to match the Grand Canyon in April. On paper I expected the Jays to be right there with the Red Sox since both had above average pitching and solid offense. But slumps happen and now the Jays can attempt to extricate themselves from the bottom. My hunch is they will do it.
The lineup is a bit long in the tooth baseball wise with some player well into baseball middle age, but still potent. Jose Bautista takes special delight in tormenting Boston. Russell Martin is still capable with the glove and the bat. Kevin Pillar and Justin Smoak are solid vets who just don’t get enough attention.
J.A. Happ and Aaron Sanchez are key to the rotation and both are down for the count. The timetable for a return for both is open so the rotation has some strategic parts missing. That reverberates through the entire staff so Toronto has some pitching issues – issues that can be remedied with a good to go from the medical staff. Even youthful closer Marco Estrada has been touched up.
Next: Options to fill in for Steven Wright
Strength – batting order still one of the best. Rotation when everyone is healthy.
Weakness – Age catching up as is injury bug. Bullpen a concern.
Chances – I still look at 90 wins.