By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter
Thanks to the "heroics" of the Miami Marlins owner Jeff Loria the newest Blue Jays Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera - recently suspended 50 games - look like decent guys. I get teams not wanting to hand out no trade clauses, but to bail after one season on Jose Reyes and Mark Beurhle, and throw in Josh Johnson, John Buck and Emilio Bonifacio is embarrassing. They got some good players in return, but I am not sure there is one bonafide impact player in the lot.
The Blue Jays apparently think a few of those pieces may work under the right setting, and that setting being the Rogers Centre in Toronto. It will be interesting to see if John Gibbons, whose in his second tour of duty with the Jays, can control the personalities better than Ozzie Guillen could.
The lineup is deep with the speedy additions of Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio. Add that into the mix of sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion and you have a pitcher's worst nightmare. The rotation has its question marks, but could be a strength if Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson stay healthy, Ricky Romero returns to all-star form, and R.A. Dickey keeps that knuckleball knuckling.
The Jays are one of five teams the could believably win the American League East. Maybe being thrown back into water like a undersized fish (pun intended) will be the motivation needed to have one amazing season in Canada.
THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - The Jays quickly realize not one person needs to be "the guy" for this experiment to work. I think the biggest downfall in Miami was Hanley Ramirez inability to step aside and make room for Reyes. His heart was not into it, and when you're three hitter's heart is more focused on practical jokes and video games you are in trouble. While Jose Bautista is coming back from a wrist injury no one works harder than him and Joey Bats will thrive hitting in the middle of this order. He thrives to the tune of an American League MVP award.
REAL TALK - Maybe it shouldn't be, but it is hard for me to imagine this team pulls players in from whatever misfit land they are coming from, they hug it out, and get right to work to the tune of 90 wins and a division title. There are going to be bumps along the way, but if they figure each other out, well then the league should look out.
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter
| Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515 |
#11 Toronto Blue Jays: South Beach Diet, Take 2
PROJECTED LINEUP
SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
1B Edwin Encarnacion
3B Brett Lawrie
CF Colby Rasmus
DH Adam Lind
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Emilio Bonifacio
PROJECTED ROTATION
R.A. Dickey
Brendan Morrow
Josh Johnson
Mark Buerhle
Ricky Romero
SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
1B Edwin Encarnacion
3B Brett Lawrie
CF Colby Rasmus
DH Adam Lind
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Emilio Bonifacio
PROJECTED ROTATION
R.A. Dickey
Brendan Morrow
Josh Johnson
Mark Buerhle
Ricky Romero
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Casey Jansenn
Set-up: Sergio Santos
Top Prospect: Aaron Sanchez (SP)
| Jose Reyes |
The lineup is deep with the speedy additions of Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio. Add that into the mix of sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion and you have a pitcher's worst nightmare. The rotation has its question marks, but could be a strength if Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson stay healthy, Ricky Romero returns to all-star form, and R.A. Dickey keeps that knuckleball knuckling.
The Jays are one of five teams the could believably win the American League East. Maybe being thrown back into water like a undersized fish (pun intended) will be the motivation needed to have one amazing season in Canada.
| Jose Bautista |
REAL TALK - Maybe it shouldn't be, but it is hard for me to imagine this team pulls players in from whatever misfit land they are coming from, they hug it out, and get right to work to the tune of 90 wins and a division title. There are going to be bumps along the way, but if they figure each other out, well then the league should look out.
Breakout: Brett Lawrie
Bust: Melky Cabrera
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Ricky Romero
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 73-89 (4th in AL East)
PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 87-75 (3rd in AL East)
**Check back tomorrow for the Los Angeles Dodgers**
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