Toronto Blue Jays
2010 Record: 85-77
755 RS, 728 RA, Pythagorean Record: 84-78
Manager: John Farrell
GM: Alex Anthopoulos
Free Agents:
Octavio Dotel, RP (1O, $2.75MM; $3.75 Club); Jason Frasor, RP (Accepted Arbitation, $TBD); Jose Molina, C ($1.2MM club option); Jon Rauch, RP (1O, $3.5MM; $3.75 Club).
Minor League FA:
Winston Abreu, P; Eli Boike, C; Joe Bowen, C; Ryan Budde, C; Willie Collazo, P; Chad Cordero, P; Callix Crabbe, 2B; Leonard Davis, OF; Wes Etheridge, P; Clint Evers, P; Joey Hage, OF; Sean Henn, P; Mike Hinckley, P; Bobby Korecky, P; Jairo Labour, P; B.J. Lamura, P; Jason Lane, OF; Wil Ledezma, P; Rommy Lewis, P; Adam Loewen, OF; Mike MacDonald, P; Tim Mahler, C; Manny Mayorson, SS; Ricardo Nanita, OF; Corey Patterson, OF; Daniel Perales, OF; Vince Perkins, P; Scott Podsednik, OF; Steve Raburn, P; Ryan Shealy, 1B; Craig Stansberry, 3B; Brian Stokes, P; Chris Woodward, SS.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Rajai Davis (OF) from the Athletics for Dan Farquhar (P) and Tryston Magnuson (P); Received Frank Francisco (RP) from the Rangers for Mike Napoli (C); Received Brett Lawrie (2B) from the Brewers for Shaun Marcum (SP); Received Mike Napoli* (C) and Juan Rivera (OF) from the Angels for Vernon Wells (OF); Received Miguel Olivo** (C) from the Rockies for a player to be named later; Received Carlos Villanueva (RP) from the Brewers for a player to be named later.
* Napoli was traded days later for Frank Francisco.
** Olivo was a free agent to be; he filed for free agency and signed with the Mariners.
Waiver Claims:
Cesar Cabral, P*; Wil Ledezma, P (from the Pirates)**.
* Cabral was a Rule V pick by the Rays; the Rays claimed him back on 03/14.
** Ledezma was claimed on waivers, designated for assignment, became a free agent, then signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays.
Players Lost:
Jeremy Accardo, RP; Zach Anderson, P; Shawn Bowman, 3B; Lance Broadway, P; Taylor Buchholz, RP; John Buck, C; Raul Chavez, C; Jon Del Campos, 2B; Brian Dopirak, 1B; Scott Downs, RP; C.J. Ebarb, C; Brad Emaus, 2B; Chris Enourato, P; Jonathan Fernandez, 2B; Kyle Ginley, P; Kevin Gregg, RP; Dirk Hayhurst, RP; Juan Hernandez, P; Shawn Hill, P; Chuck Higgins, P; Zach Jackson, P; Mike Jacobs, 1B; Jonathan Jaspe, C; Michael Kelly, P; Cody Lassley, C; Fred Lewis, OF; Chris Lubanski, OF; Aaron Mathews, OF; Jesus Merchan, SS; Matt Morgal, P; Miguel Olivo, C; Lyle Overbay, 1B; Welinton Ramirez, OF; Steven Register, P; Concepcion Rodriguez, OF; Manny Rodriguez, 1B; Brian Tallet, RP; Merkin Valdez, P; Jamie Vermilyea, P; Josh Wells, P; Dewayne Wise, OF.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Kyle Drabek, RHP
2. Brett Lawrie, 2B
3. Deck McGuire, RHP
4. Anthony Gose, OF
5. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
6. J.P. Arencibia, C
7. Carlos Perez, C
8. Asher Wojciechowski, RHP
9. Travis D’Arnaud, C
10. Zach Stewart, RHP
11. Aaron Sanchez, RHP
12. Eric Thames, OF
13. Jake Marisnick, OF
14. Henderson Alvarez, RHP
15. David Cooper, 1B
I really like Toronto’s system, which they’ve really built through trades. Kyle Drabek and J.P. Arencibia should be factors this year, while Brett Lawrie could be as well. Anthony Gose could be a top of the order hitter if he puts everything together. Most of the top 10 should be MLB regulars.
2010 Review:
For trading away Roy Halladay and “conceding” the division before the series started, they did pretty well. Taking 4th in the AL East must feel like winning sometimes.
While he still didn’t play up to the contract he signed a few years ago, Vernon Wells had a decent season. He looked like an above average player, which should be a positive. They also received solid production from John Buck from behind the plate; he’s really turning into a late bloomer (although not worth a 3 yr, $18MM deal).
The pitching was solid as well. Rickey Romero worked towards becoming the ace that the team needs now that Halladay is gone. Their bullpen also was a strong point.
Adam Lind did take a step back; he saw his average drop by almost .070 and his OPS drop by .220. His walks dropped while his strikeouts rose. It’s not a good sign for one of their cornerstone players.
2011 Preview:
There are many questions for this year’s team. Can Drabek be effective at the major league level? He’s started out well, but we’ll have to wait and see once teams are facing him the second time.
Can the re-built bullpen be as good as the one from last year? I think so. There isn’t much of a different between Kevin Gregg and Octavio Dotel. Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco are solid additions and they’ll be happy to have Jason Frasor back.
One move that will be examined all season will be the production without Wells. Currently, former infielder Mike McCoy is seeing much of the time in center, but could be supplanted by Rajai Davis if he struggles. Together, they might be able to meet Wells’ production, which isn’t saying much.
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
4th Place