First off, any team with guys named Royce, Tomo, Lyle, Gustavo and Gregg with double Gs – not to mention a closer named B.J. – is more than deserving of your attention. If nothing else, the 2007 Blue Jays can boast the coolest names in perhaps all of baseball, and it's further testament to the wizardry of GM J.P. Ricciardi.
Seriously, though, there's a lot to look forward to north of the border this season, including:
Injecting the Big Hurt into an Already Powerful Line-Up: There's a reason the Jays catapulted over the Red Sox to claim second place in the AL East last year. They've got a tough line-up that, when everyone's locked in, can absolutely torment an opposing pitcher. Across the AL in 2006, the Jays ranked third in batting average (.284), third in hits (1591) and fourth in home runs (199), and now they're adding Frank Thomas to a mix that already includes Troy Glaus, Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay. Thomas can still conjure plenty of damage, as he showed last year in Oakland where he hit .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBIs. Will he pull a repeat performance? Will he improve on his Comeback Player of the Year season? Will he tear an ass muscle during the season opener and miss April, May and June? These questions could affect the balance of power in the AL East.
Burnett and Halladay Could Prove Baseball's Best One-Two: This year, the spotlight on A.J. Burnett won't be as intense as it was in 2006, meaning the guy might just relax, find a groove and get that killer curveball working again. If he avoids injury and reclaims his mojo, Burnett could combine with Roy Halladay to activate Wonder Twin Powers and create one of the most formidable one-two punches in the division.
As for the rest of the rotation, cologne magnate Gustavo Chacin made his biggest headlines this spring getting busted for DUI. If he can shake off the bad press and save the drinking for post-game – or when Kansas City's in town -- Chacin the Machine can shore up the rest of the rotation, which could include Victor Zambrano, who's had a tremendous spring, and Tomo Okha.
You Just Don't Bet Against a Guy Named B.J.: B.J. Ryan's had a tough go of it this spring but all reports are that the guy will be raring to go once the bell rings. And the All-Star closer gives the Jays a door-slammer who's every bit as imposing as Mariano Rivera or Jonathan Papelbon. The fact that he looks just like the dude from those "that thing got a hemi?" commercials doesn't hurt, either.
Have We Mentioned the Beer Girls?: One of the stealthiest of weapons in Toronto's arsenal are the girls who work the Rogers Centre seats right behind home plate. And is it just me, or do these girls seem more "active" when the home team's at the plate? As a guy who watches the games a couple thousand miles away via satellite TV, I can attest to spending a good deal of time distracted by their comings and goings; I can only imagine how difficult it is for opposing pitchers to size up Glaus with these tight-shirted, beer-serving goddesses shuffling up and down the stairs. It's a tactic that reminds me of how the billboards alongside home plate always seemed to display ads for "Mister Sub" sandwich shops whenever David Wells was on the hill against the Jays. Anything for an edge, people. Anything for an edge.
Simply put, it could be the best Jays team since the 1993 world champs. Or perhaps not. But if everything clicks for the Jays – and if New York and Boston, two teams with their own uncertainties, stumble down the stretch – a return to postseason baseball ain't out of the question.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
In December Jay's fan were wringing their hands when JP wasn't able to spend 80+ million on Lilly and Meche. Forced to the reject bin he got the three stooges, Thomson, Ohka and Zambrano. Well the tears have turned to cheers. Ohka and Zambrano have been, unknown to the rest of the baseball world, quietly quite superb. Towers has spent a winter trraining with train-aholic Reed Johnson and EVEN he seems a new man. But, the cherry on the cake has been Marcum and particularily Janssen who is helathy this year, added a new pitch and is cruising.
With Halladay and AJ healthy those two alone will give the Jays 27 more QUALITY starts than those two gave last year.
The Jay's pitching is so much improved over last year, even with the League melt down, that i think the Jays may not only contend, they may win it all. NY and Boston are in for the shock of their lives!
Oh, did I mention Frank Thomas? He's brought his rebar and is ready to rumble.