The American public and media do not recognize Toronto for what they're truly worth. But it's understandable, I guess.
The 1993 season was the last in which the Blue Jays amounted to anything. "Touch 'em all Joe, 'cause you'll never hit another one like that." It was the greatest moment in Toronto sports history, and maybe the greatest World Series finish of all time.
But that was almost 15 years ago. Finally, Toronto has another team with the talent to possibly win it all.
When it comes down to it, pitching is much more important than offense, and so this will be our focus.
Toronto might just have the best all-around pitching staff in the American League. The bullpen is their strength, and starting pitching isn't far behind...
- Roy Halladay is a workhorse but will get injured this season, and Litsch will come through big time.
- AJ Burnett is coming off a great late season performance that he'll extend and bring into the 2008 season for numbers comparable to Halladay's. He is my sleeper pick for the Cy Young.
- Shaun Marcum will only start 22 games, but he'll go 14-4.
- Dustin McGowan will be consistent, going 15-9, and improve on his 2007 totals.
- Jesse Litsch will make 23 starts and go 11-9.
- Casey Janssen will make 29 starts and go 14-5.
- Gustavo Chacin will make 11 starts and go 6-2, but he'll end up on the DL again.
- BJ Ryan will save 48 games, and blow only one.
- Jeremy Accardo and Bryan Wolfe will be the most feared set-up men in the American League, with sub 1.50 ERAs.
- Brandon League and Scott Downs will put up reliable numbers.
Also, Toronto's offense isn't as bad as you might think...
- Toronto has incredible depth compared to Boston and New York. (For example, Stairs, Stewart, Scutaro, and Johnny Mac.)
- In the case of injuries, Toronto has suitable, competent back-up players. But if either Big Papi or Manny are hurt, Boston is screwed.
- Toronto will hit much better this season as Overbay enjoys a career year, posting Olerud '93 type numbers: .354, 26 HRs, 112 RBIs, 61 doubles.
- Eckstein and Reed Johnson will be a one-two pain in the ass.
- Thomas will belt 35 home runs while posting a .330 average.
- When all is said and done, Aaron Hill will surpass Robbie Alomar's club record of 17 home runs for a second baseman.
- Stairs and Stewart will see considerable playing time.
- Toronto will rank fifth in offenses.
In the end, Toronto will win 103 games and capture the AL East, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in seven games.
21 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Mark Makuch about 1 year ago
That is the most optimistic prediction of the Jays I have ever read. Wow. It does look like the Jays might just finally find a balance and have both good pitching and good hitting this year. They've added some really nice depth with Stewart and Scutaro. Their pitching looks to be pretty promising as well. I think they just might break into the post season this year. Team to beat? If this team can finally fire on all cylinders, they just might be.
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Frank Rizzo about 1 year ago
Probably the worst article on the subject of baseball i've ever read in the last 15 years.
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Todd Piirto about 1 year ago
love it, go Jays!
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Todd Piirto about 1 year ago
and Frank, go back to New York!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
That was pretty damned optimistic, particularly:
- No way Burnett wins the Cy Young, or even comes close
- BJ will for sure blow more than one save
- Frank Thomas is definitely not going to hit .330...
I'm from Toronto and am a big Jays fan, but... come on! This is waaaay out there.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
reading something like this makes a jays fan feel all wam inside. awesome.
even if theres no way in hell this will happen.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Finally a writer who isn't afraid to go against the Yanks/BoSox and their whiney fans
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William w about 1 year ago
101 wins and a 5 game advantage over Boston at the end of the season.
Burnett will win 18 and finish behind Halladay in the Cy Young voting.
AL East order of finish:
1) Toronto
2) Boston
3) Tampa Bay
4) New York
5) Baltimore
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jared farber about 1 year ago
Halladay though a good pitcher will not win the Cy Young this season. Honestly i have a feeling it will be either Beckett, Sabatia, or Verlander. Also there is no way that Tampa Bay is ahead of the Yankees.
1) Yankees
2) Boston
3) Toronto
4) Tampa Bay
5) Baltimore
the reason because Toronto's offense will not be able to put up enough runs to break 100 they don't have 6 strong batters. The Yankees have some aquisitions that strengthen their bullpen and their young Three look promising to get off to a strong start. Boston Lost some pitching because of the fact that Schilling is done, Beckett would be a robot if he has a repeat season, And Dice-K has been figured out now and cannot last 7 strong innings. The Yankees offense is the best in baseball or top three depending on how the Tigers do. Boston keeps aging on the offensive side Lowell and Varitek.
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jared farber about 1 year ago
yeah if you are talking about depth then the yankees are the best situated team in the east. They have four outfielders in Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsiu, and Melky Cabrera. Then they have problems at first with one spot for either Shelly Duncan, Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit, or possibly Jason Lane. Now I am not saying that Giambi is a good overall player but if you need someone who could come into the game and hit one out he is a valuable asset. Shelly was impressive and has that power most first basemen don't. Jason is a good first basemen who can still hit for a good average. Wilson is versitile and will adjust to first. All of these guys have good bats and most have good defense you add that in with the rest of the line-up and you have in my opinion the best offense in major league baseball who also scored the most runs of any team last season. They have quality depth at all positions except maybe catcher. However they have a great prospect working his way up, he has impressed Girardi and is only 19.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
1) boston
2) toronto wild card
3) Yankees
4) Tampa Bay
5) Baltimore
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Ari Kramer about 1 year ago
This might have convinced me if you had brought some facts to prove your point. With your uneducated estimates at how the Jays will play this year, I can not say that I think they will be the team to beat.
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Christopher Mango about 1 year ago
they're a fake annoying team that thinks they're mad nice cause they spend a lot now and they're canadian, yanks and sox into september guy
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andy miller about 1 year ago
i will quote your article: "Roy Halladay is a workhorse but will get injured this season"
I am convinced! put me down for 100 wins right there!
the jays have a shot, but to say any team is a lock is silly.
i have no problem picking the jasy, but we need reasons and facts, not just blatant homerism. if you want to be a homer, go to some blue jay message board and talk with the other 587 blue jay fans on this planet.
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Nino Colla about 1 year ago
Dan I love an optimistic person as much as the next guy..
But that record and those ideas are a little too over the top.
I love Dustin McGowan though. Kid is gonna be good.
I mean you don't even really make a compelling argument that would even pull me. How in the hell are you gonna top that Boston pitching staff?
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Kristopher Daly about 1 year ago
Im a huge Jays fan, but come on, you have to be realistic
all of those things will not happen
you never know, but still
back up your article with facts and real stats
and these kind of articles get the most reads, its silly
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Conor White about 1 year ago
Is this a joke? I'm not trying to be mean I just....Do I laugh?
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Eli Nachmany about 1 year ago
What kind of a joke is this? Jeremy Aacardo and Bryan Wolfe won't have sub-2.00 ERA's. B.J. Ryan has to prove he's recovered from surgery and I don't know if he'll get 40 saves. Lyle Overbay has always been a competent first baseman, but never the kind to put up your predicted numbers. He's not going to peak at that level. Overbay's best season will be a 25 HR, 85 RBI, .280 AVG effort. Not those sick, ridiculous numbers. And when did A.J. Burnett become consistent? He is an injury-prone pitcher with an inconsistent arm, and his ERA will balloon up over 4.00 this year with the better AL East lineups this year. The Big Hurt will get hurt, and have a Delgado-like year. And the SP projections are way too optimistic to happen. Shawn Marcum at 14-4? He's not that good. McGowan, Litch, and Janssen are not polished enough to have those kinds of seasons, but in time those numbers will come for this trio. I don't see the Jays above 3rd Place, maybe 2nd if the Yankees Big 3 (Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy) collapse down the stretch.
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Nellyvan about 1 year ago
At best, bearing a massive collapse in the Bronx and a resurgence of Vernon Wells, this team can claw into a wild card spot by September. But even that requires the Jays pitching staff to have a year as good, if not better than last year. With this young staff, I just don't see that happening. Once the elite batters of the AL East have more at bats against these young hurlers, their numbers will explode. In my opinion McGowan looks like the only potential star in the bunch. As far as your offensive predictions, let's just say you have a wonderful imagination. Frank Thomas hasn't hit over .300 was 8 years ago. Unless he's on the "Bonds Workout Plan" I don't see that type of resurgence at the ripe old age of 40. I won't even mention you're overbay illusions. Also can you please explain to me how Stairs, Stewart, and Scutaro is a better bench than Crisp, Casey, Cora, and Keilty? much luck Jays.
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Rick Gagliano about 1 year ago
Dude, maybe second, but the Jays have never won 100 games in a season and this year's AL East looks mighty competitive. The Sox look very solid with that staff, and the Yanks can outhit almost any team in the league.
What happens if Rolen turns out to be over the hill in his 14th major league season and Wells has another sub-par year?
"The Team to Beat"? You've got to be kidding.
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Dan Verhaeghe about 1 year ago
i don't get why everything centres around vernon wells.
i think he's more of a liability.
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