The Jays did the most to improve within their division, which is a rarity when you play in the same one as the Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
Despite an injury-riddled 2007 season, the Jays were able to produce four hitters with over 20 homers and three players with over 75 RBI. The Jays were also able to post another record above the .500 mark for the fifth time in the past seven seasons.
Although the injuries were originally seen as a hindrance, they proved to be a blessing in disguise as Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch, Jeremy Accardo, and Adam Lind were all proved that able to prove they belong at the Major League level, and all made significant contributions to this team.
Due to the emergence (especially with regards to the pitching staff) of the younger players on the roster, JP Ricciardi was able to add David Eckstein to lead-off the batting order (and supplant John McDonald as the starting shortstop) and Scott Rolen. Both players have experience on championship teams, and Rolen brings a strong defensive presence to third. Not forgotten is the addition of Marco Scutaro who, along with J-Mac, will be able to provide the Jays with strong support from the bench.
The only question for this team is at the fifth starter spot. Although Jesse Litsch has a secure hold on that spot for the time being, Casey Janssen and Gustavo Chacin are both in consideration for that spot. The Jays have four strong starters (three with ace stuff for sure), which are all threats for anywhere from 10-18 wins. With perennial complete-gamer Roy Halladay as the incumbent ace, and a staff which led the league in complete games and came in third in team ERA for the MLB in 2007, the Jays should have a staff to watch come 2008.
With a healthy Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay, and an emerging Alex Rios, the Jays are proving to be a strong player in the AL East and Wild Card races this year.
2008 Record: 93-69, Second in AL East, First in Wild Card (You heard it here first!)
New York Yankees (94-68 in 2007, Second in AL East)
Maybe the Yankees would have been better off trading for Johan Santana even though the Jays eat him for dinner (1-3 against the Jays at Rogers Centre with a 5.76 ERA, and a career 2-4 record with a 4.84 ERA against the Blue Birds).
The Yankees usually go out of their way to make an impact in the offseason, but do signings like Morgan Ensberg and LaTroy Hawkins make a discernible impact?
Will Joe Girardi even make a difference?
Not this year. All the Yankees have done this offseason is get older. Mariano Rivera had his lowest save total (30) since 2002, and despite Jorge Posada’s career season last year, he’ll be a 37 year-old catcher come playoff time.
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