MLB Spring Training 2012: Toronto Blue Jays Excited About Second Wild Card

The Toronto Blue Jays are excited about Major League Baseball's plan to add a second wild-card team to each league in the 2012 season.

Jose Bautista said that a second wild card would help teams like the Blue Jays in a division as strong as the AL East to have a better chance.

The new plan would have the two wild-card teams duel it out in a one-game playoff. The winner would advance to the American League Division Series.

Adding a second wild card would intensify the already fierce and competitive nature of the AL East, forcing teams to fight harder to win the division to avoid a single-elimination game that would send the loser home.

The Blue Jays have not made it to the postseason since 1993. Manager John Farrell said that the second wild card would increase their opportunity, and most teams that have been close but didn't make it would welcome the new system.

Farrell also said that he believes this would be great for Major League Baseball, it would increase opportunities and potential late in the season and keep divisional races and league races deep into September.

The second wild card would not have helped Toronto make it into the postseason in recent seasons, but with the strength and solid potential that they have this season, especially with the pitching staff, the second wild card could very well be the key to the postseason in 2012.