Black and Blue Jays: Injuries Continue to Haunt Toronto

It is no secret and definitely not an excuse, but the Toronto Blue Jays have been anything but healthy the last few years. Key injuries to Roy Halladay, Vernon Wells, Troy Glaus, and even Carlos Delgado dating back to the 2004 season, have crippled the Jays in the past few seasons.

With the injury bug already claiming its first victim in the 2008 season with the season ending injury to Casey Janssen, the fate of the Jays run to the play offs in ’08 lay in the hands (and shoulders) of Vernon Wells, Scott Rolen, and BJ Ryan. The success of their rehabilitation and productive seasons will easily result in the Jays being contenders for a playoff spot in ’08.

Beginning with Vernon Wells. Wells is too good of a player to let one injured plaqued season destroy his career. I honestly believe that as soon as his shoulder is back into form (which might come later on in the season, or hopefully in the beginning of the season) will lead the Jays offense into the glory it was, if not better, than the ’06 season. 100 RBI’s is not impossible for a healthy Wells, nor is 30+ homeruns.

A healthy Scott Rolen equals a .300+ hitter with 80+ RBI potential. If Rolen fully recovers we will be able to see him at his former glory as a World Series Champion Cardinal, only that production as a Toronto Blue Jays hitting either before or after the slugger Frank Thomas.

Finally, BJ Ryan. I’ll forgo discussing  the injury to Janssen since I have already vented on it. BJ Ryan has already proven what he can do. With his first spring training game a success, a BJ Ryan returned to form will once again be one of the best closer and game winners in the league. Ryan’s return will strengthen an already solid bullpen into a threat to the league.

The healthy recovery of all three players discussed will lead to one of the more potent offenses in the league and will strengthen one of the most dominating bullpens in the league. The Jays playing in October are contingent on these three men and their health and recovery. But this is just my opinion. For I am not a writer, just a fan spewing his opinion.