Toronto Blue Jays Season Preview: The Infield

Here is my second article in a series previewing the Toronto Blue Jays 2008 season. In this one, I'll provide insight on the Jays infield.

First Base: Injuries hopefully won't hinder Lyle Overbay again. If so the Jays will have to fall back on 39 year old Matt Stairs.

1. Lyle Overbay: Lyle Overbay missed 31 games last year with a broken hand, which eventually ended with two surgeries. When he was playing, the former doubles champ batted .240 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs. Overbay will be looking to regain his form from 2006 where he batted .312 and went yard 22 times along with knocking in 92 RBIs.
2. Matt Stairs: Matt Stairs filled in quite nicely in Lyle Overbay's absence last year and was a pleasant surprise for the Jays in 2007. The Canadian batted .289 and added 21 homers and 64 RBIs in 125 games.

Second Base: Aaron Hill had a sudden emergence last year as an elite fielding second baseman. He was more than average at the plate as well. The Jays also added some insurance at the position this season in 32 year old Marco Scutaro.

1. Aaron Hill: The young second baseman ranked first in the Major Leagues with 560 assists and first in the A.L. with 114 double plays. To top it all off, he ranked third in the majors in zone rating at his position (.849). Aaron wasn't too shabby at the plate either last year, as he batted .291 with 17 long bombs, 47 doubles, and 78 RBIs. Hill will look to keep establishing himself as one of the top second-basemen in the league.
2. Marco Scutaro: Marco Scutaro came over in a trade that sent two Jays pitching prospects to the Oakland A's. Scutaro swung a decent stick last year batting .260 with 7 homers and 41 RBIs. He adds some depth at the second base position, while he could see some time at third and possibly shortstop throughout the year.

Shortstop: The Jays looked like they were ready to hand the starting job at short to John McDonald this year, but after signing David Eckstein in the off-season, it's unsure who will be starting in the 6 spot. Eckstein commited 12 more errors than Johnny Mac last year in 12 more games, but he swings a much better bat than McDonald and will most likely be the leadoff hitter for the Jays.

1. David Eckstein: The Jays have started 16 shortstops since 2001, and Eckstein will make it 17. The 32 year old has played for the Anaheim Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals before this season. Last year he batted a career best .309, adding three long balls and 31 RBIs. Eckstein didn't exactly have a career best season in the field last year and he'll be looking to improve on the 20 errors he commited last season.
2. John McDonald: Johnny Mac won the starting job over Royce Clayton last year and appeared in 102 games. McDonald showed excellent skill in the field with a .986 fielding percentage and only 8 errors. John wasn't so excellent at the plate last year, however, batting .251 and posting one homer and 31 RBIs. I don't know how much Johnny Mac will play this year with the acquisition of David Eckstein, but everyone knows who the Jays will turn to if they need a good defensve game in the 6 slot.

Third Base: The Jays traded slugger Troy Glaus to the St. Louis Cardinals for gold-glover Scott Rolen this off-season. If Rolen can stay healthy, he'll be quite the asset at third. If Rolen does go down Marco Scutaro will be the next in line for the position.

1. Scott Rolen: Rolen, 32, has spent the last 5 seasons in St. Louis with the Cardinals after spending the previous 6 with the Phillies. The six time gold-glover appeared in 112 games last year batting .265 and adding eight home runs and 58 RBIs. Rolen is arguably the best defender at third in the majors when he's healthy and could really help out the Jays situation on D.

There you have it, the Jays infield for 2008. Lots of new faces, but should be a good year for the Jays if these guys can stay healthy.

In the third and final part of my preview of the '08 season for the Jays, I'll fill you in on the outfield and DH situation.