MLB Playoffs: 4 Things That Need to Happen for the Blue Jays to Make It in 2012

The 2011 season answered a few questions for the Toronto Blue Jays. Jose Bautista showed that his last season was no fluke, putting up 43 HRs and 103 RBIs to go along with a much improved average of .302.

Ricky Romero showed that there still is hope for the Jays’ pitching in the post-Halladay era, with improvements to his totals for wins, complete games, strikeouts and ERA en route to his first All-Star Game appearance.

GM Alex Anthopoulos showed that he is an absolute thief, getting Colby Rasmus and Brett Lawrie in trades that appear to have seriously improved this club’s situation.

Still, the Jays finished at 81-81 and placed fourth in the highly competitive AL East, shut out of the playoffs for an 18th consecutive year.

Here are four things that need to happen in order for this to change in 2012.

4. Brett Lawrie’s Reign of Terror Must Continue

Brett Lawrie burst onto the MLB scene like a supernova, posting a nine-HR, 25-RBI, .293-line in just 43 games. Many of those home-runs and RBIs came in late-inning situations, proving that he not only has power, but also poise. Also, his ability to play third base allowed for Jose Bautista to move permanently to right field, where he feels most comfortable.

Unfortunately, Lawrie’s season was ended prematurely on September 21^st when he broke his right middle finger during batting practice.

Although this is a relatively minor injury, Lawrie needs to continue to put up good numbers when he returns, as it will mean that opposing pitchers will have to deal with a three—four—five combination of Adam Lind, Bautista and Lawrie.

3. The Yankees And/Or Red Sox Need to Flop

The AL East is the toughest division in baseball. With astronomical payrolls each year, the Yankees and Red Sox have largely maintained control although in recent years the Tampa Rays have shown their ability to compete.

When the Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series in the 90s, they had the highest payroll in the league.

Money clearly makes a difference.

Since Alex Anthopoulos has indicated that he probably won’t be making a big splash in the free agency pool this off-season, the Jays need to hope that the money spent by their rivals is money wasted.

2. Adeiny Hechavarria Must Come as Advertised

Adeiny Hechavarria was a big signing for the Jays as it proved that they are a team that is willing to pay a premium for international talent, signing Hechavarria for four years at $10 million.

Hechavarria needs to repay this by stepping into the second base position seamlessly in his first year. The Jays have certainly done their part to give him the opportunity by trading away Aaron Hill in August.

The Jays will obviously keep around insurance in the form of Kelly Johnson and the possible return of Johnny Mac, but Hechavarria is the key.

1. The Spirit of the SkyDome Must Return

Toronto loves watching a winner. Attendance figures have declined steadily over the years, as people have grown tired of watching a non-playoff contender.

The Jays’ PR staff has tried to market the “hustle and heart” of the players, hoping that fielding a young and exciting team will be enough to get fans to come out.

It isn’t.

The Blue Jays need to learn how to perform when people are actually watching them. The average attendance for 2011 was 22,446. Their record in games where the attendance is above average was 16-16, which simply won’t cut it. If the Blue Jays want the Rogers Centre to become an intimidating place for opponents again, they need to use their crowd support to help push them to the next level.

Just win, baby.