Design Philadelphia 2011
New Manager Takes Over Toronto Blue Jays
Last season, the last managed by Cito Gaston who has retired, the Toronto Blue Jays finished 85-77, good for fourth place behind the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox. New manager John Farrell comes over to manage after serving as pitching coach under Terry Francona in Boston from 2006 through 2010. Farrell takes over a young team full of power hitters and promising pitchers.
After he hit 20 home runs and 67 runs batted in while hitting just . 243, former first baseman Lyle Overbay signed a one year, $5 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Lind takes over at first after hitting . 237 with 23 homers and 72 RBIs in 2010. That was some what of a disappointment following 2009 when Lind hit . 305 with 35 home runs, 114 RBIs and scored 93 runs. The team hopes he can rebound with a bit more pop while adding more base hits.
John Farrell is the new manager. Farrell was pitching coach of the division rival Boston Red Sox from 2006 to 2010, so he knows the A. L. East well. After working with star pitchers like Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Jonathan Papelbon, he will now oversee a nucleus of Blue Jays pitchers who could be on the verge of accomplishing great success.
Also added to the relief mix is former Rangers closer Frank Francisco. Francisco saved 25 games for Texas in 2009 and has averaged 66 strikeouts, a 3.43 earned run average and an impressive 1.16 WHIP. Along with the solid Shawn Camp and Jesse Carlson, the additions to the Toronto bullpen should make them deeper and even more effective.
With a few all or nothing hitters in the lineup, the Blue Jays made some moves in hopes of getting more contact hitters who can get on base ahead of their big sluggers. Rajai Davis was brought in after hitting . 284 last season with the Oakland Athletics. Davis stole 50 bases while providing speed in the outfield and he could hit lead off for Toronto. Another lead off candidate is Scott Podsednik, a key member of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. Last year while playing for the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers, Podsednik hit . 297 while stealing 35 bases.
With the departure of Marcum, lefty Ricky Romero becomes the ace of the Toronto staff. Romero went 14-9 with a 3.73 era, 174 strikeouts in 210 innings last season. He is joined by fellow lefty Brett Cecil, 15-7, 4.22 era, 117 strikeouts in 172.2 innings last season. Brandon Morrow is a hard throwing right hander who could one day lead the league in strikeouts. He came over prior to last season in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Brandon League. Morrow finished 2010 strong, with a 10-7 record, a 4.49 era, with 178 strikeouts in 146.1 innings.
At just 23, outfielder Travis Snider is already entering his third major league season. Injuries plagued Snider last year, but he still hit . 255 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs, but he finished the season strong, hitting six homers in September. If he puts it all together as expected, Snider is seen as easily a 30 homer, 100 RBI hitter.
Drabek in particular could be a key to Blue Jays success this season. He could solidify an already strong Toronto rotation that gives the Blue Jays quality innings. Along with the added speed of Podsednik and Davis to blend in with the already formidable power, the team should score plenty of runs. With a veteran bullpen full of former closers, they should be able to protect leads as well. The 2011 season should be fun for Jays fans and the future looks bright.
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