Over the second half of the season, several Blue Jays will need to step up their games or...
So what should one expect from the Blue Jays over their final 70 games?
Only one thing is for certain: The Jays will be spending a lot more time at the Rogers Centre than they did during the first half of the season. Having played 10 more road than home games thus far, that flips the rest of the way. Although, based upon the way they've played in Toronto this season - the only team in the A.L. East currently under .500 on their own turf - that may not be much of an advantage.
Manager John Farrell has now seen enough of his team to get a gauge on who has a future with the Blue Jays going forward. He came in only knowing of the Blue Jays from what he saw from an opponents' dugout, therefore he didn't have an allegiance to anyone. That's why when Brett Cecil, Travis Snider and finally, Kyle Drabek, needed more minor-league seasoning, the demotions were swift and without warning. Now, Farrell wants to see how youngsters like Eric Thames and Brett Lawrie, (when he finally arrives), respond to playing against teams battling for playoff spots. By my count, only 28 of the Jays' remaining games are against teams that currently don't have designs on post-season play. It will definitely be baptism under fire.
Lawrie's long-awaited arrival will certainly set the defensive dominos in motion as that will allow Jose Bautista to return to his comfort zone in right. It also means Snider will likely see some time in centre or left, with Thames in left and DH'ing. While Snider is not ideally suited to play the middle outfield position, he certainly has the speed to not be overwhelmed out there. Plus, it will be a chance for more evaluation as to where Snider is best suited to play, especially with young Anthony Gose likely a year away from taking over in centre.
One pitcher who the second half will hold great significance is Cecil. A year ago, the left-hander led the team with 15 wins, but he mysteriously lost a few feet in his fastball in the off-season and found himself in Las Vegas for a lot longer than just a few starts after just four turns through the rotation in Toronto. His stay in the desert ended up lasting two months and 10 days, and while Cecil won eight of his 12 starts at Triple-A, his ERA was 5.26 and he served up 15 long balls. No pitcher in the rotation has more at stake in the second half than Cecil.
Then there's the curious case of Aaron Hill. Slowed to start the year by another right hamstring injury, the 29-year-old second baseman has failed to get his season average above .250 since the first week of the season. More surprising is his sudden loss of power. He hit 62 home runs over his previous two seasons, but didn't hit his first of 2011 until May 29th and comes out of the break with just four in total. He also seems to have lost a step or two on defence. With the club-option-laden contract on the negotiating table after this season, Hill, more than any regular, will be under the microscope the rest of the way.
Trade deadline approaching
With the Jays on the outside looking in as far as contending, a handful of players on the current roster might find their tires being kicked over the next two-and-a-half weeks. The three veteran relievers brought in during the off-season - Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch and Octavio Dotel - have value because of their experience in late-inning situations, and are all on one-year contracts (Rauch & Dotel have 2012 club options). While Francisco has been downright scary of late' Rauch and Dotel still have value in the right situation, although it's debatable how much of any substance the Jays would get in return. Of all the relievers, Jason Frasor might garner the most attention as he can fill a variety roles and he too has a manageable contract. On the other side of the ball, Hill could come into play but the team would need to find another option to play second in the short-term. With his contract left with three club options starting next season, he could find himself as a late-summer rental for a contender. It's been speculated that Rajai Davis and his speed might entice a team like the Rangers, who have plenty of offence but would look to Davis for his outfield range. Veteran back-up catcher Jose Molina could also have some value.
