With only a couple of pitching moves left on the plate of Alex Anthopoulos, Cito Gaston and the Blue Jays’ brain trust, the team prepares to break camp, head for Houston for the final two exhibitions, and then three-plus hours north to Arlington and the beginning of the franchise’s 34th American League season.
The players seemed to respond well to the new openness of the front office. And with no one expecting this team to contend this season, that may allow everyone to settle in and just play baseball in their first season without Roy Halladay.
POSITION PLAYERS
14 John Buck, C
Comes to the Blue Jays after six seasons with the Royals. Lifetime .235 hitter, his best offensive season was 2007 when he slammed 18 home runs. Back problems limited him to just 59 games last season.
8 Jose Molina, C
Two-time World Series champion (2002 Angels & 2009 Yankees). Was A.J. Burnett’s personal catcher for most of last season. Career .235 hitter is best known for his defence (37.4 per cent career caught stealing rate).
35 Lyle Overbay, 1B
Entering his fifth season with Blue Jays after the trade from Milwaukee in 2005. Career .279 hitter, has seen his power numbers drop after breaking his right hand in June of 2007. In final season of current four-year contract.
2 Aaron Hill, 2B
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After missing final months of 2008 season with post-concussion syndrome, was named A.L. Comeback Player of the Year in ’09 thanks to 36 HR and 108 RBI. RBI total was most ever by a Blue Jays second baseman. Remained hot and productive this spring.
3 Alex Gonzalez, SS
Signed as a free agent after splitting last season between the Reds and Red Sox. Member of 2003 World Series champion Marlins. Known more for his glove than bat, made only seven errors in 425 total chances last season.
15 Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
Acquired at 2009 trade deadline from the Reds in the Scott Rolen deal. Slammed seven HR with 15 RBI in his final 17 games last season. Best season was 2008 with 26 HR for the Reds. Slowed by sore wrist this spring.
6 John McDonald, IF
Fan favourite returns for his sixth season with the Jays. Will be the primary defensive replacement in the late innings. Set a new career-high with four home runs last season. Arguably the top defensive shortstop in the game.
19 Jose Bautista, RF/3B
Will start the season as the lead-off hitter and right fielder, but will also see time at third base. Career .275 hitter batting first, his highest average of any spots in the order. Led team with 10 HR after September 1st last season.
10 Vernon Wells, CF
The longest-serving Blue Jay on the roster is at the crossroads of his uneven career, having missed parts of the last three seasons due to injury. Will be expected to return to Gold Glove and All-Star levels of 2003 & 2006, certainly based on his contract.
26 Adam Lind, OF/DH
Last season was a breakout one for this young hitter more known for his bat than his glove. Set career-highs in all major offensive categories and more will be expected this season. May need to play in the field to get Ruiz some at-bats.
45 Travis Snider, OF
Still just 21-years old, the time has come for production to equal potential. The sky still remains the limit for a slugger with power to all fields. Has turned himself into a good outfielder. Needs to work on the mental side of the game.
21 Randy Ruiz, 1B/DH
All he does is hit. For a team that was offensively-challenged in 2009, they must find a way to get his bat into the line-up. Projects to be a 25 HR, 80 RBI producer if he gets regular work. Might see time at first base if Overbay struggles.
18 Mike McCoy, IF/OF
Will be the team’s super-sub, with his ability to play in both the infield and outfield. Adds a speed element sorely lacking on this roster for quite some time. Stole 40 bases last season at AAA.
PITCHERS
28 Shaun Marcum, RH
Comes all the way back from Tommy John surgery to replace Halladay as the ace of the rotation. When last healthy, his control and ability to pitch to contact were his main assets. Stamina might be an issue after missing 2008.
24 Ricky Romero, LH
Hoping to build off a 13-win rookie season after surprisingly breaking camp with the team last season. Must cut down on his walks to take it to the next level. Will be needed to push his innings up near 200-plus this season.
23 Brandon Morrow, RH
Comes over from the Mariners in trade for Brandon League. Bounced between the bullpen and rotation in Seattle, but has been told he’ll just be a starter in Toronto. Had a sore shoulder in spring that put him behind the rest of the starters.
56 Brian Tallet, LH
Valuable swingman who is equally effective both as a starter and long reliever. Doesn’t overpower despite his size, but gets the job done when hitting spots and pitching to contact. Will see lots of work.
63 Kevin Gregg, RH
Veteran closer will start the season in a set-up role, but will be called upon if Frasor falters. Has 85 career saves with the Marlins and Cubs. Might be a tradeable commodity later in the year if contenders need a ninth inning pitcher.
54 Jason Frasor, RH
Finished last season as an effective closer and hopes to pick up where he left off this season. Not the biggest closer in the game, but never shies away from the tough situations. Only knock may be amount of time between pitches.
37 Scott Downs, LH
Suffered through some nagging injuries last season, but when healthy, he’s one of the top left-handed set-up men in the game. Can also close when called upon. Rubber armed reliever should expect a large workload again this season.
57 Shawn Camp, RH
Used to sit in the back of the bullpen but the veteran has performed well with the Jays and has turned himself into a solid middle reliever. Doesn’t overpower, just eats innings when called upon.
44 Casey Janssen, RH
Has done nothing this spring to not be included in this bullpen. Might be able to excel as a once-through-the-order middle man. Retired 23 of the first 25 batters he faced this spring and appears to finally have put his ’08 injury behind him.
49 Jeremy Accardo, RH
Looks like the odd-man out due to options. Bounced between the Majors and AAA last season and seems to have fallen out of favour with the organization. Still has the same stuff like had in ’07 when he saved 30 games. Just getting the opportunities.
17 Josh Roenicke, RH
Found the going a little tougher in the A.L. after coming over in the Rolen trade. Lots of runners this spring. Might also be best served getting regular relief work at Triple-A in late inning, high leverage situations.
