So, the Blue Jays acquired Josh Thole and signed Mark DeRosa this off-season. Kinda quiet. That's only when you exclude the fact they also brought in an insane amount of minor league free agents as well. They brought in: Maicer Izturis, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonafacio, Melky Cabrera, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle, and NL Cy Young Winner RA Dickey. Alex Anthropoulos wins GM of the Year, by a mile. Even if this all blows up in his face, he still wins. So, does Toronto have enough to win the division? I think they just might. Let's take a look:
Starting Lineup
SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
3B Brett Lawrie
1B Adam Lind
CF Colby Rasmus
C JP Arencibia
2B Emilio Bonafacio
This lineup can do some damage. Why? They have an almost perfect variety of hitters. Reyes can be an elite leadoff hitter who has decent power for a leadoff type. And he stayed healthy! (Sarcasm at its finest). Which Melky shows up? The 2010 Melky or the 2012 Melky? I do not buy the Melky of the last 2 years, as a Yankees fan, but maybe he'll prove me wrong. Bautista and Encarnacion are going to hit at least 40 HR's combined, healthy. I'm a big Lawrie fan; this might be his year, again, if he stays healthy. Lind needs to pick it up or he'll be replaced by David Cooper: he's got the talent, but the last few seasons have been tough to watch. Rasmus is garbage. Arencibia's got some legit power, as well. Trading d'Arnaud gives him some piece of mind and clearly the catcher's role. Bonafacio, presuming he beats Izturis, can be a great asset in the 9 hole. Health is the key: it was the downfall last year, and might be this year.
Starting Rotation
SP RA Dickey
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Mark Buerhle
SP Josh Johnson
SP Ricky Romero
The last few seasons' opening day starter is now the #5. That shows how improved this rotation is. Dickey's knuckler is nearly impossible to hit; he'll be fine in Toronto. Buerhle is a great veteran starter for the middle of the rotation. Johnson can be electric; he stayed healthy and finally pitched better in the 2nd half of last year - let's hope it carries over. I'm also a big Morrow fan; he made some adjustments to pitch more like a pitcher and not a strikeout machine. Translation? He's more effective. Romero was just off last year. I'm sure he found what was wrong with his mechanics to be a solid pitcher. I like this rotation's potential a lot; again, injuries are important here, particularly with Morrow and Johnson.
Bullpen
CL Casey Janssen
SU Sergio Santos
SU Steve Delabar
SU Esmil Rogers
SU Brad Lincoln
LR Brett Cecil/JA Happ
To end the Florio crushfest, Casey Janssen is also on the all-Florio team. He stepped in at closer and was fantastic. I can't see why he wouldn't repeat last year's success. Santos can also close: he's got electric stuff and back from injury. Anthropoulos found some amazing scrap heap pickups in Delabar, Rogers and Lincoln via trades. Delabar came in for Eric Thames (who might just be reacquired: I don't think he makes the Mariners), Rogers for Yan Gomes and Mike Aviles and Lincoln for Travis Snider. So, a remade bullpen for backups? Nice job, Alex. Rogers and Lincoln as converted starters are much more suited for the bullpen. Cecil and Happ battle Romero for the #5/Long Man spots. Another good pen.
I think Toronto wins it on paper. On injuries, they'll lose. But, bringing in some more, healthier players, will help. Their biggest downside might not be injuries, it might be new, albeit former manager, John Gibbons. He's had rocky relationships with players before. But for now, Toronto wins for now in the AL East.
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