Spring training site
Dunedin, Fla.
2007 record
83-79, third in AL East, 13 games behind Red Sox
New faces
C Rod Barajas (free agent, Phillies); RHP Shawn Camp (free agent, Rays); SS David Eckstein (free agent, Cardinals); LHP John Parrish (free agent, Mariners); 3B Scott Rolen (trade, Cardinals); IF Marco Scutaro (trade, Athletics)
Biggest offseason acquisition
The trade for Rolen is a big acquisition and should improve the left side of the Blue Jays infield. But the biggest is probably Eckstein, because John McDonald had as weak a bat as any regular player in the American League. Putting the sparkplug Eckstein at the top of the order should make everybody below a little better.
Gone but not forgotten
Joe Kennedy pitched in just nine games for the Blue Jays last year and might not have figured in too many long-range plans, but the relief pitcher's death of a heart attack during the offseason still creates a void.
Spring training battles
The bottom of the starting rotation is still pretty unsettled behind ace Roy Halladay and oft-injured A.J. Burnett. Jesse Litsch and Gustavo Chacin are in a battle for the No. 5 starter spot after Casey Janssen came down with a shoulder injury. Chacin would give the rotation a lefty, but he's also coming off an injury and hasn't been sharp in spring training.
Projected lineup
- SS David Eckstein
- 1B Lyle Overbay
- RF Alex Rios
- DH Frank Thomas
- CF Vernon Wells
- 3B Scott Rolen
- LF Matt Stairs/Reed Johnson
- 2B Aaron Hill
- C Gregg Zaun/Rod Barajas
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Roy Halladay
- RHP A.J. Burnett
- RHP Dustin McGowan
- RHP Shaun Marcum
- RHP Jesse Litsch
Projected bullpen
- RHP Jeremy Accardo (closer)
- LHP Scott Downs
- RHP B.J. Ryan (coming back from elbow injury)
- RHP Brian Wolfe
- RHP Jason Frasor
- LHP Brian Tallet
- LHP Brandon League
Biggest strength
If Frank Thomas doesn't have a big drop-off (he'll turn 40 in May), the middle of the Blue Jays' order rivals the Yankees and Red Sox. Rios can be a star, and Wells and Rolen must bounce back, but the talent assembled is strong. The average baseball fan can't name too many Toronto pitchers, but they were second in the AL in ERA last season.
Glaring weakness
The Blue Jays lost Casey Janssen, who could have been an effective No. 5 starter or setup guy, to a shoulder injury in spring training. That weakens the bullpen. Can Accardo be the full-time closer who will excel? He had a very quiet 30 saves last season. Or will B.J. Ryan (coming back from Tommy John surgery) supplant him at some point?
