Blue Jays' Chances

Take me out to the ball game!!!

In a recent article the fine young gentlemen at Fox Sports opined as to whether or not the Blue Jays have a chance at making the playoffs this year. I felt a certain geographical necessity to comment on this issue, not to mention that I have slotted them as my wild card choice.

The biggest issue that is present for the Blue Jays, that which stands between them and a playoff appearance, is health. I won't spend too much space recapping the Blue Jays awful injury issues of 2007 (they lost around 950 man games to injury) but I will note that they still managed to finish above .500. What does that mean? Essentially with their 2008 roster, which is slightly improved and should benefit from players bouncing back from difficult statistical seasons this year past, the Jays are fairly confident that they can compete for a playoff position. While I'm unconvinced that they will win the East over the Red Sox the Blue Jays may be able to capitalize on a weak Western division and a highly competitive yet self deprecating Central. There are some key areas of concern though;

1. The trade - If the Jays intend to compete they will have to watch the trading block to pick up a big arm/bat for a playoff run if they are in such a place after the all star break. Its unlikely that a playoff bound team sports starters like Jesse Litch or fielders such as Shannon Stewart/Reed Johnson bar a renaissance or break out year. I suggest that the Jays either throw their name into the Joe Blanton sweepstakes or look to pluck a Konerko/Dunn calibre player from a team who finds themselves hopeless in July.

2. The Coach - I'm simply not a fan. He's had two altercation with players that have spilled into the public arena and makes questionable decisions with his bullpen. What's more puzzling is his inability to break out of the big show American League slug fest and allow his faster players to run more. Vernon Wells and Alex Rios should have 20-30 sbs a year. Running is key because it adds stress to the opposing pitchers. C'mon Gibbons!

3. The Catcher - Greg Zaun as your number one catcher is only acceptable because of how hard it is to find catching these days. He is only acceptable as a hitter and can't throw out runners. Essentially that makes him a catch-mate.


Here's to a 2008 playoff birth in Toronto.
DB