2009 MLB Preview - Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays
Manager: Cito Gaston (11th season)
2008 Record: 86-76 (3rd NL East)


Added: 1B Kevin Millar (BAL)
Lost: SP A.J. Burnett (NYY)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. SS Marco Scutaro (.267, 76 R, 7 HR 60 RBI) 2. 2B Aaron Hill (.263, 19 R, 2 HR, 20 RBI) 3. RF Alex Rios (.291, 91 R, 15 HR, 79 RBI, 32 SB) 4. CF Vernon Wells (.300, 63 R, 20 HR, 78 RBI) 5. DH Adam Lind (.282, 48 R, 9 HR, 40 RBI) 6. 3B Scott Rolen (.262, 58 R, 11 HR, 50 RBI) 7. 1B Lyle Overbay (.270, 74 R, 15 HR, 69 RBI) 8. C Rod Barajas (.249, 44 R, 11 HR, 49 RBI) 9. LF Travis Snider (Rookie)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Roy Halladay (20-11, 2.78 ERA, 206 K) 2. Jesse Litsch (13-9, 3.58 ERA, 99 K) 3. David Purcey (3-6, 5.54 ERA, 58 K) 4. Ricky Romero (Rookie) 5. Scott Richmond (5 starts)

Bench
C Michael Barrett, 1B Kevin Millar, IF John McDonald, IF Jose Bautista

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
B.J. Ryan (32 SV, 58.0 IP, 46 H, 58 K, 2.95 ERA), Scott Downs, Brian Tallet, Jesse Carlson, Shawn Camp

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Fantasy Studs: OF Alex Rios, SP Roy Halladay
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Travis Snider, SP Jesse Litsch

Men In The Minors: 1B David Cooper, SS Justin Jackson, SP Brad Mills, SP Brett Cecil

Home Ballpark: Rogers Centre (Grade 2/10)

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Team Outlook: They may play in now the toughest division in baseball. Unfortunately for them, they don't really factor into that equation. The Blue Jays have a lot of work to do not only to reach the top 3, but just to finish at .500. Losing Burnett from the rotation hurts more than they think. Halladay is getting older but is still a horse. Litsch is a great young arm. After that though, watch out. The bullpen is good. Ryan did well as the year wore on. The lineup isn't in shambles but it's not amazing either. Rios and Wells are bonafide stars in this league. Snider has the potential to be one down the road. Everyone else is just a mediocre hitter with subpar power. And against the pitching they will see in the division, those bats will be silenced numerous time. Again, there is talent there but not nearly to compete for the AL East title.

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