The confession of a Blue Jays fan in New England.

Well today is opening day in baseball, and as some of you might know I am a Toronto Blue Jays fan living in New England. I have been a Blue Jays fan for as long as I can remember. Not really sure how or why I became a Jays fan just have always been. This dates back to the early 80’s when they were really bad. I wasn’t someone who jumped on the bandwagon when they won their 2 World Series titles in the 90’s. But living in New England it is so hard to get any information about the Blue Jays, as everything is all about the Red Sox, and the Yankees. You would think that there were no other teams in the American League East. If my memory does serve me correct it was the Blue Jays who did finish ahead of the Red Sox last year. But yet everyone in New England just dismisses the Jays as a team that could contend with the almighty Red Sox. Growing up in New England I have heard this all my life, and yet I have seen my team win 2 World Series, compared to 1 for the Red Sox. But I do not let these Red Sox fans get me down. I have cheered on my team through the bad time, and the good times. There have been plenty of bad time, leading 3 games to 1 over KC in the 1985 ALCS and losing, losing the lead in the AL east the last week of the season to the Tigers. But there has been some really good times to, of course the 2 World Series titles. I would not trade my team alliance for anyone else. I tell people it is easy to be a Red Sox fan in New England, but try being a fan of team in New England that very few other people are, now that take a try baseball fan.
So what are my thoughts of the 07 Jays? Well if healthy I think they can contend in the AL East and for the AL Wild Card. The Jays finished last year with 87 wins, I see if thinks go right they can win 90-95 games this year. If the pitching staff stays healthy they should pick up more wins. Last year AJ Burnett and Roy Halliday both missed time. If those two stay healthy I think they are the best 1-2 punch in the AL, yes better then the Yankees and Red Sox. After that the starting pitching staff is a little shaky. In the # 3 spot is Gustav Chacin. He has been up and down, does need to be more consistent, but if healthy he can put up 12-16 wins. The #4 is going to Tomo Okha, who is coming off injuries, but has looked really good in spring. I think he will be a solid #4 for the Jays. Right now the #5 is going to Josh Towers, he will be on a very short leash this year. His spot might be filled by Victor Zambrano, who is coming of Tommy John surgery. When signed to a minor league deal over the winter he was expected to be part of the team to late May/ early June. But Zambrano did pitch well over the spring and challenged for a starting spot. He will start the year in the bullpen, but if any of the last 3 guys in the rotation falter I would expect Zambrano to step into their spot. The bullpen is anchored by BJ Ryan, one of the better closer in the AL. The set up man is going to be Jason Frasor, who should be pretty solid in that role. Scott Downs will be the lefty specialist coming out of the pen. The pen does have the potential to be solid, but it is a question mark in the middle of the pen. The beginning of the pitching staff and the end of the bullpen are very strong, but the back end of the rotation and the beginning of the bullpen are the biggest question marks for this team. The Jays line up is very solid, I think they can compete with any lineup in the AL. Greg Zaun is a very dependable catcher, he wont put up big numbers but he is not a liability either. Lyle Overybay is a very underrated first baseman, who will drive in the guys ahead of him. He wont hit a ton of home runs, but will hit a ton of doubles. The middle of the infield is solid defensively with Aaron Hill at 2nd base and Royce Clayton at Shortstop. Claytons bat will be the weakest in the line up, but he should make up for it with his glove. Hill is young but should have dependable bat, does need to work a little on defense, but should be better them last year when he went from 2nd to SS and back 2nd. This year he knows were he will be playing and that should be a plus for him. At third we have the power hitter Troy Glaus. Glaus will have his share of strike outs this year, but has a bat that can hit 30-40 homers. He has a surprisingly good glove, played some SS last year, but do have to worry about his knees has had some problems with the last few years. The starting outfield is young, but good. It is lead by probably the most underrated players in baseball, Vernon Wells. The Jays did sing Wells to an extension over the winter, which I am very happy about. Wells is hitting the prime of his career and the next 5 years should he should be one of the best players in baseball. The corner outfielders are Alex Rios, who had a great first of the year last year before he got hurt. He should be a good lead off hitter for the Jays. Reed Johnson is also young but solid. He wont put up huge numbers, but will hit for average and be a good 6 or 7 hitter. The Jays went out and signed Frank Thomas to DH, I really liked this signing, thought they should have done it last year. The DH spot was a very weak spot for the Jays last year, with the addition of Thomas is has become a strength.
So there you have your 2007 Toronto Blue Jays. If healthy one of the top teams in the AL. If not, well questionable. They won 87 games last year with injuries to Halliday, Burnett and Rios. So why cant they win 90 this year? The addition of Thomas will be a plus for the offense. The subtraction of Ted Lilly will hurt, someone will have to step up in the back end of the rotation, I see Okha or Zambrano to be that person. Here is hoping for a successful season north of the border!!