#21 - The Toronto Blue Jays

We finish out our first third of the 2012 MLB landscape today with the preview of the Jays. It's been 20 years since we heard, "Touch 'em all Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life." But it could happen again. Hailing from the frozen north, the Blue Jays have the privilege of being that other bird team in the division totally dominated by the Yankees and Red Sox, and then in recent years, the Rays. This means, just like their sick Canadian heritage suggests, they're totally liable to launch a sneak attack on happy, unsuspecting, innocent Americans. It will be just like in the brilliant hypothetical film, South Park: The Movie. Remember, they bombed the Baldwins. And look how ridiculous their royal weddings are:

Royal Pudding
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PARKIke Broflovski,Terrance,Phillip,more...

And lest we forget Bryan Adams..... never forget Bryan Adams..... and the horror he has brought upon the world.

Bryan Adams At His Worst

Yes, Canada has been the scourge of America since the Americans failed to defeat them in the War of 1812. Unfortunately, we've had to coexist peacefully. We've even had to share our sport with them, and though they tried to return the favor with the export of hockey, we all know which is the superior game.

It's not that Canada is a barren wasteland, but, it's kind of a barren wasteland. But all kidding aside. They have given the world some great things, like maple syrup, maple leaves, maple candy, Conan O'Brien and maple trees. Oh, and the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays were my dark horse of the East last year, and I think they've earned that credit again.

Last year was much like the last couple for the Blue Jays: a lot of home runs (5th in the majors, 186), not much pitching (4.32 ERA, 24th in the majors), and not much in the way of runners on base (.317 OBP, 18th). What resulted was a respectable 81-81 record, but it was only good enough for fourth in the gauntlet that was the AL East. But last year was the rebuilding year for the Jays. This year they get to unveil a nice new retro logo:



And, the get to play with a team that is much less in flux than the one on the field in 2011. After making trades midseason for Colby Rasmus (.225/14/53) and Kelly Johnson (.222/21/58), as well as calling up hot prospects Eric Thames (95 G, .262/12/37), Brett Lawrie(43G/.293/9/25), and Henderson Alvarez (1-3, 3.53), the Jays are now through their rebuild and expect to be a competitor for the AL East crown. Johnson and Rasmus, though having bad years last year, saw their numbers rise a bit after the change of scenery. If the two of them can get their careers back on track, this becomes a lineup to fear.

That's mostly because, smack in the middle of it is the guy who has inexplicably led the majors in home runs the last two years. Jose Bautista (.302/43/103) came out of seemingly nowhere to completely tear the cover off the ball 97 times the last two years. The former journeyman also led the majors in walks with 132 last year, meaning teams are pitching around him... his numbers will go higher if any one of his teammates can start doing some damage. This will be especially true if that can be second-year catcher J.P. Arencibia (.219/23/78). If his average can climb a little bit, he'll be another real threat in the middle of the lineup.

The pitching situation is still a little bit hazy on the back end, but it's not something to get too worried about. Ricky Romero (15-11, 2.92) leads the staff that will also feature Brandon Morrow (11-11, 4.72), and Brett Cecil (4-11, 4.73). Romero is really, really good. The other two will have to keep improving their young careers in order for the Blue Jays to make the playoffs this fall. The fifth spot is still a little bit up from grabs, but Dustin McGowan or Kyle Drabek should be able to easily hold the spot down. Sergio Santos will close after being grabbed from the White Sox, and he looked really good in the set up role for the southsiders last year.

And after that wonderful introduction, your 2012 Toronto Blue Jays

C J.P. Arencibia
1B Adam Lind
2B Kelly Johnson
SS Yunel Escobar
3B Brett Lawrie
LF Eric Thames
CF Colby Rasmus
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
SP Ricky Romero
SP Brenden Morrow
SP Brett Cecil
SP Henderson Alvarez
SP Dustin McGowan
CL Sergio Santos

Best Case Scenario:
The Toronto Blue Jays grow up before our eyes. The team plays strong from start to finish. The Blue Jays have a season to remember. Led by eventual MVP Jose Bautista, Lind, Arencibia, Encarnacion and the gang bring a revitalization of Canadian baseball that leave many Ontarions wondering what a puck is. After trading for the surging Johann Santana at the deadline, the Blue Jays are able to hold off the aging Yankees, the injured Red Sox, and the streaky Rays for an unbelievable AL East title. Though the firepower of the Rangers is too much for the staff in the postseason, Blue Jay fever reigns throughout the frigid North, and Newfoundlers everywhere rejoice at the Prime Minister's overturned decision:

It's Christmas in Canada
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Worst Case Scenario:
It's sadly another long season up north as the Yankees, Rays, and Sawks jump all over the Blue Jays. Bautista goes down for the season with a knee injury, and the rest of the lineup can't recover. Lawrie, Thames, and Arencibia all enter season long slumps that show they may not be the answer to the decade long woes of the Jays. What's worse, they are forced by copyright lawyers to return to the old, ugly logo. The rebuild of the team looks completely stalled, and with no end in sight, the ownership decides to go on strike. No one cares.

Canada on Strike
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What Will Probably Happen
81-81, 4th in the AL East.... just like last year

Song of the Post
This one's a doozy.... If you didn't think I put enough clips in here already... you will now...