Rotation
I will start here because the Jays have completely revamped their rotation. It now looks like: Dickey, Johnson, Buehrle, Morrow, Romero. A very nice mix of pitchers with the knuckleballer Dickey as the ace, power arms in Johnson and Morrow, a finesse pitcher in Buehrle, and the former ace Romero slotted in at number 5. AJ Happ will be the first one called on if needed.
Bullpen
The Jays collected power arms last year. Steve Delebar, Jeremy Jeffress, Esmil Rogers and Darren Oliver will be the primary table-setters for closer Casey Janssen and setup man Sergio Santos, who is coming off shoulder surgery.
Catcher
J.P Arencibia, who swore he'd be on the Blue Jays roster come May despite swirling trade rumours, looks to be the primary catcher. Josh Thole came over in the Dickey trade but both catchers have been working with the knuckleballer in spring training. Thole is a banjo hitter but JPA's power is real. 30 HR is possible if he can improve his BA.
Infield
Encarnacion, Maicer Izturis, Reyes and Lawrie are the starters with Lind DHing and spelling EE at first and Emilio Bonifacio as a super-utility. Izturis and Reyes replacing Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar give the Jays much more speed at the top and bottom of the order.
Outfield
Melky - Rasmus - Bautista are the starters with Rajai Davis and Bonifacio as the fourth and fifth. Anthony Gose starts the year at AAA but with 189 PAs in 2012, he will be the first one summoned if there is an injury. Is Colby Rasmus doesn't play more consistently, Gose could be starting by July.
Expectations are high for the Blue Jays after taking on the payroll they did. It will be a fun year to be a Blue Jays fan.
I will start here because the Jays have completely revamped their rotation. It now looks like: Dickey, Johnson, Buehrle, Morrow, Romero. A very nice mix of pitchers with the knuckleballer Dickey as the ace, power arms in Johnson and Morrow, a finesse pitcher in Buehrle, and the former ace Romero slotted in at number 5. AJ Happ will be the first one called on if needed.
Bullpen
The Jays collected power arms last year. Steve Delebar, Jeremy Jeffress, Esmil Rogers and Darren Oliver will be the primary table-setters for closer Casey Janssen and setup man Sergio Santos, who is coming off shoulder surgery.
Catcher
J.P Arencibia, who swore he'd be on the Blue Jays roster come May despite swirling trade rumours, looks to be the primary catcher. Josh Thole came over in the Dickey trade but both catchers have been working with the knuckleballer in spring training. Thole is a banjo hitter but JPA's power is real. 30 HR is possible if he can improve his BA.
Infield
Encarnacion, Maicer Izturis, Reyes and Lawrie are the starters with Lind DHing and spelling EE at first and Emilio Bonifacio as a super-utility. Izturis and Reyes replacing Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar give the Jays much more speed at the top and bottom of the order.
Outfield
Melky - Rasmus - Bautista are the starters with Rajai Davis and Bonifacio as the fourth and fifth. Anthony Gose starts the year at AAA but with 189 PAs in 2012, he will be the first one summoned if there is an injury. Is Colby Rasmus doesn't play more consistently, Gose could be starting by July.
Expectations are high for the Blue Jays after taking on the payroll they did. It will be a fun year to be a Blue Jays fan.
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