The Third Place, Toronto Blue Jays

Originally Posted on 2/10/08

Series of Team Overviews for 2008; Toronto Blue Jays

Let's be honest, is there a team in baseball that is more likely to finish 3rd than the Blue Jays? I feel like every season the Blue Jays finish third and that's probably because it's true. In fact, the Jays have finished 3rd in the AL East in all but two seasons since 1998, that's a 10 year period!

2008 will most likely be no different with the Red Sox and Yankees battling just above the Jays for the top spots in the AL East but the Blue Jays might be closing the recent gap. The Blue Jays have one of baseball's most well-rounded rosters with offensive threats and a great pitching core. That's how the Jays ended their 2007 season and this off-season has been pretty quiet with there not being much payroll flexibility but the Jays were able to add high energy shortstop David Eckstein and then trade the disappointing Troy Glaus (injured most of 2007) for another questionable 3b in Scott Rolen. Rolen should provide a great boast on the defense side and if healthy will be a great complement to the already other dangerous right handed bats in the lineup, DH Frank Thomas, CF Vernon Wells and RF Alex Rios.

But let's make no mistake, the rosters most impressive asset is the starting pitchers. Potential CY Young candidate Roy Halladay is the Ace with A.J. Burnett just behind him. Rounding out the rotation are young guns Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan and the Spring Training battle of Gustavo Chacin vs. Jesse Litsch for the fifth spot. The bullpen should be better in 2008 as B.J. Ryan isn't too far from returning from Tommy John surgery which would allow Jeremy Accardo to return to the set-up role that has other strong arms in Casey Janssen, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor. The Blue Jays at the very least should cause some havoc and remain in the Wild Card hunt through August.

Projected Lineup:
1. David Eckstein, SS
2. Lyle Overbay, 1b
3. Vernon Wells, CF
4. Frank Thomas, DH
5. Alex Rios, RF
6. Scott Rolen, 3b
7. Adam Lind / Reed Johnson, LF
8. Aaron Hill, 2b
9. Greg Zaun, C

Final Five:

1. Fantasy Value: As stated above, the pitching is the best bet with Halladay and Burnett being two of the best when healthy. Young arms Marcum and McGowan should be available relatively cheap and B.J. Ryan slated to return in May to June may become available at bargain prices too. Offensively, Vernon Wells struggled last season but look for him to bounce back in 2008. Alex Rios continues to improve with each season and is now a top 25 fantasy outfielder.

2. Most likely to be traded: Tough question with teams that should compete but my choice will be surplus bullpen arms for offensive upgrades or Adam Lind if he can't win the LF job full-time. Without Lind, the Jays would give more playing time to Johnson and allow Matt Stairs to receive more at bats (which would provide a much needed left handed bat to the lineup).

3. Breakout player for 2008: Alex Rios certainly took this title for the Jays in 2007, although Marcum and McGowan were strong as well. Look for Marcum and McGowan to only get better...

4. Farm Top Five: The Jays don't have much talent compared to their counterparts in the AL East but the top players are outfielders Travis Snider and Ryan Patterson, shortstop Sergio Santos (former D-back), starter Chi-Hung Cheng and the commodity of a young catcher, Robinson Diaz.

5. 2008 Record Prediction: 85-77, 3rd place in the AL East