Recorder Blue

2006 Toronto Blue Jays Preview

2005 Background information:

Nobody expected much from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005. But surprisingly, before All-Star Game Toronto pitchers all managed to stay in the top 10 American League, while their fighting Ranked 5th overall in the AL with an average collective team of 268. Unfortunately for Toronto, it was all downhill from there slipped to a disappointing end of 80-82 record and fell 15 games behind the Sox Rojas and the Yankees end their season in 3rd place.

Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells (.269 28 97) provide most of the power numbers Tiles in 2005 with former Arizona Diamondback and recently acquired Shea Hillenbrand (.291 17 82) to help divide their time between 1st and 3rd base. The rest of the picture produced large part of the team's offense in 2005, including the 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson (.315 10 63) and 3rd base 1st base back Eric Hinske (.262 15 68). Starting pitcher Roy Halladay (12-4 2.41) was clearly the star of the starting pitching before he suffered a broken left leg in early July. And closer Miguel Batista kept Blue Jays in the race for the first half to compile an impressive record of 4-2 before half-time all star with 15 stops. However, Batista was simply not the same pitcher in the 2nd half of the year, despite 16 stops. After all the All-Star Game Batista recorded only a record of 1-6 with less than stellar 5.35 effectiveness. Starters Josh Towers (13-12 3.71), Gustavo Chacin (13-9 3.72) and Ted Lilly (10-11 5.56) helped keep 2005 the admirable efforts of pitchers.

Off Season Moves:

To the delight of the fans of Toronto, management made two aggressive moves against the season to improve their pitching staff for 2006. The first was the signing of free agent and former Baltimore Orioles closer BJ Ryan (1-4 2.43 36 saves in 41 chances)) and the other was taking advantage of the Marlins fire sale Florida, adding the starter AJ Burnett (12-12 3.44). The Blue Jays also gave impetus offensive trade for pitcher Dave Bush to the 1st baseman Lyle Overbay (.276 19 72) and trade away Orlando Hudson and closer Miguel Batista for the slugger Troy Glaus (.258 37 97).

2006 Analysis:

The Blue Jays to jump from the door with a very solid pitching staff in 2006. Expect Roy Halladay, AJ Burnett, Ted Lilly and Gustavo Chacin to form an impressive starting rotation. Burnett pitched over 200 innings in Florida last season which will prove to be a good addition to the staff of the Blue Jays. The acquisition of greater Oriole BJ More irregular Ryan Miguel Batista will be a great improvement in the bullpen. Troy Glaus was finally provide some much-needed protection for slugger Vernon Wells. A consideration interesting will be how to handle juggling Blue Jays Hillenbrand, Eric Hinske and Troy Glaus 3rd base. Hillenbrand and Hinske DH probably left fielder Reed Johnson with (.269 8 58) and right fielder Alex Rios (.262 10 59) Rounding out the rest of the lineup in Toronto. If the starters can endure, and bats may remain Tiles expect production to sustain the interest in the summer of 2006.

About the Author

Jack Scrafford recommends PlatinumTickets to buy Toronto Blue Jays tickets. See http://www.platinumtickets.com/mlb/torontobluejays_tickets.html for more information.

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