Grantland's Jays preview

[jaymeister15]

Nothing earth shattering here, but a nice little write-up

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/19776/2012-mlb-season-preview-toronto-blue-jays

Three years ago, Adam Lind hit .305/.370/.562, with 35 homers. Two years ago, Colby Rasmus hit .276/.361/.498, with 23 homers. Last year, Brett Lawrie made a huge rookie splash, hitting .293/.373/.580, with nine homers in 43 games. These three players could well decide Toronto's season. Yes, the Jays already boast a strong offense, having finished sixth in the majors in runs scored last year. But the Yankees outscored Toronto by 124 runs in 2011, while the Red Sox got 132 more. If these three potential offensive stars all break out (or re-break out) at once, the Jays go from a very good offense to a super-elite one. A team with a monster offense and an excellent bullpen might be enough to overcome a potentially mediocre rotation, especially with a second wild card in play.

[Lateral Quicks]

If those offensive projections prove accurate... <drool>

[jrsmith]

Very high on Lawrie and cautiously optimistic on Rasmus.

There is no one on earth that could make me stop throwing up at any thought of Lind hitting behind Bautista, which will be a huge downfall.

[Michael Bradley]

I would settle for the 2011 first half version of Lind (.300/.349/.515, 16 HR, 289 PA). If he puts up that level of performance over a full season the Jays should be OK with him batting clean-up, even if players hitting after him are having better seasons (Lawrie/Rasmus hopefully). But if he remains at the sub-.750 OPS area, then Bautista might as well glue the bat to his shoulders because he won't have a single strike thrown at him all year.

[RapsFanInVA]

Did anyone else LOL at this line?

"If that happens, don't be surprised if Anthopoulos dips into Rogers's famously deep pockets and makes a go-for-it deal."

[Raider917]

who will be the best UFA's next winter?

[Avenger]

who will be the best UFA's next winter?

no such thing as UFA's in Baseball but the 2013 free agent class is gonna be pretty monstrous. Grienke, Hamels and Hamilton are clearly the top 3 and there are a dozen very good players behind them like Victorino, Napoli, Cain, McCarthy, Upton, Swisher, Edwin Jackosn, Liriano, Lewis, Annibal Sanchez, Montero, Marcum etc

The Jays probably won't spend much but there are gonna be some ridiculously good bargains on guys like McCarthy and Liriano which we can afford.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/04/2 ... gents.html

[satyr9]

If those offensive projections prove accurate... <drool>

Bill James' projections are crazy high across the board. I wouldn't count on it.

[kwamebargnani]

Did anyone else LOL at this line?

"If that happens, don't be surprised if Anthopoulos dips into Rogers's famously deep pockets and makes a go-for-it deal."

just you

[RapsFanInVA]

Did anyone else LOL at this line?

"If that happens, don't be surprised if Anthopoulos dips into Rogers's famously deep pockets and makes a go-for-it deal."

just you

Dang, time to reevaluate my sense of humor. Rogers's famously deep pockets are no joke.

[Kapono]

Did anyone else LOL at this line?

"If that happens, don't be surprised if Anthopoulos dips into Rogers's famously deep pockets and makes a go-for-it deal."

Almost fall out of my chair laughing.

False hope. **** Rogers.

[flatjacket1]

Did anyone else LOL at this line?

"If that happens, don't be surprised if Anthopoulos dips into Rogers's famously deep pockets and makes a go-for-it deal."

Almost fall out of my chair laughing.

False hope. **** Rogers.

I never knew ownership signed players, here I was thinking GM's did that.