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The greatest four words in the English language to baseball fans: pitchers and catchers report.

Toronto Blue Jays pitchers and catchers are required to report to Dunedin by Tuesday, with the club's first mandatory workout on Wednesday and, as always, hope springs eternal.

No matter what you thought of Toronto's off-season, there is a lot for Jays fans to be excited about heading into the 2012 season.

Topping that list is third baseman Brett Lawrie. Toronto's most anticipated prospect in years did not disappoint in his 43-game debut last season. Since his call-up last August, Lawrie hit .293 with nine home runs and 25 RBIs. The 22-year-old will be given a full season to see if he can build on last year's success.

Not to be forgotten in all the Lawrie hype is two-time home run champ Jose Bautista. The Jays' right fielder hit 43 balls out of the park last season, finished third in AL MVP voting, and enters the year in the conversation for best overall player in baseball.

Fans will also hope players like JP Arencibia and Yunel Escobar will enjoy continued success, and look for guys like Adam Lind and Colby Rasmus to benefit from bounce-back seasons.

As for pitching, Anthopoulos made it a priority to upgrade the bullpen - the team's weakest unit last year. Sergio Santos, Francisco Cordero and Darren Oliver were all added in an attempt to improve a backend that blew 25 saves a year ago.

Ricky Romero returns to lead the rotation that will ask some young pitchers to take on more obligation.