Anthopoulos confident in Jays' new-look roster

[LittleOzzy]

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is taking a whole new mindset into the 2012 MLB season.

Entering his third year as GM of the club, Anthopoulos says his mindset is "night and day" compared to last year, mainly because he has confidence in the Jays' new-look roster.

"I'm so much more relaxed this spring," Anthopoulos told Brady & Lang on Sportsnet 590 The FAN Friday morning. "I think continuity in the staff is huge … I think there's a lot more defined roles from the bullpen to the position players, even the rotation, there's all frontrunners for the job.

"From that standpoint this is the best collection of talent we've had in the organization since I've been general manger, at the big league level and at the minor league level … I'm excited to see these guys play. It's going to be a fun year for us."

With the MLB's recent announcement about the addition of extra Wild Card spots, many believe the Jays' chances of making the playoffs are as good as they have been in years. Anthopoulos, though, said this won't change the outlook for his team .

"I think it's good for the game. It's exciting but at the same time winning a division becomes that much more important," Anthopoulos said. "With the one wild card, you knew you were in. The two wild cards, it's a one-game playoff. But the fact that it can lead to more meaningful games in September is exciting.

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/ ... ook-roster

[flatjacket1]

I'm confident in the new roster too. Last year we had what? A 5% chance at playoffs? I give us 20% this season.

[Santoki]

There's really not much of a difference outside of the bullpen from the team that finished the season. We're really banking on internal growth and continuity. A bit too many "ifs" have to fall our way, but at least baseball is almost back.

[flatjacket1]

There's really not much of a difference outside of the bullpen from the team that finished the season. We're really banking on internal growth and continuity. A bit too many "ifs" have to fall our way, but at least baseball is almost back.

But I think AA is comparing opening day's, not end of the year roster to now.

But yeah I agree.

[kavan]

Yes Jays look like a unproven Rays team from a few years ago with the young guns and few headliner names. I am just hoping this extra wild card spot springs into eventually a full playoff battle with 8 teams and less reg season games. Playoff baseball is much more fun then reg season.