Some arrived early, as always, but Tuesday marks the official spring-training reporting date for Toronto Blue Jays pitchers and catchers. For weeks, fans on social media have been counting the days to the symbolic start of baseball’s annual cycle, when the game’s romanticism reigns, at least for six weeks. The warmth of the sun, the smell of the grass, players in shorts and tees acting like kids again – it never gets old.
But for Blue Jays fans, spring training 2013 also brings something new. Canada’s team is suddenly star-spangled and brimming with new faces. General manager Alex Anthopoulos not only waved his magic wand, he flogged the cosmos with it for a month, marshaling R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera and Maicer Izturis into a parade of talent poised to turn the team into a contender at last.
One result is that spring training offers few mysteries for Jays fans. This is not a good spring for minor-league players who dream of grabbing a roster spot via eye-popping performances in Grapefruit League games. Except for a few spots, the roster is set.
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Five questions as spring training begins
After a long winter for everyone but the world champion San Francisco Giants, Major League Baseball’s pitchers and catchers officially report to their spring training homes on Tuesday, marking the first step toward the beginning of a new baseball season.
At the Blue Jays’ preseason nest in Dunedin, Fla., pitchers R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero — along with several position players — have already begun their annual rites of the preseason.
For Jays’ fans, the spring cannot come soon enough.
Not since 1993 has there been a season as highly anticipated as this one, as the club looks to make good on its renewed reputation as playoff contender.
But for the first time in just as long, there is little question about who will be on the Opening Day roster. The rotation and lineup are largely set. GM Alex Anthopoulos said himself earlier this month that this spring will have the least internal competition of the nearly 10 seasons he’s been working in the organization.
Gone are the questions about whether Travis Snider will make the team, or which promising young starter will be the surprise addition to the rotation.
And yet, while true competition is limited, here are five burning questions that will linger throughout the spring:
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Five Blue Jays storylines for 2013
After making several blockbuster moves in the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2013 as early favourites to win the AL East and a legitimate shot to contend for their first World Series since 1993.
Despite having a much improved roster on paper, the Jays still have several questions entering spring training. Here are five storylines to watch throughout the year and a look at the players set to make their Jays debut in 2013.
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