Expressing what is certainly a frequently expressed view here, Morosi says the Jays should be sellers now to get ready for a playoff run in 2014. The window is still open, guys like Bautista, EE, Reyes and maybe Lind should be back, but the team has to be recast. Needs: At least one controllable starter - ergo, not a rental like Garza - and some improvement in the 2B situation and fewer strikeouts in the bottom half of the batting order.
The everyday lineup has its share of questions, too. Only three players seem relatively certain to be in the 2014 Opening Day lineup: Reyes at shortstop, Encarnacion at first base and Jose Bautista in right field. Adam Lind’s power has returned in the designated hitter spot, which could solidify his place on the team at $5 million next year. But every other position is in flux.
Left fielder Melky Cabrera has hit for little power coming off his performance-enhancing drug suspension. Third baseman Brett Lawrie has been injury prone and relatively unproductive since the start of last year. The second-base committee — mostly Emilio Bonifacio and Maicer Izturis — has combined for the worst OPS at the position of any team in the majors. Center fielder Colby Rasmus and catcher J.P. Arencibia supply power, but at the expense of increasingly intolerable strikeout rates.
Anthopoulos traded away much of the organization’s prospect depth during the winter, so deals this month could involve players already in the major leagues. Anthopoulos doesn’t need to trade stars such as Reyes or Bautista or Dickey, but the supporting cast must change — if not this month, then at some point before the start of next season.
Call it “selling” if you must, but the Jays need to recognize the 2013 season for what it is — a well-intentioned but spectacular swing-and-miss. Now they should readjust their batting helmet and tighten the Velcro on their batting gloves for the 0-1 pitch. Toronto’s expensive at-bat is off to an inauspicious start. But it isn’t over.
