CNNSI giving Jays front page love

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The lead story....

The Blue Jays' blueprint for success


Back in spring training, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, 33, and Padres GM Jed Hoyer, 36, both on the job for a little more than four months, struck up a conversation about what it takes to compete in the American League East. Anthopoulos had been with Toronto since 2003 and Hoyer had worked seven years in the Red Sox front office before he was hired by the Padres, so despite their youthfulness, each of them had seen enough of what Red Sox president Larry Lucchino calls "East Coast Baseball" to understand the challenge. Anthopoulos and Hoyer agreed that to survive in the AL East you have to load up on power pitchers, particularly in the rotation. Pitchers who rely on finesse or getting hitters to chase pitches out of the zone don't play well against patient teams such as the Yankees and Red Sox.

"We talked about how you need pitchers who can get strikeouts and strikes in the strike zone," Anthopoulos said. "All the lineups are really selective and will make you come into the zone. That puts a premium on the ability to get strikes in the strike zone."

Anthopoulos' blueprint was on display Sunday, when Toronto's Brandon Morrow struck out 17 batters and came within one out of no-hitting the Rays. Morrow threw 97 strikes, only 11 of which were put into play. Facing 31 batters, he racked up 45 strikes without contact (25 called, 20 swinging). Morrow, 26, was obtained by Anthopoulos from Seattle last winter for reliever Brandon League and a minor league hitting prospect. Morrow was the fifth overall pick of the 2006 draft and always was regarded as a guy with a big arm, though he never put up big numbers.

"He reminded us a little of A.J. Burnett with his arm action and stuff," Anthopoulos said.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... z0wId3RrLV