1. Can Jose Bautista replicate his 54 home run season from 2010?
Bautista was by far the Blue Jays' biggest surprise last year. The Dominican native entered the season having never hit more than 16 home runs, but he finished the 2010 campaign with a franchise-record 54. He credited a slight modification in his swing for the drastic increase, but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to continue that success in 2011. Bautista will once again benefit from the friendly confines of Rogers Centre and likely will open the season as the club's No. 3 hitter. That's a big change from 2010, when he entered Spring Training as the Blue Jays' leadoff man and spent several weeks bouncing around the lineup before finding a regular batting position.
2. Who will replace Kevin Gregg as the team's closer?
The Blue Jays reportedly have signed right-hander Octavio Dotel to a one-year contract with a club option for 2012. The deal won't become official until the 37-year-old passes a physical, which will take place early in the New Year. If the Dotel signing gets the final approval, he will enter Spring Training as the favorite to take over for Gregg, who is a free agent and appears destined to sign with another organization. Dotel went 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA and 22 saves in 2010 with the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies. The Dominican native also will receive competition for the closer's role from right-hander Jason Frasor, who has 36 career saves. It's a similiar situation to 2010, when Gregg eventually won the closing job over Frasor and veteran left-hander Scott Downs.
3. Will Lind be able to develop into the Blue Jays solution at first base?
Lind officially began his transition from designated hitter to first base in December. That's when the 27-year-old began working with roving infield coach Mike Mordecai and third-base coach Brian Butterfield during a five-day crash course on defensive mechanics. The sessions will continue in January, as the Blue Jays try to prepare Lind for an everyday role in the infield in 2011. The native of Alabama did appear in 11 games at first base last season, but it remains to be seen whether he is capable of filling the role on a regular basis. Anthopoulos is optimistic, though, because he feels Lind has the strong hands required to provide adequate defense. His footwork around the base remains a work in progress.
4. Who will be the Blue Jays' third baseman?
The Blue Jays currently have Bautista penciled in to be the club's Opening Day third baseman. But Anthopoulos hasn't ruled out adding a player to fill the position. That move would allow Bautista to play his preferred position in right field, where he feels he is better able to take advantage of his strong throwing arm. Bautista's versatility is a nice luxury for the team to have, because he is capable of providing plus defense at both positions. Farrell said he would like to have the situation resolved early in the New Year, so Bautista knows what role he will be filling prior to the start of Spring Training.
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