To say that things are going to look different for the Blue Jays in 2014 would be accurate. However, they may not look different enough for some fans after the disappointment that was the 2013 season. We all remember the hope and hype that came with the biggest trade in 20 years. We remember what we thought was supposed to happen when Cy Young winner RA Dickey joined the rotation.
And we remember how it turned out instead.
With less than 2 months until the 2014 season kicks off with spring workouts, there are questions that still need to be answered… and changes that we’ve already seen.
Bye Bye JP.
ps. Congratulations to JP and Kimberly Perry on their engagement and good luck on the wedding this summer.
pps. Welcome and good luck to Dioner Navarro. The expectations are going to be there right from the start.
Welcome back Munenori Kawasaki.
2013 fan favorite Munenori Kawasaki has been resigned to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Blue Jays. There is no guarantee that he will make the big club – in fact, I wouldn’t bet on it at all – but he will be available if the Blue Jays need a middle defender to make the trip up from Buffalo. I expect Kawaski to keep putting in work at second base to make himself more valuable.
What’s the deal with Colby Rasmus?
I don’t like it.
Colby Rasmus has proven himself to be an above average defender, power threat, speedy runner and improving hitter. Yes, he strikes out too much, but I think he’s still a better option than Anthony Gose if the plan is to win in the next 3 years. Especially if we need to replace Melky Cabrera at the end of 2014 (or sooner).
I hope that Colby is locked up for 4 or 5 or 6 years. I would really like to see him running down fly balls in the outfield in a Blue Jays uniform for the rest of the decade.
Who’s Going to Pitch?
Other.
Who is going to take the ball on a regular basis for the Toronto Blue Jays and try to win baseball games in the AL East? The free agent market is pretty thin with names that I have any real faith in. Matt Garza, Ervin Santana, Masahiro Tanaka… and I’m not really super sure about any of those 3 guys.
There’s something about Bronson Arroyo that intrigues me. But he wants 3 years and we don’t really need another starter who is pushing 40 on the roster.
I don’t know what the answer is here. Improved starting pitching is a must for success. We all need to hope for the best.
There’s a lot left to happen between now and then (I hope) and if/when it does, I’ll be back to try to figure it out.
Remember, rumours are just that – and there are bound to be a lot of them. Alex Anthopoulos works quietly, so don’t be surprised if something happens that we don’t hear about ahead of time.