Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays finished last season in last place in the division compiling a 67-94 record. Nothing they have done in the off-season has me believing they will finish any better than last place again this season. Sure, they signed Corey Koskie to replace Carlos Delgado's power, but I'm not sold on the pitching, especially the bullpen.

Toronto was 3rd worst in the league in pitching last season with a combined ERA of 4.91. The staff was anchored by Ted Lilly (12-10, 4.06) and former Cy Young winner, Roy Halladay (8-8, 4.20), but only had one starter with an ERA under 4. This season Miguel Batista (10-13, 4.80), Dave Bush (5-4, 3.69), and Josh Towers (9-9, 5.11) will round out the starting five. After pursuing Matt Clement and Carl Pavano, the Blue Jays' starting rotation is going to be the same as it was last season; so it is not very promising. Another issue with their pitching is the bullpen. Fans of this team should get used to seeing a lot of Scott Schoeneweis and Billy Koch. Koch will probably start out the season as the closer but may not have the stuff needed to get the outs in the ninth inning.

With Vernon Wells and Carlos Delgado in the lineup last season, you'd think the team would have done better than a .260 batting average and 4th worst finish in the league, but you'd be wrong. Losing Delgado will hurt, but adding Corey Koskie's bat (.251, 25, 71) will help to soften the blow a little. The team will start Gregg Zaun at catcher but will hopefully be using non-roster invite Greg Myers to lighten the load for Zaun. Eric Hinske will replace Delgado at first base, followed around the diamond by Orlando Hudson, Russ Adams, and Koskie at third. Hudson and Adams are both products of Blue Jay drafts and will be staples of the top of the Blue Jays lineup for years. Both are exciting players who should jump start the lineup. The outfield will be patroled by Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, and Frank Catalanotto from left to right. The Jays will also use Reed Johnson as a backup outfielder and designated hitter, but the DH spot will be filled by Shea Hillenbrand most often.

The Blue Jays didn't add much to a struggling team from 2004, but with Wells and the promise shown by the young stars up the middle, look for this team to be competitive during games this season, and fighting for a playoff spot in a few seasons.