Toronto Blue Jays 2010 preview
Article By smcneal.tsn on 30th March, 2010
There is one thing the Blue Jays don't have to worry about this season: high expectations. When they traded ace Roy Halladay, they pretty much gave up on what already were slim chances of contending. Toronto enters spring training with a reduced payroll, a rotation to be determined, an unsettled situation at closer, uncertainty at the corner outfield spots and questions about whether its highest-paid player, Vernon Wells, can bounce back. It isn't a good formula to compete in the AL East.
Three questions
Can Veron Wells regain the form that made him a 2006 All-Star? 1. Who will take over for Halladay?
No one, of course. Halladay arguably has been the game's best starter over the past decade. The Jays now don't have a pitcher who has thrown 200 innings in a season. Subtract Halladay's 2.79 ERA, and Toronto's rotation had a 5.28 ERA in 2009.
The Jays are opting for quantity over quality, having invited more than 30 pitchers to major league camp. Seemingly half will be given a chance to start (the Jays used 12 starters last season). Plus, Shaun Marcum is healthy after missing all of '09 and the Jays traded for two other candidates, Brandon Morrow and Dana Eveland.
Only lefthander Ricky Romero is guaranteed a rotation spot, but pitching coach Bruce Walton is excited about Morrow. "He has electric stuff and he's a fierce competitor," Walton said. "I think he just needs to find out who he is -- what his game style is -- and he's just going to take off."
2. Can Wells get well?
Wells emerged as one of the game's top center fielders in 2006, when he made the All-Star team, hit .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs, won a Gold Glove and signed a huge extension. But in the three seasons since, he has regressed. Big time. Last season was a low point: a .260/.311/.400 stat line with 15 homers and 66 RBIs (both career lows).
What happened? At 31, Wells isn't too old. Wrist,...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Three questions
Can Veron Wells regain the form that made him a 2006 All-Star? 1. Who will take over for Halladay?
No one, of course. Halladay arguably has been the game's best starter over the past decade. The Jays now don't have a pitcher who has thrown 200 innings in a season. Subtract Halladay's 2.79 ERA, and Toronto's rotation had a 5.28 ERA in 2009.
The Jays are opting for quantity over quality, having invited more than 30 pitchers to major league camp. Seemingly half will be given a chance to start (the Jays used 12 starters last season). Plus, Shaun Marcum is healthy after missing all of '09 and the Jays traded for two other candidates, Brandon Morrow and Dana Eveland.
Only lefthander Ricky Romero is guaranteed a rotation spot, but pitching coach Bruce Walton is excited about Morrow. "He has electric stuff and he's a fierce competitor," Walton said. "I think he just needs to find out who he is -- what his game style is -- and he's just going to take off."
2. Can Wells get well?
Wells emerged as one of the game's top center fielders in 2006, when he made the All-Star team, hit .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs, won a Gold Glove and signed a huge extension. But in the three seasons since, he has regressed. Big time. Last season was a low point: a .260/.311/.400 stat line with 15 homers and 66 RBIs (both career lows).
What happened? At 31, Wells isn't too old. Wrist,...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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