Toronto Blue Jays 2010 Season Preview

The Baltimore Orioles will rise from the basement of the AL East in 2010 as their avian rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays, spend the foreseeable future at the bottom of the division. TQ, things are getting better all the time.

The Blue Jays, like the Tampa Bay Rays, were forced to reduce their payroll for the coming season. Part of the reduction came by trading the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, Roy Halladay, to the Phillies for a package of prospects. When you combine the dearth of starting pitching with a lack of talented infielders and a reliable closer, the Blue Jays simply cannot compete in 2010.

Pitching

There will be a competition for opening day starting pitcher between Ricky Romero and Shaun Marcum. Romero went 13-9 with a 4.30 ERA as a rookie last season. Marcum, who hasn’t pitched since 2008 due to Tommy John surgery, was 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA in 2008.

The remaining three spots in the starting rotation could be filled by Brandon Morrow, Marc Rzepczynski, and Brett Cecil. Morrow was acquired from Seattle in the deal that sent Brandon League to the Mariners. He was a disappointment for the Mariners, who had hoped Morrow would develop into either a bona fide starter or at least a reliable reliever. At the end of 2009, Morrow showed promise.

All in all, the starting rotation will be a disaster for the Blue Jays. When you subtract the statistics of their bona fide ace, Halladay, from last season’s starting rotation, the staff ERA was a combined 5.30. Ouch.

Catcher

John Buck and Jose Molina both signed in the offseason. Buck will get the majority of starts behind the plate in 2010 unless he is injured. Toronto, no doubt, expects its premiere catching prospects to develop into full-time roles within the next year or two, so Buck and Molina are temporary solutions. As a Yankee fan, however, I can testify that Jose Molina was very underappreciated this offseason and can contribute to the Blue Jays if need be.

DH

The Blue Jays have an excellent designated hitter in Adam Lind. He had a killer year in 2009, batting over .300 with 35 HRs and 114 RBIs. Expect Lind to have another great year, even if he doesn’t repeat the 30-100 numbers.

Infield

Besides 2B Aaron Hill, who had an excellent 2009 with 36 HRs and 108 RBIs, the infield consists of 1B Lyle Overbay, 3B Edwin Encarnacion, and SS Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalex replaces Marco Scutaro, who left for more money after a breakout season in 2009.

Outfield

Vernon Wells enters 2010 still trying to prove that he was worth the seven year, $126 million contract he signed after the 2006 season. Some have suggested that his contract was the worst ever for a position player.

Travis Snider, only 22 years old, will start in left field.

Jose Bautista will play right field and lead off for the Blue Jays.