Buffalo Boy's Blog

The bullpen is probably the toughest thing to predict from year to year. One year it could be lights out, the next year it could be on the ropes. The Jays last year had every reason for the bullpen to pack it in and call it a season. Most teams live or die by their closer and setup man. Last year the Jays lost both, struggled and after struggling found a new temporary guy to close and a temporary set up man.

Jeremy Accardo filled in extremely well for BJ Ryan who suffered an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery last May and saved 30 games, Casey Jansen stepped up big in the set up role for the guy who the team projected in that role in Brandon League.

BJ Ryan is supposed to be back according to management and will be ready for opening day. If he is great, if not, Jeremy Accardo is more than capable of continuing until BJ is 100%. I like the bullpen with or without BJ Ryan and when he gets back at 100% they will be even stronger for it.

The one remaining question mark is if Brandon League can come back and be effective or if Jeremy Accardo will be the set up man.

Jason Frasor and Scott Downs are both back as well. I like Scott Downs as a left hander coming out of the pen and would like to see another lefty around there if possible but Ill touch on that when I hit the final group, the starting rotation.

I expect the bullpen to do more of the same of what they did last year, pitch well and continue to grow as a unit. It will ultimately be the down fall or success of this team.