Buffalo Boy's Blog

If Vernon Wells is finally healthy and able to swing the bat like he did...4 years ago it might at the very least be an interesting season at Roger's Center in Toronto.

Instead Im leaning toward a year of growing pains. With the exception of Lyle Overbay, Aaron Hill and Vernon Wells this team is full of players who are either inexperienced or unproven or both. Adam Lind has one great year under his belt, he needs to repeat last years performance to be included in the veterans of this team.

Notice I didn't list one pitcher. Thats because the rotation and bullpen are full of uncertainties and plenty of youth.

The pitching looks like its going to be brutal with the exception of maybe Ricky Romero who had a rookie of the year caliber performance last year and will most likely get the opening day start. Shaun Marcum returns and IF healthy could be the veteran leader of the starting rotation. I would list more starters but it already looks like the injury bug is starting to hit as newly acquired Brandon Morrow has some soreness in his throwing arm leaving his spot TBA for a few days/weeks. Brett Cecil would be another candidate but his spring has been bumpy at best.

The Starters:Ricky Romero, Shaun Marcum, Brandon Morrow (If healthy), Brett Cecil (maybe), and maybe round it out with Brian Tallet. Three lefties in the rotation. I love left handers regardless of how proven or good they are, they always have a place in the rotation. Dana Eveland and Marc Rzepczynski also have outside shots at making the rotation.

The Relievers: We still don't know who our closer is. Im hoping its not Scott Downs or Jason Frasor. I like Frasor right where he is, a set up guy/short relief. Downs should remain a left handed specialist. That leaves Kevin Gregg and Merkin Valdez as my candidates for closer. Valdez hasn't earned it yet and Gregg hasn't exactly been stellar either. There has been talk about David Purcey....big lefty, throws hard, simplifying his pitches ...maybe Purcey emerges at some point as a left handed closer? Just please don't let it be Frasor and Downs....please.

The offense/starting lineup:

Catcher: John Buck has had a good spring hitting .316 and two homers. He has earned the starting catching job and will split time with either Raul Chavez or JP Arencibia.

First Base: One more season of an under performing Lyle Overbay...anyone? Anyone?  Brett Wallace will be in Toronto making us forget about Overbay before July 31st even if it means Overbay goes on waivers. Overbay would have to have a monster start to avoid that.

Second Base: Aaron Hill, can he repeat what he did last year? Please bat him second btw.

Shortstop: Help is on the way, we have to start the year with Alex Gonzalez newly acquired from the Red Sox and John McDonald which is fine, but Im predicting we see Adeinis Hechavarria the Cuban shortstop that our new GM (who I love so far btw) Alex Anthopoulos outbid the Yankees for before the year is up. Espcially if Alex Gonzalez struggles.

Third Base: Yuck, Yuck, and more Yuck. Can we please find a good third baseman? Can Kelly Gruber still play? Jose Bautista or Edwin Encarnacion, they gets April and May before we screw the pooch on this one and call up Brett Wallace who can also play third.

Outfield: Maybe after all is said and done potentially at least their most reliable position if Vernon Wells is finally healthy besides Aaron Hill at second base.

Center: Vernon Wells (please be healthy), Left Field: Adam Lind/Jose Bautista, Right Field: Travis Snider

Snider still has a lot to prove but hes been smashing the ball in spring games.

Would be nice to get a repeat on the 35 homer, 114 RBI season Adam Lind had last year.

There could be a few surprises including speedy Joey Gathright playing in the outfield and challenging for the leadoff role, Randy Ruiz may get some DH time, Brad Emaus may make the team as a back up infielder, and it will be interesting to see if Kyle Drabek makes it to the show before the season is over. My bet is with this starting rotation anything is possible. Drabek could be hear sooner than later.

Season record?  65-97 and thats being generous. I could easily see a 100 loss season if things fall apart. I don't think we will because we still have Mr. Cito Gaston at the helm and all the talk about mutiny in the lockerroom I think is gone. Could this team surprise us all and do better, sure, Encarnacion, Overbay and Wells have to have career years and Adam Lind and Aaron Hill have to repeat what they did last year and Travis Snider has to have a break out year. In addition Ricky Romero would have to continue to show why he is the number one guy, Marcum would have to get back to form and Brandon Morrow and who ever else gets pieced into the rotation would have to basically over acheive.

Too many ifs. Its going in the right direction and for that it will be intriguing to watch, but if you want a winner better wait another year.