From 2006 to 2009, Jose Bautista had a total of 74 home runs. Last season, Jose Bautista led the league in home runs at 54 and was third in the league with 124 RBI's. Jose agreed to a 5-year deal worth 64 million dollars following the season, but many people wonder if Bautista is only a one year wonder. Bautista began to start his swing earlier last season, which allowed for his hands to get behind the ball. He also contributed his success to playing every day, which he will definitely be doing this season but at right field and not third base like last season. Bautista will need to get some help from Adam Lind and Aaron Hill, who both had very poor seasons last year. Lind only had 72 RBI's in the middle of the Jays lineup last season, while having career lows in batting average at .237, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. Hill had a batting average of .205 last season and only had 68 RBI's.
Projected starting lineup:
1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Yunel Escobar, SS
3. Jose Bautista, RF
4. Adam Lind, 1B
5. Aaron Hill, 2B
6. Travis Snider, LF
7. Juan Rivera, DH
8. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
9. J.P. Arencibia, C
The pitching staff is also a big question for the Jays especially since Shawn Marcum was traded to the Brewers and Brandon Morrow is out with a right forearm injury. Coming off a 14-9 record with a 3.73 ERA, Ricky Romero had a 7.91 ERA during spring training but will be the Jays opening day starter. Brett Cecil had a great second season last year with a record of 15-7 and a 4.22 ERA. He also finished tied for 12th in the AL with only 54 walks, as he has great command of his pitches. Blue Jays pitching coach Bruce Wilson said, “I think he’s doing it right now... I think you see good command and good control of his game. That’s the next step for Cecil, controlling the game, kind of like a Pettitte, how he controlled that whole gamut and I think you see Cecil doing it already in spring training.” Blue Jay fans are very excited about top prospect Kyle Drabek earning a starting role in the rotation, as he had a fantastic spring training. Drabek was the key to the Roy Halladay trade last season but went winless last season in three starts. He has a lot of promise and showed it in the minor leagues last season, where he had an ERA under 3. The young pitching doesn't spot there though. Jo-Jo Reyes, Jesse Litsch, and Mark Rzepczynski all will have great chances to prove that they will succeed in he majors. Blue Jays manager John Farrell said, "This is a very good blend of youth and talent in rotation and good combination of veteran, proven relievers, that can provide some protection to that young core of starters. I think the year that Brett Cecil had in kind of a break out year last year for him, the continued consistent performance by Ricky and really what we've seen from Morrow making a very successful transition from a bullpen arm, this is an extremely talented group. The key for us is going to be who fills out the fourth and fifth spots. How consistent they can be? I think if we can gain some consistency from those young pitchers in contention for those spots, whether it is Jessie Litsch, Kyle Drabek, or Marc Rzepczynski. If you look at the talent we can stack up against anybody in this division. But the key is the experience and being established in a very tough tough division."
Projected starting rotation:
1. Ricky Romero
2. Brett Cecil
3. Kyle Drabek
4/5. Jo-Jo Reyes, Jessie Litsch, and Mark Rzepczynski
*When Brandon Morrow returns from his right forearm injury, he will return to the starting rotation.
Projected closer:
Jon Rauch
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