Toronto Blue Jays Add Speed, Bullpen Arms

With Cito Gaston retired, new manager John Farrell takes over a Toronto Blue Jays team that hit a lot of home runs last season but did not get on base enough. The teams 85-77 finish was respectable but good for just fourth place behind the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox in the competitive American League East Division. The team hopes that the addition of speed and an improved bullpen will give them a better chance to compete in 2011.

After he hit 20 home runs and 67 runs batted in while hitting just . 243, former first baseman Lyle Overbay signed a one year, $5 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Lind takes over at first after hitting . 237 with 23 homers and 72 RBIs in 2010. That was some what of a disappointment following 2009 when Lind hit . 305 with 35 home runs, 114 RBIs and scored 93 runs. The team hopes he can rebound with a bit more pop while adding more base hits.

Jon Rauch comes to the Toronto bull pen after pitching for the Minnesota Twins last season. With Twins stopper Joe Nathan sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, Rauch served as closer until mid season when Minnesota traded for Matt Capps from the Nationals. The Blue Jays signed free agent Octavio Dotel who finished last year with the Rockies. He also pitched for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles last year and is a journeyman, having also pitched for the Astros, White Sox and Royals in his career. He is effective when healthy however and adds a veteran presence to the Jays relief corps.

Though they had to trade ace Roy Halladay a few years ago, the Blue Jays still have plenty of pitching. In fact, to make room in the rotation for potential Rookie of the Year Kyle Drabek, Toronto traded Shaun Marcum, who went 13-8 last season with a 3.64 earned run average in 195.1 innings.

Last season, third baseman Jose Bautista led all of baseball with 54 home runs. His former career best was 16 home runs, leading many to wonder if he can come close to his 2010 numbers. Even if he hits between 30 to 40 home runs, Bautista would provide a major force in the middle of the Toronto batting order.

With the departure of Marcum, lefty Ricky Romero becomes the ace of the Toronto staff. Romero went 14-9 with a 3.73 era, 174 strikeouts in 210 innings last season. He is joined by fellow lefty Brett Cecil, 15-7, 4.22 era, 117 strikeouts in 172.2 innings last season. Brandon Morrow is a hard throwing right hander who could one day lead the league in strikeouts. He came over prior to last season in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Brandon League. Morrow finished 2010 strong, with a 10-7 record, a 4.49 era, with 178 strikeouts in 146.1 innings.

Marc Rzepczynski 4-4, 4.95 era last year, rounds out the staff along with Drabek, with Jesse Litsch, Zach Stewart, and Dustin McGowan in reserve ready to be called on if needed. McGowan, however is recovering from two arm surgeries and has missed the last two seasons.

Drabek in particular could be a key to Blue Jays success this season. He could solidify an already strong Toronto rotation that gives the Blue Jays quality innings. Along with the added speed of Podsednik and Davis to blend in with the already formidable power, the team should score plenty of runs. With a veteran bullpen full of former closers, they should be able to protect leads as well. The 2011 season should be fun for Jays fans and the future looks bright.

Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on Boston Red Sox Watch, Detroit Tigers Watch and Chicago Cubs Bedding