Wednesday, January 07, 2004
WATCH OUT FOR THE CLUB UP NORTH
Much of the mainstream media's focus has been on the offseason moves or non-moves of the Red Sox and MFY, but the Jays have made significant improvements on a tight budget. Barring any major injuries, they should fight our Sox and the MFY to the end.
There are many reasons, some of them reasonable, for our focus on the MFY but J.P. Ricciardi and company has improved the team that won 86 games last season. The Jays were expected to win 87 based on their run differential. They are for real. They also played both our Sox and the MFY tough going 18-20. The Jays should not be forgotten.
Before getting to the offseason activity, if the Jays performed better in one-run games, they could have been within striking distance of the Sox and the Wild Card. The Jays were 14-23 in games decided by one-run and the Sox were 26-16. Most analysts believe that luck plays a big part in determining success in close games. The roles could have easily been reversed.
This offseason J.P. and company have improved their club. Even though this is a quick and dirty look, it speaks volumes.
Hitters with 300+ at bats and (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 2003
Out:
Bordick (274/340/382 in 343)
Stewart (294/347/449 in 303)
In:
none
The incumbent position players (Reed Johnson, Hinske, Phelps, Catalanotto) that comprised a potent offense last season will take up the at-bats lost. The Jays should not miss either player at the plate.
Pitchers with 100+ innings or 40+ relief appearance and ERA in 2003
Out:
Escobar - 4.29 in 180
Lidle - 5.75 in 192
Hendrickson - 5.51 in 158
Politte - 5.66 in 54 appearances
Tam - 5.64 in 44 appearances
In:
Lily - 4.34 in 178
Batista - 3.54 in 193
Hentgen - 4.09 in 160
Speier - 4.05 in 72
Lightenberg - 3.34 in 68
A rotation of Halladay, Batista, Lily and Hentgen should be tough. Lightenberg is murder on RHB, Lopez is a nice lefty find from last season's Rule V Draft and Speier should find closing games out easier in Toronto than Denver. The Jays staff is almost completely revamped and upgraded.
The Jays improved their pitching without weakening their offense. Even though the J.P. did not improve his club's poor glove work, the huge pluses on the mound should aid in preventing runs. The Jay are going to be tough and should not be ignored. It is going to be a three team race in the AL East.
Much of the mainstream media's focus has been on the offseason moves or non-moves of the Red Sox and MFY, but the Jays have made significant improvements on a tight budget. Barring any major injuries, they should fight our Sox and the MFY to the end.
There are many reasons, some of them reasonable, for our focus on the MFY but J.P. Ricciardi and company has improved the team that won 86 games last season. The Jays were expected to win 87 based on their run differential. They are for real. They also played both our Sox and the MFY tough going 18-20. The Jays should not be forgotten.
Before getting to the offseason activity, if the Jays performed better in one-run games, they could have been within striking distance of the Sox and the Wild Card. The Jays were 14-23 in games decided by one-run and the Sox were 26-16. Most analysts believe that luck plays a big part in determining success in close games. The roles could have easily been reversed.
This offseason J.P. and company have improved their club. Even though this is a quick and dirty look, it speaks volumes.
Hitters with 300+ at bats and (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 2003
Out:
Bordick (274/340/382 in 343)
Stewart (294/347/449 in 303)
In:
none
The incumbent position players (Reed Johnson, Hinske, Phelps, Catalanotto) that comprised a potent offense last season will take up the at-bats lost. The Jays should not miss either player at the plate.
Pitchers with 100+ innings or 40+ relief appearance and ERA in 2003
Out:
Escobar - 4.29 in 180
Lidle - 5.75 in 192
Hendrickson - 5.51 in 158
Politte - 5.66 in 54 appearances
Tam - 5.64 in 44 appearances
In:
Lily - 4.34 in 178
Batista - 3.54 in 193
Hentgen - 4.09 in 160
Speier - 4.05 in 72
Lightenberg - 3.34 in 68
A rotation of Halladay, Batista, Lily and Hentgen should be tough. Lightenberg is murder on RHB, Lopez is a nice lefty find from last season's Rule V Draft and Speier should find closing games out easier in Toronto than Denver. The Jays staff is almost completely revamped and upgraded.
The Jays improved their pitching without weakening their offense. Even though the J.P. did not improve his club's poor glove work, the huge pluses on the mound should aid in preventing runs. The Jay are going to be tough and should not be ignored. It is going to be a three team race in the AL East.
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