Here's a look at who was signed, who left annd what the 2007 Toronto Blue Jays will look like :
QUOTEROSTER REPORT
Unlike a lot of teams, the Jays of '07 will look very much like the Jays of '06. They expect to have two new members in the starting rotation, the same list of characters in the bullpen while the additions to their everyday lineup will be limited to two players — DH Frank Thomas and SS Royce Clayton. The Jays don't rely much on their bench and will no longer platoon Reed Johnson in left field.
ARRIVALS: DH Frank Thomas (free agent from A's), SS Royce Clayton (free agent from Reds), RHP John Thomson (free agent from Braves), RHP Tomo Ohka (free agent from Brewers), RHP Victor Zambrano (free agent from Mets), OF Matt Stairs (free agent from Tigers), INF Jason Smith (Rule 5 draftee from Rockies), C Sal Fasano (free agent from Yankees), RHP Geremi Gonzalez (free agent from Brewers).
DEPARTURES: LF Frank Catalanotto (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Justin Speier (free agent, signed with Angels), LHP Ted Lilly (free agent, signed with Cubs), C Bengie Molina (free agent, signed with Giants).
SPRING FOCUS: The health of the entire rotation is critical, and all five — Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Gustavo Chacin, John Thomson, Tomo Ohka — are coming to camp after suffering injuries in 2006. Is RHP Brandon League ready to assume the setup role?
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Roy Halladay
2. RHP A.J. Burnett
3. LHP Gustavo Chacin
4. RHP John Thomson
5. RHP Tomo Ohka
The Jays struck out on re-signing LHP Ted Lilly and were rebuffed by free agent Gil Meche. To fill the final two spots, GM J.P. Ricciardi rolled the dice by signing John Thomson and Tomo Ohka, who both had injury-plagued seasons in 2006.
The Jays were unprepared when injuries knocked Burnett and Chacin out of the rotation and believe they've added depth this year.
Young right-handers Shaun Marcum, Casey Janssen and Dustin McGowan all spent time in the major leagues last season and will be more prepared if they have to fill in at some point in 2007. The Jays also hope the RHP Josh Towers can bounce back from a disastrous 2006.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
LHP B.J. Ryan (closer)
RHP Brandon League
RHP Jason Frasor
LHP Scott Downs
RHP Jeremy Accardo
LHP Brian Tallet
RHP Geremi Gonzalez
The Jays figure on going with a seven-man bullpen with perhaps the final two spots up for grabs. Tallet was a surprise, going 3-0 with a 3.81 ERA in 44 appearances, and this spring he will be pushed by rookie LHP Davis Romero.
Gonzalez had a good offseason playing winter ball in Venezuela, and his experience could tip the scales for the final spot.
The biggest pressure is on the shoulder of Brandon League, who is expected to fill the setup role with the departure of veteran Justin Speier.
The Jays have to prove they have a smooth transition getting the ball from a starter to closer B.J. Ryan. Last year, at times, it was a minefield.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. LF Reed Johnson
2. 1B Lyle Overbay
3. CF Vernon Wells
4. DH Frank Thomas
5. 3B Troy Glaus
6. RF Alex Rios
7. C Gregg Zaun
8. 2B Aaron Hill
9. SS Royce Clayton
The Jays have a powerful lineup, one that is expected to be among the league leaders in home runs and runs scored. The drawback is they lean heavily to the right. Lyle Overbay is their lone pure left-handed hitter; Gregg Zaun is a switch hitter with decidedly more power when hitting from the left side.
Manager John Gibbons has said he doesn't want to have Overbay and Zaun hit back-to-back, which explains why he likely will drop a power hitter, such as Overbay, into the No. 2 slot. Zaun, who is excellent in a hit-and-run situation, also has been lobbying Gibbons to hit second.
For the Jays offense to click on all cylinders, they need the Alex Rios from before his staph infection to return.
While Thomas will clog the bases with his lack of mobility, the Jays are more than willing to have his power. In a home run friendly park such as Rogers Centre, expect a 40-plus home run season from their big DH.
There's no doubt that this is the strength of the team.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Jason Phillips
INF John McDonald
INF Jason Smith
OF Matt Stairs
Jason Phillips was supposed to be Gregg Zaun's backup in 2006 before the Jays signed free agent C Bengie Molina just before the opening of spring training. The deterioration of Molina's defensive skills was shocking — he had no lateral movement back of the plate.
John McDonald took over at short last season after Russ Adams proved wanting and will see plenty of time at short again in spelling Royce Clayton.
Matt Stairs will spell Reed Johnson and Alex Rios on occasion and provide some left-handed power off the bench.
TOP ROOKIES: OF Adam Lind hit .367 (22-for-60) with two homers, eight doubles and eight RBIs in 18 games with the Jays in September. Lind, 23, is rough defensively but can swing the bat — he hit .310 at Double-A New Hampshire and .394 at Triple-A Syracuse in '06. LHP Davis Romero is small in stature — 5-foot-10, 155 pounds — but displayed poise and mound presence in seven appearances with the Jays in '06, going 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. Last year he started the season at Double-A New Hampshire, going 6-7 with a 3.43 ERA in 14 starts. After moving to Triple-A Syracuse he was 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 18 appearances, including three starts. He'll be pushing for a spot in the bullpen.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Victor Zambrano (elbow surgery) isn't expected to be available until after the All-Star break. Anything the Jays can get from him will be a bonus.
LF Reed Johnson (tight back) was ailing at the start of the Grapefruit League schedule and was expected to miss a few days.
-Props to Mr. Blackwell for the sig.
