March 30, 2004

2004 Toronto Blue Jays Preview

The Bottom Line:
After a 2003 season in which the Jays had one of the best hitting teams in baseball, they managed to keep that unit intact, plus they added several good arms to support Roy Halladay. Every year the Jays seem to be contenders during the first half only to fade in the second. While I don’t expect them to climb out of third place this year, they could, and they should at least be playing meaningful games into August. I like this team. They look better than last year, and the slightest slip on the part of the Yankees or the Red Sox could open the door for the Jays to become wild card contenders. But a slip in Boston or New York is unlikely, leaving the Jays with a rather impressive won/lost record for a third place team.



New Page 2

Line Up:


The Blue Jays retained all the parts of their offense that
finish second to the Red Sox as the best run-producers in the AL.  They could
surpass the Red Sox this year, since many of their players are on the way up or
in their primes.


 



  1. Reed Johnson, RF: He’s not atypical leadoff
    hitter, but he’s got the power to hit 20 homers, the speed to steal 15
    bases, and the ability to maintain a .350+ on base percentage.  He’s batting
    leadoff because the Jays don’t really have a better option.

  2. Frank Catalanotto, LF: Health is the only thing
    keeping him from being a .315 hitter every year.

  3. Vernon Wells, CF: He followed his break out
    2002 with a stellar 2003, and the best is yet to come.  He’s the real deal
    and the next big thing.

  4. Carlos Delgado, 1B: He had the best first half
    of anybody in baseball last year but an average second half that still
    resulted in fantastic overall numbers.  You have to take him any way you can
    get him, but a more balanced attack would benefit the team.

  5. Eric Hinske, 3B: While his batting average fell
    to .243, he still led the AL with 45 doubles.  Imagine how sharp this
    offense will be when he hits like we know he can.

  6. Josh Phelps, DH: He contributed 20 homers last
    year in 119 games.  The Jays believe he’ll be a star with 40+ homer
    ability.  Much like the comment on Hinske, imagine how good they’ll be if he
    does.

  7. Greg Myers, C: After several years as
    journeyman catcher, Myers broke out with a .307 average and 15 homers.  I
    just don’t believe he’ll do it again.

  8. Orlando Hudson, 2B: Hudson, and shortstop
    Woodward just have to catch the ball.  It really doesn’t matter if they
    hit.  They combined for a .265 average, 16 homers and 102 RBI’s and that’s
    plenty.

  9. Chris Woodward, SS


 


Pitching:


The Blue Jays, much like every other team in the division,
spent some money during the winter.  They made sure to maintain their excellent
hitting and focused on the pitching.  It could be enough to give them some
meaningful games in.


 



  1. Roy Halladay, R: All of Halladay’s numbers in
    his Cy Young year are great, but how about this pair: 204 strikeouts, 32
    walks.  He’s here to stay.

  2. Miguel Batista, R: With the kind of support the
    Blue Jays can give, Batista’s 3.54 ERA would have been good enough to turn
    his 10 wins in 2003 into 17 or 18.  Sheesh, Corey Lidle won 12 for them with
    a 5.74.

  3. Ted Lilly, L: He’s solid enough and will eat
    innings.

  4. Pat Hentgen, R: After falling off the baseball
    radar for almost two years, Hentgen a strong second half in Baltimore.  He
    looked like the guy he used to be in his first go round with Toronto.

  5. Josh Towers, R: Looked good down the stretch.


Closer Aquilino Lopez, R:
Lopez filled the closer role decently after Kelvim Escobar moved to the
rotation.  He did a good enough job, but his half-season in the role is not
enough for the Jays to feel sure he’s the answer.  They brought in Justin Speier
from Colorado just in case, but the role is Lopez’s to lose.    


 




Remarkably Similar
AB R H HR RBI SB BB BA OPS
Carlos Delgado (11) 4550 815 1290 304 959 9 758 .284 .953
Willie McCovey (12*) 4379 734 1242 302 880 13 771 .284 .944


 


McCovey, in case you don’t know, is a Hall of Fame first
baseman from the Giants and a member of the 500 home run club.  His numbers
listed above are from the first twelve seasons of his career.


 


 


 


Fantasy Top 5:



  1. Roy Halladay

  2. Vernon Wells

  3. Carlos Delgado

  4. Eric Hinske

  5. Ted Lilly

Posted by at March 30, 2004 11:48 PM
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