20. Toronto Blue Jays

Big Leagues- After trading away their franchise player in Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays have finally started to put something back together. We think it is directly related to J.P. Ricciardi no longer making their personnel decisions. The Jays have a solid base starting in the infield. Lind, Hill, Escobar, and Bautista form a very formidable infield and the outfield of Rajai Davis, Vernon Wells, and Travis Snyder is very underrated, especially Davis. Davis brings the speed to this lineup that I think they have lacked in the past years, especially playing against the Yankees and Red Sox 19 times a year, who always have problems throwing out runners. Their pitching staff has a lot of star potential with former top prospect Brandon Morrow and lefty Ricky Romero holding down the front end of the rotation. Kyle Drabek, who came over for Roy Halladay, should emerge as a full time starter at the beginning of the year and he should have a great season for a rookie. Like the Orioles, if the Blue Jays could get away from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays they have a lot better results.

Here is their opening day lineup for 2011:

Catcher- Jose Molina/ J.P. Arencibia
1st Base- Adam Lind

2nd Base- Aaron Hill
Shortstop- Yunel Escobar
3rd Base- Jose Bautista
Left Field- Rajai Davis
Center Field- Vernon Wells
Right Field- Travis Snyder
Pitching- Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil, Kyle Drabek, Jesse Litsch
Relief- Jason Fraser, Casey Janssen



Top 5 Prospects

RHP Kyle Drabek- The Blue Jays left Drabek in Double A all of last season and he looked every bit the top prospect he is. He went 14 and 9 with a 2.94 ERA in 162 innings. Drabek still struggled with his command with a 1.94 K/BB ratio. The prize get in the Roy Halladay trade should get a chance to earn a rotation spot in the spring and could be looking at a chance at rookie of the year honors if he gets a full season of work.

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RHP Deck McGuire- The Blue Jays drafted the 6'6 right hander with the 11th pick of the 2010 draft. McGuire was a stud at Georgia Tech winning ACC pitcher of the year in 2009 with an 11-2 record and 3.50 ERA as a weekend starter. Mcguire has 4 solid pitches but we wouldn't be surprised to see Toronto not rush him like Drabek.

RHP Asher Wojciechowski- The right hander was another 1st round pick in the 2010 draft by the Blue Jays. He was drafted out of the Citadel and signed quick enough to throw a couple games in Single A. In 12 innings he only allowed 1 earned run and struck out 11. He's a little less polished than McGuire and Drabek, but he has the potential to be a solid starter.

RHP Zach Stewart- The Blue Jays continue to stock pile young right handers for the future, and Stewart is another. He had slightly a down year in 2010 with a 3.63 ERA at Double A as a 23 year old. Stewart could be converted into a reliever, especially with the power arms in the rotation ahead of him, and the Blue Jays weak bullpen. You could see Stewart in the next few years, probably in the bullpen.

OF-Anthony Gose- The 2nd round pick in 2008 had a very solid year as a 19 year old in Single A. In 130 games Gose hit .262 with 20 doubles, 13 triples and 7 home runs. He does not project as a power outfielder, but he stole 45 bases. He did get 32 times though, and needs to develop more of a technique. He could develop into more but it looks like he'll be a average starter to 4th outfielder.

Payroll and Direction

With a payroll around 80 million dollars and talented pitchers in the big leagues and farm systems, the Blue Jays are headed in the right direction. They have a very solid, young base, and if the young pitchers continue to develop they could make noise in the AL East in a few years. Unfortunately, the Yankees and Red Sox will always be able to outspend the lower market teams, and it will be tough for them to win in the toughest division in baseball.