Originally posted on 02/09/2013:

Rotation:

1) R.A. Dickey
The feel good story of 2012. Here's the thing about knuckle ball pitchers, the knuckle ball is finicky. If it isn't on, it'll get crushed.
Don't expect 20 wins again, 15 wins at best.
Know this, even though R.A. won 20, his last three starts were far from stellar.
He is 39 years old.

2) Josh Johnson
Coming off a 8-14 record, with a 3.81 ERA.
WH/IP ratio is OK at 1.28, doesn't really strike fear in most hitters.
*off topic* How does he command a 13.75 million dollar contract this season.

3) Mark Buehrle
13-13 last season, good enough ancillary numbers.
Gave up 26 homers (too many)last year in a non power hitting division.
He's facing Cano, Granderson, Adam Jones, Markakis,and the rest of the AL east this season on a regular basis.
I think he gets lit up this year.

4) Brandon Morrow.
Nice numbers last season 10-7, very nice 1.11 ratio pitching in the big boy division.
2.96 ERA equally impressive
Did miss 12 starts in 2012 with oblique injury

5) Rickey Romero
Gas can.
Enough said.

Question marks?

Jose Reyes. SS
over/under is 62.5 games into the season when he goes on the DL with a 'hammy'
If Reyes goes down with a 'hammy' (and you know he will) Jays are stuck with Izturis at SS

Emilo Bonifacio. 2B
Nice utility player off the bench, not what I want as an every day second baseman.

Brett Lawrie. 3B
Terrible power numbers for a corner infielder.
On base percentage is below league average.

Colby Rasmus CF
Terrible batting average
Terrible OBA
He'll give you 20 homers, but doesn't compensate for a .225 batting average and sub .300 OBA, which is atrocious.

Melke Cabrera. LF
Before the juice he was nothing but a .270 hitting fourth outfielder.
You will not get .300+ batting average out of him this year, or ever again.

J.P Arencebia C
Light hitting catcher (.222 lifetime) with some pop.


Bautista is a beast, like Miggy beast.
Encarncion can go deep at will
Jansen was a reliable closer last season, let me see him do it again.
Sergio Santos will no help that bull pen though.

Will the Jays compete? Hell yes.
Are they a lock? Hell no