Blue Jays Outlook 2012

by bluebird24 on Feb 2, 2012 9:59 PM EST

I want to apologize for that american obesity post, that was my friend playing a joke on my, hes a jerk, especially because he's a Yankees fan...................enough said, so again, my bad
Now speaking of the Jays, I love what AA has done this offseason. I know its not what a lot of people wanted, but I think we are going to be quit satisfied with the product that will be displayed coming this spring. Obviously he worked really hard to acquire a solid bullpen which should be one of baseball's best. As far as the pitching rotation goes, I'm glad he has faith in the young talent of the organization. I think Brett Cecil's looking for a bounce back year, and I also think we can expect something at some point during the season from Deck McGuire. Kyle Drabek is still there, and he still has the talent. If he can relocate the strike zone in 2012, his ceiling is quite high. I also think we can expect an even more dominant season from Ricky Romero who I believe is working his up to one of the elite aces of the American League. The offense was good last year and should improve this year. I believe this due to the young talent with all of its upside (Colby, Kelly, Brett, Yunel........etc.). It will obviously greatly benefit the team in having Brett Lawrie for an entire season. I also think J.P. will have a strong season as the pressure mounts for him to succeed, especially with Travis D'Arnaud nipping at his heels.
There is a lot to look forward too in 2012, Go Jays

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An outlook post! nice!

Do or die year for cecil, lets hope the pressure doesn’t get to him, or it does and makes him better.

+1 is only good if you actually rec the post

by Bowling_Guy25 on Feb 2, 2012 10:55 PM EST reply actions

z

ORDINAL TEAM RANKINGS ARE NOT ROBUST OR USEFUL ANALYTICAL TOOLS

by Gerse on Feb 3, 2012 2:47 AM EST up reply actions

no...

inside joke :D

+1 is only good if you actually rec the post

by Bowling_Guy25 on Feb 3, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

Agree on cecil

I think it’s do or die for a few other players as well. I like the moves AA didn’t make this offseason. The Jays have a number of players with upside who are either coming off of down years or simply haven’t shown their potential yet. Rather than looking for quick (and expensive) fixes, it looks like management made a decision to give these players a shot at proving what thier role will be (if any) on a champiosnhip team. You can put Cecil in that category, along with McGowan, Litsch, Lind, Snider, Encarnacion and KJ. If those players are going to have a role going forward, they have to have big years in 2012. The club will also be looking for results from Drabek, Rasmus and Morrow but I don’t think they’re at the make or break point yet. If jsut some of these guys live up to past expectations, the Jays should at the very least, play meaningful games in September. I can’t wait.

To every complex problem, there is an answer that is simple, easy to understand and wrong

by TO Steve on Feb 3, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure why, and I suppose I don't have much evidence to support it.

but I think Drabek will pitch 150 innings this year in major leagues. He is a special talent who just fell off the bandwagon. I’m sure he realizes he beat himself last year and that should be an easy fix. Maybe its just wishful thinking. He absolutely dropped off the map with last years performance, which I don’t think is fair for a first audition in the big leagues.

Lots of dudes in the south wear Jays hats. I yell "Go Jays". They respond. "Canada has baseball?"

by jay_fan_inda_swamp on Feb 3, 2012 11:45 AM EST reply actions

or is it on the bandwagon. I'm not good with bandwagons.

Lots of dudes in the south wear Jays hats. I yell "Go Jays". They respond. "Canada has baseball?"

by jay_fan_inda_swamp on Feb 3, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Drabek not in top 100 prospects

… in any of the lists I have seen for 2012. Quite a drop-off – I think he was 25th on the Baseball America list going into 2010 and 29th going into 2011.

by King Kelly on Feb 3, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Might be because he's no longer considered a prospect

by HDave on Feb 3, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 8 recs

Clarificatioin

Once the player no longer qualifies as a rookie, these type of lists usually drop them.

That’s why you won’t also find Thames and Alvarez on these lists either.

by siggian on Feb 3, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Would

he still have even made if he were eligible?

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by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Feb 4, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

That's the big question.

I get the impression the baseball world has forgotten about him. I haven’t.

Lots of dudes in the south wear Jays hats. I yell "Go Jays". They respond. "Canada has baseball?"

by jay_fan_inda_swamp on Feb 4, 2012 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

It’s not that quick a fix. He needs to be able to pitch in the zone effectively, and there’s plenty of failed prospects who never figure that out.

Drabek has a world of talent, and anyone saying he’s done needs their head examined. At the same time, he needs to establish his control around the strike zone, be able to throw his offspeed pitches for strikes, and learn how to get past a bad inning with his composure and focus intact. Personally, I think we’ll see him for sure, but I think it will only be as a spot starter unless there’s an injury or he can really prove he’s worked out the bulk of his issues in the minors.

by dexfarkin on Feb 3, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions