how good do you think the blue jays will be next year?

Answer 1

depends what moves they make, but as it is, they do not have the talent to compete in the AL East yet, all their stars will just be one more year older, wells halladay, ryan, but anything can happen, alex rios might fully breakout into an mvp who knows

Answer 2

If Shawn Marcum pitches like he did this season, and they get some offensive help, they'll actually have a shot at winning 90 games.

First off, I think people tend to undervalue how good the pitching staff is on the Jays. They've improved from sixth to fifth to second from 2005-07 in team ERA. Halladay and Burnett (when healthy) are a very good 1-2 punch, and Dustin McGowan could be a star very soon. With Marcum in the four spot, that leaves only the last spot. Jesse Litsch pitched very well there in the second half (3.81 ERA), and I'd be more than happy if he repeated that performance. The bullpen was also outstanding, and should be better with Accardo moving back to the setup role with BJ in the closer's spot.

We need some help on the offensive side, though. Gregg Zaun is a servicable defensive catcher, but his OBP and power number have really slipped as gets into his late 30s. I think he belongs in the booth full-time, and we need to upgrade this position through free agency because there aren't any great young prospects in the pipe.

Overbay was terrible this season, with much of that due to the failure to overcome injuries. I'm fine with him at first again next year, and with both Aaron Hill and Troy Glaus, even with TG's injuries. John McDonald is a great defensive shortstop, but you can't have an everyday guy in your lineup with a .279 OBP. Again, we need to find somebody better, likely through an offseason signing or trade. He just drags down the bottom of the order.

In the outfied, we have 2/3 of a great outfield in Wells and Rios. I think it's time to cut loose the overrated Reed Johnson, who had one good season but is really way too much of a free swinger to have at the top of the lineup. It's time to let Adam Lind in there full time - even with growing pains, I believe he's a better option than Reed Johnson.

Finally, we need Frank Thomas to not have another terrible start. His final numbers were good (26 homers, .377 OBP), and a huge improvement over the days of using Zaun/Hinske as our DH, but I'd like him to do that all season.

If we can sign a couple of guys - especially at short and behind the plate - we actually have a chance to contend.

BDough - Good point about Gibbons, who I think should have been gone a year ago. Too bad Cito can't come back! I really think the players are going to be the biggest factor, but Gibbons' mismanagement of the bullpen - leaving guys in too long, especially - hurt us this year.

Answer 3

The Jays are a team on the rise with a good crop of young pitching. It might be a stretch to project them as a contender next year but they may not be more than two or three years away from contending.

Answer 4

Until MLB decides to move the Blue Jays to another division you can pretty much etch 3rd place in stone.

Answer 5

I think they have a good chance to improve over this season and hope to see them in the running for the AL east.

Answer 6

I agree with everything Craig S has said with one glaring thing he left out, a chnage in the dugout would benefit them well, you have a Manager that wants to fight with his own team too much...get someone in there to mold the team not to divide and conquer them.

Answer 7

Third Place they still aren't going to be Better then the RED SOX and YANKEES.

Answer 8

Same as this year.
Third in the Division.

I HOPE THEY BEAT THE YANKEES THOUGH!

Answer 9

they'll be a .500 team, no so much over, and not so much back