Blue Jays Should Hold Players Accountable and Look Within to Right This Ship

We are less than 20% of the way through the 2013 MLB season and it is time for Alex Anothopolis to look at his assets in the minors to help save this season. I want to focus on the team’s position players in this article because these solutions can be found in Buffalo. Lets look at two Blue Jay position players and their season performance after Sundays loss to the NY Yankees;

Apr 11, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus (28) celebrates their win with Adam Lind (26) against the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

CF Colby Rasmus

DH Adam Lind

One important fact about this team is that with Jose Reyes(who only played 10 Games) on the disabled list, we are the only team in the American League East that does not have a batter with a .300 average or better. It will be tough to score and win when we can’t find ways to get guys on the base pad.

Now looking at the above two players, let me explain the under-performance. Colby Rasmus is a great defensive center fielder but the Blue Jays need more from this player. One reason he is so good defensively is his speed, yet he has yet to have a stolen base this season? He looks to be trying to sustain more power at the plate and a lot of power hitters sacrifice batting average for home runs and that lack of average usually shows up in a high strike out total. The problem here is that Colby only has 4 HRs and is striking out 45% of the time. We need Colby to focus more on getting on base and using the speed he has, rather than continue to end innings on strike three.

And then there is Adam Lind; One of the reasons so many fans love the American League is the ability to use the designated hitter over their pitcher on offense. Sorry Adam but these numbers do not seem to be any better than what a National League pitcher could do at the plate. Most players are easy to pinpoint as whether a speed hitter who finds ways to get on base or a power hitter who puts up big numbers while sacrifices things like steals. With these early numbers from Adam, the only way someone should be able to describe him is as a Minor League player.

Two viable options are playing in Buffalo and both played with the Blue Jays last year. The time is now for both Anthony Gose and Moises Sierra.

September 29, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Anthony Gose (43) and shortstop Yunel Escobar (5) and right fielder Moses Sierra (14) celebrate a win over the New York Yankees at the Rogers Centre. Toronto defeated New York 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Gose (2012 Toronto Blue Jays)

Batting Avg .223

Striking Outs 59(35.5% OF THE TIME)

Home Runs 1

Stolen Bases 15

Moises Sierra (2013 Buffalo Bisons)

Last year Anthony Gose came up to the big leagues and showed promise. He has been continuing to develop the bat but with these numbers from last year it is clear that having him come up and play CF for us would help us on the base path and put pressure on the opposing pitcher. His improvement in strike out percentage over Colby Rasmus will also be beneficial when we need to move a runner up a base or score a sacrifice fly.

Moises Sierra is another obvious choice to help in the teams run production. If he were to come up as the team’s DH to replace Adam Lind, the team would have a more reliable bat in the lineup who also shows a bit more giddy up on the base pad.

Both of these players seem to be in the Blue Jays plan for the future, now front office needs to be aggressive in bringing this talent back to Toronto.

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