2015 Blue Jays: Reasons to Get Excited!

3 of 4

It is hard to believe that months of agonizing and waiting are nearly over. The Toronto Blue Jays are set to begin a series in Montreal and then head to New York for Opening Day 2015. This time of year tends to bring a little bit of excitement. Think back to the energy that circled this team after the “Miami” trade.

Toronto Blue Jays

That year, an army of talent infusion was supposed to take the Blue Jays to the promised land. Obviously, that didn’t work out. It is this kind of disappointment that has the Blue Jays bandwagon filling up and emptying more often than that old truck you used to drive. So, what is there to get excited about for this year? How will it be different?

The offense is going to be the main attraction with this team. Even though there is exciting, young pitching to watch, this team looks set to slug its way into competition. Speaking of young pitching, the excitement of watching young hurlers is going to be higher than in recent memory. With a large portion of the rotation and the bullpen considered “young” (and possibly inexpereinced) we will get the opportunity to see all the hard work put into scouting, drafting, and developing come to fruition. And, we’ll get to bear witness to this all in the context of a division that appears to be wide open.

So, here we go: 3 reasons to cast aside your skepticism and get excited for the 2015 season!

Next: Explosive Offense Will Carry 2015 Blue Jays

Mar 28, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10), third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) and shortstop Jose Reyes (7) talk against the Atlanta Braves at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Offense

Jose Reyes
Russell Martin
Jose Bautista
Edwin Encarnacion
Josh Donaldson

1-5, this Blue Jays squad is looking pretty impressive. With Reyes hitting lead off and coming off a year where he slashed .287/.328/.398 he’ll be protected by the thump that is waiting in the wings behind him. If he gets on base, he’ll be able to use his speed to disrupt the opposing pitcher. He also stole 30 bases last year. Adding Russell Martin to this mix brings a career .354 OBP (.402) last season.

Youth

For years we’ve been hearing about GM Alex Anthopoulos focusing on building a sustainable winner.

Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-3

MLB Probable Pitchers for Saturday, September 17 (Who's Starting for Every MLB Team?) /

Betsided

Orioles vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Odds for Saturday, September 17th (Bradish Continues Stellar Stretch) Betsided

Orioles Series Preview: Battling the Blue Jays Once More Birds Watcher

Orioles vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Odds for Friday, September 16 (Toronto is Getting Hot at Right Time) Betsided

MLB Probable Pitchers for Friday, September 16 (Who's Starting for Every MLB Team?) Betsided

MLB Weather Report for Friday, September 16 (What's the Forecast for Every MLB Team and Matchup Today?) Betsided

In order to do so, he’s spent a lot of time and energy on scouting, drafting and developing his organizational depth. Some of that becomes human capital and nets you stars like Josh Donaldson. But, then the rest of it comes knocking on the door of the Rogers Centre. That is the case this year. And, it is exciting.

Daniel Norris is slated to be the #3 starter in this year’s rotation. There are those who believe that the spot in the rotation doesn’t really mean anything. But, given that this means he’ll close out the first series of the season does. His fellow rookie, Aaron Sanchez will round out the rotation in the 5th spot. Norris is 21. In fact, he’ll make a few starts before he even turns 22. Sanchez is 22. Heck, even the Opening Day starter, Drew Hutchison is only 24. It is quite exciting to think about the potential that these guys bring and could bring for years to come!

Mar 25, 2015; Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side of the ball, we have the emergence of up the middle talent that could bring stability to their positions that has not been seen around here in a long time. Dalton Pompey and Devon Travis are bringing that stability and excitement. The fact that neither has MLB experience for us to feel incredibly comfortable, they more than make up for it with potential. While they are rookies and will likely have dry spells, there is nothing to indicate they will be a wash or as big a question mark as, say, Ryan Goins was heading into last season. Travis and Pompey can hit. They can get on base. And, they can play defense. Oh, and they can run the bases. What more can you ask for. Like their pitching brethren, they are young, exciting and here for a long time!

Then we come to the bullpen that hosts 20 year olds Miguel Castro and Roberto Osuna. All we need to do is watch them pitch and we get excited for the future. They’ll ease into the big league experience from the bullpen. But, their future could very well lead them to take the rotation spots that R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle will vacate. Or, they could carve a niche for themselves in the ‘pen. But, for right now, they’ll have the opportunity to light up the radar gun and big league hitters. At 20!

Again, so as not to appear a homer, one could become a little leery of starting so many youngsters. But, this list is not exactly full of roster lugging, getting their feet wet rookies. No, these kids have shown they’re ready to compete. And, the Blue Jays need all the help they can if they are going to compete for the division title.

Next: AL East There for the Taking

Aug 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) watches during batting practice before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Competition

The American League East appears to be more up for grabs than it has in years. And, if the Blue Jays are going to grab a division title for the first time in Castro and Osuna’s lifetime, this may be the year.

The New York Yankees are still old. The New York Yankees still have Alex Rodriquez. They will run a lineup out there that has holes and question marks. They are hoping that Masahiro Tanaka and C.C. Sabathia can return to dominant form. Perhaps the only real given is their defense being improved. They’ll have Did Gregorius to take over for the icon, Derek Jeter. And, if a healthy Mark Teixeira can be seen, he’ll help anchor the infield. But, the club’s failure to make any real, significant additions beyond Andrew Miller leaves them vulnerable.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Red Sox made more moves than any team in the division this winter. Their offense very well could rival that of the Blue Jays…could. Outside of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, this team is putting a lot of hope in guys like Shane Victorino and Mookie Betts. Can Mike Napoli have a bounce back year? On the other side, they’ve made a massive upgrade to their rotation. Or, have they? They’ll run out a rotation of #3 starters who live off the ground ball. Is this a recipe for disaster?

The Orioles lost Nelson Cruz and Mick Markakis, which accounts for a chunk of the offense. Matt Weiters’ health is still questionable. Will they be able to get a full season out of Manny Machado? And, can the unlikely success of the rotation continue from last season? What is up with Ubaldo Jimenez? Will earn his contract? Is Buck Showalter enough for this team to compete? Will they actually be relying on Travis Snider and J.P. Arencibia?

The Rays are…the Rays. They have very little offense behind Evan Longoria. The rotation is questionable and has health issues at the moment. Can Kevin Cash make up for the loss of Joe Maddon? This team has had years of success operating as a smart, small market team. With that comes a few years of losing. Is this another one of those years? Or, will they somehow find some of that magic?

For the first time in many years, the Blue Jays may be poised to strike at a division that appears ripe for the taking. The combination of a very potent offense, exciting youth and a weaker division makes for an exciting time to be a Blue Jays fan! Buckle up!

Next: Blue Jays Say Goodbye to Spring Training

Home / Toronto Blue Jays News