Blue Jays bold predictions for 2017 season

Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) talk at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) talk at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Blue Jays
Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) talk at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The preseason schedule is nearing the halfway point of the spring and the Toronto Blue Jays sit nestled near the basement of the Grapefruit League with a 5-12 record. As Blue Jays fans push the proverbial panic button we need to remind everyone these games don’t count toward a playoff berth. If you recall the Chicago Cubs were 11-19 last spring and we all remember how that played out last October.

John Gibbons has been without Josh Donaldson and Devon Travis all spring as well as a handful of players fulfilling their World Baseball Classic obligations with the last names Bautista, Stroman, and Osuna. The entire starting staff has been eased into games at a snail’s pace and the likes of Troy Tulowitzki and others have been part-time players at best as the Manager attempts to lessen the load on his veterans.

This Blue Jays collection of players will be just fine and I would be willing to bet this squad eclipses the high standard set the previous two seasons. The pitching staff is second to none, the veterans are hungry and poised for redemption, while the new additions round out the lineup card nicely.

There is no doubt there are a couple question marks surrounding the first base and left field positions but these things have a way of working themselves out over the course of a 162 game season.

So here are my bold and mostly positive predictions for the Toronto Blue Jays season. Be sure to comment and share your own crystal ball forecast for the upcoming campaign.

Schedule