Blue Jays bold predictions for 2017 season

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.

Jose Bautista Will Hit 40 Bombs

Jose Bautista is healthy and in midseason form ready to prove to the baseball world once again why he is one of the premier sluggers in the game. Joey Bats will re-establish himself as one of the most feared power hitters in the game.

The right fielder has dominated Grapefruit League action as well as leading the Dominican Republic offensive charge at the World Baseball Classic. The 36-year old appears rejuvenated and ready to carry the Blue Jays on his back right to the postseason once again.

I am not going to go as far to say the Bautista will win the AL MVP honors, but I will put my money where my mouth is and throw out 40 round trippers in 2017. That is 40 big flies catapulting the Blue Jays offence like it is 2010 all over again.

A .280/40 HR/115 RBI/ 100 BB season is not out of the question for the bat-flipping, adopted Canadian son. The slugger is going to make 29 major league teams regret not giving him a legitimate free agent sniff this offseason. The Bautista/Donaldson/Morales trio will be one of the most explosive lumber-touting trios in 2017.

You don’t wake the sleeping giant, and the Dave Dombrowski’s of the baseball world have awakened the giant north of the border. Be prepared for giant power numbers.

Kendrys Morales Will Make You Forget About Edwin Encarnacion

The Toronto Blue Jays faithful were decimated this offseason when the clutch hitting Edwin Encarnacion fled the country for financial freedom in Cleveland. The Jays brain-trust was scrutinized all offseason by many for locking up Kendrys Morales too hastily and not slow-playing the market.

Well, kids, I am here to tell you by midseason, Eddie and the imaginary parrot will be a distant memory after Morales has won the affection of fans from near and far with his tape measure home runs. The 3 year/ $33 million dollar deal Morales signed will be one of the best bargains of the offseason come the fall.

The switch-hitting designated hitter has never played in a homer-friendly confine like the Rogers Centre consistently in his career. Morales hasn’t missed a beat with his new team destroying Grapefruit League pitching hitting .474 with two home runs in 19 at-bats.

Look for Morales to hit .285 with 37 home runs and a century worth of runs batted in in 2017. A stat line that will be better than that of Encarnacion’s once the season has come and gone. Furthermore, manager John Gibbons will utilize Morales at first base more than anyone had anticipated or predicted and it will surprisingly be a success.

Morales the Monster in 2017!

Devon Travis Finally Lives Up To Expectations

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis has been snakebitten, to say the least over the course of the past two seasons. Travis just saw game action for the first time yesterday, getting in some swings in a minor league contest. The timeline is cloudy for Travis as he recovers from a deep bone bruise and offseason knee surgery.

The spark plug has the ability to drag out at-bats and make pitchers work every time he digs into the box. Travis looks old beyond his years with a bat in his hand, and is the perfect compliment to the Blue Jays lineup at the top of the order.

Travis was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Anthony Gose and even with the injury issues, the Blue Jays have still undoubtedly won the trade.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this year is finally the season Travis remains off the disabled list and contributes at the top of the order for an extended period of time. Travis has .300, 15 HR, 85 RBI potential setting the table for the big boppers.

The next week or so will be the telltale sign whether Travis makes the trip north for opening day. Regardless he is not far off and once healthy, will live up to expectations and put the injury troubles behind him.

Next: Blue Jays seeing what they want from Jose Bautista in WBC