As 32 pitchers and seven catchers conducted their first workout Monday at the Toronto Blue Jays' spring training camp in Dunedin, Fla. — position players must report by Thursday — many of the questions surrounding the team at the end of last season remain.
Who will play second base and centre-field in 2015? Who's the closer? Who will follow R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle, Marcus Stroman and Drew Hutchison in the projected starting pitching rotation?
The uncertainty might lead one to believe general manager Alex Anthopoulos didn't do his job to help improve a team that has the longest current playoff drought in the major leagues at 21 years.
But that would be untrue. Here's a rundown of Anthopoulos's notable off-season moves as the Blue Jays attempt to best their 83-79 record of 2014 and gain a post-season berth.
The trade
Anthopoulos surprised many on Nov. 28 when he dealt Brett Lawrie, pitching prospects Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman, along with young shortstop Franklin Barreto to Oakland for third baseman Josh Donaldson.
The durable Donaldson (back-to-back seasons of 158 games) takes over the hot corner from the oft-injured Lawrie and should flourish in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre after combining for 53 home runs the past two seasons playing in pitcher-friendly Oakland. Over the past three seasons, Donaldson's on-base-plus slugging percentage was .843 on the road compared to .777 in Oakland. Lawrie, who hails from Langley, B.C., offered glimpses of star potential late in the 2011 season but struggled to stay healthy over the next three campaigns, missing nearly 40 per cent of the Jays' games.
The big signing
While some might view the Nov. 18 signing of Canadian free-agent catcher Russell Martin as a slight overpay (five years, $82 million US), he should make an immediate impact behind the plate working with young pitchers Aaron Sanchez, Daniel Norris, Stroman and Hutchison, like he did the previous two years in Pittsburgh. He also brings 15-20-homer power and strong leadership skills. On Monday, Martin drew a big crowd working with Norris.
The Melk Man's replacement
With the prospect of re-signing left-fielder Melky Cabrera fading, Anthopoulos jumped at the chance to secure fellow free agent Michael Saunders, who hadn't reached his potential in parts of five seasons with Seattle, acquiring him for left-hander J.A. Happ on Dec. 3. A glimpse of that potential was displayed in 2012 when the now 28-year-old Victoria native hit 19 home runs and stole 21 bases in a career-high 139 games. However, since the start of that season, Saunders has a .248 batting average and 39 homers in 349 contests. But he'll be playing left-field with a right-fielder's arm.
Lind sent packing
Fans that had grown tired of Adam Lind's injuries, lost power and seemingly lackadaisical approach were happy to hear the first baseman was headed to Milwaukee and out of the American League on Nov. 1. Lind hit 35 homers in 2009 but only 11, 23 and six in the past three seasons. In return, Anthopoulos picked up Marco Estrada, whose penchant for allowing homers (29 in 150 2/3 innings in 2014) won't be welcome at Rogers Centre, but he's a 31-year-old fireballer who struck out 127 batters last season and probably will be the Jays' long reliever.
Worthy gambles
Toronto's waiver claim on first baseman Justin Smoak, formerly of the Seattle Mariners, came and went quietly. After claiming him on Oct. 28, the Jays declined Smoak's $3.65-million option four days later, only to sign him for one year and $1 million the next day. Smoak gives Toronto a switch-hitter off the bench with power. He hit a career-best 20 homers in 2013, and the potential is there to return to that form.
Dalton Pompey's late-season audition gave Anthopoulos the flexibility to move fleet-footed centre-fielder Anthony Gose to Detroit in a Nov. 13 trade for second-base prospect Devon Travis, the Tigers' minor league player of the year in 2013. Gose, 24, hit just .226 in 94 games with Toronto while some scouts believe Travis has a chance to break camp with the Jays after hitting .298 with 10 homers and 52 RBIs in 110 games for double-A Erie last season.
Farewell, Cabrera, Janssen, Rasmus, et al
The addition of several players this off-season meant saying goodbye to others, including fan favourites Melky Cabrera and Casey Janssen, along with the inconsistent Colby Rasmus (.224 with 124 strikeouts in 104 games in 2014) and oft-injured pitchers Brandon Morrow and Dustin McGowan.
Here's a listing of where each will play in 2015:
- Cabrera: Signed a three-year, $42-million deal with Chicago White Sox on Dec. 16. His .301 average will be missed but Michael Saunders is a cheaper alternative who could post similar statistics.
- Janssen: Signed one-year contract with Washington, guaranteeing the ex-Jays closer $5 million. His 6.46 ERA post-2014 all-star break might have scared off Jays. Janssen's departure opens up a chance for lefty Brett Cecil or rookie Aaron Sanchez to be the stopper.
- Rasmus: Astros signed the centre-fielder for one year and $8 million. Blue Jays would prefer someone with just as much speed (Pompey or Kevin Pillar) and more upside to put the ball in play.
- McGowan: Will pitch long relief for Los Angeles Dodgers after signing one-year deal. A decent 2014 (4.17 ERA in 45 relief appearances, eight starts) but easily replaced.
- Morrow: Signed with San Diego on Dec. 17 for one year and $2.5 million, but could make as much as $8 million if he starts regularly. Toronto declined his $10 million option for 2015 after the 30-year-old was limited to 13 games (six starts, 5.67 ERA) in 2014 because of injury.
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