The Toronto Blue Jays look to become probable contenders yet again, judging by their potent lineup. They have exactly the same fundamental pieces from very last yr, moreover the luxurious of having Troy Tulowitski for a complete time in lieu of just per month.
Numerous concerns, nevertheless, could bring about final year’s American League runner-as much as knowledge a setback in 2016. The difficulty obtaining the most publicity is definitely the pending absolutely free company of the heart of their batting get, selected hitter Edwin Encarnacion and proper fielder Jose Bautista.
Much more rapid troubles may hurt signs toronto Toronto as early as Opening Day, such as the lineup that manufactured essentially the most offense in the Major Leagues final calendar year. All of their hearth energy swings from the ideal aspect on the plate, leaving the group inclined in a very division dominated by right handed pitchers.
The dearth of a left handed hitter put the Blue Jays at a downside in past year’s playoffs, and it was definitely a Consider their losses to Kansas Metropolis in the American League Championship collection. Part-time initial baseman Justin Smoak and backup catcher Dioneer Navarro ended up the only lefty options for supervisor John Gibbons, and Navarro departed over the winter to signal a totally free agent agreement While using the Chicago White Sox.
Lately acquired Michael Saunders, a swap hitter who invested his earlier a long time with the Seattle Mariners, could start off in left subject. In that case he could provide a decent still left hand bat, but he would need to strike somewhere in The underside half in the lineup.
The Jays even have switch hitting outfield prospect Dalton Pompey who, if he might have an impressive spring, could aid within the left facet. In 30 four video games with Toronto final 12 months Pompey appeared overmatched, hitting just.223 with two property operates.
Every leadoff hitter in the 2015 club is absent except Tulowitski, who was definitely miscast in that part. He has a lot of electricity and run output to generally be hitting without having just one on base. One other two leadoff Gentlemen have been traded, Jose Reyes towards the Colorado Rockies for Tulowitski eventually 12 months’s deadline, and Ben Revere towards the Washington Nationals over the Wintertime.
The group have to try to find a new solution at leadoff, nonetheless another person in the current lineup. The most beneficial in good shape could be Middle fielder Kevin Pillar. He strike.278 using a.310 on base percentage and twenty stolen bases final 12 months, when putting out just eighty five in 586 at bats.