Troy Glaus - Articles - Zimbio

2008 MLB Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

Sun, 25 Feb 2008 03:19:27 GMT

posted by highlite15

Explanation of ratings system and other team previews here

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Ranks

Overall – 80 points (13th MLB, 7th AL)
Starting Rotation – 31 points (12th MLB, 7th AL)
Line-Up – 31 points (22nd MLB, 10th AL)
Bench/Bullpen/Defense – 18 points (2nd MLB, 2nd AL)

Offseason Additions – Scott Rolen, David Eckstein, Rod Barajas, Marco Scutaro
Offseason Subtractions – Troy Glaus, Josh Towers

Biggest Strength- Players you’ve never heard of

If the Blue Jays stay healthy, they are a real good team. If they are in the NL, they are a playoff team. But you would never know it because all of the media attention in their division goes to the Sox and the Yanks. When studying their roster, I found out a lot of players I just figured weren’t any good, were actually pretty decent. They have a pretty deep rotation, with a 3 pitchers any team would want at the bottom of their rotation in Dustin McGowan (25 years old, 4.08 ERA in 169.2 IP), Shaun Marcum (26, 4.13 ERA in 159 IP) and Jesse Litsch (22, 3.81 ERA in 111 IP). On the offensive side, Aaron Hill has become one of the best young 2B in the league, going for 78 RBI and 47 doubles at age 25.

Biggest Weakness- Health

If you told me that the 2 pitchers at the top of their rotation, Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett, as well as their dominant closer, B.J. Ryan, and their best hitter last year, Frank Thomas, would be healthy the entire year, I would pick this team to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, I just don’t see that happening. Burnett has only pitched 200 innings once since 2002, Ryan missed all but 4.1 innings in 2007, Frank Thomas can barely walk, and while Halladay has been healthy the last 2 seasons, his prior injury history leaves a lot to be desired. This team reminds of the Phillies of the last 5 years who have had the talent but just haven’t been able to put together an injury-free season.

Key Player in ’08 – Vernon Wells

After the Blue Jays rewarded Wells with a 7 year, 126 million dollar contract, he rewarded them with the worst season of his career (.245 BA, 16 HR, 80 RBI, .706 OPS). It is imperative for the Blue Jays that he comes back to form and proves to be a force in the middle of their line-up. I like their pitching, but they cannot rely on Frank Thomas to carry the offense again.

Player to Keep an Eye On – Scott Rolen

One of the strangest trades of the offseason had the Blue Jays and Cardinals swapping 3rd basement who seemed like they would never be healthy again. Personally, I think the Jays got the better of the deal because Glaus did PED’s and usually those players don’t make miraculous comebacks once they start downhill. Rolen, on the other hand, can be a top 3rd basemen, offensively and defensively, when healthy. He COULD be healthy this year, and if he is, he could help make this a very dangerous team.

Outlook/Prediction – 3rd Place, AL East. If there is a team in the AL that is going to come out and surprise, I believe it will be the Blue Jays. They have a deep rotation, good bullpen, and solid line-up (I didn’t even mention their best player, Alex Rios). However, they need a lot of things to go right - no injuries, young pitchers pitching well, and Thomas, Rolen and Wells having good years. If all this happens, they have the talent to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, as a Phillies fan, I know that regardless of how a team looks like on paper, things don’t always go right, and as long as the Red Sox and Yankees are around, this team seems doomed to have things go wrong.

For more MLB preview capsules and other baseball insights subscribe via:

Wilkerson To Blue Jays?

Thu, 2 May 2008 00:22:00 GMT

posted by mlbrumors
According to an AL executive, the Blue Jays have mild interest in outfielder Brad Wilkerson. A couple Blue Jay outfielders are struggling right now, so it would make sense to bring in the lefty to platoon with Shannon Stewart in left. Wilkerson doesn't have much success at Rogers Centre, but that really doesn't mean anything. He is familiar with playing on turf, which could come handy in the late innings defensive wise.

Wilkerson probably isn't the most ideal candidate to come in, but to get a quick fix, rather than someone like Kenny Lofton, who would need a rehab assignment, Wilkerson is your guy. Prospect Travis Snider is not ready to play everyday in the bigs yet, so bringing in Wilkerson should be able to help this season.

Blue Jays Have Short To-Do List

Mon, 30 Oct 2007 21:34:00 GMT

posted by mlbrumors
The Blue Jays do not have much to do this off season, but do have several players that need to be resigned. The Blue Jays have begun talks with Matt Stairs about a one year deal, in the range of 2-3 million dollars. Stairs, 40, has earned the opportunity to compete for the starting spot in the outfield next season after he hit .289 with 21 HR and 64 RBI. He is very important for the Blue Jays, who can also play him at first base, and to have the veteran in the clubhouse. Other than Stairs, the Blue Jays will look to bring Joe Kennedy back, but I am not sure why. Kennedy was 4-9 with a 4.80 ERA and 51 K. He made 2.8 million dollars and that will probably go down, but you'd think Ricciardi would put that money towards another pitcher. I suspect the Blue Jays will look for another Ted Lilly type pitcher-maybe Kyle Lohse. They do have money to spend and definitely need some help in their rotation and infield. Other than that, it is possible to see them trade Troy Glaus around the time of the Winter Meetings to a team who missed out on Alex Rodriguez. But since steroid allegations are surrounding Glaus, it might be hard to unload him.

Astros re-sign Ausmus: The Astros have resigned Brad Ausmus and have given him a one year deal. Although he will not be starting because J.R. Towles has been given the nod, he should help the Astros pitchers nonetheless.

Jays After Clemens?

Mon, 13 Nov 2007 21:51:00 GMT

posted by mlbrumors
The Toronto Blue Jays are seriously considering making a run for Roger Clemens, according to the Metro News Canada. Clemens, who pitched for the Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998, has said he would pitch if the right opportunity approached him, and I'm not sure the Blue Jays are that fit. Clemens fought off some leg problems this season and I think they would be taking a risk by bringing him in. Not only are they weak at the plate, but their bullpen was inconsistent at times, and they are playing in a division which is getting a lot better. He is slated to work with the Astros as a consultant and I think he would be wise to just call it a career. For now, it is just a rumor. I doubt that the Blue Jays would look to Clemens as a "must-sign," maybe as a fallback if all else fails.

Cubs trade another outfielder: The Cubs are making more room on their roster by trading Craig Monroe to the Twins for a minor league prospect. To me, this says the Twins are now behind Torii Hunter, but we will see what happens this week.

Blue Jays Looking To Trade Burnett

Mon, 6 Nov 2007 23:21:00 GMT

posted by mlbrumors
The Blue Jays landed A.J. Burnett in 2005 giving him a five year deal, worth 55 million dollars. However, the deal included an opt clause that gives him the option to walk. So it makes sense that if he does well, he will opt out and look to make more money on the market. The Blue Jays realize that and now plan to entertain offers for the right hander. Burnett was 10-8 with a 3.75 ERA, and has been fairly consistent with the Blue Jays during the past two seasons. I'm not sure what the Blue Jays would get for him because he is owed so much, but if they agree to pay some of the contract, I'm sure they could land a couple prospects and a pitcher. I expect the Diamondbacks, Reds, Phillies, Cardinals, and maybe Dodgers to be interested, among others. The Cardinals tried very hard to sign him but refused to give him an opt clause, so he signed with the Blue Jays. This is definitely a win-win for Burnett. Not only might he get traded to a contender, but if he is not happy where he is, all he has to do is stick it out for one more year and then he is on the market again.