TORONTO BLUE JAYS 2012
For 2011 Opening Day roster, click HERE. For End-of-Season roster, click HERE.
*Players on the 40-man roster: BOLD.
*Players who are injured: +
*Players who are Out of Options: ##
*Baseball America '12 pre-season prospect rankings: BLUE #
*Baseball Prospectus '12 pre-season prospect rankings: GREEN #
•Las Vegas (AAA)/ New Hampshire (AA)
•Dunedin (Hi-A)/ Lansing (Lo-A)/ Rookie Levels
'MLBDepthCharts Magazine' includes this roster projection feature but includes additional info, such as player age, 2011 level and stats, 2012 salary and contract info in an easy-to-read, printer-friendly pdf file and excel spreadsheet.
*40-man roster total (39)
*Projected 2012 Payroll: est. $79,000,000 according to MLBDC Magazine
OPENING DAY ROSTER (*indicates left-handed batter **indicates switch-hitter)
Starting Lineup (Click HERE to see last 7 lineups)
1 SS Yunel Escobar
2 2B Kelly Johnson*
3 RF Jose Bautista
4 1B Adam Lind*
5 DH Edwin Encarnacion
6 3B Brett Lawrie
7 LF Eric Thames*
8 C J.P. Arencibia
9 CF Colby Rasmus*
Bench
C Jeff Mathis
IF Omar Vizquel**
OF Rajai Davis
OF Ben Francisco
Starting Rotation
1 LHP Ricky Romero
2 RHP Brandon Morrow
3 RHP Joel Carreno
4 RHP Henderson Alvarez
5 RHP Kyle Drabek
Bullpen
CL RHP Sergio Santos
SU RHP Francisco Cordero
SU RHP Casey Janssen
MID LHP Darren Oliver
MID RHP Jason Frasor
MID LHP Luis Perez ##
LR RHP Carlos Villanueva
Disabled List
Pitchers
•RHP Alan Farina + UPDATE 2/21 - placed on 60-Day DL (recovery from June 2011 Tommy John surgery)
•RHP Jesse Litsch + UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 26th (shoulder tendinitis)
•RHP Dustin McGowan + UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 26th (plantar fascitis)
Optioned to Minors
Position Players
1B David Cooper* BA#22
SS Adeiny Hechavarria BA#13 BP#20
IF/OF Mike McCoy
OF Travis Snider*
LHP Evan Crawford
Major League Free Agents
Position Players
C Jose Molina (11/28: signed w/TB)
Pitchers
RHP Shawn Camp (2/6: signed w/SEA)
RHP Frank Francisco (12/6: signed w/NYM)
RHP Jon Rauch (12/6: signed w/NYM)
Minor League Free Agents
Position Players
C Ryan Budde (11/15: signed w/ARI)
1B/OF Ryan Shealy
IF Manny Mayorson (12/18: signed w/WAS)
IF/OF Jayson Nix (11/23: signed w/NYY)
OF Jason Lane (12/9: signed w/ARI)
OF DeWayne Wise* (1/4: signed w/NYY)
Pitchers
RHP Winston Abreu (1/19: signed w/BAL)
RHP Chad Gaudin (1/4: signed w/MIA)
RHP Reidier Gonzalez
RHP B.J. LaMura
RHP Robert Ray (11/22: signed w/MIA)
RHP P.J. Walters (12/14: signed w/MIN)
LHP Jesse Carlson (12/8: signed w/BOS)
LHP Sean Henn (11/17: signed w/SEA)
LHP Wil Ledezma (11/26: signed w/LAD)
Lost off Waivers/Released/Traded
Position Players
•IF/OF Mark Teahen* UPDATE 1/9 - DFA'd UPDATE 1/17 - cleared waivers and released UPDATE 2/6 - signed minor league deal with Nationals
•IF/OF Luis Valbuena* ## UPDATE 4/4 - lost off waivers to Cubs
Pitchers
•RHP Myles Jaye UPDATE 1/1 - traded to White Sox
•RHP Cole Kimball BA#7 + likely out until mid-2012 (rotator cuff surgery) UPDATE 11/18 - lost off waivers to Washington
•RHP Nestor Molina UPDATE 12/6 - traded to White Sox
•RHP Daniel Webb UPDATE 1/1 - traded to White Sox
•LHP Frank Gailey UPDATE 12/12 - traded to Phillies
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
OFFSEASON PREVIEW posted 9/27/2011
Considered to be a team on the rise, the Jays could be a force in 2012. GM Alex Anthopoulos has assembled a team that should compete in a very tough AL East. He does have a few holes to fill this offseason, however. Picking up the $3.5 million club option on Edwin Encarnacion could be his first line of business after the 28 year-old had a huge second half with a .291 BA, 11 HR and 32 BB in 64 games. Re-signing free agent second baseman Kelly Johnson might be a priority after he put together a strong performance (.780 OPS) since being acquired from Arizona.
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Encarnacion has a $3.5 million club option for 2012.
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
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The offense should be very good, especially if Colby Rasmus can bounce back from a terrible season. Since being acquired from St. Louis before the trade deadline, the 25 year-old has hit .181 with 3 HR, 5 BB, and 36 K in 33 games. He has battled a wrist injury, which could be the cause of his decline. With the potential to hit 30 home runs annually, Jays fans have to be excited about having him for a full season despite his struggles in 2011.
Jose Bautista has proven that last year was no fluke. He is a legitimate superstar and there's no reason to believe he'll slow down in 2012. The addition of Brett Lawrie for a full season could make the biggest difference. In 43 games, the 21 year-old hit .293 with 9 HR, 8 2B, 4 3B, 16 BB, and 7 SB. His defense at third base, which was expected to be a concern, actually drew praise so he should be able to stick at the hot corner. Leadoff hitter Yunel Escobar bounced back to have a good year after being acquired from Atlanta in 2010 and Eric Thames has done a good job in the #2 spot in the lineup. While top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud (.914 OPS in Double-A) is on the fast track, J.P. Arencibia (.220 BA, 23 HR, 78 RBI) should be able to hold down the starting job for one more season.
Ricky Romero (15-11, 2.92 ERA), Brandon Morrow (4.78 ERA, 196 K in 173.1 IP), and rookie Henderson Alvarez (3.65 ERA in 9 starts) give the Jays a solid trio for the 2012 rotation but finding another starter could be Anthopoulos' top priority this winter. Dustin McGowan returned after missing nearly three years with shoulder trouble. He's still throwing in the mid-90's and has looked very good at times since returning earlier this month but the 29 year-old will have to win a spot in Spring Training and could ultimately be a better fit in the bullpen. Brett Cecil, Kyle Drabek, Brad Mills, and Carlos Villanueva will also compete for rotation spots and Double-A pitchers Drew Hutchison, Deck McGuire, and Nestor Molina all have the potential to reach the big leagues next season.
Closer Frank Francisco has had an up-and-down season. After beginning the season on the DL, he blew three of his first eight save opportunities and then lost the job by mid-season. An injury to Jon Rauch has given him another chance, however, and he's taken advantage by saving six games in six chances and posting a 1.42 ERA since the All-Star break. Good timing since he'll be a free agent at season's end and the Jays don't have any other experienced options. Rauch has a $3.75 million club option but he hasn't had a great year (4.85 ERA, 11 Sv in 16 chances). Casey Janssen has been very good (6-0, 2.33 ERA, 2 Sv, 7 Hld) and Jesse Litsch (4.08 ERA, 28.2 IP, 20 H, 10 BB, 30 K) looks very comfortable since being moved to the 'pen. Rookie Joel Carreno has also been impressive in his first 11 big league appearances (1.15 ERA) but might fit better in the middle of the bullpen as opposed to an 8th or 9th inning role this early in his career. If Francisco isn't re-signed, look for the Jays to be aggressive in acquiring a reliable closer.
•UPDATE 10/31 - Encarnacion had his club option exercised. Rauch had his declined.
•UPDATE 12/6 - Closer Sergio Santos was acquired from the White Sox for pitching prospect Nestor Molina. That's one huge offseason hole that is now filled.
•UPDATE 12/7 - Johnson has accepted arbitration so he'll return as the team's starting second baseman.
•UPDATE 12/6 - Closer Sergio Santos was acquired from the White Sox for pitching prospect Nestor Molina. That's one huge offseason hole that is now filled.
•UPDATE 12/7 - Johnson has accepted arbitration so he'll return as the team's starting second baseman.
Offseason Needs: Starting Pitcher(s), Setup Man
Potential Position Battles: TBD
Posts
31 comments:
Do you think that there is a chance they give Janssen a shot at the closer job? It looked to me as if he was one of their best if not the best reliever this year for them.
Agree he was probably their best reliever this season. I think he fits better as a 7th or 8th inning setup man but if they can't acquire an experienced closer, he could get a shot. A contending team is going to need at least 3 very good relievers and the Jays have Janssen and a bunch of question marks at this point.
Move Lawrie to 2B... Bautista back to 3B... Acquire a big OF or DH or 1B bat.
Don't see Lawrie moving back to 2B. Most thought he wasn't cut out for the infield and he'd have to move to RF or LF. I think he's been better than expected at 3B after one year and there's no reason to move him again. Bautista is comfortable in RF, too. They'll find a 2B this winter. Probably their top priority.
3B and 2B talent is hard to find... OF is easier. That's why Bautista is more valuable at 3B.
Lawrie would be a great 2B bat wise...
Find a corner OF (Unless Snyder/Thames really rock)
I heard they were close to a deal w/Beltran. Is this true?
Doubt it. They have OF depth right now. Have heard a bunch of teams interested. Now that Willingham is off the board, he could go soon.
Another starter would be a nice addition. Would hate to get tied down to a long term deal considering what is currently out there.
It makes Oswalt rather appealing on a one year deal.
Oswalt would be a great fit on a 1-yr deal. Unfortunately, since the 1-yr deal has been thrown out there, the number of teams pursuing him has probably increased. Lots of competition. I wonder if they go after Matt Garza. Has had success in the AL East.
I like Edwin Jackson because of his age compared to Oswalt's (even though they had Jackson for all of 2 hours last year).
I'm guessing Jackson gets at least 3 years and $30M. Probably asking for at least 5 years and $60M and that's why it's taking so long for him to sign. Expensive for a guy who can be so inconsistent. Not sure if Jays want to pay that much for him, although they wouldn't have to trade any prospects away.
Do you think they give Travis Snider one more shot? Are they sold on Thames over Snider in LF, and Encarnacion at DH? Do they keep him in AAA or on the bench, or is it in their best interests to trade him?
So excited to see what Lowrie can do in a full season. So much energy and raw power. Especially in a division full of HR ball parks look out.
I'd also put money on Rasmus hitting 30 dingers as well. The guy has so much pop but a Nuke Laloosh 10 cent head, so i'm very curious to see how he plays in a full season north of the border and in a very difficult division with a number of tough lefties.
Jay,
Unless Snider is traded, he'll get a long look in Spring Training again. Don't see him on the bench. Still young and needs everyday AB's. The current projection is based on how the 2011 season ended. Thames was hitting well out of the #2 spot and Encarnacion had a huge 2nd half. Doesn't mean they're sold on either.
Re next comment - Lowrie and Rasmus
Based on what Lowrie did in his short stint, he looks like a future star. It was a small sample but scouts had been raving about his bat before his call-up. Definite 30-30 potential. I'm very interested to see how Rasmus does in 2012. Very disappointing season in 2011 but he may have been affected by injury.
does Litsch have any options remaining? If he doesn't wouldn't you figure that Carreno is the odd man out in the Pen.
Litch makes this team over Carreno...
MW
Change made. Carreno was impressive in his short late-season stint and has the upside to be a setup man, which is why I didn't want to remove him. However, if Litsch is out of options, which I believe he is, I think he pitched well enough in relief over his last several appearances to earn a spot in the 'pen. Adding Santos, Oliver, and Frasor gives the Jays a chance to be a very solid bullpen.
IMO Kelly Johnson more than proved he's worthy of the 2 spot by putting up an OBP a full 50 points higher than Thames in his (allbeit short) time in Toronto. His career splits are pretty much identical too, for me he and Escobar go 1,2 just as when they were in ATL
Thames slumped during the last month but he had an overall .836 OPS from the #2 spot in 288 AB's. Gotta think that gives him an edge going into Spring Training although there's always a chance Johnson hits well enough to jump up in the lineup.
Thames is a defensive liability and is merely a band-aid to stop the bleeding until Snyder`s able to get his **** together (his defense is definately MLB ready it`s just a matter of getting him to have a more consistant approach at the plate).
If Snyder isnt able to do so by mid season then that leaves both of them out of a job (and a lot of holes in the Jays line-up mind you).
IMO trade them while there`s still value.
Thames is just going to be another Corey Patterson type player, not good enough to start (in the AL East).
I sincerely hope Snyder forces AA's hand & seeing as he`s only 23 and knowing how much faith that the Jays have put in his abilities, I see him patrolling LF in Toronto for time to come.
I don't see the Jays eating a million dollar contract (Litsch) just so they can get a 2nd lefty into the pen.
Perez is out of options and he's likely to make around $500K compared to Litsch's $975K. I don't see money being a factor in this one. It's likely to be a spring training battle between those two and maybe a few others.
Koby Clemens was signed today should play 3rd in AAA
I'm only putting players on this page who will be in big league camp. Not sure yet if Clemens received an invite.
They signed VandenHurk to a major league deal and he's out of options? I think he makes the club.
It's a non-guaranteed split contract, so they don't owe him anything if he doesn't make the team and they pay him a minor league salary if he happens to clear waivers and go to the minors. He's in the running for the long relief role, according to Farrell.
Snider taking the lead in the LF race with ten RBI?
Nah. Spring Training RBI's don't mean anything. Farrell keeps mentioning that Thames ended the year as the starter, meaning Snider will have to outplay him by a wide margin if he is going to unseat him. Not out of the question, though.
So many dingers 1 through 9. No breaks, especially in all the miniature AL East ballparks
I say the Jays should move Lawrie to 2nd, move Joey Bats to 3rd, trade Adam Lind and a prospect for Carlos Lee (1B of Houston), and make Kelly Johnson play RF. Bam. World Series
But how is an aging Lee better than Lind?
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