The Hot Corner- Midseason Report Card 2010: Toronto Blue Jays

The Hot Corner – Midseason Report

by: The Hot Corner Guest Columnist, Patrick McKenna

The dog days of summer days are finally upon us: school is finally out, the beautiful beach weather is here, and the boys of summer are in full swing. The first half of the 2010 MLB season has brought us many great storylines including perfect games, no-hitters, some surprising teams, and the emergence of some great young players. With the All-Star game marking the mid-way point of this 2010 MLB season, we take a look back at the first half of the season and evaluate each team to this point. In the first part of this three part series, we take an in-depth look at the Toronto Blue Jays so far this season.

Toronto Blue Jays

Record: 43-44

.494win%, 12.5 GB

GM: Alex Anthopoulos

Manager: Cito Gaston

This was supposed to be a long, re-building year for the Toronto Blue Jays. Many, including myself, predicted they would struggle mightily after the loss of ace Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies. With no clear number one starter in their young, inexperienced pitching rotation, along with many question marks surrounding their offence, this looked to be a team that was destined to finish near the cellar of the AL. However, the Jays stormed out of the gate and had a monster month of May finishing with a 31-22 record and setting a team record with 53 long balls in the month. The team was surprising many, clicking on all levels with clutch hitting, lots of power, and solid pitching. They were as high as 3.5GB of the leaders of the powerful AL East at one point but then the month of June hit, and as the temperatures outside began to heat up, the Jays bats began to cool. The Jays had a dismal record of 9-17 in the month of June and are limping into the All-Star break. The Jays continue to lead the Majors in home runs as they currently have 132, however their combined team batting average is a woeful .239 and on many nights have trouble scoring enough runs to support their consistently steady rotation. Their enigmatic bullpen has also had a roller coaster of a first half, as they have at times been lights out while at other times been infuriatingly inconsistent and unable to hold leads. One of the downfalls of the Jays is that they continue to struggle against their AL East opponents, with a current record of 13-15 against the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Orioles. It will be interesting to see what transpires as the second half of the season moves forward, but it is safe to predict that the Jay will most likely continue to maintain their 4^{th place position in the extremely competitive AL East. The Jays should and will no doubt be sellers at the trade deadline and first year GM Alex Anthopoulos has some pieces that he can move and hopefully get a good return (see: Overbay, Bautista, Frasor, Downs).}Right now, we take a look at each position player along with the starting rotation and the bullpen and assess how they did in the first half of the Blue Jays 2010 Season.

Position Players

^{Jose Bautista, OF}

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^{^Analysis:}Bautista began the season as the Jays starting right fielder and leadoff hitter. He has surprised everyone with his strong play at the plate, and is currently leading the Majors in home runs and his team in almost every offensive category. He had surpassed his career high in home runs a few weeks ago and has moved into the middle of the batting order. Bautista was deservedly announced to his first Midsummer classic this past week.

^{^Outlook:}Although Bautista’s batting average is somewhat low, it is consistent with his career marks and Jays fans are ecstatic over his offensive production thus far, coupled with his consistent defensive play. It’s tough to envision Bautista maintaining his current pace and winning the MLB Home Run crown, but barring any major slumps or injuries, he should continue to help score runs for a Jays offense that desperately needs it. Look for GM Alex Anthopoulos to shop Bautista as the trade deadline approaches as there are several teams looking to make a late season push that are said to be interested in him. He would be of great help to many teams in the league.

^{John Buck, C}

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^{^Analysis:}Buck was signed in the off season to replace departed catcher Rod Barajas and has played extremely well, earning his first call to the All-Star Game next week. He had been solid at the plate putting up above average offensive numbers for a catcher. Most importantly, he has worked extremely well as the second half of the Jays battery with the Jays young pitching staff; providing a much needed calming, reassuring presence behind the plate. He has called some excellent games and his defence has consistently improved as the season has moved along.

^{^Outlook:}Buck should continue to be consistent both at and behind the plate for the Jays. He has steadily improved as the season has gone on and the Jays hope he can continue to work well with the pitching staff and provide solid hitting at the bottom of the order.

^{Edwin Encarnacion, 3B}

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^{^.210}

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^{^Analysis:}: Encarnacion was hoping for a fresh start and looking to prove he could be the Jays everyday third baseman this year after coming over in the Scott Rolen trade in 2009; however things have not gone well. He made offseason headlines for blowing up fireworks in his face and the free swinging third baseman had an early season shoulder problem which landed him on the DL. He has been wildly inconsistent both in the field and at the plate, with his hitting being similar to fireworks: short quick burst of power, few and far in between. He has recently been recalled to the big team after being designated for assignment on June 21^st, and has so far seemed to respond well.

^{^Outlook:}It will be interesting to see if Encarnacion can find some sort of consistent approach at the plate. If he cannot, look for him to continue to sit on the bench or bounce around between the big leagues and the minors, with Jose Bautista getting most of the playing time at third base.

^{Alex Gonzalez, SS}

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^{^Analysis:}After the departure of UFA Marco Scutaro last winter, the Jays signed SS Alex Gonzalez to a much cheaper one year deal, and it has paid off immensely. Gonzalez has been a pleasant surprise hitting 16 homers and 47 RBIs so far. He has cooled off in the month of June, but his strong defensive play and chemistry with 2B Aaron Hill has resulted in the Jays currently being tied for 2^nd in the AL in double plays turned.

^{^Outlook:}It is doubtful that Gonzalez will be able to keep up his hot hitting as the season moves forward, but he will continue to get playing time due to his strong defensive play. He may also be shopped as the deadline approaches as he is a FA at the end of the year.

^{Aaron Hill, 2B}

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^{^Analysis:}What began as an early season slump slowly became a nightmare of a first half for the former All Star and Silver Slugger. After his monster season last year, Hill and Adam Lind were hailed as the new future of the Jays, as both were supposed to bring great defence and all around excellent offensive numbers to the team for years to come. However, after Hill’s brutal start to the year he was never able to turn things around, and has been absolutely horrid at the plate, with a batting average below the Mendoza line. Hill has also battled small injuries throughout the first half, which have not helped. On the bright side, Hill continues to provide sparkling defence on the field.

^{^Outlook:}If the Jays are going to have any sort of turnaround to their season and want to be competitive down the stretch, they are going to need Aaron Hill to greatly increase his production at the plate. Hill is supposed to be the cornerstone of the Jays offence, yet has been anything but so far this year. It’s time he starts to show that last year was not a fluke. We aren’t too concerned about Hill and his lack of production; it will come as the season moves on.

^{Fred Lewis, OF}

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^{^Analysis:}Lewis was acquired by the Jays on April 16^th from the San Francisco Giants with the intention of being a solid extra outfielder and a left handed bat off the bench. However Lewis has impressed everyone with the Jays and has earned himself regular playing time in the outfield. Lewis brings aspects to the Jays that they have lacked in many years: a true leadoff man who has great speed and can steal bases once he gets on. His happy go lucky positive attitude has fit in well with the Jays in their clubhouse.

^{^Outlook:}As long as Lewis can keep putting the ball in play, he should continue to be the Jays everyday leadoff batter. With the Jays struggling to score runs, it would be nice if manager Cito Gaston gave Lewis the green light to try to steal more bases and wreak havoc on the base paths in the hopes of manufacturing some runs for the run starved Blue Jays.

^{Adam Lind, OF/1B}

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^{^Analysis:}Much like Aaron Hill, Adam Lind is one of the cornerstones of the Jays offence, yet has struggled heavily in the first half of 2010. Lind and Hill find themselves in almost mirror situations: both had breakout years last year and both have been absolutely terrible this year at the plate, unable to get out of their season long slump. Since Lind has been the DH for most of the year, he has been somewhat useless as he is there to hit the ball but has failed to do so.

^{^Outlook:}Lind has gotten a few appearances at 1B this year, and don’t be surprised if he ends up there to finish the season if impending free agent Lyle Overbay gets moved at the trade deadline. As the Jays moved into the All Star break, Lind looks to be breaking out of his season long slump, as he appears to be seeing the ball better and hitting it well. Hopefully Lind can turn things around and show that he can put up numbers like he did last year on a consistent basis.

^{LYLE OVERBAY, 1B}

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^{^Analysis:}Overbay has been a fan favourite whipping boy the last few years with the Jays as his lack of power and constant hitting into double plays has infuriated fans. Overbay has below average power for a first baseman, a position that is known as a power position; however he has always had a consistent average and is often able to find the gaps. Perhaps Overbay’s greatest strength is his solid play in the field at first base, as he has only committed 4 errors so far this year.

^{^Outlook:}It is hard to think that Overbay will be a Blue Jay by the time the season is over. Overbay is a free agent after this season and it would be in the best interest of the team to try to move him at the trade deadline, as there is not much point in bringing him back with the talent the Jays currently have on the team and in the farm system. The Jays can hopefully get a decent return on him as he tends to heat up in the second half and could help any playoff hopeful team down the stretch.

^{VERNON WELLS, OF}

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^{^Analysis:}After signing his massive 7yr/$126M contract in 2008, Vernon Wells has been anything but deserving of those dollar numbers, with last year being an absolutely terrible season for the 31 year old. He was met with scepticism when at the beginning of the season he claimed he played injured for the majority of last year and that he was fully recovered to start this year and would prove his worth. So far, Wells has lived up to his promise, leading or at the top of almost every offensive category for the team while continuing to provide solid defence patrolling centre field for the Jays.

^{^Outlook:}By the time the season ends, Wells should be able to claim every major offensive category on the team, barring any injuries or nasty slumps. If Hill and Lind can regain their form, the three could combine to strike fear into opposing pitchers while scoring plenty of runs, which is exactly what the Blue Jays need if they want to be successful. Nevertheless, it is nice to finally see Wells fully healthy and finally producing for the Jays, and showing critics and fans that he can still play (although maybe never to the level of his overpriced contract).

^BENCH
^{^{Grade: B}}
^{^Analysis:}The Jays have had solid performances by their bench players so far this year. The most impressive being backup catcher Jose Molina who has also worked extremely well with the Jays young pitching staff and has recently heated up at the plate, earning him extra playing time at DH. Travis Snider still has not been able to consistently move his game to the big leagues and continues to improve. Mike McCoy and John MacDonald have been solid utility men who have performed well when called into action. Recently signed Dwayne Wise has done well as he has earned a good amount of playing time since joining the Jays.
^{^Outlook:}Look for Molina to continue to get playing time as the season progresses if he can keep up his strong showing at the plate. As the season moves along and depending on how things go at the trade deadline, Travis Snider will probably get another opportunity to prove he can play in the bigs.

^{STARTING ROTATION}
^{^{Grade: B+}}
^{^Analysis:}With the departure of Roy Halladay in the offseason and the lack of experience, the Blue Jays starting rotation was supposed to be a glaring hole throughout the 2010 season. However, the Jays rotation has shown critics and fans that the kids are alright, as they have been very impressive so far in this year. Ricky Romero, Shaun Marcum, Brandon Morrow, and Brett Cecil have all shown they can compete very well in the big leagues and at times have dominated hitters, while at other times they have struggled. Manager Cito Gaston has done a great job of protecting his young arms, managing their innings very well. The 5^th rotation spot has been filled by committee with Brian Tallet being used the most often in that position, while it is hoped Jesse Litsch can regain his old form after coming back from injury and round out the rotation.
^{^Outlook:}The Jays rotation will continue to have their ups and downs as the season continues. Some of their young arms in the minors will get the chance to show their stuff as the season winds down, in hopes of impressing for next year. Look for Gaston to continue to strongly manage his starters’ innings pitched and pitch count, as the Jays do not need any more pitchers go down with Tommy John surgery, shoulder, or elbow problems. The Jays rotation has performed extremely well and cannot be blamed for the team’s struggles

BULLPEN
^{^{Grade: B-}}
^{^Analysis:}The Jays bullpen has been infuriatingly inconsistent the first half of the 2010 season. Shawn Camp has arguably been the Jays best reliever with a 2.53 ERA and has been getting more use in tight situations. Brian Tallet should be kept in the bullpen as he is much more effective coming out in relief in comparison to starting. Casey Janssen has shown great confidence in all his pitches this year and has been great in relief in all types of situations, while Scott Downs continues to be a lefty specialist and a rock in the bullpen for the Jays. Jason Frasor and Kevin Gregg have been at times impressive, but more often than not they have been extremely unpredictable and a liability when put in close situations.
^{^Outlook:}The bullpen will continue to be average for the Jays as the season continues. The Jays could stand to add another lefty specialist as they will wear down Scott Downs using him every time. Downs and Frasor could also be moved at the trade deadline, as there is interest in both players. It has also become apparent that Kevin Gregg and Jason Frasor have both shown that they cannot be counted on to be a full time closer with the Jays.

^{The Bottom Line:After their hot start the Jays have gone back to the play most expected out of them. They will continue to struggle to score runs and their young inexperienced rotation will have its share of ups and downs. To compete, they will need the play of Wells, Bautista, Gonzalez, and Buck to continue to be above average, while Lind and Hill need to re-emerge and start hitting the ball. The Jays bullpen also needs to become more consistent. It is doubtful that all these things will come together, and Jays fans are unfortunately in for a long summer as the Jays will most likely continue to hold down 4th place in the ridiculous AL East.}

Overall Team Grade: B

Stay Tuned on Tuesday, July 13th as Patrick will return with his report card on the rest of the American League!