Ok. We're going to tackle a buttload of things here, namely the current position players, the bench players and where things might wind up by the end of the season.
First Base- Lyle Overbay
The Skinny- Can he regain his form from his first season in TO? He had steadily improved every season leading into that one. Then he broke his hand... and not the hand that baseball players don't need. It screwed with his buttery smooth swing and has regressed him quite a bit. His numbers last year weren't awful but it was more the way he looked at the plate. Uncomfortable. Hopefully he'll go back to being like Billy Squire and just strokin' (occasionally popping a dinger here and there). Otherwise, you may see a lot of Adam Lind at first base as the year goes on.
What I Really Think- Just hit some goddamn doubles or I will slap you in the mouth.
Second Base- Aaron Hill
The Skinny- Coming off a concussion that cost him most of last season, Hill will need to regain his 2007 form at the plate. He had a decent spring and appears to be back to his old self. Hill could be a sparkplug for the offense and possibly replace Marco Scutaro at the leadoff position if he can up his walks.
What I Really Think- Personally I love Aaron Hill, even though he seems like he is stoned most of the time, which might affect his bat speed.
Third Base- Scott Rolen
The Skinny- In yet another instance of a player needing to have a comeback season, Rolen is the one that perhaps should be approached with the most caution. His shoulder, proclaimed healthy going into last year, gave him problems all year and finally led to him radically altering his swing. The upside is that the swing change was successful and he tore the cover off the ball in late August and September. Regardless, he gives the Jays a vacuum at third base, defensively. If he can stay healthy, he should provide a bit of pop in the 6 hole and add to the Jays defence, which also ranked first in the Majors last season.
What I Really Think- 17 million dollars well spent!
Shortstop- Marco Scutaro
The Skinny- Scutaro has been given the starting job after a solid 08 campaign. He's a decent defender, can play multiple positions and doesnt strike out much. In other words, he's a perfect bench player, but ideally wouldnt be starting. And even moreso, wouldn't be the leadoff hitter, which he seems to be, by default.
What I Really Think- This is getting uglier and uglier.
Catcher- Rod Barajas
The Skinny- Another solid, if unspectacular performer, with a rocket arm behind the plate and decent game-calling skills. Streaky hitter at the plate who offers a bit of pop. Probably his last year in TO, depending on the development of highly touted prospect JP Arencibia, who is catching every day at Triple A Las Vegas. However, Arencibia projects more as a 1b prospect in the longterm, so Barajas might stick around if he performs well.
What I Really Think- Sweet. Another 34 year old past his prime catcher.
Right Field- Alex Rios
The Skinny- Rios needs to finally fulfill his potential to be a five tool all star. The flashes he has shown have been absolutely tantalizing but the bottom line is that he was rewarded with a big contract after a year in which he had a serious staph infection. He responded by being a threat on the basepaths and possibly the Jays best offensive player, all-around. However, on the 08 Jays, that really wasn't saying much. His home run and RBI totals dropped significantly, while the rest of his stats stayed consistent or improved. He greatly improved after Cito/Gene Tenace took over from failed hitting guru Gary Denbo, mid-season and hopefully he'll be able to carry that into this season and finally have a consistent year.
What I Really Think- Rios you bastard. Stop laughing your way to the bank with our 60 million and rip a few bombs would ya? You're massive. if you hit less than 25 homers this year, I'm going to huck something heavy at you.
Centre Field- Vernon Wells
The Skinny- Vernon... you make it so hard to love you. You're like desperado. He seems to always be fine if he can stay healthy. He needs to stay healthy. Much was made of his hiring a personal trainer to follow him around in the off-season and then he immediately injured both his hamstring and the wrist he had surgery on last season. Hopefully he can just stay healthy and be the Vernon we all love to cheer for. But I am wary of him. He's been out riding fences.
What I Really Think- I just said what I really think. Try and keep up.
Left Field- Travis Snider
The Skinny- Best Jays rookie in years. Potential to be a cleanup hitter. Tremendous athlete with a quiet and punishing approach at the plate. Decent outfielder who may eventually move to 1b, as he is a bigger boy.
What I Really Think- I am schoolgirlishly excited for this guy. He is the next Jim Thome. He was born in 1989, which kind of makes me question my life, but he is just awesome. I want him to just tear the league apart. I know he'll have growing pains but fuck it, I am on board with this guy. He has an emotional story, he overcame the odds and he is just so much cash money that it is hard not to want to run out on the field for a high five.
Designated Hitter- Adam Lind
The Skinny- Lind has packed the muscle on, as the Jays apparently told him in the mid-offseason he would be the everyday DH. He tore apart Triple A last year and was one of the few Jays to succeed regardless of which hitting coach the team was employing. Could be a nice surprise.
What I Really Think- We shouldn't be DHing a 25 year old but we really have no choice. I am glad the Jays finally removed their head from their cavernous behinds and got his bat in the lineup on a consistent basis.
The Bench
Michael Barret C
Jose Bautista 3b/1B/OF
John Macdonald SS/2B
Kevin Millar 1B/DH
The Skinny- not a bad bench all in all. Barret can hit a bit and manages pitchers really well, especially young ones, which will be good if Barajas gets hurt and he has to step in. Bautista can play a bunch of positions and has a decent bat, Johnny Mac is Johnny Mac and Millar gives a team heavy on lefty starters a nice right handed bat on the bench.
What I Really Think- Barret hasnt played a lot in the last couple years and is a loose cannon of sorts in the locker room, Bautista is getting paid way too much and strikes out too much for me to be comfortable with him playing at all, Millar is old and on the decline. Johnny Mac is great with the glove but cant hit worth a lick. Is he all heart? yep. But baseball is the one sport in which that matters about as much as your hat size. Your heart doesnt matter if you cant hit the ball.
Likely Opening Day Batting Order
The Skinny:
Scutaro SS
Hill 2B
Rios RF
Wells CF
Overbay 1B
Rolen 3B
Lind DH
Barajas C
Snider LF
What I Really Think
I think this will change quickly. Scutaro isn't good enough to be a consistent leadoff man... but who do you put there? Either Hill or Rios I guess, and while Rios has the better wheels, his bat is needed in the middle of the order. Wells should really be hitting in the 3 Hole with Rios batting second... but we'd need a leadoff catalyst for that to work. Wishful thinking is Snider lighting it up and being moved into the cleanup role, but that's unlikely for this season. I'd also like to see Lind flipped with Overbay, especially if Lind is ripping it up the way he has the potential to. Maybe Lind could even work his way into the cleanup role. or Rolen if he can get some of the fire back. SO MANY QUESTIONS MARKS. Son of a bitch.
The Final Skinny- All in all, much like the Jays entire season, the lineup is full of transition and question marks.
What I Really Think- I am going to need a lot of beer to get through this.
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