More of the Same, Eh? You have to feel for the Toronto Blue Jays. They’ve won 80+ games in four of the last five seasons, but have just a single 2nd place finish to show for it. That’s the story of a team, although solid from top to bottom, is trapped in a division with baseball’s bullies, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Despite announcing Flashback Fridays at Rogers Centre, it’s impossible to expect this team to raise a banner in 2008.

Bats. There’s a couple of new faces on the left side of the infield but besides that, expect more of the same from the Jays. Production by this lineup will start with Vernon Wells, a guy that seems to enjoy alternating between good and bad seasons. Wells followed up a 2006 season of .303-32-106 to post horrendous 2007 numbers of .245-16-80. It appears that he’s been surpassed by Alex Rios, who had another strong season, hitting nearly .300 with 24 jacks and 85 RBIs. If Wells gets back to his 2006 form, those two should be a potent duo in the middle of the lineup. Legendary slugger Frank Thomas returns for another season after a solid first year in Canada. The Big Hurt hit a team-high 26 homers and drove in 95. It should be a treat to see that big bastard don the powder blues. One of the Jays’ biggest offseason moves was trading washed up, roided out slugger Troy Glaus for washed up, roided out slugger in Scott Rolen. Rolen is balding, he’s injury prone, and he only homered eight times last season. Joining Rolen is former Cardinals teammate David Eckstein, who will surely bring scrappiness, fesitiness, hustle, tenacity some stability to the position. Aaron Hill, one of baseball’s most underrated 2nd baseman, returns after a great .291-17-78 campaign.

Arms. There’s few rotations in baseball that compare to the potential of Toronto’s 1-2 punch. You know what you’ll be getting in Roy Halladay, who put together yet another strong season last year, winning 16 games and posting an ERA of 3.71. The guy behind him, A.J. Burnett, can also fling it. Burnett managed to make 25 starts last year (believe me, that’s an accomplishment in itself for him), going 10-8 with a 3.75 ERA. When they’re healthy and on, the Jays have the ability to win series against any team in the American League. The Jays also like what they have in youngsters Dustin McGown (12-10, 4.08) and Shaun Marcum (12-6, 4.13 ERA). Jesse Litsch, the 23-year-old 5th starter, had a good season as well, going 7-9 with a 3.81 ERA. That’s a solid rotation, although I’d love to see lush Gustavo Chacin, he of .15 BAC fame, crack the rotation. The Jays love what they have coming out of the bullpen. Manager John Gibbons plans to fight players on handing the ball to BJ Ryan in the 9th inning. However, Ryan is coming off Tommy John Surgery last May, so his performance is undetermined. Ryan, a flamethrowing son of a bitch that ruined my fantasy team lefty, saved 38 games two seasons ago. If he can’t go, the Jays will be fine. Jeremy Accardo saved 30 games for the Jays last year and posted an ERA barely over 2. If he’s not a great closer this year, he’ll be a great 8th inning guy.

Outlook. This year will come down to the performance of Vernon Wells and the health of A.J. and B.J. If those three are ready to go, this team will come close to 90 wins. If they’re not, they’ll probably be closer to 80. Regardless, it won’t probably be won’t be enough to unseat the powers-that-be in Boston and New York. Maybe if the Jays sign a C.J., D.J., E.J., K.J., L.J., M.J., O.J., T.J., or V.J., their fortunes will improve.