Toronto Blue Jays mid season review

I think the Toronto Blue Jays have two major thing holding them back, the first they are the only MLB team located in Canada so they have to work extra hard to convince players to go there, and they are in a division with the Yankees, Red Sox, and the Tampa Bay Rays. Clearly they have an uphill fight each and every year. At 39-35 they have a winning record and find themselves 7 games behind the Yankees for the American League Central lead. They seem to be playing fairly well, and in any other division they might be in the running for first place.

Since they have a new General Manger, I think it is going to take a little time before we see real tangible results from his rebuild efforts. This team is hitting just .239 and that is lowest amongst American League teams. They have collected 588 hits, 157 of which were doubles. They have added 11 triples and 111 home runs. That last number is first among AL clubs. Even so this is a team that could use more offense, not so much power, but guys who know how to use their at bats to get on base.

Their pitching staff did lose Roy Halladay, but the drop off as not been as bad as many predicted. As a staff they have a 4.18 ERA, they have struck out 552 batters which is the best amongst AL staffs, and they have issued 248 walks. Their starting five have a record of 27-19, and they have given up 316 runs. Their closer, Kevin Gregg has a 0-3 record but he has converted 18 saves. Of course his ERA is also a bit high at 4.20.

Again I think this is a team looking for a new direction, given the fact that they are the only Canadian MLB team their new focus of developing their own talents seems like a sound one. New GM Alex Anthopoulos has dramatically increased the size of their scouting departments, and that should help this team in the future. For now they seem to be what they seem to be.

Related Links:

•Toronto Blue Jays news and notes
•The Business of Major League Baseball
•MTR Baseball.com