The Toronto Blue Jays official season starts this week, and I hate to break it to everyone, but this just ain’t the year. Not unless there are some big changes made. Fact is, the American League East division is too hard to win. It definitely doesn’t help when one team who will remain nameless (let’s call them the New York Yankees), go out and sign your best pitcher in A.J. Burnett, and the leagues biggest pitcher in C.C. Sabbathia.
A lot of talk this year is going to be about what Toronto should do to get going. Since the Ottawa Senators are no longer playing hockey, I thought it might be prudent to plug some of the holes with some Senators players.
Pitching
Jason Spezza – He’s the perfect set-up guy on the ice, and undoubtedly an awesome pitcher off the ice. I know, I know. The pitcher isn’t supposed to set-up the other team to hit the ball. But his behind the back throws to First Base will keep stolen bases against the Jays at an all-time low.
Batting
Dany Heatley – He’s already used to waving a hockey stick in the air and waiting to hit the puck. So, replace that with a baseball bat and you got yourself a solid 50-run hitter.
Dany Heatley's baseball stance
Shortstop
Brian Elliot- This was a tough one because I originally had him at catcher. But can you imagine that quick glove hand guarding the infield. Nothing would make it to the gap.
Pinch-Runner
Ryan Shannon- His small stature will make it difficult to tag him, and his speed will scare anybody playing the infield. Get him on first and poke a single into the gap, and you got yourself an easy RBI.
Catcher
Anton Volchenkov – We’ve seen him block umpteen shots, so you know that no errant Jason Spezza pitch is going to get past him. The other bonus here is that he will pummel anybody trying to get home. Who would win? An A-Train, or an A-Rod. My money’s on the Train!
Speaking of running to home, get Nick Foligno on third and set up a squeeze play. Can you imagine the carnage at home plate as Foligno comes barreling in? It would obviously be a run. Come on, it’s Nick Foligno.
Clean-up Batter
Daniel Alfredsson – If you had to put all your eggs in one basket, who’s basket would it be? Obviously it would be Alfie. Picture this, bases loaded, 2 outs, bottom of the ninth, full count. Who else but Alfredsson could you count on to put that one into the cheapseats at Skydome. Nobody. That’s who. Plus, if he ever breaks his bat, Alfie has shown that he has no problem throwing a broken piece of lumber into a Toronto crowd.
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