2008 Toronto Blue Jays Predictions & Season Preview

GM J.P. Ricciardi has a lot of weight on his shoulders this season. He claims that his line-up, when healthy, can compete with the beasts of the AL East. Riccardi has used up much of the capital he accumulated in the early days of his reigns, and he's trying to get his team over the top with a lower-$90 million payroll that can't buy what it used to. This payroll also doesn't guarantee the health of vulnerable studs in starter A.J. Burnett and newly acquired Scott Rolen.

Starting Rotation:

Roy Halladay is the Ace that many ball clubs envy. He led the majors in complete games (seven) and showed his toughness by missing just 3 weeks to injury during the season. He finally has the depth behind him that can get this team mentioned in the same breath as the Red Sox staff. The Blue Jays strongly believe that Burnett is poised for a big year because he can opt out of his 5-year contract after this season. Burnett should be less prone to pain when he is trying to show off for every team to get a big contract next year. Dustin McGowan had a breakout year when he found a routine that would control his Type 2 Diabetes. The best is still to come from this righty. Shaun Marcum's control suggest that he is even better than the No. 4 starting spot he is listed in, and Casey Janssen should be able to man the 5th spot in this rotation after dominating in middle relief last season. The Jays tried to acquire Tim Lincecum from the Giants in the offseason, suggesting they are not totally happy with the 5-man rotation that is in front of them.

Bullpen:

B.J. Ryan missed nearly an entire year with Tommy John surgery last season. If he comes out of this surgery like most pitchers have, Ryan can still be one of the most dominant and intimidating closers in the league. Jeremy Accardo filled in for Ryan last season in the closer's role, and can fill in if case Ryan's recovery hits any kind of bumps in the road. Accardo will likely be the Jays' main setup man. Scott Downs was one of the most effective left-handed relievers in all of the AL last year, and he will want to flourish in a contract year as well. Brian Wolfe, Brian Tallet and Jason Frasor have the confidence of manager John Gibbons.

Line-Up:

David Eckstein brings championship experience to this team in the lead-off role as he comes over from St. Louis. He batted 23 points over his career average last season as a Cardinal. Lyle Overbay should bat 2nd and will need to improve on his .226 batting average from last season at first base. Vernon Wells had a streak of five years with at least 20 home runs snapped last year while moving around in the line-up. He will man the CF position and bat 3rd in hopes of returning to his old, powerful form. Alex Rios ranked among the AL top 10 in 10 different categories. He has a great bat in right field and can steal bases despite batting in the clean-up spot. Scott Rolen is an impact player on both offense and defense when healthy as he bats 5th for the Jays. Frank Thomas is still hitting the long ball and his 81 walks were the most ever by a Blue Jays' DH last season. He has been moved down to the 6th spot now that he has passed his prime though. LF Matt Stairs is still getting it done in the 7th hole whare he had a string of 9 consecutive ABs with an extra-base hit last season. Aaron Hill is a future Gold Glover and that could happen in 2008. Hill showed signs of brilliance at the plate when he led the AL in hits (43) in the month of September. Gregg Zaun is coming around by hitting 33 HRs in the last three years after hitting just 39 in his previous 10 seasons. He is a leader behind the plate and a veteran on this team as he mans the 9th spot in the batting order. Frank Thomas can tie Hall of Famers Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Willie Mays for the Major League mark with one more season of 25 home runs and 95 runs batted in. Thomas is second with 11 such seasons after hitting 26 long balls and knocking in 95 runs in his first full season with Toronto. Adam Lind and Reed Johnson will be fighting for playing time in the outfield off the bench. Marco Scutaro will be used in the outfield as well as the infield during spring training, as the Blue Jays look to leverage his great bench skills. John McDonald is Halladay's shortstop of choice if David Eckstein is not producing as he has.

Blue Jays 2008 Predictions:

The Blue Jays' faithful knows that Toronto will never have the same payroll as the Yankees and Red Sox. With that said, Toronto has made the most of what they have in front of them through free agency. The Blue Jays will put a competitive team on the field day in and day out and make the necessary moves, within reason, to remain competitive for at least the next couple seasons. In all reality though, it will be ultimately too tough finish better than 3rd in the AL East with the payrolls they are up against in New York and Boston. That 3rd position is where we predict the Toronto Blue Jays to finish in the AL East standings in 2008.

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbooks and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning baseball betting action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

2008 Toronto Blue Jays Odds:
Odds to win AL East: 5/1
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant 15/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 30/1

American League East