TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The Blue Jays finished flat last season, at 81-81, 16 games behind the New York Yankees, and 9 games behind Boston.

A team batting average of .249, and an on base percentage that ranked 18^th overall makes me wonder how they scored 6^th in that category! With a not too shabby .413 slugging percentage, I guess that helps answer the question.

Their pitching was dismal and that explains their finish, and if they don’t get it, they will finish even lower than the Orioles in 2012.

On the free agent market is where we have to look for the coming year if they are to hope for any improvement.

Frank Francisco, with an ERA of 3.55 and 17 saves, along with Jon Rauch signed with the New York Mets. Jose Molina, one of the better catchers in the league signed on with Tampa Bay.

They made up for their loses in pitching by signing Francisco Cordero, who although is a little old had a career season with Cincinnati, throwing a 2.45 ERA with 37 saves, the tonic they need to help fix what ails them. They also picked up for the mid innings Darren Oliver with his lifetime 4.60 ERA who had a great 2011 with a 2.29 ERA! And for a look-see: 44 year old Omar Vizuel.

Jose Bautista, if he continues to supply the numbers, mainly a .302 BA and 43 HR’s with 103 RBI’s will help Toronto keep Baltimore at bay. Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion with their power, poses a power lineup that if you look at the rest of it, is so-so. Escobar at short, and you have the 186 homers the blue Jays hit last season.

The Blue Jays need three things: starting pitching starting pitching starting pitching.

I see them possibly finishing behind the Orioles.