Good Bet Blue Jays Will End Up Last In Their Division

That is not because they are a much poorer team than last year's Jays,
but that the Tampa Rays and Baltimore Orioles are so much improved.

In 2004 the Jay players who did have outstanding years in 2003 are not likely
to repeat. This year, players like Vernon Wells, Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay are unlikely
to match the stellar years they had in 2003. Other pitchers like Aquilino Lopez and Jason Kershner
are not off to very good starts either.

However, some players could improve over last year, such as Orlando Hudson, Eric Hinske,
Josh Phelps and Reed Johnson. These players will have another year's experience behind them and
Phelps and Hinske are coming off injuries. All the wheeling and dealing that J.P did with the bullpen
may make that section marginally better. And catcher Kevin Cash should be a defensive improvement
behind the plate. Other holdovers like Greg Meyers and Chris Woodward will be about the same--mediocre.
Mike Bordick will be missed.

But who knows? It is a long season, and in spite of the bad start for the Jays a lot can happen between
now and the end of September.

But if I were a betting man, right now the Jays look like the leading candidate for last place in the
American League East.

"Anonymous" <mixmaster.RemoveThis@remailer.com> wrote in message
news:TEkec.1007$jKO.824@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> That is not because they are a much poorer team than last year's Jays,
> but that the Tampa Rays and Baltimore Orioles are so much improved.
>
> In 2004 the Jay players who did have outstanding years in 2003 are not
likely
> to repeat. This year, players like Vernon Wells, Carlos Delgado, Roy
Halladay are unlikely
> to match the stellar years they had in 2003. Other pitchers like Aquilino
Lopez and Jason Kershner
> are not off to very good starts either.
>
> However, some players could improve over last year, such as Orlando
Hudson, Eric Hinske,
> Josh Phelps and Reed Johnson. These players will have another year's
experience behind them and
> Phelps and Hinske are coming off injuries. All the wheeling and dealing
that J.P did with the bullpen
> may make that section marginally better. And catcher Kevin Cash should be
a defensive improvement
> behind the plate. Other holdovers like Greg Meyers and Chris Woodward will
be about the same--mediocre.
> Mike Bordick will be missed.
>
> But who knows? It is a long season, and in spite of the bad start for the
Jays a lot can happen between
> now and the end of September.
>
> But if I were a betting man, right now the Jays look like the leading
candidate for last place in the
> American League East.
>
>
Well with the way the season has gone so far it looks like they will be
last, good thing there's 156 games left in the season. But 6 games in, I'm
very disappointed.