The Jays have 14 games left in their grapefruit league schedule. Then it is two games in Montreal before they head to New York. The games so far in spring are less meaningful than the next two weeks. Starting pitchers have been pitching two, three or four innings and a lot of innings have been thrown by minor leaguers. But over the upcoming two weeks the starters will be going five, six or seven innings and most reliever innings will be thrown by major leaguers or almost major leaguers.
There are several battles still open in camp and these players need to be watched carefully over the next two weeks.
Here are the questions as I see them:
Overall roster: If we assume the Jays take 13 hitters then the bench will have four players. The players in the competition for those four spots are Dioner Navarro, Josh Thole, Danny Valencia, Ryan Goins, Steve Tolleson and Kevin Pillar. That is six players for four spots. If they are not traded then Navarro and Valencia seem like locks. If Michael Saunders has to start on the DL then there might be an extra spot.
Catcher: Listening to the radio this morning both Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt do not believe that Russ Martin can catch Dickey. If true that would mean the Jays would have to carry three catchers, absent a trade. That really complicates roster construction and is close to impossible. Gibbons today suggested that Martin's experience with calling a game has no value when he is catching Dickey but has a lot of value catching the other guys, particularly the young pitchers. It sounds like Thole will make the team.
First base: no-one has stepped up to take the spot, although per AA on the radio today Smoak's track record and defense give him the inside slot.
Second Base: Izturis, Goins, Tolleson and Travis are all in the mix. Given his inexperience I expect Travis to be sent down, despite his good hitting over the last week. That leaves three players for two spots. It could be a platoon between Goins and one of the right handers. the caveat is that Izturis has not fully recovered from his knee injury and that could open a spot for Tolleson or Travis.
Centre Field: It is Pompey's job to lose but his numbers need to be watched over the next two weeks to see if he is handling it OK. Many rookies have stalled coming out of the gate, we shouldn't assume it's a done deal that Pompey is the guy.
5th Starter: The Jays want Norris to take it and it looks like he will.
Bullpen: Cecil, Loup, Delabar, Redmond, Estrada and Castro makes six with one lefty spot left. Colt Hynes has the inside slot given his performance so far in camp.
If I had to predict what the Jays will do I would say that Navarro will be traded, Thole, Valencia, Pillar and Goins will be on the bench. Izturis will start at second, Smoak at first, Pompey in centre, Norris the #5 and Hynes in the pen with Castro and Estrada.
What say you?
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