I have the minor league rosters and I will post them shortly (I need to see some of todays game first).
There are some highlights:
One year later, Liam examined the Colorado Rockies, who had gone 76-86 in 2006, finishing fourth. They improved by 14 games, and went to the World Series. Where they lost.
In 2008, Liam fixed his pre-season scrutiny on a good team, the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2007, the Phillies had won 89 games and lost the first round of the playoffs. They improved by just three games in 2008, but not only did they go the World Series - they won the damn thing.
As you can imagine, I've been trying to get Liam to do a Blue Jays preview ever since. And at last, at long last... he's bringing the mojo home.
Take it away, Liam. Make us proud...
The Minnesota Twins are the first club to visit the Dome in 2011. According to the Jays press notes, this is the fourth time these clubs have met on Opening Day. The Jays hold a 2-1 edge and the home team has won each time. The Jays also opened their home schedule in 2002 against Minnesota and emerged victorious. Toronto has won 28 out of 40 against Minnesota since 2006.
Jose Molina finishes crossing the plate after hitting his first home run as a Blue Jay against the Twins July 8.
Every site has a predict-the-division-winners-and-playoffs challenge (including this one).
Here's our annual step off the beaten path to get your predicitions regarding 2011 individual award winners.
Bedazzle your friends! Shock the world! Accumulate points and win an as-yet-unnamed prize! (A cuttlefish? A Batter's Box No-Prize? A song written in your honor? What could it be?)
Just cut and paste my predictions, below, into your reply, change the names to reflect your predictions (warning: mine will be way wrong, they always are) and impress us all with your wisdom, daring, cunning and knowledge! (Entries accepted through April 15.)
No matter what anyone else does, Seattle Mariner rookie Tom Wilhelmsen should run away with AL Comeback Player of the Year.
What? A rookie can't win that award! Yeah, that's probably true, but it shouldn't detract from your enjoyment of this classic story from former Torontonian Geoff Baker for the Seattle Times.
My trip to spring training is done and now that I am back at home I thought I would try and summarize what I have seen and add to my scouting reports on some players.
I also have more video to share of Aaron Sanchez and Deck McGuire.
Update: Also, almost immediately invalidating my headline, the Jays have acquired Jayson Nix from the Indians for cash considerations. Corey Patterson to the DL. Nix is terrible, but plays/has played 2nd, 3rd and corner outfield.