Today was day two of my trip to minor league spring training.  On this day the AAA and AA teams played the Phillies.  I saw a two home run day, a solo home run, and in general good hitting by a number of Blue Jay prospects.

I also have some video of Mike McDade doubling to the wall from the right side (McDade is a switch hitter).

A few big names have left, the payroll has been drastically reduced, but this is still a very, very strong club.

The defending American League champions hail from the smallest division in the majors.  The Texas Rangers won the West  in 2010 with 90 victories to finish nine games ahead of Oakland and ten games clear of the Los Angeles Angels.  Texas was led by American League MVP Josh Hamilton and Rookie of the Year, closer Neftali Feliz.  Seattle, despite the acquisition of Cliff Lee, clinched the basement with just 61 wins and was bad enough to convince Ken Griffey Junior to hang  up the cleats for good.  However, Felix Hernandez managed to win the AL Cy Young Award in spite of a 13-12 record and Ichiro Suzuki managed to reach the 200-hit plateau for a tenth straight season, which he did at the Dome in late September.   Let's see what these four teams have got to offer in 2011.

Neftali Feliz is hugged by catcher Bengie Molina after winning the ALCS.

On my first day in Dunedin there were three lower level games being played.  The Dunedin squad and the Lansing squad played their Philadelphia equivalents.  The GCL level team played the Long Island Storm, a semi-pro or senior team of some sort.

Please let me know your playing time forecasts for the Jays.

http://www.tangotiger.net/survey/

Now, I don't claim to be an expert on the Baltimore Orioles, but I should warn you that I've been watching Homicide: Life on the Street on DVD and I'm almost at the end of Season 4.

Brandon Morrow will not make his scheduled April 2 start against the Minnesota Twins at the Dome.  The Globe & Mail says the 26 year-old Morrow is going on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain.  BlueJays.com describes the injury as inflammation in the flexor muscle of his right elbow.  Thanks to Bauxite China fan for the heads up! 

Brandon Morrow in action against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Dome June 24. 

While the Jays principle opponents in interleague play this year will come from the NL Central (Reds, Cards, Astros), the team will square off against two NL East foes this year – the Phillies and the Braves. It seems apropos to take a look at the whole division now, not the least because we are doing divisional previews.

We (Dave and Anders) are in agreement about the following order of finish, and PECOTA agrees, so therefore it must happen.

Random shots from the 2010 season featuring some ex-Mets and a St. Louis Cardinal who is out for 2011.

Oliver Perez works against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of a doubleheader at Citi Field April 27.  David Wright is at third base.

As previously noted, I will be in minor league camp this coming weekend along with my trusty camera.  I will be there to see the minor league players getting ready for their season which starts a week after the major leagues do.  While I am there there might be some questions that are looking for answers.  There was some discussion yesterday about Justin Jackson and where was he going to play this season?  I will ask about that this coming weekend.  But is there anything else you want me to ask about?

The NL West finally produced a winner as the Giants won it all for the first time since they moved to San Francisco. But what to expect in 2011 from a division that seems to shuffle leaders annually?

In his AL Central preview, Alex noted that the Minnesota Twins like to beat the stuffing out of the bad teams, especially the ones in their own division. I thought the whole subject deserved a closer look.

Here's a breakdown of what that other division will be throwing at the Jays this year. The White Sox and Tigers reload in an effort to bring down the two-time defending champs, while the Royals lurk in the shadows.

Loyal Bauxite Lyle McRae (lylemcr) just recently  celebrated his first anniversary here on Canada's  Place for Baseball Talk. And now, here's a new thread based on his most recent (and just 20th career!) post ...

Look at the Jays' current 40-man roster. Which players who will be on the roster on Opening Day, will no longer he a Blue Jay come Aug. 1?

Could be a trade, a release, a season-ending injury ... you tell us the circumstances, or let them remain a mystery if you prefer. So take a moment, and list your top five candidates on the 40 who will no longer be a Blue Jay by Aug. 1 ... ready? Go! (And thanks, @Lyle!)

My five are ..

The Toronto Sun says manager John Farrell likes what he sees from prospects Brett Lawrie and Anthony Gose.  The story says Farrell believes Lawrie is ready for the bigs now but GM Alex Anthopoulos thinks the Langley, B.C. native could use some time in Triple-A.

“I sent a text to Alex yesterday saying I can’t wait for the day that Lawrie and (Anthony) Gose might be fully ready to go as major league players.  They’re exciting young players and they can impact the game in a number of different ways. That’s not to say we’ve made a final roster decision when it comes to Lawrie but both of those guys are extremely talented and are going to have an impact the day they arrive in the majors.”

Brett Lawrie and his sister Danielle Lawrie wearing Team Canada uniforms.  Danielle is a softball pitcher at the University of Washington.