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		<title>BP Toronto&#8217;s Bold Predictions for 2017</title>
		<link>http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/03/30/bp-torontos-bold-predictions-for-2017/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[It’s that time again! All of us here at BP Toronto have dusted off our crystal balls and attempted to predict the future of the 2017 Toronto Blue Jays. Qualms? Questions? Comments? Be sure to let us know what you think of our picks in the comments below. Record in 2017 Andrew Munn &#8211; 89-73 [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s that time again! All of us here at BP Toronto have dusted off our crystal balls and attempted to predict the future of the 2017 Toronto Blue Jays. Qualms? Questions? Comments? Be sure to let us know what you think of our picks in the comments below.</p>
<h2>Record in 2017</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>89-73</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; They may very well have replaced everyone that they lost.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; </span><b>81-81 </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- Perfectly average.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>83-79 </b>- <span style="font-weight: 400">Still in the mix, but more second wildcard than first.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>84-78</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The lack of depth at most positions scares me.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>88-74</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Arguably the best rotation in the AL won’t be enough if the offense doesn’t improve on 2016.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>91-71</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; This number would be higher if Francisco Liriano had any track record of throwing innings.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>85-77</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; This team isn’t getting any younger, and the division isn’t getting any easier.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; </span><b>90-72</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The team underachieved last season and Liriano should an upgrade to an already solid rotation.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>87-75 </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- I actually think this year’s team could be even better than last year’s, but the division&#8217;s tougher.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>92-70</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Best record in the AL East; third straight trip to the postseason.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>66-90</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; If you&#8217;re clever, you&#8217;ll realize that this record is missing 6 games and isn&#8217;t really a record at all.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; </span><b>90-72</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The bullpen won’t be as terrible as it was early in 2016, which should offset offensive losses.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>86-76</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; With the team in the hunt, beer lineups will again be unbearably long at the Rogers Centre.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>87-75</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Like last year, but less good.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>91-71</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; A full year from Liriano and break out year from Stroman will make for happy Jays fans.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>93-69</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Last year I was the most optimistic about the team and that hasn&#8217;t changed.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Best Position Player</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; All hail our Viking Lord.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- This award should be named after him.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The best player on the team by a mile.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Have you seen his calves in tight socks?<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; This isn’t even close.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>Kevin Pillar</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Improved plate discipline and stellar defense? That&#8217;s a 7 win player.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Is there really anybody who even comes close on both sides of the ball?<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; I don’t need to tell you why.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; I wanted to go with Joey Bats here, but the new .400+ OBP Donaldson is unfair.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Unsurprisingly, Josh will be team MVP, but Jose Bautista will provide more offense.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He had a .950 OPS in AA in 2015 and probably saves stranded cats in trees.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; I’ll offer up Kendrys Morales as Best Position Player given expectations.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; You know why.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; A controversial opinion, I know.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400">- Get your umbrellas ready!  It will be an extended rainy season.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>Josh Donaldson</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; You have to go with Josh until someone passes him by.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Best Pitcher</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marcus Stroman</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Starting for USA in the WBC finals means he’s the best American pitcher, right?<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marcus Stroman </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- He will prove the haters wrong and step up BIGly.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>J.A. Happ</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; We’ll yawn through six innings and two runs a night from this guy.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Aaron Sanchez </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- With the innings talk behind him, Sanchez will truly be dirty.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marco Estrada</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He won’t overpower hitters but he&#8217;s the best on the team.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marcus Stroman</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He’s blocked all the haters, so now he can just focus on shoving.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>Roberto Osuna</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; I know we all love the starters, but Roberto deserves some love too.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marcus Stroman</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Dude’s going to pitch like he’s got something to prove.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marco Estrada </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- I have to stay true to my brand and he’s also apparently healthy again. #ACEstrada<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>Francisco Liriano</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The bigger question will be if Frank </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">finally </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">reaches the 200 inning plateau.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; I&#8217;m betting he picked up a nasty knuckleball while warming the bench with R.A. Dickey.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> -</span><b> Marcus Stroman </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- I’m a member of Team Sanchez but I&#8217;m going all in on #StruttinStroman.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marco Estrada</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Blowin’ 88-mph gas by the rest of the AL East since 2015.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marcus Stroman</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He got Migos glasses, there’s no way he’s losing.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>Francisco Liriano</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He will continue his renaissance with Russell Martin.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>Francisco Liriano</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; On statistical value, Sanchez might slightly exceed him due to IP.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Breakout Player of the Year</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>Mike Bolsinger</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Not a breakout as a starter, but he might Biagini his way through the bullpen.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Ezequiel Carrera. </b><span style="font-weight: 400">He will wrestle away the starting LF job and call it his own, à la Pillar 2015.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He&#8217;ll get his shot in the outfield eventually, and he&#8217;ll run with it.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Casey Lawrence </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- With no clear sixth starter, Lawrence will dazzle in a spot start and log over 50 IP.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Martin needs more time off and Salty will impress with more reps.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>Kevin Pillar</b><span style="font-weight: 400">- #7WinPlayer<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>Tim Mayza</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; A 25 year old LHP who throws 99mph? Sign me up when a bullpen arm goes down.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; </span><b>Steve Pearce</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; His injury woes will be gone, thanks to the Jays’ new high performance department.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>Devon Travis</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He’s going to “break” the “out” with injury streak and have a great, healthy year.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>Kendrys Morales</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He&#8217;ll get voted to All Star Team as the Royals fans forget he’s gone.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; It&#8217;s hard to argue against a two-way player.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; </span><b>Steve Pearce</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Pearce kicks the injury bug and plays 120+ games all over the field.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>Justin Smoak </b>- If the front office is right about Smoak, it won’t be just the Cardinals trying to hack the Jays.<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The Jose-lookalike beard is a sign of things to come.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>Steve Pearce</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He will get regular at bats at first base and left field. Time to shine.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; It might be June before they give him a full shot, but I still believe.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Comeback Player of the Year</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>Melvin Upton Jr.</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Give him a stable situation and let him prove Atlanta was the anomaly.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marcus Stroman </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- Last year he wasn&#8217;t at his best. He&#8217;ll be top of the rotation caliber.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; I&#8217;m guessing he&#8217;s taken the talk of his decline personally.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Baltimore Orioles beware.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>Aaron Loup</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; A Loup breakout would stabilize the Jays’ bullpen and he might be healthy enough to do it.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The King doesn’t stay down for a long time. He’ll be big.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>Russell Martin</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Find your patience and your throwing arm again, Russell, and you&#8217;ll win!<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Whether or not you buy that Bautista plays best angry, he&#8217;s going to have a helluva season.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; It’s silly that he’s even eligible for this, but he’s going to be a monster.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>Russell Martin</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; With a capable backup, Martin will get more rest and will rebound as a result.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; It&#8217;s tough to be an All-Star OFer when you&#8217;re forced to play in AAA. That&#8217;ll change.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Pompey will boot Uptrrera from LF and stick it to those who wrote him off.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>Troy Tulowitzki </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- He didn’t forgo a childhood and train 18 hours a day to be counted out at 32.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; No comment necessary. He&#8217;s back.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jose Bautista &#8211; </b><span style="font-weight: 400">He has something to prove and we know what that means!<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>Troy Tulowitzki</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Tulo still has (at least) one more .850+ OPS season left in him.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Biggest Bust</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>Darwin Barney</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; It’s a pretty good year when the biggest bust is your backup second baseman.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; <strong>Melvin Upton</strong> -</span><b> </b><span style="font-weight: 400">Even though his real cost is small, baseball isn’t for him anymore.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>Marco Estrada</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He had a concerning stretch at the end of last season and that could continue.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Rowdy Tellez </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- He’s looked completely overmatched this spring. If he gets a shot, expect the hype to die.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>Kendrys Morales</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He has huge shoes to fill. He won’t replace Edwin and that’s what everyone’s hoping.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jason Grilli</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He’s old. I’m told that old age isn’t conducive to being good at baseball.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>Left Field</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; A big hole will open and swallow up whoever is standing out there too long.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; </span><b>Justin Smoak</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; This is an easy pick. Nothing we’ve seen suggests that Smoak can be an everyday player.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>Aaron Sanchez</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Expectations for him are so high that even minor regression will seem like a bust.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>J.A. Happ</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He’ll be fine, but Joe Fan will be upset he doesn’t replicate his 20 win, low-3 ERA campaign.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey&#8217;s Haters</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; This may or may not include a Greco-Canadian with an alliterative name.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; </span><b>Jason Grilli</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He was a found wallet in 2016. I’ve never found a wallet, so finding two seems unlikely.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dynamic Pricing</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Rogers will lose a lot of money when no one comes to watch the A&#8217;s on a Monday.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>Justin Smoak, Starting 1B </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- He just sounds so morose in his SN590 intro. Doesn’t bode well.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>Justin Smoak</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; He will lose his job by May.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>Justin Smoak</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Basically the only guy on this team I don’t believe in.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>Key to 2017 Success</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; </span><b>Hit the Ball</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; This lineup is a little bit vulnerable.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Hot Start </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- Can’t fall behind too early and give the brass reasons to sell.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; </span><b>Alright, No One Get Hurt</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; A top-heavy team can’t afford many injuries.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; </span><b>Mid-Season Bullpen Help</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; If Toronto is over .500 at the deadline expect a similar strategy to 2016.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; </span><b>Offense</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; There’s enough pitching and defence to keep them close. The offense will be the difference.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; </span><b>David Price’s Left Arm</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; 1st place becomes a reality for the Jays if the Sox lose Price for long enough.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; </span><b>Positive Regression</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The offense needs to improve enough to offset pitching losses.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; </span><b>Rotation Health</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The Jays rotation is as good as they come. The depth…well it doesn&#8217;t exist.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; </span><b>Passing the Baton</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; The lineup will be healthy and lengthy. It&#8217;ll will flourish if the players trust the lineup.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; </span><b>Dalton Pompey</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; Steve Pearce will need to take over for Smoak at 1B and Carrera/Upton won&#8217;t cut it in LF.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; </span><b>Bullpen Depth</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; If things start to sour, we can&#8217;t count on another pair of dynamite acquisitions.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; </span><b>No Brawling </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- With little depth in the high minors, the Jays can’t lose any players in bench-clearing dustups.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; </span><b>Rogers Centre&#8217;s Park Factor </b><span style="font-weight: 400">- Morales needs to be good; getting out of Kauffman will help.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; </span><b>Rotation</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; They need to do their best to match last season.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; </span><b>Health</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> &#8211; It&#8217;s a cliche, but the team isn&#8217;t loaded with depth. The regulars need to be healthy.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><b>One Bold Prediction</b></h2>
<p><em>Andrew Munn</em> &#8211; Toronto will possess a Top 5 bullpen at the end of the season,</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Bennett Brauer</em> &#8211; The team will REALLY struggle, will have a terrible trade deadline, Atkins will be let go, and Cherington will take over.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Dave Church</em> &#8211; Kevin Pillar’s defense falters enough that his starting spot is in question by the end of the year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Elie Waitzer</em> &#8211; John Gibbons will lead MLB in ejections for the second year in a row.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Evan Peaslee</em> &#8211; Dalton Pompey becomes an everyday starter by the All-Star break.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Gideon Turk</em> &#8211; Stroman and Sanchez will both compete for the Cy Young, adding another dimension to their ex-bromance feud. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Greg Wisniewski</em> &#8211; Kevin Pillar will walk 61 times.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Jenn Smith</em> &#8211; Kendrys Morales will make fans forget all about that parrot-toting first baseman when he hits a game-winning home run in the playoffs&#8230;against Cleveland.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Joshua Howsam</em> &#8211; Travis, Tulo, and Pearce each play over 140 games, but radio pundits still bemoan the absence of Ryan Goins.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Kyle Matte</em> &#8211; Advanced stats websites finally recognize the Blue Jays rotation as the best in the American League.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Matt Gwin</em> &#8211; Dalton Pompey will be the Blue Jays full time left fielder by May and cement himself as the best at his position in the AL East.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Michael Passador</em> &#8211; At least one other player will block Gideon on Twitter and Devon Travis will get this year’s late All-Star campaign.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Nick Dika</em> &#8211; Kendrys Morales will hit 40 home runs….and 7 doubles this season. Gonna be a lot of long, loud singles at the Rogers Centre in 2017. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Rachael McDaniel</em> &#8211; Two Blue Jays players marry each other over the All-Star break.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Sean Addis</em> &#8211; Morales has a better season than EE.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><em>Tammy Rainey</em> &#8211; Blue Jays win the AL East.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400">Lead Photo: © Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports</span></em></p>
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