With the Major League Baseball season only weeks away, it’s time to look at a preview of the Toronto Blue Jays and what might happen in this 2013 season of hope.

I’ve got a list of 5 players who I think are of the utmost importance to the success of the team and also some season end guesses that we’ll have to wait til October to see how right I am.

The Players!

RA Dickey
Dickey comes to the Blue Jays as the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner and becomes the ace of the starting rotation because of that. We all hope that he will be able to continue the level of success he has enjoyed in the last few years… I know it’s what I’m hoping. When the season ends I would be happy and satisfied with an 18 win season with an ERA around 3.50 from Dickey. This is the AL East, even if the Red Sox and Yankees look banged up right now, and it will be tougher than the NL East was for Dickey.

Brandon Morrow
Brandon Morrow might have the best “stuff” of any #2 starter in baseball. In fact, his upside is still as the legit ace of a playoff team staff. The challenge for Morrow this year will be to continue the momentum after Dickey has done his job. If the Blue Jays are going to be successful they need consistency, momentum and more importantly – WINS!

I expect Morrow to come in relaxed and ready to go. He’s got all the ability and has shown his potential already, now it’s time to go 16-7 with a 3.75 and 250 Ks on the season.

JP Arencibia
JP is an interesting add to this list for me. Last year I had him on my trade bait list at the start of the season… and this year I have him as 1 of the 5 most important guys on the roster.

Here’s why: JP wants to catch all the time and that means catching Dickey. He has worked on it, done it in the WBC and wants to do it during the regular season. I hope he does. I also hope he gets on base some more (he better) and that he keeps driving the ball and driving in more runs (everyone should) this season. He’s a better hitter than any other option on the roster and should be an everyday catcher. It’s time for him to show that his career is taking off and he wants to be a star.

Jose Reyes
Reyes is one of the most exciting players in the game. He hits and runs and fields and brings an enthusiasm to the field that is infectious. I’m glad we have him, I hope he stays healthy and here are some stats that I would love to see from Jose Reyes in 2013…

AVG. 320, Hits 201, 2B 39, 3B 13, HR 12, RBI 64, SB 58

Are they reasonable? I think so. If Reyes can stay healthy and he plays all the games that he should, these numbers aren’t out of reach for him. I hope that we see it!

Jose Bautista
Bautista is still the man in Toronto. We don’t care about the wrist injury (other than never wanting it to come up again) and while we love Dickey and Reyes and Edwin – this is Jose Bautista’s team. With a better lineup, better pitching and more hype, Toronto is prime for another HUGE year from Joey Bats… I don’t think we’ll get 50 home runs. I don’t think we’ll get 135 RBI. I don’t think he’ll hit .310. But I do think we’ll see 40 home runs, 115 RBI, a .285 average and 100+ walks. 

Jose won’t win the MVP even though we’ll all wish he would – but with any luck he’ll be playing baseball in mid-October and that will be great!

Other players to watch: Sergio Santos, Josh Johnson, Colby Rasmus, Adam Lind, Ricky Romero.

Season End!

This is a big year for the Blue Jays. There are hopes and dreams and expectations that we haven’t had in 20 years. There were early Vegas odds that had us in the World Series. There are a lot of new faces that can make an impact.

So…

I’m predicting 92 wins and 70 losses – which may not win the division – but will capture one of the two Wild Card spots in the AL.

That means at least 1 playoff game – and then anything can happen.

I’m not ready to say we’re going to be wearing t-shirts saying: Toronto Blue Jays 2013 World Series Champions!

But we’re getting closer and this year will be a big step.

Get excited baseball fans, Opening Day is coming!

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.