I am a Toronto Blue Jays fan.
Since their back-to-back World Series wins, way back in 1992 and 1993, the Jays have been stuck in mediocrity.
It sure doesn’t help their chances being perched in the toughest division in all of Major League Baseball – the American League East – alongside the game’s biggest spenders, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, who seemingly purchase a run at the championship every year.
Lately, I’ve suffered from a bout of excitement at the hands of Mr. Alex Anthopoulos, the fearless, young general manager of the Jays.
When he traded Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2009, a piece of me died that day; however, following my three days of mourning, I took a look at the details of the trade, read up on some of the players involved and suddenly my world didn’t look so bleak.
In return, the Jays got a possible future staff ace in starting pitcher Kyle Drabek, a power-hitting corner infielder in Brett Wallace and Canadian catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud.
Anthopoulos recently traded away another longtime Jay in Vernon Wells.
If the Halladay trade taught me anything, it was that Anthopoulos deserves my trust as a fan – this guy knows what he’s doing and has the gumption to get it done.
Although I can’t wear my Wells jersey anymore, I can say with confidence that the Wells trade is a great thing for the Jays, because it gives the team a lot more flexibility going forward.
Wells is a good player, but the $86 million remaining on his contract over the next four years restricted the team.
Getting rid of that financial burden makes up the crux of my excitement.
With all that extra money, the Jays are positioning themselves to make a splash through a trade or major free agent signing in 2012. Either way, their hands aren’t as tied as they were with Wells’ huge contract.
One possible free agent that stands out to me is St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols.
The Jays are in need of a bonafide first baseman, and Pujols is as bonafide as they come. I’m not saying the Jays will make a push for him, but it is possible now that they have the cash. However Pujols will command a substantial contract in terms of dollars and length.
Either way, the 2011 season looks good with players like slugger Jose Bautista, pitchers Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero, catcher J.P. Arencibia and shortstop Yunel Escobar.
Although they probably won’t make the playoffs this year, the core of the team is becoming apparent, and, with a few additions, the Jays could very well contend in 2012.
It’s a good time to be a Jays fan.
