Projected Lineups – Who Takes the Last Bench Spot?
Assuming Darren Oliver retires and assuming no major transactions occur between now and opening day, this is how I see the line up based on interviews from Alex Anthopoulos and John Gibbons:
1. J. Reyes – SS
2. M. Cabrera – LF
3. J. Bautista – RF
4. E. Encarnacion – 1B
5. A. Lind – DH
6. B. Lawrie – 3B
7. C. Rasmus – CF
8. J.P Arencibia – C
9. M. Izturis – 2B
I only have Izturis starting over Emilio Bonifacio because of statements made by Anthopoulos that he feels Izturis has the slight edge in the 2B race. I, however, would give it to Bonifacio.
That’s leaves a bench of:
R. Davis – OF
M. Izturis – SS, 2B, 3B
J. Thole – C
??? – Thought this was going to be Russ Canzler – LF, RF, 3B, 1B – but he was taken off the 40-man roster and then re-claimed off waivers by Cleveland. It’s a mystery to me who will take this spot. Look for a right handed bat with some pop. For now, I’ll go with a short bench and 8 guys in the bullpen.
The rotation:
1. R.A Dickey
2. J. Johnson
3. M. Buehrle
4. B. Morrow
5. R. Romero
I think Morrow actually slots in at number 2 or 3, but Johnson has had the better career numbers and I like breaking up the two with soft-tossing Buehrle between them. Johnson and Morrow have very similar stuff.
Bullpen:
Long relief – J.A Happ
Right-handed middle relief – S. Delabar, B. Lincoln, E. Rogers
Left-handed middle relief – A. Loup
Right-handed setup – S. Santos
Left-handed setup – B. Cecil
Closer – C. Janssen
In this situation, Jeremy Jeffress is the odd man out. I see him as insurance in case Santos doesn’t return to form. In this case, look for S. Delabar to move to RH setup and J. Jeffress to jump into a RH middle relief role. Jeffress, though, is out of options. So if he is sent to triple-A, the Jays might lose him with a waiver claim.
Here’s how I think the line up will ultimately look by September (assuming everyone is healthy):
1. E. Bonifacio – 2B
2. J. Reyes – SS
3. J. Bautista – RF
4. E. Encarnacion – 1B
5. B. Lawrie – 3B
6. M. Cabrera -LF
7. A. Lind – DH
8. JP. Arencibia – C
9. C. Rasmus – CF
Anyone have a different view on the lineup/rotation/bullpen?
IHRTBJs
Opening day, yes. Rotation, I could see Johnson and Morrow switching. Bullpen I can picture. September, Reyes at leadoff and with Bonifacio batting second. Just my predictions. We shall see. Either way a very tough lineup to pitch to. Solid 1 to 9.
If Bonifacio is in the line up, I like Reyes hitting second because he has more power. But I think the Jays see it your way. About Johnson and Morrow: Morrow could very well have the better year. But Johnson holds a career 3.15 ERA and has been a legitimate ace for a few years. It will be hard not to give him the ball early. Morrow has been good for two half seasons.