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Toronto Blue Jays
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| Projected Lineup |
|---|
| DH |
Shannon Stewart |
| 2B |
Homer Bush |
| CF |
Jose Cruz |
| 1B |
Carlos Delgado |
| RF |
Raul Mondesi |
| LF |
Vernon Wells |
| C |
Darrin Fletcher |
| 3B |
Eric Hinske |
| SS |
Felipe Lopez |
| Projected Rotation |
|---|
| RHP |
Chris Carpenter |
| RHP |
Roy Halladay |
| LHP |
Brandon
Lyon |
| RHP |
Luke Prokopec |
| LHP |
Scott Eyre |
| CL |
Kelvim Escobar |
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By Doug Furnad, CNNSI.com
Think of it as the next generation of Growing Pains. In the '80s it starred Canadian actor Alan Thicke. Now it stars rookie general manager J.P. Ricciardi and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ricciardi was brought in to keep the Jays competitive while dropping payroll, something he was able to with Oakland. Toronto may have as many as five fresh faces play their first full year in the majors.
The infield will have a whole new look: Veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez was moved to make room for 21-year-old Felipe Lopez. Third baseman Eric Hinske, 24, acquired from Oakland in the Billy Koch deal, can hit but his defense makes some wonder why the Jays ever got rid of Tony Batista.
Orlando Hudson, also 24, looks to unseat Homer Bush at second base, and catcher Josh Phelps hopes to do more than just split time with Darrin Fletcher behind the plate.
Vernon Wells, 23, takes over left field, and now must show that he wasn’t just another overrated prospect.
The pitching staff will be just as young, led by Chris Carpenter, 26, Roy Halladay, 24, and Luke Prokopec, 24. The veteran starting pitchers are all spending most of their time on the trainers table (Mike Sirotka, Esteban Loaiza), while closer Kelvim Escobar, 25, will replace Koch in the pen.
In terms of leadership, the Jays still have Carlos Delgado, who has averaged 41 homers and 124 RBIs over the past three seasons, and Jose Cruz Jr., who was the ALs only 30-30 man in 2001.
Up for grabs: Homer Bush is two years removed from hitting .320 with 21 steals, but his hold on the second base job is tenuous. Orlando Hudson hit above .300 in the minors last season and then won the Arizona Fall League batting crown. That was his last injury-free year, and his time off could cost him.
Spring chicken: Nearly every youngster is fighting for a job this spring, but the surprise may come from outfielder Gabe Gross. Gross was the 15th player chosen in the 2001 draft, and showed great promise in a short stint in the minors.
| Arrivals |
|---|
| Pos. |
Player |
From |
Via |
| INF |
Dave Berg |
Marlins |
Free Agency |
| RHP |
Brian Cooper |
Angels |
Trade |
| LHP |
Felix Heredia |
Cubs |
Trade |
| 3B |
Eric Hinske |
Athletics |
Trade |
| RHP |
Luke Prokopec |
Dodgers |
Trade |
| C |
Tom Wilson |
Athletics |
Trade |
| |
| Depatures |
|---|
| Pos. |
Player |
To |
Via |
| 3B |
Tony Fernandez |
|
Retired |
| RHP |
John Frascatore |
Mets |
Free Agency |
| 2B |
Jeff Frye |
TBA |
Free Agency |
| 1B |
Brad Fullmer |
Angels |
Trade |
| SS |
Alex Gonzalez |
Cubs |
Trade |
| SS |
Cesar Izturis |
Dodgers |
Trade |
| RHP |
Billy Koch |
Athletics |
Trade |
| RHP |
Paul Quantrill |
Dodgers |
Trade |
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| Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training Schedule |
|---|
|
Home games at Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field, Dunedin, Fla.
|
| Date |
Opponent |
Time |
Site |
| March 1 |
N.Y. Yankees |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 2 |
N.Y. Yankees |
1:30 p.m. |
at Tampa |
| March 3 |
Philadelphia |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 4 |
Texas |
1:05 p.m. |
at Port Charlotte |
| March 5 |
Pittsburgh |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 6 |
Cincinnati |
1:05 p.m. |
at Sarasota |
| March 7 |
Texas |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 8 |
Philadelphia |
1:05 p.m. |
at Clearwater |
| March 9 |
Boston |
12:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 10 |
Cincinnati |
12:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 11 |
Cleveland |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 12 |
N.Y. Yankees |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 13 |
Tampa Bay |
1:05 p.m. |
at St. Petersburg |
| March 14 |
Texas |
1:05 p.m. |
at Port Charlotte |
| March 15 |
Minnesota |
1:05 p.m. |
at Lee County |
| March 16 |
Cleveland |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 17 |
Detroit |
1:05 p.m. |
at Lakeland |
| March 18 |
Minnesota |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 20 |
Philadelphia |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 21 |
Atlanta |
1:05 p.m. |
at Disney |
| March 22 |
N.Y. Yankees |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 23 |
Detroit |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 24 |
N.Y. Yankees |
1:30 p.m. |
at Tampa |
| March 25 |
Cleveland |
1:05 p.m. |
at Winter Haven |
| March 26 |
Tampa Bay |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
| March 27 |
Pittsburgh |
1:05 p.m. |
at Bradenton |
| March 28 |
Philadelphia |
1:05 p.m. |
at Clearwater |
| March 29 |
Pittsburgh |
1:05 p.m. |
at Bradenton |
| March 30 |
Pittsburgh |
1:05 p.m. |
Dunedin |
ss - split squad All times local.
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