It's hard not to get wrapped up in the hype surrounding the 2012 Blue Jays. Expectations are extremely high, and they're not without merit. The 2012 team boasts a legitimate superstar in Jose Bautista, and emerging stars in the making in Arencibia, Lawrie and Rasmus. And certainly the supporting cast has the potential to be superb.
On the mound, they have a man in Romero who in 2011 showed he is a legitimate ace. After that, it is a group of pitchers full on potential, but very little in terms of a track record. Morrow has shown flashes of absolute brilliance. As has McGowan, unfortunately that was 3 years ago and he is a big question mark this season. We are left with high hopes, but one can't help but feel anxious to see how they all fare.
All of this is to say that while the 2012 Blue Jays are a good team, logic suggests another season similar to the recent past. It is ignorant to believe that every player will play to their potential this season. I am of the opinion that there is the possibility that this team can excel, make the playoffs, and go far into the playoffs. However, for that to happen, the stars must align, the team must avoid injuries, the players must play to their potential, and the pitching stuff must all perform. Unfortunately I feel that this year's team is too inexperienced for these pieces to all fall in place simultaneously.
2013 is another story. AA had the opportunity to spend big this summer on a couple of free agents. I don't believe Fielder, Pujols, or Darvish are the answer for this team. The biggest question marks on this team remain at LF, 2B, and SP. We all hope LF is settled in 2012. But moving into 2013, if looking to upgrade at 2B we have the likes of Brandon Phillips, Ian Kinsler and possibly Robinson Cano available. At SP, there's Cole Hamels, Zach Greinke and James Shields, among others. This is where the Jays need to improve, and these are the players who will become available in the season when realistically the Jays should emerge as a powerhouse. While likely difficult, AA made the right move in holding back and not committing to a big free agent in 2012. The Jays aren't ready.
I, like other Jays fans, have very high hopes for the 2012 edition. Unlike the Leafs, Raptors, and TFC, we enter the season with the possibility of success. But we cannot be blinded by the fact that many pieces must fall in place properly for the Jays to compete with the likes of the Yankees, Rays, and perhaps the Sox this year.
2012 holds a lot of promise. But expectations must be tempered. There's still a lot of money in the Rogers bank vault, and it'll be opened up when the team is ready to reach that next level. That time isn't now. Potential is high, but success in 2012 will be a bonus. We can all hope, but it's the 2013 season where the Blue Jays will truly take off.
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