Are the Jays gearing up for a run?

With the recent departure of Shaun Marcum for Canadian prospect Brett Lawrie and continued rumors of the Jays pursuing top talent such as Zach Greinke, Carlos Pena, Justin Upton, Manny Ramirez and Dan Uggla are the Blue Jays really going to compete next season with the likes of New York, Boston and Tampa Bay?

The Jays GM Alex Anthoupolous has preached patience since he was hired on after the team let go J.P. Ricciardi. Since then, the Jays have retooled, adding youth and trading away veterans such as Roy Halladay.

Anthoupolous has been stock piling young arms, draft picks and prospects in hopes that a strong core can emerge. However, with the team continuing to put up winning seasons it appears the team may make a move to compete with the top teams in the AL East.

So far, next years lineup looks as follows:

C- JP Arencibia

1B- TBD (Carlos Pena is a possibility, also moving Lind to 1B and signing a DH)

2B- Aaron Hill

3B- Jose Bautista

SS- Yunel Escobar

LF- Travis Snider

CF- Vernon Wells

RF- Rajai Davis

DH- Adam Lind

SP-Ricky Romero

SP-Brett Cecil

SP- Brandon Morrow

SP- Marc Rzepczynski

SP- Kyle Drabek

If you key in potential off-season acquisitions such as Greinke and Pena the team has some added pop, and a strong young starting staff.

Combine this with an expected step back from the Rays, and an aging Yankees and Red Sox team and the Jays may be able to sneak into the Wild Card spot. If not grabbing the spot, then at the bare minimum being in contention through September.

I hope that the fans show up for what will be a great season.

I know I will.

The World Junior Hockey Championships are coming…

It is definitely the best part of Boxing Day, sitting with friends and family and watching team Canada embark on their trip for junior hockey supremacy.

There does seem to be a trend building as this years team will be missing it’s top eligible players who currently reside on NHL rosters.

It seems that there is no question that if Canada had all of it’s available talent, they would be able to produce a formidable squad. Having players such as Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin and Jeff Skinner would put Canada far ahead of any competitors.

In a way, this creates more competition, as most other countries are able to compete with Canada, and in the USA’s case, even beat them as they did in last years final.

This years team will be lacking a lot of flash and skill at the top, but should be built through hard work and effort. The return of Brayden Schenn to the Brand Wheat Kings of the WHL should help Canada as they have a player with some NHL experience at forward.

Canada will be faced with a tough challenge to top the American squad that hosts this years event in Buffalo, NY.

I might even have to make it down for a few games myself.

One final note, don’t sleep on Sweden, they could take the tourney!