Blue Jays.

The Toronto Blue Jays are entering the 2012-2013 season with some very high expectations internally and also externally as the fan base has set lofty goals for this team. The Jays stayed relatively quiet in the off-season, though a spirited run at Japanese superstar Yu Darvish had the Jays fan paying extra close attention to the Japanese pitcher yet to throw an official pitch in the majors. The Jays of course lost out to the eventual highest bidders the Texas Rangers. This did seem to take some of the steam out of what was shaping up to a very exciting off-season for the team. And then lightning struck as the Blue Jays tried landing power hitting first baseman Prince Fielder only to see him sign in the American League with the Detroit Tigers. The off-season was not super successful for the Blue Jays this year, but they did fill some much needed holes in their bullpen through trades and free agent signings such as veteran relief pitcher Darren Oliver. They also acquired one time Blue Jay Sergio Santos to take over as the closer, one of the biggest holes the Blue Jays had last year. The Blue Jays farm system is stacked with talent, and as some of the younger players are making their way up the ranks the Jays truly are a team to be reckoned with in the powerhouse AL East. I Think Alex Anthopoulos is doing an excellent job of freeing up bad contracts and bringing in young and cheap talent that has potential to stay with and help the team for awhile to come. As for a prediction in the coming year, I still think the Jays are a year or two away from making serious noise in their division. I think Boston has regressed and it could open a door for the Blue Jays, but the Yankees have a retooled rotation and a deadly lineup 1-9, and the Tampa Bay Rays are no joke again this year, with the emergence of Matt Moore as a potential ace could put the Rays at the top of the division battling the Yankees for top spot. My prediction for the Blue Jays is they will continue to progress and show that some of this young talent is here to stay, with guys such as J.P Arencibia, Brett Lawrie, Ricky Romero, Colby Rasmus, Anthony Gose and Yunel Escobar this team is building towards something great even though I do not think it will be this year, greatness could be right around the corner for this team. As for the 2012 season I believe the Blue Jays will finish with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses, but will miss the playoffs and will finish third behind the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees who will win the division and the world series this year.