[ThePundit]

Don't be surprised if the Blue Jays overtake the Yanks or the Sox this year and make a run for the playoffs. If Halliday is healthy, they have a hell of a pitching staff - with Halliday, Burnett, Chaqin, Towers & Ted Lilly- outstanding pen with last year's closer Justin Spier setting up for BJ Ryan. Add Troy Glaus and Bengie Molina. This is a pretty damned good team

[EmpireWF]

I love what the BJays have done this off-season and think they'll improve but there is no way they will win the division this year. You just can't put all your chips in the baskets of Burnett and Ryan just yet. Both are unproven over the course of a long season and in big pressure situations. Burnett has never been better than a .500 pitcher and Ryan's experience of pressure games is nearly non-existant.

With that said, they could push for a wild card spot if all goes well. Most of all though, that rotation must stay on the field. Hallady is truly one of the best in the game...when healthy.

I'm looking forward to the progression of the outfielder Rios, too.

[legend]

Will Halladay come back strong?
Is B.J Ryan a big time closer?
Will Ted Lilly bounce back from his sub par year?
Is A.J. Burnett more than a .500 pitcher?
What does Troy Glaus have left?
Can Alex Rios knock in more than 59 runs?
Where does Eric Hinske fit in?
Is there enough hitting at short and second?
Lots more questions than answers for me, especially in this division. vernon Wells is nursing an injury already. I'm not a believer in Toronto.

[Lefty Noob]

Hi, legend. Welcome to the boards and thanks for joining in. Without a doubt, there are a ton of questions surrounding the Jays. I think Halladay will be able to rebound, and I think Ryan and Glaus will turn out to be good investments. Not convinced about Burnett, though. Not to mention they have a lot of stiff competition to face in their division. I, like you, am skeptical about this being a playoff contender.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Sure, there are lots of questions about the Jays, and their success depends on the health of several of their starters. But those things can be said of every team.

The Jays' biggest competition will, most likely, be the Sox and Yanks. But who knows what Schilling and Foulke will look like this year. Can Pavano bounce back from a terrible year? Will Randy Johnson have a better season than last year?

I'm not as quick to dismiss Toronto...

[Mid-depth_Reporter]

The Toronto Blue Jays have talent, that's for sure. They have a pitching staff that looks promising, rising talents in the batting order, but they have too-weak of a defense to play that outfield turf up in Toronto.

The Jays will give most teams a challenege, but even with the power pitchers its staff has, I don't think the Jays have the defense to cover the outfield, or the arms to keep the runs down. Also, with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, Toronto is looking at playing some high-scoring games.

Right now, the Jays have too many tough divisional games to have a good chance at winning the division. Maybe there will be a post .500 team this year, but no penant in Toronto.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, Mid-depth_Reporter

[CursedtoFirst]

But as Bill Lee said, unfortunately, they play on grass.