Not quite .500, but a lot of light was shed this year on the future of our Blue Jays.
With a bit more cash this off season, moves will be made.
Who has proved themselves ready? Who needs to move on?

Lets take a look at the season that was...

what went right in ‘05

The bullpen was brilliant all year (save Batista, who continues to be uneven as a closer). Frasor, Chulk, and Speier all took big steps forward, and cemented themselves into their roles. Not cycling them in and out of the closers spot seemed to help a great deal. Veteran specialist Shoeneweis performed his role very well—when was the last time you could say that about a Blue Jay veteran acquisition in the pen?

The starting staff, though decimated by injuries to Halliday and Lilly, stood up well. Chacin and Towers pitched strong all season, and Downs showed enough to warrant a serious look next spring.

The infield continues to grow in the right direction. Injuries to Hudson and Koskie allowed Toronto to play Hill a lot and in a variety of positions, and he showed that not only can he hit, but can field as well as any Jay, save maybe Hudson. Adams continued to develop, and looks to be a true part of the Jays future, not just the stop-gap for Hill many expected him to be. Hudson was brilliant in the field all season, and hit more than expected. Hillenbrand and Zaun were steady.

The Reed Johnson/Frank Catalanotto situation worked well, The two combined for 117 RBI and 111 Runs, and Johnson continued to shine both in the field and in clutch late inning at bats. Wells was steady at the plate, not spectacular, but continued to play a brilliant CF.

John Gibbons had an excellent season. Made the right moves, didn’t lie about Vietnam.

The Rogers Centre is pretty.

what went wrong ‘05

Key injuries to Halliday, Lilly, Koskie and Hudson.

Miguel Batista continued to look shaky, and his over 4 ERA just does not cut it.

Hinske is done. Koskie was no good. Rios is on borrowed time.

off season changes

Dump Hinske. He is not as good as Koskie, not as good as Hillenbrand, not as good as Hill. And he is not getting better. Trade him, release him, sell him to Japan...whatever...he is toast.

Trade Koskie, while he can still play (maybe). Put Hill at 3rd, Hillenbrand at first. The Twins are supposedly interested...

Get Rios to Winter Ball. Tell him whomever hits more home runs next spring wins the right field job. Tell him it is between him and Gross.

For Zaun’s sake, acquire an adequate backup catcher.

Dump Batista in the same sack as Hinkse. Try to sign BJ Ryan.

Spend some cash on a starter. Maybe a Burnett or a Weaver.

Look for a LF who can hit more than 11 home runs. Dump the Cat while his stock is high, keep Johnson to back up.