Toronto Blue Jays still have much to prove, believes Tampa Bay Rays’ manager Joe Maddon
After a recent mega trade with the Miami Marlins, the Toronto Blue Jays are now feeling comfortable. With this trade, the Blue Jays received three big players who are currently considered one of the best players in the league.
Now different teams including Tampa Bay Rays’ expecting some thrilling tests ahead for the Blue Jays. Recently their manager Joe Maddon gave an interview in which he explained in detail about his Divisional rival team.
"It definitely puts them right in contention. There's no question, Their pitching staff got better, and it got more veteran, which they had not been among the starters. The team on the field has been offensive. They got more offensive,” Rays' manager Joe Maddon said.
He added, “They got faster. (Former Marlins utility player Emilio) Bonifacio, I really dig him, man. That guy is a pain. They added speed, they added presence and their pitching staff got better just because of the mentoring ability, say, of Buehrle among all these other guys. All those things are factors.”
According to Joe Maddon’s statement that the Blue Jays’ need more achievements to prove their game further in the seasons, this is also certain that few players addition do not guarantee any consistent success.
Blue Jays will need a good strategy as well. In the recent past season, they relied too much on veteran pitchers. However, those guys could not perform well and lost many games during the regular season.
On the other hand, three players which will be playing for the Blue Jays will also make things more competitive in the coming seasons.
Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes are considered one of best players at the moment in the big league. They will certainly provide the Blue Jays a positive focus into a fresh season.
Buehrle with Miami, last season finished achieving 3.74 ERA, 13-13 win-loss, 125 strike-outs and 1.17 WHIP. While his career 3.82 ERA along with 174-132 win-loss, 1521 strike-outs and 1.27 WHIP also makes him a good role player in the league.
Shortstop Jose Reyes also improved his hitting average in 2012 season as now he stands comfortable with .287 hitting average along with eleven homers and 57 RBIs and .347 OBP.
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