The Toronto Blue Jays headed to spring training after a winter of discontent for many of their followers.
The bullpen was bolstered and a closer obtained in right-hander Sergio Santos. But there had been hopes for a signing like pitcher Yu Darvish or first baseman Prince Fielder, or at least an experienced starter and another good bat.
The lack of moves in these areas makes the Blue Jays a team of opportunity for those already in an organization that has more good prospects than it has for a long time.
The competition for the regular spot in left field figures to be the biggest story. Eric Thames and Travis Snider, both left-handed hitters, will be the main competitors but there are plenty of other options at least on a part-time basis like Ben Francisco, Rajai Davis, perhaps on occasion designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion or maybe even second baseman Kelly Johnson, who has played there before.
The Blue Jays have been waiting on Snider to emerge as a top player but each season he has been returned to the minors for part of the season. Thames took advantage of the opening created last year and did well with it.
The other openings come in the starting rotation where Rickey Romero and Brandon Morrow are established as 1-2 with possibly Brett Cecil as No. 3 if he is able to shake off a disappointing 2011. Cecil has worked hard in the offseason to improve his conditioning.
Henderson Alvarez should be in the rotation based on his favorable first impression late last season. And everyone will be rooting for Dustin McGowan to earn a spot after he earned the opportunity late last season after missing three years with shoulder injuries.
Kyle Drabek opened last season in the rotation but pitched himself back to the minors. If he has learned something from that he could work his way back into the mix.
Luis Perez and Joel Carreno both helped themselves by showing well in their big-league stints last year, but could also be bullpen candidates. Rapidly rising 21-year-old Drew Hutchison is probably the one to watch. His poise, command and stuff indicate an early major-league chance.
Jose Bautista again anchors the offense. With Brett Lawrie at third base from the start this season, it means Bautista should be able to remain in right field. Last season, he moved to third for a spell because of the lack of hitting from that spot and the outfield defense suffered.
Going into last year there were questions about how Adam Lind would do as regular first baseman and how J.P. Arencibia would handle the No. 1 catcher's role. Both showed they were up to the task.
Except for Bautista in right, the outfield defense was poor for much last season. The addition of Colby Rasmus in late July helped in centerfield defensively but he did not hit as expected. And that's another question going into spring training: Can Rasmus live up to expectations?
