Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

After making a blockbuster deal with the Miami Marlins in the off-season last year, the Toronto Blue Jays were viewed as the favourites to win the the American League East and possibly the World Series. However, things fell apart quickly, star shortstop Jose Reyes was injured on an awkward slide into second just weeks into the season, putting a huge hole in the team. Stars by the likes of Melky Cabrera, Jose Bautista and R.A. Dickey failed to perform under the bright lights of the Toronto media, and the Toronto Blue Jays finished the season last in the American League.

The team is ready to put that season behind them, and are ready to kick off the 2014 season with yet another chance to win the grand prize: the World Series Championship.

SETTINGS:
Sliders: Willard's Hybrid Sliders
Rosters: OSFM Hybrid V2a
30-Team Control: On
Quick Counts: Sometimes
Difficulty: Dynamic
Hitting: Pure Analog
Pitching Pure Analog
Fielding: Meter
Strategy: I'm determined to play all 162 games this year!

<center><p><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/back.jpg~original" alt="" width="30" height="30" /> <span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; vertical-align: middle; font-size: large;"><strong>APRIL 2014</strong></span> <a href="clubhouse.php?content_id=7752&amp;user=BlueJ aysFan65&amp;sport=mlb"><img style="vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/forward.jpg~original" alt="" width="30" height="30" /></a></p> <table style="text-align: left; width: 621px;" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#dcdcdc"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#ff0000"> <td style="border: 0px solid #042e6c; background-image: url('http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a552/BlueJaysFan6512/NHL%2014%20Toronto%20Maple%20Leafs%20Dynasty/6677c143-0c73-44bb-bce6-5d9f891899a4_zpsd5b9e854.jpg?t=1412988690');" colspan="7" align="left"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 27pt; font-family: verdana; color: #002e6e;"><strong>.</strong> </span></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#c1c1c1"> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.50%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>SUNDAY</strong> </span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.25%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>MONDAY</strong> </span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.25%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>TUESDAY</strong> </span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.25%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>WEDNESDAY</strong> </span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.25%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>THURSDAY</strong> </span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.25%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>FRIDAY</strong> </span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2012/gradient_dn.png');" align="center" width="14.25%"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>SATURDAY</strong> </span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">31</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/rays_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 3-0</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14229& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">1</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/rays_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 6-4</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14230& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">2</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/rays_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 13-5</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14231& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">3</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/rays_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 2-1</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14232& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">4</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/yankees_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 8-6</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14233& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">5</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/yankees_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 10-3</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14234& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">6</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/yankees_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 10-4</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14235& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">7<br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">8</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/astros_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 8-5</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14236& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">9</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/astros_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 4-3</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14237& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">10</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/astros_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 9-2</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14238& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">11</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/orioles_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 7-3</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14239& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">12</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/orioles_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 8-4</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14240& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">13</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/orioles_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 3-2</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14241& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">14<br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">15</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/twins_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 7-3</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14242& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">16</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/twins_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 4-3</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14243& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">17</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/twins_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 8-6</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14244& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">18</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/indians_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 4-1</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14245& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">19</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/indians_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 7-1</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14246& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">20</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/indians_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 6-4</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14246& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">21<br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">22</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/orioles_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 9-5</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14248& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">23</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/orioles_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>W, 6-4</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14249& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">24</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/orioles_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong></strong><strong>L, 6-2</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14250& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">25</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/redsox_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong></strong><strong>W, 5-0</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14251& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">26</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/redsox_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong></strong><strong>L, 4-3</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14252& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_home.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">27</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/redsox_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 4-0</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14253& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">28<br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">29</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/royals_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 2-1</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14254& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="background-image: url('http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/schedulebg_away.jpg~original'); text-align: right;" colspan="1"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;">30</span></span> <div align="center"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/gagnon39/MLB%2014/royals_schedule.png~original" alt="" width="55" height="55" /></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><strong>L, 7-2</strong><br /><a href="clubhouse.php?view=game_recap&amp;gid=14255& amp;user=BlueJaysFan65&amp;sport=mlb">BOX</a><br /><br /></span></div> </td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /><br /><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" bgcolor="ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: arial; color: #000000;"><br /><br /><br /></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></center>

re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

After rocky 2013, Blue Jays still have pieces to go far
While many are counting out Toronto, a healthier lineup can open some eyes
By Phil Rogers
2/28/2014


DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Were we that stupid?

Or are the Blue Jays baseball's best sleeper this season?

"There's no question that the focus is off us this year," manager John Gibbons said Friday. "But that doesn't affect how we feel about ourselves."

Agent Scott Boras continues to try to sell Toronto General Manager Alex Anthopoulos and the team's Rogers Communication ownership on free agents Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales -- one or both -- and it's possible a late reinforcement could be added. But when you look around the field at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium or check the names on the lockers in the clubhouse, you can also see the Blue Jays becoming a contender without Drew, Morales or Ervin Santana, all of whom would cost Toronto the 45th overall pick in the upcoming Draft.

After trading for Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and R.A. Dickey and signing free agent Melky Cabrera, the Blue Jays were consensus favourites for the wide-open AL East race a year ago. They wound up 74-88 and in last place, and now they're mentioned about as often as Pawtucket and Norfolk in 2014 forecasts.

But inside the sport, they're seen as deserving of the mulligan they're being given by a front office that has kept the core together.

"It's easier being the chaser than the chased," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's less complicated."

The addition of Dickey, the 39-year-old knuckleballer who won the 2012 NL Cy Young Award for the Mets, signaled how strongly Anthopoulos and team president Paul Beeston felt about the chances for the Blue Jays to end a playoff drought that dates back to Joe Carter's home run off Mitch Williams in 1993. But as the Angels have demonstrated since they added Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson, it's really tough for a baseball franchise to pick its time and place to win.

As has been the case for each of the last four World Series champions, the sneak attack can be the way to go, even if it defies marketing slogans.

"Hey, we're not that bad" probably won't sell tickets. But the reality is that with the exception of a handful of proven powerhouses and overt rebuilders, baseball is extremely difficult to forecast. The Blue Jays are counting on that.

"We were in the spotlight last year and it was a tough year for us," Gibbons said. "We really like this team. We didn't perform up to the way we thought we were capable last year, and hopefully we do that this year."

Gibbons, who managed the Blue Jays in 2005-08, returned for a second stint after John Farrell was released from his contract to return to Boston. He was given an overhauled roster for a chaotic Spring Training, when Dickey, Reyes, catcher J.P. Arencibia, third baseman Brett Lawrie and others came and went because of the World Baseball Classic.

"The WBC hurt them as much as anybody last year," Hurdle said. "They had all those new players and the job was to bring them together. They didn't have enough time to do that because they had players all over the place."

Catcher Dioner Navarro, who spent last season with the Cubs, agrees with Hurdle.

"The guys who were here probably don't want to talk about it, but it's not a secret," said Navarro, who signed a two-year, $8-million deal to replace Arencibia. "The WBC hurt this team a lot. With so many new players, Spring Training was very important and probably a lot of problems were caused, little stuff that you don't see in the papers. Being around the game long enough, you understand. I see a lot of talent with this team, lots of very good players, and I'm very excited about the season."

Injuries were a recurring theme for the Blue Jays, with no one playing more than 143 games and only Adam Lind, Edwin Encarnacion and the .194-hitting Arencibia playing more than 118. But this is a different year.

Jose Bautista, who homered in Toronto's first exhibition game, appears to have recovered from the bone bruise in his left hip. Reyes is running well, and so is Cabrera.

Cabrera was signed to a two-year, $16-million contract in November 2012 after his stint with the Giants ended with a PED suspension. The 2012 All-Star Game MVP was limited by a mysterious back injury that turned out to be due to a benign tumour. He's like a new man -- or the old one -- since having it removed.

Second baseman Ryan Goins is unproven and under the gun, especially since Boras made it clear that Drew would be happy to move to second base if he could get a multi-year agreement. But the biggest X-factor for the Blue Jays is a starting rotation that, with the exception of Johnson, has the same basic cast (Dickey, Buehrle, J.A. Happ and the often-injured Brandon Morrow) responsible for a 46-57 record and 4.81 earned run average last year.

How those guys bounce back from meh seasons and how much youngsters like Drew Hutchison, Kyle Drabek and Marcus Stroman contribute will tell a lot. Only the Twins and Rockies got fewer innings from their starters last year, and an overworked bullpen is never part of a formula for success.

An overworked catcher? Maybe.

The wide-bodied Navarro -- listed at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds -- was dripping sweat after catching Buehrle for the first time in a 4-2 victory over the Pirates.

Nobody works quicker than Buehrle, even in February, and the rapid-fire pace takes some getting used to for catchers accustomed to handling less decisive pitchers. It was a good thing for Navarro that it was only 63 degrees.

"On the positive side," he said, "I don't have to do my conditioning work now."

You've got to love guys who can always find positives. Could this be a time for silver linings in Toronto?

re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

Rasmus Learning To Take Things in Stride
Outfielder feels club will bounce back, not concerned about being free agent.7
By Paul Hagen / MLB.com



DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The television in the Blue Jays' clubhouse at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium was tuned to MLB Network on Monday morning, and much of the news had a common theme.

The Yankees had signed outfielder Brett Gardner to a big new contract. Here's Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, talking about his big new contract. There are reports that the Angels are talking to Mike Trout about a big new contract.

Not far away is the locker assigned to Blue Jays centre fielder Colby Rasmus. He does not have a big new contract, at least not yet. Coming off his best Major League year, Rasmus is eligible to be a free agent at the end of the 2014 season. Some players welcome that challenge. Some don't.

How Rasmus responds isn't an idle question for a Blue Jays team hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season. He was one of the few bright spots for Toronto in 2013. In Rasmus' three years with the Blue Jays, his OPS has risen from .517 to .689 to .840. His 4.6 WAR ranked sixth among Major League centre fielders. Rasmus is only 27 years old.

"He's still a young kid," said manager John Gibbons. "He's got as much talent as anybody. He's still learning the game. He's still learning the pitchers. He's still really finding out who he is. Each year, he keeps getting better and better. When you've got that kind of talent, who knows how good you can be?"

That's a question people have been asking about Rasmus since the Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Rasmus has said in the past that no matter what he did in St. Louis that he couldn't meet the expectations. Being traded to the Blue Jays seemed to be best for all concerned. But unless Toronto moves to extend Rasmus' contract before the end of the season -- and there have been no indications that's under consideration -- he may have to make an interesting decision next winter whether to stay in a place where he's had success or move on for a bigger payday.

Whatever the answer ultimately is, Gibbons doesn't expect the uncertainty to bother Rasmus.

"I'm not in the contract business," said Gibbons. "I don't sign them, but it's always on guy's minds. It's a big year when you hit that. It shows you've been in the game awhile. You have to be pretty good to hang around that long. Some guys it may affect differently. With him, I don't see him focusing a lot on that, to be honest with you."

That's the plan, anyway.

"I'm just looking forward to getting to play another year. I'm not trying to put added pressure on myself like I've got to do better or whatever," Rasmus said. "I just want to put all that stuff out of my mind and put all the stuff I've learned to good use and go from there."

And the main lesson, Rasmus said, is to take things in stride.

"One of the biggest things, probably, is just that I am in the big leagues and I worked hard to get here -- and to enjoy it," said Rasmus. "Sometimes you get caught up in the numbers and trying to be so good and all that stuff. So I just want to enjoy being here."

Coincidentally, Rasmus believes the same holds true for the Blue Jays as a team. Asked what he and his teammates have to do to rebound from their last-place finish in the rigourous American League East, he shrugged.

"Bottom line is we've just got to go out there and play better," said Rasmus. "We've got some good players. But there are good players on every team. So we've just got to put it together, go out there and relax, and play and have fun. Especially with the teams we're playing against.

"Because when we play against the Yankees, Red Sox, Tampa Bay, they're not putting too much pressure on themselves, and it seems like we're always grinding against them. To me, if we just relax, see the ball, hit the ball and do all the things we know how to do as baseball players, we'll be all right."

The Blue Jays churned their roster going into last season. Rasmus hopes that being together for a season could help.

"I think that's possible," Rasmus said. "Last year, there were a bunch of new faces, and I was fairly new myself. I would think that might help a little as far as the chemistry and everybody knowing where they fit in and how to treat certain guys. But we'll see. It's hard to tell, because, like I said, we've got to face a bunch of real good teams. We've just got to let it hang out and play."

Which is exactly what Rasmus plans to do. If he does, free agency and all that goes with it will take care of itself.

re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

Blue Jays likely turning to rookie Goins at second
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is still exploring the possibility of making an upgrade at second base, but it appears as though the club is prepared to move forward with rookie Ryan Goins.

Goins entered camp earlier this week as the likely favourite to secure regular playing time at the position, but he will receive some competition from utility man Maicer Izturis.

There had been some talk earlier in the offseason that the Blue Jays would look to acquire another infielder, and while discussions continue to take place, it appears that's unlikely to happen before the 2014 campaign officially gets underway.

"A day ago, I was talking to a club about some trades," Anthopoulos admitted. "Right now through free agency, I'd say no. I would think it's unlikely that we add someone there, but I would say that we'll still continue to have some dialogue trade wise, see if we can bring someone else in. Our target has been more a younger guy that has upside that has a chance to be a long-term piece."

There are some serious question marks about whether Goins will be able to hit enough to justify a full-time job. That will need to be his biggest area of improvement and is one of the main reasons he volunteered to spend some time this offseason working with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer.

Goins got his Major League career off to a hot start last August, but his bat eventually cooled off and he ended the year hitting .252 with a .609 OPS in 34 games. The 26-year-old is a career .273 hitter with a .706 OPS over the course of five seasons in the Blue Jays' Minor League system.

The skepticism about his bat will continue to linger until Goins proves otherwise, but the one thing the club doesn't have any concerns about is his glove.

"I love the defence," Anthopoulos said. "He's as good defensively, I believe, as we've had here since Orlando Hudson was here. I think he's that good a defender. Defensively, he's Gold Glove calibre. The question will be the bat.

"Obviously, we've got some competition for him, and if he does make this team we view him right now as the nine-hole hitter. I think with Ryan, because the defence is so good, it allows him to not have to hit as much because he can help us on the other side of the ball to such a great extent. I love what he brings from a defensive standpoint."

re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

Navarro happy to catch quick working Buehrle
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com


DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Dioner Navarro has been around the game for the past 10 years, but he has never dealt with a pitcher quite like left-hander Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle is generally considered the fastest working pitcher in the big leagues. As soon as he gets the ball, he's toeing the rubber and looking for a sign from the catcher. There's no patience for any delays.

The veteran left-hander also can't remember the last time he shook off a catcher. Whatever pitch is asked for, Buehrle throws it with no questions asked. That puts an onus on his teammate to make sure the pitch and location matches up with the scouting reports.

"First thing I told him when we met, I said, 'Listen, I don't shake off, so I like the sign down and hope you've got a game plan back there, because I don't really go over one, I don't follow one, so I just kind of go off [the catcher's signs],'" Buehrle said.

"That's big for them to know the hitters and know what I like to throw in certain situations. So far, we're just working on some stuff right now and getting his feedback on certain pitches that I'm throwing, so it's good."

Buehrle and Navarro worked together for the first time during Friday afternoon's game against the Pirates. Buehrle struggled with the control of his sinker, but allowed just two hits and one run over the course of two innings.

The next four weeks will be about building a strong partnership between the pitcher and catcher. Last year's catcher, J.P. Arencibia, struggled to adjust at the outset of the season to Buehrle's timing, and it will be up to Navarro to ensure that doesn't happen this time around.

"I'm up to the challenge," Navarro said. "It's going to be a lot of fun. This guy's been in the league for a long time. He knows what he's supposed to do. He knows how he can work the hitters.

"He doesn't like to call pitches because he trusts all of his stuff, so whatever number I put down, even if it's not the right pitch at the moment, he still has a lot of confidence he's going to throw it. He throws it with conviction, which is the most important thing."

re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

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re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

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re: Canada's Team: The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB 14 The Show)
 

Sierra working at first to increase versatility.
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Moises Sierra began taking ground balls at first base on Sunday afternoon in preparation for a potential bench role with the Blue Jays.

Sierra began working out at the position during the winter as he attempts to crack the club's 25-man roster at the end of camp. He is out of options on his contract and cannot be sent to the Minor Leagues without passing through waivers.

The 25-year-old is an outfielder by trade but may have to prove he is capable of playing at least one other position in an emergency situation to hold down a spot on the roster.

"We wanted to look at it a little bit," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "If we got in a pinch, could he do it? How much he'll play? I wouldn't anticipate seeing a whole lot of it, but we're looking at it.

"He doesn't look too bad out there, but that's practice. Normally, everyone looks good in practice. When the game speeds up, it's a different story. But we'll see; he doesn't look too bad."

Gibbons seemed skeptical about Sierra's abilities at first but is at least keeping an open mind. The Blue Jays already have Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind available at the position, but whoever doesn't start there will usually get the nod at designated hitter.

That's why the Blue Jays would like to increase Sierra's versatility. If either Encarnacion or Lind had to come out of the game the club could turn to Sierra instead of losing the DH. It's not an ideal situation but is something the club hopefully won't have to do very often.

Sierra is an early favourite to earn a job in part because of his contractual status. The club still sees some upside in his bat, and he has been mentioned as a potential platoon partner with Lind at DH when there is a left-handed pitcher on the mound.

The Dominican native is a career .252 hitter with a .725 OPS in 84 games at the big league level. He regained a favourable status in the organization after he was called up as an injury replacement late in the 2013 season and proceeded to record 15 extra-base hits in just 107 at-bats.