30 Teams in 30 Days: Toronto Blue Jays

30 Teams in 30 Days is a preseason feature to highlight the significant changes to each of the major league teams. It's meant to get everyone up to speed before our pre-season predictions in mid-March

Everybody knows the picture above. October 23, 1993, Joe Carter's walk-off home run against Mitch Williams gives Toronto its second straight World Series title. It's also the last day the Blue Jays really mattered in the world of baseball. It's been a long time since the days of Carter, Paul Molitor, Devon White, and Roberto Alomar. Sure, Toronto has had its share of seasons winning between 80 and 90 games, but have yet to play a posteason game since 1993.

There is one familiar face from the early 90's Jays still around in manager Cito Gaston. Gaston, who was the Jays' skipper for their two championships and 92-93 and also won division titles in 1989 and 1991, took over for crazy ass John Gibbons in June and went 51-37.

The Blue Jays led the AL in team ERA in 2008, but A.J. Burnett went to the Yankees and Shaun Marcum will miss all of 2009 after having Tommy John surgery.

Toronto's hitting was a different story. The Jays didn't have a player hit over 20 home runs or drive in more than 79 runs. Vernon Wells, who has underperformed since signing his big contract before the 2007 season, was the team's best offensive player which isn't saying much. Alex Rios is a decent player and rookie Travis Snider, who hit .301 as a September call up, could make an impact.

Projected lineup and rotation

C-Rod Barajas

1B-Lyle Overbay

2B-Aaron Hill

SS-John McDonald

3B-Scott Rolen

LF-Travis Snider

CF-Vernon Wells

RF-Alex Rios

DH-Adam Lind

SP-Roy Halladay

SP-Dustin McGowan

SP-Jesse Litsch

SP-David Purcey

SP-Scott Richmond

CL-B.J. Ryan

Once again, Toronto will fail to score runs. Snider will be a nice addition and should be one of the team's better offensive players, but you know your offense sucks when you get a combined 25 homers from your first and third basemen, as Toronto did last season. It looks like Toronto will see yet another season without October baseball.