The Toronto Blue Jays are arguably the favorite to win the American League East.
It’s without doubt that they have had the most busy offseason of any team in Major League Baseball.
Alex Anthopoulos sent shockwaves through the baseball world when he acquired Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, John Buck and Emilio Bonifacio from the Miami Marlins in exchange for a group of prospects, Yunel Escobar and Henderson Alvarez.
They followed that up by signing Melky Cabrera to a two-year, $16 million dollar deal. And though he forfeited the National League batting title to now-former teammate Buster Posey, Cabrera is finally coming into his own and is showing that he can swing the bat—performance enhanced or not.
And if that wasn’t enough, Anthopoulos also acquired reigning National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey (along with Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas) in exchange for recently acquired John Buck and prospects Travis d’Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard and Wuilmer Becerra. The Blue Jays also agreed to a three-year extension with Dickey as part of the deal.
Adding those pieces to a team that already featured hitters Jose Bautista, Brett Lawrie, Edwin Encarnacion, Colby Rasmus and Adam Lind and starting pitchers Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow and J.A. Happ gives the Blue Jays by far the most complete and imposing lineup on paper.
But will this group perform well together and, more importantly, contend for a World Series championship (which they haven’t won since 1993)?
The Blue Jays definitely have the most to prove of any team in Major League Baseball.
With a lineup full of star names, it’s left to be determined whether or not they will have the chemistry and ability to work together as a team. And though they currently look to be the dominant force in the American League East, they still have to compete against the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles, who all have potent lineups in their own rights.
Will the Toronto Blue Jays have what it takes to top the standings in the American League East?
Will general manager Alex Anthopoulos look to be a genius for his acquisitions?
Only time will tell…
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com