Close Article Return to stream X
MLB •

5 Biggest Toronto Blue Jays X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

+Read full article

5 Biggest Toronto Blue Jays X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays
Getty Images

The Toronto Blue Jays have perennially been around a .500 team for much of the last two decades. It has not been good enough to earn them their first trip to the postseason since 1993, though. As a result, Toronto holds the league's longest active playoff drought steak. Here are five key x-factors for them in 2015.

5. Brett Cecil

Kansas City Royals v Toronto Blue Jays
Getty Images

5. Brett Cecil

Kansas City Royals v Toronto Blue Jays
Getty Images

Currently penciled into the closer role, Cecil's efficiency levels there will determine the versatility of top prospect Aaron Sanchez. The southpaw began his first four seasons as a starter, but he has experienced an ERA drop from 4.77 to 3.01 as a reliever when he was moved permanently to the bullpen late in the 2012 season. Cecil has only recorded six career saves.

4. Josh Donaldson

Oakland Athletics v Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

4. Josh Donaldson

Oakland Athletics v Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

Toronto was busy early this offseason. Trading for Donaldson was one of the most high-profile transactions to date, as the Jays gave up a number of promising prospects to acquire the 29-year-old. Adjusting to the bounces on Rogers Centre's field turf at third base may take some time for him on defense, but clearing the fences while at the plate should not be too big a challenge from within Donaldson's new stacked lineup.

3. Russell Martin

8.danhamilton copy
Dan Hamilton - USA Today Sports

3. Russell Martin

8.danhamilton
Dan Hamilton - USA Today Sports

Martin is the biggest free agent signing in club history. A native to Canada, he will take over full-time backstop duties from Dioner Navarro and will be expected to get the most out of his pitchers. But the Jays didn't just sign him for his defense. He hit .290 last season and had an outstanding OBP of .402. Martin will look to replace Navarro's .274-12-69 production from a year ago on offense.

2. Marcus Stroman

Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees
Getty Images

2. Marcus Stroman

Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees
Getty Images

Stroman impressed in his rookie campaign last season. In 20 starts, he posted a very respectable 3.65 ERA with 11 wins. He also pitched a two-run complete game against the Tigers and a shutout that followed four weeks later over the Cubs. He's entering his sophomore season, so the MLB scouting report is out on him. It will be interesting to see how Stroman handles the opposition's adjustments in 2015.

1. Michael Saunders

Cleveland Indians v Seattle Mariners
Getty Images

1. Michael Saunders

Cleveland Indians v Seattle Mariners
Getty Images

Saunders is a question mark, but the Jays don't want him to be. What they need is a capable left fielder who can also approach departed Melky Cabrera's numbers at the plate from 2014. The Condor is another Canadian talent the Jays took on for 2015, but he's recorded only 400-plus ABs twice in his six-year career. Injuries have been an issue, but Saunders should know that he's replacing a player who ranked fourth in team WAR (3.1) last year.

Jordan Wevers is a writer for RantSports.
Your Favorites