The Risk and Reward in the American League East

Finally, with the completion of his puzzle near, he spent money this offseason. Sending a clear message that the Blue Jays’ time was now, he went out and acquired shortstop Jose Reyes, and pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buerhrle from the Miami Marlins. And if that wasn’t enough, he acquired National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey from the New York Mets to solidify a formidable starting pitching rotation.

“This should be a playoff contending team, where the fans will come back to the tune of three million fans,” says Howarth. “Baring injury they should be playing everyday meaningful games, because they have one of the best five man starting rotations in baseball.”

From a pure business perspective, the moves are necessary in order to bring the fans back to the park. Toronto is, and always will be, a hockey town, which will continuously force the Blue Jays to earn their keep within the city. The Rogers Centre tends to only see an influx of fans when big name teams came through town, such as the Yankees and Red Sox. However this new roster has the names and potential to change that.

“Now it will be the Blue Jays. The fans will come out. They have nine new faces, including the pitchers, and that’s what the fans want to see now,” says Howarth.

A famous quote from the film Field of Dreams goes, “If you build it, he will come.” Anthopoulos has certainly built it. With the American League East at its most vulnerable, coupled with the Leafs and Raptors wrapping up their seasons shortly, the Blue Jays can truly become Toronto’s team.

Spencer Emmerson is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. In October of 2012, he obtained his Honours degree in English from the University of Guelph. To learn more, please view his twitter account @TheSpinner24.