By DavidKaye
Thirty-one games into the 2007 season the Blue Jays find themselves 13-18 and in the cellar in the AL East.
I know what you're saying, how are the woeful Devil Rays not in last place? The answer is that through quality hitting and pitching by many of their young players Tampa is in third place in the division. Although that run of luck by the Rays will not continue, it is promising to see a team that has never won more than 70 games in a season experience minimal success.
Toronto's off season additions of Frank Thomas, Victor Zambrano and Tomo Ohka haven't exactly gone the way general manager J.P. Ricciardi envisioned it would when he signed all three veterans to mix in with a young core of players.
Injuries to players B.J. Ryan, Reed Johnson, Gustavo Chacin, John Thompson and Gregg Zaun have hampered the Jays ability to succeed. The left elbow sprain to all-star closer B.J. Ryan which has sidelined him since April 15th was the most crushing injury of them all.
Last season for Toronto Ryan saved 38 games and posted a 1.37 ERA. He had become a dependable arm for manager John Gibbons and without the left-hander Toronto's bullpen has spiraled into a complete mess.
After posting an impressive 87-75 record a season ago, Toronto was looking to add upon their success and reach the playoffs in the ardent American League. Although the 2007 season is long from being over, it doesn't appear as if the Blue Jays have the ability to compete in the AL East.
