Blue Jays Rumors: Alex Anthopoulos Coveting “One More Bat”

Yesterday, while fielding questions on MLB Network Radio, Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was asked which area of his team he would like to improve.  Though Toronto already sports a formidable lineup, Anthopoulos said that he would “love to get one more bat”.

Several baseball analysts tabbed the Blue Jays as a team that could make the playoffs in 2012, even as they play in the gauntlet of a division that is the American League East.  Last season the Blue Jays were able to finish the season with a respectable record of .500, thanks in large part to their offense.

The Blue Jays were near the top of the league in runs scored and home runs while their pitching staff was at the opposite end of the spectrum in ERA.  Still, if it were up to Anthopoulos (and it kind of is), the Blue Jays wouldn’t add a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher or shutdown reliever, but instead an impact bat.

Anthopoulos said his comments shouldn’t “take anything away” from the Blue Jay’s offense.  While he views his offense as top five in the AL and believes it has improved since last season, Anthopoulos said that over the last six months it’s become evident “that great offense can really carry you”.  AA added that “one more middle of the order bat right now would be outstanding and just wear down the other teams”.

We’ll see if this proves to be the Blue Jays focus this summer or in the coming offseason.

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