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Detroit Tigers Rank Highly in MCB’s First Power Rankings of 2017

By Ben Rosener

Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

#13 Toronto Blue Jays
2016 Run Differential: +93
Best Offseason Move: Signing Steve Pearce
Worst Offseason Move: Letting Edwin Encarnacion Depart

Speaking of Toronto, the Blue Jays will try to adjust to life without Edwin Encarnacion this season.

The slugger mashed 239 home runs and 202 doubles while driving in 679 runs in 999 games for Toronto over the past eight seasons.

He’s now plying his trade in Cleveland, and will leave big shoes to fill north of the border.

The Blue Jays brought in Kendrys Morales in free agency, and will depend on the veteran to help replace Encarnacion.

Morales, who crushed 30 home runs for the Royals last season, will hit in a lineup that will also include Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki, Devon Travis and Russell Martin.

Toronto certainly has the fire power, but it may need to address the left field situation at some point.

Former Detroit Tigers center fielder Ezequiel Carrera is one of the leading options at the position, and he hit .248 with a 85 wRC+ and a 0.7 WAR last season.

On the pitching side of things, the Jays return Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada.

Combine those four with closer Roberto Osuna and a potent offense, and the Toronto Blue Jays look set to return to the playoffs once again.

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