My reference to Toronto teams will consist of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC. As per usual, Toronto Rock are eliminated due to Nascar.
Examining the present state of the franchises, most would say it does not look good. I prefer to say, it is so-so. The Toronto Blue Jays are presently tearing apart AL East opponents and sit 7 games over five hundred. Predictions at the start of the year had them winning sixty games...one more win and they will have met expectations with 50 games to go. Optimism. Toronto FC is presently on the outside looking in sitting in 9th place, one spot out of the playoffs. They are however into the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, which is a historic feat for the baby of the Toronto franchises. The Toronto Maple Leafs finished another disappointing season by sending the second overall pick to the Boston Bruins and having to trade into the second round of the draft. Brian Burke has added some nice pieces in Versteeg, Phaneuf, Kessel, and Gustavsson in the last year...while ridding us of some contracts that I did not think were even possible of unloading (see: Jason Blake) however, we have yet to see the results of these moves. Finally, the Toronto Raptors stink. Enough said. More on them later.
Toronto Blue Jays
Present Standing: 4th in the AL East and out 8 games out of the Wild Card standings.
Don't let this fool you, the Blue Jays have surpassed expectations this year with a young group of players growing into bonafide MLB players on any team.
Positives
The young pitching staff has been consistent, dominant at times, and never over matched by the Monster that is the AL East. AA's addition of Brandon Morrow has been fantastic, and he is only getting better as can be evidenced by his 17K's and one hit shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Bay Street Bombers have hit more home runs than any team in baseball this year. Jose Bautista has led the charge with 34 home runs (leading MLB) and will hopefully be re-signed for 3 more years this off-season so that he can continue to swing a big bat in the big smoke.
Negatives
We remain in the AL East. As long as the Yankees, and Red Sox continue to have an open vault, and the Tamp Bay Rays superstar core stays in tact we will have a tough time winning a championship. That being said, the gap is closing. This young group of upstarts is quickly becoming a challenging group of MLB starters.
Outlook
This team will be competitive in 2010, challenging in 2011, and contending soon after that as the aging core players of Jeter, Rodriguez, Posada, Youklis, Ortiz and Beckett begin to fade. I foresee it taking a wild card to make the playoffs due to the fact that the Yankees and Sox will still have cash to reload, but it could happen. The Blue Jays seem to be in capable hands with Anthopoulos at the helm.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Present Standing: Off-Season. Finished second last in the NHL last year, however made some positive strides with regards to the roster and freeing up cap space.
Not much more I can say here. The young guys seemed to turn it on at the end of the season, but the Leafs have done that the last 4 seasons and missed the playoffs in every one of them.
Positives
Young goaltender who may or may not become solid enough to win in the playoffs. The Monster seemed to flourish a bit more with Giguere as his battery mate, and with a season free of health problems he could easily put up starting keeper numbers in the NHL.
Young core of players. Phaneuf, Kessel, Gustavsson, Schenn, Gunnarsson, Bozak, Kulemin and Kadri inspire hope. Though they may not be Toews, Kane and Nash they are great pieces that can be made into a contending team with a few high end additions at Center and Wing.
Negatives
Despite having all the new additions last year the Leafs finished out of the playoffs and in the bottom 2 of the NHL.
Despite finishing second last in the entire league...we did not get a draft pick out of it. The Boston Bruins got a potential franchise center...and we continue to shop Tomas Kaberle Oh, we also don't have a first round pick next year. So much for building with young players and inexpensive contracts...we have young players making 5+ million.
Outlook
As I said in my prior post I think that this team will finish 8th or 9th in the East next year. Lacking a first round pick this year and next, I don't foresee this getting much better. in 2011-2012 I can see us finishing in the same position again. Without compiling first round picks and getting a solid free agent acquisition this team could toile in mediocrity for a while.
Toronto FC
Present Standing: 3rd place in the East behind the recently stacked New York Red Bulls, and 9th overall in the MLS. One spot out of the playoffs. In the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Playing some of the best football of the franchises history has yet to translate into league success for this team. They have held onto their position in the standings longer than in years past, and we have yet to see that summer collapse...however they are still on the outside looking in.
Toronto FC has tasted success in International Competition as they have advance to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. Unprecedented for this team.
Positives
The rabid fan base of Toronto FC (led by the supporters clubs) has created a home atmosphere that makes it impossible for opposing teams to come in and take full points. The Big Red Machine becomes a mix of the team, the fans, the chants, and coach Preki's always nasty demeanour. This is our house...you're god damn right it is.
Unexpected players have stepped up on a nightly basis this year for Toronto FC. Adrian Cann, a USL signing has become that big, steady CB needed for Toronto. Chad Barrett has found the form that many have demanded, and still continue to refuse to acknowledge at BMO field. Give the man some damn love...his right foot has basically sent us through to the group stage of CONCACAF, not to mention given us 3 crucial points against Chivas.
Negatives
Toronto's road record remains atrocious. Without the friendly confines of BMO Field the boys appear lost. Home field seems to be a big thing in the MLS, more so than any other sport that Toronto franchises play in.
Scoring remains an issue. One goal or none appears to be the norm for this talented squad. There has yet to be a consistent goal scoring threat emerging from this squad and until they do, it will continue to be a roller coaster ride.
Outlook
Up until 2-3 weeks ago I would have had Toronto's chances of gelling and becoming a legitimate contender as a very real possibility. However, when the New York Red Bulls sign Thierry Henry and the captain of the bloody Mexican World Cup squad, on top of Juan Pablo Angel...I lose a lot of faith in our chances of winning the East.
Toronto Raptors
Present Standing: Dead in the water. Sinking ship. Young Gunz that are not loaded. The Raptors no longer have a legit star, and we have a core group of players that has one guy who has averaged more than 10 points per game in his career. This does not look good.
Positives
The team appears to be closer after the departure of Chris Bosh. Demar DeRozan, Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems have formed a strong bond and are determined to prove that the Raptors are not the second worst team in the NBA (thanks ESPN).
Ed Davis, the Raptors first round pick at PF (think Bosh when he was drafted for his size) out of North Carolina looked dominant against bigger competition in the Vegas summer league. He handed Demarcus Cousins his lunch when Sacramento played Toronto by blocking him 4 times in the first half and holding him to a paltry 1-10. Not bad. A couple years away from being big time though, I think.
Negatives
Everything else. We have no legit Center (Bargs is a PF) no dominant Wing, and no dominant PG. This could be a lonnnnngggg rebuilding process.
The Toronto media did not rip Chris Bosh harder. Don't treat Toronto fans like morons, be straight up and tell us we wont see you next year. We can deal with that. At the same time, I'm disappointed they didn't rip Colangelo harder. He acted like a child, and stooped to Gilberts level. Grow up and build us a damn team. Stop worrying about where you get your dress shirts and get me a fucking Center.
Outlook
Fucked. A decade away from being anything in the NBA. At this point relocation looks more likely than a Championship.
PREDICTION
Ladies and gentleman, your next Toronto CHAMPIONS......
THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS!!!!
The reason I chose the Toronto Blue Jays encompasses a few factors:
- Recently the New York Red Bulls acquired 2 more players who are considered stars in the MLS. This drastically hinders Toronto FC's chances to ever win the East, and further more the league. Columbus remains a very strong squad.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs could miss the playoffs and wind up in the lottery 2 years in a row without making a pick. Not the way you build championships anymore.
- As I said, the Toronto Raptors are fucked.
What do you think? Agree disagree? Love to hear some comments.
- Recently the New York Red Bulls acquired 2 more players who are considered stars in the MLS. This drastically hinders Toronto FC's chances to ever win the East, and further more the league. Columbus remains a very strong squad.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs could miss the playoffs and wind up in the lottery 2 years in a row without making a pick. Not the way you build championships anymore.
- As I said, the Toronto Raptors are fucked.
What do you think? Agree disagree? Love to hear some comments.
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