Observation #1: Happy with JA Happ

Gotta Love Him. Period.

Why? Because Jays fans are likely going to see a lot of him this coming season. After signing a one-year $3.7 million contract for 2013, he has official 'long-reliever' status. And the long reliever (either Villanueva or Tallet) has ranked in the top-5 for Jays innings pitched each of the last 4 years.

The long reliever needs lots of innings to stay stretched-out for spot-starts. Traditionally these guys get their innings in mop-up roles. The new-look Jays, however, are sporting a starting rotation where each starter has the potential for 200+ innings per season.  Knock-on-wood, there's no reason to believe this group of starters will allow the need for a mop-up role, as they all have the ability to go 7 strong innings every night. Regardless of the need, Happ still needs regular innings to stay ready though, so we may be seeing him in later innings and tight games.

Happ is making just under Janssen's $3.9 Million for 2013, but greater than Oliver's $3.0 Million or Santos at $2.75 million (according to Baseball Prospectus). On paper, he appears to be a VIP in the bull-pen judging by salary. He has no options on his contract, so we can expect him to be a staple, and if struggles arise, he won't likely be working them out at AAA.  

Happ didn't show relief pitching as a strong point after coming to TO in late 2012. However, he did demonstrate the ability over the last 3 games of the season to be a dependable starter, and you have to think that can translate into a long-relief role. For the record, I remember his complete game shut-out against the Jays on June 27, 2009, and I remember wishing at that time the Jays could have him on their roster. Well, now they have him. They're going to use him a lot, and we have to be happy about it.