Jays' Odds 'n Ends: Four 20-Game Winners on Roster

Just got a call that the Ramon Castro transaction, reported in some places as a sure-fire free-agent, one-year deal, $1 million contract with the Jays is not happening. That moves Raul Chavez back up to the No. 2 role behind John Buck. It looks like the two Jays' catchers would have trouble starting 162 games between them, so look for a further move behind the plate in the new year. 

After going through the Jays' post-Halladay roster, it seems the club has four 20-game winners among the 24 names on the pitching part of the roster. Err, that's not 20 games in the same season, that's 20 wins in their careers. The four guys and their career win totals are: Shaun Marcum (24), Scott Downs (22), Dustin McGowan (20) and Jesse Litsch (20). 

Combined, the 24 Jays' roster pitchers coming to spring training have combined for 204 career victories. That's 8.5 career victories per man. Further research is required, but two questions jump out. Is this the fewest ever on a Jays' 40-man roster, including 1977 and is it the fewest of any current major-league team? My guess is yes and yes. Anyone that can confirm such an obscure stat is welcome to comment, but what it does say is that this Jays' team is a long way from competing. But then again, we knew that.  

  

Comments

[Jon]

Re: 1977 Blue Jays - Bill Singer and Steve Hargan had approx. 200 career wins combined at the time, so the answer to your first question is yes.

[Bruce]

But there are fewer 20 game winners per season now so it's unfair to compare eras. Nevertheless, don't undersell the Jays' pitching in 2010. They all looked good at one time or another.

[FDuquette]

I wonder how long it will take for the Jays to compete. How many seasons? I wager 2015 the earliest they can make the post-season. There is also the possibility that the franchise gets sold locally (ie stay in Toronto), which would add to that time frame.