Don't look now, but the Toronto Blue Jays have become instant contenders in the American League East.
They pulled off their biggest trade since the early '90s, a deal that brought Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter to Toronto, leading to World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. In obtaining shortstop Jose Reyes, pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson from Florida, they have filled some big holes.
Starting pitching was a real weakness and in Johnson they get a hard-throwing righty with a good upside. He was 8-14, 3.81 ERA with 165 strikeouts.
Buehrle is a solid proven southpaw who pitches about 200 innings a year, and last season was 13-13 with a 3.74 ERA. Reyes, will be the best shortstop since Tony Fernandez, and the all-star hit .287 with 40 steals. They also rid themselves of Yunel Escobar, who embarrassed the team with his ill-thought homophobic slur last season.
The Jays are giving up good prospects, but you have to give quality to get it in return. The deal also sees speedy infielder-outfielder Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck Toronto-bound.
Not done, GM Alex Anthropolous signed free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera who was in San Francisco last season, before a 50-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy ended his season.
These additions along with a return of a healthy Jose Bautista, the emergence of Edwin Encarnacion as a premier power hitter and a young player like Brett Lawrie and the Jays are a very improved team. The chance of an Eastern title or a wild-card spot could definitely be within their grasp in 2013.
