MLB·Photos

The new Toronto Blue Jays for 2013

A look at 15 players Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos acquired in the off-season, including pitchers R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle and shortstop Jose Reyes.

Memo to Toronto Blue Jays fans planning a trip to Florida next month for spring training: purchase a game program.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos rarely took a break from the game during the late fall and winter, acquiring 15 players, giving three-fifths of the starting pitching rotation a new look and providing new, er, old manager John Gibbons with a proven leadoff hitter in Jose Reyes.

Former Miami Marlins pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle along with 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey will report to Dunedin on Feb. 13 with the Jays’ other pitchers and catchers, including newcomers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas of Vancouver.

New left-fielder Melky Cabrera and infielders Emilio Bonafacio, Maicer Izturis and Mark DeRosa aren’t required to report until Feb. 17 with Toronto’s other position players.

Among the fresh faces for Jays fans is former Cleveland Indians pitcher Esmil Rogers and one-time Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress.

In the blast-from-the-past category, converted pitcher Adam Loewen of Vancouver returns after a failed attempt to become a fixture in the New York Mets outfield last season and pitcher Dave Bush will try to make Toronto fans remember the 2004 season when he posted a 3.69 earned-run average in 16 starts.

Each of the 15 new Blue Jays is profiled in the gallery above. Below, let us know in the comment section what excites you most about the new-look squad and its potential to contend for a playoff spot.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Harrison has covered the professional and amateur scene as a senior writer for CBC Sports since 2003. Previously, the Burlington, Ont., native covered the NHL and other leagues for Faceoff.com. Follow the award-winning journalist @harrisoncbc