Despite having more than one-quarter of the season left to be played, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is already answering questions about what he intends to do to strengthen the club heading into next year. Speaking on TSN Drive Wednesday night, the fourth-year GM said the team is intent on acquiring a new second baseman and at least one additional starter. Expected to be among the American Leagues contenders following a wave of off-season trades and signings, the Jays sit 12.5 games back in the wild card race and 16 back of the A.L. East-leading Boston Red Sox heading into action Thursday night. “Primarily it comes down to the rotation,” Anthopoulos said of the teams failure to live up to expectations. “Were last in baseball in starters ERA and thats not what we expected. It was something that we felt was going to be a strength.” With the additions of R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle coupled with incumbents Brandon Morrow, Ricky Romero and J.A. Happ, Torontos rotation was thought to be a strength, but a combination of injuries and inconsistency have – at times – plagued every member of the starting staff. “Whether it was Josh Johnsons performance or being out or Brandon Morrow being out for the bulk of the year or even relying on J.A. Happ or Romero to be our fifth starter and Happ has missed a lot of time -- so three-fifths of the rotation being out,” Anthopoulos said. “You add it all up and youre not going to have the rotation you expected to.” Although the team is expected to have starters Drew Hutchison and Kyle Drabek back once rosters expand in September following serious arm issues, Anthopoulos isnt willing to rely on the starters to be the teams saviours in 2014. “Dont know yet what to expect from those guys,” Anthopoulos said. “Long-term we believe in them, but I dont know that were prepared to say that theyre going to be mainstays in the rotation.” Regarding, the teams former ace, Romero who has had an up-and-down season with Torontos ?AAA affiliate in Buffalo, ?Anthopoulos sounded less enthusiastic, saying the team “cant make plans to have him in the rotation” at this point. Instead, Anthoupolos said he will be looking to add arms from outside the organization to go along with a defense–first second baseman. “I think absolutely, at a minimum, well have to add one starter,” he said. “At second base I think were going to have to go out and get someone who is a defender.” Besides the rotation struggles, the teams defense – which is third last in the A.L. with 83 errors – has also been a sore spot. Still, the GM said he has been impressed with the play of outfielders Colby Rasmus and Jose Bautista and believes a full season out of Jose Reyes and Brett Lawrie will provide a boost to the left side of the infield. In addition to finding a new double play partner for Reyes, Anthopoulos was non-committal to incumbent first baseman/DH Adam Lind, who has a club option for next season, saying the team has “some decisions to make” on the 30-year-old. In regard to Tuesdays trade of Emilio Bonifacio, Anthopoulos said the 28-year-old, who was once thought of as a key component of the blockbuster trade with the Marlins, never got off on the right foot in Toronto. “He really didnt get off to the start we hoped he would, never got going defensively or with the bat, lost quite a bit of playing time.” Esa Lindell Jersey .com) - The Dallas Mavericks had a five-game winning streak snapped last time out, but theyll try to get back into the winners circle Sunday evening when the Milwaukee Bucks pay a visit to American Airlines Center. Brian Flynn Jersey . The thinking at the time was Clowney could have already been promised he would be selected first overall by the Houston Texans, therefore negating any need to meet with any other teams. The plot took another twist this week. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/bret...-hockey-jersey/. Mesoraco hurt his hamstring while scoring from second in Friday nights 5-4 loss at Atlanta. Chapman was hit by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 19, breaking his nose and a bone above his left eye. The left-hander looked strong while throwing 43 pitches in batting practice before Saturday nights game against the Braves. Jason Spezza Jersey . The seventh-ranked Berdych wants to focus on the ATP Tour after helping the Czechs beat the Netherlands in the first round. Seeking their third straight Davis Cup title, the Czechs will rely again on veteran Radek Stepanek. Martin Hanzal Jersey . - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews.NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist was named the NHLs first star of the week Monday after leading all players with six goals last week. Nyquist also had one assist over the stretch as the Red Wings earned seven of a possible eight points to move into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist ppicked up the second star after posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.dddddddddddd67 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and one shutout. The third star went to Boston Bruins forward Jarome Iginla. He scored five goals over four games to help the Bruins move into top spot in the overall standings and extend their winning streak to 12 games entering play Monday night. White NFL Jerseys CheapYouth NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale Jerseys 2020Stitched NFL JerseysCheap NFL Autographed JerseysCheap NFL JerseysDiscount Jerseys ' ' '