Hey readers, I'm sorry to say, but this will be a fairly short article, as I am still recovering from the tragedy that occurred on our home soil this week. The decision to allow the Detroit Tigers to continue to exist as a viable major league franchise is a disgrace. Players like Shane Halter, instead of spending a year in the minor leagues, will be allowed to earn several million dollars in salary for a team that looks like it will be losing over 100 games yet again.But here's a positive development: Do you know who had the fourth-best offense in the American League this season? The answer, my friends, is our friendly flock up north, the Toronto Blue Jays. There are many reasons for Toronto fans to be optimistic for the upcoming season, and for Yankee and Red Sox fans to be worried about making the playoffs altogether in 2004.

The first reason for hope is a young outfielder by the name of Vernon Wells. Before the season started, Jays General Manager JP Ricciardi made an offer to Wells: five years, $15 million. Wells, a 24-year-old outfielder who had yet to produce in the majors as he had in the minors, jumped at the offer from Ricciardi. Then, 2003 got underway, and Wells started to show the offensive numbers it seemed he was destined to produce. Wells, aside from playing sterling defensive centerfield comparable to Andruw Jones, hits for power (both homers and doubles), hits for average and makes consistent contact. The only thing Wells doesn't do is walk, and you can only hope a player this talented will pick that up with more big league experience.

The second and third reasons are the two youngsters who broke out for the Jays in 2002, Eric Hinske and Josh Phelps. Hinske, the Jays' third baseman, accepted the same contract tendered Wells, but has yet to earn it. His 2002 season was one of the best ever by a rookie third baseman, but his 2003 season was racked with injuries and decreased production.

A closer analysis, however, leaves room for hope. Before his injuries, Hinske had just two dingers in 153 at-bats which, combined with a .220 average and a mere 21 walks, makes for a player about as valuable to the Blue Jays as rapper Mystikal is to society.

Amazingly, since coming back, Hinske has 10 homers, a .265 average and 36 walks. These numbers are well in line with what the third-best third baseman in the American League should be producing, and should be producing for the next four years of his bargain contract.

Phelps, on the other hand, is making next to nothing. Last year, he was one of the best young power hitters in the American League, with 15 homers in just 265 at-bats. He was so successful that he was put on the cover of the 2003 edition of Baseball Prospectus, the most informative baseball book on the market. Phelps, however, started off '03 struggling through numerous aches and pains, and produced accordingly. His .785 OPS prior to the All-Star break was well below what a valuable designated hitter should be producing.

Phelps spent some quality time on the disabled list and was reborn like the Phoenix of Toronto. He has since hit 10 homers in just 125 at-bats, producing prodigiously when given rest. His .954 post-break OPS is one of the best in the AL, though it comes in fewer at-bats than most. If he can stay healthy, Phelps is one of the 15 best hitters in the American League.

The fourth reason to be excited is Roy Halladay. If any pundits still question this guy's skills, Halladay shut them up with his 2003 performance. According to advanced metrics, Halladay is the fifth-best starter in the American League, and the seventh-best in all of baseball. The combined efforts of Halladay (21-6, 3.18 ERA) and rising ace Kelvim Escobar (12-9, 4.36 ERA) should form the basis of a Jays staff that can complement their booming offense with some much-needed wins.

The fifth and final reason for Jays fans to touch themselves with anticipation is GM Ricciardi. In a mere two seasons, Ricciardi has turned Toronto around. A below-average team with one of the highest payrolls in baseball, floundering attendance and financial losses that were among the highest in baseball has morphed, under Ricciardi's guidance, into an above-average team with a low payroll and rising attendance figures.

If all that happened in two years, I as a Jays fan would be anxious to see what can happen when year three comes around.