Romero says struggles will help Cecil, Drabek in long run

--LHP Ricky Romero believes LHP Brett Cecil and RHP Kyle Drabek have it in them to overcome last season's struggles to perform well in 2012. "The guys that I'm most excited about are Brett and Kyle," Romero said. "I feel like I've been in that situation -- not in the big leagues, but in the minors -- where I struggled and the way that I was able to come back. I'm excited to see them. I know what they're capable of, because I've seen them at their best."

--OF Darin Mastroianni was claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by Toronto last week after the signing of free-agent RHP Francisco Cordero was announced. Mastroianni, a 16th-round pick in 2007, was 0-for-2 in his one game for Toronto last season. He split time between Class AA New Hampshire and Class AAA Las Vegas. He had a combined batting average of .268 with three home runs, 36 RBI and stole 34 bases.

--C J.P. Arencibia says he feels good about the Blue Jays prospects this season. "For me, I don't see ourselves other than on the top of the division," Arencibia during the Blue Jays' winter tour stop at Halifax. "I go into the offseason, I go into everything I do, that's the way I think and I believe. I know we're in a tough division. The Yankees are always going to be the Yankees and the Red Sox are going to be the Red Sox. Tampa is always a good team and the Orioles added guys. For me it's about going out and playing and letting what happens on the field take care of itself."

--OF Eric Thames will be competing with OF Travis Snider for the starting role in left field in what should be one of the most interesting stories of spring training. It was generally assumed last spring training that Snider was ready to take over the position and blossom as a major-leaguer. Instead, he struggled and was demoted twice to Class AAA Las Vegas. Thames was called up and took advantage of his chance playing in both left and right fields. Thames said he is looking forward to the competition. "I'm used to always competing and battling for spots, so it's nothing new to me," he said. "But I'm going to keep doing what I always do and that's work to get better every single day."

--C Travis d'Arnaud, ranked as the top prospect in the Toronto organization, said recently that he feels no pain in his left thumb, which required surgery in early October for a torn ligament. He injured the thumb catching a low fastball while playing for Team USA in the World Cup in Panama. The injury meant more time running to keep his legs in shape during the offseason, but he has since resumed lifting weights, swinging and catching, and will be ready for spring training. He was MVP in the Class AA Eastern League last season for league champion New Hampshire.

--CF Anthony Gose is slated to play this season at Class AAA Las Vegas. The emphasis will be on using his speed as a weapon in all ways. He stole 70 bases with Class AA New Hampshire last sason. "We just keep emphasizing to him that his speed is game-changing speed and we want him to fully develop that," assistant general manager Tony LaCava said. "Last year we kind of side-stepped it a little bit and worked on his swing and didn't really emphasize bunting. Now we're going to bring bunting back, we want him to really look to take extra bases, which he has done in the past but get out of the box maybe more to put pressure on people. That's going to be the focus for this year to finish off his game and fully utilize his speed."

BY THE NUMBERS
50 -- RBI in 65 road games by 1B Adam Lind, compared to 37 RBI in 60 home games. He had 14 of his 26 home runs on the road.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"If you watch any championship team they have a good closer. He's only been pitching for 3-4 years, so he's only going to get better with experience. He's already dominating. I've faced him and he's got unbelievable stuff." -- C J.P. Arencibia, on new closer Sergio Santos.

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