The Toronto Blue Jays have not played a postseason game since Joe Carter’s Game 6 homer won the 1993 World Series. The Jays hope this is the year they can return to baseball’s postseason party.

But it won’t be easy, as it never is playing in a division with the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox.

Toronto went 85-77 a season ago, but that was only good for a fourth-place finish in the East. The Jays won eight of their final 10 games to end last season and hope to carry that momentum into the new season.

One Toronto player who definitely wants to repeat last season is third baseman Jose Bautista, who led the majors with 54 home runs in 2010. Bautista anchors the offense, but there are plenty of questions about the starting rotation.

Toronto begins the season at home on April 1 against Minnesota. The first road game is April 8 at Los Angeles.

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In exchange for Wells, the Blue Jays received outfielder Juan Rivera and catcher Mike Napoli from the Angels.

Rivera will help fill the spot vacated by Wells while Napoli can take over catcher since John Buck signed elsewhere in the offseason.

This is essentially a salary dump for the Blue Jays, who now seem to be completely sold on a total rebuild rather than trying to compete with their current roster.

Had Toronto elected to try and compete in the AL East this year, they very likely would have held onto Wells.

The Blue Jays are expected to make Dotel their closer, ending any chance that Kevin Gregg returns to Toronto.

The 37-year old saved 22 games last season while splitting time between the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies.

He has 105 saves over his 12-year career.

Dotel said that he is excited about the challenging of trying to close out games in baseball’s most competitive division.

Ever since the Roy Halladay trade, it seems like the Blue Jays are set on rebuilding and stocking their minor league system with young talent.

The Blue Jays said they believe they have plenty of pitching depth but need help with position players.

Toronto said they were excited about the prospect of acquiring Lawrie for some time, though he may eventually change positions.

The 20-year old second baseman hit .280 with eight home runs and 63 RBI’s at Double-A last season.

Wakamatsu is highly respected throughout the game of baseball and is a tremendous hire for the Blue Jays.

The Baltimore Orioles were highly interested in Wakamatsu because Buck Showalter has ties to him.

The Blue Jays also announced that former Cy Young award winner Pat Hentgen will be the bullpen coach.

New skipper John Farrell deserves a lot of credit for putting together an excellent coaching staff. Only time will tell if it makes a difference.

Farrell will take over for Cito Gaston, who is expected to remain with the organization in an advisory role.

It will be Farrell’s first managerial opportunity at any level, something he called very exciting and unique.

He obviously has a lot of familiarity with the Blue Jays from his time competing against them with the rival Red Sox.

Toronto’s general manager said he felt an immediate connection with Farrell and he liked how he wouldn’t ever be satisfied.

Bautista hit the ball well all year but actually might have reached his peak as the season came to a close.

The third baseman finished the year by knocking a bunch of balls out of the ballpark in the final weeks and significantly raising his average.

He had bounced around the major leagues for several years as a Rule 5 draft pick but could never seem to find a home.

Some wonder how such a talented hitter could go undiscovered while others believe this year to be an aberration.

Romero pitched pretty well last year and has become the team’s top starting pitcher this season.

The organization is planning on building their entire pitching staff around him in the coming years.

The left-hander said that it was a long process but that he’s very happy the deal finally got signed.

The team was in Anaheim at the time of the signing, allowing Romero to celebrate with his family.

Gaston, who is in his second stint with the Blue Jays, was brought back to help with the rebuilding process.

The team has shown signs of improvement and certainly some serious promise for the future, but they still aren’t ready to compete in the American League East.

The 66-year old manager is in the second year of his two-year contract and believes leaving his post is best for the club.

He plans to become an adviser for the Blue Jays for four years beginning in 2011.