Northern nine

A lineup of Canadians worth watching in 2012

JOHN AXFORD

2011 numbers 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 46 saves Career highlights His 46 saves last season were the most in Brewers history. 2012 prognosis After sharing the load with Trevor Hoffman in 2010, the Simcoe, Ont., native took over as the Brewers closer in 2011 and led the NL in saves along with Braves closer Craig Kimbrel. Axford has to prove his season of success was more than just a fluke, although the Brewers, who are talking about a contract extension, do not seem worried. Axford’s strikeouts-per-nine-innings (10.5) were down slightly, and his hits allowed up a tick (7.2 per nine), but those numbers are still impressive, so a repeat should not be a problem. If it is, he always has the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year Award to fall back on. From the lip “I do feel I’m confident in my abilities,” Axford told mlb.com, “so whatever happens [with contract negotiations], I’m going to have a good year.”

RYAN DEMPSTER

2011 numbers 10-14 record, 4.80 ERA, 1.45 WHIP

Career highlights A two-time all star, the Sechelt, B.C., native recorded a career-high 17 wins with the Cubs in 2008.

2012 prognosis After putting up some of the worst numbers of his career in 2011, Dempster will look to rebound this season as he enters the final year of a four-year, Us$52-million contract. He will be on the mound for the Cubs on opening-day against Washington on Thursday. Dempster, who turns 35 next month, and 28-year-old Matt Garza will lead the Cubs rotation through the first year of the Theo Epstein rebuild.

From the lip “It’s a tremendous honour, especially for the Chicago Cubs, to be able to pitch on opening day,’’ Dempster told the Chicago Sun

Times.

JUSTIN MORNEAU

2011 numbers 69 games, .227 average, 4 HRS, 30

RBIS

Career highlights Morneau was the AL MVP in 2006 after hitting .321 with 34 homers and 130 RBIS. He also was the runner-up for in 2008.

2012 prognosis Concussion problems and other injuries have kept Morneau out of the Twins lineup for 174 games over the past two seasons, but the 30-year-old B.C. native appears to be starting 2012 with a clean slate. He likely will not be putting up MVP numbers early on — he was hitting just .250 this spring (through Monday) — and it looks like he will be limited to the designated hitter’s role.

From the lip “I didn’t come in with any goal other than playing first and being able to do that and help us win ballgames,” Morneau told mlb.com. “But it didn’t work out that way for right now … Getting 600 at-bats anywhere is better than getting only 200.”

JASON BAY

2011 numbers 123 games, .246 average, 12 HRS, 57 RBIS Career highlights Bay has hit 203 homers and driven in 714 runs in 1,140 career games. 2012 prognosis It has been a disappointing two seasons in New York for Trail, B.C., native Jason Bay. Since signing a four-year, Us$66-million deal in 2009, the 33-year-old has hit just .251 with 18 homers while missing 106 games due to injuries (concussion, ribs). He has struggled this spring — his average dipped below .200 this week — and, according to the New York Post, his left-field job could be in jeopardy. The 2004 NL rookie of the year Bay set career highs with Boston in 2009 when he had 36 homers and 119 RBIS. From the lip “I’ve felt like I haven’t showed that I’m the player that I was three years ago,” Bay told CBC. “I really look forward to … trying to get back to being myself and being the guy that I was for the first seven years of my career.”

BRETT LAWRIE

2011 numbers 43 games, .293 average, 9 HRS, 25

RBIS

Career highlights On Aug. 5, 2011 Lawrie made his Jays debut going 2-for-4 with an RBI in a 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

2012 prognosis A walk-off home run and a grand slam were just two highlights of Lawrie’s rookie stint with the Blue Jays last season that was cut short in September due to a fractured finger. Now with expectations to live up to, the 22-year-old third baseman needs to prove he can provide consistency over an 162-game season.

From the lip “I’ve never questioned myself about playing at the big-league level because all I’ve ever wanted to do my whole life is play against the best,” Lawrie told espn.com. “And when I get put up against the best, I turn on my jets.”

MICHAEL SAUNDERS

2011 numbers 58 games .149 average, 2 HRS, 8

RBIS

Career highlights In 2010, the only season in which he has played 100 games, Saunders, hit 10 home runs and with 33 RBI’S.

2012 prognosis The 25-year-old Victoria product who is said to be able to play the outfield as well as anyone, has yet to show much in the way of offensive ability, hitting .196 in parts of three seasons. He revamped his swing in the off-season under the tutelage of Mike Bard, who has worked Albert Pujols, and hit .314 with a .514 slugging percentage in 13 Cactus League games. The challenge will be carrying that into the regular season.

From the lip “I feel good,” he told mlb.com. “I worked hard on the mechanical aspects of my swing, and I believe in it — that’s the biggest thing.”

ÉRIK BÉDARD

2011 numbers Eight starts, 1-2 record, 4.03 ERA, 1.55 WHIP Career highlights Bédard was a Cy Young candidate in 2007, when he went 13-5 with 221 strikeouts in 28 starts before being sidelined with oblique problems. He still finished fifth in voting for the AL Cy Young Award. 2012 prognosis The Navan, Ont., native was plagued by injuries (shoulder, knee) while in Seattle, and he was limited to just 54 starts over the last three seasons. But he will be looked at to help lead the Pirates rotation in 2012 and will start the season opener against Philadephia. From the lip “Everybody [has nerves],” Bedard said of his first start. “But it’s another game, just one out of 162. Everybody makes a big deal out of opening day, but there’s always another game after that.”

RUSSELL MARTIN

2011 numbers 125 games, .237 average, 18 HRS, 65 RBIS, .732 OPS

Career highlights In 151 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007, the Toronto-born Martin set career highs in homers (19), RBIS (87) and batting average (.287). He was an all-star in 2007, 2008 and 2011.

2012 prognosis On the same day Jorge Posada announced his retirement after a 17-year career, Martin avoided salary arbitration, signing a oneyear, Us$7.5-million contract with the Yankees. The 29-year-old is looking to build on what was a bounce-back season in New York, while handling a rotation that will include CC Sabathia and, eventually, 240-game winner Andy Pettitte.

From the lip “I don’t think it will be a difficult transition,” Martin, told the New York Post, on catching Pettitte.

JOEY VOTTO

2011 numbers 161 games .309 average, 29 HRS,

103 RBIS

Career highlights Votto won the NL MVP in 2010 when he set career highs in homers (37), RBIS (113) and batting average (.324). The Toronto native is a career .313 hitter.

2012 prognosis Votto may not have much to prove, but the Reds do. One season after winning 91 games and the NL Central, Cincinnati went 7983 last year. With St. Louis and Milwaukee suffering major losses in the off-season (Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder), the Reds will expect Votto to lead them to the top — especially with his rumoured 10-year, Us$225-million contract extension.

From the lip “It would be tough for a [top] position player to sign for five years,” Votto told cbssports.com. “No matter how fond a person is of the city, players have to maximize the number of years [in a contract].”

Dustin Pollack, National Post