This season will be Mark Buehrle’s third season with the Blue Jays and he will once again be counted on to provide dependability at the front end of the starting rotation.Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press
Mark Buehrle knows of no other pace than full speed ahead.
Whether it is working at his frenetic rate throwing pitches off the mound or in the rapid-fire manner in which he speaks, Buehrle always gives the impression he is running late for an appointment.
So it was not surprising that a frown crossed the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher's face when he cast a glance outside the clubhouse on Sunday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium and saw the group of reporters who all wanted a moment or two of his time.
As usual, Buehrle had somewhere to go and it involved speed. The lefty had a date with his television to watch the Daytona 500 auto race and he did not want to be late.
Sunday was reporting day for the Blue Jays pitchers and catchers, and it marked Buehrle's first 2015 appearance in Florida – just in time to take his medical with the rest of his teammates in advance of Monday's first official workout of spring training.
After the medicals, players were all walking around with little smiley-faces that a playful lab technician drew on their arms after drawing blood.
In some ways, the bloodletting began shortly after the Blue Jays' 2014 season, in which they finished third in the American League East with an 83-79 record after flirting with first place for two months.
Talk started to circulate that perhaps the Toronto clubhouse was not as harmonious as had been let on and general manager Alex Anthopoulos was quick with the broom.
Russell Martin, whose teams have made the playoffs in seven of the nine seasons he has played, was brought in as a high-priced free-agent catcher.
Josh Donaldson, considered one of the game's best third baseman, was obtained from the Oakland A's with Brett Lawrie going the other way in the trade.
Canadian Michael Saunders came to Toronto in another trade to play left field. And on the changes went.
The only position players returning to the starting lineup this season will be Jose Bautista in right field, Jose Reyes at shortstop and Edwin Encarnacion, who will be either at first base or the designated hitter.
That is a substantial overhaul and one that Buehrle said he felt was necessary if the Blue Jays are to finally ended 21 years of frustration in 2015 and make the postseason.
"I think Alex was trying to make a point of changing the clubhouse around," Buehrle said. "I think he did that. Obviously you know what Russell Martin brings to the table, his competitiveness.
"Again, it's all on paper right now. We've got seven-eight months of baseball to play to see if it works out and how good it works out."
Buehrle said he felt it was important that the clubhouse chemistry be altered.
"It seems like guys get comfortable in one spot," Buehrle said. "I won't say they won't try. Just to change up the attitude and bring in some different guys.
"Again, will it work out? Only time will tell."
This will mark Buehrle's third season with the Blue Jays and he will once again be counted on to provide dependability at the front end of the starting rotation.
Last year he posted a 13-10 record and pitched 202 innings, the 14th consecutive season he has hurled at least 200 innings. It is a remarkable accomplishment and something only six other pitchers since 1901 have managed to do.
Buehrle likes to pitch and to pitch fast. Last season, he was the fastest worker in the major leagues, averaging 17.3 seconds between pitches. Teammate R.A. Dickey was No. 2 at 18.3 seconds.
Pace of game has been a hot topic in baseball circles this season, something that is right up Buehrle's alley. This year, under a new rule change, hitters must keep one foot in the batter's box between pitches. Players will still be able to step out of the box after striking a foul ball or after time has been granted by the umpire.
Buehrle said his biggest peeve isn't batters constantly stepping out of the batter's box but delays in getting the inning started. "Whenever the umpire's holding us up and it's time to go and the batter's still on the on-deck circle because he wants to listen to his song coming up, that's what bothers me," Buehrle said. "Just get in the batter's box."
And if you really want to lather up Buehrle, just ask him about reports that baseball is also considering shrinking the strike zone in order to generate more offence.
"It's a bunch of crap if you ask me," he said. "It's already hard enough for us anyways. I don't know, I've heard talk of it. I don't know exactly what they're talking about doing.
"I like where [the strike zone is] at and I'd like for them to give me more than what they're already giving you. So I don't want it to go the opposite way."