Blue Jays president Paul Beeston sat down with Richard Griffin of the the Toronto Star to talk about the state of the club, free agents coming north of the border, and even his own contract. Here are some highlights..
- Beeston was reluctant to tip his cap on whether or not the Blue Jays will make a run at Yu Darvish, but he did say that "I think those people at Rogers who never heard of him before, now know this player is in existence." Despite that, he has yet to inform ownership that he is ready to spend extra payroll dollars.
- Beeston said that he's happy for the ex-Jays that made it to the postseason this year with other clubs. Ultimately, he says that there's no way of knowing if the Blue Jays would have made it to the playoffs if they still had players such as Roy Halladay, Shaun Marcum, John McDonald, and Aaron Hill in the fold.
- When discussing Hill, Beeston said, "I think that [General Manager] Alex [Anthopoulos] had determined that he wanted to make a move with Aaron." Toronto shipped Hill and McDonald to the Diamondbacks for Kelly Johnson in an August trade.
- Halladay "made it quite clear" that he was not going to re-sign with the Blue Jays after the 2010 season.
- The Blue Jays didn't make a serious run at Cliff Lee in free agency last year and Beeston believes that doing so would have been a "waste of time".
- Even though the senior people at Rogers aren't baseball fans, Beeston still keeps them informed of major decisions. For example, Beeston discussed the Halladay trade with management before pulling the trigger. Beeston says that Rogers has yet to interfere with or object to a front office decision.
- At a fan get-together in February, Beeston said that the club could possibly spend up to $120MM on payroll. Beeston clarified those comments and says that the $120MM figure is in reference to salaries on the 40-man roster and not including draft bonuses and international free agency.
- That uptick in payroll could happen this year or next year. Beeston plans on adding a big piece at the right time for the right price. He later added that the team first has to show that they can contend before they can land the premier free agents on the open market.
- The Blue Jays have built up the farm system and they're reassured of their talent by the amount of inquiries they get from other teams. The Colby Rasmus trade showed that the club could afford to trade several attractive pieces without mortgaging their future.
- Rumors of Beeston re-upping his contract through 2015 are not true. In fact, he says that he hasn't talked to anyone about an extension of his current deal.
- Beeston said that he sees an opening in the AL East because of the uncertainty in Boston, aging stars in New York, and limited capital in Tampa Bay.
- Even though attendance in down in Toronto, revenue continues to grow for the organization. The belief is that the pace will pick up once the team is contending again.
Sounds like a fun few years upcoming for Jays fans. It won’t be long until they get some results out of the solid process they’ve been going through thus far. I’d love to see them sign a big player this year though, Fielder is such a perfect fit to this team. He and Bautista back to back may become the new strongest duo in the league.
The Jays are headed for 4th place in the east for years to come, they won’t be able to get free agents and look at all the players in the playoffs that AA let go in trades. I don’t see them doing anything that positive at this point, and you have to ask yourself how they couldn’t build a team around Halladay.
The article (not the MLBTR synopsis) addresses the ‘no free agent wants to come to Toronto’ syndrome. The players that were traded that are currently in the playoffs are mainly role players, and are not the reason that their respective teams are there (Halladay notwithstanding). How can you not see a positive coming from something like a trade for a 28 yr old starter coming off TJ (2 yrs control left) for a 20 yr old 3B who plays like Lawrie with at least 7 years of control? 18 years with no playoffs is a long time for sure, but saying there is no hope, or no positives is a bit wrong.
I believe it is called willful blindness
I agree, there is hope for the Jays I just think its in realignment!
yea seriously. your comment makes sense. if you know nothing about baseball, the bluejays and are possibly from another planet
First, AA was not in charge when Halladay was in Toronto. He took over at the moment Halladay made it clear he was not re-signing with the Jays. Second, Baseball players are different from other pro athletes in the sense that they do not mind coming to Canada. Even with JP Ricc the Jays were able to sign big names (they were all a bust however, thanks JP). Raptors and Leafs have a harder time attracting FA. Also, FA isn’t always the best way to do business. The trade market poses equally as good value, however, what makes it more appealing is that you have more control in the trade market and do not end up in bidding wars that raise the price of the player. When going with the trade market you end up paying for equal or greater value in return, where as going the FA route you tend to over pay for a players value, which can cripple any team that does not have a 180+ mil payroll (Yankees Red Sox). Just wait 2-3 years, this team will be winning the east and competing in the playoffs for a long time. AA has stocked the farm system and with this it gives him the option to stick with the super talented up and coming minor-leaguers or trade some of them for prized players that could potentially put the Jays over the top when the time is right. Obviously slider32 you know nothing
I agree with your point that the Blue Jays will eventually put very solid teams out on the field however, I just don’t see the Red Sox and Yankees lowering the standard for winning the division. I see the Red Sox and Yankees each at 95 wins for years to come while the Rays have solid teams but until when will they be able to keep producing the Longoria’s, Moore’s and Price’s of the MLB. I just don’t think the question is whether the Jays improve and become a great team, the question is whether the Yanks and BoSox drop from their current level of competition.
they don’t have to drop from their current level, but the jays fielding a better team will lead to more wins over yanks/sox, which will lead those teams to fewer wins.
they don’t have to drop from their current level, but the jays fielding a better team will lead to more wins over yanks/sox, which will lead those teams to fewer wins.
I agree with your point that the Blue Jays will eventually put very solid teams out on the field however, I just don’t see the Red Sox and Yankees lowering the standard for winning the division. I see the Red Sox and Yankees each at 95 wins for years to come while the Rays have solid teams but until when will they be able to keep producing the Longoria’s, Moore’s and Price’s of the MLB. I just don’t think the question is whether the Jays improve and become a great team, the question is whether the Yanks and BoSox drop from their current level of competition.
First, AA was not in charge when Halladay was in Toronto. He took over at the moment Halladay made it clear he was not re-signing with the Jays. Second, Baseball players are different from other pro athletes in the sense that they do not mind coming to Canada. Even with JP Ricc the Jays were able to sign big names (they were all a bust however, thanks JP). Raptors and Leafs have a harder time attracting FA. Also, FA isn’t always the best way to do business. The trade market poses equally as good value, however, what makes it more appealing is that you have more control in the trade market and do not end up in bidding wars that raise the price of the player. When going with the trade market you end up paying for equal or greater value in return, where as going the FA route you tend to over pay for a players value, which can cripple any team that does not have a 180+ mil payroll (Yankees Red Sox). Just wait 2-3 years, this team will be winning the east and competing in the playoffs for a long time. AA has stocked the farm system and with this it gives him the option to stick with the super talented up and coming minor-leaguers or trade some of them for prized players that could potentially put the Jays over the top when the time is right. Obviously slider32 you know nothing
exactly….
The bottom line is the Rays, Yanks , and Sox have better young players, signed players, and more appeal to sign free agents with more money in the Sox and Yanks case to sign them.
with the new addition colby rasmus and brett Lawrie along with the 4th best ranked farm system in the league, the jays can go really deep in the a.l east we just need better pitching
4th more like 1st
Who’s your Matt Moore?
That’s just stupid. Only one team can have the top ranked pitcher in the
Minors. Where’s the rays lawrie? Where’s the rays montero or romine? Where’s the rays trout? Where’s the rays Harper? Get my point? One player does not make a farm system.
with the new addition colby rasmus and brett Lawrie along with the 4th best ranked farm system in the league, the jays can go really deep in the a.l east we just need better pitching
Beeston…ultimately, he says that there’s no way of knowing if the Blue Jays would have made it to the playoffs if they still had players such as Roy Halladay, Shaun Marcum, John McDonald and Aaron Hill in the fold.
Nice sentiments but clearly Roy Halladay wasn’t mystified about their chances. Sadly, none of the abovementioned former Jays have much reason to look back at this point.
the jays might have made some noise had they kept doc and marcum in 2011.. .however if they failed to make the playoffs, the team would have been so much further behind in 2012 after doc ultimately didn’t resign and lawrie wasn’t with the team.
Halladay would not have been here in 2011 he was only under contract tell 2010, so the point is moot. Also 6 years of lawire vs 2 years of marcum is not even close. I find is so funny to here people say look at all the jays AA traded away who are playing in the playoffs? who are these players? Aaron hill who was going to be non tendered? John MacDonald who had one at bat? a bunch of free agents to be bullpen guys? its like people think this will help them going forword, what they need is high end talent at lots of positions going forward, if only AA was able to trade for some of that! of wait….
You forget that since Halladay was traded….the Jay’s Farm system went from around 26th overall to top 5 in the last 2 years alone. After you consider this year’s draft class…Toronto may be in the top 3!! Clearly you are not aware of the moves Toronto has made in the past 2+ years since Halladay was dealt.
The Rays are #1, and there are three ways to build a team. #1 draft, #2 trades,#3 free agents. The Rays build throught the draft, the Yanks and the Sox have to build there teams through free agents and trades more because of their finishing in the top of the division for so long. You need all three of these areas to be a great team. To this point the Jays may have a good minor league system but it doesn’t always translate into a great team look at the Royals.
What free agents? Manny?? Damon?? Yeah super great free agent signings. The rays build through the draft and trading for other teams prospects because they can’t afford free agents and have a horrible fan base that does not support them.
You forget that since Halladay was traded….
Clearly you are not aware of the moves Toronto has made in the past 2+ years since Halladay was dealt.
And clearly you are not aware that your response has nothing to do with my point. What I said was strictly directed towards Beeston’s comments regarding what might have been if Doc hadn’t been traded, and the fact that the players he mentions have all gone on to be on playoff teams themselves – hence, no reason for them to look back.
Edit: I should add that I am pretty happy about the Jays’ direction since those moves. Who wouldn’t be?
You forget that since Halladay was traded….
Clearly you are not aware of the moves Toronto has made in the past 2+ years since Halladay was dealt.
And clearly you are not aware that your response has nothing to do with my point. What I said was strictly directed towards Beeston’s comments regarding what might have been if Doc hadn’t been traded, and the fact that the players he mentions have all gone on to be on playoff teams themselves – hence, no reason for them to look back.
Edit: I should add that I am pretty happy about the Jays’ direction since those moves. Who wouldn’t be?
Trade for Votto. Sign Darvish. Get bullpen help.
Why would they trade a ton of young talent for Votto (im guessing the Reds would want Lawrie) when they could just go after Pujols or Fielder?
Completely agree. There is no logical reason to try to trade for Votto. They will ask for more then a sane person would be willing to give. If we can’t get Fielder or Pujols then we have to stay with what we have unless something surprising comes up in the trade market.
Look at all the pitching AA traded away that are pitching in the playoffs, great move!
Octavio Dotel was the missing piece!!!!!!! *slaps forehead* What was AA thinking??
How about Marcum and Halladay!
Halladay gave 15 years of service to the Jays, not to mention hometown discounts. He loved the Jays, and nothing can be held against him for wanting to get that ring as he approached his mid-30s.
Marcum…liked him a lot, but check out his splits against AL East teams. It was a smart move by AA.
how about shutttt uppppp
how about shutttt uppppp
Halladay was going to leave well he was traded or not, and would be in philly this year anyway, why don’t you understand this? and your saying that you would want 2 years of marcum vs 6 years of lawire? when the blue jays where not contenders this year? If thats what your so up set about then nothing must make you happy.
You obviously have 0 common sense and 0 concept of how baseball works and the situations that surrounded those 2 particular trades.
Two starters traded in 3 years and they got top prospects back. The marcum deal was a steal. Send an aging twice seriously injured mid rotation starter for an everyday 3rd basemen who could easily be an allstar next season with 6 years of team control. Yep bad move. Dude get off mlbtr.
We’ll see how your 3rd basemen does, and all I hear from Jays fans is that they need more pitching, Hello!
They need itching because they have traded pitching to solidify other areas of the team
True…we need pitching b/c the 5-7 prospects we have aren’t quite big league ready. But in 2 years…they will be. As for marcum….clearly he was an effective pitcher…but he’s better suited for the National League. Also…we get a 21 year old power hitting, athletic 3rd basemen who will be one of the key players on our team for the next decade. Marcum meanwhile was just coming off an injury 2 years prior to the trade and IMO…I would rather have the 21 yr old than a 28 yr old pitcher with past arm trouble. Plus…with our pitching depth in the minors…we didn’t need Marcum at that time…and keeping him this year would not have caused us to make the playoffs and we would not have gotten our 3rd basemen of the future. Until you know more about the inner workings of the Toronto Organization…please do not comment about things you don’t know about!
marcum war in 2011= 2.7 lawire = 2.7 in 43 games, lets see is marcum can bring more value to his team in 2 years that lawire can bring in the next 6. So far its tied. with the brewers with one year left jays 6.
I’d advise against comparing pitcher vs. position player WAR. It just doesn’t work all that well, especially on the small sample of 42 games or whatever BL played.
marcum war in 2011= 2.7 lawire = 2.7 in 43 games, lets see is marcum can bring more value to his team in 2 years that lawire can bring in the next 6. So far its tied. with the brewers with one year left jays 6.
Their third basemen has already shown amazing skills just look at his numbers. Abd the jays actually have a ton of pitching it’s just all in AA. Which is why they can trade away starters like halladay and marcum and still have a good staff.
OMG Cleveland traded CC Sabathia and Lee years ago before they were going to leave via free agency! If they miraculously held onto them, they woulda made it into the playoffs this season.
…
“Beeston said that he sees an opening in the AL East because of the uncertainty in Boston, aging stars in New York, and limited capital in Tampa Bay.”
That’s a fair remark. He’s right.
It is right. But itsn’t it funny how Toronto has kind of become the “loveable losers”? No one gets mad about anything they say and they can do no wrong up there right now. If that was a quote from most teams, there would be people on here ripping them about how it was stupid to say.
i dunno about that. the only part of it that is questionable is “aging stars in new york”. the lack of starting pitching is more of a concern in NY than a-rod and jeter’s ages. their productive core isn’t old and they still have more money than god
until the GM situation is squared away, there is serious uncertainty in boston. and until tampa relocates, there is very limited capital there
“we have an opportunity to contend” isn’t that inflammatory in general, ‘specially when it’s true
For outsiders that don’t follow the team I can absolutely see why you think we might be crazy for being excited for what is going on right now. The reason we are loving what is going on right now is that for the past 8 years of Riccardi running the crap out of this team, AA has turned this franchise into a classy and one of the best run organizations in the league. There is a ton of optimism to be had with this team right now.
I don’t think you’re crazy at all and I have nothing against Toronto The future is looking bright there. It’s just funny how these trends go where everyone falls in love with a team, and they can do no wrong. It was Seattle when Jack Z. took over a couple years ago. It will be someone else in a couple years
PB: Yeah. Absolutely. An opening not in the sense that it’s just going to be handed to us, not one of those openings, but the answer is I do see an opportunity and I do see the gap closing and I do see us as an improving ballclub.
That’s pretty diplomatic actually. And the questioner mentioned NY/BOS/TB – not Beeston.
PB: Yeah. Absolutely. An opening not in the sense that it’s just going to be handed to us, not one of those openings, but the answer is I do see an opportunity and I do see the gap closing and I do see us as an improving ballclub.
That’s pretty diplomatic actually. And the questioner mentioned NY/BOS/TB – not Beeston.
Boston and NY will out bid the Jays for any player, and when are the Jays going to put some fannies in the bleachers to warrant increased spending.
Ya, except for the fact that the Yankees have 3 guys not in their prime. Arod/Jeter/Mo. And Rivera isn’t exactly showing signs of age. People look at a couple of players and pull a Cliff Lee. It’s just flat ignorance. Cano/Teixeira/Granderson/Gardner/Swisher/Martin/Nova/Robertson/Soriano/Montero are all young. So 2 of their 9 starters and the dominant closer makes an old team. The Yankees have proven their team no longer revolves around Jeter and ARod. Sure they’re big names but production from them is icing. It isn’t necessary.
So what do the Yanks do with the remaining what….6+ years of Arod’s contract??? He’s obviously getting older…and as long as he’s on that team…he will be playing 3rd and being paid 28 million a year or whatever ridiculous salary that Yanks paid for him. Plus…considering he’s had nagging injuries the last 3 years…I would consider that a major problem for that team. Other problems include: Jeter is getting closer to 40. Tex’s Batting average dropped the 2nd consecutive year and his only saving grace were his power numbers. Martin had a rebound year after 2+ miserable seasons in LA…who knows how he’ll do next year. Granderson had a rebound year as well. Hopefully for the Yank’s sake he’ll do it again. Mo is 42. His arm can’t keep it up forever. Once his velocity drops another mile or two….he won’t be able to put up the numbers he has for the last 16 years.
The only thing the Yanks continue to prove is that money can’t buy championships!!!
“Mo is 42. His arm can’t keep it up forever.”
that’s been said since he turned 37
I completely agree with the point about there being an opening right now in the AL East. Toronto has everything that a winning team needs and the fans will come with some exciting baseball. I have been very impressed with Rogers and how they handle the organization. It would be very easy for them to cut spending to 80 mil or so and just try to make a buck, but they seem committed to winning and are willing to spend when need be.
More than a bat, they are 1 front end starter away from being the most balanced team in the AL East.
They need a bullpen to do anything. A #1 or #2 starter would help a lot, but if they don’t get something resembling a major league bullpen then they won’t be competing anytime soon.
I hear you, but any teams bullpen not featuring Mo Rivera is a crap shoot year to year, so them setting up a bullpen for 2012 or 2013 is really a matter of luck and depth just as it is for all other teams. A #1 or #2 pitcher however, is not as easy to find.
We had 25 blown saves this year. If we could cut it down to even 15 we are a 91 win team and tied for the wildcard. I am not saying go spend a small fortune on the bullpen but if you have to spend some extra bucks to get those extra 10 wins it is money well spent.
Dream on!
There pitching was near the bottom of the entire mlb i think it will take more than one front end starter to fix that.
some bullpen help too, but assuming darvish or wilson you get
romero
darvish/wilson
morrow
alvarez
one-of-many-prospects
that top three can hang with the big boys without question. 4 and 5 would be wildcards, but they’d be wildcards with plenty of upside
Your not getting Darvish or Wilson, why would they come to the Jays. Remember Halliday asked out of Toronto and Bautista went there before he was a star, not to mention the tax on your money!
not a jays fan, but it’s cute that you read everything as an us-v.-them soap opera. can’t like a team’s moves or composition if you’re not officially a fan, nosiree
they’ll go to the jays cuz the jays have 50 mil in flexible payroll. money talks always has
Halliday never played in Toronto he played in Colorado, oakland st louis, man for someone who knows so much about the jays you should know who played for them. also Bautista sighed his deal AFTER he became a star disproving your point.
Right they could very well turn it around, especially if AA can build a bullpen as quickly as towers did in Arizona. But it’s not as if Ny and Boston are being run poorly, they both have good systems, and i feel like that’s being ignored throughout these discussions.
nah, i think you’re misreading optimism about the jays future as the crazy belief that they’re a player away from becoming 100-win titans
this is a club that’s been in the basement for awhile and endured some really painful management from the likes of j.p. ricciardi. anthopolous has come in and made some very shrewd moves, freeing them from j.p.’s payroll blunders and developing a top farm system all in a couple of years time. that’s an exciting process to have happen so quickly
i’m sure jays fans know better than anybody how difficult dealing with the AL East competition is. there’s lots of work to be done, but there’s really nothing for them to be pessimistic about right now. they’ve got a nice core of talent, lots of payroll flexibility, and a GM who seems to know what he’s doing
Ya You’re probably right, The jays will make the east that much more exciting to follow very soon.
Right they could very well turn it around, especially if AA can build a bullpen as quickly as towers did in Arizona. But it’s not as if Ny and Boston are being run poorly, they both have good systems, and i feel like that’s being ignored throughout these discussions.
some bullpen help too, but assuming darvish or wilson you get
romero
darvish/wilson
morrow
alvarez
one-of-many-prospects
that top three can hang with the big boys without question. 4 and 5 would be wildcards, but they’d be wildcards with plenty of upside
I agree, finally someone with some baseball sense, these other people think their playing hockey.
There pitching was near the bottom of the entire mlb i think it will take more than one front end starter to fix that.
Pretty bold statement. That lineup and bullpen has some holes.
Matt Moore is better than anything the Jays have!
Mommy these ants keep biting my feet.
Oh here honey let me spray some rodent repellant.
Thanks, Mommy.
in terms of pitching prospects, thats true of about 28 other teams..
I agree, the Rays rule with the young pitchers in their system!
in terms of pitching prospects, thats true of about 28 other teams..
Jose Bautista is better than Tampa’s entire lineup combined
evan longoria > Jose bautista
and I’m a huge jay fan.
I’d disagree, but if you put contract and age into play, then sure, Longoria is much more valuable than Bautista
Age, contract, position, capability of growing a damn good mullet. Longo has arguably the most value in the league
Bautista is the better player. Longoria has better overall value.
Bautista can grow a mullet with his beard. Cant say that about Longoria, can you?
well ofcourse those things are in play. If Bautista was 23 this wouldn’t be a conversation.
Bautista is a stud, but one man does not make a team.
Therefore you should delete that Matt Moore comment. Also about that comment. 29 other teams don’t have a player better than Matt Moore he was the #1 ranked pitcher in all of the
Minors so literally no team has a Matt more. But the rays don’t have a d’Arnud either.
They seriously just need to get good starting pitching and a good closer. i mean a lineup with adam lind, bautista, rajai davis, kelly johnson, brett lawrie, colby rasmus, JP arenciabia, edwin encarnacian and eric thames is major firepower. they just need some decent starters and that team would be a force
I actually wonder if Papelbon would be a fit in Toronto having AL East experience. Not sure what the market is for him, but if you need to spend $30mm over 3 years then I could see it. You have to think the Phillies re-sign Madson. Bell I don’t know. Most other teams have contracts with their closers. I suppose the wild card is if Soriano opts out of him deal with the Yankees.
Why would Papelbon or Soriano go to the Jays, and besides they don’t draw much more than Tampa!
Troll stop trolling.
hey, TFSML!
Troll stop trolling.
Bautista is the only A player in the lineup!
i bought you an avatar
anthonycolpo.com/images/eades-head-up-ass.jpg
Yunel Escobar was a top 20 player in the AL according to WAR. Sounds like an A player to me.
Oh, and there’s that Lawrie kid.
Honestly, that is a lineup that would probably be in the bottom half of the league. Bautista is a stud, no question, but the other guys all have question marks, other than probably Lawrie. They need to add at least one more big bat to the lineup so these guys can be more supplementary pieces. Lind, Rasmus, JP, and EE all have quality upside but each are with their own flaws.
Funny how 2011 stats completely disprove your post.. they finished near the top of the AL in runs scored. Their offense needs improvement, but is far from bottom of the league.
Funny how 2011 stats completely disprove your post.. they finished near the top of the AL in runs scored. Their offense needs improvement, but is far from bottom of the league.
what are you even
they were 6th in the league this year, 9th in 2010. better-to-much-better years are very likely from rasmus, johnson, 3B (full season of lawrie), snider, and even lind. not likely to get worse at short, RF, or catcher
offense is not the problem in toronto
Hey MLBTR, anyway to “dislike” or point out commentators who contribute nothing but trolling and petty attempts at inciting anger? If not, can you just ban “slider32” or institute some kind of age requirement.
They should just implement an IQ test; Half the commenters would disappear.
As they say on Pardon the Inerruption, Good Night Canada!
As they say on Pardon the Inerruption, Good Night Canada!
They should just implement an IQ test; Half the commenters would disappear.
lol wait until that angry3 guy gets here, then they’re will really be a party!
lol wait until that angry3 guy gets here, then they’re will really be a party!
Hey MLBTR, anyway to “dislike” or point out commentators who contribute nothing but trolling and petty attempts at inciting anger? If not, can you just ban “slider32” or institute some kind of age requirement.
I’m at a loss for what AA does this offseason.. on one hand I don’t want him to be too aggressive because there are still some question marks going in to next year.
However, you’ve now wasted 2 of the better offensive years of any jay ever, how much longer are the jays prepared to waste bautista’s all of a sudden prime. ??
Trading for a starter and adding a bat, or trading for a bat and adding a starter, would instantly push the jays in to contention.. a little luck with rebound/breakout years from Rasmus, Johnson and Morrow and you could be looking at a 2012 playoff team..
IMO it really comes down to the how the market plays out for fielder/wilson.. I can’t see him grossly overpaying. Should be an interesting offseason either way..
If you can get both Fielder and Wilson plus a closer than we’re talking, but until then the Jays are 4th place.
What I like about AA is that he wouldn’t concern himself about wasting a player’s prime. It is such a short-term attitude.
All AA seems to concern himself with is making the organisation better – strengthening the farm, upgrading the position players, cutting loose the chaff. Then let the chips fall where they may. It is a much more sustainable model, and the entire franchise isn’t bound to a boom-or-bust cycle based on one player.
AA has really preserved this team from falling into the utter destruction that is going on Baltimore but I look at the division and the talent in Toronto and I ask, how will this team compete with no pitching and various positional questions. I look at Encarnacion, Lind, Snider, Rasmus and I just continue to ponder on the idea that this organization rests on their shoulders, these guys are highly inconsistent and at times look as if they have no clue what their doing. In my opinion the Jays should trade Bautista for a couple of Blue chip prospects to pair them up with Lawrie, Escobar, Rasmus, and Arencibia and then they will be heading in the right direction.
I respect your analysis, and I agree with what you said of EE, Lind, snider and Rasmus..
However, no team has a team full of alllstars and blue chip prospects, every team is going to have their weaknesses.. I mean going in to this season, did you really think the yanks rotation was going to perform like that?
The goal is to surround the likes of Baustista, Escobar and Romero with high ceiling talent. Lawrie, Rasmus, Arencibia and Alavarez are already beginning to surround that talent.
I understand what you are but the playoff teams are either really good at offense, pitching or both. The Blue Jays are HOPING that their high-ceiling guys have some sort of respectable outcome so that then they can speak of contention. They are middle of the pack in both offense and pitching and that will not get it done, especially in this division.
They are not middle of the pack in offense though thats the thing..
Alright, I’m sorry they are above-average offensively however, their pitching is abysmal. I just think they do need an extra bat and some offensive development from their young guns.
But the pitching wasn’t built to be contention-worthy; if it was, then Marcum surely would not have been traded. The bullpen was traded out to acquire elite talent (Rasmus). The hotchpotch rotation you saw all year (inc. the likes of Villanueva, Litsch, Reyes, Mills) was just to get the Jays through the season.
Next season the Jays should have serious firepower. Romero, Morrow, McGowan, Cecil and Alvarez make for a very tasty core. Should any of them flail, then any one of the talented youngsters – McGuire, Hutchison, Molina, Jenkins – could step right in. And that’s quite discounting the possibility of a big trade or a Darvish signing.
Book it – the Jays’ rotation will be a force to be reckoned with in 2012 and beyond. I think the way AA has built this team is going to ambush a lot of unsuspecting fans.
No team would be able to offer the amount of quality prospects required to supplant bautistas value (2nd to longoria per fan graphs), he has a 4/56 remaining contract with an option for a 5th year. No chance he goes anywhere.
No team would be able to offer the amount of quality prospects required to supplant bautistas value (2nd to longoria per fan graphs), he has a 4/56 remaining contract with an option for a 5th year. No chance he goes anywhere.
Don’t trade Bautista he is the only A player you have!
Escobar and perhaps Lawrie.
and Romero
dammit disqus
Reply fail.
Reply fail.