Quote:
Originally Posted by Matty81
Don't doubt that the Jays are looking, just saying that I am personally fine with seeing the Jays pay the price to bring in a starter. even if it's steep. Not just for now, but even for next year, McGowan and Litsch are probably never coming back and who knows what Drabek and Hutch's recoveries look like. Frankly with the years the AA guys have had, I don't think anyone from the system is remotely close right now either. I'd like to see the acquisition be someone good, but I think the bare minimum is a middling innings eater right now... the stopgap fixes in the rotation have been bushleague for a team with the kind of offence the Jays have.
I think that when fan support ultimately fuels your budget and your ability to sign free agents and re-sign your own guys, you can't ignore your paying customers and keep telling them that their tickets will result in a real good team.... in a couple years. Also I saw an interview with Jose at the all-star break where he said everyone in the clubhouse knows they need starters and he is hoping Alex can get one... I think it's a necessary step for the team right now in a lot of ways.
Also thought I read about a week ago that Morrow was back doing long toss already (although his ribs still hurt when he sneezes?) and that he was improving faster than expected, building his arm strength and the Jays are optimistic on late July early August.
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Haven't heard anything about a late july return for Morrow at all but could be mistaken. That is a very optimistic timeline, I don't see happening or are they going to rush him.
The Jays fan base is going to be energized because the Jays pick up some slouch that can just pitch innings? I have no problem with a lot of assets going back in return for a starting pitcher the Jays have control over for more than this year, but it would be idiotic to overpay for a soon to be free agent or someone on the decline of their career. You've done an incredible job stockpiling assets, don't waste them now.
Nobody could've predicted under any circumstances the Jays would see this many pitching injuries. May I remind you, Morrow, Drabek, Alvarez, Hutchison are all people AA brought in. Not to mention the amazing pitching talent in A Ball right now.
The Jays have been a .500 team all season and the fans have still come. Do you honestly think if there was an innings eating pitcher out there for dirt cheap, the Jays wouldn't have got him already? That AA would somehow say no to that or not be aggressive? Fact is, there is no trade market at all right now and so many injured pitchers, that so many teams are after quality pitching all the way from someone to fill out the back end, to the start rotation. The Jays are not going to move any young prospects or assets for a pitcher that can't help them for more then this season. You giving the example of Kevin Millwood and the idea he can be gotten for spare parts is laughable. A 3.69 ERA in 16 starts this season, in this market, that is not coming easy to any team.
And that offense you talked about, had it actually been consistent this season, the Jays would have a much bigger cushion. This is far from a sure thing offense that if the Jays just had pitching, would be a world series contender. Adam Lind is still batting 5th for us, Lawrie's overall numbers are still weak, Kelly Johnson hit his first homer in Months this week and as much as I love me some Colby Rasmus, he is not a sure thing to keep this pace up.
This was never suppose to be a make or break season for this team. AA has continued to stockpile young talent and draft well. It's obvious to everyone in baseball and who follow the Jays, that he's doing everything he can got go after starting pitching right now. The guy deserves the benefit of the doubt, that if something was out there at a reasonable price, he'd snap it up. End of story