Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle
How was this team provided with everything they needed to win though? How many games did they blow in the first two months because the bullpen was not adequately addressed? They basically started this season with two rookies in the starting rotation. Sure it worked out, but odds are it shouldn't have. Our starting pitching has been pretty mediocre to terrible for well over a month now.
|
All of the holes were address though. I don't really consider Stroman a "rookie" given he showed last year what he could do and I think the clubhouse believes in him. Remember too, Stroman was suppose to be a top 3/4 starter before he tore his ACL so I don't really agree with the notion they were banking on a rookie. If they were dissapointed in Sanchez making it in the rotation those fears should have gone away pretty quick. I don't think the players should have been dissapointined at all that Stroman and Sanchez were in the rotation.
Sure the bullpen was bad but it was addressed and with the improved bullpen the Jays worked themselves to the lead in the AL East and one of the best records in baseball until this recent slide. If things were so bad and the players didn't feel supported then why were they able to get to that level? Luck?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle
Why are we so sure that the clubhouse isn't terrible? Last year for half a year this team played well, but this is the same core of guys that big-time underachieved for the previous 3 years.
|
I don't know that it is not. What I am saying is that if signing Price is needed to boost the team you are address the wrong problem. If its a terrible clubhouse then address that becuase the rest is a waste of time and dont' go out and sign a FA to try and cover up a bad clubhouse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle
The thing with Price was, adding him signaled to the players that everyone was all in, including management and ownership. it's a lot easier to play when you think everyone has your back. Not resigning Price or bringing in some replacements/upgrades in the summer told the players they were on their own and basically had about one year left to get it done. I'm not a professional athlete, but I think having that type of pressure would affect my performance. The game wouldn't be fun for me anymore. They've been tight all year. I think this is a big reason why.
|
I think you are really reaching here and like I said if this is the case and the players felt that way I still think you blame the players not owernship. I get you hate everythign about Rogers and no one is going to change your mind, but that doesn't mean everything that goes wrong is their fault.
Jays have a top 10 payroll in MLB, went out an got a starter to "replace" Price in Happ, brought in more depth and traded for a former top notch closer in Storen. Not all of the moves panned out, but I really fail to see how you come to the conclusion that the players are justified in feeling that management doesn't have their back, especially when they were very active addressing holes mid season too.