Quote:
Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under
You're right about the frustrating part. I don't think Atkins and Shapiro are not trying but I also think they are being disingenuous when they say things like they have financial "flexibility" to reach into the upper tier of the FA market. It's just not going to happen with the Jays.
I also think it's pretty darn tough to assemble an MLB starting rotation through drafting and development. The Mets sort of did it but still traded for Wheeler and Syndergaard before they were in the MLB. Even the Rays supplemented their starting pitching by signing Morton as a FA last offseason which took from 90 to 96 wins. We know how the Yankees and Red Sox do business. The only guy on the Nats starting rotation they drafted was Strasburg. The Astros didn't draft any of their starting pitchers.
I think the only route for the Jays will again be trade. It's clear they don't have the appetite to lay down a ton of cash for an elite FA so they will be forced to give up assets.
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Let's not forget that the last time the Jays were a legit contender their rotation wasn't very expensive, but it was still very effective. They didn't sign any big name free agents to build that rotation either.
They traded for Dickey (wasn't near an ace level pitcher here)
They traded for Buehrle
They traded for Price (just a half season)
They traded for Estrada
They traded for Happ
They drafted Hutchison
They drafted Stroman
They drafted Sanchez
Those are all the key contributing starting pitchers from the Jays two playoff seasons, none of them are jump off the page ACE starters, except Price who was here for only half a season.
As cool as it would be to have the Jays convince Cole and Strasburg to sign in TO (and shell out the $$ to do so) it's not a necessity for building a good rotation IMO.