The Blue Jays Thread: 2008 Season

[ricoFlame]

With the season opener tomorrow we most definitely need the season thread up and going! Here we go!

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news...=.jsp&c_id=tor

[Frequitude]

Let's go Jays!

[Sylvanfan]

The lineup still doesn't have enough balance to do a hell of a lot offensively. If they don't get the pitching they got last year I can see Tampa Bay being able to bump the Jays down to 4th in the Division. I don't like the looks of the team, I'm going to say they go 77-85 and finish 4th in the Division. I think they're not going to get the backend rotation pitching from McGowan, Markum, and Litsch that they got last year. I am the wet blanket!

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The lineup still doesn't have enough balance to do a hell of a lot offensively. If they don't get the pitching they got last year I can see Tampa Bay being able to bump the Jays down to 4th in the Division. I don't like the looks of the team, I'm going to say they go 77-85 and finish 4th in the Division. I think they're not going to get the backend rotation pitching from McGowan, Markum, and Litsch that they got last year. I am the wet blanket!

I see the Jays totally different, their pitching has improved. League is healthy, Ryan will be back in a month, Marcum/Litsch/Mcgowan all have a year of experience. Jays have really solid pitching.......

Jays also have improved their depth on the bench, adding Shannon Stewart, Rod Barajas, and Marco Scutaro will help.

The area that is a concern is the offense, players like Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay need to have rebound years.

[flames_1987]

Too many question marks on this team, Jansen and Rolen already being injured really hurts a team that was already having a tough time matching up with the Sox and Yanks.

The rotation could be great but besides Doc there's really no proven arms behind him. Burnett has yet to show he can play an entire year or even 3/4's of it healthy. McGowan has some great potential but just like Marcum and Litsch is unproven, and all this to go along with one of the worst farm systems in MLB.

I'm not always such a downer of a Jays fan but It just feels wayyy to much like another 3rd-4th place finsh

[Antithesis]

Chad, I'll have to disagree with you on your outlook for the Jays. If I'm being honest I don't see them claiming a playoff spot, not with the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, Tigers, Angels, and Mariners all more viable alternatives than the Jays, but they will certainly compete. Their young guys looked good I thought, especially Aaron Hill ... and it's hard not to be excited about Marcum and McGowan (and to a lesser extent Litsch). I see maybe an 88-74 finish for them.

[REDVAN]

If they get above 500 I will be happy... Does anyone honestly think they can contend for the wildcard? I think I am a band wagoner so I won't be watching baseball until they can get a little better.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

If they get above 500 I will be happy... Does anyone honestly think they can contend for the wildcard? I think I am a band wagoner so I won't be watching baseball until they can get a little better.

i think that .500 would be disappointing. having said that, much above .500 might be overachieving, so i really don't know what to expect from this team this year.

[killer_carlson]

so someone who used to watch a fair bit, I really have a strong dislike for Riccardi and that bum who the manager is (Hillenbrand should have cracked his face open).

Bottom line is that the Jays will have to do a lot this season to get me back to even being a casual fan. They will have to contend from the get go to get me back into them full steam.

I'll give them a shot, but I think we'll end up hearing Riccardi make all sorts of excuses and calling out players when the hairy eyeball should be looking straight at him.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

so someone who used to watch a fair bit, I really have a strong dislike for Riccardi and that bum who the manager is (Hillenbrand should have cracked his face open).

Bottom line is that the Jays will have to do a lot this season to get me back to even being a casual fan. They will have to contend from the get go to get me back into them full steam.

I'll give them a shot, but I think we'll end up hearing Riccardi make all sorts of excuses and calling out players when the hairy eyeball should be looking straight at him.

I disagree with the Hillenbrand statement. Gibbons probably shouldn't have challenged him to a fight but I respect him for stepping up and telling him how he felt about Hillenbrand's actions. By refusing to sit in the dugout with his teammates because he wasn't playing enough and by writing "the ship is sinking" on the lockerroom board, Hillenbrand was just asking for a confrontation. Coming from a guy who called Theo Epstein a f***tt on live radio, I have a hard time believing anything he says in defense of his actions.

I will agree though that the time has come for the excuses to end. If this team runs into injuries, too bad. This team needs to be in contention until the end or someone else needs to be brought in and a new direction needs to be taken.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ricciardi cans Gibbons if they slump early to try and save the season (and his job)

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

I wouldn't be surprised if Ricciardi cans Gibbons if they slump early to try and save the season (and his job)

Yep, I agree with Gibbons in his last year of his contract I would think if the Jays start real slow a manager change could happen quite early.

On the other hand, I like this year's team. Its the best team they have had in quite awhile. The Jays really need Wells and Overbay to find their offense. If that happens I believe they will contend for a wildcard position.

[rockstar]

How did those two look in spring training, flambers? Not that spring training is a great indication of how the season will go...

[CaramonLS]

Vs. RHP
Eckstein
Stairs
Rios
Wells
Thomas
Overbay
Hill
Scutaro
Zaun


Vs. LHP
Eckstein
Stewart
Rios
Wells
Thomas
Hill
Overbay
Scutaro
Zaun/Barajas

FYI these are the projected lineups for the season (will be adjusted when Rolen comes back). That lineup vs. RHP is a travesty. Wells 4th? Stairs 2nd? Overbay 6th? Zaun 9th?

I'd fire Gibbons myself for filling out that lineup card.

Being an MLB manager has very little to do with actual skills and knowledge of the game/stats, but rather being in the right place at the right time.

*Edit* Apparently Stairs is sitting today as well. Injury appears slightly worse than before.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by rockstar

How did those two look in spring training, flambers? Not that spring training is a great indication of how the season will go...

They both looked pretty good. The player I was really impressed with was Aaron Hill.

[Sylvanfan]

I would likely go with

Eckstein
Overbay
Rios
Thomas
Stairs
Wells
Hill
Zaun
Scutaro

If Stairs can go against the Righty's. Still not great, but at least that way you don't go more than two bad percentage matchups in a row. I like Stairs further down in an RBI position than Overbay whom I see as a better contact hitter than mighty Matt. I think Overbay is a guy you can do a few more hit and run type things with or let take a pitch to try and steal a base.

Against a lefty than

Eckstein
Stewart
Rios
Thomas
Wells
Overbay
Hill
Scutaro
Barajas/Zaun

[CaramonLS]

^ ^ I like that Lineup Syl, I might switch Thomas/Stairs, but probably not.

However, if Overbay returns to 2006 form, he moves into the defacto #3 slot.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

so someone who used to watch a fair bit, I really have a strong dislike for Riccardi and that bum who the manager is (Hillenbrand should have cracked his face open).

Bottom line is that the Jays will have to do a lot this season to get me back to even being a casual fan. They will have to contend from the get go to get me back into them full steam.

I'll give them a shot, but I think we'll end up hearing Riccardi make all sorts of excuses and calling out players when the hairy eyeball should be looking straight at him.

Hillenbradn reminded me of a spoiled brat (think Savard as a Flame) so that didn't bug me too much. I won't have much patience for poor managing this year, tho. Gibbons has to be much smarter this year.

[GirlySports]

Go Jays!!

Really need a good start this year and a win today will go far in the WildCard race.
Who says March baseball doesn't matter!

[habernac]

Rain delay.

[J pold]

Stupid Rain delay!

I skipped class today too watch the Yankees play...