Blue Jays ready to open camp Saturday - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Oxygen-Supply · 02-18-2005, 02:03 PM

The Toronto Blue Jays officially open spring training when pitchers and catchers report Saturday and the atmosphere in Dunedin, Fla., is going to be completely different than it was last year.

General manager J.P. Ricciardi has made it clear that the 2004 camp was far too leisurely, with too many players going through the motions, secure in their roles with little or no heat behind them.

"I think we're pretty balanced and we have some guys in the lineup who can do some things. I think we can surprise some people with our offence," said Gibbons. "We have good overall team speed, we're going to open it up a bit because we're not expecting to be a big home-run hitting team, we're going to do some hitting and running, stealing a bit more, just try to make things happen.

"We don't know how good we're going to be, but I feel good inside about this group."

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=115394

The team now was room to buy some players next year

and this year looks like a development year.

Oxygen-Supply · 02-18-2005, 02:07 PM

Since they have 3 starters for 2 positions, in Hill, Hudson and Adams. Plus they have Gross doing nothing. Trade??

Andrew · 02-18-2005, 02:09 PM

hill is not a starter yet. another year at least. adams/gross hasn't proven anything... gotta wait before they trade! I think gross needs more time at triple a.... he couldn't hit anything last year.

And i hope they send quiroz back to the minors, that guy needs time there too. IT is like the nhl, don't rush the players to the league, it ruins them.

flambers · 02-18-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew@Feb 18 2005, 02:09 PM
hill is not a starter yet. another year at least. adams/gross hasn't proven anything... gotta wait before they trade! I think gross needs more time at triple a.... he couldn't hit anything last year.

And i hope they send quiroz back to the minors, that guy needs time there too. IT is like the nhl, don't rush the players to the league, it ruins them.

Disagree, Adams won the Shortstop position. He is already pencilled in at that position.

Andrew · 02-18-2005, 02:15 PM

adams has won it... but he hasn't proved squat. he batted pretty well i do agree, but his defence needs a tonne of work.

Ever heard of chris woodward... a few good at bats doesn't mean he has won anything permaneatly.

and yes adams is pencilled in, but i can see things changing pretty fast. I was just saying that they won't trade anyone till they see a long-term solution at short.