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Originally Posted by Sylvanfan
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Yeah, after seeing him actually play some games now, it's pretty evident that if he has a future it's as a back up infielder. I think what killed him in the past more than anything was bad defence. Lets face it how many teams have a back up infielder who's a hitter...they usually live and die by their glove. Ray Olmedo's and John McDonalds usually get those jobs.
What do you think the Jays need to do anyways Caramon? Could they maybe look at getting a guy like a Castilla to play 2nd and move Hill to third and try to axe Glaus...do they keep Glaus, Thomas, Rios, Wells, and Hill and hope that a lineup thats pretty much right handed hitting slugger types who either hit it out of the park or go back to the bench don't all slump at the same time like they did this year? I don't know what they can really do as I think Thomas and Glaus are both under contract and Wells is untradeable once his new deal kicks in and right now due to injury. As much as the lineup looks like junk right now, they seem to be scoring more runs with these scrubs playing as it's forced them to balance out the lineup. Maybe it's just the opponents not really giving the team any credit and not playing with enough intensity against them though.
IMO I think Ricciardi in hindsight created himself a bit of a mess with this lineup, and the worst part is that he's pretty much committed to it for next year.
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The thing is, no one who we might consider getting rid of in this lineup is movable. No one would touch Wells if he was put on Waivers at his price tag - even if he did have a good year, so that is out, not to mention his injury. Glaus should have been sold at the deadline, but is not movable now either with his injury/poor performance/roids things now, Overbay isn't moveable and nor is Thomas. Add in Hill and you have the cornerstones of the team next year.
Now, one guy I would consider moving is Rios (if I could trade Wells, I would). He is a very very attractive commodity, and if you can get a left handed corner OF or Good Middle INF - well, you're off to the races. The thing is, Rios hits well and can play CF - but his splits aren't exactly ideal, and we have too much of the same player as it stands right now - You could upgrade the team by platooning him and finding a good left handed hitter - if you traded him straight up for one (names are escaping me atm), you could possibly do well for yourself. Rios has been the best player on the team, but sadly, we might have to move him if we want to move forward with this lineup with all the other locks at other positions.
I'd resign Matt Stairs immediately - tell him he can play full time in LF or RF - and get 100% of the ABs vs. RHP. That is the issue with resigning Stairs according to him. He wants to play, and he has earned that right, especially on this team. Get our mystery player who we get for Rios to play the other corner OR you could promote Adam Lind - since it is really getting to be do or die time for the kid. He has enough AAA experience to be considered for a full time MLB position, and if platooned, he could put up solid numbers where we need it.
If you did Promote Lind, you could solve the SS problem with Rios - trade him for someone like Cabrera (to the Angels), who they might be looking to move with a guy like Aybar or Wood knocking at the door. Heck, you might want to consider snagging one of their prospects as well at SS, since they have some good ones. Obviously Cabrera for Rios would be a steal for the Angels - so they would have to throw in some of their young, promising minor league talent to balance the deal.
Wood IMHO is ready for the show, and if you could get him, he would be a very good long term solution for the Jays. Risky, but worth it.
4 full time lefties - Stairs, Overbay, Lind and Zaun
Platooned with Johnson (in the OF) - Thigpen, and probably 1 more RH bat would be needed in the OF or to spell Overbay at 1B - FYI, finding an .800 OPS hitter vs. lefties to play those positions are a dime a dozen at the ML level (Josh Phelps for example is an 850 OPS vs. RH hitter, available for a song).
5 full time Righties - Shortstop Xfactor (Wood or Cabrera), Wells, Glaus, Thomas, Hill. Backup - Jmac.
I'd rather not move Hill if I can help it. He plays an amazing 2B, but if there is no other options available via trade, then I guess you have to. Castilla is a pretty good option - good leadoff type hitter.
For Zaun, he stays, platooned with Thigpen (or any catcher for that matter, since EVERY catcher in the majors basically hits from the right side) - not even Pudge in his prime could throw out the runners - We have a terrible staff at holding runners, allowing them to get massive leads.
Pitching Staff - Bullpen would stay together - they've been very good this year. A healthy Ryan/League/Accardo/Downs/Janssen is an AMAZING 1-5. Not even counting the other guys in the Pen, who've been very solid.
Starters - Halladay, Burnett, McGowan, Marcum, XXXX
I'm not sold on Jesse Litsch or Janssen as the #5 Starter, I'd give Bartolo Colon a decent Salary (5 Mill) + Incentives - Very high Risk, very high (Cy Young) Reward. The Jays have to make a move like that in order to make some noise in the division. Worst case, they DFA Bartolo and bring one of those guys into the Rotation. Given the injuries of the pitching staff, I'd Keep Jesse down in AAA, he is going to get some action regardless next year.
Thats what I'd do with the team. I know losing Rios is tough, but you can see the
splits. Only hitting .798 vs Righties. A platoon would be a better option for this team moving forward, and could fill our holes.
