Blue Jays Official Offseason 2007-2008 Threa

[Cerebral]

Scratch that, it doesn't look like a legit source.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Well Lofton would serve two purposes for the Jays, add in an extra left handed bat that the team needs in a really bad way, and bring in a guy who can be a proper lead off type hitter. There should be more than enough right handed hitters who can play in the outfield who can post a 850 or better OPS against left handed pitching to handle a platoon role.

Lofton would be a great pick-up. He would step right into the same role Cat had a few years ago and split time with Johnson. Lofton owns right handed hitting with .822 against righties over the past three years. Lofton is a better fit than Cat as he's ideal for the lead-off position so him and Johnson become inter-changable at the top of the order.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

Scratch that, it doesn't look like a legit source.

Should be interesting to see what happens..... If the Jays deal Rios will be interesting to hear what the Jays plans are for the Outfield.....

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by flambers

Should be interesting to see what happens..... If the Jays deal Rios will be interesting to hear what the Jays plans are for the Outfield.....

I would assume two platoon situations involving Lind (who I'd like to see get a shot), Johnson, Stairs and a guy like Lofton. Not the sexiest of outfields but it could get it done. I'd be worried about regression though, a guy like Stairs is unlikely to continue hitting like he did last season and the same can be said for a guy like Lofton.

I can't express in words how stoked I would be if Riciardi could somehow move Rios for Lincecum and then turn around and acquire Bay. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

I would assume two platoon situations involving Lind (who I'd like to see get a shot), Johnson, Stairs and a guy like Lofton. Not the sexiest of outfields but it could get it done. I'd be worried about regression though, a guy like Stairs is unlikely to continue hitting like he did last season and the same can be said for a guy like Lofton.

I can't express in words how stoked I would be if Riciardi could somehow move Rios for Lincecum and then turn around and acquire Bay. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen.

I agree, It would be great to see the Jays land Bay. Bay would sell a bunch of tickets for the Jays...... unfortanetely I don't see it happening....

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by flambers

I agree, It would be great to see the Jays land Bay. Bay would sell a bunch of tickets for the Jays...... unfortanetely I don't see it happening....

To be honest, I don't even care about the fact that Bay is Canadian. I would acquire him because he is a flat out elite hitter and I don't think last season will be the norm given that he is only 29 years old. There aren't many hitters out there that can approach a 1.000 OPS and Bay is one of them.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

I would assume two platoon situations involving Lind (who I'd like to see get a shot), Johnson, Stairs and a guy like Lofton. Not the sexiest of outfields but it could get it done. I'd be worried about regression though, a guy like Stairs is unlikely to continue hitting like he did last season and the same can be said for a guy like Lofton.

I can't express in words how stoked I would be if Riciardi could somehow move Rios for Lincecum and then turn around and acquire Bay. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen.

I don't think the Jays would have the assets to get Bay. Let me rephrase that - they probably have the assets in guys like Marcum and McGowan, but dealing them off makes the expected Rios/Lincecum deal sort of irrelevant.

The outfield you described is pretty likely. Most teams only carry one outfielder on their bench, but when you consider Stairs will likely be backing up Overbay as well it's not too out of the ordinary. Having a line-up like that would provide a lot better depth when combined with the addition of Scutaro.

[Saint Troy]

It would be a solid move to get Lincecum, especially with Rios about to get paid. I think if you get Lind 500ab's he could hit 30 home runs, but damn if Bay wouldn't be a sweet pickup.

[flames_1987]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/baseball



Paul Lo Duca wants to be with the Toronto Blue Jays. The free-agent catcher has been proactive in pressing his case for employment with the team, to the point where he called Blue Jays manager John Gibbons in November to press his case.

[Cerebral]

According to Wilner, the Jays are essentially just waiting on the Giants to respond to the trade offer this evening. Given that a few reporters have stated that the Giants have put out feelers on a few free agent pitchers, it sounds like they're at least really seriously giving this offer some thought.

I wonder if JP has any tricks up his sleeve given that moving Rios for Lincecum would free up another $4M (meaning they would have about $8M to spend this off-season). If we're planning on going with a platoon situation in the outfield, I would love to see the Jays at least upgrade their offensive output at shortstop (although it looks more and more likely like we're going with McDonald and Scudaro at short).

[Jiggy_12]

Lo Duco would be a good addition. Him being the 1A catcher with Zaun as the 1B. I've always liked Lo Duca.

[JiriHrdina]

Why would he want to come to the Jays? Not saying its not a nice place to play, just odd that he would have such a specific desire to play in Toronto.

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Why would he want to come to the Jays? Not saying its not a nice place to play, just odd that he would have such a specific desire to play in Toronto.

He apparently gets along really well with Gibbons.

Lo Duca doesn't make much sense though, he's not a big upgrade on Zaun and he's unlikely going to sign for only one year (which is what the Jays are likely looking for with Thigpen in the system).

edit: Despite that, it sounds like he's close to signing a one year deal with the team.

http://rotoworld.com/content/Home_MLB.aspx

I don't hate the idea but it only makes sense if Lo Duca's hitting improves this season (which I don't expect it to).

Based on all reports, the Giants are still considering a Lincecum for Rios swap. The more I look at it, the more I like it - Lincecum has nasty stuff and he legitimately has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

[Cerebral]

It sounds like Lo Duca is all but a done deal:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/baseball

I suppose it's not a terrible move but I would rather see that money put towards acquiring a shortstop who can hit. Tonight should be interesting as we should get some sort of resolution on the Lincecum/Rios deal.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

It sounds like Lo Duca is all but a done deal:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/baseball

I suppose it's not a terrible move but I would rather see that money put towards acquiring a shortstop who can hit. Tonight should be interesting as we should get some sort of resolution on the Lincecum/Rios deal.

Thanks for these updates, you're on the ball.

If it happens, I like it.

[ricoFlame]

a catcher who can put the ball in play somewhat consistently is a plus.

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Thanks for these updates, you're on the ball.

If it happens, I like it.

It's my first day off in forever so all I have to do is follow baseball rumours, watch the Raptors game and wait until the Oilers play tonight.

I will be curious to see what JP does if the Lincecum/Rios deal goes down. As good as our pitching staff would be, we would definitely need another outfielder and we'd really be banking on Wells, Glaus and Overbay bouncing back with good seasons.

For those that are interesting, I found this link on a Jays board:

http://www.pitching.com/

Lincecum has manged to stay healthy throughout his career so far and perhaps his delivery is the reason why.

[flames_1987]

Well as much as I dislike the guy, JP sure makes the winter meetings exciting every year

[Jiggy_12]

Last year Zaun threw out 13 of 86 base stealers out, for 15.1 %.

Lo Duco threw out 22 of 94 attempts, for 23.4%. Significantly better.

[flames_1987]

I think it said 2.5 million on BJW for Lo Duca, not that bad of a deal at all. Would be great to get Lofton too