The Blue Jays Thread: 2008 Season

[Jiggy_12]

I didnt see the game today, anyone know why Accardo came in to close it out and not Ryan?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

He may be a prick/terrible person, but aren't you sick of watching a mediocre team for the last 14 seasons?

If he can add something to the lineup, why not take a chance?

If I had the choice between mediocrity and watching that waste of skin put on a Jay uniform, I take mediocrity.

[tanguay'sstillgood]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I didnt see the game today, anyone know why Accardo came in to close it out and not Ryan?

I think it was just because Ryan pitched yesterday. They said they dont want to use him back-to-back days for a while yet.

[moon]

My question for Jays fans is:

Do you think this team is good enough that adding Bonds gives them a chance to make the play-offs?

Also, doing you think this team is good enough that without Bonds they have a chance and that adding him might f up the chemistry and cause problems that way?

Personally I don't think the Jays have a strong chance either way and that their best hope (other than a meltdown by the Yanks, Sox, Indians, Twins, White Sox and Tigers) is that they get some good chemistry going and guys play above their ability because they feel great about coming to the ballpark everyday.

I am not sure that the short term benefit of adding Bonds is worth it for the Jays.

And by chance I don't mean every team has a chance because it is early BS. I mean a real legitimate chance to make the play-offs.

[Sylvanfan]

I think they got rid of Thomas for chemistry type reasons, and for that very reason I think you try to make it work with the guys you have. Like Moon says, the best chance they have is to have the guys playing for each other and to overachieve to a certain extent. In order to get that you need to have players who want to win for each other and not just do well for themselves.

[Antithesis]

I don't know that I have a particular problem with Bonds as a baseball player - literally don't know what to think of it - but I do know he has quite the reputation. I don't think I'd want him (and his entourage) on the team.

At this point, though, he might be willing to have a team put him on quite a short leash - no entourage allowed, if you're a prick you're gone, etc.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by moon

My question for Jays fans is:

Do you think this team is good enough that adding Bonds gives them a chance to make the play-offs?

Also, doing you think this team is good enough that without Bonds they have a chance and that adding him might f up the chemistry and cause problems that way?

Personally I don't think the Jays have a strong chance either way and that their best hope (other than a meltdown by the Yanks, Sox, Indians, Twins, White Sox and Tigers) is that they get some good chemistry going and guys play above their ability because they feel great about coming to the ballpark everyday.

I am not sure that the short term benefit of adding Bonds is worth it for the Jays.

And by chance I don't mean every team has a chance because it is early BS. I mean a real legitimate chance to make the play-offs.

Yep, I believe the Jays have a decent chance to make the playoffs. For the reason they have really good pitching. The area they need to improve is the hitting; however when Rolen is activated that will help for sure. I bet JP is looking around for another bat but I can not see the Jays signing Bonds.....

[fredr123]

Is there anything to all this Bonds talk or is this just another example of the Toronto media machine doing its thing? I've read a few stories on the internet and it all seems like idle speculation at this point. Has anyone from inside the organization even hinted at making a pitch at landing Bonds?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Is there anything to all this Bonds talk or is this just another example of the Toronto media machine doing its thing? I've read a few stories on the internet and it all seems like idle speculation at this point. Has anyone from inside the organization even hinted at making a pitch at landing Bonds?

speculative bulllcrap. They won't be buying any high priced help.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think they got rid of Thomas for chemistry type reasons, and for that very reason I think you try to make it work with the guys you have. Like Moon says, the best chance they have is to have the guys playing for each other and to overachieve to a certain extent. In order to get that you need to have players who want to win for each other and not just do well for themselves.

Even if every player overachieves or plays to their potential, it is very likely the Jays don't have enough hitting to make it to the playoffs. At best, this is only a slightly above average offensive team.

Add Bonds? Changes the dynamic drastically. I think he could be the difference - and in all honesty what do you have to lose on a team destined for 3rd place?

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Even if every player overachieves or plays to their potential, it is very likely the Jays don't have enough hitting to make it to the playoffs. At best, this is only a slightly above average offensive team.

Add Bonds? Changes the dynamic drastically. I think he could be the difference - and in all honesty what do you have to lose on a team destined for 3rd place?

If nothing else, Bonds would help them sell more tickets - to people who want to see him, and to all the people who want to boo him.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

he can light a fire in his hearth now, cuz that's where he'll be watching bball from for now on.

How do you feel about Barry Bonds in Toronto for one season? I would do it for as caramon said, "what do you have to lose for a team destined to place 3rd".

JP openly discussed entertaining the idea during the offseason. Where do you think they're at now?

The tigres are finally starting to wake up. Cabrera will be a monster.

We need a left handed powerbat. Get it done JP! Matt Stairs is not the left handed power bat we need. Lyle Overthehill bay is not the answer either. Where else are we gonna get one? We are so right handed heavy it's wrong.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom

he can light a fire in his hearth now, cuz that's where he'll be watching bball from for now on.

How do you feel about Barry Bonds in Toronto for one season? I would do it for as caramon said, "what do you have to lose for a team destined to place 3rd".

JP openly discussed entertaining the idea during the offseason. Where do you think they're at now?

The tigres are finally starting to wake up. Cabrera will be a monster.

We need a left handed powerbat. Get it done JP! Matt Stairs is not the left handed power bat we need. Lyle Overthehill bay is not the answer either. Where else are we gonna get one? We are so right handed heavy it's wrong.

That line by Caramon changed my opinion of bringing Bonds right away. However, there are other reasons why I don't think he'll come here. As stated earlier, I really don't think he likes Canada (or I read something about it). Second, how bad would it look on the organization to get rid of Thomas (Mr.Clean) and then sign his polar opposite in The Juiceman? I don't believe in distractions in pro sports as the media makes this things up (I actually believe distractions are good for most teams as it takes the focus off most of the team and puts it squarely on one or two players), but Bonds is just a headcase and to me, it puts the focus squarely on JP Riccardi if something goes wrong, which I don't think JP wants. Plain and simple, if Bonds were to come here, and he bombs, there's no comparible person to go after from there and JP will be let go. Great high risk, high return deal, but the chances of the upside are heavily outweighed by the chances of the downside and I think JP is snug with the status quo (even though I tend to agree with everyone that a big bat is needed for DH).

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by fleury

As stated earlier, I really don't think he likes Canada (or I read something about it).

I haven't heard anything of the sort.

In fact, WAY back in the day he was a guest on the Aresenio Hall Show and he mentioned a few times how he loved Canada (can't remember why it was brought up) and I also remember him saying the same thing a few years ago (I think on TSN or The Score or something?).

Isn't his famous bat maker from Canada as well?

Can't hate Canada too much.

I'm on the fence about the possiblity on him signing with the Jays. He's a roid boy and I'm not a huge fan of that.

On the other hand, as stated above.......would it really hurt the organization that much to try? Would it tick off other guys in the clubhouse.........namely Wells, Rios or Halladay? If that's the case, then I'd pass.

But they do need a LH power hitter and they could use a few more fans in the Skydome. He definitely helps in both cases.

I don't think it happens, but it is kind of intriguing.

[Sylvanfan]

Well if he wouldn't poison the club house, than yeah, he's worth the gamble. Even without the juice he's still going to post a 900 OBPS which would easily lead the team. As a LH bat it would help balance out the lineup as they could play Stairs every day against RH pitching, and that would give them 3 pretty effective LH hitters that they could use in the 3, 5, 7 holes and than have Zaun hit 9th. But I think he might just bring too much attention to a group of players who are pretty used to it being pretty low key.

[soulchoice]

As the Jays are still one of my fav teams, I would welcome Bonds with applause and glee. If he can help the team pull out some wins, sign him! I dont think it will happen though, unfortunately. He would make a great DH.

[habernac]

Matt Stairs getting it done in the 2nd inning, solo HR 1-0 Jays,

[habernac]

Stairs again! He hits this one into another zip code. 3-0 Jays. Literally out of the ballpark.

[habernac]

A disastrous 6th for Halladay, 4-3 Tampa now.

[habernac]

tough finish, Jays lose 5-3, Halladay had one bad inning and it cost them. Wells and Stairs got a couple of hits each, not enough.