The Blue Jays Thread: 2008 Season

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

There is talk that Snider could be a 20 year old DH come next year as he's not really suited to be a full time position player. I'm not sure where Toronto invests in another bat for next year if that is the case. Every other position is locked up assuming Hill comes back. Move Overbay maybe and replace him with a big bat?

Not locked up:
3rd base (with Rolens shoulder someone has to split, Scutaro probably, I think Bautista also has another year)
SS - Jmac again full time? How about a bat with Jmac a def sub
Catcher - No Zaun, Barajas + who?
Left Field - Lind? Or does Lind DH? Either way they need another outfielder who is not Wilkersuck or Shrek.
DH- Please not Snider. If he plays 120+ games next year he gets to be a FA sooner. Sign Manny with AJs money andemsum!
Rotation- One more starter would be prime. There is talk of Downs....

[flambers]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

There is talk that Snider could be a 20 year old DH come next year as he's not really suited to be a full time position player. I'm not sure where Toronto invests in another bat for next year if that is the case. Every other position is locked up assuming Hill comes back. Move Overbay maybe and replace him with a big bat?

I believe the thought is too rotate the DH position with Adam Lind and Travis Snider (i.e. one of them will play LF and the other will DH). As for Snider his fielding is fine... in AAA Snider plays Right Field. So Left Field would be no problem.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Not locked up:
3rd base (with Rolens shoulder someone has to split, Scutaro probably, I think Bautista also has another year)
SS - Jmac again full time? How about a bat with Jmac a def sub
Catcher - No Zaun, Barajas + who?
Left Field - Lind? Or does Lind DH? Either way they need another outfielder who is not Wilkersuck or Shrek.
DH- Please not Snider. If he plays 120+ games next year he gets to be a FA sooner. Sign Manny with AJs money andemsum!
Rotation- One more starter would be prime. There is talk of Downs....

I believe Rolen is signed for 2 more years... I would guess the only way he is not back is if he has off season shoulder surgery would could place his career at risk... (in my view..)

As for Wilkerson he is a free agent after this season.. Should be interesting to see if the Jays resign him.

As for the Catcher.. I believe the Jays have a club option on Barajas. I would be shocked if he is not back next year. I would think Zaun is gone and a young guy will be on the team next year.

As for SS, I bet is a combo of Inglett or Scutaro or JMAC.

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by flambers

I believe Rolen is signed for 2 more years... I would guess the only way he is not back is if he has off season shoulder surgery would could place his career at risk... (in my view..)

As for Wilkerson he is a free agent after this season.. Should be interesting to see if the Jays resign him.

As for the Catcher.. I believe the Jays have a club option on Barajas. I would be shocked if he is not back next year. I would think Zaun is gone and a young guy will be on the team next year.

As for SS, I bet is a combo of Inglett or Scutaro or JMAC.

They need a good backup infielder. I know Rolen has years, but his shoulder keeps him from playing more than 100 games or so. Having Bautista starting at 3rd for a few months could be brutal.

I would like to see a real catcher signed to split time with Barajas (for some reason the jays like to ruin catching prospects - See Quiroz/Glasses guy EDIT-Phillips).

They have money to spend though (assuming AJ opts out). Where do you spend it? A starter? I would look for a good DH, and maybe a hitting SS. A dependable #5 guy would be ideal as well, or even spending 10+ on a #2? I also still think a good backup outfielder would be nice. Maybe even someone with a bat who can DH/play 1st and the outfield corners. BB anyone?

I am afraid Rios will repeat this years stellar performance.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

They need a good backup infielder. I know Rolen has years, but his shoulder keeps him from playing more than 100 games or so. Having Bautista starting at 3rd for a few months could be brutal.

I would like to see a real catcher signed to split time with Barajas (for some reason the jays like to ruin catching prospects - See Quiroz/Glasses guy EDIT-Phillips).

They have money to spend though (assuming AJ opts out). Where do you spend it? A starter? I would look for a good DH, and maybe a hitting SS. A dependable #5 guy would be ideal as well, or even spending 10+ on a #2? I also still think a good backup outfielder would be nice. Maybe even someone with a bat who can DH/play 1st and the outfield corners. BB anyone?

I am afraid Rios will repeat this years stellar performance.

The problem with Rolen, is the Jays will have no chance to unload his Salary.. So they are basically stuck with him for another year or so... Jays management have to hope he can get healthy...

As for a starter, I would think the Jays will promote one of the young guys...

As for Catcher, same thing. I would bet its Barajas and Thigpen or Jeroloman at the beginning of the year. However the guy who is progressing rapidly is JP Arencibia.

The guy who could be gone is Overbay I would think this is the position that the Jays need to find a upgrade on... Maybe a guy like Giambi..

[flambers]

Sorry missed the point on Bautista, not sure why this would be a problem. He is a good 3rd baseman. Who can hit HRs.......

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by flambers

Sorry missed the point on Bautista, not sure why this would be a problem. He is a good 3rd baseman. Who can hit HRs.......

This continues to make me laugh. Did Vernon pass him this week? EDIT-Yup

I wasn't suggesting to trade Rolen, I just feel with his injuries they should go ahead and assume someone else will be pretty much splitting time with him.

If Arencibia is ready, fine. I just don't want to see him get ruined by coming up too fast. Didn't know Thigpen caught, that kinda helps things a lot there.

Giambi is an OK idea, what about Andru Jones? Texiera? Although I would rather keep Overbay and sign a mashing DH.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

This continues to make me laugh. Did Vernon pass him this week?

Last time I looked he has 13 HRs. Remember he is not a power 3rd baseman but he could produce ~ 20 HRs. Which is very decent from 3rd.

There is 13 players with 20 or more HRs who play 3rd. Bautista is ranked 20th in the league with 13 HRs.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

This continues to make me laugh. Did Vernon pass him this week? EDIT-Yup

I wasn't suggesting to trade Rolen, I just feel with his injuries they should go ahead and assume someone else will be pretty much splitting time with him.

If Arencibia is ready, fine. I just don't want to see him get ruined by coming up too fast. Didn't know Thigpen caught, that kinda helps things a lot there.

Giambi is an OK idea, what about Andru Jones? Texiera? Although I would rather keep Overbay and sign a mashing DH.

Jones is done would not want that guy... As for Texiera there is no way the Jays can land this guy... I bet the Red Sox / Yank's will out bid the Jays.

IMO, the Jays won't have the dollars to chase a top ranked guy .

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jones is done would not want that guy... As for Texiera there is no way the Jays can land this guy... I bet the Red Sox / Yank's will out bid the Jays.

IMO, the Jays won't have the dollars to chase a top ranked guy .

Yeah tex is a longshot, but if AJ goes it frees up what, 10 or 12 Mil. Not to mention Big Frank leaving, isn't that around 10? Plus Zauns few mil, and maybe an Overbay trade, your in business. Especially if the new hurler comes from the farm as you suggest. The fact that the Jays have such a great team ERA helps in allowing the younger guys to get some time on the mound.

I think this team needs one more big bat to be competitive, and they should have at least 20 Mil to work with. A big part of it comes down to how well JP can sell Toronto (ie- Is his 'i have to overpay' argument not complete horse manure). If they use prospect for all the spots but a DH/outfielder, is it possible to shoot for ManRam? I know its crazy, but he probably won't play for the Yanks, and would love to stick it to Boston...

I also still think its BS that all the managers colluded to keep the black man down. Double-B could be leading this team in HRs by 10+.

[Sylvanfan]

Really the Jays need to start looking at what some other smaller markets are doing, and look to let their good young players play, and if they are in fact the real deal...sign them long term early on in their career. Tulowitzky, Braun, and Longoria all got big long extensions, and I think this will become even more common practice. If 25-31 year olds are more productive hitters...than why not pay them rather than cheap out on them and than overpay a guy in the 31-37 range because he was a free agent.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Yeah tex is a longshot, but if AJ goes it frees up what, 10 or 12 Mil. Not to mention Big Frank leaving, isn't that around 10? Plus Zauns few mil, and maybe an Overbay trade, your in business. Especially if the new hurler comes from the farm as you suggest. The fact that the Jays have such a great team ERA helps in allowing the younger guys to get some time on the mound.

I think this team needs one more big bat to be competitive, and they should have at least 20 Mil to work with. A big part of it comes down to how well JP can sell Toronto (ie- Is his 'i have to overpay' argument not complete horse manure). If they use prospect for all the spots but a DH/outfielder, is it possible to shoot for ManRam? I know its crazy, but he probably won't play for the Yanks, and would love to stick it to Boston...

I also still think its BS that all the managers colluded to keep the black man down. Double-B could be leading this team in HRs by 10+.

Thats true but I believe a few players are also getting raises from the past season (i.e. from new contracts).. Hill, Rios, Wells, Barajas etc.....

I read somewhere that the Jays have about ~ 15 M to spend. The problem is in Baseball that's not allot of cash.

I do agree the team definetely need one more big bat, the problem is can they afford it...... Knowing the Jays probably not...

[SportsJunky]

The Jays will have somewhere close to 20 mil next year. There aren't many under 30 bats available beyond Teixeira (who will get all kinds of attention) and good old Adam Dunn (we can assume thats not happening).

As far as older guys, Delgado comes available if NYM don't activate their option on him although I would be surprised if they don't. Kevin Millar is interesting. So is Pat Burrell, Ibanez and Abreu.

ManRam would be an amazing pickup but I don't think the Jays will have the dough for him.

[calculoso]

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/M...664841-cp.html

TORONTO - Travis Snider has already impressed the Toronto Blue Jays with his poise at the plate and ability to handle the bat. On Thursday night he gave the team a first-hand glimpse of his raw power in what is becoming an increasingly impressive September audition.

The 14th overall pick in the 2006 draft crushed his first big-league homer, a massive blast to dead centre, to highlight a three-hit performance in a 9-0 romp over the playoff-contending Minnesota Twins.

"Man, he's something," said Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. "He's very calm, he doesn't get excited, he handles himself up there well, even when he takes walks.

"I think we might have something here."

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

This continues to make me laugh. Did Vernon pass him this week? EDIT-Yup

.

LOL, did you also check to see that Wells has now had more AB than Bautista? Remember Bautista is a utility player... Not bad for a guy who could hit ~ 20HRs.

[Gozer]

Snider: .467/.500/.733

[zukes]

It sounds strange to say, but if I'm the Jays, I keep this line-up intact next year. Here's why. They have almost to a man had their worst or at least below their average season. Even a return to the average is 5-10 more wins. Rios seems to be one year great, one year passable, I expect a career year next year. Adam Lind is a stud. Travis Snider apears to be on the same path. Barajas is a good catcher.

I take the money from Burnett leaving, assuming he does, find a replacement and save any extra money for mid-season when the Jays should actually be contending.

I know it's a lot like the Oilers, look awesome once there is no pressure, but remember the Jays were actually supposed to contend this year, so maybe it all is just bad luck and they come out like gangbusters next year.

Or maybe I am drinking the kool-aid like the Oilers fans. I am going to the game tomorrow. Can't wait to see Snider.

[Caged Great]

I would try to get a slugging DH (Glaus type numbers)

beyond that, try and sign a pitcher like sheets or something if Burnett signs with the Yanks

[zukes]

If they get a DH, then Rios or Wells is as good as gone. I am not ready to give up on those guys. I think Snider is on this team next year. I know he may drop off, and it costs a year of free agency, but it's hard to temper the excitement of a young player with superstar hitting potential.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by zukes

I know it's a lot like the Oilers, look awesome once there is no pressure, but remember the Jays were actually supposed to contend this year, so maybe it all is just bad luck and they come out like gangbusters next year.

Or maybe I am drinking the kool-aid like the Oilers fans. I am going to the game tomorrow. Can't wait to see Snider.

The thing is that guys like Rios and Wells have been a lot hotter in the second half. At the end of the season....they'll likely have numbers that are right about where you would project them to be over a full season. Really if Wells hadn't missed time to injury his numbers project out pretty well. Wells should come in around a 850 OPS which is right about where he's been in most of his best offensive years. Rios will be below what you'd expect for power, but still 300 or so average and 800-850 OPS, and I don't think Rios has ever shown enough power or patience at the plate to be a 900OPS guy. Than there are guys like Joe Inglet, and even Lind probably have done more than the team expected to help offset guys like Overbay and Rolen. Chances are at the end of the season that the lineups production won't be that far off of what should have been expected. It's just that they ran really hot and cold at times and that lack of consistency was an issue.

What will be a tough call for the Jays is if they decide to give a guy like Snider the chance to be on the team next year with a guy like Lind. If they do, than thats a DH and a LF, so if they want to add a big power bat that would really leave first base as the place to do it. If they decide not to, than they maybe could try to find an everyday short stop who can hit adequately and defend the position. I think I'd be tempted to re-invest some of the Burnett savings into a pitcher. Even with the injuires the past two years he did throw 150+ innings...which is somthing guys like Litsch, Marcum, McGowan haven't been able to really do for more than one season.