Blue Jays offseason

[The Ditch]

The Young Guns

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Well, they've been pretty bad for a long time, so what's another few years? If you've been a Jays fan, chances are that you're a pretty hardcore one, or you would've jumped off the bandwagon long ago.

I liked what I heard from AA today.......at least he sounds like he's got a plan. No more expensive band-aids, get a good young nucleus and go from there. It sounds like the right strategy, let's hope it goes as planned.

My expectations are very low for the club this year, so I'm more excited about watching the younger guys and how they progress. Hopefully this official rebuilding phase is only 2 or 3 years, and not 6 or 7.

As Resolute says........nowhere to go but up.

[CaramonLS]

AA seems to be saying the right things.. time will tell if he actually has the stuff that GMs are made of. Seems pretty down to earth so far, and I kind of like it.

We'll see how he drafts. I'd like to see him turn the Jays into the top or near the top in that department, and the rest will likely fall into place.

[Machiavelli]

So is McGowan done or what?

[bluejays]

I think the Jays resigned McGowan for another year, which I guess means they believe he has something in the tank. McGowan has the makings of an ace, so I hope they don't give up on him this early because of his injuries.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'd give them a chance. I like starting at rock bottom. I'd pay to go see this young, possibly exciting team than the joke that was last year's team.

Oh, absolutely. If I lived in Toronto, I'd be going to a ton of games myself, but optically, I don't think the Jays have ever looked this bad.

Here's hoping on the field of play they can become the Phoenix Coyotes of baseball. Surprise everyone.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Oh, absolutely. If I lived in Toronto, I'd be going to a ton of games myself, but optically, I don't think the Jays have ever looked this bad.

Here's hoping on the field of play they can become the Phoenix Coyotes of baseball. Surprise everyone.

Results aren't that important next year. These kids have to learn how to play properly, how to practice, how to travel everyday as big leaguers. Play together as a unit and get back to fundamentals.

They'll be fun. I hope they give alot of teams fits!

[flambers]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Results aren't that important next year. These kids have to learn how to play properly, how to practice, how to travel everyday as big leaguers. Play together as a unit and get back to fundamentals.

They'll be fun. I hope they give alot of teams fits!

Totally agree....

[Joborule]

Just as long as I see direction of the franchise and that they make progress within the next two years I'll be patient with the Jays since they at least got rid of the bozo GM. But they need to get into the playoffs someday soon.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Just as long as I see direction of the franchise and that they make progress within the next two years I'll be patient with the Jays since they at least got rid of the bozo GM. But they need to get into the playoffs someday soon.

I thought AA actually did a good job today in sounding like he knew where he wanted this team to go. Not like Ricarddi..who also come off as arrogant and smug when people asked about the direction of the team.

[hayduke's dad]

Another 2 or 3 years of no playoffs and sub .500 ball coming up.

[jeremywilhelm]

^^ so what. We weren't gonna make the playoffs with the complete halfassed set up we have had for the last 7 + years anyways.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

^^ so what. We weren't gonna make the playoffs with the complete halfassed set up we have had for the last 7 + years anyways.

we should sign raul mondesi and tony bautista for this season

[nik-]

Watching that press conference by the Phillies yesterday was tough. I knew this was coming for months, but it still really didn't make it easier to watch Doc putting on a Phillies jersey.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by hayduke's dad

Another 2 or 3 years of no playoffs and sub .500 ball coming up.

As opposed to what? When's the last time this team made the playoffs, or were even remotely close?

At least now we are blowing the whole thing up and starting from scratch. AA seems to have a plan for this franchise, unlike JP. The Jays might win 60-70ish games instead of 80.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

As opposed to what? When's the last time this team made the playoffs, or were even remotely close?

At least now we are blowing the whole thing up and starting from scratch. AA seems to have a plan for this franchise, unlike JP. The Jays might win 60-70ish games instead of 80.

Yeah, it's fun to start from nothing. Seeing Doc leave hurts but that's the unfortunate end result of the Jays screw up over the last 10 years. Instead of developing more Docs, they made mistakes by signing bad free agents.

Alex Greek will build from the minors up. Perhaps there are even more gems down there. It took the old regime forever to let Lind play.. I hope that the new regime gives more youngsters a chance.

[flamesaresmokin]

I'd agree, if this team is actually going to accomplish something its about time they legitimately go for a youth movement instead of simply trading assets. If two of these prospects from the halladay deal can pan out this team has a decent bed of young talented players that can hopefully produce at elite levels in a few years while we can still afford to keep them around. If the Marlins and Twins can make it work there is no reason the Jays can't regardless the division they are in. It just takes the right group to make it happen.

[Sylvanfan]

The one thing to take warning of is look at a team like Pittsburgh, when was the last time they were anything close to relevent? Others like Milwaukee, and Colorado took a good while as well. It is necessary for the Jays to go this direction, but it's not likely to fix itself anytime soon. It's probably a 3-4 year project if things do go well. If they don't...it's a decade if ever.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by flambers

I agree but at least they seem to be making all of the right moves under the new leadership...

They have more than doubled the scouting dept (great move).
They have a pile of draft picks in this year's draft (good thing)
Halladay move is a decent trade...

Key for the Jays is to draft extremely well, spend the money on the prospects. This will allow the Jays to get competitive in quick fashion.

I hated JP strategy of signing the old guys to huge deals.

I don't follow the Blue Jays season much. Maybe when it comes to Blue Jays or Raptors, I might be in a category of bandwagon jumper. The only reason I cheer for them is because they are the only Canadian team in the league. I don't watch a lot of their game because they suck in the last few seasons. I hope you are right about Blue Jays improving in the next few seasons due to personnel moves. I am just glad JP is gone. The guy is an idiot when it comes to finding talent. He overpaid some players and got rid of some of the players who plays well.

One good thing about Halladay's trade is Blue Jays doesn't have to play against him much. Also we can finally cheer for Philly especially against the Mets.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The one thing to take warning of is look at a team like Pittsburgh, when was the last time they were anything close to relevent? Others like Milwaukee, and Colorado took a good while as well. It is necessary for the Jays to go this direction, but it's not likely to fix itself anytime soon. It's probably a 3-4 year project if things do go well. If they don't...it's a decade if ever.

The Pirates are super cheap. I have no idea what's they're doing. Last year they traded ALL NINE of their opening day starters.

The Jays are very rich. They just need to blow it up and start again now but they have the capacity to sign big contracts to keep their players, the right players.