Maybe not this year, but the Jays would have a really good shot at it in a year or two if they were in the Central or the West division.
Agree with that for sure and depending on what the Red Sox do and who the Rays sign or do not sign the Jays might have a good shot in their own division if things go right.
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Originally Posted by JayP
Because the Indians swept them once? How about the Jays sweeping the O's 3 straight series this year - that doesn't count for anything?
I could look at every half decent team in the MLB and find a series against a terrible opponent where they could have done better.
The Indians series isn't the first or only time in the past that they
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Pretty easy for a Cardinal fan (24th hardest schedule) to tell Blue Jay fans (t-4th hardest schedule) that it doesn't matter what division they play in. That's not just a 2010 thing either - over the last half of the decade, the Jays are consistently in the top 10 and usually the top 5 while the Cards are consistently in the bottom 10, almost always in the bottom 5, and have had the easiest schedule in the league twice in the last 4 years. Switch divisions and the Cards aren't World Series champs in 06.
I don't think that it doesn't matter at all what division that they are in just that some fans use that as a convenient excuse while ignoring the real issues with the team.
Switch divisions with many teams and the Cardinals aren't WS champs as it was the worst Cardinal team over about a 5 year period around that time. Switch the divisions and the Jays aren't WS champs either so not sure what that really does except try to take a shot at a team that has more talent and has been a lot more successful than the Jays.
What does everyone think the Jays could get for Bautista right now? I can't see his value being any higher then it is now, and he is set to be a free agent come this offseason.
Looked like it would be a hit up the middle (there was a runner on 1st)....Escobar got the the ball and flipped it behind his back to Hill at 2nd for the out (it was pretty much the only play he had.)
Just awesome.
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Bautista is turning into a better Carlos Pena, can't see him being moved now. Looks like the Jays finally have a shortstop for the long haul as Escobar looks like the real deal, early as it is.
What a stunning play. No hesitation and one fluid motion. I don't think I've ever seen the play done that clean before. As for Batista, I personally don't believe in dealing him even though deep down I know it's really his career year and it's likely his peak. You only deal him if it's an Escobar type deal where you can't refuse the deal being offered. Starting pitching wise, the Jays are absolutely solid, so I don't think they really need to improve there. RP needs help, but you don't deal an all-star for relievers, that's for sure. Closer could use help, but I'd like to see Downs given a chance, but it's still not worthwhile to deal Batista for one considering authentic closers are stupidly rare and little chance they'll maintain that spot. So that leaves position players. There are no real position upgrades necessary for the future worthwhile, and that's why I believe Batista won't be dealt. Buck is a keeper for the next couple years at least, and so I hope they keep him as well. Overbay I'm positive, will stay because they'll get two first round picks if he leaves as a FA, so it's not worth their time to deal him IMO. I think that leaves a real possibility though, that Downs is the odd man out for another reliever. Then there may be other guys who are just dumped for a bag of balls, like Molina, Ruiz, and Tallet.
Escobar reminds me a bit of Roberto Alomar. Granted he plays short instead of second, and he's not a switch hitter, nor is he that good of a base stealer. But he's got decent power, is a versatile hitter who can get on base, and plays top notch defence. Things like that bunt hit on Sunday where he put that bunt in the perfect spot in a sacrifice situation and legged it out. That's something only a few players can do, and most of them don't have the power to hit much out of the infield. If the Jays can fit him in the club house they could have one hell of a player.
Oh, and the Orioles...they are terrible, especially against the Jays. Of all the teams in the AL East to be 0-11 against I don't think anyone would have thought Toronto would be the team.
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What a stunning play. No hesitation and one fluid motion. I don't think I've ever seen the play done that clean before. As for Batista, I personally don't believe in dealing him even though deep down I know it's really his career year and it's likely his peak. You only deal him if it's an Escobar type deal where you can't refuse the deal being offered. Starting pitching wise, the Jays are absolutely solid, so I don't think they really need to improve there. RP needs help, but you don't deal an all-star for relievers, that's for sure. Closer could use help, but I'd like to see Downs given a chance, but it's still not worthwhile to deal Batista for one considering authentic closers are stupidly rare and little chance they'll maintain that spot. So that leaves position players. There are no real position upgrades necessary for the future worthwhile, and that's why I believe Batista won't be dealt. Buck is a keeper for the next couple years at least, and so I hope they keep him as well. Overbay I'm positive, will stay because they'll get two first round picks if he leaves as a FA, so it's not worth their time to deal him IMO. I think that leaves a real possibility though, that Downs is the odd man out for another reliever. Then there may be other guys who are just dumped for a bag of balls, like Molina, Ruiz, and Tallet.
I don't think the Jays deal Bautista for the simple fact that he appears to be the ambassador for the organization relating to Latino players. From what I've read, he was consulted by AA before acquiring Escobar and then was the guy that the Jays designated to help Escobar make the transition. Bautista is fluently bilingual and that's actually a pretty rare asset for a Latino MLBer.
Considering the Jays are clearly making a strong move towards being more aggressive in bringing over young Latino prospects, I think that Bautista is a huge part of our future. Even if his on-field production drops off slightly he still brings value to the team in other ways.
I do think that Buck gets traded for two reasons: his value will never be higher and the Jays do have a replacement prospect ready in J.P. Arencibia. For those unfamiliar with him, here's his AAA numbers this season:
.309/.363/.650 = 1.013 OPS
29 HRs in 87 games
Those are ridiculous numbers from a catcher. I think the Jays deal off Buck and get maximum value then go into next season with a solid Arencibia/Molina combo to ease the rookie in.
