2011 Blue Jays Season Thread

[NoCupsIn40Years]

ShiDavidi Shi Davidi



Hill: "this is a little tough, this is all I've known."

23 Aug

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ShiDavidi Shi Davidi



AA says he doesn't rule out bringing either player back.

23 Aug



ShiDavidi Shi Davidi



McDonald: I'm conflicted. ... I'm extremely thankful (to the Jays). Going to Diamondbacks a great opportunity

23 Aug

[NoCupsIn40Years]

ShiDavidi Shi Davidi



Blue Jays confirm Johnson for Hill and McDonald. C Brian Jeroloman coming up from Vegas.

[NoCupsIn40Years]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2011/08/23/jays_trade/

Live press conference

[NoCupsIn40Years]

My god, it looks like Hill is gonna break down. It's awful to see.

[kermitology]

From that picture Aaron Hill looks like he's about to die.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I don't completely understand this trade, I've only been following baseball closely for maybe 2 years now, specifically the Jays.

From my perspective I see the Jays trading two guys who appeared to be popular guys and loved being Jays for a guy who is hitting .209.

Someone care to enlighten me?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I don't completely understand this trade, I've only been following baseball closely for maybe 2 years now, specifically the Jays.

From my perspective I see the Jays trading two guys who appeared to be popular guys and loved being Jays for a guy who is hitting .209.

Someone care to enlighten me?

Johnson last year was one of the best 2B in all of baseball. His bat sucks this year, but is still close to a .700 OPS (on base + Slugging)

Additionally, if Hill was to leave as a free agent, we wouldn't get anything, same with J-Mac.

If Johnson leaves at the end of the year, we will for sure get 1 1st round draft pick (a prospect similar to Anderson, Smith Jr. or Comer) or possibly two depending if he's a type A free agent instead of type B.

Basically we traded two players that won't get us anything for one that will, or if he resigns, then we'll get someone similar to Hill with the possibility of him rebounding.

[Cortez]

Why even have a trade deadline MLB? I don't get it.

[Flickered Flame]

yeah I think this is more about having an opportunity to take a risk on another pick because Johnson is not really an upgrade at all.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Johnson last year was one of the best 2B in all of baseball. His bat sucks this year, but is still close to a .700 OPS (on base + Slugging)

Additionally, if Hill was to leave as a free agent, we wouldn't get anything, same with J-Mac.

If Johnson leaves at the end of the year, we will for sure get 1 1st round draft pick (a prospect similar to Anderson, Smith Jr. or Comer) or possibly two depending if he's a type A free agent instead of type B.

Basically we traded two players that won't get us anything for one that will, or if he resigns, then we'll get someone similar to Hill with the possibility of him rebounding.

Thanks.

So AA is just managing his assets ensuring he doesn't lose something and get nothing in return.

[flames_1987]

By listening to this press conference, it seems like there's a very good chance we will see Johnny Mac back with the Jays in some capacity.

[Matty81]

From what I can gather off Davidi's twitter and watching the presser I think the dbacks specifically wanted Johnny Mac and called about him as a depth pickup for their playoff run and the price they paid was swapping Johnson for Hill who they feel are close anyway. AA liked Johnson better than Hill and will likely try to sign him, and gets the comp picks if not.

I don't think it's a great trade on paper because I'm not high on Johnson, I think he hits too poorly for average to be a long term 2B solution, and if he goes for comp he is only a type B FA anyway according to the last Elias.

Clubhouse wise it might be a great move, since you are really doing a big favor to Johnny Mac and Hill seemed depressed or something for a while.

[troutman]

How many trade deadlines are there in MLB? It seems one passes, trades still happen, repeat.

[flames_fan_down_under]

If Johnson doesn't work out with the Jays then they will have a pretty big hole to fill at 2B as the free agent pool seems pretty weak in that position.

However AA is pretty deliberate about the players he picks up and he likely feels Johnson can excel with the Jays otherwise he wouldn't have made the trade.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by troutman

How many trade deadlines are there in MLB? It seems one passes, trades still happen, repeat.

From my limited understanding there is the non-waiver deadline, July 31st, and the waiver deadline of Aug 31st. Any player traded between July 31st and August 31st must clear waivers...I think.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Johnson last year was one of the best 2B in all of baseball. His bat sucks this year, but is still close to a .700 OPS (on base + Slugging)

Additionally, if Hill was to leave as a free agent, we wouldn't get anything, same with J-Mac.

If Johnson leaves at the end of the year, we will for sure get 1 1st round draft pick (a prospect similar to Anderson, Smith Jr. or Comer) or possibly two depending if he's a type A free agent instead of type B.

Basically we traded two players that won't get us anything for one that will, or if he resigns, then we'll get someone similar to Hill with the possibility of him rebounding.

Also, the Jays have a $1mil buy-out on Hill's contract if they don't pick up his option (which they wouldn't have).

So basically the Jays save a million bucks, get a month long try-out of Johnson (a guy they've been rumored to be interested in in the past - similar to the Flames and Jokinen situation), and either sign Johnson and upgrade at 2B for next season or take the comp. pick when he walks.

The downside? They lose Johnny Mac for a month before he signs back with the club in the off-season. Not really any downside here.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

From my limited understanding there is the non-waiver deadline, July 31st, and the waiver deadline of Aug 31st. Any player traded between July 31st and August 31st must clear waivers...I think.

That's right.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

From my limited understanding there is the non-waiver deadline, July 31st, and the waiver deadline of Aug 31st. Any player traded between July 31st and August 31st must clear waivers...I think.

Originally Posted by JayP

That's foolish.

Fixed your post,

Not saying anything negative about flames_fan_down_under just the MLB rules

[Sylvanfan]

Aaron Hill has never been a very good OBP guy, and even when he hit 26 home runs last year his sluggig % was below 400, and this year is a paltry 313. At least in an off year like this Johnson can still be a 700 OPS guy whereas Hill last year didn't produce at that level, and is well below that this year. Plus Johnson being a left handed hitter does give the Jays a different look.

Something really isn't right with Hill though. I don't know if you can pin it on injuries, or what, but last year he at least flashed some of that 2009 power at times, this year though it looks long gone. Just completely devoid of any confidence at the plate.

MacDonald seemed like a great team guy and I hope he can do something to help the D-Backs out. But at the end of the day theres always a good veteran infielder who can play defence to be had in the free agency market for a good price.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I don't completely understand this trade, I've only been following baseball closely for maybe 2 years now, specifically the Jays.

From my perspective I see the Jays trading two guys who appeared to be popular guys and loved being Jays for a guy who is hitting .209.

Someone care to enlighten me?

AA is becoming a master as getting good players when they're having down years or when the other team is sick of them.