2012-2013 Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[TitovFTW]

Originally Posted by fleury

If it is Jim Tracy, what could be AA's reasoning from choosing him? I admit I don't know anything about the guy, but by the sounds of it he doesn't sound good.

He's been around for awhile, he's experienced and it sounds like he'd actually interview well, according to some media folk in Denver, he'd be somewhat well spoken. Not many managers out there with his experience, the only thing the media has suggested to us during the search is that AA wants a manager with actual experience.

Now I'm done saying anything nice or positive about Jim Tracy. It would be the absolute worst. It would make every move the Jays have made under AA and this offseason of less value. Jim Tracy is everything I listed last night in my post you wouldn't want and more. He constructs lineups like a man who's been in a coma the last 5 years, he uses his bullpen horribly and he loves the bunt more then any other manager. Can you imagine watching game after game of Reyes getting on base and Melky bunting? That's what life will be like. Joe Maddon and Buck Showalter would eat him alive.

The Jays will be the laughing stock of MLB for this. It will stop any momentum this team had going for it and slam a brick wall in front of it. Jim Tracy is that bad.

Now before I get that doom and gloom, he has not been named manager yet. Buster Olney reported that those two were just two of the final names they discussed. And Rosenthal undercut that report by saying the Jays had not even contacted Riggleman, as per Riggleman's agent. That would show you how secretive AA has been and question the information used to even make this report.

I've been able to understand and agree with almost ever move AA has made. The trade with Houston during the season this year was pretty stupid but I got it to some extent and besides letting Omar Vizquel or Eric Thames play, he seems to be an incredibly intelligent guy. I would think much less of him and lose an incredible amount of faith in him right away if he was dumb enough to hire Jim Tracy. Also it would be an entire offseason of the Bluejays then being the laughing stock of MLB on social media.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by TitovFTW

He's been around for awhile, he's experienced and it sounds like he'd actually interview well, according to some media folk in Denver, he'd be somewhat well spoken. Not many managers out there with his experience, the only thing the media has suggested to us during the search is that AA wants a manager with actual experience.

Now I'm done saying anything nice or positive about Jim Tracy. It would be the absolute worst. It would make every move the Jays have made under AA and this offseason of less value. Jim Tracy is everything I listed last night in my post you wouldn't want and more. He constructs lineups like a man who's been in a coma the last 5 years, he uses his bullpen horribly and he loves the bunt more then any other manager. Can you imagine watching game after game of Reyes getting on base and Melky bunting? That's what life will be like. Joe Maddon and Buck Showalter would eat him alive.

The Jays will be the laughing stock of MLB for this. It will stop any momentum this team had going for it and slam a brick wall in front of it. Jim Tracy is that bad.

Now before I get that doom and gloom, he has not been named manager yet. Buster Olney reported that those two were just two of the final names they discussed. And Rosenthal undercut that report by saying the Jays had not even contacted Riggleman, as per Riggleman's agent. That would show you how secretive AA has been and question the information used to even make this report.

I've been able to understand and agree with almost ever move AA has made. The trade with Houston during the season this year was pretty stupid but I got it to some extent and besides letting Omar Vizquel or Eric Thames play, he seems to be an incredibly intelligent guy. I would think much less of him and lose an incredible amount of faith in him right away if he was dumb enough to hire Jim Tracy. Also it would be an entire offseason of the Bluejays then being the laughing stock of MLB on social media.

Well said, Tracy would not fit this team (would he fit any team?) at all. And Riggleman is a quitter, I have no interest in someone like that. I read on a blog that AA has spoken with Hargrove about the job, not a big fan of his either but would be an interesting hire. I also read somewhere (forget where) that Tracy has said the Jays have not contacted him...hopefully that is true.

[GirlySports]

I have no idea what the relationships are, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tracy is a "finalist" just as a favor.

[GirlySports]

Also.

Partially because I think that managers don't really do all that much on the field (can probably do more harm than actual good...) and partially because I think it would be the greatest, most blatant, and most successful attempt at market-pandering in sports history, the next manager of the Blue Jays should 100% unquestionably be Wendel Clark.

Predicted 2013 attendance: 69 million.

[TitovFTW]

I take some hope away from this comment that Jim Tracy is not going to be named the next manager of the Jays by this

When contacted by The Star on Saturday, Anthopoulos declined to comment on the rumour directly, as per his policy.
“But as I’ve said many times before: if you hear a rumour about us, it’s almost always not true. When reports are accurate is when things are done. That’s something I’ve always maintained since I’ve been here.”

[whosurnabby]

“But as I’ve said many times before: if you hear a rumour about us, it’s almost always not true. When reports are accurate is when things are done. That’s something I’ve always maintained since I’ve been here.”

THIS. Are people not aware of this club policy or have learned from the Yu Darvish-gate last year? Did any social media rumors verified AA trading for Rasmus in 2011 and J.A Happ last trade deadline? If you hear rumors concerning the Blue Jays from any website/social media it's 99% false! That's just how Beeston and Alex "the silent ninja GM" Anthopolous roll.

[Flickered Flame]

I do get a fair bit of information regarding the Blue Jays but the two guys I get info from haven't heard a single thing about AA's manager hunt. If it does turn out to be Jim Tracy, 1) I'd be shocked and 2) I'd laugh.

As for other potential moves, I heard again today that they are not done, still very active. The guys I get info from said that Beane mentioned it hasn't been this busy, with trade talks, before the winter meetings in a very long time if ever.

[Caged Great]

Are they going for a starter or a DH replacement?

[d_phaneuf]

Keith Law on Jim Tracy has been comedy for a few years

no way I see the Jays making that move though, and AA basically denied it

[Caged Great]

Tracy would seem like an even more illogical hire than Farrell was. AA's dealings show him to be more of a Saber guy and Tracy is far far far from that.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Are they going for a starter or a DH replacement?

All I heard was pitching.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I do get a fair bit of information regarding the Blue Jays but the two guys I get info from haven't heard a single thing about AA's manager hunt. If it does turn out to be Jim Tracy, 1) I'd be shocked and 2) I'd laugh.

As for other potential moves, I heard again today that they are not done, still very active. The guys I get info from said that Beane mentioned it hasn't been this busy, with trade talks, before the winter meetings in a very long time if ever.

God, I love CP.

We've got hockey "insiders," why not some baseball "insiders"?

Thanks for the info FlickeredFlame.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I do get a fair bit of information regarding the Blue Jays but the two guys I get info from haven't heard a single thing about AA's manager hunt. If it does turn out to be Jim Tracy, 1) I'd be shocked and 2) I'd laugh.

As for other potential moves, I heard again today that they are not done, still very active. The guys I get info from said that Beane mentioned it hasn't been this busy, with trade talks, before the winter meetings in a very long time if ever.

Is your friend the fat kid from moneyball?

[TitovFTW]

Jays are definitely still active, need to fill out that rotation and need AAA depth as well.

[Jiggy_12]

Fairly minor news, but interesting and nice to see anyways.

Apparently Justin Upton is unlikely to be traded by the Diamondbacks, but Upton has added the Jays to his short list of 4 teams he will accept a trade to, according to MLBTR. What would it take? Rasmus, Darnaud, + high end pitching prospect?

"Also complicating matters is Upton's no-trade clause. Sources tells Heyman the four-team list, which has changed after every season, now includes the Mariners and Blue Jays, although it is believed Upton#could be open to a trade to a team on his no-trade list."


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#04qdCgmLhtZYrsHI.99

[bluejays]

I'd balk if that was the price, Jiggy. Rasmus + high end pitching prospect, sure but if that price also includes D'Arnaud, forget it. Upton's an OFer, one position where you don't have to break the bank. That package suggested would be for an established superstar with elite power or an Ace. Upton I'd argue isn't at that level yet.

[Jiggy_12]

Oh I agree I wouldn't give up that much, but I do believe thats what it will take to pry him out of there. I think the D backs will ask for a ransom

[Matty81]

Upton got 29 more hits than Rasmus last year (in 9 less ABs) but also hit 6 less HRs.

2.1 WAR vs 1.4 WAR and one makes a butt ton more money with another 45 million guaranteed over the next 4 years.

Granted he hit 31 hrs the year before but Colby hit 280 two years ago.

To me its a wash in a straight trade, give Rasmus another year and keep D'Arnaud.

[Caged Great]

I'd rather just keep Rasmus in hopes that his 2010 season wasn't a fluke. After this year, if he stinks, put Gose in CF, move Rasmus to RF or replacement guy like a Cabrera type, move Bautista to 1B and EE to DH.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Some of you will like this...................

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN

Manny Acta has been strongly reviewed by Jays, who are expected to soon announce their manager.