2012-2013 Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

Although you are likely to be proven correct. I kind of thought what about a Johnson/Morrow as number 5. It would set things up real nice for Dickey going into the next start. 95mph Johnson/Morrow fast ball to Dickie knuckleballer back to a Johnson/Morrow slider fast ball. Hitters will look real stupid and have zero rhythm.

It's not as if Romero is some soft tossing lefty. He can run the fastball up in the lower 90's. His issue last year was that he lost control, and subsequently all confidence. Not to mention that the splits in the series won't have it so you go from Dickey to Morrow with the same team. If you can slot the two left handed guys at 3 and 5, you do pretty much force every team to have to prepare for both a fireballer, and a soft tosser, plus a left handed pitcher in each series. So it will force teams to change their lineups every series, or put players in spots where they don't match up well. This rotation won't allow teams to see the same thing two straight days sort of thing.

[sa226]

Is a knuckleballer a pitcher that has the knuckle ball in his repertoir? Or are they one trick ponies?

Does Dickey have any other pitches that he can strike out with?

Possibly a stupid question, I just dont follow baseball very close.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by sa226

Is a knuckleballer a pitcher that has the knuckle ball in his repertoir? Or are they one trick ponies?

Does Dickey have any other pitches that he can strike out with?

Possibly a stupid question, I just dont follow baseball very close.

From what I've heard he has a medium speed and slow speed knuckleball, a nasty changeup, and an average fastball (which becomes above average due to the speed and frequency of the other pitches)

[Caged Great]

He also throws a screwball very occasionally (it acts like a slider thrown by a lefty, even though Dickey's a righty)

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

It's not as if Romero is some soft tossing lefty. He can run the fastball up in the lower 90's. His issue last year was that he lost control, and subsequently all confidence. Not to mention that the splits in the series won't have it so you go from Dickey to Morrow with the same team. If you can slot the two left handed guys at 3 and 5, you do pretty much force every team to have to prepare for both a fireballer, and a soft tosser, plus a left handed pitcher in each series. So it will force teams to change their lineups every series, or put players in spots where they don't match up well. This rotation won't allow teams to see the same thing two straight days sort of thing.

I see your point and a very good point especially the lefty point makes very good sense. I was really looking at Morrow/Johnson doesn't matter both are known as strikeout guys with hard heat. Dickey also led the National League in strikeout's. Whereas, Romero is known more for his intelligent mothodical way of pitching will pitch for the ground out before the strike out. Sometimes, what gets him into trouble is he over thinks and if his go to pitch the change up isn't finding the strike zone.

In all actuality it isn't just the Jays pitching that is a nice problem to have, but look at the speed we have on the bases now with Reyes, Gose, Lawrie, Rasmus. Power Hitting can get hot and cold but you always have to account for speed.

[kipperfan]

Still dislike the trade, but really like the extension numbers - can't argue with having a pitcher of Dickey's caliber for 3 years at only $30 million. Sucks having lost a big giant chunk of our future, but the next three years could be amazingly awesome. Let's go Jays!

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by sa226

Is a knuckleballer a pitcher that has the knuckle ball in his repertoir? Or are they one trick ponies?

Does Dickey have any other pitches that he can strike out with?

Possibly a stupid question, I just dont follow baseball very close.

He uses the knuckler a lot but also uses a low 80's mph fastball fairly often - I think he might also have a change but I've never seen him use it (I've only watched him a handful of times, so take that for whatever its worth).

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Gozer

If Oliver is on the fence about coming back, nothing could sway him more than adding a Cy Young winner to the staff. Another year of Oliver might be worth considering in a TdA + Snyd deal.

The deal seems steep - much more than I wanted to give up. But we're talking about moving a Cy Young winner; trading those guys costs the best assets in your system. Take it or leave it. I'm glad they took it. I hope there is more to the deal though.

As for the rotation, if Dickey is added.
Johnson
Buerle
Dickey
Morrow
Romero

The lefties are separated adequately, Dickey is followed by a fireballer, and the long-time Jays are set up to have good seasons. Buerle gets the nod as #2 guy and presumptive leader on the team, and it's a challenge to Romero's ego to be a bubble guy (but one he can't really dispute).

Why would Oliver want to retire at this point? He's still effective.

[Pagal4321]

The Blue Jays just got the NL Cy Young winner for 3 years at $10 million a year. A steal based on the current FA market for starting pitchers.
Did AA overpay, probably. But this team is built for a huge run for the next 2-3 years and if they succeed, it will pay huge dividends moving forward.

You signed your superstar in his prime and promised to build a contending team around him and that's exactly what AA has done. Snydergaard is 20, you think he could have helped this team in the next 3 years. Highly doubtful. This is the reason you have spent all this money to build up your prospect pool to either field the youngest team in the MLB or swing them for players that can help you win now.

I am not happy that we gave up TDA or even SNydergaard but I can see where AA is coming from and I am god damn excited for this Jays team to hit the field.

[Ne7en]

I'm curious to see what the odds are on the Jays winning it all after this trade. Anyone who dislikes it are likely ones who will never win. I'd rather play with increased odds for a short time than play with a team shooting to finish 2nd or 3rd for an extended time. There is no point sitting in the middle.

[Caged Great]

The thing is that now the team is going to be extremely talented for at least the next 2 years.

With the losses at the top end of the farm system, it'll take time to replenish that. Namely about 2 years. Then you'll start seeing all the good young guys like Stroman, Smoral, Norris, Tirado, Osuna, Nay, Dean, Davis, Alford etc start filtering up the ranks effectively replacing what we've dealt away this off season.

[Jason14h]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...-the-hot-stove

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

I'm curious to see what the odds are on the Jays winning it all after this trade. Anyone who dislikes it are likely ones who will never win. I'd rather play with increased odds for a short time than play with a team shooting to finish 2nd or 3rd for an extended time. There is no point sitting in the middle.

bet365

Reds, Nationals, Dodgers and Blue Jays all #1 favourites at 15/2

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

I'm curious to see what the odds are on the Jays winning it all after this trade. Anyone who dislikes it are likely ones who will never win. I'd rather play with increased odds for a short time than play with a team shooting to finish 2nd or 3rd for an extended time. There is no point sitting in the middle.

Yep there is really nothing dumber than teams that chose to be mediocre(Raptors, Flames). If you are going for it or tanking then do it / no half measures.

[jschick88]

Jays get dickey nickeas thole

Mets get darnaud syndergaard buck and becerra

https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS

[ShaolinFlame]

If anyone would like to know more about RA, knuckleballs, and more I would highly recommend this documentary.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/knuckleball_2012/

Checked it out yesterday and it was awesome. I could watch guys whiff on knucklers like girls at softball all day long.

Oh and there's a fourth year option for 12MM...

[Pagal4321]

The New York Daily News reports that the contract includes a US$12-million club option for 2016.

If this is true, the entire contract is a complete and total steal by the Blue Jays.

[Cheese]

Mike Nickeas for those who want the reference. A Canadian Catcher

[jschick88]

R.A Dickey:

Now that its official, I want to say that I don't have the words to express how grateful I am to you for the steadfast support and...

Encouragement I received from all of you.Ive always felt that there was a connection beyond the uniform.Thank you for making me feel wanted

Looking forward to a new chapter with the Jays.

https://twitter.com/RADickey43

[BEANZ]

A return of two catchers....

What does this mean? Are there more moves to come? Perhaps JPA and Lind for a real first basemen.