2012-2013 Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[dustyanddaflames]

According to MLBTR.com - the Blue Jays, along with others, have been scouting Javier Vazquez:

Earlier today, we learned that the Nationals are interested in free agent starter Javier Vazquez, who is considering a return to MLB. The Red Sox are also set to watch Vazquez pitch in Puerto Rico on Friday, but they're not the only team out of the American League East with an eye on the veteran. More on that and other news from the division..

• Alex Cora, who serves as the GM of Vazquez's team in Puerto Rico, told WEEI's Hot Stove Show that the Blue Jays have also been scouting the 36-year-old, according to Alex Speier on Twitter. It's not clear if the Red Sox or Blue Jays would be willing to give Vazquez a big league contract, but the Nationals aren't believed to be considering it.

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#oxBKJvbPbuqmsC2K.99

[HitterD]

Some news on Darren Oliver as well. Looks like he will retire unless the Jays pay more than $3 million.


http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/...-money-report/

Originally Posted by National Post

“Oliver’s perspective is that the Jays already have demonstrated an ‘all-in’ approach by making their blockbuster with the Miami Marlins and another trade with the New York Mets for right-hander R.A. Dickey,” according to the Foxsports.com report written by Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. “Why not extend a little more, particularly for a pitcher who has given the team a strong clubhouse presence in addition to elite performance?”

[Matty81]

The guy who did the awesome star wars Oliver JPEG in the comments section of DJF (it's the header now) did another good one;

[jschick88]

Some Jays news:

Alex Anthopoulos says RA Dickey is likely to get Opening Day start against Cleveland on April 2. Not surprising
https://twitter.com/SportsnetJamie

Welcome Beck! #Bluejays claim Chad Beck off waivers from #Pirates, to whom they lost him on waivers a couple months back. #Jays
https://twitter.com/Wilnerness590

[KootenayFlamesFan]

FYI...........RA Dickey press conference is on today at 2pm MST, 4pm EST. Sportsnet is showing it live.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

He's definitely a great speaker. Very engaging, very honest. A real treat to listen to.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

He's definitely a great speaker. Very engaging, very honest. A real treat to listen to.

No kidding.

One of the best Press Conference's I've ever watched. Honestly.

Seems like a completely genuine guy.


Gotta say, listening to the conference, and watching the highlights they keep showing over top of the conference really have me itching for the season to start.

Haven't been this excited about baseball in a long, long, long time.

[KelVarnsen]

Wow, watching his interview now. I liked him before, even more now. Going to buy his book ASAP.

[dustyanddaflames]

Anyone know where I can find this interview?

[jschick88]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

Anyone know where I can find this interview?

Sportsnet.ca has a 4 minute interview where he discusses how he throws the knuckleball and talks about twitter.

He was also on primetime sports for 30 minutes. Missed the interview so hoping I can catch it later.

[chalms04]

Here's the audio:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/590/2013/01/...ewsconference/

What a beauty.

[chalms04]

Woah, didn't know AA was bilingual.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jays picked up lefty pitcher Tommy Hottovy off of waivers from the Rangers today, designate Chad Beck for assignment (again).

[GirlySports]

This thread is really interesting to read over again from page 1

From doom and gloom to world series excitement in 3 months

[dustyanddaflames]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Jays picked up lefty pitcher Tommy Hottovy off of waivers from the Rangers today, designate Chad Beck for assignment (again).

He sure has some nice numbers attatched to his name

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

This thread is really interesting to read over again from page 1

I just did, laughed pretty hard at this one.

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

They ditched Lind? Wow, if they can use that cash on a starting pitcher this could be a fantastic move.

Not to pick on KFF, it was (and still is) a fine post - but it's a funny reminder of collective expectations.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Jays picked up lefty pitcher Tommy Hottovy off of waivers from the Rangers today, designate Chad Beck for assignment (again).

I don't even care what is on the scouting report, I really like this move because the Rangers club is deep.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

He's definitely a great speaker. Very engaging, very honest. A real treat to listen to.

He's so well spoken and extremely engaging, I completely agree. I'm sure it's been mentioned but you should all watch the documentary called "Knuckleball!" It follows Wakefield during his final season as well as Dickey's first season as a true knuckleballer. Dickey is so passionate about his craft, it's very interesting to see. The whole gang of Hough, Niekro, Wakefield and Dickey are like a small fraternity, they golf together and talk about knuckleballs, it's just very cool to see and makes you really like R.A..

[chalms04]

On that note, I read Wherever I Wind Up from cover to cover last night.

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

He sure has some nice numbers attatched to his name

That was fast.

Shi Davidi ‏@ShiDavidi #Bluejays sign C Henry Blanco to a non-guaranteed, $750,000, one -year deal. DFA LHP Tommy Hottovy to clear room on 40.