The Blue Jays Thread.

[Cerebral]

The Jays game is on TSN right now for anyone who wants to watch. Janssen looked damn impressive in his inning (he struck out the side - Matsui, A-Rod and Posada) and I'm kind of wishing the Jays could find a way to get him into the starting rotation.

[flames_1987]

Towers was named the #5 in the rotation today.

Halladay
Burnett
Chacin
Ohka
Towers

[Antithesis]

Well, he's done well so far this Spring as far as I can tell. Excited for the first game on Monday. (?)

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Well, he's done well so far this Spring as far as I can tell. Excited for the first game on Monday. (?)

Oh god yes...gotta set the pvr to catch the game though. oh well..OPENING DAY!!! sweet.

[CaramonLS]

12:35 EST?!! Who thinks up these times. My god.

[Antithesis]

Won't affect me ... I'm on Spring Break! Bahahahahhaha! Oh. Sorry.

I love the start of baseball season, spring is here, summer on the way ...

[Gord Wappel]

So the dart throwing strategy going into training camp... as it now appears before the opener:
7 economical darts were mentioned for the 4 and 5 spots:
Ohka, Thomson, Marcum, Towers, McGowan, Matumoto, Zambrano.

Ohka and Towers earn the spots convincingly.
Thompson injured and likely gone.
Don't know where Matumoto dissapeared to.
Zambrano a nice surprise for future starts or helping in pen if he can stay healthy.
Worries may be League and Chacin. (but there's always some bad surprises).
At least Halladay, Burnett and Ryan are OK out of the gate.

[ricoFlame]

One "expert" at ESPN has the jays winning the wildcard, and no snif in the east: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/previe...=07expertpicks

everybody at cbs sportsline has the jays either third or fourth in the division: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10098242

and nobody at NBC had the jays doing anything: http://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/1290853/detail.html

so take it for what it's worth.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

One "expert" at ESPN has the jays winning the wildcard, and no snif in the east: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/previe...=07expertpicks

everybody at cbs sportsline has the jays either third or fourth in the division: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10098242

and nobody at NBC had the jays doing anything: http://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/1290853/detail.html

so take it for what it's worth.

I might not be completely sold on this Jays team that has been assembled, but there is absolutely no way this team finishes lower than 3rd place. It would be a complete and utter disaster.

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I might not be completely sold on this Jays team that has been assembled, but there is absolutely no way this team finishes lower than 3rd place. It would be a complete and utter disaster.

I disagree, injuries to Halladay and Burnett at the same time for any extended period could certainly result in the Jays falling that far. I really don't mind their starting rotation right now but they can't afford to have either of their big guns go down for a long period of time unless a guy like Janssen really steps up huge this year.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

I disagree, injuries to Halladay and Burnett at the same time for any extended period could certainly result in the Jays falling that far. I really don't mind their starting rotation right now but they can't afford to have either of their big guns go down for a long period of time unless a guy like Janssen really steps up huge this year.

But the same thing could be said for every other team in the majors (or every other team in professional sports). If our top 2 pitchers go down for an extended period of time then we'll probably finish low...just like if the Yankees lost Mussina and Wang for a similar period.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by JayP

But the same thing could be said for every other team in the majors (or every other team in professional sports). If our top 2 pitchers go down for an extended period of time then we'll probably finish low...just like if the Yankees lost Mussina and Wang for a similar period.

i agree, especially in the al east, where everybody seems to have a decent top 3, but then...so who know, i guess that's one of the reasons they play the games.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

i agree, especially in the al east, where everybody seems to have a decent top 3, but then...so who know, i guess that's one of the reasons they play the games.

The difference is, with the jays we have another 3 or 4 guys who could start and be decent in the rotation. Not many teams have that kind of depth.

[ricoFlame]

the jays traded Rosario to the Phil's for $$ today: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2827207

[moon]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

The difference is, with the jays we have another 3 or 4 guys who could start and be decent in the rotation. Not many teams have that kind of depth.

Really? Who?

Zambrano, Janssen, Marcum have not shown that they can be decent yet. I think it is still a hope that Ohka will be decent.

I doubt the Jays will finish worst than third but if a few of these things happen: Thomas and Glaus begin to show their age, Burnett continues with his injury problems, Clayton plays like Royce Clayton and Chacin continues to have problems with the AL seeing more of him I could see them struggling, none of the "all-stars" brought in to be the #5 starter works out at all. Of course injuries to key guys could cause problems.

Plus the Orioles could have a decent year if Loewen, Bedard and Markasis take big steps forward and some of the older guys put together again.

I would be surprised if they finished anywhere other than third and probably would bet on second over fourth if pushed but I don't think Jays fans should be offended by guys not picking them to do well this year, they have shown no reason for people to believe that they will finish higher than the Sox or Yankees.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by moon

Really? Who?

Zambrano, Janssen, Marcum have not shown that they can be decent yet. I think it is still a hope that Ohka will be decent.

I doubt the Jays will finish worst than third but if a few of these things happen: Thomas and Glaus begin to show their age, Burnett continues with his injury problems, Clayton plays like Royce Clayton and Chacin continues to have problems with the AL seeing more of him I could see them struggling, none of the "all-stars" brought in to be the #5 starter works out at all. Of course injuries to key guys could cause problems.

Plus the Orioles could have a decent year if Loewen, Bedard and Markasis take big steps forward and some of the older guys put together again.

I would be surprised if they finished anywhere other than third and probably would bet on second over fourth if pushed but I don't think Jays fans should be offended by guys not picking them to do well this year, they have shown no reason for people to believe that they will finish higher than the Sox or Yankees.

If one of the top starters go down, he could be replaced by one of Janssen or Zambrano. Sure these guys are not #1 type of pitcher but very few teams in the league could replace the ace of the staff if he went down. Which includes the Yankees and the Sox.

Remember they did finish second last season with an injured pitching staff.

[moon]

Originally Posted by flambers

If one of the top starters go down, he could be replaced by one of Janssen or Zambrano. Sure these guys are not #1 type of pitcher but very few teams in the league could replace the ace of the staff if he went down. Which includes the Yankees and the Sox.

Remember they did finish second last season with an injured pitching staff.

Yankees and Sox can replace the ace because they can afford to buy anyone they want/need. Now whether an ace would be available is possible but even with the "money" the Jays have this year they will never have enough to match these two teams when it comes to buying guys during the season.

They finished second with an injured staff and really not that close at all to the play-offs. The Yankees didn't get worse and the Red Sox got better, that menas the Jays are worse on paper and on the field than both teams.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by moon

Yankees and Sox can replace the ace because they can afford to buy anyone they want/need. Now whether an ace would be available is possible but even with the "money" the Jays have this year they will never have enough to match these two teams when it comes to buying guys during the season.

They finished second with an injured staff and really not that close at all to the play-offs. The Yankees didn't get worse and the Red Sox got better, that menas the Jays are worse on paper and on the field than both teams.

You are assuming one could be bought, as for the Jays are worse on Paper I totally disagree. This is probably one of the best hitting clubs "on paper" they Jays have had in a long time.

The only question mark is pitching can the Pitchers like Ohka and Towers win games for them. Thats the key question.

[moon]

Originally Posted by flambers

You are assuming one could be bought, as for the Jays are worse on Paper I totally disagree. This is probably one of the best hitting clubs "on paper" they Jays have had in a long time.

The only question mark is pitching can the Pitchers like Ohka and Towers win games for them. Thats the key question.

I am not conifdent that Glaus and Thomas will be as good as they were last year and could see a big drop off for Glaus. Zaun is a below average hitter, Clayton is awful. Reed Johnson is a decent guy but not a great starter.

The Jays have a decent line-up but it is way behind the Yankees and a ways behind the Sox as well.

I think the pitching concern extends to Chacin and Burnett as well.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by moon

I am not conifdent that Glaus and Thomas will be as good as they were last year and could see a big drop off for Glaus. Zaun is a below average hitter, Clayton is awful. Reed Johnson is a decent guy but not a great starter.

The Jays have a decent line-up but it is way behind the Yankees and a ways behind the Sox as well.

I think the pitching concern extends to Chacin and Burnett as well.

LOL, I guess I am on the other side of the fence on this one. In my view the Jays are going to score allot of runs. This team is loaded with good hitters.... The element that is a question mark is pitching but thats the same with most teams.