Official Toronto Blue Jay Thread - Page 13 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flames_1987 · 12-28-2005, 02:53 PM

I don't think there's a doubt in anyones mind that JP would trade Hinske if he could, but right now doesen't look like that's possible so he's trying to fit Hinske into the best possible spot.

flames_1987 · 12-28-2005, 11:23 PM

Alright so I think we all see the same things happening in regards to the lineup as for the rotation

1. Halladay- If he stays healthy he'll be a front runner for the CY Young
2. Burnett- He's got all the stuff, just got to put it together. Having Arnsberg to work with is gonna help him soooo much
3. Chacin- Still young, can build on a heck of a rookie year
4. Lilly- Now that he's a #4 guy instead of a #2 I think he can do a lot better
5. Towers- I really like Josh as a #5 guy, he was our best pitcher second half of last year

Gord Wappel · 12-29-2005, 12:29 PM

Agree with and am enthused by those starting pitchers.
I wonder who they will slot in - when inevitably some injuries occur - Downs, McGowan, who else ??

I think there will be some "regression to the mean" by players (if they are still around) like Koskie (for the better) and even Hinske. His first year was like Aaron Hill's - its got to be in there somewhere. Vernon can hit better. But for same reason I fear a dropping off by Hill, Chacin and Zaun.

I am excited about the new players but it looks like an unfinished picture - in the infield, with overall chemistry and with leadership.

flames_1987 · 12-29-2005, 12:57 PM

I thought Downs did a great job last year filling in as a starter. THe Jays are blessed with loads of young arms, that's why they could make that Overbay deal.

I'm not calling the Jays WS champs or proclaiming how great they'll be, but with everything as it is they have the chance to make the playoffs and be something. I agree there is room for letdowns to happen, but I see a lot more positive going for the Jays in terms of repeat performances then I do in Hinske like seasons.

JiriHrdina · 12-29-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gord Wappel

Agree with and am enthused by those starting pitchers.
I wonder who they will slot in - when inevitably some injuries occur - Downs, McGowan, who else ??

I think there will be some "regression to the mean" by players (if they are still around) like Koskie (for the better) and even Hinske. His first year was like Aaron Hill's - its got to be in there somewhere. Vernon can hit better. But for same reason I fear a dropping off by Hill, Chacin and Zaun.

I am excited about the new players but it looks like an unfinished picture - in the infield, with overall chemistry and with leadership.

Re. Hinske, if he had 2 good seasons I would agree, but the one single good season suggests that pitchers simply figured him out and he's been unable to adapt. I'll be blunt - I don't think he's a everday MLB player in any fascet. But he'll likely be back simply because no one will take him.

flames_1987 · 12-29-2005, 02:07 PM

In the Jays pen I like

Spier- Coming off his best year in the majors arguablly.
Downs- Was great last year when he had to fill in as a starter, and I like his arm for long relief.
Chulk- Earned a spot with a good 04 season.
Frasor- Solid arm from the pen
Schoeneweis- Good against lefty's
Ryan- Can't wait to see this guy pitch
League- I think the Jays will carry him this year, he does have the potential

Who's gonna be the set up guy? Really nice to have 3 left handers in the pen.

JiriHrdina · 12-29-2005, 02:24 PM

Spier is a strong candidate to be the setup man but I wouldn't be surprised to see Frasor take that job instead. Good lookin' bullpen now that we have a closer.

flambers · 12-29-2005, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Spier is a strong candidate to be the setup man but I wouldn't be surprised to see Frasor take that job instead. Good lookin' bullpen now that we have a closer.

I agree I think either guy could be the setup man. Now that the Jays have allot of infielders (especially at 3rd) I am guessing Kosikie is the guy that will be traded. The question is where to.

Freeway · 12-30-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flambers

I agree I think either guy could be the setup man. Now that the Jays have allot of infielders (especially at 3rd) I am guessing Kosikie is the guy that will be traded. The question is where to.

And what'll we get for him?

flames_1987 · 01-03-2006, 12:35 PM

Jays sign Jason Phillips (catcher) to a minor league contract. JP needed to do this with the depth at the catcher position right now.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=149245

Antithesis · 01-03-2006, 12:37 PM

I wasn't familiar at all with the Jays' depth at catcher. Guess it must have been pretty short.

I haven't looked forward to watching the Jays this much in a very long time.

socalwingfan · 01-03-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Jays sign Jason Phillips (catcher) to a minor league contract. JP needed to do this with the depth at the catcher position right now.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=149245

Hopefully Jays fans will get to watch Phillips in some game action - he has to be the slowest human on earth and has a crazy running style. We used to pray for ground balls last year at Dodger games to watch him run - it's worth the price of admission

flambers · 01-03-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeway

And what'll we get for him?

I would guess when Koskie is traded it will be for a minor league player. Basically the Jays have to many infielders so one of them has to be traded (i.e. Hinskie or Koskie). I don't believe Hinskie is a player that can be traded and the rumour is the Jays do not want to trade Hillenbrand. So that leaves Koskie as the guy that has to go.

Trojan97 · 01-06-2006, 09:18 PM

Corey Koskie has been traded to the Brewers for a scrub minor league pitcher.

Great move IMO provided the Jays didn't pick up too much salary. Sad to see Koskie go after only one injury plagued season though.

JiriHrdina · 01-06-2006, 10:14 PM

Does this mean Shea stays?

Jiggy_12 · 01-06-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Does this mean Shea stays?

Absolutley.

Shea DH's or plays 3B, but he'll be in the lineup everyday.

Hinske can platoon in the OF with Cat and Johnson, although I wish Hinske would have been the guy to be traded.

JiriHrdina · 01-06-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Absolutley.

Shea DH's or plays 3B, but he'll be in the lineup everyday.

Hinske can platoon in the OF with Cat and Johnson, although I wish Hinske would have been the guy to be traded.

Me too and part of me feels badly for Koskie who is a quality guy and just had a bad year. I hope he can help the Brew. But getting to keep Shea on the team is a huge bonus in my view. I didn't think there would be room for him after the other moves that were made.

flames_1987 · 01-06-2006, 11:35 PM

Wow look at this lineup now.

1. Adams
2. Cat
3. Overbay
4. Glaus
5. Wells
6. Hillenbrand
7. Hill
8. Rios
9. Zaun/Quiroz

Best lineup easily in years for the Jays

Antithesis · 01-07-2006, 03:07 PM

The Jays are going to be a blast to watch this summer.

As well, since I've yet to see any mention of the Jays picking up part of Koskie's salary, it seems like they've dumped him completely.

The Canadian-on-the-Jays experiment was certainly interesting but how much better would it have been with Larry Walker circa-1994?

JiriHrdina · 01-07-2006, 03:30 PM

^^^There are actually reports that the jays are picking up as much as 60% of his salary. Nothing confirmed yet though.