2011/12 Toronto Blue Jays Off-Season

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Parallex

That's true... but he wouldn't cost anything beyond $ and he's young (we'd get all of his prime years) and has got less mileage on his arm (relative to the other TOTR options) so he's less likely to lose significant injury time. I figure after the posting fee and contract he'd end up costing about as much as the other top options for starting pitchers.

From a financial perspective he'd also open up a new market for Jays baseball in Japan (Dude is a rockstar over there). He'd bring in more money I wager.

My ideal starting rotation would probably go...

Romero
Darvish
Morrow
Alvarez
McGowen or Cecil

... if McGowen wins out offer Cecil the same deal Rzep got last year (AAA in the rotation or MLB in the Bullpen).




Here's where we're going to have to disagree. Bullpens are the most overvalued part of MLB (No way will two relief pitchers make 10 extra wins). I'm not much for the mystique of "the Closer" I mean it strikes me as really silly to decline to use your best bullpen option when your up a run with the 2-3-4 hitters coming up in the 7th so that you can have him pitch to the 8-9-1 guy in the 9th... sometimes games are really saved in innings other then the 9th. If we must I'm perfectly comfortable with Janssen being the setup man (guy had great numbers last year) and retaining Franky as the 9th inning man. I'd be comfortable with Litsch replacing Camp and Carreno replacing Rauch as middle relief options. Like I said I do want a better lefty option... nothing against Luis Perez but I want another southpaw.

I am completely open to the bullpen by committee idea, but we still need more quality in that area. We lost a lot of leads from the 6th inning on this season. That isn't completely the fault of the RPs, as defense and lack of late-inning runs contribute as well, but a couple more dependable arms would be huge for us.

If we could get Darvish (or someone similar) it would strengthen the 'pen by pushing a stater out of the rotation, but I still strongly believe we should spend some $$ on a proven late inning guy.

Add Darvish and Papelbon and our pitching staff is looking much better.

[killer_carlson]

I'd bring Kelly Gruber into the fold as a player development consultant.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jays had an insane amount of blown saves last year with a high end closer, that would have generated 8 to 10 more wins.

If I recall Jays had ~ 20 blown saves or something like that.

In 2 games we had 2 blown saves in each of them, and some of the blown saves were later translated in to wins in extra innings.

Overall, if we had say Papelbon or another good closer, we'd likely have won 4 more games at most, which still wouldn't have done much this year.

However, having guys like Carreno and Janssen in later inning roles would definitely make things a bit easier than having Rauch or FF

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

and Papelbon

Ewwww Papelbon in a Jays jersey would likely make me ill. I'd still cheer but I'd always feel like taking a shower afterwards.

Leaving that aside Papelbon isn't even really really good. He's got a real good K rate but in most other categories Casey Janssen had a slightly better year by the numbers. That's not to say that he wasn't still pretty good (I like Casey Janssen) but I'd only want him at a fair and decent price and I think he would demand more then that. I think his reputation exceeds his skill. Besides which he'd cost the jays a first round draft pick in free agent compensation if the Sox offer him arbitration (although I think they'd be crazy to do so). He made $12,000,000.00 last year... that's insane and 2.5-3.0 times what I'd consider shelling out for him.

Jeremy Affeldt might be decent pick up in the RP department (unless his option is exercised) if you could get him on a 1 + option year deal. A southpaw with a real good GB rate and respectable (if unexceptional) K/BB rate.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Ewwww Papelbon in a Jays jersey would likely make me ill. I'd still cheer but I'd always feel like taking a shower afterwards.

Leaving that aside Papelbon isn't even really really good. He's got a real good K rate but in most other categories Casey Janssen had a slightly better year by the numbers. That's not to say that he wasn't still pretty good (I like Casey Janssen) but I'd only want him at a fair and decent price and I think he would demand more then that. I think his reputation exceeds his skill. Besides which he'd cost the jays a first round draft pick in free agent compensation if the Sox offer him arbitration (although I think they'd be crazy to do so). He made $12,000,000.00 last year... that's insane and 2.5-3.0 times what I'd consider shelling out for him.

Jeremy Affeldt might be decent pick up in the RP department (unless his option is exercised) if you could get him on a 1 + option year deal. A southpaw with a real good GB rate and respectable (if unexceptional) K/BB rate.

I just threw papelbon out there as a name off the top of my head. The bottom line is that we need a stronger 'pen and a deeper rotation to challenge in this division. A quality RP and SP are needed this off-season.

[Cheese]

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

Also Friday, the Blue Jays announced pitcher Rommie Lewis, infielder Chris Woodward and outfielder Dewayne Wise have elected to become free agents.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=378620

[Matty81]

According to the Boston Globe and reiterated by sportsnet here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/201...s_farrell_sox/

The Sox are considering making a move for John Farrell to be their next manager. The Jays would absolutely have to take the Sox to the cleaners in compensation if they did let him go IMO. Not that I think Farrell seems like the type of guy who would give up on his new challenge after 1 year. I think/hope it's gotta be smoke and mirrors.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by Matty81

According to the Boston Globe and reiterated by sportsnet here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/201...s_farrell_sox/

The Sox are considering making a move for John Farrell to be their next manager. The Jays would absolutely have to take the Sox to the cleaners in compensation if they did let him go IMO. Not that I think Farrell seems like the type of guy who would give up on his new challenge after 1 year. I think/hope it's gotta be smoke and mirrors.

Ya there's no way this happens. AA doesn't seem like the type of guy to let something like that happen.

[moon]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Ya there's no way this happens. AA doesn't seem like the type of guy to let something like that happen.

I don't see it happening and not sure why the Red Sox would want to give up anything of value to get Farrell but if Farrell did want to go back there would AA and the Jays really want him to stay with the team just because he has a contract with them?

[Matty81]

Given divisional context etc he would cost them a starting player or bluechip prospect, I just don't understand why they would do that when there are options out there that would cost them nothing.

[Sylvanfan]

Jays should let them take Farrell, and than go get Francona. I thought Farrels managing this past season was pretty mediocre. Put him in a pressure cooker like Boston, and things could have been pretty rough for him.

[Cheese]

The Toronto Blue Jays will not stand in the way if another team is interested in hiring one of its employees.
There is no need for rival clubs to formally seek permission for an interview, to work within a negotiating window, or face a request for compensation. Blue Jays employees are free to speak with whom they please, when they please, for as long as they please.
It’s company policy.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/201...davidi_lacava/

"If things go the way we hope they’re going to go, a lot of people will be leaving because people will be looking to hire our employees."
That already seems to be the case for assistant general manager Tony LaCava, who is reportedly among the candidates the Baltimore Orioles are considering for their GM vacancy.

and Michael Grange steps in with his view...No more Mr Nice Guy

If the Boston Red Sox are serious about making a run at John Farrell, the Blue Jays should tell them the bidding begins at a couple of buckets of KFC, a case of Rolling Rock and the latest version of Call of Duty. Then general manager Alex Anthopoulos should get all Clint Eastwood over the phone and tell the Red Sox: "You obnoxious, sun-shines-out-of-your-behinds New England clam chowders. Go stuff yourself."

and tweet from Arash Madani ArashMadani Arash Madani

On Farrell: There is no denial of interest from him about returning to Boston. But appears the #Redsox haven't spoken to him. Yet. #Jays

[Cheese]

BLUE JAYS' BAUTISTA WINS SECOND STRAIGHT HANK AARON AWARD

Jose Bautista remains the most valuable player in the American League in the eyes of baseball fans. The Toronto Blue Jays star won his second consecutive Hank Aaron Award as the most outstanding offensive performer in the AL on Monday after votes by fans and a panel of Hall of Famers were tallied.
Bautista led the majors in home runs for a second year in a row with 43 and batted a career-best .302 with 103 RBIs.

The 31-year-old also led the majors in walks (132), slugging percentage (.608) and on-base plus slugging (1.056) to become the first player since Barry Bonds in 2001 to lead in four offensive categories.

[Cheese]

jonmorosi Jon Morosi by neiladams
In other words, #BlueJays are saying John Farrell will not manage the #RedSox.

20 minutes ago

»

jonmorosi Jon Morosi by neiladams

#BlueJays statement: They have amended their policy and will not grant permission for "lateral moves."

[zukes]

If Farrell does want to go, you let him. But you take the Red Sox for all you can in the process. If the Red Sox choose someone else, you can Farrell's ass afterwards. Either you are in, or you are out.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by zukes

If Farrell does want to go, you let him. But you take the Red Sox for all you can in the process. If the Red Sox choose someone else, you can Farrell's ass afterwards. Either you are in, or you are out.

Completely agree, you don't a player in the clubhouse that doesn't really want to be there so why would you want a freakin manager who's head and heart are somewhere else.

[flambers]

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=379359

"The Toronto Blue Jays picked up the option on infielder Edwin Encarnacion on Monday while declining reliever Jon Rauch's 2012 option."


Jays have the following players as Free Agents, which I believe officially starts on Thursday.

Kelly Johnson - Type A

Jose Molina - Type B
Shawn Camp - Type B
Frank Francisco - Type B
Jon Rauch - Type B

[Caged Great]

It looks like we'll have a new 2B next year for sure now. Johnson is the only semi decent 2B option, and there's 10 teams that could use a 2B.

Probably will trade for or sign a marginal guy like Aaron Hill to fill the hole instead.

Could end up having 3 1sts, 5 supplementary 1sts (or 2 1sts and 2 2nds)

[Caged Great]

Assistant GM Tony LaCava was offered the GM position in Baltimore.

He turned it down.

It must suck to be an O's fan

[flames_fan_down_under]

Good to hear as AA seems to really respect and value LaCava's input. drunkjayfans.com called this, among other things. A good blog.