2012-2013 Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[whosurnabby]

Gibbons is an honest straight-shooter who doesn't pull punches (no pun intended) who will give you 100% if 'you' are loyal and play hard.

As much as I love Brett Lawrie, I really hope that Gibby can help him "mature" not only as an MLB player but as a person as well, because my Blue Jays pessimist glasses warns me that Brett might get sick of him and tune him out, and they'll end up having a fistfight in the clubhouse sometime this season. As much as I approve AA's decision, I really don't know how Gibbons' passion and agression will mix with some of the clubhouse's "strong/questionable" personalities (ie: Lawrie and Arencibia).

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by whosurnabby

As much as I love Brett Lawrie, I really hope that Gibby can help him "mature" not only as an MLB player, but as a person as well, because my Blue Jays pessimist glasses warns me that Brett might get sick of him and tune him out, and they'll end up having a fistfight in the clubhouse sometime this season. As much as I approve AA's decision, I really don't know how Gibbons' passion and agression will mix with some of the clubhouse's "strong/questionable" personalities (ie: Lawrie and Arencibia).

Yes, I have wondered about that situation of potential confrontations with younger and strong personality guys like Lawrie. I guess AA is approaching from a different perspective than Farrell who was much more quieter and not as discipline enough for players to be accountable for their mistakes. Hopefully, the second time around is better...

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Yes, I have wondered about that situation of potential confrontations with younger and strong personality guys like Lawrie. I guess AA is approaching from a different perspective than Farrell who was much more quieter and not as discipline enough for players to be accountable for their mistakes. Hopefully, the second time around is better...

Farrell wasn't quieter or less disiplined or anything. He was just stealing money.

Gibbons is here for a purpose and a 2nd chance. Probably his last chance, one he never though he'd get again.

[CaramonLS]

I'm kind of surprised that Gibbons never got another shot at managing another team.

There are other managers (LOOKING AT YOU BUDDY BELL), who were absolutely horrid, but ended up getting 2nd or 3rd chances with records significantly below .500.

[dustyanddaflames]

I think my initial disappointment in the hiring of Gibbons was that we have "been there, done that"... It never really had anything to do with the Hillebrand and Lilly incidents, but more that I just didn't really like him as a personality. After looking back at the records his clubs had, and the club itself - it was a pretty good run he had in Toronto.

I can't say I am thrilled about the hiring, but am willing to see what he can do with a better roster. My only concern is that personalilties did seem to clash with Gibbons - but things change over time, and I am sure Gibby has had lots of time to reflect back on what happened during his first tenure.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Farrell wasn't quieter or less disiplined or anything. He was just stealing money.

Gibbons is here for a purpose and a 2nd chance. Probably his last chance, one he never though he'd get again.

Well, Farrell did not make guys be accountable for their mistakes on the field ex. several poor base running decisions (that cost them games) and hence, Omar Vizquel's criticsm of the coaching staff for having poor communication and 'If you make mistakes and nobody says anything about it — they just let it go — we’re going to keep making the same mistakes over and over again,...”

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

I think my initial disappointment in the hiring of Gibbons was that we have "been there, done that"... It never really had anything to do with the Hillebrand and Lilly incidents, but more that I just didn't really like him as a personality. After looking back at the records his clubs had, and the club itself - it was a pretty good run he had in Toronto.

I can't say I am thrilled about the hiring, but am willing to see what he can do with a better roster. My only concern is that personalilties did seem to clash with Gibbons - but things change over time, and I am sure Gibby has had lots of time to reflect back on what happened during his first tenure.

Yeah, I have a lot of the same impressions, surprised his record was that good and forgot he managed 600 games here prior.

I suppose I was hoping for the "big name" manager to go along with the make a splash off-season. I was thinking the old Yankee dynasty, Joe Torre etc. would have brought a lot of mystique to this club and at the same time served notice to the rest of the AL East that this will be our division again for the coming years.

As he is a Ricciardi guy, I expect that small ball will disappear again, but with some of the speed we have, it will be interesting, I think there will still be some base stealing in certain situations.

Prior to this Mega Deal, I said this teams success next year would be on the rebound of guys like JPA, Lawrie, Lind.....Now I think its back on shoulders of our perceived best players, Morrow, Bautista, Encarnacion, Romero. How will they perform knowing this team is now built to contend and do damage in the post season?

Can't wait!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Well, Farrell did not make guys be accountable for their mistakes on the field ex. several poor base running decisions (that cost them games) and hence, Omar Vizquel's criticsm of the coaching staff for having poor communication and 'If you make mistakes and nobody says anything about it — they just let it go — we’re going to keep making the same mistakes over and over again,...”

He just didn't care.

Just like us, if we hate our job we just punch the time clock.
Co-workers/team member doing something wrong, making errors we don't care. We just surf the internet looking for other jobs.

Farrell was probably surfing Red Sox scores/news in his office.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Good Luck Mr. Farrell with your "dream job!"

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

He just didn't care.

Just like us, if we hate our job we just punch the time clock.
Co-workers/team member doing something wrong, making errors we don't care. We just surf the internet looking for other jobs.

Farrell was probably surfing Red Sox scores/news in his office.

You may be right that he didn't care enough. If the Jays did really well, he might not get traded to his dream job. So in essence, it might be a perfect storm that the Jays had all the injuries esp to their rotation resulting in another abysmal record and setting the wheel in motion for his departure.

[Caged Great]

I like Gibbons' comments on Griffen's coach search speculation.

[Galakanokis]

Wow, pretty awesome off season for the Jays. I a big baseball fan but I haven't been this excited about a team in a long time. Picked up a lot of excellent pieces that fit very well into the lineup. Can't believe they really didn't give up much in that trade with Miami. Plus I love the Melky signing, really didn't see that one coming.

Happy with the hiring of Gibbons as well. I think the Jays needed a stronger more passionate leader with all the rumors of a club house atmosphere last year. he is a very good game manager and handles pitching staffs very well. The one concern I have and people have already brought up is Lawrie and to a lesser extent Arencibia. I could see Lawrie either thriving under Gibbons or cracking. Lawrie is a competitor and if Gibbons can tap into that and get him to adjust his agressive style of play a bit Lawrie could have a big year.

If things go side ways one or both will be dealt in a heart beat. I don't think AA will jeopardize what he has built/is building here.

Fun times.

[jschick88]

Bob McCown who is as hard on the Blue Jays organization as anyone I know likes the Gibbons hiring. Loves it.

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by whosurnabby

As much as I love Brett Lawrie, I really hope that Gibby can help him "mature" not only as an MLB player but as a person as well, because my Blue Jays pessimist glasses warns me that Brett might get sick of him and tune him out, and they'll end up having a fistfight in the clubhouse sometime this season. As much as I approve AA's decision, I really don't know how Gibbons' passion and agression will mix with some of the clubhouse's "strong/questionable" personalities (ie: Lawrie and Arencibia).

Am i missing something here? What is leading you to believe these two players have questionable personalities?

If all gibbons does is keep the clubhouse clear of bs then it will be a job well done and the jays will likely be playoff bound. I can't see anyone on the team having a problem with that.

[moon]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Bob McCown who is as hard on the Blue Jays organization as anyone I know likes the Gibbons hiring. Loves it.

Since when is McCown hard on the Jays?

He is a big fan boy like every other media member in TO outside of Zaun.

[moon]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

Am i missing something here? What is leading you to believe these two players have questionable personalities?

If all gibbons does is keep the clubhouse clear of bs then it will be a job well done and the jays will likely be playoff bound. I can't see anyone on the team having a problem with that.

For Lawrie I would think it had to do with the reports from his time with the Brewers, his temper and whining with umpires and his stubborn baserunning ignoring base coaches and common sense.

For JPA all I can think of is that many people say is a leader in the clubhouse at a young age likely meaning a strong personality.

[jschick88]

Originally Posted by moon

Since when is McCown hard on the Jays?

He is a big fan boy like every other media member in TO outside of Zaun.

Disagree. Did you listen to him during the Escobar fiasco or after the baseball season.

[moon]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Disagree. Did you listen to him during the Escobar fiasco or after the baseball season.

He was hard on the team for the way they handled Escobar yes, but he routinely overrates the talent on the team and thinks they are much better than they are.

Now that he thinks they are unbeatable after the deal not surprising to see him endorse the Gibbons hiring. Short of hiring Gaston I would have expected McCown to love any hiring the Jays made.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by moon

For Lawrie I would think it had to do with the reports from his time with the Brewers, his temper and whining with umpires and his stubborn baserunning ignoring base coaches and common sense.

For JPA all I can think of is that many people say is a leader in the clubhouse at a young age likely meaning a strong personality.

From stuff I have heard/read it is that both are extremely cocky, beyond arrogant and it really rubs a lot of people the wrong way especially some of the veteran players.

I don't think it is really that big of a deal as it really just gets mentioned in passing but still something to ponder.

[Flickered Flame]

Small sample size but my friends in Oakland told me today that Beane and others within the org. are very surprised at the hire.