One comment from a Tsn board that stuck out was that this trade was "good karma" for the jays organization considering the complex dynamics at work here.
I agree, this trade has taken a lot of effort on all three sides, save for the M's I suppose, so applaud AA, Amaro and JZ for getting something to really satisfy each of their MO's. The Blue Jays are getting a lot of publicity from this and this can only mean good things. If they get assets to help bolster a team looking to contend in the future with a budget way larger than kC, Flor, Tbay then it can only mean good things if all the appropriate steps are taken. You can argue futility of management can see even the best prospect squandered (Browns/Raiders/Clippers) and I agree with a good management structure will yield better pros along with the luck of injury/life factor. So, good management matters and AA is under the spot light, but I think why not Alex, good luck. Do what JP couldn't. Get a Colon or a Bedard haul, anything else will see we become a farm team.
The jays seem to be paying a steep price for 3 highly regarded minorleaguers. If this is true then I don't see how the state of the game is favouring teams at all whom are unwilling to spend large amounts of money to compete in an annual pissing contest.
Now I'm happy for Roy now that he'll have an easier time making the Post Season, the phillies org for hiring gillis whom in turn groomed his successor in Amaro, but not for the teams who become Major League farm teams: Pitt, KC, Flor, TB et al. The et al does include the BlueJays seemingly, but I have hope yet.
I feel the jays could become a version like the Rays but with a WS win, kinda like what Baltimore is becoming because they can spend more, but right now it isn't enough to compete. Sure they haven't been competitive since the days with good ol' Cal, but they are becoming a solid team that has given the Jays fits over the years much like the rays did. Think of it, have the rays or the O's ever been a cakewalk for the jays teams over the years? Baltimore has a lot of good pieces looking to grow together that could cause more problems for the AL east. How about 5 80 + win teams in 4 years? Jays can do it if they correct their mistakes.
If AA properly addresses the winning formulas of our divisions and cleans up the mess JP made, even though he tried his best but I believe he wasn't the right GM for that team. They needed a guy who could get the core of this team some real speed, not over the hill sluggers heartless floaters and injury wildcards. Sure he says his hands were tied but he had his chance with a pretty decent budget, but I digress. The Rays had success because of youth, speed and a great farm system that is paying dividends even as we muse over the changes to come. Get youth, skill and speed for Roy. If the bluejays have to be irrelevant for 5 years I can accept it as long as the scouting, as AA has already addressed(fingers crossed) yields fruit to make us contenders.
This mode of success is exactly what seems to the blueprint for success. Youth, skill and speed kill. In sports, with the institutions as fiscally competitive as they are (jerry buss and GStein withstanding I'm not not looking to you), these prospects are timed and prodded and poked so many times that livestock now don't feel as bad. They know their numbers to a level that is not science but is a refined a form a fortune telling as I've seen. The best physical/skill specimens are at the top of drafts, pitt knows this, Florida marlins know this but it's those teams that are forced to remain competitive year after year may not suffer the lows of these other catfish teams but may not experience the highs of the bottom feeder friendly types. I know some will say pittsburgh never tanked to get mario or syd/malkin(almost ov)/fleury/stall but I will.
The BlueJays must go this route but they have an advantage hockey, basketball and football don't, salary caps. They can spend a hundred million if the corporate hierarchs believe it's a good investment. They are not the yankee's, sox or phillies even, so we have to be smart. But I can't understand why prospects are so valued that we may only get three of the following.
So here is some links to the prospects' stats coming our way:
Phills-
Drabek
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...pbp&pid=475138
had tommy john, but apparently has come back strong with a wicked breaking ball and good four seam velocity. Doug's son, so the genes.
Taylor
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...pbp&pid=446345
His stats look good, and the reports of him striking out too much don't seem that well founded when compared to his walk numbers. Plus, he is a beast with cannon, who would replace Rios nicely for wayyyy cheaper.
Domonic Brown
http://www.baseballamerica.com/stati...s/?pl_id=29930
This kid is drawing light Strawberry comparisons. He has emerging power and looks like a perennial all star. I see why the phills are reluctant to trade him.
D'Arnaud
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...-dArnaud.shtml
Hear that he is a defensive whiz with a plus, plus arm. Hear that about jeroloman too. His bat is nothing special so far, but he could be a consistent producer.
Mariners
Ackley
http://www.withthefirstpick.net/dustin-ackley
Don't think he's included but anything could happen.
Aumont
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news...=.jsp&c_id=mlb
the quebecer may be headed to philidelphia, but he could wind up with us somehow.
Truinfel
http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.htm?id=10003
I am suspicious of his injury in AA and his being asked to play 2nd and 3rd but he could be a great player one day.
Saunders
http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.htm?id=8985
Canuck who rose through their system quickly. Nice frame with good projections, who made his debut vs us last year.
Gillies
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...-Gillies.shtml
This kid is a Canadian who had great stats in the mariners High A affiliate. He would be going to the phillies but I think we should get him.
This trade is shaping up to be one for the ages. I hope AA can move Overbay to seattle in the deal somehow and get Gillies or aumont perhaps. Don't get nationalistic, this is a business so lets start putting a product on the field that the fan base will be proud of.
Go jays...
