2014 Blue Jays Regular Season Thread

[Vedder]

The Jays got one more against Boston and then four against Houston before hosting Baltimore for three. Before that, Baltimore has the Angels two more times, the Mariners three times, and Washington once (makeup game).

Here's hoping the Jays are in a position to take a division lead in August!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Stroman is almost like trading for a starter without having to give up anything. Will he keep the pace of the last 2 games up? No, probably not. But there's no way in hell I want to see AA trade a young stud for a guy like Lester who would only stick around in T.O. for a couple months, then bolt. If he's going to trade any decent assets it better be for players they have under control for a couple years or more.

Too bad guys like Delabar and Santos have gone off the rails. If those two were on their game the Jays would be in a very nice position. I think the only deals we see the team make in the next couple of days (if they do make a move) will be band-aids or depth. Hopefully they can keep this streak going for a bit longer, then getting Lind, Lawrie, and EE back could be the players to put them over the top.

[Keselke]

Stroman for Lester would be a terrible idea


But fitting for a typically short sighted Toronto sports market

[zukes]

So? Predictions? Whgat happens before 4:00PM ET tomorrow Jays-wise?

I'll say Ian Kennedy and Alex Rios are Jays before 4:00PM ET tomorow for mid level prospects and Gose in some mix.

[Finger Cookin]

I have a feeling there will be no deal. The hope of AA and Gibbons will be the returning players to put the team over, as KFF said above.

[flambers]

I would think, Jays will acquire another Starter (not Lestor)... a guy like AJ Burnett

[nik-]

This Lester thing scares me. I don't want to see a repeat of a Dickey trade except worse with not even retaining him.

[Parallex]

I figure no deal of any significance. Guys should be getting close to healthy soon and that will add an arm to the bullpen (Morrow) and adding Valencia gave them the lefty mashing infielder they needed to run an effective platoon set-up once Lawrie returns and that takes care of the 2B situation.

An upper part of the rotation starting pitcher would be nice because the prospect of potentially having to start Dickey in the play-in WC game (if it comes to that) scares the crap outta me. But the price required to get a guy like that is outrageous (even before the surplus cost that would come with the Jays apparently not being able to take on salary).

All that considered I think I'd rather the Jays stand pat and not burn any prospect capital. Given his apparent breakthrough and the upcoming hole in the outfield (Jays can probably only keep one of Cabrera or Rasmus if either) Pompey has to stay, Morrow's options likely won't be picked up so we'll need to keep Sanchez, and Norris won't get you much on his own.

[SportsJunky]

I think they have to go for it. Lester makes them stronger. If the goal is to win the World Series then you should swing for the fence when it makes sense to do so. I think this is the year to take that swing. I don't want to lose Sanchez or Stroman but isn't it worth it for a deep playoff run or even a World Series trophy? Perhaps they can acquire a strong veteran pitcher without including one of the two kids.

[Freeway]

I think the Jays tweak things. They have a strong enough core that they can make additions in the off-season.

[Sylvanfan]

Hard to say what the Jays will do. By adding Valencia they did get a guy who should be an upgraded bat in the infield to platoon with Franciso.

Right now a healthy lineup would have
Cabrerea, Bautista, Rasmussen as the starting OF and Gose as reserve
Encarnacion, Lawrie, Reyes, Franciso in the IF with Valencia and likely Goins.
Lind at DH
Navarro at C with Thole as the backup.

So really unless you can find an improvement on Rasmussen to be an everyday guy it will be tough to fit up much for upgrades on the offence.

Leaving a starting pitcher or relief help as other options.

[Caged Great]

I kind of hope that the Jays can trade Bueherle and Reyes during the offseason and re-allocate the 40ish million to other things.

[jschick88]

Apparently a deal between Baltimore and Boston is close and involves Lester.

Brittany Ghiroli @Britt_Ghiroli · 15m
Hearing Orioles are close to a deal with the Red Sox for pitcher Jon Lester.

[jschick88]

And now Rosenthal is saying this:

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 3m
Hearing from multiple sources that Lester to #Orioles is not close. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen. But not happening yet.

[Jason14h]

Jays need a bullpen arm. Benoit would be a nice addition

[Caged Great]

If the Jays can get a pen piece and a 2B of some reasonable sort (preferably someone that could be used next year as well) then that would be good.

I doubt that they'll do anything though, let alone add a starter, which they need.

[Jason14h]

Updates from espn

• scouting sighting: Blue jays general manager alex anthopoulos turned up in buffalo on tuesday to watch left-hander sean nolin pitch. As did an indians scout. Cleveland had talked to toronto about masterson before dealing him to st. Louis, for what it's worth.
• and toronto is one of several teams that are telling clubs they can't take on any significant money in any deal. The others: Atlanta and kansas city, although the royals could be able to add payroll if it's a starting pitcher they could plug into james shields' spot in the rotation next year.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Hard to say what the Jays will do. By adding Valencia they did get a guy who should be an upgraded bat in the infield to platoon with Franciso.

Right now a healthy lineup would have
Cabrerea, Bautista, Rasmussen as the starting OF and Gose as reserve
Encarnacion, Lawrie, Reyes, Franciso in the IF with Valencia and likely Goins.
Lind at DH
Navarro at C with Thole as the backup.

So really unless you can find an improvement on Rasmussen to be an everyday guy it will be tough to fit up much for upgrades on the offence.

Leaving a starting pitcher or relief help as other options.

Presumably they go with a 7-man bullpen when things settle out.

[ForeverFlameFan]

They are making Workman work. Already 25 pitches thrown.


EDIT: And Reyes scores. Off to a good start

[ForeverFlameFan]

2-0 after the 1st inning, and Workman had 36 pitches.