*****Official Toronto Blue Jays Thread*****

[Dan O Mac]

Almost time for pitchers and catchers to report, thought it would be a good time to get some discussion going. I think they have a shot at the wild card this year if they play to their potential. Here's a link to a good article that attempts to answer some of the burning questions going into the season:

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Baseball/article/301861

[KingCanuck]

Doc Holliday FTW

[Greg1983]

Doc Holliday FTW

Halladay.

If the guy lasts a full season, he's pretty much guaranteed a Cy Young. He definitely has some bad luck.

[Revolver45]

Halladay.

If the guy lasts a full season, he's pretty much guaranteed a Cy Young. He definitely has some bad luck.

If Doc and Burnett can stay healthy (and Burnett can play to his potential, and what he's being paid, they're in good shape for starters. If Ryan can do the same as a closer they might have a decent pitching staff this year.

[KingCanuck]

If Doc and Burnett can stay healthy (and Burnett can play to his potential, and what he's being paid, they're in good shape for starters. If Ryan can do the same as a closer they might have a decent pitching staff this year.

Doesn't change the fact they're in the same divison as the Red Sox and Yankees

[Revolver45]

Doesn't change the fact they're in the same divison as the Red Sox and Yankees

I know, sadly. Trust me I got into it with Noredr about this last night. It's not a salary cap issue though .

[becky21]

Yea I really hope this is the year for the Blue Jays, although I liked their team better with Glaus than Rolen (I know he was always injured, slow, and bad defensively), but hopefully Rolen can surprise and have a comeback year.

It would be nice for Reed Johnson and Vernon Wells to have bounce back years as well, and hopefully Rios keeps improving.

I'm guessing the rotation will look a little something like this?

Halladay
Burnett
McGowan
Marcum

And the fifth spot is apparently up for grabs by Chacin, Janssen and Litcsh?

I liked Janssen better in the set-up role and although I liked Jesse Litcsh last year he started having some control issues late in the season I'd give it to Chaciin if he can stay healthy.

[Greg1983]

I know, sadly. Trust me I got into it with Noredr about this last night. It's not a salary cap issue though .

Honestly, I don't blame not having a Cap for the Jays sucking. It's not like Rogers doesn't have the money to pony up and at least match the Sox in payroll. And for the life of me, I don't see why they don't. There's an entire country of baseball fans to make money off of by building a contender. When we won back to back, every game was sold out and I'm sure viewership was much higher. You do that now, with the Canadian dollar much higher than it was then, I don't see how it wouldn't be a good investment.

[KingCanuck]

Yea I really hope this is the year for the Blue Jays, although I liked their team better with Glaus than Rolen (I know he was always injured, slow, and bad defensively), but hopefully Rolen can surprise and have a comeback year.

It would be nice for Reed Johnson and Vernon Wells to have bounce back years as well, and hopefully Rios keeps improving.

I'm guessing the rotation will look a little something like this?

Halladay
Burnett
McGowan
Marcum

And the fifth spot is apparently up for grabs by Chacin, Janssen and Litcsh?

I liked Janssen better in the set-up role and although I liked Jesse Litcsh last year he started having some control issues late in the season I'd give it to Chaciin if he can stay healthy.

McGowan is a beast, I look for him to be even better this year.

[Revolver45]

Honestly, I don't blame not having a Cap for the Jays sucking. It's not like Rogers doesn't have the money to pony up and at least match the Sox in payroll. And for the life of me, I don't see why they don't. There's an entire country of baseball fans to make money off of by building a contender. When we won back to back, every game was sold out and I'm sure viewership was much higher. You do that now, with the Canadian dollar much higher than it was then, I don't see how it wouldn't be a good investment.

Ever since the strike in '94 attendance has been pathetic. Canadian fans lost interest after that season it seems and they haven't been able to get them back. Even when the Jays have cheap seat days the attendance is sub-par. Baseball is a business, I'm sure that Rogers does research into this kind of thing, they'd know if it was a worthwhile investment. The advantage of owning a team like Boston or NY, or even Detroit now, is that you know you can fork out as much cash as you want and you will see a substantial return on it through ticket sales and merchandise, the same can't be said for teams like the Jays.

Anyways I don't want to hijack this thread and turn it into a salary cap debate, that's just my .02.

[Greg1983]

Ever since the strike in '94 attendance has been pathetic. Canadian fans lost interest after that season it seems and they haven't been able to get them back. Even when the Jays have cheap seat days the attendance is sub-par. Baseball is a business, I'm sure that Rogers does research into this kind of thing, they'd know if it was a worthwhile investment. The advantage of owning a team like Boston or NY, or even Detroit now, is that you know you can fork out as much cash as you want and you will see a substantial return on it through ticket sales and merchandise, the same can't be said for teams like the Jays.

Anyways I don't want to hijack this thread and turn it into a salary cap debate, that's just my .02.

But Fenway wasn't sold out in the 90s when Boston was losing if I remember right. They forked out the cash, started winning, and bam start raking in the cash. I'm sure it would happen in Toronto. There's a lot of money in that city. You can blame the strike, but I'm sure it's not coincidence that attendance also went down when we posted back to back to back to back sub .500 seasons.

But I do absolutely agree with you that Rogers does their research and likely knows better than me. But if they are right, and they can't even sell out the place if they put together a World Series calibre team, then this country really doesn't deserve to have an MLB team.

[Rexy]

BJ Ryan is gonna get 50 saves

[becky21]

McGowan is a beast, I look for him to be even better this year.

I know, him and Marcum were the two nicest surprises for them.

McGowan has that nasty curveball and that low 90's fastball.

Overbay should have a bounce back year hopefully too, and hopefully that catcher they signed will work out.

[Dan O Mac]

Honestly, I don't blame not having a Cap for the Jays sucking. It's not like Rogers doesn't have the money to pony up and at least match the Sox in payroll. And for the life of me, I don't see why they don't. There's an entire country of baseball fans to make money off of by building a contender. When we won back to back, every game was sold out and I'm sure viewership was much higher. You do that now, with the Canadian dollar much higher than it was then, I don't see how it wouldn't be a good investment.

I'm really not that enamored with Ricciardi. From the beginning he's preached player development, yet all the good young players on the roster except Marcum and Hill were drafted by the previous regime. And as far as prospects go, the only one with real star potential is Travis Snider, and the Jays have had tonnes of first round picks. JP's done okay in trades, but if he could have just made a few good picks things would be a lot different in terms of depth.

[mumble7]

I know, him and Marcum were the two nicest surprises for them.

McGowan has that nasty curveball and that low 90's fastball.

Overbay should have a bounce back year hopefully too, and hopefully that catcher they signed will work out.

try mid-90s fastball, he's probably the hardest thrower on the team. His fastball is his best pitch, sometimes he can't control the curve

But I think the jays will have a pretty good year, until they run into injuries, which they will, they just don't have the depth and the farm system of other teams to cover their tail when Burnett and Rolen go down. Plus they still have problems at catcher but Eckstein is an improvement over Johnny Mac

[Dan O Mac]

I was just thinking, the Jays really do have a decent chance at first in the East. The Yanks have a REALLY young rotation, and their vets (Mussina and Pettitte), have injury and age concerns, and weren't great last year. Boston looks like they'll be without Schilling, and beyond Beckett and Dice-K (who is not an ace), they are fairly young and average as well. Plus, Manny and Ortiz are coming off what for them would be considered sub-par seasons, and can you really expect Lowell to repeat his career year? Luck will be a big factor this season IMO. I'm just not sure about Gibby as manager.

[Jyeatbvg]

in on this thread. go jays. hoping to see some good games at the SKYDOME this year..yea thats right, f*ck rogers centre, itll always be the skydome.

[EnoRebmun]

Old fan here....

Baseball has not been the same since the strike...i rarely follow it...But I used to be a HUGE fan when i was younger...i live about 1.5hrs away(driving) from TO...but I can usually see the city when i drive home everyday(30 miles across lake ontario)
The yankme's have killed baseball overall...

[KingCanuck]

I was just thinking, the Jays really do have a decent chance at first in the East. The Yanks have a REALLY young rotation, and their vets (Mussina and Pettitte), have injury and age concerns, and weren't great last year. Boston looks like they'll be without Schilling, and beyond Beckett and Dice-K (who is not an ace), they are fairly young and average as well. Plus, Manny and Ortiz are coming off what for them would be considered sub-par seasons, and can you really expect Lowell to repeat his career year? Luck will be a big factor this season IMO. I'm just not sure about Gibby as manager.

If they stay heatlhy and if Wells comes back strong... then you never know.

[-DC-]

I'm really excited about the team this year.

[KingCanuck]

Anyone hear Greg Zaun's explanation for his name coming up on the Mitchell report? Hopefully its true.

[johnny87]

Didnt the blue jays sign Vernon wells to like a 130 million dollar deal?

If so LOL.

Blue jays payroll is respectable. nothing to complain about.

[becky21]

Didnt the blue jays sign Vernon wells to like a 130 million dollar deal?

If so LOL.

Blue jays payroll is respectable. nothing to complain about.

Didn't the Giants sign Barry Zito to the exact same one, and he had an even worse year?

Vernon has produced at every level so far, including the bigs, he just had an off year and one with lots of injuries.

If he has another bad one I'll eat my words but...

[Jyeatbvg]

Didn't the Giants sign Barry Zito to the exact same one, and he had an even worse year?

Vernon has produced at every level so far, including the bigs, he just had an off year and one with lots of injuries.

If he has another bad one I'll eat my words but...

i took a risk in choosing wells in round 5 of the fantasy draft with about 10 teams. hope he puts up his previous numbers, then ill be happy. the other CFs left were jason bay and chris young.

[KingCanuck]

i took a risk in choosing wells in round 5 of the fantasy draft with about 10 teams. hope he puts up his previous numbers, then ill be happy. the other CFs left were jason bay and chris young.

Should have taken the BC boy!

So many good BCers in the big leagues these days!

[Dan O Mac]

Jays sign Shannon Stewart:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/200.../jays_stewart/

He had a few good years for us. Could be some decent injury insurance, would've come in handy last year when Reed went down.

[BangBrahs]

did Vernon Wells stop juicing last season?

[chyeahBOYY]

will BJ be ready by the season opener? hopefully he can go back to his form from 2 years ago

[Dan O Mac]

did Vernon Wells stop juicing last season?

He had a shoulder injury that sapped his power, but didn't disclose it to the media until the end of the season. He had surgery, but not everyone has regained their power that's had it in the past. Plus, with Glaus hurt most of the year, he was asked to be something he's not, which was the cleanup hitter. He should have a better year, especially if Rolen can give him some protection.

will BJ be ready by the season opener? hopefully he can go back to his form from 2 years ago

He says he will be ready. It may take a little while to shake the rust off though, and overcme the mental hurdles that come with returning from major surgery. There's often a reluctance to throw all-out until confidence in the arm is regained.

[KingCanuck]

Strong inactivity in this thread.

Weak pre-season so far for the Jays.

Im a new baseball fan (and Jays), never really liked baseball untill I watched a bit of it last year. I became a Jays fan because all the games are on TV, and plus they are the only Canadian team (I also like the Mariners kind of since they are close to me and a lot of the games are on TV as well). I'll admit I cant name every single Jays player on the rotation but I could name well more than half.