2009 MLB Season

[Ananas]

If course it can happen. You're telling me in the off-season with the free agent market open a contending team wouldn't be willing to include a roster player with prospects to get the best pitcher in the game? Nonsense. I'm not saying they're going to get equal value for him, but I don't see their return dropping significantly in the off-season. The problem wasn't that their asking price was too high, it was that the player they were shopping was too valuable. The value drops slightly once we get through this season, and the player becomes more affordable.

Apparently the Rolen deal is for Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso. I'll take on Encarnacion to get a prospect like Alonso. I actually like this deal. Encarnacion is due 4.7 million next season as opposed to Rolen's 13. So maybe Encarnacion works it out and can hit 20 home runs, but even if he doesn't we save 8 million and get a blue chip prospect.

Edit: Several sources reporting Alonso not named in the deal, but since they haven't mentioned who is I don't count out that he could be a PTBNL as he can't be moved until August 15th due to when he signed last year.

Edited July 31, 2009 by V-Dub

[livid]

Halladay has already said he plans to go onto the market once his contract is up. I'd imagine that it is possible for teams to try and extend him once they get him but that's not likely. So since they didn't trade him now, any team that trades for him in the offseason is going to get him for one guaranteed year as opposed to one and a half. Of course the value will go down and you're not going to be able to the same return you would've had they traded him before today. You might be able to get a big leaguer in the deal but that means you're not going to get as good of prospects. And really, that should be their focus. They need to figure out a way to stay competitive and I think the only way they're going to do that is if they start building their farm system up ala the Rays.

Really, I haven't been to impressed with how they handled the situation. I understand wanting to get all you can for one of the best players in baseball but they seemingly were asking for too much, otherwise a deal would've been done. I'm not saying that he doesn't deserve what they're asking for but at the same time, there's no way that they're going to get the same value in the offseason that they could've gotten today.

[Lowerdeck]

Jake Peavy again traded to the White Sox, perhaps this time he'll go.

That's quite a surprise there.

[livid]

Yeah, he agreed to it this time, apparently.

[MalaCloudy Black]

Little surprised to see that the Cubs traded Kevin Hart, and to Pittsburgh to boot. Got Grabow and Gorzelanny. The Grabow part amuses me, considering how Grabow apparently claimed to be "untouchable" and said that the Pirates wouldn't be trading him earlier this month.

[gunnar hendershow]

Peavy is the biggest acquisition of the trade deadline, and turns the White Sox into legitimate AL contenders I think. Their offense isn't memorable, but it's reliable and they have a very solid rotation now. Raise your hand if you want to see Buerhle, Danks, and Peavy in a playoff series.

[Lowerdeck]

If anyone saw a game between the Red Sox and Yankees ever going to the bottom of the 15th without a run being scored (before last night), please raise your hand.

That was a tough loss.

And from Thurs night, Smoltz is washed up.

[Lowerdeck]

The Yankees sweep the Red Sox, pretty much clinching the AL East for the Bronx.

It has been a disappointing month or so to be a Boston fan. Hopefully we can snap out of this sometime. We can beat Baltimore fine, everyone else is just the mystery.

Then again, better the funk in July and August than in September (cough Mets cough)

[livid]

Well apparently the White Sox have acquired the Blue Jays' Alex Rios today after he was claimed off of waivers. The weird part is that the Jays aren't going to get anything in return other than obviously not having to pay his salary.

[Gabriel]

Well apparently the White Sox have acquired the Blue Jays' Alex Rios today after he was claimed off of waivers. The weird part is that the Jays aren't going to get anything in return other than obviously not having to pay his salary.

It's not really that weird. That's how waivers works. From the Jays standpoint, it's a cost-cutting measure, giving themselves more room to offer Halladay a contract worth ridiculous amounts more than he would settle for, just to keep him with the team. So... cost cutting... Sign Halladay until he's retired... build a team around Doc.

Sounds familiar.

[livid]

No, it is because you can still make trades in August through waivers. The Jays could've gotten something in return but I'd imagine that would've meant eating some of the salary remaining on Rios' deal.

And there's no way that the Jays will be able to outbid other teams for Halladay, which he's already stated he wants to test the market when his deal is finished and I have a hard time believing that he would want to stick around there if only so he can have a chance at getting a ring.

Edited August 11, 2009 by Livid

[Gabriel]

No, it is because you can still make trades in August through waivers. The Jays could've gotten something in return but I'd imagine that would've meant eating some of the salary remaining on Rios' deal.

And there's no way that the Jays will be able to outbid other teams for Halladay, which he's already stated he wants to test the market when his deal is finished and I have a hard time believing that he would want to stick around there if only so he can have a chance at getting a ring.

This is the Blue Jays we're talking about. What they CAN do, and what they intend on trying to do, are two vastly different things. Instead of focusing on building the rest of the team, they'll wait until next year to try and coersce Halladay back into the fold... and when that fails, we'll be up shit creek. The better option, is to plan for a team without Halladay, and if by some miracle he decides to stay, then bonus. Of course, what makes sense, won't happen.

And yeah, they didn't trade because a deal would likely have included either eating up a large portion of Rios' salary... or taking back salary that the Sox didn't want... and being that this move was a cost cutter, it makes more sense to just let him go and be rid of him and his contract.

[Toe]

I hope Rios can turn it around in a White Sox uniform. When I look at his stats, I don't think Rios was doing that bad. He was just not performing up to his contract. He provides good depth for the Sox, and if Dye leaves next year they have a replacement.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Oh lord do I need to rant.

I'll be back.

[Clawson]

Man...no wonder nobody bothers to show up to Jays games anymore.

[naiwf]

At least you guys will still have Vernon Wells and his albatross of a contract when Halladay walks for pennies on the dollar next year in the middle of July.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

About to be posted on my blog. Not quite as angry as I'd have liked.

This past weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays held a 'Back2Back' weekend - a reunion for players and coaches from the 1992 and 1993 World Series-winning Jays teams.

They also let Alex Rios, a popular and competent player, leave for another team in exchange for literally nothing.

These two events showcased an astoundingly clear example of the wholesale change in how the Toronto Blue Jays approach winning over the past fifteen years.

Once upon a time, the Blue Jays were the best team in baseball. And, rich with the money of every Canadian who drank Labatts, they also had the biggest payroll in baseball. When they needed a new whatever, they could go out and buy it.

Now, the Blue Jays cannot afford to outspend the rest of baseball, so they must find a way to build a strong team without breaking the bank.

This is understandable. The Yankees and Red Sox are spending ridiculous amounts of money on the best players, and Rogers is gouging my pockets enough - I don't want to see my cable bill being raised to pay for a starting pitcher who doesn't work out.

But just for fun, I'm going to take two problems faced by the 1992 Jays, and two problems faced by today's Jays. I will tell you what the relevant team did, and what the irrelevant team would have done.

(Conclusion: while obviously the 1992 strategies won't always work now, because the Jays *can't* outspend the rest of baseball, there's a happy medium far closer to their end of the spectrum.)

PROBLEM THE FIRST

The Setup: The 1991 Blue Jays had eight solid starters. Unfortunately, the ninth - primarily the DH position, although it rotated a bit - could never quite be filled. And with Mookie Wilson gone, there was no longer a bona fide starter to take up the mantle.

The Solution (1992): Sign Dave Winfield. He's willing to DH most of the time, he's somebody fans can get behind, and he's one of the best hitters in the game.

The Solution (2009): Well...you don't really need to spend the money, you should be able to fill the hole from within. Maybe Rance Mulliniks will bounce back into shape. If he doesn't, odds are good that at least one of Derek Bell and Jeff Kent will prove ready to hit major league pitching. Worst case scenario, you have to rely on Pat Tabler or Ed Sprague a little more than you'd like. Five possibilities for one spot? That's a lot! Hell, most of those guys can play third - let's trade Kelly Gruber!

PROBLEM THE SECOND

The Setup: The 1992 Jays aren't getting the starting pitching performances that a world champion needs. Jack Morris, Juan Guzman, and Jimmy Key provide a solid top three, and Todd Stottlemyre's okay when necessary, but there's not much to go on past that.

The Solution (1992): Thanks to signing Dave Winfield, we're left with the problem of Jeff Kent - a talented player who we just don't have room for. Let's trade him for one of the best pitchers in the game, David Cone!

The Solution (2009): Whaddaya mean no other options? Dave Stieb could be back by the playoffs. David Wells wasn't doing *that* bad, but if you insist on a replacement, we've got Pat Hentgen, Doug Linton, those guys. Maybe Mike Timlin could be stretched into a starter. We're fine!

PROBLEM THE THIRD

The Setup: The 2009 Jays have one of the best pitchers in baseball - Roy Halladay. But his contract ends in 2010, and retaining him - if it's even possible - will be very expensive. His trade value is at its peak right now. What to do?

The Solution (1992): Well, you don't have a good enough team to seriously contend in either 2009 or 2010, and if you sign Halladay past that it'll tie up too much money to improve what needs improve him. So trade him. Get the best deal you can - young players who *will* be good in the majors but haven't had the chance to jack up their value with a track record.

The Solution (2009): Yeah, we might win, but it'll be at the cost of all the fans who won't accept a winning team if it means we got rid of their favourite player. Let's keep him and the fans' goodwill.

PROBLEM THE FOURTH

The Setup: Much like in 1992, the Jays are one player short of a bona fide starting nine. Also like 1992, all the defensive positions are represented - so literally any major-league-caliber hitter would work.

The Solution (1992): You might be surprised by this, but we think you should ride it out. You won't contend this year, so don't part with any of your prospects. Wait until the off-season, then find a decent hitter on the free agent market. It's not what we'd do in our situation, but given your financial standing, it makes the most sense. Bautista, Millar, Inglett - they're not good enough for a contending team, but they're good enough for now.

The Solution (2009): Damn right they're good enough for now. And why waste three of them on one spot? Let's get rid of Alex Rios so only one of them has to sit at a time!

The Rebuttal (1992): That makes no sense. Rios is a better player than any of them. Beyond that, Rios is a *good* player, who you could actually get something for if you wanted to. Beyond THAT, your last decision was on the basis of fan loyalty - and the fans love Rios. Either you were lying then or you're lying now, which is it?

The Rebuttal (2009): It's not a lie if we know the truth.

--Ryan

[jrtdot]

RealGM

Posnanski: Wells Has Worst Contract In MLB

13th August, 2009 - 1:47 pm

SI.com - According to a column by Joe Posnanski, Vernon Wells has the worst contract in all of baseball. The Blue Jays gave Wells a seven-year, $126 million contract after the 2006 season.

Below is a list of the eleven worst contract in the MLB, according to Posnanski.

1. Vernon Wells

2. Jose Guillen

3. Barry Zito

4. Carlos Silva

5. Alfonso Soriano

6. Gary Matthews

7. Alex Rios

8. Kerry Wood

9. Travis Hafner

10. Jeff Suppan

11. B.J. Ryan

In the full article from SI, Posnanski wants to refer Jay's bad contracts as Ricciardi's

[livid]

See, I would say that Zito's is the worst contract because at least Wells has somewhat decent seasons compared to up until this season, where Zito was just bad. Wells would probably be 2nd though.

[Lowerdeck]

JD Drew is noticeably absent from that list.