Bleacher Report - Articles by Kristopher Daly

Despite All Snar Snub, Vote For Lind On Final Ballot!

Kristopher Daly — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:18:28 -0400

With All-Star Sunday coming and going, we've all read numerous articles analyzing the all-star snubs and such. Everyone has their own opinion and every year there's at least five or six players that should automatically be on the all-star roster that are just plainly left off.

Now being a Blue Jay fan, my heart goes out to Aaron Hill and Doc Halladay for making the roster for this year's game. They were deserving, and their peers knew the right thing to do by putting them on the roster. However, as a Jays fan, we fell short don't you agree?

Looking around our team, we deserved at least a couple other representatives on this year's roster.

3B—Scott Rolen

.328 Avg, 6 HR, 30 RBI, .389 OBP, .874 OPS

Despite his power numbers being down, you can't find a guy that has been much better at the hot corner that Scott Rolen. His 20 plus game hitting streak and flawless defense over the past three months makes him a much more deserving candidate then Michael Young of the Rangers.

However, that's not my big gripe.

People have argued for Marco Scutaro to earn recognition and earn a spot on this year's roster. It just wasn't going to happen for Marco. With Jeter, Andrus, Bartlett, etc., and the LACK of fan voting from Toronto Fans, you know who you are (I'll get to that later this week), Marco had no realistic chance.

My big gripe is Adam Lind being left off the roster.

Come on, Ben Zobrist?

The guy's been unbelievable, but when the year started he was a part-time utility player. Lind is perhaps a little more deserving.

Here are just a few of his stats:

.310 Avg, 18 HR, 57 RBI, .944 OPS

You can't get much better than that.

So, fans of baseball and Jays fans who might be reading this, do your team a favor and vote for Adam Lind on the final ballot on mlb.com

Yeah, this may be a biased article, but Lind is deserving of a spot on this year's squad.

VOTE FOR LIND, SHOW SUPPORT

www.mlb.com

Dont Panic Toronto Blue Jays Fans, the Ship Has Sunk, Was it Ever Afloat?

Kristopher Daly — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:57:23 -0400

Any reason to believe that the Blue Jays would be in first place by the middle of May?

Not heading into the season. However, just like many of you Jays' fans out there, optimism and hope arose with the hot start of our ballclub.

There haden't been this much excitement for a team in several years and the 27-14 start to the season had fans thinking quietly....(playoffs?!?!)....

In a week's time, off all these giddy and goofy thoughts have faded in a brutal roadtrip sending the Jays packing at 0-9. Three losses in Boston (still in first, okay, we'll move on), three in Atlanta, (unthinkable), three in Baltimore (impossible and infuriating).

Today was the day I snapped. Jays have their ace on the hill, ready to snap a losing streak. During the streak, we saw games in which the offense was poor and the pitching wasn't there.

Then in other games, we would see the pitching not give the team a chance to win. Today the Jays score eight runs in seven innings with Halladay on the mound.

One would believe up 8-3, the Jays would finally break the streak at 9 and head home to take on Boston this weekend feeling okay about themselves. Instead, Cito Gaston decides to give the game to the bullpen, with Roy at 102 pitches.

Many on the Blue Jays message board don't agree with this move, many promoting that Roy finish the game even if he goes 130 pitches.

Now I understand this sentiment, however, I also understand the move by Cito, Halladay didnt have exactly his best stuff and seemed to tire throughout the 7th inning.

Jesse Carlson is called on to replace Halladay in the bottom of the 8th, this after going 1.2 innings last night and warming up twice as well. Carlson who is usually reliable, just hasnt been the same pitcher this past month.

Either the hitters are catching up to him or its the heavy workload Cito has him on, Carlson should not be the choice there in the eighth inning!

Gaston has had this way of leaving players on the field and letting them break out of their own slumps. He also has a mancrush on using Carlson wherever he sees fit and this was one of those.

Up five runs, Gaston watches as Carlson retires just one batter while walking the bases loaded and allowing the O's right back in the game. Giving up three hits while walking one, Carlson leaves with the bases loaded. By then the damage is done, Gaston left Jesse in way too long.

Scott Downs is thrown into an impossible situation and blows the save while barely squeaking by with a perfect relay throw from Aaron Hill to gun the winning run at the plate on a Markakis double down the right field line.

Frasor comes in, and does what he does best, two innings of perfect relief. You have to say he has been the best Jays reliever this season.

Top 11th, Jays havent done anything offensively in several innings, basically sleepwalking when all of a sudden, Aaron Hill connects on a 2run bomb, just when things couldnt look any more bleak.

(okay, time for the bullpen to put this away, and we got ourselves a win) is what I'm thinking.

Cito makes another costly move here, Brining in BJ Ryan. Arghhh the heartache to watch him pitch these days. After allowing a leadoff single, I am reminded why didnt we leave in Jason Frasor here for a third inning???

Just look across the way Cito, the O's left Danys Baez in for 3 innings of relief, and despite the HR to Hill, did an outstanding job. Dave Trembley knew he gave them the best shot to win so he left him in. This should have been the same with Frasor.

Ryan retires the next hitter, and then is quickly pulled for...Brian Wolfe?

Cito...Cito...Cito

What are you doing?

Wolfe ,who is a fringe major league reliever at best promptly gives up a single to Melvin Mora, and a single to Luke Scott driving in a run. First and third, one out, Cito, maybe make a move? Try Brandon League for a double play, he is a sinker baller ya know...

Nope, no move is made, and Wolfe serves up a meatball that is plastered into the bleachers for a walk off three run bomb.

Streak at nine in a row...a sweep at the hands of the Orioles. Not good.

27-23 suddenly looks not as sweet as 27-14 did, ouch.

This loss could spell the rest of the season. It was as demoralizing as it looked. As Shea Hillenbrand would put it, "This ship is sinking."

Check out tomorrow's follow up article, on why the Jays will never be a championship caliber ballclub under its current state..

The Oklahoma City Thunder? BOYCOTT the NBA

Kristopher Daly — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:28:05 -0400

How could this happen?, The NBA now has stooped down to an all time new level with this one. I am HEARTBROKEN.

I am a lifelong Seattle Supersonics fan who has watched the glory years unfold from the likes of the Glove, The Reignman, Sam Perkins, Hershey Hawkins, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, and many other players that made the franchise a recognizable cog in the structure of the NBA.

As a lonely fan here in the state of New York and untouched by the reality of not having a local team in my town to root for anymore, I understand how it's really hard for me to understand the loss of a franchise.

But if there's any Sonics fans out there reading this, I am with you in grief. We all thought and knew this could happen two years ago when the idiot—yes, idiot—Howard Schultz sold the team to majority owners TPC inc. from OKLAHOMA CITY. It was like the writing was on the wall once that happened.

There are too many villains to name ranging from Seattle Mayor George Nickels, the governor of Washington, Clay Bennett and especially the scum of David Stern.

We watched it unfold, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis' trades for basically nothing. We watched at the trade deadline as Sam Presti, the GM of the team, made every trade he could to dump salary and replace it with expiring contracts and watched the Sonics win an all time low 20 games last season.

We've been lied to on so many levels that I feel like we've been raped of our basketball team Sonics fans.

This team was above the caliber of the Charlotte Hornets and Vancouver Grizzlies. We won a championship in 1979. Look at the list of teams that won a championship in a city, then relocated. It's not impressive.

I applaud the efforts of the "Save our Sonics" group based in Seattle because at least it showed how some people in general could forge an effort and voice their opinions in a public form. Although I was unable to partake in the effort to protest, I would have been there front and center to voice my opinion to save the team.

So Sonics fans, I ask you this. Go to any venue in the NBA where the new Oklahoma City joke of a team visits and make signs, band together, and make sure the players such as Kevin Durant remember that SEATTLE is his home.

The NBA can no longer call me a fan or count on my dollars. No more will I buy jerseys and apparel. No longer will I watch the countless NBA games and coverage that goes on from night to night.

I say: Boycott the NBA, Seattle. We dont want it back ever again. No new team, no expansion franchise. It won't be the same as the real Sonics team now playing in OKC, as hard as that is to say.

The Oklahoma City Thunder sounds like a minor league baseball team to me.

Have fun OKC fans. Eight years from now, David Stern will find the Ford Center unsuitable for the NBA and you'll have your team ripped from your hearts as well.

Hope your marriage continues well David and Clay, the two villians who just broke my heart. Thank you Paul Allen and Marc Cuban for having the decency to vote against the relocation. The other 28 owners, what were you thinking I ask.

Oh well, what's done is done, farewell to the NBA in Seattle. We'll never be able to see Gary Payton have his number retired, or watch the greats be welcomed back into the Key. I, for one, will no longer be able to watch my favorite team play in the Garden or in New Jersey for their once-a-year visit in the Green and Gold.

Don't put this on the taxpayers, either. Shame on you, City of Seattle leaders, for allowing this to happen.

RIP The real SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

MLB 2008: What to Know About the Toronto Blue Jays

Kristopher Daly — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:33:57 -0400

Well we are now officially underway into this 2008 baseball marathon of a season, and with teams surging and faltering all over the league, it’s safe to take a look at some of the trends and in depth observations I have made so far about my beloved Toronto Blue Jays.

I’m sure all of Toronto was extremely excited after the first full week of the season, after completing a convincing sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Now, granted the sox were a tired team after traveling over 15 thousand or so miles in a span of a week and a half, and it showed on get away day last Sunday. However the Jays outplayed the Sox in all aspects of the game.

It was apparent to me though, that the Jays were just a more lively team throughout the series( taking the extra base, hit and run, solid pitching performances, timely hitting, etc.,)

We've seen this before from the Jays, especially early on in the season at home, where the Jays will look like a complete playoff team for three or four glorious days, and then fall back into inconsistent play against a lesser opponent i.e. Oakland Athletics

This leads to my first point-

#1-This is the same old Blue Jays team. I don’t know what it is about the Blue Jays, but they never seem to put a solid winning streak together which the "true" playoff contenders always seem to do.

The Jays beat up the Sox, and what do they do in their following series, get swept at home, by the lowly regarded Oakland Athletics. Where was the energy? Where was the passion? This has happened the past couple years under Gibbons and the current management. The Jays can never seem to put winning series' together. We would hold our own against the top teams of the AL, and then the devil rays would come to town, and the Jays would drop 2 out of 3 and look ugly in doing it.

Hey, I know it’s early, and the losses to Oakland could have gone either way, with a break here or there, but life is about shoulda, woulda, coulda, and the sweep to Oakland really dampened my thoughts on this team.

#2- The Jays still struggle with RISP. This is probably the most alarming factor to me. I know Gibbons is stealing more bases and trying to do the small things to create runs, but its just not happening as well as I'd like. To go with this point, can the Jays hit into any more double plays wasting 1st and second with no one out. It’s getting frustrating to watch.

The Jays don’t have trouble getting guys on base, but getting them home is a different story. This was the case last year as well, with countless times the Jays often stringing a few hits together but not getting the timely hit to drive guys in.

Watch the teams at the top of both leagues and you'll see that they usually always convert on opportunities to score runs. This must improve soon, and (maybe will with the addition of Scott Rolen), but for now, it seems to continue to be a struggle for a team hitting .271 5th in the majors so far in the early going.

# 3- The Jays could use a left-handed bopper to go along with Wells, Hill and Thomas. The lineup right now on a daily basis just isn’t balanced enough against RHP. I dread when the Jays face a righty with power-type stuff, because it’s the type of pitcher that usually gives the Jays the most trouble. Just a thought here, come deadline, if we need a boost, JP must go out and get a left handed bat with power. No offense to Lyle Overbay, who is a professional hitter, but he’s not a David Ortiz, or like any of the number of Yankee left handed boppers, or even Carlos Pena on the Rays. We need some extra bop from the left side to compete with the big boys offensively.

#4- Pitching will be the key to the season. The rotation looks like the best in the AL from what I've seen so far. With the Indians struggling, tigers and mariners, and the Angels' injuries, right now you have to say the Jays have the best top to bottom rotation.

Halladay looked dominant on Friday in his personal house of horrors, going the distance while scattering 6 hits and striking out six. Halladay barring injury looks to be the ace we'll are used to seeing take the hill every 5th day.

The jury is still out on AJ Burnett, who looked awesome in New York, but his past two starts, including today, have not looked really sharp. The breaking stuff just isn’t there and command of his fastball has been inconsistent at best.

Dustin McGowan continues to develop very nicely, and although there are some growing pains, this kid is a gamer and is on his way to a solid season. Along with McGowan, Shaun Marcum has looked great this season, showing no setbacks of his breakdown last September when he suffered from torn cartilage in his knee.

Marcum is the type of pitcher who you'll watch and wonder how he dominated through the lineup, piling plenty of K's on the way.

Barring injury, this is the top rotation in the AL. Book it now. Not a biased statement.

Oh and did I forget to mention Jesse Litsch: 2-0, not bad young man.

#4- Rios is worth all of that 69 million in his contract extension. Kid's a star in the making, and his patience this year at the plate has been a pleasant surprise. Watch out, this guy can be a future batting champ.

#5-Forget Robinson Cano, We need to get Aaron Hill more recognition. Coming into today batting almost .400, this kid is the best second basemen in the AL right now. I’m not just going by 2 weeks of this season either. Compare the stats, and the defense, Hill is just as good if not better than the hyped Cano. Hill needs to stay in the 2-hole where he was used this weekend, and come July should be the All Star game.

#6- We need Scott Rolen. Plain and simple. The lineup just isn’t as good, and although Marco Scutaro has played gritty baseball, the defense is always suffering. Scutaro made a horrible play the other night against Oakland throwing home on a sure inning ending double play grounder. Rolen is the veteran leader on the field we need to go to the next level. I can’t wait to see him out there.

#7- Hey everyone, lay off Frank Thomas. The guy has three homers and 10 RBI's already and although the average may look ugly to most, he still manages to get on base and has the passion that I love to see from this team.

#8- I want to see more passion from this team. Opening night was awesome, granted we lost, but watching Roy Halladay coming off the hill yelling and screaming in frustration got me going. Also, when he told Melky to get back in the dugout after his HR when taking a curtain call, it got my adrenaline going.

We need this kind of personality on the whole team. We have lacked an identity. We're looked upon as the "soft Blue Jays" by most fans that I sit and talk with: A team that will play you tough, but has no personality to it, to really excite fans. I want to see more emotion. We need an identity.

#9- BJ Ryan is the key to our entire season. Have any of you watched Jeremy Accardo so far this year? It’s been horrendous to watch. Where has that fantastic splitter he used so much last year gone? I’m not sure, but we need it back. Frankly, Accardo just isn’t a dominant type closer like BJ bottom line.

Ryan came in today and got the save after allowing a leadoff triple. BJ has the type of stuff and guts to get out of these situations. It’s a no-brainer, if Ryan gives the Jays quality appearances, the Jays are a way better team. He only expands the depth of the pen and relieves the pressure on the other arms down there, but can he hold up, will be the question. So far, so good for the Jays, and its nice to have him back

#10 and my last observation- Lets not get too excited or too down on the team at this juncture so far. Reading Blue Jay forums, from one day to the next whether we win or lose, I see that fans are finicky based on the performance day in and day out. Now hey if you want to say "seasons over" in July when were 15 games out following a loss to Kansas City, then I wont bother, but not after a loss in the second week of April.

Its early folks.

So far, so good for the Jays, can’t ask for more really

The Jays are 7-5 heading to Baltimore in 1st place.

Hey, ill take that in a heartbeat

Watch out AL East is the statement made so far by the Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays: True Contenders in 2008?

Kristopher Daly — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:02:44 -0400

March 15th- Well, we are now half way into the riggors of the Spring Training schedule, and with most teams, minor leaguers are sent back to the fate of minor league camp as well as positional battles taking shape. Dont forget the starters in each respective team's rotation and those last few players to round out your bullpen either. To some, Spring Training may be too long( I can agree with that), however, these are the key days and moments leading up into the upcoming season.

For the Toronto Blue Jays, the next two weeks will be critical in gauging not only how the 25 man roster will fill out, but also getting those integral players on the roster primed for the season.

You might open a newspaper these days and find the Jays with the worst record in the AL in the vaunted Grapefruit League. However, dont be concerned if your a Blue Jay fan. The record is not showing some of the impressive work that some of the Jays players have been producing. Heres a player by player take on their performances so far, and also the position battles and how they are taking shape.

Starting Rotation-perhaps the most important part of ST, getting the starters pitch counts up and building the strength needed for the riggor of the marathon schedule ahead. Results here can be misleading, often pitchers will not use their full repetoire in games, leading to some unexpected non-quality starts

Roy Halladay- So far in spring, Halladay has done nothing short but impressed me everytime he touches the hill. In his first few outings he only threw sinkers and changeups with an occassional curveball, without using his cutter on batters. He took this approach last year as well. My observations tell me, expect more of the same from this workhorse, as long as he remains healthy.

Rebuilding is Over, Toronto Blue Jays' Time is Now: Part II

Kristopher Daly — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:39:31 -0500

This is the second of a two-part series, in which I've broken down every aspect of the Toronto Blue Jays, reviewed every area of the ballclub last year, and how it might project this season.

In Part I, I analyzed the position players of the Jays including the bench and the offseason GM J.P Ricciardi put together to help the team. In this part, I will look at the Jays pitching staff top to bottom, including the bullpen and see how it might shake out this season.

The offseason in terms of pitching for the Jays was very quiet. There was no big-name target for the Jays this offseason. In past years, we heard names such as AJ Burnett, Ted Lilly, Gil Meche and others that were targets of the ball club. This offseason, Ricciardi decided that pitching wasnt a main priority and stated many times, that he liked where the club was at, without making many changes in parts with the team.

The only rumour produced this off-season, was the highly debated Alex Rios-Tim Lincecum swap with the San Francisco Giants. My thoughts were mixed on the potential deal, but went it fell through, I breathed a sigh of relief.

However this showed me Ricciardi knows that pitching will win in the MLB and to acquire it is a hard driven bargain in this day in age. Ricciardi was willing to roll the dice on an AllStar OF for an up and coming flame thrower with the Giants. Thank you Brian Sabean for not accepting the trade, because I for one, believe Rios has the potential to be the best OF in all of the AL.

Pitching for the Blue Jays actually last year was a major bright spot. Granted injuries took there tool on the entire staff but it gave some young kids a chance and older veterans stepped into roles that until last year must have been unfamiliar with them. BlueJays pitching was top 5 in ERA and often kept the Jays in games even with the anemic offense the Jays had from May onward.

Starting Rotation:

Roy Halladay # 32 16-7 3.71 ERA- Halladay remained the face of the Blue Jays pitching staff and is a true number one, ace pitcher. He should remain one for the upcoming season and arguably with the departure of Santana could be in for another run at the Cy Young. Being a avid Jays fan for the past ten years, Ive noticed like many others Halladay changes his approach from year to year and makes adjustments that seem to never fail. Although his stuff may quite not be dominant as it was in 2000-2004, when Halladay was a perennial Strikeout type pitcher, Halladay still is a gritty competitor and just has a knack for getting the job done. Hes found that you dont have to strike many guys out to compile quality starts, and often now uses sinking fastballs in and out on hitters to induce groundballs and save his pitch count in order to go deeper into games. If 16-7 with a 3.71 is a so-called down year for Halladay, then who knows what might that stat line would look like with a better year from Halladay. He still pitched over 200 Innings and led the AL with seven complete games. Halladay hit some rough patches last season and had another freakish injury with an emergency appendectomy in early May, Halladay tried to pitch through it, but his performance suffered and his ERA ballooned over 4 for the first time in a few years. However, Halladay finished the season strong and gives the Jays a top-flight number one that competes everytime he steps out on the mound. Halladay is comparable to any other number one starter in the AL and perhaps in all of baseball. Project about 15-20 Wins with an ERA under 3.50 and over 215 innings if he makes all of his starts. Yea, hes not the fantasy stud he used to be with strikeouts and H/9 Innings, but he wont walk anybody and is dependable as any pitcher you can name.

A.J Burnett # 34 10-8 3.75 ERA- Okay, the injury risk is there, yes we all know this. He also has an opt-out clause in his contract this season, leading to speculation he would flee Toronto when the season comes to a close. Ive read other Blue Jays articles stating other pieces of the team such as Rolen or Litsch are the keys to the Jays this season. Well I for one tend to disagree and think Burnett is the key to the Jays for the 08 season. We know that in contract years, performance tends to increase for the better,(Carl Pavano anyone?) so that would be a plus for the Jays, if Burnett could turn it on for a big contract next winter, he would give the Jays perhaps the best 1-2 combo in all of baseball. Burnett's stuff is electric, often reaching 98-100 Mph on the radar gun combining with a biting curve and a changeup that often baffles hitters. Burnett just needs to stay healthy, last year, many in the Jays organization believed it was a mind induced issue that Burnett had with his right shoulder. He was examined and they found nothing wrong with his shoulder but yet Burnett was on the DL twice last season and made just 25 starts. However, when healthy last season, Burnett was a dominant force in the Jays rotation. There was no pitcher any better down the stretch last season and Burnett hopes to build on that heading into the 08 season. All the signs point for a huge year for Burnett, and if he were to put it all together, finally, the Jays would be an instant playoff contender. You heard it here first, but Burnett would get rumblings for the Cy Young this season, giving the Jays 10-15 wins and in the top of the major categories for pitchers in the AL. You can bash me for this all you want, its just my belief.

Dustin McGowan #29 12-10 4.08 ERA- McGowan perhaps has the best upside of any Jays pitcher coming into the season. Due to injuries to starters Gustavo Chacin and the release of Tomo Ohka and John Thomson, McGowan finally got his chance to shine at the big league level. However, for McGowan it was not so pretty at first, in the month of May with his ERA ballooning to over 9 at one point, it was make or break time for McGowan. However, in June he turned it around including a no-hit bid against the NL Champion Colorado Rockies, going 9 innings and allowing just one hit in the final frame. From then on, McGowan became one of the Jays most dependable pitchers. From July to September, McGowan compiled an 8-6 record and lowered his ERA under to 3.84 at one point. McGowan finally showed all the promise we have been hearing about for several years. Like many young pitchers he seemed to hit small little rookie type walls, but last season gave the Jays a vision into the future. Imagine what this kid could do in a full season. Last year gave McGowan the chance to go through the league and see what he could do, with an offseason of training and adjustments, McGowan is primed for a breakout season under the tootlage of Brad Arnsberg, Toronto's pitching coach. With a dominant power arm, similar to Burnett's, McGowan is the most intriuging young pitcher in the Jays organization and provides a solid 1-2-3 punch to the top of the rotation.Expect McGowan to build on last year's numbers making the Jays a threat for postseason play.

Shaun Marcum #28 12-6 4.13 ERA- Here was the biggest surprise of the 2007 season for the Toronto Blue Jays staff. A converted reliever, Marcum became a solid everyday 4th starter for the Jays. Struggling as a reliever in the early going, Marcum was given a chance like McGowan to start in the Jays rotation where he excelled from the very get-go with a no hit 6 innings against Tampa Bay which was not finished due to a limited pitch count. From then on out, Marcum was unbelieveable and gave the Jays quality turns almost every start. He often went 6 or plus innings, limited opposing teams to under 3 runs or less, however, lost many wins due to the lack of production of the Jays lineup. Marcum was perhaps the most snake bit when it came to run support from the offense last season. However, he still managed to earn 12 victories. Marcum's season was cut a couple weeks short due to a knee injury that was cleared up this winter. According to reports, he should be ready to go this spring and should remain as the team's 4th starter. Marcum is a great asset for the Jays. You might watch him pitch and frequently ask yourself, How does he do it? Marcum wont light up the radar gun, but he gets hitters out by using a sinking two seam fastball and a sweeping curve, along with a devastating changeup. One in which I believe was comparable to Johan Santana's changeup. Now im not saying Marcum is a Santana, but the pitch would baffle hitters all year long and Marcum sure does know how to mix it in when he can. Marcum's 12 wins were no fluke and expect more of the same this season. Marcum comes also very cheap giving the Jays one of the better 4th starter options in the AL.

5th Starter-Jesse Litsch, Casey Janssen, Gustavo Chacin?- This perhaps is the biggest question mark/need for this team. Like many other MLB teams, its just hard these days to find quality starting pitching and especially at the bottom slot of the rotation. Guys come and go so often, its almost too hard to follow from year to year and the movement of the bottom of the barrel 5th starters that move about looking for work. Last year that came in the form of Tomo Ohka and John Thomson. However, the Jays went with a different approach this offseason, as stated above and liked what they have in-house to make a run at contention. This spring will be a huge battle between these three pitchers to see how the rotation will fill out. Janssen should only be considered if Bj Ryan is ready to come back to full health, otherwise, he should remain in the pen where he excelled last year. Litsch came in and did a decent job filling in from Mid-May onward, going 7-9 3.81 ERA, however, he has been criticized for not having overpowering stuff. Litsch however, just knows how to get people out and he has at every level. I trust Litsch more than any option here, and his invaluable experience gained last year has to mean for something. I expect him to win out as the 5th starter, and as long as he gives the Jays some innings, everything should be fine concerning this rotation spot. Chacin is coming back from shoulder surgery and I dont expect him to earn a role with the Jays heading into opening day.

Now, perhaps the biggest bright spot of the Jays last season was its tremendous bullpen.

Mid-Relievers/Long Men

Jason Frasor, Brian Tallet, Scott Downs, Brian Wolfe- Now here is where Ricciardi could have gone out and signed a mid-reliever who could be a veteran precense back in the pen. However, I think he did the right move, by not offering silly contracts to overpay for a Longman or middle reliever. Like him, I think the Jays will be fine in this aspect of the season. Frasor is a proven reliever for the Jays, once saving 17 games a few years ago and has experience with the entire league. Although he had a down year last year and was even sent to the minors, I think he will be able to bounce back and be one of the leaders in the Jays pen once again in 2008. He has a power arm, and you cant find enough of that in baseball these days. Frasor can also fill in at closer, if need be, if a rash of injuries were to occur. Brian Tallet, had perhaps a career year last season earning his lowest ERA in his career and also made 48 appearances last season. Often used as a situational lefty, Tallet towards the end of the summer was also trusted to get righties out and held opposing batters to a .215 compiled batting average against, the lowest of his career and on the Jays. Tallet is not overpowering but uses a sweeping slider and spots his fastball. He should remain in his current role and gives the Jays a valuable lefty in the pen. Scott Downs also had a career year last season and even earned a contract extension in the off-season, a good move, for the Jays. Downs was in the top 10 in apperances last season with 81 in the AL and had a 2.17 ERA. An ERA like that for a reliever is quite the accomplishment. Yes, one could argue, it was his lone career year like anyone else might have, but I beg to disagree. Downs has also had a knack for getting people out and gives the Jays another lefty option in the pen, who can also serve as an emergency spot starter, if an injury were to occur. Downs is a key cog for the Jays and will be important if the Jays are to make a serious run at October baseball. Last but not least, Brian Wolfe, basically a throw in the Lyle Overbay trade two years ago, was perhaps the biggest surprise in the bullpen last season. A mid season call up, Wolfe along with Downs became a consistent option for John Gibbons to turn to when needed from May onward. With a 2.98 to finish the season, Wolfe, with a solid spring should earn more trust from the manager and earn more innings with the Jays this season. He gives the Jays another power arm out of the pen and provides versatility for the club.

Set up/Closer

Casey Janssen? Jeremy Accardo, BJ Ryan, Brandon League

This spring will determine Janssen's spot on the Jays staff. If BJ Ryan can not bounce back healthy for opening day, Janssen will likely remain as the key setup man for the Jays this season. He finished with a 2.35 ERA and appeared in 70 games often giving the Jays quality pitching when entering in the 7th and 8th innings. Not overpowering by any stretch, Janssen mixes his pitches well and uses deception in his delievery to keep hitters off balance. In 2006, Janssen came in as a starter and went 6-10 so, he has experience as SP as well, making Janssen the most versatile and interesting pitchers on the Jays staff. Watching Janssen this spring training will be a very important factor for the upcoming season. When BJ Ryan went down, us Jays fans were devastated. We know we had no chance to replace a closer of his calibre. However, in came Jeremy Accardo, an unknown quantity in the Jays pen, acquired for the cancer known as Shea Hillenbrand. Accardo came in and shocked everybody. He didnt have an earned run against him until May 24th and finished the season with a miniscual 2.14 ERA with 30 saves for an underachieving Jays team. Interesting enough Accardo has a better time getting out lefties due to the action of his split-finger fastball. Accardo can blow the fastball buy you and has a wide array of off-speed pitches. His role all depends on BJ Ryan. If Ryan is healthy, Accardo would fall into place as the team's main setup man, or if BJ can not come back healthy by opening day, Accardo would again serve as closer, where we know he can succeed.

This team as a whole, has not been this versatile and deep in a long time. The pieces are there for the Jays to make a serious run at this thing. Im just not impressed with the uncertainties of the Yankees and the Sox are not bound to repeat all of last year's success. The staff for the Jays is a top 10 MLB staff and is the key for the Jays to break into post-season play. Sure, there are all "IF's" but isnt that with every player? You just dont know.. However, the potential is there to put it all together for these young kids to lead the Jays out of mediocrity and fills the Rogers Centre on an everynight basis for the first time in years.

Rebuilding No More: Blue Jays' Time Is Now

Kristopher Daly — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:46:24 -0500

With the miraculous NFL season coming to a close, and Spring Training coming ever so closer with each yearning day, it's time to see how things might shake out in arguably the best division in baseball, the AL East.

Although the best rivarly in all of sports exists in this division, people not connected with it, both abroad and within the division, must be getting awfully sick of the Yankees' and Red Sox's success.

Granted, it's fun to watch and the media hype is like no other, but there're three other teams in high-profile cities that are lost in the shuffle.

High-profile acqusitions, unlimited budget expendures, and adoring fanbases have been a given for both the Yankees and Red Sox since the early '90s, or quite frankly, since the strike in 1995.

Before then, both teams were inferior and their franchises seem to be in distress.

Compared to today, roles were reversed as this was the time of Toronto Blue Jays' dominance, winning back-to-back World Championships and regarded as the best team in baseball.

However, the work stoppage which followed hit the Jays the hardest of the teams in the AL East, causing players to leave via free agency, disinterest from fans (generally seen in all of Canada, Montreal Expos folding up), and the reign of the Yankees and Red Sox coming to fruition.

In the newly-built SkyDome, the Jays set attendance records in every season before the strike, but since then the (now) Rogers Centre is more than half empty on many occassion.

The late '90s were filled with mediocrity and the Blue Jays spent the next six seasons after the strike only faintly sniffing at the playoffs.

The turn of the century brought a renewed sense of vigor for the Jays, when Rogers Communications took the majority share in the club in 2001, and the Gord Ash era had come to an end as the team was struggling with revenues and player salaries.

Thus ushered in the J.P Ricciardi Era.

Since then, Ricciardi has promised progress and a so-called 5 year plan to take the team to the next level of contention.

We're now entering 2008 and after signing an extension to remain the GM of the Blue Jays for the next few years, people in Toronto are wondering...when is this plan actually going to come to frution, and will playoff baseball ever be seen in Toronto again?.

The team itself has developed a solid young core with players such as Vernon Wells, Aaron Hill, Roy Halladay, Alex Rios, Reed Johnson, Jeremy Accardo, Casey Janssen, and others that Ricciardi has been trying to build around.

The past two years have seen dramatic increases in payroll, (nowhere near the contrast to the two teams above the Jays however) bringing in such players as Troy Glaus, BJ Ryan, AJ Burnett, Frank Thomas, Lyle Overbay, Bengie Molina, and other minor "retred" players to return the Jays to the playoffs.

There is no doubt that some of these moves have caused excitment, and the win-now approach has given hope to Blue Jays fans.

But I, like many others, am tired of waiting.

Two years ago the Jays approached 90 wins and appeared to be making a strong bid for the postseason with a few minor tweaks.

The 2007 season did not go according to plan though, with mounting injuries seemingly destroying any chances by midseason and having Jays fans crying for Maple Leaf hockey by late August.

I am tired of the excuses that seem to be keeping this team from contending at a playoff level.

The time is now. With expiring contracts coming by the year 2010, this team will look a lot different, and if the wins don't come, it could get ugly north of the border.

Now granted the team sent 13 different players to the disabled list, and by September half the team was different from what was projected on opening day, some players just didn't live up to numbers they had put up in the past.

Part I: The Offense

This offseason, Ricciardi claimed we had the core to put together a playoff-type team and thought only minor tweaks were needed.

At the winter meetings, he signed utility man Marco Scutaro, a super-sub player that the Jays desperately needed.

Did you see the Jays bench last year? It was ugly, and barren of major league talent.

So long to Howie Clark, Hector Luna, and Ray Olmedo.

Scutaro can play second, shortstop, third, and even some OF when needed, and provides some pop and experience off the bench.

I've also seen him come through in the clutch on several occassions (walk-off HR off Mariano Rivera). I know Oakland fans were displeased to see Scutaro leave.

The next question going into the offseason was shortstop.

The Jays haven't had a solid, dependable shortstop since 1999-2000.

Two years ago, Russ Adams just didn't pan out. He showed promise but now appears destined for the minors or a back up role at best.

So last year Ricciardi decides to sign an apparent stopgap in Royce Clayton, who was gone by mid-August as he lost major playing time to John McDonald.

Now granted, McDonald was amazing to watch in the field, but he was basically an automatic out.

You can give me the OBP and all that, but he just didn't provide any sort of threat in the lineup, and it was getting hard to watch.

Surprisngly to me, Ricciardi seem to think McDonald deserved the full-time gig and signed him to an extension, pronouncing him as the starter for the upcoming season.

I was not happy with this decision, but as long as we upgraded in other areas, it shouldn't hurt as much.

Then to everyone's surprise, Ricciardi decides to sign David Eckstein to a one-year deal, very similar to that of the Clayton signing.

People argued, "Why are you paying almost six million combined at the shortstop position and proclaiming the infield was set to your liking?"

Well, I credit this move to Ricciardi.

He realized we couldn't go status quo at shortstop, and saw a chance to add a quality bat, energy, and experience to the team.

Reading Blue Jays' Forums online, I saw the outcry from some Cardinal fans who were very upset with Eckstein's departure.

This attests to what he brings each and everyday to the team.

Fans argued that the defense will take a major hit with this signing, as McDonald had people chanting Gold Glove last season with some highlights he made.

Fans also looked at Eckstein's fielding stats last season and were discouraged at the high number of errors made on a relatively poor team.

However, Eckstein had a career year at the plate and gets on base a ton more than McDonald did or ever would in his career.

Eckstein, not a speedster by any stretch of the imagination, can also steal a base or two, and I think provides leadership on the field and presense so desperately needed at the top of lineup.

I can recall the Jays used Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, Gregg Zaun, Matt Stairs, and Reed Johnson at leadoff last season.

That shows not only injuries, but instablity.

Eckstein will bring needed stability to the lineup and he knows how to work a pitcher into deep counts.

McDonald just wouldn't cut it against the big boys of the AL.

Eckstein gives the Jays arguably the second-best shortstop in the division behind Jeter. Compared to last season, where the Jays seemingly had the worst in terms of offensive production on a day to day basis.

Troy Glaus for Scott Rolen?

Now this really surprised me.

Glaus was never right last season, and it was painful to watch him play with the bone spurs in his ankle and other various issues.

In fact, he never really looked healthy in all his time with the Jays organization.

There were questions this offseason that it was uncertain if his ankle would react and heal properly for him to stay healthy enough for a full season.

I thought Glaus was finally succumbing to his injury riddled body and might have been past his prime entering this season.

When Scott Rolen and his highly controversial feud with Tony LaRussa ended with a trade request from Rolen, I for one didn't think Rolen was even on the Blue Jays' radar.

He was rumoured to be going to the Brewers or the Rangers depending on reports, and I didn't pay much attention to the situation.

Ricciardi kept quiet until rumors popped up about Rolen coming to Toronto for Troy Glaus.

At first I was shocked, and not pleased.

After a somewhat humorous rounds of physicals for each player, the trade became official, and I still did not understand J.P.'s logic in the move.

Since then, I've looked at many vitals for each player and have rethought about the trade for many hours.

As you all know, Rolen is an all-time great defensive third baseman, winning multiple Gold Glove awards, so from that perspective it's a solid upgrade from Glaus, (a solid defender in his own right).

Add Rolen to an infield with McDonald, Hill, and Overbay gives the Jays perhaps the best infield in baseball in terms of fielding on the slick surface of Rogers Centre.

Watching Rolen last year at the plate was also painful though, and at first I thought Ricciardi had blown up the potentially potent offense.

But if Rolen's shoulder can heal and he can return to even a sniff of his old form, he's a .290-.300 hitter with 20 HR power and a run producer.

In the spacious gaps of Rogers Centre, I think Rolen will thrive on run-producing doubles, and the pressure will be off him for providing much of the offense for the Jays if Wells, Overbay, etc...can rebound.

Glaus was a strike out machine and often couldn't come up with the big hit the Jays would need in certain situations.

Rolen strikes out a little less than Glaus and gives the Jays a guy who can get on in a number of ways besides the homerun.

Rolen is also familiar playing with Eckstein and should make up for any defeciencies in Eckstein's fielding on the left side.

Like Eckstein, he brings World Series experience and has been in many battles in the postseason, something the entire Blue Jays team lack.

Thus, I think Ricciardi made another smart move, knowing Rolen can teach, lead, and be a voice in the clubhouse that could make the Jays a strong cohesive unit.

Now, I would have liked to see Ricciardi try to upgrade in LF, but sticking with Reed Johnson and Stairs is good for chemistry, and if Johnson can be the player who led the AL in OBP for leadoff men two years ago, the Jays from top to bottom have a lineup comparable to anyone in the AL.

Eckstein—Rios—Wells—Thomas—Overbay—Rolen—Hill—Zaun—Johnson

From top-to-bottom on a everyday basis, there is not one hole in the lineup.

The Jays also decided not to upgrade at catcher, keeping Zaun as the incumbent starter.

I'm not a big fan of Zaun, but he calls a good game, and provides stability at the position.

The organization is high on Curtis Thigpen, but he needs time to develop more as seen when he was called up last summer.

They're also high on Robinson Diaz, who will probably start at AAA this spring and also needs a ton of time to develop.

Ricciardi decided to re-sign Sal Fasano and sign free-agent catcher Rod Barajas who provides good depth, at least for the start of the season.

Last year when Zaun went down, the backstop became another black hole for the offense. This year, should an injury arise, the Jays should be comfortable with the options they have to choose from.

The bench should include Scutaro, Barajas, Stairs, Lind (AAA), and potentially a few others who gained valuable experience last season.

There's a lot of "if's" here concerning the offense.

Yes, health is key, and the upgrades Ricciardi made are for a win-now mentality.

If it gels right, the lineup can be scary. This team resembles the Tigers from two years ago, who built around a solid core and deep bench, went all the way to the World Series against the Cardinals.

I think Ricciardi has added just the right mix to make a serious run this year.

However, time is running out on the Jays with players such as Frank Thomas, Rolen, Rios, and others who, in a couple years will not be under contract with the Jays.

Without any major prospects in the minors, besides heralded Travis Snider and other low level players such as J.P Arencibia and Kevin Ahrens, only time will tell what is to become of the Jays financially in the future.

Who knows how long some of these players will be with the franchise.

Part II will look at the pitching staff and how it might project this season, and its developing role of the Jays organization.

I will also look at the entire division and break down each ball club on a smaller degree.