The Toronto Blue Jays And The Curious Case Of Vernon Wells

The Toronto Blue Jays are going into the 2009 season with no expectations at all. 

Especially now that Vernon Wells is hurt. Again. Anyone surprised?

Over the last few years the team has managed to add a few key off season acquisitions that generated a buzz in the community that had many folks believing that this was finally the year. 

Players like B.J. Ryan, A.J. Burnett, Scott Rolen, David Eckstein, and Frank Thomas were all brought in and provided some much needed hope to a team that hasn't been able to put it all together in over a decade.

We all know how that turned out. Albeit injuries played the majority role in this.

Even so, General Manager J.P. Riccardi has remarkably survived in his role over the last few years and has been criticized tremendously for his personality and his player moves (or lack of in this off season). 

The one move that never really seemed to make sense was the enormous seven-year, $126 million contract extension that was given to Vernon Wells. 

Wells was coming off a fantastic year no doubt. He led the team in many offensive categories and was the bona fide face of the team. Without Carlos Delgado leading the Blue Jays as he had done for almost a decade, the Blue Jays were really in need of a big bat and pretty face for the fans. Wells was undoubtedly the only guy around.

Ever since that fat contract was signed Wells has done nothing to prove to me or the Jays fans that he is the number one guy. He could have been or he should have been the number one guy but he isn't. 

I don't even think it is his fault.  He doesn't belong in that spot.  He doesn't have the visual passion for the game.  This is part of the reason why so many people talk about his easy going approach. 

Wells was a great Robin to Delgado's Batman. He's just not leading man material. 

The Blue Jays really need to find that number one guy again as Wells belongs in the sidekick role. If they keep depending on him to be the franchise player then they won't be getting any further in the standings.