Stairs: 2 years, 3.25M total

by Torgen on Nov 2, 2007 4:00 PM EDT

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/story/2007/11/02/jays-stairs.html

If Johnny Mac is going to be an everyday player at his salary, then I'm guessing Stairs will be too.

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Isn't he going to platoon with Lind?

That's what ESPN and others are saying. Lind will definitely get his at-bats but it's not exactly an ideal platoon with two left-handed bats. At least when facing righties there are more lefties we could throw in a pinch hitting situation.

Allan's World

by achengy on Nov 3, 2007 2:56 AM EDT reply actions

Bluejays.com says it's Stairs/Sparky

although I assume that's pending Sparky being reasonably priced in arbitration, considering the year he had.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Nov 3, 2007 5:58 AM EDT up reply actions

seems

like we are intent on going with the exact same lineup as last season. I don't know how I feel about this deal. On one hand, Stairs was one of our best hitters last season and has been an above-average hitter for a long time, especially against righties, which we desperately need. Also, I just like him. On the other hand, he was lousy in the outfield, is not young, and had been trending downward before last season. As with J-Mac, the 2-year deal will make it more difficult to trade them away. Unlike with J-Mac, though, there is an internal candidate to replace Stairs in Adam Lind. If you look at the ZIPS projections, Lind is actually projected to hit better than Stairs did this season. And because Lind is coming off a mostly bad season, his trade value is down. I really would like to see Lind get regular at-bats this season, somewhere.

I think the Jays will cut Sparky a break and tender him arbitration. I think he was a good organizational soldier for a long time and they are going to overlook his bad season and blame it on the back surgery. They may be right, and I do think Sparky is a useful player if used properly, which means no more batting atop the order against righties. Of course, he's yet to show he's fully recovered. As we know, returning from back surgery ain't no trip to Cleveland.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 4, 2007 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

We usually get swept on our trips to Cleveland

so I'm not sure how apt that analogy is. Another thing to consider is that the Padres are looking to trade for a CF. I don't think we'd get Khalil Greene for Sparky, but maybe they have a prospect who'd look good in a Chiefs uniform. I'm sure we'd accept less than the BoSox will be asking for Crisp. Stairs is no Sparky defensively, but he has two healthy legs, which is more than can be said for a few LFs in this division.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Nov 4, 2007 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

sorry

obscure "Bottle Rocket" reference.

Greene would be an amazing return for Sparky, but maybe if we threw in a pitcher. Towers would do well in that division, and SD might be interested in someone like Downs as well.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 5, 2007 8:54 AM EST up reply actions