Bits of News on a Thursday Night

by Tom Dakers on Nov 20, 2008 10:06 PM EST in Toronto Blue Jays News

Our Blue Jays have made a handle of minor moves on the 40 man roster. Add to the roster are lefty pitchers Ricky Romero and Robert Ray and right hander Luis Perez. Romero and Ray are on our top prospects list at #9 and #12 respectively. Perez pitched in A ball for us last year, going 5 and 12 with a 3.60 ERA.

To make room recent pick ups lefty pitcher Les Walrond and infielder Angel Sanchez were dropped. Walrond was picked off waivers from the Phillies earlier this month and apparently is headed to Japan to play over there. Sanchez was taken off waivers from the Royals early this month.

In other news Mike Mussina has announced his retirement. Nice for him to be able to retire after his first 20 win season. He finishes with 270 career wins, good for a tie for 33rd spot all time. He isn't a lock for the Hall of Fame but you'd have to think he has a good shot at it. I'll admit I'm not big fan, as a general rule I'm not a big fan of any Yankee, but that deep bend over from his waste at the start of every windup was kind of interesting.

Phillies Chase Utley is to have hip surgery and may miss a large portion of next season. Utley has been hurting since May but still played in 159 games and hit .292 with 33 home runs.

And in the category of stories that I would think should come out of the Bizzaro universe, apparently Manny Ramirez would like to be a Blue Jay but we don't have interest in him. I know, money is the ruling issue, but don't you think signing Manny would be worth his weight in season tickets? And wouldn't it be a good signal to the rest of the team that 'hey we are interested in winning'? As much as we really could use a starting pitcher, a short stop and a catcher......wouldn't you gladly take Manny and live with what we have at the other spots?

Take the money we aren't paying AJ, trade off BJ and add that money in and whatever beyond that amount that Manny would cost you'd have to guess that would be more than made up in ticket sales. If I was JP, I'd have to think I was going into this season with a win or be fired in the back of my mind, so why doesn't he show a bit of urgency?

And in news, that no one but me will be interested in, son of former Jay John Mayberry, John Mayberry, Jr (inventive name) was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Phillies For outfielder Greg Golson. Mayberry, 24, hit .264 with 20 homers between Double A and Triple A. John Sr. is number 41 on our list of top 50 Jays.

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that was a strange story

I’d think acquiring Manny would pay for itself as long as it’s not a ridiculous number of years that would weigh the team down long after Manny was in steep decline and the novelty had worn off. I wonder whether JP has been told either 1) not to increase payroll; or 2) that he can’t sign any free agents beyond 2010 (AJ might not count since the Jays would be retaining their own player)

Otherwise it just doesn’t make sense. Let’s say Manny has $20 million/season coming to him (though maybe he has more, I don’t know). Take the $11 million you offered A.J., trade Ryan to the Mets for whatever, and that’s the $20 million. Doesn’t that make the team a lot better right away? Even if the Jays don’t do much this season due to pitching, they’d likely be in great shape in 2010 with Marcum, McGowan, and Janssen back at full strength, not to mention Snider, Cecil, Arencibia, and maybe Cooper as legit major-leaguers. They could try out Romero and Purcey in the rotation this year and see whether they are long-term solutions.

"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 21, 2008 6:58 AM EST reply actions

There should be 10 million that isnt' going to the Big Hurt as well....

I’m really not understanding JP. But what else is new. The difference between the DHes we used last year and Manny must be about 10 games. Add 10 games to what we had last year and we are right in the race. Putting us in the race has to be worth the extra dollars that Manny would require. I get the feeling the winning isn’t JP’s biggest concern.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 21, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

tough to blame J.P.

he likes to spend money to bring in people when he’s allowed to, and most of the people he’s brought in have worked out pretty well. If the Jays’ ownership is set on not increasing payroll or cutting it, I can’t imagine he’s very happy about that, especially as his job is on the line. I’ve not gotten the sense that winning is overlyimportant to ownership, they have obviously invested money in the team but I get the feeling that’s been more about marketing than a true desire to win.

"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 21, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

by the way

how come Utley never gets any consideration for MVP? He’s a better player than Rollins or Howard. And Pedroia wins MVP even though Utley plays the same position and is a better player and his team won the World Series.

Is he getting discriminated against because he’s so dang good-looking? I suppose that would explain why Sizemore didn’t do better, haha

"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 21, 2008 10:00 AM EST reply actions