Getting a little excited...

by bunner on Dec 22, 2009 9:35 AM EST

In the last 2 weeks the Jays have gone from a team with little to look forward to in the future with a weak farm system and too much competition in the division to truely compete with the team they had; to a team with what looks like an extremely bright future. THANK YOU AA! In two bold trades you have given me and hopefully other Toronto baseball fans something to really look forward to.

Looking ahead, as soon as late 2010 the Jays could have a young controlable starting rotation of Brandon Morrow, Kyle Drabek, Shaun Marcum, Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil which is truely a rotation that as it gains more experience could dominate for years to come. Added to that a middle of the order featuring Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, Travis Snider and Brett Wallace and potentially a re-energized Vernon Wells. Down on the farm there is the catcher of the future in either JP Arencibia or Travis D'Arnaud as well. The bullpen is already solid as is, however the possibility of a healthy Dustin McGowan bringing in those nasty side-burns from the bullpen as the future closer (might be a way to protect his arm/shoulder from future damage) will be intimidating for opposing batters!

Understandably there is the possibility of some of these players flaming out or injury taking them down but on paper this group of core players is as special as this team has ever had. There are still needs to fill long-term at leadoff hitter, SS and RF (potentially 3B too) but this what could be the beginning of something really special in Toronto and I just hope that Toronto baseball fans aren't too short-sighted to see it.

Go Jays!

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NOOOOOOOO!

Dusty will not be the closer!

I’d rather have his as a starter. He’s beast in the rotation and already heralded as the staff ace whenever Doc leaves.

Right now, we’re loaded on SP. We have atleast 10 guys battling for starting rotation spots in Spring Training.

J.P. is a curious case. He doesn’t have the skills to be a C, but doesn’t have enough power to play 1B or 3B. He’s slated to be the next coming of Rod Barage-em, won’t take a walk but makes solid contact and hits for power.

I really want to dump Wells and his contract, but that’s like turning water into wine. I’ll be happy if he gives up .280, 25, 90, 20 SBs.

And god bless AA for pulling more deals in his first 2 months than JP did in his entire tenure.

HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THEM, I PRESS DOWN MAH GUNS!

by BenjiDoc on Dec 22, 2009 10:02 AM EST reply actions

"Dusty" would be great coming out of the bullpen!

Especially with his new glasses and porkchop sideburns. Oh ya, and his nasty stuff.

Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

by craig in calgary on Dec 22, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe not closer

But, yeah out of the bullpen as the 7th or 8th inning guy. He would be our Ricky Vaugn.

by Rhinos on Dec 22, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

ahem

Ricky Vaughn was a closer!!!

by bunner on Dec 22, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

actually, I think he was a starter

though he did pitch in relief against the Yankees in that last game.

"Look at me! I'm Tomokazu Ohka of the Montreal Expos!"

by jessef on Dec 22, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

this is true

however, he was a garbage starter for the most part because of his lack of control…

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Dec 22, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

Those were two separate thoughts

I think Dustin Mac could look like Ricky Vaughn.

Vaughn was a starter but moved to the bullpen for the 1 game playoff to get into the ALCS. So…maybe MacGowan should be the closer…I just hope he can pitch actually.

by Rhinos on Dec 23, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

Add

Stewart, Zep, Purcey, Mills to that…and it doesn’t look too bad in 2011 if 3 of them step forward and take on the challenge of no Halladay.

by Rhinos on Dec 22, 2009 12:06 PM EST reply actions

I dont know why everyone keeps mentioning Dustin in these rotation talks

He probably wont even pitch for the Jays at all next season… i love his talent, but his injuries just seem like too much.

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Dec 22, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions

which is why

putting him in the bullpen makes a lot of sense…

by bunner on Dec 22, 2009 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

It's too bad the Jays only control McGowan for another 3 years.

It is possible that he only gets fully healthy and on a roll by 2012, just in time to have a good year, and earn an expensive contract on the free agent market.

But yes, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Jays pitching, with the additions of Drabek, Morrow and Stewart in the last bit.

by REMO on Dec 23, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions