FanPost

Fanpost Friday: Michael Young for Esteban Loaiza

The year was 2000, it was mid July and the Blue Jays sporting one it's trademarked "Chicks Dig the Longball" era offenses, but were hampered by a train wreck of a pitching staff headed by David Wells, who led the pitching staff to a 5.14 ERA. This was the year Roy Halladay had an era north of 10.

Gord Ash looked out at the league and saw Esteban Loaiza dominating the AL West. Well, I say dominating, some say 5.37 ERA. But Gord liked what he saw and he didn't have to give up anyone from the major league roster. just a couple of prospects, who would even notice?

Well the Jays didn't really take off, losing 6 of their last 8 and finishing 8 games back of the wildcard for yet another year. Meanwhile the next spring the Rangers called up Michael Young after just 47 games in AAA Oklahoma. And the rest as they say is history.

In his 12 years in Texas (not counting the 2 ABs in 2000 as a September call up), Young became a 7 time All-Star, won a batting title and a Gold Glove.

During those 12 years the Toronto Blue Jays had a revolving door of the shortstops that included: Alex Gonzalez, Felipe Lopez, Chris Woodward, Russ Adams, Royce Clayton, David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro, a different Alex Gonzalez and Yunel Escobar.

Some consistency and reliability would've been nice but 2 and a half years of a middle of the rotation pitcher was nice.

Darwin Cubillan was sent to Texas too but I don't miss him that much.

Editor's Note: This is a FanPost written by a reader and member of Bluebird Banter. It was not commissioned by the editors and is not necessarily reflective of the opinions of Bluebird Banter or SB Nation.