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To conclude a stunning fall from grace, 2012 Opening Day starter Ricky Romero will begin this year in the minors. It's a tragic tale, but this team needs to win now and J.A. Happ gives them a better chance to do that. Romero may well rise again but for now the rotation is finalized. With the fifth starter controversy resolved, this squad is more or less set for Opening Day. And what an Opening Day it will be...The kind of excitement surrounding the 2013 Blue Jays hasn't been seen 'round these parts in a dog's age. In six days time baseball of a meaningful sort will be played. Nothing can compare to that, but perhaps a serving of morning links can help satisfy the hunger for baseball.
BLUE JAYS LINKS
Breaking: Romero Optioned To Dunedin | Drunk Jays Fans | Blogs | theScore.com
Stoeten's take on Romero's demotion, including tweets from Lott and Davidi.
Jays option Ricky Romero to single-A Dunedin - The Globe and Mail
J.A. Happ grabs the last spot in the rotation.
Blue Jays glad to have John Gibbons guiding talent | bluejays.com: News
The Blue Jays have done an excellent job of selling the return of Gibbons. Its safe to say I was sold before reading this article, but a little praise of Gibby never hurt anyone.
Off-season cancer scare for Jays' Gibbons - Sportsnet.ca
A slightly less cheery Gibbons-related story but it seems like he's going to be alright which is obviously all that matters.
The Tao of Stieb: 37 Jays - Mark DeRosa Really Ties the Room Together
Another installment of Tao's one-by-one roster analysis examines the player on the Blue Jays roster who is arguably least able to play baseball.
I'll believe it when I see it, although it's not like anyone can really catch the knuckleball anyway.
TSN.ca Blue Jays Preview: What can be expected from Cabrera?
The second in a five part series examining the biggest questions facing the Blue Jays this year.
Blue Jays: R.A. Dickey releases paperback edition of bestselling autobiography | Toronto Star
R.A. Dickey releases the paperback edition of his bestselling autobiography, Wherever I Wind Up, on Tuesday via Penguin Canada.
AL EAST LINKS
Will the Orioles squander the fans' goodwill? - Camden Chat
Season ticket snafus and lame promotions abound. Can the Orioles right the ship? If I were the Orioles I would have my foot on the gas trying to keep any fans picked up in 2012, but it seems like they are doing the opposite.
New York Yankees sign Lyle Overbay - MLB Daily Dish
The New York Yankees have signed first baseman Lyle Overbay. If Overbay and Wells both recapture their 2006 form then the Jays might be in trouble. Somehow I fail to shake in my boots.
Season Preview 2013: Evan Longoria and the Defensive Shift - DRaysBay
A comprehensive look at the use of the shift, the importance of Longoria, and the missing aspect to his swing.
Jose Molina on Jose Molina | FanGraphs Baseball
I don't think anyone analyzes the little things in baseball as well as Jeff Sullivan. This time it's pitch framing, and the poster boy for pitch framing as a meaningful skill, none other than Jose Molina.
Red Sox' decisions on Ryan Sweeney and Jackie Bradley Jr. connected - Over the Monster
The Red Sox will have to make a decision on Ryan Sweeney sometime in the next 24 hours. What does that have to do with Jackie Bradley Jr.?
THE REST OF THE BASEBALL UNIVERSE LINKS
Crazy Predictions for 2013, Part One - Minor League Ball
Are these crazy predictions? Or are they just sane enough?
Crazy Predictions for 2013, Part Two - Minor League Ball
Crazy? Or just barely sane enough to happen?The prediction of no Jays rookies above 1 WAR seems pessimistic but very possible.
Pee-controlled video games on target at minor-league park | Toronto Star
The Triple-A affiliate for the Philadelphia Phillies will introduce pee-controlled video gaming in men’s washrooms when the season kicks off next week. I am speechless.
Mets PR guy has a butt dialing problem | MLB | Sports | National Post
Worth reading for the headline alone.
Positional Power Rankings: Relief Pitchers (#1-#15) | FanGraphs Baseball
Fangraphs ranks the top bullpens in the league. The Blue Jays check in at #6 behind only the Yankees in the AL East. I'll take that.
Brewers boost rotation by signing Kyle Lohse - The Globe and Mail
Good to see Lohse find a home, if only because it means that we don't have to read Lohse speculation anymore. Good but not great pitcher gets big but not huge contract, end of story.
NON-BASEBALL LINK OF THE DAY
BBC - Future - Technology - Tomorrow’s world: A guide to the next 150 years
Explore BBC's graphical guide to the advances of the future, from 2013 to 2150 and their odds of occurring. As a huge fan of prop bets, this seems like the logical next step.