Let 'er Ride for 2014: My thoughts

[BlueJaysGirl]

I think the Blue Jays have a great farm system, "A" and "AA" mostly. I want that kept intact. I don't want to see the farm depleted anymore for what is probably a fool's errand, trying to compete in the AL East in 2014. Crappy FA's are being signed for a ton, and we don't have the resources to keep up. And, there is buzz that the new Rogers CEO, who takes over in January, is a penny pincher, so whether we like it or not welcome to Interbrew ownership, 2.0

 

So, what *I* would do is the following for 2014...

 

1. Go with JPA and Thole at catcher, just like last year. Huh? What? I know. It hurts. But, JPA's value has never been lower. Hear me out. We hope he has the same spring he did last year and sustains it a little longer. Then, we trade him before the deadline to net more than we would right now. How much more? No idea. But then call up our in-house solution, Jimenez and see what he can do. Let him work the rest of the season.

 

I propose this because I hate the idea of spending millions, or losing prospects, for some 2nd or 3rd tier, defensive specialist catcher who's going to bat .190 but work wonders with the pitching staff. Most accounts peg Jimenez as a solid catcher who works well with pitchers. We already have our solution. If he bats higher than the Mendoza line, great, he sticks and we have our solution without losing prospects or money, which we will need to mete our very smartly.

 

2. Go with Cabrera in LF. But like JPA, build his value up and trade him. Or, if he's stellar and worth a qualifying offer, keep him for the pick. But I suspect we could net more with a trade.

 

3. Trade Rasmus. He's great, young and has many tools. But we have Gose, who might be better if given a chance. So, If we can trade Rasmus, great, but I would only trade him for a young, controllable pitcher who is good right now, but has upside.

 

4. Go with Goins and Izturis as 2B. See if Goins can keep it going. His defense is stellar. I think, if given the season to play 80% of the time he'll acrue a 2.0 WAR. That's great for an in-house, cheap, solution. Hopefully Izturis can build up his value a little more and be traded for something. But I'd be okay with him on the bench.

 

5. Keep Gose and Sierra on the roster somehow. If Rasmus is traded, then this is easy. I think Gose will be a pleasant surprise if he's given the entire season and I think Sierra, who in my opinion truly has 5 tools, might mature and become impact. And, if he seems solid than do the following (don't hate me)...

 

6a. Trade Bautista before the deadline. GM_AA has the trade ninja skills to pull of a huge one. Rape someone's farm system AA, do it.

 

6b. Trade Happ before season. I think for prospects at this point.

 

7. In terms of pitchers, we ride with what we have. Assuming Rasmus has been traded for someone young and controllable, we plug and play the rest of the way. We go Morrow, Dickey, new guy (#3 above), Buerhle and someone else....my money's on McGowan. We have a bullpen stocked with out of options, effective, pitchers. Throw McGowan to the wolves and let him start. If he breaks, oh well, but if he's solid, yay! We have our man. I'm hoping Buerhle has another one of his automatic seasons, then we trade him (and eat some salary obviously) to a contender who needs some innings.

 

I think this team might still be very entertaining, and still might sneak into a wildcard spot. Our farm is not only intact, but outstanding with the trades outlined. And in a couple of years we start to see those dividends pay off. I truly think this is the way to go. I mean come on guys, we can sign Ubaldo for 5-years, $90 million, but we all know that will fail miserably. Guys like Stroman and Hutchinson will be better, trust me,

 

Last point, let's hope to fricking gawd there's a balanced schedule sooner than later. That would give us a way better chance. I'm assuming this is something that might happen after old man Selig retires.

[BlueJaysGirl]

I'm not going to come to and make un of saying keep JPA to rebuild value, or anything, if we were rebuilding, most of this would make sense. Rasmus' value is at an all time high and should generally be an ideal trade candidate. The problem is that the team wants to win now. This means we can't afford to keep JPA, and we can't rely on Gose, Goins, or Izturis. We NEED a good catcher (Hanigan makes the most sense) and we need to sign guys to fill out the rotation and 2B.

 

I get that for sure. I'd love it if the Jays signed Tanaka, too. Spend another $90M for 2014 to fill 3-4 glaring holes. But they won't and can't. What I don't want GM_AA to do is trade prospects and spend $30M of middling players with no upside. Then welcome to 2013 v2.

[Frenchsoup]

i don't think you can go into the season with JPA, that's basically throwing the season away, i'd really like to see what our starters can do with a viable catcher back there. Teams are interested in him so he has a little trade value at the moment and if he does the same thing he did last year it ain't going any higher. Trade or non tender.

[Maine Jays]

Hanigan or AJ Piercantspellhislastname would be the two best upgrade candidates in our price range

[Boxcar]

I think the Blue Jays have a great farm system

 

You can think what you want to, I suppose. I wouldn't call a farm ranked around 20th "great."

 

1. Go with JPA and Thole at catcher, just like last year. Huh? What? I know. It hurts. But, JPA's value has never been lower. Hear me out. We hope he has the same spring he did last year and sustains it a little longer. Then, we trade him before the deadline to net more than we would right now. How much more? No idea. But then call up our in-house solution, Jimenez and see what he can do. Let him work the rest of the season.

 

JPA is not going to substantially increase his trade value, he's been replacement level or lower his entire career. Why not just trade for Hanigan or sign a journeyman like Navarro or Molina instead? All those guys will likely provide more value than JPA for minimal cost. This plan would instantly pain the Jays as non-contenders from the get go to me.

 

3. Trade Rasmus. He's great, young and has many tools. But we have Gose, who might be better if given a chance. So, If we can trade Rasmus, great, but I would only trade him for a young, controllable pitcher who is good right now, but has upside.

 

What evidence is there that Gose could be better?

 

I'm not going to bother going through the rest. If you think your proposed moves would give the team a chance at a wild card, you're delusional. This list probably takes them past 90 loss territory.

[GD]

This is going to rustle very many jimmies.

[Angrioter]

Hanigan or AJ Piercantspellhislastname would be the two best upgrade candidates in our price range

 

Are you Buck Martinez?

You speak like him!

[jays4life19]

Well......at least we would have a great shot at another protected draft pick.

[BlueJaysGirl]

Skimmed through but basically what I have read is

 

"Let's go with the same 2013 squad that barely won 70 games"

 

Except for 4/9 of the defense and 2/5 of the starting pitchers after the trades, sure same squad.

 

We need to win 25 more games to have a shot for 2014. How do you propose we do that with maybe $25 - $30 more in payroll? Dude, wake up, it's time to white flag 2014 but win the long-term battle.

[jays4life19]

Except for 4/9 of the defense and 2/5 of the starting pitchers after the trades, sure same squad.

 

We need to win 25 more games to have a shot for 2014. How do you propose we do that with maybe $25 - $30 more in payroll? Dude, wake up, it's time to white flag 2014 but win the long-term battle.

 

Right or wrong, this FO won't waive the white flag. Their trying to keep their jobs.

[Angrioter]

On the other hand this is the internet and she's allegedly a girl, so this may be the most liked post in forum history.

 

Now you don't act like a troglodyte because we have ladies visiting us.

That's what I call double standards!

[BlueJaysGirl]

You can think what you want to, I suppose. I wouldn't call a farm ranked around 20th "great."

 

Our AAA team did not have great prospects. But if you look at our lower farm system, plus the bonanza we'd reap with the trades I mentioned, we'd by top 3. Book it.

[ElNik2013]

You should've sent this post to AA LAST OFF SEASON, too late now.

[BlueJaysGirl]

AA disagrees with this thought process.

 

Which thought process? I need some clarica.

[BlueJaysGirl]

You should've sent this post to AA LAST OFF SEASON, too late now.

 

I disagree. Last year would have been too soon. Everyone, except for Rasmus, underachieved or was injured so I expect trade value to be higher in 2014, for the principals I mention anyway.

[Angrioter]

Your thought process of waving the white flag for 2014 and thinking long term. AA does not care about the long term situation for this team. He cares about winning in 2014/2015. If AA does not win in 2014, his job could be good as gone.

 

No turning back!

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/2736314/burning-bridges-o.gif

[theblujay]

I like the ideas and would rather go this route than overpay and try to force a playoff spot, which is exactly what we did last year. But I would trade Bautista and/or Rasmus this offseason, play Gose and Sierra all year and rebuild the farm system.

[ElNik2013]

I disagree. Last year would have been too soon. Everyone, except for Rasmus, underachieved or was injured so I expect trade value to be higher in 2014, for the principals I mention anyway.

 

 

I think "letting 'her ride for 2013" is what AA and co should've done last off season and the team had a farm system that was a lot closer to "great" than it does now. Had they let 'er ride for 2013, the franchise would be in very good shape right now.

 

Since they did the opposite, they're committed to going for it so you can expect 2 or 3 of Sanchez/Stroman/Hutchison/Nolin to be dealt this off season.

[imsorry4beatinU]

I think the Blue Jays have a great farm system, "A" and "AA" mostly. I want that kept intact. I don't want to see the farm depleted anymore for what is probably a fool's errand, trying to compete in the AL East in 2014. Crappy FA's are being signed for a ton, and we don't have the resources to keep up. And, there is buzz that the new Rogers CEO, who takes over in January, is a penny pincher, so whether we like it or not welcome to Interbrew ownership, 2.0

 

So, what *I* would do is the following for 2014...

 

1. Go with JPA and Thole at catcher, just like last year. Huh? What? I know. It hurts. But, JPA's value has never been lower. Hear me out. We hope he has the same spring he did last year and sustains it a little longer. Then, we trade him before the deadline to net more than we would right now. How much more? No idea. But then call up our in-house solution, Jimenez and see what he can do. Let him work the rest of the season.

 

I propose this because I hate the idea of spending millions, or losing prospects, for some 2nd or 3rd tier, defensive specialist catcher who's going to bat .190 but work wonders with the pitching staff. Most accounts peg Jimenez as a solid catcher who works well with pitchers. We already have our solution. If he bats higher than the Mendoza line, great, he sticks and we have our solution without losing prospects or money, which we will need to mete our very smartly.

 

2. Go with Cabrera in LF. But like JPA, build his value up and trade him. Or, if he's stellar and worth a qualifying offer, keep him for the pick. But I suspect we could net more with a trade.

 

3. Trade Rasmus. He's great, young and has many tools. But we have Gose, who might be better if given a chance. So, If we can trade Rasmus, great, but I would only trade him for a young, controllable pitcher who is good right now, but has upside.

 

4. Go with Goins and Izturis as 2B. See if Goins can keep it going. His defense is stellar. I think, if given the season to play 80% of the time he'll acrue a 2.0 WAR. That's great for an in-house, cheap, solution. Hopefully Izturis can build up his value a little more and be traded for something. But I'd be okay with him on the bench.

 

5. Keep Gose and Sierra on the roster somehow. If Rasmus is traded, then this is easy. I think Gose will be a pleasant surprise if he's given the entire season and I think Sierra, who in my opinion truly has 5 tools, might mature and become impact. And, if he seems solid than do the following (don't hate me)...

 

6a. Trade Bautista before the deadline. GM_AA has the trade ninja skills to pull of a huge one. Rape someone's farm system AA, do it.

 

6b. Trade Happ before season. I think for prospects at this point.

 

7. In terms of pitchers, we ride with what we have. Assuming Rasmus has been traded for someone young and controllable, we plug and play the rest of the way. We go Morrow, Dickey, new guy (#3 above), Buerhle and someone else....my money's on McGowan. We have a bullpen stocked with out of options, effective, pitchers. Throw McGowan to the wolves and let him start. If he breaks, oh well, but if he's solid, yay! We have our man. I'm hoping Buerhle has another one of his automatic seasons, then we trade him (and eat some salary obviously) to a contender who needs some innings.

 

I think this team might still be very entertaining, and still might sneak into a wildcard spot. Our farm is not only intact, but outstanding with the trades outlined. And in a couple of years we start to see those dividends pay off. I truly think this is the way to go. I mean come on guys, we can sign Ubaldo for 5-years, $90 million, but we all know that will fail miserably. Guys like Stroman and Hutchinson will be better, trust me,

 

Last point, let's hope to fricking gawd there's a balanced schedule sooner than later. That would give us a way better chance. I'm assuming this is something that might happen after old man Selig retires.

 

I stopped reading after that..

[BlueJaysGirl]

I think "letting 'her ride for 2013" is what AA and co should've done last off season and the team had a farm system that was a lot closer to "great" than it does now. Had they let 'er ride for 2013, the franchise would be in very good shape right now.

 

Since they did the opposite, they're committed to going for it so you can expect 2 or 3 of Sanchez/Stroman/Hutchison/Nolin to be dealt this off season.

 

Sure, if they had a time machine they could do that. In hindsight everything looks clear. I thought we were on our way to the World Series with those stunning signings and trades last year. They must have too. It didn't work. Now we need to start in a different direction, I don't want to panic spend and buy additional s***** personnel. If GM_AA went to Beeston and the new CEO and said hey, we went all in and it backfired, and now we don't have the money to get us out of the hole let me build it up again he may not be fired. Put it this way, he can thrown $30M at some crappy players that won't fill our holes, and maybe trade some prospects, but that certainly won't save his job. Taking a reasonable, building methodical approach, something he's good at, is really IMHO the only way he saves his skin.

[BlueJaysGirl]

I stopped reading after that..

 

Super. You must have done fantastic in school.

[BlueJaysGirl]

I think "letting 'her ride for 2013" is what AA and co should've done last off season and the team had a farm system that was a lot closer to "great" than it does now. Had they let 'er ride for 2013, the franchise would be in very good shape right now.

 

Since they did the opposite, they're committed to going for it so you can expect 2 or 3 of Sanchez/Stroman/Hutchison/Nolin to be dealt this off season.

 

They can trade all those guys and it might be enough but I seriouslyl doubt it will be. So, to me, you predict some really crappy let down years for 2014-2015, followed by a crappy, sustained lull because of a barren farm system. Man, I hope you're wrong.

[BlueJaysGirl]

This is just awful. Not shocked a girl fan suggested we keep JPA at catcher.

 

Well, he is hot. But so is Brad Pitt and I don't want him to be our catcher either. But I think at this stage we build him up to say see ya' with better results.

[Chappy]

Well, he is hot. But so is Brad Pitt and I don't want him to be our catcher either. But I think at this stage we build him up to say see ya' with better results.

 

Or he gets worse.

[Chappy]

Yeah man.....dumn thread is DUMN!!!

 

I don't know why people keep posting up something that has ZERO chance of happening. No f***ing way there is going to be a rebuild.

[BlueJaysGirl]

Or he gets worse.

 

I'm not sure that's possible. He was historically bad after May.

[Chappy]

I'm not sure that's possible. He was historically bad after May.

 

It is possible and he needs to go. Extracting value is important but it doesn't work with every player. JP is just not worth it. This team could be 2-3 wins better just by non tendering JP and spending his salary on a lower tier catcher. Now that's getting value.

[BlueJaysGirl]

Good use of the word 'modicum'.

[Abomination]

Except for 4/9 of the defense and 2/5 of the starting pitchers after the trades, sure same squad.

 

We need to win 25 more games to have a shot for 2014. How do you propose we do that with maybe $25 - $30 more in payroll? Dude, wake up, it's time to white flag 2014 but win the long-term battle.

 

The team dramatically underperformed last year, so it's reasonable to assume that a fair amount of those wins are made up with average performances across the board (JFaS posted in another thread what the projections for our team are for next season with replacement level players at 2nd, catcher, and SP, and I believe it was something like 86 games).

 

Replacing JPA with Hanigan should be a cheap improvement at catcher and wouldn't likely cost a top prospect. There's been some talk that Porcello might be easily obtainable (Detroit needs bullpen help and we're overloaded there). He'd provide us with solid innings and definitely has some big upside if things click. That would leave us with 2b and one SP. There's a number of trade candidates for 2b that should come fairly cheap, and we should have enough money remaining to fill the final SP slot from FA.

[Angrioter]

I really, really hate this. JPA is a bad major league baseball player. He's 28 years old, so nothing is likely to change on that front. The team is fortunate enough to have no contractual commitment to him going forward. Why give a contract to a bad player with the hope that he'll suddenly stop being a bad player? And why JPA specifically? There are hundreds of similarly bad players in AAA that could maybe possibly (but not likely) turn things around unexpectedly. Why not choose one of them? They'll play for the minimum, whereas JPA will cost almost $3 million in 2014.

 

Just non-tender bad players if you're lucky enough to not be contractually committed to them. Don't weaken your MLB roster hoping to extract a modicum of value from a currently valueless asset.

 

The same happen with unfaithful men.

Our wife/girlfriend always give us another chance after infidelity and then..............we cheating on her again, over and over again. It is a life cycle.

 

BTS, it's time to leave your boyfriend. Jays FO, it's time to DFA JPA