What to do with JA Happ

[ElNik2013]

I've said it before, Romero's implosion has had a big impact on this franchise and not just because of his contract. There's a good chance that without his implosion, this franchise doesn't act as desperate for starting pitching as it did in the 2012 off season.

 

It's really something else that he can't even pitch as a #4 or 5 which would be quite helpful to the franchise.

[Abomination]

It was needlessly risky. Guy had 4 years of team control remaining. There was no reason to commit long-term to a player that early, especially a pitcher.

 

Maybe. It seems to be the trend right now among a lot of teams though. They'd rather get cost certainty and have the odd case like Romero (which is basically an outlier). Hard to argue with it either way.

[BlueJaysGirl]

He's dead weight in that he'll make $1.25 million to contribute absolutely nothing to the major league team. Not a huge deal, but still wasteful.

 

I disagree. If Kratz goes down, we have Thole.

 

If Ohka gets up to AAA, we have Thole.

 

Thole can be the second catcher in AAA once Jimenez stays healthy and plays full time.

 

If we could recoup that $1.2M right now? Does that mean we sign Santana when he was FA? Ubaldo? Nope, it means Rogers isn't out as much. Thole isn't blocking anyone like Izturis is (Kawasaki) or eating up millions like RR and Happ. Apples and oranges.

[G-Snarls]

[G-Snarls]

A non-homer article from Wilner?

[Daniel Labude]

It's not my money, so I want to DFA him. And Izturis.

 

Logjam gone.

 

I agree.

[o2cui2i]

Romero, Happ, Izturis and Thole combine for $17.15 million this year. That's completely dead weight.

 

at least RR isn't making the team and taking the spot of someone who might actually bring something to the team. Happ and Izturis are just as bad, but AA is taking them north. Izturis wont play unless someone is dead and we will all wish Happ was dead if he makes the starting rotation.

 

AA loses the last grain of credibility if Happ makes this team coming out of camp.

[BlueJaysGirl]

Is Thole better than AJ Jimenez?

 

Hells no.

 

I don't think anyone thinks that.

 

Why?

[BlueJaysGirl]

I agree.

 

DFA is always the last resort. But it clears things up pretty quickly.

[o2cui2i]

A non-homer article from Wilner?

 

result will be Happ in TO and Wilner unemployed...

[Abomination]

result will be Happ in TO and Wilner unemployed...

 

 

A silver lining!

[G-Snarls]

@Wilnerness590: Here should be the right link to today's Happ column. Sorry about that: http://t.co/5t0gr08NU #Bluejays #Jays

[Chappy]

result will be Happ in TO and Wilner unemployed...

 

Wilner had balls for one day and it got him in big trouble. That was funny.

[fapaholic]

Wait?? Does this mean Happ wasn't worth the boatload of prospects we gave up for him??

[o2cui2i]

Wilner had balls for one day and it got him in big trouble. That was funny.

 

yeap... he went against the flow and got beaten down like a rented mule. he's towed the line ever since. be interesting to see what happens after this moment of sanity.

[Grant77]

Give him another start and a couple in April before deciding what to do.

[Angrioter]

Give him another start and a couple in April before deciding what to do.

 

Great idea. The Jays did it last year with Wang.

[Chappy]

Serious question I don't live in TO. How come McCown can say whatever the hell he wants but Wilmer has to tread lightly? Personally from what I observed Wilma doesn't really seem to have any redeemable qualities where McCown is somewhat likeable.

 

Because McCowan has a huge listening audience. Wilner is just a guy who is part of Jays game broadcasts is easily replaceable. Like or hate McCowan, Wilner would get tossed out before anyone even looked funny at McCowan.

[Anemic0ffense]

Romero, Happ, Izturis and Thole combine for $17.15 million this year. That's completely dead weight.

 

Could have bought Burnett with that $

[o2cui2i]

Give him another start and a couple in April before deciding what to do.

 

you seriously want them to give Happ the Jo Jo Reyes treatment??? with the fact that we KNOW AA doesn't have the balls or intellect to make a move before it's too late, I dont want Happ anywhere near the big league club.

[Stangstag]

Well nobody saw Romero turning into a completely useless player. The contract looked goo when it was signed. But Happ, Izzy, and Thole could have all been avoided, and thats an extra 10mil we could spend.

 

Stephen Drew?

[o2cui2i]

That's the trouble with pitchers though. You never know when they're going to implode. IMO it never makes sense to lock one in for multiple years before you have to.

 

some position players make sense to lock in, it makes sense if you can do a team friendly deal. I'd like to see them lock in Lawrie now if they can get him at a good price, but nothing Longoria silly. Lawrie is NOT Longoria, but for the right price it would make sense.

[Abomination]

some position players make sense to lock in, it makes sense if you can do a team friendly deal. I'd like to see them lock in Lawrie now if they can get him at a good price, but nothing Longoria silly. Lawrie is NOT Longoria, but for the right price it would make sense.

 

Longo's is a little different. Most teams aren't locking them up until age 37, but rather getting cost certainty and one or two years of FA.

[Chappy]

That's the trouble with pitchers though. You never know when they're going to implode. IMO it never makes sense to lock one in for multiple years before you have to.

 

Investing anything more than 3 years into SP is just crazy. Personally, I would much rather just trade guys as they approach their FA years and restock the arms into the system each year. Similar to the Rays, but also go out and sign aging vets on short term deals when needed. Guys like Burnett, Kuroda, etc. Signing SP to long term deals almost never seems to work out. Invest it into the lineup.

[G-Snarls]

Perhaps the MLB is starting to figure this out? Teams seemed hesitant this year more than most to hand out multiple years.

 

Free agents yes. The guys getting locked up to extensions (Sabbathia, Verlander, Kershaw) are getting lots of years.

[o2cui2i]

Free agents yes. The guys getting locked up to extensions (Sabbathia, Verlander, Kershaw) are getting lots of years.

 

7 year deals for 28 year old pitcher is really risky. especially when you are talking 20M a year.

[o2cui2i]

I don't even have a problem with rolling the dice on very specific targets on 4-5 year deals if your staff needs an arm. If for example, we were entering this offseason with Stroman, Syndergaard, Hutchison, and Sanchez in the rotation, I'd be all for going out and getting a Shields/Masterson/Lester to anchor the staff. Guys with a demonstrated ability to go 200 innings every year. IMO you don't want more than 1-2 pitchers on multi-year deals though, and I don't believe at all in in extending a pitcher until a year before free agency.

 

the 200 innings a year part is what makes Buehrle deal acceptable. he saves the pen a s*** load of innings. Dickey should go over 200 this year as well. without those two the back 3 would be even scarier. Jays have so many guys who have NEVER gotten close to 200 innings.

[Grant77]

I don't think starting Happ in a regular season game is something we can afford to experiment with.

 

I don't think we can afford to overreact to spring training statistics with our lack of pitching depth.

[Chappy]

I don't even have a problem with rolling the dice on very specific targets on 4-5 year deals if your staff needs an arm. If for example, we were entering this offseason with Stroman, Syndergaard, Hutchison, and Sanchez in the rotation, I'd be all for going out and getting a Shields/Masterson/Lester to anchor the staff. Guys with a demonstrated ability to go 200 innings every year. IMO you don't want more than 1-2 pitchers on multi-year deals though, and I don't believe at all in in extending a pitcher until a year before free agency.

 

It's fine if we are talking about the difference between contending and not, or putting the finishing touch on a contender. That being said, I am just weary of such deals when the money could probably be more safely invested into positional players. Teams are handing these deals out to mid rotation guys and that is just risky business.

 

The only time I don't have an issue with it is when you know your team is already f***ed like the Jays. Going all in was crazy, but if you are going to do it then spend spend spend, otherwise you just threw away your window and your future simultaneously.

[o2cui2i]

I've never had a problem with the Buehrle contract. He's not an asset with trade value, but I think he'll come very close to earning his salary over his three years here.

 

the fact that our top 2 will go out every 5th day and pitch 6-8 innings really helps.

 

They've rolled out BS that Hutch has no innings limit this year, but it would be mental to ruin one of the guys who should be a big part of the teams future. the odds of Morrow going a full year aren't' realistic either.

 

there are lots of extra starts that will be available. If Happ would accept a stint in Buffalo, he could help the team when others go down. He's a good 6th or 7th option.... over paid for that ,but for the team it would be very good if he would.