TheHurl

and the Goins/Izturis era begins

whoo hoo! Price looking good. Increase that trade value

I was going to change my avatar to a pic of GSnarls in a Rays jersey.

you think his head shrunk because of this thread?

That's so cute that you go to the movies with your Mom.

I'm a baseball fan first and foremost. The Jays are a geographic convenience for me. Honestly a lot of what I'm saying today is true...but I'm saying it in a very tongue-in-cheek way. In between me leaving my job and returning to school I spent 2 years watching baseball, mostly minor league ball. The only teams I made sure I watched every game were the Jays affiliates and if I'm in the position to do so again this summer I will watch every Buffalo, Lansing and NH game on TV. In that way I'm kind of an enigma as I truly want to see future Jays...but I couldn't care less about the team that the Jays are throwing out there.

Owners should only be there to collect cheques and say "yes". Presidents should be there to wave to the crowd and take press conferences when important GM'ing work is getting done.

I choose not to stay in an equal relationship. I have needs and expectations. The Jays F.O. didn't fulfill them. Rather than cheat I chose to dump the team, but I keep them close in case they ever change.

we're all in Toronto.

Honestly if the scenario right now was the Rays vs. Jays, I'm probably cheering for the Rays. Against any other team I'm probably cheering for the Jays cause I know just contending is keeping AA around anyway. What I don't understand is that for the past year and a half (or longer) BTS and I have been the most critical two about the moves made, specifically pointing out that they aren't made for long term success. But then most think it's insane that we won't support every aspect of this team. I realize what a playoff run would do for this team financially and keeping spending up into the upper half of the league, but that's not going to change my views about how to run a team. I know you can't start a long time playoff run without the first one...but I really struggle to see this org making that kind of run.

at least now I know I'll be wearing my Rays shirt for one of the opening weekend games.

I've always talked about wanting long tern success. I honestly in my heart believe that we can't have that with AA and Beeston in the fold. How is that any different than someone wanting a better 2B or a better pitcher for their team. In my opinion the GM is the most important person to a baseball teams success...so I want a better GM in place. A one year fluke playoff run makes that an impossibility. It's odd cause I'm a very loyal guy, just not with my sports teams.

I somewhat agree. A few guys I really liked reading go over there...but then again I haven't read them since they went.

Kind of! I stay for the sake of the kids. Then the kids were taken from me...well they left me with the annoying one with the tattoo's.

my brain and my heart likes the Rays, my body is in Toronto. To explain myself best is difficult. I grew up an Expos and Jays fan (with Expos number one). For some reason when the Jays switched to the Dome I went away from the Jays and while i loved some aspects of those early 90's Jays...I grew a hatred for the "new fans". When those fans went away...and the Expos went with them I came back to the Jays. I've always been a fan of front offices though. I can't bring myself to cheer this front office. Then you add in that Rays hired an acquaintance (friend of a friend you could say), my love for the Rays grew. But the people here on this board are my family (before you all think I'm going soft, there are many members of my family that I dislike), and I stay here for the people. As soon as certain people are removed from the Jays front office I'll be back.

Technically as the first member of the board...this is my home.

a starting staff where the youngest pitcher is 24 and the oldest is 28, with two young lefties in AAA (along with one old one). Two platoons to the bring the best out of four average but versatile players. They will struggle to score at times but damn right I'm excited for the season. GO RAYS!

Sure can...have your own PitchFX type data.

I just posted a BA report showing them reporting him as a good defender. As with most cases when a player gets moved around in the minors they get a rep for being bad defenders (think Lawrie). He got to catch 172 games with us, we never really gave him a chance. I find it hard to believe that the reports now are that he's a good defensive catcher are solely based on people looking at metrics and assuming it's true. He got rave reviews last season from just about everyone.

Like I said I see Gomes being very Alex Avila like for the next bit of his career. Sadly that would make him the second best catcher this organization has ever seen. All these veteran catchers, and a veteran back up 3B last year...maybe could have been covered by one player (and we could have carried another catcher on the 40 man). Although if Gomes stayed in Toronto I somehow doubt we'd ever have the breakout. As for AJJ, I really like him. But he's shown nothing that points him towards a league average bat. His value is in his defense....whereas Gomes also appears to have that defensive value. Now why did the Jays not see that defense?

For comparison JPA after his first taste of the majors. The 21st overall pick in 2007, Arencibia has hit 82 homers in three full pro seasons since signing for $1,327,500. LASIK surgery improved his night vision and helped him raise his Triple-A numbers from .236/.284/.444 in 2009 to .301/.359/.626 last season, earning him Pacific Coast League MVP honors. Called to Toronto in August, he became the first player in modern baseball history to collect four hits and two homers in his big league debut. Afterward, he went 1-for-30 with 11 strikeouts. Arencibia's carrying tool is his power to all fields, which is at least above-average and draws 70 grades on the 20-80 scale from some scouts. He overswings at times and isn't terribly disciplined at the plate, so he may not hit for a high average. His defense also is in question. He has solid arm strength but threw out just 23 percent of PCL basestealers. His receiving and blocking skills are improving, though just average at best, and he can get lackadaisical at times. He has below-average speed but isn't terrible for a catcher. John Buck made his first all-star team in 2010, but he departed as a free agent to the Marlins, leaving Arencibia as the favorite to win the catching job out of spring training in 2011.

BA write up on Gomes after 2012 Gomes was a highly regarded recruit for Tennessee, but transferred to NCAA Division II Barry (Fla.) for his junior season. He hit .405 with 21 homers and a school-record 92 RBIs before signing with the Blue Jays for $85,000 in the 2009 draft. He became the first Brazilian ever to play in the major leagues when he reached Toronto last May. In November, he joined the Indians along with Mike Aviles in a trade for Esmil Rogers before playing for Brazil in a World Baseball Classic qualifier. Gomes generates good bat speed that produces solid power. His hands are high in his load, which can create a little length to his swing, but he's pretty direct to the ball and has shown the ability to make adjustments. Gomes' primary position is catcher, and he has seen action on both infield corners and brief time in left field. He has good hands and feet that allow him to provide solid defense behind the plate. He also has an average arm and threw out 23 percent of Triple-A basestealers in 2012. He's a below-average runner but moves decently for his size. Gomes may not quite profile as a regular, but he could be useful as a backup catcher who can play multiple positions and provide power.

I joke about chemistry a lot but I do believe that negative chemistry can probably affect a team and players. I don't believe that good chemistry can make an untalented team, talented. Talent trumps all.

I know with 100% certainty that the Jays knew they were moving TdA at that point.

AA should have acquired chemistry.