ElNik2013

And you thought the pitching would be THIS bad? I highly doubt it.

Good opportunity to stretch out Castro and send him down to Dunedin to start.

I hope not, don't want to see him overpay again.

You thought Hutchison would be this bad?

It starts with Hutchison. You expect more from him. Certainly, Francis has to be given less rope there, but s*** happens. Let's face it, the Indians gifted the Jays several runs so let's see the offense put up some on their own.

Maybe 'cause last year it was a 30+ start sample size vs a 5-6 start SS so far this year, in April weather?

So the 2 clowns advise the blue jays to re-think their shift since they think the Indians are taking advantage of it so naturally, Murphy hits one that would've been a hit if not for defensive positioning!

Captain Obvious here, Travis is so impressive. But really, yesterday he had 2 walks and his PA's are really impressive, especially laying off sliders low and away. He has hit the ball all over the field, but his ability to pull fastballs on the inside corner is pretty freakin' impressive. SSS and all.

This is coming from the team's manager who said he's just a winner.

I feel they're playing better, but that's why they play 162 games, it'll straighten itself out. This is an over .500 team barring major, long term injuries. We'll see what happens.

SN was showing 2 out throughout Bautista's AB.

Sitting around during that long top of the 6th could've affected Sanchez. On the other hand, we know he's always walked a lot of guys. As frustrating as it is to watch Sanchez, it must be 10x more frustrating for him to not be able to throw the ball where he'd like to. As far as sending him to the minors, I would guess they must feel they can help him more at the big league level. I only watched from the 4th on, but his curveball seemed very good today. I think I saw a couple of change-ups, but no sliders. I thought they should've taken him out after the first walk in the 6th 'cause he sat around for that long top of the 6th, but I understand trying to get him through the 6th.

The lack of patience with a long-term plan seems to go beyond AA's tenure though, at least it seems to me. AA has proven to be bad at managing a roster, among a few other things. Anyway...

AA drafted or acquired via trade 5 of the 8 players you listed. Most of the players listed above wouldn't have contributed much in 2013 and 2014. So, given the state of the team at the time of the trades, they would've likely been expected to lose between 90-100 games in 2013. Losing that many games in 2013 would've likely given them a top 5 pick in 2014 and possibly another top pick after the 2014 season which may not have been much better. I think we can see that the team was being rebuilt relatively well. The big thing is, why change course and go "all-in" after 2012? AA must bear full responsibility for negotiating the Marlins and Mets trades. I am, however, leery of the way this franchise is run from the very top to the point of suspecting the change of direction coming from the top in an attempt to avoid a huge drop in attendance and tv ratings. Even during this past off season, why not just make the management changes and get it over with? Instead, ownership fumbled the Duquette courtship and ended up with a lame-duck F/O which must see clearly that it is not wanted long term. Anyway, it's early...

That's fine. I'm looking at next year. I did suggest in the offseason that the Jays look around to see what they could get for him. Maybe include him in a Hamels deal? In terms of the long-term, I'll believe it when I see this team commit to and stick to a long-term plan. In the meantime, 3-year windows it is.

This confirms it, Hutchison's dead.

So what are the blue jays waiting for to promote Boyd to Buffalo?

AA took on Reyes and Buehrle's contracts and still gave up a nice package.

AA good, ain't he? Look at all the talent he acquired since he took over.

Would it be so egregious to give Smoak some ABs over either Bautista or EE right now? For one, Bautista is nursing a sore shoulder and for 2, EE don't look right.

And Castro > Cecil?

Gibbons on not pinch hitting for Thole:

It's sort of nuts, but I doubt many pitchers, let alone the top ones, would have the Jays at the top of their list. By the same token, I only know of Anibal Sanchez as a top FA SP that AA reportedly pursued so who knows.

Is Smoak dead?

Wow. This is something else...pinch hitting for Saunders but not for Thole? ?