jaysblue

Insane? I never thought he'd come close to repeating the success he had in 2012 moving from Citi Field to the Rogers Centre and AL East. People who expected that were insane. Not saying Dickey has been a disaster - far from it. He's still a solid pitcher and has proven durable which is what I love about him. His strong second half was very promising and I expect him to provide great value over the next two seasons still. I just prefer younger arms - my own personal opinion. Samardzija is not that bad as many people are making him out to be - I find it irrational how people think he's just average. I'd feel comfortable in saying Samardzija likely would be the Jays best pitcher if they went out & acquired him.

I never viewed Dickey's season as a disaster. I think he's a solid piece in the rotation, though he's no ace as many posters on here thought he would be after the Jays acquired him last offseason. I just prefer younger arms with upside - my own personal opinion.

Purely on emotion? I'm a pretty logical and very rational thinker when it comes to discussing baseball. I like Dickey and don't get me wrong I still think he'll provide value over the next two seasons if healthy. He's no ace as he was advertised or what people believed last season. I view him more as a very solid No. 3, borderline No. 2 starter. I was impressed by his strong second half, so I think he's adjusted to the AL just fine. Though he's not pitching half of his games at Citi Field anymore, and that definitely showed this season with the alarming HR rate. As for Samardzjia, I prefer younger arms with upside over 40-year-olds, just my opinion. Samardzija is a very good pitcher, his stuff is electric. He did have 214 K's this season which is quite impressive and nothing to sneeze at. Taken that he's just entering his prime, and the room for potential growth I'd prefer Samardzija. That's just my opinion. I think you're irrational for saying Samardzija is just average.

I'd take a younger arm like Samardzija over Dickey any day of the week. I didn't expect Dickey to come anywhere close to repeating his success as an NL Cy Young winner especially pitching in the AL East.

Yeah though there is a difference when it comes to Shark and Dickey. Trading two elite prospects for a 39-year-old knuckleballer was just idiotic.

Agreed. I had this debate with Santos last night. I said I'd rather keep Stroman since he's had success at the higher levels and is an MLB arm versus Sanchez. Stroman might not have the upside Sanchez has though I'd be comfortable to bet Stroman becomes the better pitcher at the MLB level.

So many things can happen from now till 2018, so I would. Sanchez oozes with potential, though he's just a prospect and he's one that comes with huge risk. If Sanchez ever becomes the pitcher Shark was, I'd be more than happy - though that's far from a guarantee. Plus with the Jays window to supposedly contend over these next two seasons, I'd rather have a pitcher like Shark who is still young and who still has some potential growth over the next 2 seasons then wait on Sanchez to develop into a No. 3-4 by 2018.

Any pitcher that is a FA in real life. So even Tanaka once he signs as well. We took over real MLB team rosters, so I completely overhauled the Blue Jays especially to get under the 100 M cap.

That start in 2004 against Boston in late August in which he had 13 K's was a gem! He was a really underrated pitcher.

I know Desmond and Lawrie can get very high returns that's for sure. It's a really high price for a pitcher even Jose. If it was Mike Trout, then maybe different story. Thanks for the input guys haha!

Yeah I know. The tough part would be replacing Desmond at short. Peralta, Drew would be FA options. As for third basemen, not sure there's (Mark Reynolds, Youk etc). I'd have enough cap space to sign someone like McCann, Salty, Pierz, Ruiz etc. As for pitching, well I could likely sign a FA starter like Nolasco, Johnson, Santana, Garza etc. It's tough replacing Desmond and Lawrie though.

Off topic question: In this 30-team salary dynasty league I'm in would you do this deal: I trade: SS Ian Desmond (arb, arb) SP Jon Niese (7M 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) 3B Brett Lawrie (PreArb) SP Brandon Morrow (9 M) C Wellington Castillo (PreArb) I get: SP Jose Fernandez (0.5 M) Its tough trading Desmond. As for Lawrie I don't think he's anything special in fantasy baseball as in real life. I save money by moving Niese and Morrow, who I should be able to replace through free agency.

I'd be interested in writing for the blog if you're looking for some writers. I had my own baseball blog with the Varsity at UofT. http://extrainning.thevarsity.ca

Don't know if this has been posted already, though Ted Lilly decided to retire. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/left-hander-ted-lilly-announces-retirement?ymd=20131127&content_id=64259390&vkey=news_mlb

Navarro has a career .684 OPS and really his only two good years offensively were in 2007 and last season. I was talking about offensive skills overall which is why I said "contracts aside" with no intentions of suggesting the Jays should sign the one or the other. Also, where have I said I wanted the Jays to sign Salty at $8-9 million AAV? I've just been playing devil's advocate since most posters on this board were all crying and wishing the Jays signed Ruiz to the deal he signed with the Phillies, though when mentioning Salty's name with the same terms everyone on here started saying Salty was as bad as JPA and freaking out. I've stated numerous times I hope the Jays trade for Ryan Hanigan or a go for a cheaper option behind the plate rather then spend close to $8-9 million AAV on a Ruiz or Salty so they could use that $ elsewhere like pitching. As for Steamer projections, they aren't the be-all and end-all. I think with almost every post regarding a FA or trade, I've read "Steamer projects this or that" when posters are trying to support their arguments. And it seems like many are now discrediting Steamers projections on Salty which is what I found ironic. In my opinion, I doubt Navarro comes close to having the season he just had or even something resembling his 2007 season.

If Nolasco was going to sign in the AL, the Twins are a great fit for him. Spacious ballpark, AL Central lineups. I don't think he would have been the best fit in Toronto.

Arroyo would be eaten alive at the Rogers Centre and in the AL East.

Contracts aside, I'd take Salty's bat over Navarro's any day of the week.

Salty isn't my first preference as well. I'm just playing devil's advocate here with everyone since I'm shocked on how irrational some posters are. Many were saying Ruiz was such a bargain, though Salty at the same price wasn't. I think the Jays are better on using that money elsewhere to improve the club such as the rotation. I've been on the Hanigan bandwagon since Day 1 lol.

Where did I say Salty is a great defender? I know defensively he isn't that good behind the plate. Though he managed to post a 3.6 WAR last season according to FanGraphs and Steamers projects a 3 WAR from him in 2014. He's also only 28, and has more of an offensive ceiling then Ruiz. So if posters on here were saying Ruiz was a bargain, wouldn't Salty be a bargain as well at that same price? Unless there is something wrong with FanGraphs and Steamers projections?

No you haven't mate lol

Isn't that considered a bargain? If Ruiz was a bargain at that AAV, then shouldn't Salty be as well?

So something then is wrong with FanGraphs and Steamers projections? I thought having a WAR of 3.6 is pretty darn good for a catcher. I'm just playing this side of the argument.

There wasn't a drastic difference between his home/road splits. Also, I'm sure his bat would play at the Rogers Centre just fine.

I've got Travis d'Arnaud mate, and Yan Gomes warming the seat for him