jaysblue

Managers are meant to make the decisions which put players in the best position to succeed. The Blue Jays have won 11 straight not because of John Gibbons. The players on the Blue Jays (pitching, and hitting) have won 11 straight because they have been playing great baseball. It's the same with the slow start. It wasn't Gibbons fault, the team played awful. Not discrediting the role Gibbons has done. I think he's been great this year. But the Jays record is clearly an indicator of the way the players have performed.

I like Murphs bat, though defensively he's not the ideal player I'd want at second base.

I said something around Drabek. Both Beckham and Ackely's value have taken hits as well, and Drabek not too long ago was a highly touted prospect coming up similar to Beckham and Ackely. It's not out of the question. The Jays traded Travis Snider for Brad Lincoln last season, and I'm thinking Ackely and Beckham have similar value or maybe just a bit more due to the position they could play.

Beckham wouldn't be bad to take a chance on, or Ackely. I'd do something around Drabek, though not sure both those teams would be interested. Drabek would be a nice fit in Safeco thats for sure.

I think finding a decent bat and glove at 2B should be the main goal. Here are some realistic options that could be on the block (outside of Kinsler and Utley): Michael Young Rickie Weeks Jemile Weeks Gordan Beckham Daniel Murphy Dustin Ackely Howie Kendrick Young could probably be had at a decent price, but not sure he'd be a fit at 2B with the glove. The bat would be a nice improvement, though his defence is what worries me. Daniel Murphy kind of the same thing, but he's younger and might cost more from the Mets. Ackely, Beckham and Jemile Weeks would be guys to buy low on and you would have to cross your fingers that a change of scenario would spark their bats. Likely would have to give up something good, since I doubt those organizations give them up for nothing. If you could pull a Travis Snider/Lincoln type deal, like maybe trading a starter like Drabek etc for one of those guys, it could work. Oakland is rumoured to be shopping Weeks heavily, though their price has been expensive from what I've read. As for Rickie Weeks, he's been a huge disappointment though he does have a track record of success. Maybe a change of scenario sparks his bat. Kendrick likely would be expensive to pursue in a trade.

The Jays won't trade JPA for Brantly, thats for sure. Jason Castro from the Astros would be a nice target, though doubt that happens. I don't think the Jays really do anything behind the plate for the rest of this season. JPA and Thole are the guys they plan to roll with.

+1 Utley seems like the perfect fit if healthy. He likely won't demand the prospects/players of a Kinsler or other names being mentioned like Lucroy on here. He'd be a nice fit on this team.

And who do you suggest the Blue Jays trade for that type of package, let alone one or two of those guys?

I agree that Melky should be placed on the DL. He isn't at 100% and its not like he's hitting well anyways. His OPS is .688 and he's hobbling all over the place. Plus with Reyes coming back, I know the Jays want to still keep Bautista batting second, with EE batting third and Lind batting cleanup. Reyes slides into the leadoff spot, which pushes Cabrera down in the lineup, to either 6th or 7th. I think its an option they explore. As for the pen, its been a team strength and I wouldn't want to mess with it by sending Loup or Wagner down. McGowan has been really useless in the pen, though for sure a team claims him if the Jays try to send him back down. I doubt they DFA Izturis since they are committed to him long term and he's been hitting better. Boni has been a huge disappointment, though I think he's out of options and I think the Blue Jays still like him because he has speed and since he was part of that big deal with the Marlins. Unless you can trade Boni for a prospect etc, the Jays won't lose him for nothing. The two likely scenarios I see are: 1) Cabrera to the DL on Monday; Reyes activated 2) Kawasaki sent down; Reyes activated

Bautista

I will go with J.P. Arencibia. He probably is pissed that he sat out the two games and knowing his ego will want to prove that he is the best catcher in baseball.

I'll go with Thole

If Gose could be a similar hitter to Gardiner I think we all would take that type of production. Needs to get on base more like you said though.

+1 Colby has a beautiful swing, agreed. Sometimes he looks just completely lost at the plate and swings at bad pitches. But when he makes solid contact, its a nice swing! Looked good against Darvish today.

Colby was at the Underground last night I heard and got completely annihilated haha. He had a good game though this afternoon and looked good against Darvish today.

There's a site that lists all the hotels visiting teams stay at. Not sure the exact link. I know some teams like Baltimore stay at Harbour Castle, and I think the Yankees stay somewhere up in Yorkville, and a couple of teams do stay at the Hyatt on Avenue and Bloor. The Sheraton is a likely destination as well.

+1 This is why I hate reading these threads. Every poster on here thinks they know everything about each draftee and say oh AA should have went after this guy, or that guy. Most of us have read about these guys whether scouting reports from BA or ESPN or Keith Law, or maybe have watched some YouTube clips on them for about a minute or two though thats about it. We don't know as much as AA and his scouts do so to say well the Blue Jays should have made this pick over that pick is foolish. Unless some posters on here have actually scouted that player in real life or watched him pitch or hit live, then I can understand.

Rasmus for Luke Hochevar. Similar to the Travis Snider/Brad Lincoln deal last summer. AA will say Rasmus just wasn't figuring out here and that Hochevar was a former 1st overall pick and has pitched excellent out of the bullpen and gives them a power arm who they control for the next three years etc.. lol

You would likely have him for age 40 season by the end of it. There saying the Yankees could give Cano a 7 year deal worth $180-$200 million, and if they are ready to propose that, the Jays have to beat that significantly for Cano to consider coming here. Don't see it happening, and I'm shocked some posters here are living on cloud nine even suggesting the Jays go after Cano which is a pipe dream.

Cano is not coming to Toronto, lets all be realistic. I don't want the Jays to sign him to a 7 year deal worth close to $180-$200 million which is what a lot of people think he'll demand and get from the Yankees. There is no way the Yankees let him go - with all aging stars like Jeter, A-Rod etc, Cano is their franchise player. Ian Kinsler is a more realistic option.

These umps are just wanting the spotlight. Its awful some of the calls, ejections this season. Just ridiculous.

I'm not sure the A's would part with Doolittle for Bonafacio lol. I bet AA takes on a fireballer with control problems haha. Boni for Henry Rodriguez of the Nats. Book it! I could see AA making that type of deal for Boni haha.

I don't think Reyes would go to second base. You don't ask Reyes to move to second for Kawasaki I agree lol. Though I don't think Chappy meant it like that.

Boni is traded for a reliever. Book it!

Hosmer would be a good buy low. Like you said if KC is in the race, I could see them dangling him. Rasmus would be a nice fit there and Lind has hit well this season. Kind of like how the Jays went out and got Rasmus two years ago from St. Louis. I could see the Tigers wanting someone like Reyes. He would be the ultimate fit there, leading off ahead of Hunter, Cabrera, Fielder, V-Mart etc. Not sure the Blue Jays would trade him in 2014 unless they get a young shortstop back from somewhere else. I'd definitely trade Bautista or EE for Profar though I'm not sure Texas wants to trade him. Like I said in another thread, I think the Jays have a better chance at acquiring Kinsler than Profar. Buehrle always said he wanted to pitch in St. Louis so it could be a possibility, especially with Garcia done until 2014.