TDotttt2005

A Sports Franchise President/CEO (Not President of Baseball Operations) - is ultimately in charge of the on field and off field success of the team. For the baseball side, usually the CEO/President will hire a VP of Baseball Operations, GM, and have them handle the baseball side, obviously in close communication. Beeston most likely focuses his day-to-day in the realm of finance, marketing, promotion, community outreach, etc. In this case, Beeston also acts as a liason between the Blue Jays and its corporate ownership in Rogers. Beeston was also CEO of Rogers Centre, so the management of the facility is also part of his day to day duties. In other franchises, negotiating and manageing the media deals and relationships are a huge part of the role, but with the left pocket/right pocket Rogers relationship, theres not much to do with that. To use a hockey comparison, think Richard Peddie = Beeston. Theres been some confusion with Job titles recently since there has been 'title inflation' with guys like Friedman and Epstein. In the old days, they'd be the VP of Baseball Operations, GM, and they'd have a Assistant GM. Now, those guys are "President of Baseball Operations" with final say on baseball matters, and guys like Hoyer and Zaidi have GM titles, whereas they're truly functioning in the historical Assistant GM Role. To use another hockey comparison, think Burke = Epstein and Nonis = Hoyer. The WSJ actually did a good article on this: http://www.wsj.com/articles/major-league-baseballs-new-pastime-job-title-inflation-1416247439

Aside from an Econ undergrad degree, he hasn't necessarily worked in a business context inside or outside of baseball. A couple 'hot' names moving up the business-side exec ranks that i'd look out for are: Kelly Cheeseman - Started working for Leiweke at AEG and is now COO of AEG Sports in charge of the Kings and Galaxy. The Leiweke connection could be good and bad. Theres that familiarity with Rogers/AEG, but If tim really is leaving because he disliked working for Rogers and / or Bell then he probably would not recommend a role to a former colleague. That said in this case, he'd only be working for Rogers. Tucker Kain - CFO of the Dodgers, and handpicked by Kasten/Magic/Guggenheim ownership group to come over from Guggenheim to help run the Dodgers. Cleveland kid too, so he'd be closer to home.

Tinnish? I'd think La Cava would be in line for the job before Tinnish. Also, for the President and CEO role, I'd think we would be looking for someone with a business background, as opposed to a "President - Baseball Operations", which AA would be if he were promoted (where he'd pretty much still do the same stuff albeit with a glorified title a la Epstein and Friedman, who still actually report to a President/CEO in Ricketts and Kasten).

Does this have anything to do with the 5-year policy, I wonder? It was reported that Rogers management wanted to dictate to Blue Jays management that they sign Lester, 5-year policy be damned. in the name of boosting their image If Beeston pushed back, then maybe they decided it was time for him to go. This could be nothing, since Beeston's contract is/was up, so it could just be them looking to replace him. The fact that Olney has said 'Actively' makes me wonder if there is a rift that has pushed the issue.

Peter Gammons ‏@pgammo Laugh @"mystery teams," surprise but 3 GMs think there is a serious new entrant on Lester. Must work with Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Given what Bob McCown has said, I really think all of the cards are falling into place. I am not drunk, nor have I been smoking anything, but I have a feeling this may happen. We are currently $19 Million below our $137million payroll of last year, and if you believe Beeston that the payroll is going up, say $5M, thats $24 Million left to spend. If we do 6 years 135, we could bring in Lester on a lower 2015 (Say $15Mil), leaving $9mil + any salary relief from trading Navarro + a possible Dickey move to fill the bullpen holes. Buehrle comes off the books after this season, so the rest of the 'backloaded' Lester salary can slot in there at $24mil, so only a $5 mil raise over Buerhle, and we get a legit ace who has had success in the AL East, and lending credibility to Rogers ownership, which wants to 'woo' the public with its sports properties (according to bobcat). The 5-year policy is still in place, according to AA last week, but if Rogers wants to meddle, and McCown says they do, I can see extending the limit one year happening. This may be wishful thinking, but I am starting to see this happening.

The timing of these 2 moves make me wonder if the Jays were in on Markakis until the last second. When he decided to go home to Georgia, we pulled the trigger on the Saunders deal.

This is good. Very good. He'll hit well in the RC.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carreez01.shtml We signed this bro.

Study is ongoing as far as I know. Says the report is due out this month. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/314443556/is-rogers-telling-us-the-truth-about-when-grass-is

The dude created a Kickstarter in November, and it was fully funded. Stoeten contributed some of his beer money, and wrote about it.

Not that this is a true insider, but he's followed by Gammons. JAYS. Alex Skillin ‏@AlexSkillin 5m5 minutes ago Ah, I see Mystery Team has entered the sweepstakes for Jon Lester.

This guy https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddowe is doing a 'study' about whether they Jays are serious about putting in grass, or if its just Beeston being Beeston,and lying. By way of background, The Toronto Blue Jays announced they plan on installing grass in the Rogers Centre for the 2018 season. That means there is another three seasons of atrocious baseball being played on s***** turf. But there is a risk that this may be delayed even further, and I need your help to find out, and hold the Blue Jay's (and Rogers) collective feet to the fire. Just how early could the Blue Jays, and their very wealthy owner, Rogers get grass installed if they wanted to? Will there be delays? How many more years are we stuck watching the Jays' players suffer injuries on the turf? The Blue Jays have enlisted the assistance of researchers from the University of Guelph to "test and develop the blend of grasses best suited to the Rogers Centre's unique conditions and also the methods by which it will be maintained." But here's the rub. As of October 31, 2014, the agreement with the University of Guelph hasn't been signed yet. They need a good number of growing seasons of experience to determine what works, what doesn't, and what is needed to improve the process. And yet there isn't any contact. It remains entirely possible that despite promises of grass in 2018, that the new turf they're putting in for the next three seasons may end up being used even longer. This is where you come in! I've made an access request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to the University of Guelph, who is assisting Rogers and the Blue Jays in their research, to get all the information Rogers and the Blue Jays have so far shared with them, to see if we can learn more than what we're otherwise being told. Here is the wording of my request for information from the University of Guelph: 1. a copy of the final agreement entered into by the University of Guelph and the Toronto Blue Jays/Rogers Inc., for the purpose of providing the Blue Jays with advice/guidance relating to growing and maintaining turfgrass at the Rogers Centre. [To be provided when the agreement is considered final and signed by both parties.] 2. From January 1, 2014 to present, email correspondence between University of Guelph staff/faculty and the Toronto Blue Jays/Rogers, the subject matter of which deals with (either peripherally or centrally) the timing of when turfgrass can be installed in the Rogers Centre. [Research-related records are not intended to be captured in this request.] 3. From January 1, 2014 to present, records reflecting meeting details (such as attendees, times, locations and agendas); and, any notes taken by University faculty and/or staff attendees during meetings with Rogers or Blue Jays staff and any of their representatives. In responding to my request, the University has come back and explained that they will require $180 to fulfill my request (for those who care, 3 hours of "search time" at $30.00 an hour = $90.00; and 3 hours of "record preparation time" at $30.00 an hour = $90.00). I can't create my blog post without these funds, so please do help! If my project meets the $180 funding goal, then I will publish the information online once I receive it from the University of Guelph, with the assistance of a prominent Toronto Blue Jays blogger who has agreed to help me out. Risks and challenges Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter The risks associated with this project would be that portions of the information I've requested would be subject to being "blacked-out" or redacted because they contain "third party information" or "research related information". In the event that this happens, I will appeal the University's decision to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and go through a formal review so I can make sure the University's decision is consistent with their legal obligations to disclose information. The other risk is that Rogers will attempt to delay the request by asking to withhold information that should rightfully be disclosed. This may also have an impact on the timeliness of providing you all lovely people with the information as well, since this can sometimes take a few months to resolve.

For some reason, I believe what McCown continues to say, that the Jays are going after Lester. Maybe this is a move to clear salary to fit him in (Lower 2015 salary until Buerhle comes off books). If this happens, Dickey+ could be moved to acquire an outfielder. I like that this does signify that more big moves are definitely coming. I wouldve liked to see Estrada non-tendered as well. I know AA likes that he can be a swingman, but there are the Esmil Rogers', Carlos Villanueva's that can give you the same thing and cost far less (I believe Rogers just signed for $1.5m). Estrada is going to be taken yard a hell of a lot.

Estrada does have some value, but not $4.5+ million of value. I was thinking he'd get non-tendered, but with the Jays having done nothing on the RP front, and the fact that AA mentioned him a couple times today, makes me believe he will be on the roster. I think he could be cut in the spring and we'd only be on the hook for 1/6th of his deal??

Has there been any talk about non-tendering Estrada? Projected to make $4.5M+. If they werent prepared to pay McGowan $4M, I don't see them paying Estrada $4.5M unless they know he will start (god forbid)

Cruz doesnt really either, save for last season and one season like 8 years ago. At age 35 onward, I dont see him doing it again either, especially in Safeco.

Because its about total dollars to these guys rather than AAV. If Cruz got the 4th year and more total money, with the same PED taint, no defense, and 4 years older, Melky will most likely not take a 3 year deal, even if its at a higher AAV.

I see this 2 ways. Good for the Jays because it takes away a suitor for Melky's services, and sets a decent AAV benchmark for Melky. On the other hand, Cruz got a 4-year contract for his age 35-38 seasons, which makes me think the Jays will have to give Melky a 4th year, which is something they're allegedly against. Wonder how high AAV they'd have to be at to get him for 3 years? 3yrs 50? Like the Martin deal, at that point, it makes sense to add on the extra year, no?

BREAKING NEWS: Wilner says it was a steal for Blue Jays: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/donaldson-deal-a-stunning-steal-for-blue-jays/

Beginning to look like more of a salary dump. AA said he would've non-tendered him to clear the salary regardless. I'd rather have Lind at $7.5M than Estrada at $4.5 though, and I'd rather have no salary, than Estrada's $4.5M, which could end up being the case if Estrada is non-tendered.

I will go out on a limb, believe that bobcat actually knows something here, and predict that the Jays outbid the Cubs and Bosox for Lester. That will facilitate a Dickey (and his blanket, Thole) trade, clearing his salary, if nothing else.

I believe he has the power, and there is still some left to be unlocked, as he is only 24. He slugged on 30pts less than Donaldson last season in his age 24 injury-riddled season. 25-30 HR power is there. I guess you could argue though, that out of the Coliseum, Donaldson has 35-40HR power. We'll see. Totally agree on plate discipline though.

I will miss Lawrie, but if he reaches his ceiling and has no injuries, he will be Donaldson. In return for taking away that risk we gave up depth pieces in Graveman and Nolin, who's biggest value were as trade chips. Using those chips in a trade for Donaldson is very fine with me. Barreto is tough but he is 18. He could end up making this a great trade for the A's but given his age, I dont think you DONT make this trade because you want to hold on to him. On the flip side, Donaldson is about the same age Reyes was when we acquired him, and look how much he's dropped off, especially defensively, but even offensively, we haven't gotten the elite offensive SS we expected. I feel we have to temper excitement because there definitely is a risk that Donaldson declines like Reyes and we do not get the 6-8 win guy he's been the past 2 seasons.

Sandoval to Red Sox too. 5 years 100m http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/24/report-pablo-sandoval-and-the-red-sox-agree-to-a-five-years-deal-at-close-to-100-million/