Hipfan

Totally agree with this. The Marlins trade fell in his lap and who wouldn't take that trade? It hasn't worked out as expected but I also don't think it is as bad as people on this board make it out to be. Marisnick hasn't done anything, neither has Syndergaard, while TDA is starting to make his way in the league, it's still too early to tell about any of those guys. Alvarez is the only real surprise but I wonder if he would be as successful in the AL east as he is in the NL. If the Jays were playing those guys over what they have now, I don't believe they would have been in the thick of the playoff race like they were last year.

Glad to hear about plans to change Sanchez's delivery. It's so short right now it's an injury waiting to happen, but at least they have plans to alter it in the future.

Reading the article, and it notes the top prospect from the last 10 years. Wow...they have practically been all busts; Adam Lind is the best MLB player from the list. The last three years are d'Arnaud, Sanchez and Norris, so it's too early to tell for those guys, but man the Jays haven't developed many decent players over the last few years.

Jays had the highest payroll during the WS years. $55 Million IIRC for 1993.

I wouldn't say Navarro is the worst, he's got a decent bat and the pitchers like throwing to him. He's not an everyday catcher though, so the Jays really need to improve the position, and while it would be great to sign Martin, it's not likely due to AA unwillingness to play the FA game. I also read the Montero may be on the block, so there may be some other options out there to upgrade at catcher.

Not getting my hopes up, but it would be a nice signing: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/blue-jays-have-discussed-signing-russell-martin.html

Yes, last year of that deal, if I'm not mistaken.

Interesting read...I have to say I've been impressed with Stroman this year and if he can be 1/2 the pitcher of Maddux he will be good. Here's hoping he keeps improving next year and does become our "ace".

I signed up on Father's Day, it was $60 (Father's Day sale) and totally worth it. I will probably do the same next year.

Yep, he's got to man up and pay the price, or move on. He complained that he overpaid Navarro, right after he signed him. That spoke volumes to me. If you are complaining about spending 4 mil and you're running an MLB team, perhaps you need to move on. I remember the whole Darvish fiasco, and AA again made the "dollars vs value" argument. Everyone knew what it would take to sign him (100 mil+) but the Jays didn't want to go their. Same with Tanaka; why even bother looking into him when you know you won't offer what it takes to land him... It's too bad because everyone was pumped when the news leaked that Jays had won the Darvish bidding...I remember checking the net like crazy to see if they landed him. Everyone was super excited, then there was a huge let down. I should have learned then that the organization wasn't for real, but the MIA trade sucked me back in...imagine if Darvish was in our rotation...certainly wouldn't have needed the Dickey trade and could have used those assets to fill other holes. What if...what if...

I'm not sure why everyone is bagging on AA; while he's made some questionable personnel decisions, and his player evaluation needs some work (imo), I think he's done a decent job overall. The real issue is ownership; they knew payroll had to go up due to the backloaded Marlins contracts, but they didn't prepare for that, or were not willing to expand payroll when it was clear that improvements were needed. How Rogers does not realize the opportunity before them is beyond me. If the Jays make the playoffs that would be an incredible boost to the bottom line. They clearly need a solution at 2nd, and maybe even 3rd base, but there is no money available to do that. I feel that the season is coming to a very quick end because the Jays weren't willing to add payroll at the deadline to shore up the holes on the team. I'd love to see ownership man up, go out and get Lester/Shields, and a solid 2nd basemen (at least) for next year. A rotation of Lester/Stro/Dickey/Hutch/Buehrle would be pretty solid, with Sanchez and Norris waiting in the wings. Maybe you deal one of Hutch/Sanchez/Norris to land a quality 2nd basemen...wouldn't mind seeing a Zorbrist/Dozier/Murphy though not sure what it would take to land a player like that. Or maybe take a risk on Sandoval as a FA and move Lawrie to 2nd...

I'm thinking he will get around 15m aav...there is a lot of money in baseball. I'd be happy with 3 yrs at that price.

My thoughts exactly...if that's all it takes there is no way you turn down that trade. And Bowden said Sanchez doesn't have Cy Young potential, which seems a little ridiculous. He has the most upside of the "big three" the Jays had. If he can get better command he is basically an ace.

It sure seems like this year is different; past teams would have folded and been happy with taking 2 of 3, but this years squad is laying the hammer down and finishing off sweeps. I thought once they lost those two to the Royals, things would come back to earth, but the Jays picked things right back up and are playing like a real contender.

Your first point never would happen under the leadership of Beeston (I'm not going there), so it's moot. The Jays have consistently stated they prefer the trade market. Plus, to keep things on topic, I'm not a huge fan of Alvarez; he should have a much higher strikeout rate for the pure stuff that he has. Maybe he develops this as he gets older, but maybe not. At least with Beurhle he's a proven commodity. They Jays may also be willing to increase payroll; they have stated as much and there's no reason to believe otherwise, with the way the season is going. I guess my point is that we have proven veterans that are playing well, and there is no way they are in first place had they not given up guys like Alvarez. He may be a great pitcher in the future, but I don't understand why so many people are willing to mortgage the present for the possibility of the future. If you have a chance to make a win now trade, like the Marlins deal, you should be all over it. It turned the Jays into instant contenders, and isn't that what we all want? It didn't turn out great last year, but it sure is working this year.

Agreed with Terminator... now is the time to buy. You never know when you will have another shot to win, and this year is shaping up very nicely.

I don't know why people rag on the Marlins trade, I think it has worked out great for the Jays. While Johnson was a bust, Beurhle has been as advertised and while Reyes was injured last year he is paying dividends this year. Alvarez would not have the same numbers in the AL. He is decent, but I would take Beurhle over him. People are over valuing prospects these days. The Jays are for real this year, and that trade has a lot to do with it. As Herm Edwards said "you play to win the game", not develop prospects. I wasn't on board with the Dickey trade, but that doesn't seem too bad now. If the Jays make the playoffs, those trades were definitely worth it. Let's go get Smardija (sp), I have no problem giving up Sanchez for a guy like that. Keep Stroman though, he is proving to be a solid major leaguer.