204Jays

Probably trying to soften the blow on the Mets trade.

IMO, Lacava is someone you want to keep in the org as a buffer - knows everyone, good with people, etc - but as a GM you want some forward thinking, effective communicator, leader. No disrespect to the man, but he comes off as old school.

WAR in the FA market costs about ~$10MM per. It's very hard for players to efficiently produce to justify that type of salary in the short term, compound that with players entering FA are in their late 20's/early 30's with the expectation that some players deteriorate much quickly than others and you have a highly inefficient market. IMO, that's where this whole Small vs. Big market debate starts. In Cleveland, he literally was penny pinching the roster - they could barely afford to swing and miss. In Toronto, to quote Shapiro's reference to "risk aversion" does that translate to a increased willingness to gamble on players - production-wise, health, etc.? A "role model" franchise is probably the Cards and even then they rely predominantly on internal development. I've said this a few times and I'll say it again, AA going for it was great in the sense that we saw the potential market at the gates, TV ratings etc. but it was never sustainable. He could never live up to the hype on that model which is why I suspect he left on "top" - that and a combination of Shapiro grilling him on the empty cupboard he would leave behind.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/billion-dollar-billy-beane/

Personally, I am very excited about the Shapiro era. Going to be interesting to see how he adapts his success with a small market team/mindset (and from my opinion, he was very successful given his parameters at Cleveland) to the Blue Jays. From what I've gathered about him: - -Shapiro was the architect of an internal analytic software (D-Zone?) and some were worried that he may bring that software here. -His major sticking point with FA's isn't necessarily the X price tag in Year 1,2 and hopefully 3, its the final years where teams are still paying them for today's price tag at what can be drastically reduced production.

After reading the Fox article on Shap, the philosophical differences seem poignant. In that interview, Shap is mindful (borderline neurotic) on his trades and budget in a way that would never mesh with AA. No disrespect to AA, but I dont get that sense from him. I see AA as a more aggressive type of GM that is willing to try things out and fix them them retroactively if they blow up.

The more I think about it, the more Im ok with AA leaving. He's gone nearly broke with his prospect currency and knew his value wouldnt be any higher than it is today. Our starting rotation is gonna take overspending if the FA market to be more than passable barring Osuna and Sanchez moving successfully and were in a similar position with our position players after next year.

Maybe this happened.... Shap: "Whats your plan after 2016?" AA: "...." Shap: "Im sure you know where the door is"

Part of me is angry AA is leaving. Forget the money he was/wasn't offered by us or someone else. He literally bet the farm on this season, to walk away seems cheap. That's like making a bet you never intend on paying back.

f*** this is one of those situations were I was hoping my gut was wrong. Really sad to see AA leave. He will be on his feet in no time.

Have to disagree. Obviously no one is "irreplaceable" however look at what AA has done. He's developed a scouting/farm system that has produced sought after talent. That talent has provided young contributing pieces developed internally and the ability to acquire proven veterans (many of which I have trouble believing a typical GM would be able to acquire). Many pundits and GMs were shocked to find JD and Tulo were on the market and praised the deals for acquiring said players. Is his resume perfect? No, but you got to respect his ability to get deals done.

I dont get that at all. Imo, Beeston is leaving on his own terms. What does concern me is his reluctance to divulge anything, saying only he'll talk about it some day and that he hopes it works out. To me, that isnt the context or demeanor of someone who sounds positive regarding AA's contract status.

Misleading? Per quote: "So is he irreplaceable? No."

Halloween is fast approaching and nothing out of Blue Jay camp other than "no comment" until yesterday. Beeston was quoted yesterday saying the following: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-anthopoulos-beeston-1.3292271 Is anyone else getting the impression there may be an impasse between the Jays and AA that may be irreversible?

What are the odds AA doesnt get resigned? Tbh, Im surprised nothing has been announced yet.

How do we not manufacture one run there

Hopefully bats pick up, gonna need 7+ runs to win this the way Proce looks.

Is it just me or does Fox's Strike Zone never seem accurae

Its clearly a judgment call, as an umpire, do you really want to decide the game on a botched play?

This may sound premature, but given RA's propensity to blow up, I hope we have an arm warming up already.

Havent you been asking ridiculous prices for your tickets? Just saying

Any tickets available for GAME 2? PM me if you do. Will by flying in from Winnipeg. Stubhub has them for 95USD per ticket, hoping to avoid fees

Looking for 2 tickets (side by side) for alds GAME 2

If anyone has any tickets to any games available, please PM me!

How does Barry Davis have a job still