5 thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays 2015 Season - Prediction Edition - Special Guest thinker....My Wife

So the long and drawn out spring training pre-season has come and gone and we are now finally ready to play baseball for real and not for fake!

So that being said I will do my best to put forward 5 Predictions for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball clubs upcoming season that will more than likely never even come close to happening proving once again that I don't get paid for this for a reason.

To add some fun into this year`s prediction post I've invited my Wife to provide her two cents in so she ultimately humiliate me and show me that I actually don`t know anything about Baseball.

Prediction #1 - How many games will the Toronto Blue Jays win in 2015?

GWLBaseball - 89 games - Being the homer that I am, I have this team make the playoffs this year.  The players that were brought in during the off season provide different elements of a winning baseball team and couple that with the number of years of taking high risk talent through the draft and that talent finally coming to pass the team has a great chance to take a big step forward and battle for a playoff spot all year.

GWLBaseball Wife - 101 - Because it's not ridiculousness and I have a more more positive outlook on things

Prediction # 2 - Who will be the team's MVP?

GWLBaseball - Josh Donaldson.  What else can I say other than he`s going to murder baseball`s this year.  Coming from Oakland from that massive pitcher friendly ball park, coming into the Homer Dome that is the Roger`s Centre, playing the majority of his away games in small hitter friendly AL East ball parks, hitting behind two guys who are going to give him the most protection that he has ever gotten in a line-up and being an unreal defender is going to lead to a season that the Blue Jays have been sorely missing from 3rd base for god knows how long.

GWLBaseball Wife - Donaldson, cause he hit a home run last night!

Prediction # 3 - Who will be the Jays most valuable pitcher?

GWLBaseball - R.A. Dickey.  I like where R.A. has trended over the course of the past two years with the Blue Jays.  I think there was some feeling out periods with the change of leagues and also being labeled with the challenge of being the teams "Ace", but that being said I think he's comfortable with where he is with the team and he sees this as the best opportunity for him to excel.

GWLBaseball Wife - Drew Hutchison - Because we have him on our fantasy baseball team.

Prediction # 4 - Which of the 2015 Blue Jays Rookie class will excel under the bright lights of "The Show?

GWLBaseball - Miguel Castro.  So it's fair to say that one of the areas that is still the most uncertain for the Blue Jays is their Bullpen and to be quite honest I don't see Brett Cecil sticking around all year as the team's closer, so all that being said I think if your able to throw in a dynamic young pitcher that can throw strikes, change speeds, and is still probably too young to realize what situation he's in fully you have the a player that can stabilize the bullpen......maybe....

GWLBaseball Wife - Dalton Pompey.  Patriotism

Prediction # 5 - Will Alex Anthopoulos get fired during or at the end of the season?

GWLBaseball - The only way that Alex Anthopoulos doesn't get fired at the end of the year is if the Jays make the post season, which is really too bad as we are now really starting to see the fruits of his tenure with the organization.  I won't go into details on how he's been able to build the organization into something sustainable year after year after the mess that the Ricciardi era left it in, but with Beeston leaving and a new President and CEO coming in if they don't win I can't see how the new guy in charge doesn't want to start off fresh with his own guy.

GWLBaseball Wife - I still say yes, because they should be winning and they keep fucking loosing.  They are going to fire him and hire Brad Pitt and some young College guy.

Well that was fun...We'll see where we are at in July!  Here's hoping to October Baseball!

5 Thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays - Roster Announcement Edition -

So it looks like the Blue Jays will announce their 2015 roster on Tuesday! Here are some of the things that I think we might see!

1.  Rotation Order - I would be insulating if I didn't assume that the average fan didn't already know the 5 guys who will be making up the Blue Jays rotation this year, but the order that they are going to appear in is another thing.  Drew Hutchison looks to get the start in NYC on the 6th.  Makes sense.  Good record against the Yanks, a good step forward for a young kid and I think he'll be up to the challenge.   From there probably RA Dickey on day two in NYC.  What I don't like here is that he has to start a night game in April, but the other option is to start him in Baltimore and he doesn't pitch well there, so I guess this is ok.  Daniel Norris will probably finish out the Yankees series which makes sense as throwing a LHP against a heavy LH hitting line-up.   The team then leaves for Baltimore and the Orioles home opener. Giving Buerhle the ball here works and keeps him from pitching in NYC which is pretty much a burial ground for him.  That leaves Sanchez for game two against the Orioles.   Not bad...I like it.

2.  If there's anyone out there that doesn't think Devon Travis isn't starting the season as the 2nd baseman is fooling themselves.  Gibby was on PTS today and only had good things to say, now i'm not taking this as gospel, but I would think this is a given.  I guess the bigger question is what happens to Travis once Izturis is all fixed up and ready to go?

3. Who makes up the bench on opening day?  Well we heard John Gibbons today say that they will not be taking 3 catchers north so that pretty much means that Thole will be in Buffalo.  Steve Tolleson is out of options and Valencia can actually hit so Super Utility infielder Ryan Goins will also be in Buffalo if they indeed decide to go with a 7 man bullpen, but I think it's going to be an 8 man pen until Saunders is activated off the DL and they send one of the Bullpen guys over the peace bridge.  So...Bench on April 6th.  Navarro, Valencia and Tolleson.  When Saunders is activated Navarro, Valencia, Tolleson and Pillar.

*Only thing I don't like here is that there's no real guy who can cover SS if needed.

4.  So looks as if they Jays will indeed go with an 8 Man pen to start the season more as a way to try to sneak a player back to Buffalo when Saunders comes back.  Anyway here is my Bullpen.

• Brett Cecil
• Aaron Loup
• Marco Estrada
• Miguel Castro
• Roberto Osuna
• Todd Redmond
• Colt Hynes
• Liam Hendriks

Love that there's three LHP in there!  Love that the kids are there, still think it's great to throw guys know one has ever seen before in quick spurts, makes it harder for teams to get a read on them. When it's time for Saunders to come back, I think it's pretty clear that it's Hendriks that they try to sneak back to Buffalo.

5.  So I was planning on using this part to talk about how Justin Smoak was going to win the battle between him and Derick Barton for the 1st base job.  Well low and behold Barton was assigned to minor league camp earlier today and that means that Smoak is coming to the Big Smoke.  Much has been said about Smoak's stellar defence and how it will help out the Left Side of the infield, but I really do think his bat is going to come alive in Toronto.  

Love this time of the year! #cometogether #gojaysgo

5 Quick thoughts on the Blue Jays on Sunday Morning

Here I go!

1.  Looks like Alex Anthopoulos was out 1st hand the other day watching Jonathan Papelbon in a game against the Yankees!  Is there anything to this?   I doubt it unless the Phillies are going to be giving him away for practically nothing.  I'm torn on if it would be a good move or not.  On one hand it would be great to have a little more experience back there, especially with a group that may be very green, but he isn't the same pitcher he was even two years ago!  What the hell!  Trade for him AA

2.  Osuna and Castro both got knocked around for the 1st time this spring yesterday!  It happens...no big deal.  I think it could be really telling how the both react in their next outing however.  Let's see how they handle the pressure.

3. I've really liked watching Kevin Pillar this spring so far!  I wonder how they are able to keep him in regularly during the season once Saunders is back!  I would hate for him to collect rust on the bench all year and not put his skill set to use. 

4.  I was reading that Anthony Gose is considered a Sleeper pick on some Fantasy Baseball websites this year!  I laughed....I will give him that he's had a great spring and he can say that he's made a change to his swing that has helped him get on base alot more, but i'm not buying it!  That swing is terrible and he should be lucky if he can fool the tigers into thinking he should be playing everyday!

5. I have my Fantasy Baseball draft today!  One of my favorite days of the year to be quite honest.  There's something about Fantasy Baseball that crushes all other Fantasy sports for me.  Yeah the season is long, most leagues probably have guys that check out a quarter of the way through the season  and it is a challenge to set line ups everyday, but the #'s that live within baseball make it the ultimate Fantasy Sport.  

I imagine today is also the draft for many other Fantasy Baseball GM's out there, so good luck to them and I hope they enjoy it as much as I do!

*This is a picture my wife took of me last year after the draft as I broke down my picks to her on my draft board.  Gotta love her for humoring me at least.

5 Thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays - Spring Training

5 Thoughts!!!!  Here they are!

1.  If the Blue Jays don't make the playoffs and Alex Anthopoulos gets fired, how long is it before we all realize that it was a bad move? 

If you think of where the Blue Jays organization is right now compared to where it was when J.P. Ricciardi was fired it's pretty easy to see what kind of job AA has done at not only turning it around, but also turning the organization back into a club that is known for drafting and developing young talent.  

I would just hate to see a re-start with a new administration and almost put the forward progress on pause while a new team tries to determine what it means to be a Blue Jay.......again.  

2.  In the past couple days at Spring Training we've seen Ryan Goins playing some 3rd base, and outfield in addition to SS and 2nd.  Word is that they are trying to make him into a Ben Zobrist type play.  This is a great idea except what makes Ben Zobrist really great is that he can play all those positions and ALSO HIT!

3. Shi Davidi had a great article tonight that covered the Jays new philosophy on how they are going to handle their young pitchers going forward.  I won't confuse you by me trying to summarize it, especially since you can just read it by clicking the link below. 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-taking-new-approach-young-arms/

It's an interesting way to go about things especially when we leave in an age when people are just waiting for reasons to jump all over decisions and point out why they are wrong and how they would have handled it differently.  

4. Who do you think makes it back to the Major Leagues 1st....  Ricky Romero or Johan Santana?  I go with neither!  Actually if either of them make it to the Majors this year then the Jays are pretty much FUK'd! Actually forget I even asked that.....The thought of it actually makes me depressed. 

5. So my over under on when Miguel Castro becomes the Blue Jays closer is May 1st.  Cecil will have a short leash at the start of the year and the guy's arsenal is prototypical closer.  After Cecil he's really is the next guy that would make sense to close. 

  

5 Thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays - Spring Training Edition

Well it's been about 2 and a half months since I posted anything, but what better time than the day before Spring Training games are about to start.

Lots of stuff has happened since I last found time to write, but more than anything I think most Jays fans were itching to grab onto any minuscule Blue Jays news with the flurry that we were treated to at the start of the year! To summarize in a nut shell what's happened since my last post.  Jays wanted to hire a new President, but didn't.  Know one could figure out what the Jays payroll for 2015 would actually be. Jays did nothing to improve the Bullpen and 2nd base and there was a bit of talk about Clubhouse Chemistry.

So....Anyway spring training games start tomorrow so here are 5 quick thoughts....

1.  Jays signed Dayan Viciedo over the weekend, giving them another guy who may or may not be able to contribute to the Big League team.  Not sure if this pick up would have happened without Michael Saunders getting hurt, but regardless the Jays now have another guy to fill their already crowded bench.  Something is telling me more and more that a deal like this regardless of the "Were going to take the best team north" talk means that Pillar is going to be starting his year in Buffalo. Options left = bad news for Kevin



2.  Jays also signed 2 time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana this past week and there's another SP in the mix for the 5th starter in the Jays rotation.  Good on the Jays for trying to help bolster their Starting rotation, but couple this with the Viciedo signing do they really think the money being paid to these two is better spent in these two places rather than in their bullpen?  I get it...The Bullpen is a real enigma from year to year, but it would be nice to have a few less questions in the bullpen then where we are standing right now.



3. I really really really really really hope that Martin can catch the Knuckle Ball.  The thought of having 3 catchers on the roster on April 6th is just not sitting well with me. I can't see how the Jays are going to keep a decent bench together by having such little versatility. 



4. If Michael Saunders is able to keep himself healthy this year (Yeah I know he already isn't) his attitude and the way he's approaching being a member of the Blue Jays is going to make him a fan favorite in Toronto really quickly.  Brett Lawrie had the opportunity to be something special for the Jays, but something about his persona made it awkward for fans to really connect with him.  Saunders on the other hand has a likability  that if he's able to succeed professionally I think fans will really take to him.



5.  Good on Sportsnet for finding a way to make all of the Jays spring training games available in one way or another for all us Jays Fans!   PVR is already set for Tuesday's opener.  Can't wait!  It's been too long....



Alright....Good Talk.

5 More Thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays Offseason - Thoughts on Happ/Saunders Trade, Smoak Signing, Budgets/Sanchez & Bullpen

I'm about a day and a half late on this latest entry on my series of thoughts on the Blue Jays offseason, but I couldn't help it,  Men's League hockey took priority one night.  I played great....Dino Ciccarelli'd it up! and then fell asleep watching a movie the next night, but that's ok I'm a Dad and It's pretty much a given that Dad's will fall asleep during any movie.

Anyway...enough about me potting garbage goals and watching the inside of my eye lids. 5 more thoughts on the Blue Jays offseason!

1.  After being non tender by the Blue Jays on Tuesday night...Justin Smoak turned around and signed a 1 year 1 million dollar contract with your Toronto Blue Jays!  I like the  upside of this deal given the power potential, him playing half his games in a homer dome then a good number of road games in hitter friendly AL East parks, it's pennies financially, and they still retain a year of control if everything works out. Sure the worst case scenario is that he's horrible, but it's not like 1st baseman are really that hard to find compared to a 2nd baseman who can hit anyways!



2. Late Wednesday afternoon word got out that the Toronto Blue Jays traded current member of the starting rotation  JA Happ to the Seattle Marniners for Good Old Canadian Boy from Victoria BC Michael Saunders. First off I like this Trade!  JA Happ is a FA at the end of the 2015 and baring him coming out and dominating for 3 months... right now is the time to deal him if you want to get maximum value.  In Saunders you get a guy to play LF Well, Got some Wheels and moving to the Roger's Centre "Should" help his bat (which looked to be taking a turn for the better last year).  Yes, I would rather have Melky then Saunders (Lots of power in the line-up currently and they need more contact hitters) but this deal allows the team to do so much more to the overall line-up than signing Melky would have.  Anyways.....What I took most from this deal is that Alex Anthopoulos is doing exactly what he said he was going to do this offseason.  At the end of the year AA said that he was not going to let the market dictate what Jays plans are for the offseason.  Waiting around to see how thing splayed out was not an acceptable strategy, and this deal to me is a perfect example of this.  I think the Jays did want Melky back, but even though they said that they didn't have a time frame on getting a deal done with Melky, this trade for a Left Fielder with potential and control right before the winter meetings says otherwise.  AA now has no Left Field issue to deal with, He's potentially cleaned up some of the bad eggs around the clubhouse and how will spend the Winter Meetings fixing his bullpen.  It's Alex's World this offseason and we are all just living in it!



3. The past few days have seen a number of the regular Blue Jays reporters are starting to stress that the Jays have XXX amount of Money left to spend this offseaosn based on the previous year's player salary budget.  That's all well and fine, but what makes me question all of this with a Rockian Eyebrow is if this is the case, why does Paul Beeston go out of his way to say that Payroll is going up this year?  I get that if it even goers up by 1 million year over year it's technically going up, but to me why would you put yourself in a position if it's minimal increase.  I don't get the need to build false hope and then need to justify your statement through semantics.



4.  Good Old Boy John Gibbons was on the Jeff Blair Show on Thursday and the conversation at one point turned to the the topic of putting Aaron Sanchez into the starting rotation for 2015.  Gibby didn't hold anything back and pretty much said that 99% we are going to see Aaron Sanchez as a starter for the Blue Jays in 2015.  I'm not convinced this is the case. I'm not saying he can't go there and pitch well, but I still think the Jays make a play for another starter and may end up putting Sanchez into the Closer role.  Gibby really liked him there and he has the stuff to dominate in that role for a long time!



5.  So now it looks like the focus for the Blue Jays will shift to the helping upgrade the bullpen, which in all reality how this turns could determine how next season will play out.  We've seen over the last few years that a truly dominant bullpen can help push a team towards playoff glory and how a terrible bullpen will turn a good team into a mediocre one. I'm still not convinced the Jays see the value in giving crazy $ to the two big FA bullpen arms that are out there in David Robertson and Andrew Miller, but to say I would be surprised if they did sign either one would mean I didn't learn anything from the offseason so far.  Still I believe we see the Jays bring in 2 or 3 relievers in the next few weeks.  I could see them looking seriously at Luke Gregerson, Sergio Romo, Jason Grilli and maybe even taking a flyer on Jason Motte.



Next week we have the Winter meetings!  One of the most exciting times of the year in the baseball world!  I don't expect the Jays to do anything overly significant next week, but i'm sure there will be rumors aplenty that will keep those in Jays nation talking for some time!

5 Thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays Dec 1st - Week in Review - Offseason Edition

The week in Jays Nation started out quiet and left with a "HOLY SHAT...we got Josh Donaldson"

5 thoughts on the week that was..... here you go!

1.  The Blue Jays released their 2015 promotional schedule.  Lots and Lots of great stuff to help elongate line-ups on Sunday mornings all through the summer.

Highlight 1.  The Bell, Barfield & Moseby bobblehead.   Ummm yeah that's amazing.  Who wouldn't want that?  Probably anyone born after 1985 maybe?

Highlight 2.  On April 19th, there is a Jose Bautista Bobblehead night, but in addition to this...... After the game any Amateur baseball team can have their picture taken on field.  Amazing.... and I have already sent an email to my softball team.

To see a complete list of the promotions for 2015...See the link below.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/schedule/promotions.jsp?c_id=tor


2. A report came out  from Buster Olney saying that Melky Cabrera would rather sign with a team other than the Jays due to the team still playing on artificial turf!  Cue the Shat Storm....Soon after the rumor came out Melky's Agent was on the Fan 590 saying  Melky never said that, Soon after that Melky sent out a Tweet refuting the statement and then after that Jose Bautista ripped into the original tweet giving writers shit for saying info publicly that could have an effect on a free agents signing.  Pretty crazy chain of events...Whatever really....I would probably rather play on grass too, but let's be serious Melky is going to sign with whatever team gives him the best deal regardless of the surface he's playing on.



3.  Friday Night we had the latest MLB blockbuster that saw the Blue Jays trade Brett Lawrie, Sean Nolin, Kendall Graveman and Franklin Barreto to the Oakland Athletics for All-Star Josh Donaldson.  I've said much to this trade already, but let's be real... If you don't like this trade for baseball reasons than you suck!  Sure some of the Guys could turn out to be stars and help the Athletics win multiple pennants, but the reality is that they won't.  The road to the MLB is littered with players who were can't miss prospects and if you can get an MVP candidate for some lower end prospects you do it.



4.  Late Sunday night Ken Rosenthal tweeted out that the Blue Jays were interested in Alberto Callaspo as a buy low option for 2nd base. I can't say really see it as that much more of an upgrade over Macier Izturis.  I guess the possibility of having an offensive resurgence hitting at the Dome is possible, but that being said I really don't know what his defense is like, so i'm not sure I see the reasoning with signing Callaspo.  What do I know...I'm not be paid to make make these decisions.



5. Word out from Alex Anthopolous himself on Sunday was that the Jays are  out on any of the high end Bullpen talent that is available in Free Agency.  From my POV, this only makes sense.  Long term deals the like of Andrew Miller and David Robertson are going to get rarely have staying power for bullpen guys.  I'm not sure why that is, but my assumption is that after a guy has a breakout year in the pen it's only a matter of time before the league is able to watch enough film and figure them out.  If that's the case then it's really not that difficult to figure it out since I figured it out.



That being said I do believe the Jays were in on Andrew Miller and were trying to get it done early in the hope of getting to sign quick and get as much value as possible, but as the off-season went on more and more teams got into the race and killed any value that the Jays possibly saw in him.