Time to Play GM - Deadline Approaches

We are about 5 hours away from the trading deadline and J.P Riccardi is no where to be found.

As we all know, the Blue Jays season was lost over a month ago. Jays upper management should be actively looking to move some of the aging talent.

There have been rumours that Gregg Zaun may be on the move to Florida, but as of right now nothing has happened. If I was the Jays GM I would be inclined to move; Zaun or Barajas, Eckstein, Stairs, Jonny Mac and maybe even Marco Scutaro. None of these players are in the long-term plans and with the season gone, they should be moved even if it just for cash considerations or a PTBNL.

A.J Burnett is the wild card for the Jays. It seems that interest has been slim to none for Burnett. Also, I am now reading that they Jays are considering re-working his contract to keep him for the long-term. I am not totally against that option, but I still believe if a trade can be made that would bring in prime prospects, it must be done.

Gord Ash had the gull to drop big name talent when he was GM. Will JP? I personally doubt it.

Adam Lind Making JP Look Like a Donkey

I get a little more excited everytime Adam Lind gets an RBI, a run, or a even a infield single. Not because I think he is going to spark the turn-around in the Jays 2008 season. Not because he has quickly become one of my favorite Jays, and not because I think he has great potential. I get a kick out of it because it makes JP Riccardi look worse and worse.

It is well known that Cito Gaston was the one who demanded the recall of Lind, not the individual who is supposed to be responsible for these types of actions, Mr. Riccardi.

Since his recall in late June Lind has posted these numbers:

79 AB, 23 hits, 5 2B, 13 RS, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 327 AVG

I thought JP was supposed to be this talent evaluator guru? If so, why was he blocking Lind?

The Jays Play Boring Baseball

I have been a fan of the Jays for a good 20 years now. Frankly this season, I have never witnessed so many boring Jays games in my life compared to any other. The lack off offence this team has makes them nearly unbearable to watch.

I live in Toronto, which is perhaps the most exciting city in all of Canada. However I decided to stay in tonight (Friday evening), and watch the Jays play Tampa Bay. What a mistake that was. The game lasted just over 2 hours. The Jays tallied a whopping 4 hits, and overall the game had no excitement (minus a Lind homerun) whatsoever from a Jays standpoint. Talk about a waste of time.

This is not an isolated game. The Jays have played boring baseball all season. They on average have been one of the quickest start to finish teams in baseball all season, with average game times just over 2 hours. The Jays combination of great pitching and terrible hitting makes for very boring baseball.

A perfect example of how boring this team is there regular number three hitter, Alex (Bust) Rios. Alex has a grand total of 4 homeruns so far this year. He is a prime example that nothing will happen when the Jays get runners on base or in scoring position, which ultimately leads to boring baseball.

It isn’t a coincidence that attendance is down this year. The Jays are not fun to watch.

More on the Halladay Situation

'They shouldn't be worried I'm leaving'

Halladay says his heart is in Toronto despite team's struggles to compete

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080716.JAYS16/TPStory/Sports

Halladay Article...

Everyone should read this. I don't blame Halladay one bit.

BLUE JAYS' MEDIOCRITY BEGINING TO WEAR ON HALLADAY

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=243437&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main

This is J.P. Riccardi's fault.

The A.J. Burnett Enigma

If the Jays receive any reasonable offers for A.J. Burnett this upcoming deadline the trade should be made ASAP. It is quite clear that A.J. has been a bust for the Jays. If something becomes available in order to help the team in the future, the Jays need to take what they can get, and run with it.

Burnett has a great arm, no questions asked. However it has become clear that he doesn’t have the consistency or mental capacity to be an elite major league starter. The only thing consistent about Burnett is that he will throw one great game then follow it up with a complete stinker.

Burnett is 31 years old, so the potential tag needs to be thrown out the window. Never mind the fact that he is a complete liability in terms of health. Also, he has given no indication that he won’t use his opt-out option at the end of this season. There have been rumours that four teams have asked Riccardi about the availability of Burnett. He needs to take the best offer, and part ways with the A.J. enigma.

Trading Roy Halladay??

Relax, I haven't heard any rumours of this happening, and I highly doubt the J.P. regime would be looking into this option considering he needs the team to win now to remain employed. However, is the idea that far fetched?

Roy Halladay is a special talent, we all know this. However if this team ever becomes serious about re-building properly, trading Roy is almost a must.

J.P. failed to build the farm system. By trading Doc you get 3 prime prospects. Teams will unload the farm to obtain a talent like Halladay. It sucks, but it may be the only way to go at this point. Roy has been a trooper for this organization, however it may be better for him and the team to part ways.

If you look at what this team needs to accomplish in order to build for the long-term you need to make upgrades at 3B, SS, DH, and possibly one outfield position. I like what I have seen from Adam Lind in LF so he may be a viable option for that position. We also have Snider and Cooper in the minors, but they will be battling it out for 1B. That leaves 3B, SS, and DH as problems in the long term. Trading Halladay could fill those holes.

It will suck to see him go, but it might just have to happen...

Jays in the Short-Term

There have been many articles written, and many questions asked about what the Jays should do in the short-term. Currently through 88 games this season the team has compiled a 42-46 record. This is not the record the team, media, and fans envisioned going into Spring Training. Many pundits had them competing for the division, but instead they are fighting to get out of the basement of the American League East.

Change seems to be on the horizon. 15 or so games ago Manager John Gibbions, Hitting Coach Gary Denbo, First-Base Coach Ernie Whitt and Third-Base Coach Marty Pevey were removed from their respected positions within the organization, and replaced by Blue Jays legend Cito Gaston along with, Gene Tenace, Dwayne Murphy, and Nick Leyva. Gaston of course took over as manager with Murphy as first base coach, Leyva coaching third and former Blue Jays hitting coach Tenace back in his old job.

There have been rumours that these moves were perpetrated by President Paul Godfrey, however General Manager J.P. Ricarrdi recently put those rumours to rest reiterating that he has complete authority over on-field operations.

So, what happens now?

The Jays have played mediocre ball since the overhaul of coaches, which clearly indicates a lack of on-field talent (offensively), and with Riccardi still at the helm one would think he will do everything in his power to create a winner in the short-term in order to protect his job. It is not in his best interest to start a re-build right now.

http://www.torontosun.com/Spor...078506-sun.html

The Jays finally promoted outfielder Adam Lind from AAA Syracuse and he has immediately began to produce, hitting a solid .314 in the 10 games he has played. However if this team is going to turn the corner many other offensive positions also need to be addressed.

Halladay gets his 10th win - July 5th

I didn't see tonight's game (Jays 7 Angels 5), but according to the boxscores and highlights it seems that the Doctor was on top of his game.

His pitching line: 7.0 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts.

Roy improves his record to 10-6 with this win.

Other notes include;

- Vernon Wells with his 9th homerun
- Alex Rios went 3/5 at the dish and collected 3 stolen bases

Welcome to My Blog

Good afternoon all - This is my first blog!

I am very excited to share my opinions and views on my favorite sports team of all time, the Toronto Blue Jays.

I have been a fan literally since birth, however my first real memories of the Jays are of the good old days with the electric outfield that consisted of Jesse Barfield, LLoyd Moseby, and George (Jorge) Bell. In a nutshell I have and always will have a great passion for the Jays.

I look forward to reading your feedback on my posts/blogs.

Thanks!!