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What is the biggest need to get us into playoff contention?

We are in a great position for this off season. Our farm system is stacked. We have the money. Both trades and free agent targets are options.

I would like to see an elite starting pitcher. We have developing hitters that are likely to improve in Lawrie, Rasmus, Thames and JP. If we have excess starting pitching, we just move them to the pen.

No matter how badly we need bullpen arms, if we have excessive starting pitchers, we try to trade them, not move them to the pen where they would significantly lose their value unless a player fails as a starter first.

Hitter isn't what we need - that would imply a DH. We need a 2B who can hit as well as be an elite defensive player. Then SP, then closer. A pure hitter is way down on the list.

We need a good 2B

Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. It's simple. Pitching wins games.

Starting Pitching. We have a good lineup going forward. We could definitely upgrade at several positions, but the emphasis should be on pitching.

If we could pair another top of the rotation arm with Romero, and have Morrow and Cecil following, we would be in a great position for next year. Closers come and go, but starters can make a huge difference.

Pitching.
But the upcoming free-agent market sucks balls for SP though. I don't think signing a guy like Wilson or Buehrle is going to put us over the top, so we're either going to have to trade for a SP or wait the following year where the SP's available are better.

Trade for pitching (or draft), sign bats, develop the bullpen from within (or sign "left-over" arms like we have been doing once the big names get signed).

As far as our biggest 'need' I would say a top-end starter. Too bad we didn't have a crystal ball to see how good AA would end up being as our GM and held on to Halladay. Our 'rebuild' has been amazingly quick...

Are there any top-end starters that could be available via trade in the near future? Last year we heard about Greinke being shopped, Ubaldo was moved at this deadline, who is it going to be this offseason? Cain/King Felix/Kershaw/Josh Johnson?

Looking at the FA class this year and next, this year is the time to get bats (especially at positions of need... 2nd/1B), next year would be pitching.

Well, our hitting is already elite with recent promotions, cut ties with dead weight, Rasmus trade, etc... if adding a top-end (1-2 type) starter was as reasonable an outcome as signing Prince Fielder, I'd go that route. But it's not.

Although this upcoming year is weak for SP free agency, if the Jays could land a solid starter it would position them well in 2012. I don't think it's enough to win in the AL East but certainly signals that the team can contend.

Then the following year in 2013, the Jays could enter into a deeper SP free agent market and land a top end starter to complete the rebuild.

By that time, Romero should be even more in his prime, Morrow will be hitting his stride, and the hope is one of Cecil/Drabek/etc... will be able to contribute as a solid starter.