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*Blue Jays Official Offseason Thread*
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:09 pm
by arrpy
In this thread you can talk about things that happened, things that might happen, and any rumors you here. Report everything.
I am making this thread so there won't be tons of threads reporting rumors and stuff, that will clog of the Board.
So...Bring on the Offseason!
Posted: Mon Oct 1, 2007 12:59 am
by arrpy
Coaching changes announced
Three of the Jays' current coaches will be switching roles for the 2008 season, while Toronto is parting ways with hitting coach Mickey Brantley.
Brian Butterfield, who has been Toronto's third-base coach since 2002, will join Gibbons in the Blue Jays' dugout as the club's bench coach next season. That promotion necessitated a new role for Ernie Whitt, who is in his second season as Toronto's bench coach.
Whitt will assume the first-base coaching duties next year, and current first-base coach Marty Pevey will replace Butterfield on the other side of the diamond. Butterfield, who also serves as an infield and baserunning instructor for the Jays, handles a lot of Toronto's pregame preparation.
"He's probably the most thorough guy in baseball, you'll find," Gibbons said.
While Toronto opted to solve most of its coaching issues internally, the club is expected to search outside the organization for a replacement for Brantley. Gibbons helped bring Brantley to the Jays in 2005, but the subpar performance of the offense this season was enough to convince the front office to move in a new direction.
Toronto pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, bullpen coach Bruce Walton and bullpen catcher Alex Andreopoulos all will return to the same roles next season.
Strength in arms: Gibbons added that the rotation that Toronto is finishing this season with would be fine for the beginning of the 2008 campaign, if he had anything to say about it.
Gibbons said Litsch likely will be a top candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation next season. Toronto's manager also hinted that the plan is to keep Janssen and right-hander Brian Wolfe in the bullpen, barring any offseason relief acquisitions.
wtb edited the length
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor
Posted: Tue Oct 2, 2007 1:18 am
by arrpy
Blue Jays season in review
2007 RECAP
Record: 83-79, third in the AL East.
Defining moment: After being promoted to Toronto's rotation, right-hander Shaun Marcum spun six no-hit innings to open his first start, against the Devil Rays on May 13. The performance signaled the beginning of a youth movement in the Jays' starting staff. Marcum and fellow righties Dustin McGowan and Jesse Litsch all joined the rotation during the season and helped turn the staff into one of baseball's best.
What went right: Besides the standout performance of Toronto's pitching staff, Alex Rios finally emerged as the type of potent offensive weapon the Jays believed he could be. The right fielder was Toronto's lone representative at the All-Star Game and he nearly took the Home Run Derby crown. Rios finished hitting .297 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs.
What went wrong: Injuries. The Jays went virtually the entire season without a healthy roster. When the 2007 campaign finally came to a close, Toronto had sent 12 players to various doctors for 13 surgeries. Toronto regulars B.J. Ryan, Reed Johnson, Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Lyle Overbay, Gregg Zaun, Troy Glaus, Vernon Wells, John McDonald, Brandon League, Gustavo Chacin and Marcum, among others, all missed time due to injury.
Biggest surprise: Matt Stairs turned out to be quite the bargain after signing a one-year deal worth $850,000 with Toronto for the 2007 season. The 39-year-old native of New Brunswick helped fill in for a handful of injured Blue Jays, finishing with a .289 average, 21 home runs and 64 RBIs in a limited role off the bench.
FORECAST FOR 2008
Lineup: The core of Toronto's lineup is signed through next season, and the Jays insist that they are content with bringing the same group back. Considering how depleted the order was all year, Toronto is interested in seeing what the offense is cabable of doing when healthy. In 2006, the Jays boasted one of the best lineups in the AL -- only to see the production drop significantly in '07. If there are any tweaks to the order, they probably won't be major.
Rotation: Halladay, Burnett, McGowan and Marcum should all be back as the front four of a formidable starting staff. The only question mark revolves around the fifth spot. Litsch showed that he is more than capable of holding his own, but he'll likely have competition for the last starting job come Spring Training. The Jays may try right-hander Casey Janssen as a starter again, and the club might explore adding an arm or two to the mix over the winter.
Bullpen: Toronto's bullpen entered the '07 season without its projected setup man (League) and lost its closer (Ryan) just a few weeks into April. Still, the young relief corps emerged as one of the AL's top groups. In 2008, the Jays expect Ryan to be fully recovered from the reconstructive surgery he had on his left elbow in May. There should also be a handful of qualified arms battling for the eighth-inning job, including League. Expect Toronto to have a strong 'pen again next year.
Biggest need: With so many injuries affecting the roster, it's hard to pinpoint one precise area that, if upgraded, could put Toronto over the top. The Jays could be in good shape if the players who were hurt can rebound next year. If outfielder Johnson, who missed three months with a back injury, isn't able to return to his 2006 form, the Jays will be in need of a true leadoff hitter -- something they lacked for most of '07.
Prospect to watch: If catcher Curtis Thigpen struggles at the big league level, the Jays have another young catcher quickly climbing the organizational ladder. Robinzon Diaz had a strong showing in 2007 until being sidelined toward the end of the year with a left hand injury. If Diaz continues to compile the kind of numbers he has over the past few years, he could force Toronto's hand sooner than later.
Posted: Tue Oct 9, 2007 5:42 am
by straightguji
Do we have any chance at possibly getting Jorge Posada?
I'd literally blow a load on my monitor if we could get him. More realistically though I'd want to give Freddy Garcia a look.
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:38 pm
by arrpy
Jays release 2008 home schedule
New season features several weekend series vs. Sox, Yanks
There are plenty of uncertainties facing the Blue Jays heading into next season, but the list of opponents that will be heading to Rogers Centre is no longer one of them. On Friday, Toronto revealed its 2008 home schedule and season tickets are now on sale.
The Jays have aspirations of competing for the American League East crown next year, and the club will be put to the test right out of the gates. In its first series at home on April 4-6, Toronto is scheduled to host Boston, which captured the division title this season. It marks the third time in club history that the Jays will open at home against the Red Sox.
The Blue Jays don't play the Yankees at home until a three-game set at Rogers Centre from July 11-13, marking the first weekend series between the clubs in two years. All three of Boston's ventures to Toronto are weekend series, too. Last season, the Blue Jays had no weekend sets against either the Yankees or Red Sox.
Later in the opening month, Toronto will welcome the Detroit Tigers, who took home the AL pennant in 2006, in a series from April 18-21. In the following month, the Jays' toughest challenge at home will arrive on May 20-22, when they clash against the AL West-champion Angels.
The home portion of Toronto's 2008 Interleague schedule begins June 13-15, when the Chicago Cubs -- winners of the '07 National League Central -- come calling. The Jays will also host the Cincinnati Reds on June 24-26 and the Atlanta Braves on June 27-29.
The home schedule doesn't have many breaks in the final two months. The AL Central-champion Indians visit Canada on Aug. 9-10 and again on Aug. 22-24, while the Yankees invade Toronto on Aug. 19-21. In September, Toronto has 12 tilts against AL East foes, including series against Boston and New York on Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 23-25, respectively, over its final six home contests.
Fans who pay in full for '08 season tickets by Dec. 3 will receive free round-trip airfare to head to Dunedin, Fla., to watch the Blue Jays train during Spring Training. Those fans will also be able to use a luxury suite for one game next season. The offer is available to both current and first-time season-ticket holders.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:04 am
by Geddy
So with the way Lind finished off the season, do you guys think that Reed won't be around next season?
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:28 am
by Holmes
rkid wrote:So with the way Lind finished off the season, do you guys think that Reed won't be around next season?
The way Lind finished off? I guess a .273 AVG and .298 OBP in September can go a long way these days. He had some right hits at the right time a handful of times in the last week of the season to pad those RBI numbers. Still doesn't dispel the fact that his hitting and plate discipline were atrocious all season.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:32 am
by risktaker91
So any FA's in particular the Jays might be interested in?
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:48 am
by OldNo7
Holmes wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
The way Lind finished off? I guess a .273 AVG and .298 OBP in September can go a long way these days. He had some right hits at the right time a handful of times in the last week of the season to pad those RBI numbers. Still doesn't dispel the fact that his hitting and plate discipline were atrocious all season.
Sadly a .273avg was probably higher than half of our starters.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:04 pm
by arrpy
whosthebosh? wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Sadly a .273avg was probably higher than half of our starters.
Here is a List of all the Jays batting averages:
A.Rios--.297
A.Hill--.291
V.Wells--.245
F Thomas--.277
L Overbay--.240
T Glaus--.262
M Stairs--.289
G Zaun--.242
J McDonald--.251
A Lind--.238
R Johnson--.236
J Phillips--.208
C Thigpen--.238
R Adams--.233
R Olmedo--.216
Compared to those, .273 is a pretty good batting average...
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:03 pm
by arrpy
A very interesting Q & A by Blue Jays Reporter Jordan Bastian. (Including Janssen a starter in 08? Plus More!)
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:51 pm
by jalenrose#5
Shannon Stewart for LF next year.....you know, he might be a smart pickup. If we'd start Lind we'd still have a terrible arm in LF, but at least with Stew you get a consistant bat. Hopefully he stays healthy.
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:02 pm
by cb4_89
This stupid vernon wells contract screwed us. If we picked up some young talent, we would be able to spend so much more money now.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:30 am
by arrpy
Notes: Thomas plans on early start
Slugger wants to get off the ground running next season
This winter is going to be different for Frank Thomas. For the past two seasons now, the aging Blue Jays slugger has struggled out of the gate -- a problem that Thomas is going to tackle this offseason.
"I think I've just gotten older now and it takes a little while to get the engine going," Thomas said prior to Toronto's final game of the year. "So, I'm going to spend a little more time this offseason getting prepared for the season and I'm going to take more at-bats during Spring Training."
"Obviously, you'd like to have April and May be months that he's more productive," Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said recently. "But we didn't sign him to be the savior of our offense. We signed him to just be another threat so we could be on par with some of the good offenses in the American League."
"This offseason," Thomas said, "I'm going to hit for the first time in a while, because that's been two years in a row with two slow starts. I want to get it rolling next year, because I think it's very important and hitting is contagious.
"I just want to get more at-bats," Thomas said. "We'll see how the schedule works out. Instead of taking those two at-bats early, I'll be taking four -- whatever works.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:59 am
by OldNo7
Not good enough. Convince him S.T. starts January 1.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:01 pm
by Geddy
I think he's been reading your posts here about his slow starts :p
Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:28 am
by arrpy
Mailbag: What is in store for Zaun?
Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers Jays fans' questions
Are the Blue Jays looking at another option behind the plate in 2008? Besides Gregg Zaun, Toronto needs a catcher who can throw out some baserunners.
t's possible that Zaun may wind up in another platoon-type situation next year, but depth seems to be the bigger issue behind the plate. At the end of this past season, Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi indicated that the club would probably be in the market for a veteran catcher with a solid arm to back up Zaun.
______________________________________________________________
Do you think Zaun will return after next season?
If the Blue Jays do sign another veteran catcher, that will likely trigger a return to Triple-A for Thigpen. That would also seem to indicate that Thigpen is projected to be a bigger part of Toronto's plans come 2009. By that time, Zaun may no longer be in the picture.
______________________________________________________________
With Halladay, Burnett, McGowan and Marcum scheduled to be four of Toronto's starters, and the fifth spot up for grabs between Litsch and possibly Casey Janssen, what part does Gustavo Chacin play? Will he be back or is he done with the Jays?
Chacin underwent surgery on his left shoulder in August, but the Blue Jays have said that the pitcher should be ready to compete for a job by Spring Training. Litsch has stepped up as the favorite for the fifth slot in the rotation, so Chacin, who is 25-15 in his career as a starter, will have to impress Toronto in the spring to move back into the mix.
______________________________________________________________
More Q&A in the article.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:26 pm
by arrpy
Notes: McDonald aims for offense
Shortstop focusing offseason program on improved hitting
"Yeah, he's going to try," McDonald said with a laugh, discussing his plans for the winter at the end of this past season. "That's the plan. I feel like I made some strides this year and I just want to continue to make more strides. I'm still searching for that season where you're a more complete player."
He's a guy I've watched over the years just make spectacular defensive plays," Denbo said, "and I've always thought, 'Man, if only he could hit just a little bit better.' If he could put up some better offensive numbers, this guy is going to be one of the elite players in the league. Hopefully, I can help him move in that direction."
"I'll just rest and then start working," McDonald said. "It's not a strenuous process. I'm not going to change a thing out of my progression for the season.
"I won't really take a whole lot of time off. As soon as my abdominal muscles heal up, I'll start hitting. I've got a couple of guys I'm going to hit with in Cleveland."
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor
Posted: Fri Nov 2, 2007 8:11 pm
by Crowned
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed designated hitter/outfielder Matt Stairs to a two-year contract worth $3.25 million.
http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=221985&hubname=
Posted: Fri Nov 2, 2007 10:09 pm
by Griff83
CHAMPIONSHIP