RealGM

Most of the stuff we see here on the Jays board are the wonderful articles and news that Ozzy and other posters give us to nibble on. We also have pretty lively series threads and Schad and the rest are usually keeping us in check with the minors as well. What we never really have a whole lot of is discussion and I think this is a pretty legit topic to think about.

Now I don't know if I'm jumping the gun as i'm no guru but we can all agree Doc is by far the best player on the Jays. Guys a mastermind, probably the best pitcher in the game. No question, without him, oh boy.

What I want to know is, whose the next best player on the team. By no means are we a star studded team or filled with many super stars. Vernon Wells at one point looked pretty damn amazing and we all were pretty high on Rios too.

Now don't get me wrong, they are both pretty damn good players but watching them sometimes frustrates me. So I'm not sure if they really are the best after that, maybe talent wise and tool wise, but i like seeing production, not hypotheticals or abstract tools that we see in BP.

Lyle Overbay has been on a tear too but thats a hot streak in my mind. The guy that I think is the next best player though is Aaron Hill. Now we all know him and know he's damn great. Me personally, I think he's awesome. One of the silent killer type players. Dude's consistent, hits for a good average, very compact swing and is piecing together the long ball and rbi's, power numbers. Not to mention he's got a dynamite glove.

After Doc i think its Aaron Hill but I think Rios/Wells can be debated too? Whats your take on it?

Lind, its close with him and Hill but i think Aaron is overachieving a little bit and Lind is the real deal

Taking into account defense, it's HIll. A couple of years ago, it would have been Rolen (if he had been on our team, then).

Our underpaid clutch #3 and 4 hitters

If your weighting this mostly on this year so far, I would say Hill is the right choice. If you put equal weight on the past few years, then I would say Rios.

My first serious thought actually went to Downs, because (imho) in recent years he produces the next best results to Doc, but relief pitchers just aren't in the game enough to justify it.

If it's just this yesr it would be a toss up to Lind or Hill with an edge to Hill for playing more in the field. But i agree if it was over the past couple of years then maybe 'Bum' Rios takes it.