Post#14 » by youreachiteach » Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:34 am
They didn't think they were really competing anyway this year so there is no money in the budget to make a major splash at least until the trade deadline. And in that case, he's looking at trading some major league assets plus a prospect (Snider) to fill other holes (probably younger and longer term pieces anyway). Due to the Jays being stuck in a tight contention window they don't want to really be in right now, I'd bet players like KJ and EE will be dealt. Bautista will be kept for fan appeasement.
Why do you think they stuck so long with Drabek and Alvarez at this level for the past month even before the injuries? Because they had no choice. The Jays are basically a developmental team at the major league level until their talent coalesces in 2014-2016. Even then, the youngsters probably need a year or two after that to "get it".
Because of the added wildcard, the Jays will stay relevant for longer, and if they are fortunate, one year they may decide to expedite the process if they are in better position. We have to hope to luck out like Baltimore has this year.
Maybe next year....
The Jays have had some difficult injuries, to be sure. The truth is, If Santos alone had been healthy and had stayed along his career norms this year, we'd probably be tied with Baltimore or Tampa, and there would be the kind of pressure necessary to complete a "win-now" trade. These injuries allow AA/Rogers a built in excuse not to try and to let the chips fall where they may. They can then trade from a position of "strength" when the trade deadlne gets here (as sellers who don't NEED to deal to compete). At the moment they appear desperate for pitching and the poker player that AA is won't fold his hand until the tide turns.
AA doesn't like being put in situations where he could have to compete for talent in the free market, so look for him to wait until the off season to improve the pitching through trades in a less high-priced time slot.
