ESPN.com: Jays are finally acting like a big-market MLB club

[polo007]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/ ... ky-cabrera

The Jays are finally acting like a big-market franchise. Despite a metro population of more than 6 million -- the sixth-largest among major league cities -- the Blue Jays have spent the past decade acting like a lower-tier midmarket club. Here are Opening Day payrolls from USA Today and the Blue Jays' rank among all 30 teams:

2012: $75.5 million (23rd)
2011: $62.6 million (23rd)
2010: $62.2 million (22nd)
2009: $80.5 million (16th)
2008: $97.8 million (13th)
2007: $81.9 million (16th)
2006: $71.9 million (16th)
2005: $45.7 million (25th)
2004: $50.0 million (21st)
2003: $51.3 million (21st)

Playing in baseball's toughest division, the Jays were actually competitive most of those 10 years -- six winning seasons, one at .500, one at a game under. Their 73-89 record in 2012 was their worst since 2004 and second-worst since 1995. But the Jays haven't made the postseason since their back-to-back World Series triumphs in 1992 and 1993, and the once-fevered fan base has deteriorated. The Blue Jays drew more than 4 million fans each year from 1991 to 1993, but that dwindled to just under 1.5 million by 2010 (despite a team that won 85 games). The attendance was back up over 2 million in 2012, giving some hope that the Jays can reclaim their fan base. With more fans comes the ability to spend more money.

With the NHL lockout, the decline of the Red Sox and the potential aging of the Yankees, now was the perfect time for Anthopoulos to strike and stir up interest in his club. I'm not sure these moves are a sign that the Jays suddenly view themselves as a team willing to spend in that tier below the Yankees. Before this week, only Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Sergio Santos and recent free-agent signee Maicer Izturis were signed through or past 2014. And only Bautista is making more than $10 million, so it's more a sign of Anthopoulos' taking advantage of payroll flexibility.

Still, the Cabrera signing will push Toronto's payroll well past $100 million. It also gives Toronto a lineup that could potentially look like this:

SS Jose Reyes
3B Brett Lawrie
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
1B Adam Lind
CF Colby Rasmus
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Maicer Izturis

SP Mark Buehrle
SP Josh Johnson
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Ricky Romero
SP J.A. Happ
CL Casey Janssen/Sergio Santos

[raps4589]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/30894/blue-jays-think-big-sign-melky-cabrera

SS Jose Reyes
3B Brett Lawrie
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
1B Adam Lind
CF Colby Rasmus
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Maicer Izturis

SP Mark Buehrle
SP Josh Johnson
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Ricky Romero
SP J.A. Happ
CL Casey Janssen/Sergio Santos

that line up is crazy

[MoMoneyMoProbs]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/30894/blue-jays-think-big-sign-melky-cabrera

SS Jose Reyes
3B Brett Lawrie
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
1B Adam Lind
CF Colby Rasmus
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Maicer Izturis

SP Mark Buehrle
SP Josh Johnson
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Ricky Romero
SP J.A. Happ
CL Casey Janssen/Sergio Santos

that line up is crazy

I don't think I'd take Joey Bats out of the 3 hole.

Reyes
Lawrie/Cabrera
Joey
Edwin
Lawrie/Cab

[Waylon Mercy]

[Lucky26]

One of Lind or JP will be replaced in the lineup and Buehrle is gone in trade, because of his issues, hopefully for a similar calibre starter.

I also dont think they trust the Romero/Happ duo and will reach for another vet starter than can give you innings.