TSN Radio 1050: Interview with Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos

[polo007]

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=429826

Despite having more than one-quarter of the season left to be played, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is already answering questions about what he intends to do to strengthen the club heading into next year. Speaking on TSN Drive Wednesday night, the fourth-year GM said the team is intent on acquiring a new second baseman and at least one additional starter.

http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/aaaug14.mp3

TSN 1050: TSN Drive - Alex Anthopoulos: August 14

[SmoothTofu]

Here's a good second baseman: Jose Reyes

[Wo1verine]

Time to look for an upgrade at catcher as well.

So many needs for this team heading into this winter it's crazy.

2 SP's, C, 2B, LF

[Lateral Quicks]

It's very concerning that he's saying nothing about catcher. I sure hope Rogers hasn't tied his hands with regards to keeping Arencibia by virtue of his marketing value.

[Schad]

It's very concerning that he's saying nothing about catcher. I sure hope Rogers hasn't tied his hands with regards to keeping Arencibia by virtue of his marketing value.

I can't imagine that JP has marketing value of such significance that it outweighs competitiveness. More, it's a damned difficult market at the best of times...there might not be many options.

[Raps_Swingman]

The catching market is a dearth of dust. JP sucks and we all know it, but bringing in another catcher who sucks doesn't really help anybody. I looked through the free agents and the only one that stood out was John Buck to me, but really is that any different then JP.

[youreachiteach]

The gist I got wasn't that he doesn't acknowledge other problems, it''s that there are tiers to be dealt with.

Starting pitching before second base, and second base before first base...and everything else is a wish and not a necessity.

It's pretty obvious that there is a dearth of available skill (that is available) at catcher and AA probably likes his durability and power. It's why he let go of D'Arnaud--AA thought he was too injury prone to fulfill his potential. He's hoping JP can grow into the position--although I think Jimenez takes his job half way through next year if he shows well in triple A and JP still sucks.

I have to agree that the starting pitching and second are areas of larger need, despite JP's annoying habits and black hole of suckiness. Lawrie's range helps protect Reye's lack of same, and Edwin is a decent DH/1rst basemen. If they can get a decent plug in at first defensively and at second, the infield d should at least be better than adequate.

It seems Josh Johnson is not part of the plans for next year, and that AA is actively looking for 1 if not 2 more starters to help out regardless of how well the youngins (Drabek and Hutchison) show down the stretch here.
That makes me feel a bit better--as that seems to support the notion that some payroll flexibility does exist with Johnson getting the boot.

[Wo1verine]

The catching market is a dearth of dust. JP sucks and we all know it, but bringing in another catcher who sucks doesn't really help anybody. I looked through the free agents and the only one that stood out was John Buck to me, but really is that any different then JP.

McCann, but that's not happening.

[Michael Bradley]

The rotation should definitely be an area of improvement, as should 2B, CA, and 1B. I think the Jays have proven time and time again that you need at least 9 starters during the course of the season. If AA is serious about winning, then the only pitchers that should be guaranteed rotation locks next season are Dickey, Buehrle, and (if healthy) Morrow. They can't go into the season content with Happ, Romero, Rogers, etc, filling out the last two spots, and they should not under any circumstances be counting on Hutchison (lack of pro innings/coming off TJS), Drabek (sucked when healthy/coming off 2nd TJS), Stroman (lack of pro innings), and Nolin (see Stroman). If Happ and Rogers both have to start in the bullpen next season because AA acquired two more starters, then that's a good thing.

As far as 2B and 1B, tough to say what will be available this early. I just hope AA values defense and OBP when making those decisions, especially if he plans to keep JPA around. The pitching has been terrible this year, but the defense hasn't helped matters.