“Alex, its Zaun on line 1”

Today on the 6:45pm segment of Prime Time Sports on Sportsnet 590 the Fan, Bob McCowan was asking Gregg Zaun if the Jays should go after Prince Fielder (or should have during this offseason). I was flipping though the stations on a red light and my ears perked up once I heard Zaun’s voice. I think he does great color commentating for the Jays and can’t wait for the next month to fly by so we can hear him on the radio again called spring training games come February.

Ok back to the car ride, Gregg Zaun was expounding on how he thinks the Blue Jays “regressed last year”. I thought “hey if you’re going to say something like that, at least explain yourself.” He did before my light turned green.

(For the smart readers, you will scroll down and see that a month ago I wrote an article explaining why the Jays would not sign Prince Fielder. But I wanted to talk about Zaun’s comments and well you’ll just have to read on.)

Zaun noted that back in November; he looked through the free agent class of 2012, and saw that the Blue Jays had an opportunity to really upgrade. At the expense of the Red Sox and Yankees as well. He saw the two biggest needs for the Jays as a power bat in the middle of the lineup and a closer. He said that the Jays should have (since no one really knows if Alex is in on ANYbody anyways), been in on Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Madson, or even Heath Bell. They did go out and do what Alex Anthopoulos does best – phones the GM of the White sox and make a trade – grabbing and/or stealing Sergio Santos.

So that takes care of Zaun’s need #2. What was his solution for the power bat? Gregg Zaun laid out his argument for signing Prince Fielder. Bob McCowan put forth the question as to when the Jays would be seen as contenders. In 2012, 2013 or would be 2014? Zaun (as if he could read Bob’s mind) said, “Exactly, even if the Jays don’t contend in 2012, they would still have Prince Fielder locked up for 6-10 years.” This is the one area I agree with Anthopoulos on, and disagree with Zaun. You cannot sign a baseball player who has a larger build than Ray Lewis to a 10 year contract. Its ridiculous. Yes he is only 27, and a top 15 hitter, but you just can’t do that. Now a 6 year deal I would love to see. To get a hitter like this from ages 27-33 is unheard of. Prince could get another deal after, and Toronto gets to see him hit 50+ homers every year for 6 years. I’ll take that all day long.

Gregg Zaun said this signing would solve two problems. Now that’s medium sized thinking. Toronto is not small market (see – population and ownership), nor do they want anyone to think they are big market (see payroll – which is now $70 and a half million, $27 million less than the 2008 payroll – the three years since Alex took over the team). Zaun said this signing would give the Jays a power in the middle of the lineup bat, and solve the mess in left field. No offense to Thames or Snider, but neither of them have put up the Adam Lind Left field numbers (111-34-122 numbers in 800 at bats as a LF).

Apparently Zaun and myself think alike. Sign Fielder and slide Lind over to left. Well maybe Zaun speaks for the thousands of Jays fans who also think this way. Imagine having a 3-4 lineup of Fielder and Bautista. Or a outfield of Lind-Rasmus-Bautista? That’s better than O’s, Rays, Red Sox and pretty close to what the Yankees have on paper in their outfield right now.

Well its still an option. To every Blue Jays fan, well except for Alex Anthopoulos. That is why, I am suggesting that Gregg Zaun ought to call Alex Anthopoulos first thing in the morning and explain on behalf of all Jays fans how this problem of another power bat can be solved.

I know it goes against everything you stand for, Mr. Anthopoulos, but instead of begging fans to buy more tickets and fill up the empty dome – sign someone worth driving down the Gardiner for. Sign Fielder, move Lind to left field. Redeem this abysmal offseason. Compete with the Yankees . Gregg Zaun knows what needs to be done. Every fan does as well.

Thank you Zaun, thank you for telling it like it is and call Alex please.

How Can You Not Be Romantic About Baseball?

How Can You Not Be Romantic About Baseball?

That is the ticket to the very first Blue Jays game I attended with my Dad. Wednesday, May 23, 2001. It was given to me this Christmas and was a real highlight for me, for all that it made me realize. Most of all, was that this was the game that cemented my love of baseball, and more importantly, of the Blue Jays. Almost 20,000 people attended that game which, at the time, was easily the biggest crowd I’d ever been a part of. I was 15 at the time and already really enjoyed baseball. I was a big fan of the Blue Jays and watched them on TV and listened to their games on the radio but seeing a game in person is a different experience all together. To this very day, I still love watching games on TV. I learn interesting things from the announcers, I enjoy all the stats and trivia they flash on the screen, and I love that I can leave my seat and not have to wait for a break in play to get it back. But there isn’t anything better than the atmosphere of really being there. That’s what that first game with my Dad showed me. I still remember the atmosphere over 10 years later. In fact, I remember one chant in particular.

David Wells was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2^nd round of the 1982 draft, and then debuted for them five years late on June 30^th, 1987, and went on to play in parts of 21 seasons in the majors including two stints with the Blue Jays from 87-93 and again from 99-2000. The Blue Jays traded Roger Clemens to the Yankees for David Wells on February 18, 1999. At the time, Roger Clemens was my favorite player. So I was a little dismayed, but being a kid, I got over it pretty quickly, and David Wells forged two fairly successful seasons with the Jays, including what was likely the best season of his career in 2000 when he went 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA. But then it all turned around, as on January 14, 2001, the Blue Jays traded him to the White Sox in a deal that quickly became mired in controversy.

The total package was David Wells and Mike DeWitt for Kevin Beirne, Brian Simmons, and a prospect named Mike Williams, and the centerpiece, a starting pitcher named Mike Sirotka. Gord Ash, the GM for the Jays at the time, hadn’t made the deal contingent upon the passing a physical (practically mandatory today) and the result was that Toronto acquired a starting pitcher who was already injured, and would never play in the majors again. The mistake ultimately cost Gord Ash his job and the Blue Jays basically gave up David Wells, the all-star anchor of their rotation - for nothing, and Blue Jays fans knew it. So on Wednesday, May 23^rd, 2001, the Blue Jays fans finally got their chance to get some of that disappointment out of their system, and it all fell on David Wells.

Some nicknames can go two ways. David Wells was nicknamed Boomer, and during his time in Toronto, the Blue Jays fans embraced it, and used it as a rally cry during his starts. However, once he joined the White Sox rotation for nothing, it quickly turned the other way around. “BOOMER!” became “BOOOOOOOOO-MER!” with a great deal of emphasis on the Boo. There may have only been 20,000 people at that game, but it felt like the place was sold out when they were jeering Wells. It may have been the sound of those 20,000 jeering fans, taunting David Wells, raining down “BOOO-MER” chants that did it, but after that day, I was all baseball, all the time. Hockey took a backseat, and as any Canadian kid can you tell, that’s a big deal. It was all baseball, and all because of a game that my Dad and I enjoyed together. The Blue Jays won that game 9-6 and David Wells took the loss. He pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 8 runs (7 earned) while giving up 13 hits.

Strangely enough, those tickets were gifts from my Dad’s brother. He got them from the company he works for, because they had season tickets to the Jays. I believe that he and my brother may have also come along, but all I remember is my Dad and I. Funny enough, as fate would have it, in late 2008 I joined the very same company, and have access to those very same seats, for any game I wish. Like a lot of things, I owe my love of baseball to my Dad. So if you are a fan of baseball thanks to your Dad, let him know. If you enjoy these articles that I write, thank David Wells and my Dad, and let me know!

Let's hear about some of your first game experiences in the comments section!

You can follow Brandon on Twitter @Bam_86

Offseason Update

Happy New Year! Its 2012, and the time has come to look at the Toronto Blue Jays offseason so far. Toronto entered the offseason needing a second baseman, backup catcher, DH/first baseman, a bullpen, and a top three starter. Let’s see how they did.

Second Base

Kelly Johnson surprisingly did not get any significant offers from any team, and was one of the three players who accepted arbitration this year. With Johnson, the Jays got the best second baseman available, without giving up prospects, or overpaying.

The Verdict – A

Definitely a win for Toronto, despite the potential draft pick Johnson would have netted had he signed elsewhere.

Backup Catcher

It was widely accepted that Alex Anthopoulos would not re-sign Jose Molina. Molina, who had been a solid backup and a good veteran presence, was a type B free agent, meaning that he would net the Jays a supplemental round pick if he signed with another team. Alex loves collecting picks, so it was no surprise when Molina signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Jays quickly filled the hole, bringing in Angel veteran, and Mike Scioscia favorite, Jeff Mathis, for lefty pitcher Brad Mills. Mills did not figure in to Toronto's plans, as he was buried in a Toronto system filled with young, talented, high-upside arms.

The Verdict – C+

I’m calling a win here. The draft pick is nice, Mills was expendable, and Mathis is a very solid defensive backup. He doesn’t need to be a great hitter, as he does not project to start often. If Arencibia does get hurt, it will be D’arnaud, not Mathis, who starts.

DH/First Base

By picking up Encarnacion’s option, Anthopoulos made it clear that he was happy with his first base and DH tandem of Edwin and Lind. Many Jay’s fans are disappointed that Toronto did not pursue bigger names such as Pujols and Fielder.

The Verdict: B-

The decision to stand pat was neither a win nor a loss. I am not a Fielder or Pujols advocate, as I believe the contracts necessary to lock them up would have been damaging. Contrary to popular belief, the Jays are not looking to spend a bundle of cash, and if they were, I would rather it be spent on a premium position. Give Alex credit for standing pat. Lind and Encarnacion are poised to have very good seasons, at a great price. Still, it would have been nice to see a sure threat along with Jose in the middle of the order.

Bullpen

Alex’s first big move of the offseason was the acquisition of Sergio Santos for Jay’s top pitching prospect, Nestor Molina. The deal allowed Toronto to add a closer who is young, talented, and controllable, with a high ceiling. The only downside was giving away Molina, a very talented young arm. In addition to Santos, Toronto signed veteran lefty Darren Oliver, and brought back Jason Frasor, also from Chicago, for a couple of low level prospects. The three of them will be in charge of the late innings, along with Casey Janssen. They represent a solid upgrade over last year’s back end, Fransisco, Rauch, and Dotel. Toronto also received two type B picks when the Mets signed two of last year’s trio.

The Verdict – B

Santos should be a fixture for years. Toronto still lacks a setup man, but looks solid. The draft picks should make up for the loss of the prospects, and the team should see an improvement in the bullpen after it blew 25 saves last year. Oliver was a bit pricey, but the Jays desperately needed a lefty. The only thing preventing me from saying that this was a huge win is Santos’ lack of experience.

Starting Pitching

The teams that win are the ones with the best pitching. After a tough year that saw Cecil take a step back, Drabek fail to stick, Jo Jo Reyes, and Morrow unable to take the next step, Toronto was in serious need of a top tier starter to stabilize the rotation. Toronto has been linked to just about everybody, Gio Gonzalez, Mat Latos, Matt Garza, and Yu Darvish. However, they were unable to get a deal done, and in the case of Yu Darvish, were outbid by the Texas Rangers. As of now, Toronto’s projected rotation for the coming season is: Romero, Morrow, Cecil, Alvarez, and McGowan.

The Verdict – F

I wouldn’t have liked the price it would have taken to acquire any of these pitchers, and I think Garza is stupendously overrated. That being said, Toronto NEEDS a starter. If it meant posting more for Darvish, or making a legitimate offer to Edwin Jackson, or giving up an extra prospect in a trade, Toronto needed to do it. If they enter the season with the current projected rotation, Alex will have failed to fill his team’s biggest need. However, in Anthopoulos’ defense, any acquisition would have meant overpaying. Perhaps the best strategy is to wait for the plethora of young, talented pitching prospects to reach the majors. But the facts remain. Toronto is not a contender with its current rotation.

Final Verdict – B-

Although the Jays did not have the exciting offseason that many predicted, they filled most of their needs well. If Morrow steps up his game and Drabek rebounds, we could be watching this team in October.

Agree or disagree with any of my assessments? Leave a reply!

Q and A with the Newest Blue Jay, Darren Oliver

Today, Monday January 9th, the Blue Jays announced the signing of LHP Darren Oliver. I had the pleasure of interviewing Oliver this past week, and you will get to see that interview after this brief introduction. In order to make room on the 40-man Roster for Oliver, the Blue Jays DFA'd Utility Man Mark Teahen, which means the Jays now have ten days to release him, trade him, or send him to the minor leagues. Oliver,41, is entering his 19th season in the MLB, but has posted his 4 lowest ERA's in his career, in the past 4 years, all in order. AA signed Oliver to a 1 year, $4 million deal with an Anthoption for 2013 worth $3 million. For those of you who do not know what an anthoption, it is the club friendly options added to almost every player contract AA signs. Now for that interview.

In 2008, at age 37 you transformed from being a mediocre relief pitcher, to being one of the best in the game. How did you do it, was it a change of mechanics?

It helps to be on a winning team like I have been on the past 6 years. The older you get, the wiser you get, I study the game a lot more now because I don't have the same stuff as I did 10 years ago.

What do you think of the new Blue Jays jerseys?

I haven't looked at the uniforms up close just yet, but I'm sure they're nice.

Which number will you being wearing for the Jays in 2012?

As of right now it looks like #38, the number I wore with the Angels from 2007-2009

You were brought in by Alex Anthopoulos this off-season, along with two other fantastic relief pitchers. These three moves have quickly transformed the Blue Jays bullpen into one of the best in the game. What team in your career have you been on that has had the most dominating relief corps?

It is hard to judge bullpens from year to year. Usually if the team has success, the bullpen is pretty much good. Most of the bullpens I have been a part of have had really good guys that made the season fun!

Was Texas being the number one hitting ballpark in the MLB a major reason why you decided to come to Toronto instead of going back to Arlington?

No, it wasnt.

What was it like growing up with a father who played in the Majors?

It wasn't a big deal to me. Not like it is today. Players back then did not make much money and the media exposure was minimal. I just looked at my Dad being my Dad, just like my kids!

What is your secret for being able to continue to play when you are 41, an age that is considered old when it comes to baseball?

I have a friend who is a doctor and he always tells me to pick your parents well. Got to have good genetics I believe.

Are you good friends with anybody on the Blue Jays?

I played with Jeff Mathis for 3 years in Anaheim.

Is the biggest plus about pitching for the Jays that you don't have to pitch against Adam Lind, a player that absolutley destroyed Ranger pitching, or is it that you don't have to pitch against arguably the best player in the MLB in Jose Bautista?

There are a lot of good players besides Lind and Bautista... lets just say I am happy they are on my team.

Many players do not want to sign with Toronto because they do not like the city, was this a factor in your contract negotiations?

Toronto has always been one of my favorite cities! Good food, clean city, friendly people... I also get to go to my favorite restaurant now too! (Barbarians Steakhouse)

Stay tuned to BlueJaysPlus, as hopefully I will be able to conduct more interviews with players throughout the season. Comments are welcomed below, or on twitter, where you could find me on @BlueJaysPlus

Is Kenny Williams on AA's Speed Dial?

Jason Frasor is coming back. Frasor was traded back to the Jays on Sunday for two minor league pitchers. The all time leader in relief apperances for the Jays, Frasor was trdaded to the White Sox in July, which was part of the trade that sent Colby Rasmus to Toronto from St. Louis. The two minor league pitchers that were sent to the Sox were Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb. This is AA's third trade with Kenny Williams, the GM of the White Sox, since July 27th, when Frasor was originally traded. The second trade occured last month, when the Jays sent pitching prospect nestor Molina to Chicago for Closer Sergio Santos.

Before being traded to the Sox in July, Frasor had a sub 3.00 ERA, but stuggled in Chicgao, as he posted a 5.09 ERA with a WHIP of 1.755. Jaye pitched in Bluefield last season while posting a 3.22 ERA, with 49 K's in 54.0 innings. Webb piched in Bluefield and in Lansing in 2011, and put up horrific numbers. He had an ERA of 5.48, and allowed 14.2 baserunners per 9 innings.

This is yet another relief pitcher added to the mix in the Toronto bullpen, which was absolutley horrible last season. AA picked up Darren Oliver off of the free agent market last week, traded for Santos last month, and now has gotten Frasor back. Don't be surprised if the Jays new revamped bullpen is in the top 5 in the MLB next season, because it is made up of 7 pitchers that mesh perfectly. This was an amazing trade for the Jays, and this is what the I believe the bullpen would look like, if Opening Day was today.

Sergio Santos
Darren Oliver
Casey Janssen
Jason Frasor
Joel Carreno
Carlos Villanueva
Jesse Litsch

This was yet another acquisition made by AA, that nobody saw coming. Frasor, along with Oliver, Janssen, and maybe Carreno, will likely all act as setup men for Sergio Santos.

Feel free to comment below, or follow me on twitter, @Bluejaysplus.

Report: Jays Close to Signing Veteran Reliever

According to a source, the Blue Jays are close to signing LHP Darren Oliver. Oliver is a modified type-b free agent, meaning the Rangers will net a pick in the 2012 draft, but the Jays will not lose one. The pick is currently the 51st pick in the draft, but will likely move, once more free agents come off the market.

Oliver is 41 years old, but had his best season of his career last year while playing for the Rangers. He had an ERA of 2.29, with a WHIP of 1.14. Oliver only pitched 51 innings last season, and will likely not pitch more than that out of the bullpen for John Farrell and the Jays.Shi Davidi, of Rogers Sportsnet said that because of New Years,the deal will not be finalized until sometime next week.If this deal does happen, I like it a lot because his numbers are very strong, and Oliver, adds a ton of experience to the bullpen. Oliver has made the playoffs 6 straight years, inlcuding back to back world series appearances in 2010 and 2011 with the Rangers. AA has fulfilled yet another goal on his off-season check list, and has quickly made the Blue Jays bullpen into one of the best in the AL, from one of the worst in the MLB last year. This is how I believe the bullpen will look come April.

Sergio Santos
Casey Janssen
Darren Oliver
Joel Carreno
Carlos Villanueva
Luis Perez
Jesse Litsch

Make sure to check out @Bluejaysplus on twitter for instant updates. Happy New Year!

Updates

5:15 PM: The deal is done, 1 year, with a club option for 2013, Pending a Physical.

December 31st: 7:00 PM: Earlier today the Blue Jays signed LHP Aaron Laffey to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. I expect him to compete with Luiz Perez and Chad Beck for the final Blue Jays Bullpen roster.

Offseason Reality Check

Prince Fielder and Jose Bautista.
Trust me I would love to have those as my 3-4 in the Jays lineup. That would make for the best 3-4 punch in the AL East (better than Adrian Gonzalez and Ortiz and the Yanks version of Teix and A-Rod). But it isn’t going to happen.
I sat for days and thought about how great an outfield would be of Lind-Rasmus-Bautista – I think one of the best in the AL as well.

But that’s just not happening.
Alex Anthopoulos just does not work that way. He will not spend a 7 year $125 million dollar contract.

The Jays currently have $70 million set aside for contracts for 2012. They had $78 million in 2011 for contracts. Alex likes young players who will do two things – lower the payroll and have them signed for a number of controllable years. Jose Bautista is the only player making over $10 million dollars (he is making $14 million per year until 2016 – what a great deal). And the next highest player makes less than half what Jose makes – Escobar, Lind and Romero all making $5 million.

Yes Prince Fielder is a good player – his last 3 year avg. stats are – 97 runs, 39 homers and 115 rbi’s. Jose has another year of his good production away from that kind of 3 year split and Adam Lind is another year or two injury-free seasons away. No current Jay has numbers like Prince. But Alex does not work that way – he will not drop $18 million on a player like that – especially not for that long. Alex wants to control his players and build a contender that will last.

I think right now that the Jays depth chart is now something that can compete with the Yanks, Red Sox and don’t forget about the Rays. This year will be a dog fight in the AL east – too be the AL West will be a better fight. The Red Sox and Yanks and both on the decline – they have no pitching. Neither of them are rumored to be in on the Yu Darvish sweepstakes and each are an injury away from falling fast. We all watched from afar as the Red Sox fell in Sept historically, that could happen again in 2012.

I think the team that we as Jays fans should worry about – is the Rays. No – Jose Lobaton, Ben Zobrist, Elliott Johnson, Sean Rodriguez and Matt Joyce don’t scare me – and I think Lind, Arrencibia, Kelly Johnson and Bautista are far better but its their pitching that scares me. They still have Price, Shields, Davis, Niemann and Hellickson. All could have an ERA under 3.50 this year. I think that starting rotation is who the Jays should try to emulate.

I like the numerous reports that in a few hours MLB will announce that the Jays have won the Yu Darvish bid.

Part of me says there is no way Alex would waste $50 million dollars on a posting fee with how he handles Rogers’ money. But part of me says this makes sense. Outbid the other teams, you don’t need to take anyone from your current team and you get to add a piece. The only thing that scares me is the effectiveness of Japanese pitchers who have come over to the majors. Matsuzaka was good for his first two years (15-12 and 18-3) but his last three leave little to be desired (4-6, 9-6 and 3-3).

That’s not a good way to spend $51 million in posting fee. Saito, Uehara, Takahashi.. all came over from Japan not much success. In less than 8 hours I would love the Nippon Ham Fighters to announce that the Blue Jays were the winning bid, but the amount of players who have come over from Japan makes me weary of Yu. But I remain hopeful.

Having Romero, Yu, Morrow (still not sure what he is other than another cheaper AJ Bunett), Alvarez, Cecil and Drabek. I know this sounds like 2010 offseason all over again but if these guys all put it together than 90 wins could be insight.

Hearing that the Jays almost got Mat Latos got me excited. I cant wait for the moves AA has planned. I think Yu will solidify our pitching and will help the Jays move over the Red Sox and Yanks in 2012. Will it be enough to compete with the Rays – offensively yes but pitching I think they are almost there.

All we need right now is a Left Fielder, another pitcher (heres hoping its Yu – that put us into serious contention in the East in 2012) and an 8th inning guy. Heard the Jays were going after Joakim Soria – and a guy like that or Huston Street would anchor their backend for a while to come.

Its exciting to be a Jays fan right now – but the Jays will NOT sign Prince Fielder, Yu will make their pitching a lot more stable and help the Jays compete in 2012. Lets not get ahead of ourselves – Alex has a plan and lets just sit back and watch – enjoy this ride and enjoy booking tickets to see the Angels come into town so we can see Pujols now.

Offense vs Defense - Fielder vs Darvish

Offense vs Defense - Fielder vs Darvish

It’s one of the oldest debates in professional team sports, especially baseball - Offense vs defense. Which is more important? Do you win by not letting your opponent score any runs, or do you win by beating your opponent into the ground? The problem is, is that without context, both are right. So let’s add in some context. What should the Blue Jays add to their team to help them contend in 2012 and beyond, or more specifically, who? This offseason the Blue Jays have been linked to just about everyone, and most of all to Yu Darvish and Prince Fielder. A perfect offense vs defense situation.

The Blue Jays finished 2011 with a .500 record at 81-81, good for fourth in the AL East and ten games out of the Wild Card. So how can we jump into contention? Many believe the Prince Fielder will provide a huge spark to the Blue Jays, by bringing in a very big bat to help boost their offensive numbers, not only on his own, but also by providing some much needed protection to Bautista, and bringing what would likely be the most feared 3-4 spot in any lineup in the MLBs in 2012. However, is offense really the best option? Afterall, many detractors say that the Blue Jays finished 6^th in the MLB in runs scored, behind the Yankees and the Red Sox, but quite far ahead of the Phillies and the Rays, who both made the postseason. But beyond that, the Jays also finished the season as a team with the 10^th worst average (.249) and the 12^thworst OBP (.317). These are very obvious concerns that need addressing, and Prince Fielder would go a very long way in helping those concerns being erased. So there is no doubt that the overall offense needs to be improved. However, those clamoring for Prince haven’t realized all of the upgrades the Jays have made to their line-up since opening day last year. We can all look forward to full seasons from Brett Lawrie, Kelly Johnson and Colby Rasmus, and hopefully a bounce back year from Adam Lind, and maybe for once, everyone can stay healthy. All of those additions will do wonders to provide a very big boost to the Jays overall offensive numbers, so maybe Fielder isn’t the catalyst he appears to be to so many. But what about the pitching side of things?

The Jays had one of, if not, the youngest pitching staff in the majors last year, and showed tremendous potential, but finished the season with the 6^th worst ERA (4.32), 8^th worst WHIP (1.35), tied for the 5^th most walks allowed (540), and allowed more HRs than any AL team save the Orioles. A lot of this can be tied to the young staff, and a lot of changes made to the rotation throughout the year and a lot of different pitchers were given a lot of time in the rotation as the Jays took a look at what they had, but there is no doubt we have more room to improve with our pitching staff than we do with our lineup. Sure a lot of starts were given to the likes of Kyle Drabek and Jo-Jo Reyes at the start of the season, and much like the Jays line-up, the rotation has no doubt improved since opening day last season, even before the possible addition of Yu Darvish. Without him, we have a possible opening day rotation that would most likely go Romero, Morrow, Alvarez, Cecil, McGowan. That includes a lot of question marks of course, and is still a very young rotation, but it loaded with potential. You only need to look at Romero’s season last year to show how the Blue Jays pitchers are growing and what they can become. Again, with bounce back seasons from Morrow and Cecil, and if McGowan can recapture his 2008 form, the Jays will have a very solid rotation once more. But does the addition of Darvish provide a greater boost to the Jays than Fielder?

Consider the bigger picture. The case for Fielder is a strong one. Prince Fielder is a very big and fearsome bat, and there is little doubt he can handle the pressure of the AL East and is a proven talent. However, in signing Fielder to a contract, the Jays would need to surrender one of their extremely valuable draft picks, and sign him to contract that, at this point, is likely longer than they’d want to. Not to mention that first base and DH are currently filled and either Adam Lind or Edwin Encarncion would likely have to be traded, in a move that would limit the value of either asset and thus limit the return. So in order for the Jays to grab Fielder, they would have to surrender a draft pick, give up at least one big league talent, and commit to a very large amount of money. Yet the cost of adding Yu Darvish is significantly less, and provides a much bigger impact when you look at the ramifications. Adding Darvish does not cost any draft picks, and will not force a major league talent out of the club. If Darvish does join the Jays, he will join the rotation and most likely Brett Cecil will join the bullpen, but Henderson Alvarez could also be pushed to the bullpen as well. He is an “unproven” MLB level talent, but the amount of risk for this to blow-up is significantly reduced. The worst case scenario for adding either Darvish or Fielder is the always the risk of injury. No matter how much either cost, if both end their careers early due to injury, the cost of Darvish will only be money, where the cost for Fielder could be future All-Stars as well.

So what is the best path? Do the Jays contend in the tough AL East by hoping to improve their potent line-up to go head-to-head with offensive juggernauts like the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, or do they boost their rotation with more top-tier pitching talents and shut down their bats before they become an issue? I suppose it’s a personal preference in the end, but I also think it wouldn’t be unlike Anthopoulos to do both. Only time will tell now.

What are your thoughts? Offense vs Defense? I’d love to hear them, so add some comments below or feel free to follow me on Twitter (@Bam_86) and let me know that way! Big thanks to @BlueJaysBatBoy and @BlueJays_Giants for the twitter debate that inspired this article!

Interview with Former Blue Jays Outfielder, Frank Catalanotto

This past week I conducted an interview with retired MLB player, Frank Catalanotto. Frank played for 5 different teams throughout his career, the Rangers, the Blue Jays, the Tigers, the Brewers, and the Mets. While playing for the Jays from 2003-2006, he never batted below .293, and eclipsed the .300 mark twice. His best season of his career came in 2001 while playing for the Texas Rangers, when he batted a dazzling .330, with an OPS+ of 128. He finished his career with a batting average of .291 and an OPS+ of 107. Catalanotto also played for Italy in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

When asked what he thinks about the new Blue Jays jerseys unveiled on November 18th, Frank responded like many of us Blue Jays Fans would.

I love the new jerseys. I think it's great that they are bringing back some old school flavor.

Just like most professional baseball players, Catalanotto gives credit for his baseball career to two people who greatly impacted his career.

Two people were very influential in my baseball career. My dad had the biggest effect on me learning the game and getting me the the opportunity to get drafted. He taught me the game at a young age and worked with me all the time when he would get home from work. When I got into the minor leagues, former major leaguer Larry Parrish helped me make the adjustments to pro ball. He taught me the mental part of the game which allowed me to take my game to the next level.

Since he played for 5 teams throughout his major league career, I asked Frank which team he enjoyed playing for the most, and his answer is perfectly suited for Blue Jays fans.

I enjoyed playing with the Blue Jay teams that I played with from 2003-2006. We had a great group of guys that meshed very well. Just about everyone got along and we had a lot of fun.

Catalanotto is from Italian Heritage, so he played for the Italian team in the WBC in both 2006 and 2009. I asked him if he wants to play again for them in 2013, and he answered like this.

Playing for team Italy in the WBC was definitely a thrill for me. I would love to be able to play in the 2013 WBC but I think I will coach instead.

Although Frank had a lot of great moments in his career, Frank chose the one that almost every player who makes it to the MLB gets to celebrate as his favorite.

I had a lot of great moments in my major league career but I'd have to say that getting my first major league hit would have to be on the top of the list. It was an RBI single at Tiger Stadium against Texas Ranger Rick Helling. I will always remember the hit because I had always dreamed about getting that hit and it made me feel like I had finally made it.

When asked what his stance was on PED's in baseball, and if Ryan Braun should keep his MVP, Little Cat made his opinion very clear.

I feel like Ryan Braun should keep his NL MVP award. I think MLB has done a great job cleaning up the sport. You really don't see many players failing drug tests.

Having played against Albert Pujols before he retired, I asked Frank what he felt about Pujols leaving St. Louis to go to the Angels for more money.

Albert Pujols obviously had his reasons for leaving St. Louis. Whether it was for the money or not we may never know. That being said I would never blame a player for going to another team to get paid more money. People in the real world do it all the time. It shouldn't be any different for professional athletes.

Since this a Blue Jays blog, I asked Catalanotto if he thought Justin Verlander deserved to win the MVP, or if Jose Bautista should have won the award. His answer may surprise some of you.

If I had a vote for the AL MVP I wouldn't have voted for either Bautista or Verlander. I would have voted for Miguel Cabrerra. I don't believe in giving it to a pitcher. They have their own award in the Cy Young. And I wouldn't have given it to Bautista because I do think that it should go to a guy that is on a playoff team. I know there are a lot of people that disagree with that but I have always felt that way.

After Professional baseball players retire, a big portion of them get into coaching jobs when the time is right. Frank is no different than other players.

Right now I am helping coach the Italian National Team with Mike Piazza. I don't do it full time but every so often I meet up with them and help out. I would love to get back into pro baseball at some point but it won't be until my four girls are older. It's nice to be home with them and watch them grow up

To end our interview, I asked Mr. Catalanotto if he likes the direction the Jays are going in, and his answer was just the same as mine would have been.

I do like the direction the the Jays are going in. They have some good young players and a stud in the middle of the line up. I'd love to see them make a big splash and sign a big time free agent like Prince Fielder though. I think the time is right since the Red Sox are in a little bit of disarray and there is that extra wild card spot. Alex Anthopoulos is doing a great job and I'm confident the Jays will be a perennial playoff contender.

I would like to thank Frank Catalanotto for partaking in this interview, and if you want to follow him on twitter, his twitter handle is @fcat27.

The BlueJaysPlus online radio show has been delayed, and the new date will be announced soon.

Follow me on twitter @Bluejaysplus.

Why the Blue Jays Should Sign Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder is currently the number one free agent in the MLB. The Jays have been rumored to be the top contender for his services, although this is probably false. Most of us fans believe the Blue Jays should sign Prince Fielder, but the entire Toronto media has opposite views. The media's reason for not signing Prince, who grew up in Toronto, is because he isn't that much better than Adam Lind. Why should the Jays sign somebody for a lot more money then there current first baseman, when he doesn't produce significantly better numbers. This is a valid reason, unless you understand that the value of having Prince Fielder isn't about his numbers being better than Lind's.

Jose Bautista led the league in Home Runs for the second straight year in 2011, while still being walked over 130 times. The reason why he was walked 132 times in 2011:Pitchers don't care to pitch to Adam Lind with a runner on. Why give Bautista a pitch to hit when you can pitch to a batter who hit under .200 in the second half of the season last year. With Fielder serving as protection for Bautista, his walk numbers will likely go down, giving him more fastballs and pitches in the strike zone. Bautista will be able to hit close to 60 home runs if he has more pitches to swing at, and Fielder can make that happen. With Fielder batting in the four hole, that makes the Jays easily have the best 3-4 combo in the MLB, something that pitchers will have to think about when pitching to the Jays 1 and 2 spots in the lineup. If the Jays get Prince Fielder, that makes Adam Lind expendable, but the Jays could also keep Lind. Lind has the ability to be a Designated Hitter, or a Left Fielder. His ability to play left field is huge if the Jays want to upgrade there pitching situation. I'm not the best at making up trade offers, but here are a few that AA can make if both Eric Thames and Travis Snider don't have jobs on the team. The Jays can also move Snider or Thames to DH, and combine Edwin Encarnacion in a trade package with Snider or Thames. So here are a few possibilities.

1.To the Jays: Matt Garza
Lendy Castillo

To the Cubs: Eric Thames
Edwin Encarnacion
Deck Mcguire

2.To the Jays: Wade Davis

To the Rays: Edwin Encarnacion
Chad Jenkins
Michael Crouse

Again, I am horrible at making trade offers, and knowing if they are fair, so please comment below, on twitter (@bluejaysplus), or on the Bluejaysplus facebook page.

Yu Know Who!

Yu Know Who!

So the Winter Meetings are over and done. The Angels and Marlins made headlines like never before, and baseball as a whole is on track to spend close to $1.3 Billion this offseason. However, while many expected that this was the offseason the Blue Jays would break out and spend big on a free agent, and that really hasn’t been the case. Not yet at least. While the Blue Jays did managed to make a great trade to obtain their new closer, who should become a core player of the Blue Jays, they haven’t really been players for some names that many fans would’ve liked to have seen become Blue Jays – Prince Fielder for example. You can check out www.JaysfanswantFielder.com to see how badly some fans want a big name. These fans feel that in order to win, you need to spend, and everybody knows that the Rogers own the Blue Jays, and could quite possibly be the richest owners in baseball, so why not spend? Anthopoulos has said that the money is there if he needs it, but has also gone on to say that he does have specific “payroll parameters” to work within. Sounds contradictory, but in reality, it isn’t.

While the Jays have been making great strides forward since Alex Anthopoulos came on board, they still have so much room to improve, which is amazing when you consider how much they have improved since this time last year. Brett Lawrie is now everyone’s favorite new Blue Jay, we can look forward to a full season of Colby Rasmus in centerfield, and we have Kelly Johnson back to solidify the middle infield. No doubt that without the flux these positions went through last year, a solid presence will immediately benefit this team. But fans want the Jays to spend and the Jays have said payroll will rise as attendance rises. A real chicken and egg stagnate. So now with Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes, CJ Wilson, and Mark Buehrle signed on with their new teams, and the with market for Prince Fielder essentially being reset, that could very likely explode at any time, and then the Jays will truly be out of the Fielder chase. So that means there are no big free agents left for the Blue Jays to sign, right? Yu gotta be kidding me.

Enter Yu Darvish, who was posted today from the NPB, the Japanese version of the MLB. In the NPB he owns a career record of 93-38 (a .710 winning percentage), 18 shutouts, and an ERA of 1.99 and a WHIP of 0.98 over 7 professional seasons. In 2011, his ERA was 0.83 compared to a league average of 2.95. In short, he is a phenomenal young pitcher on the rise. Many people like to compare him to Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K) from the Boston Red Sox, but a scouting report from May 2011 has this to say.

Darvish’s most contemporary Japanese comparison has been Boston Red Sox starter, Dice-K. The comparisons between the two pitchers should stop after “country of origin.” Dice-K’s tumultuous major league career is not an indication of the kind of potential Yu Darvish possesses. Major league teams knew exactly how good Dice-K could be. His talent was not on the rise when he made the jump to the major leagues. He was a legend in Japan during high school, and had a solid professional career. By the he switched to the majors, he was a crafty veteran with a well-documented scouting report.

High words of praise, which likely reflect their workloads, and not necessarily their careers as they were both be 26 when they made their MLB debuts. Still others go on to state that a comparison to the original Japanese legend, Hideo Nomo, would be more apt. In my own view, Yu Darvish is a young, controllable player, in a high impact position, with an incredibly high ceiling, and I get the sense he has only touched his potential. Also known as Alex Anthopoulos’s ideal acquisition.

For the Blue Jays, this represents a rare opportunity. They have the chance to acquire a front-of-the-rotation starter, with low miles on his arm, who has had a history of success (even against MLB players), who can be controlled for the next four, five, even six years, and they won’t have to give up any draft picks or any valuable prospects to make it happen – only money. A lot of money. Which begs the question – Will the Blue Jays really put forth a serious bid to obtain Yu Darvish. Thanks to the current system in place, MLB teams have to bid for the rights to simply negotiate with the Japanese players, and then get to sign a contract from there. Dice-K’s winning bid from the Red Sox was more than $51 million dollars, and then signed a contract that was also worth more than $51 million, bringing the total cost of acquiring Dice-K to almost $103 million, and Yu Darvish is expected to top that. We all know that the Blue Jays have the money to make a serious run for Darvish, but there are so many questions beyond that. Is the money available? Do the Blue Jays view Darvish as being worthy of such a large investment? Will they be contending soon enough to make such a large investment worthwhile?

For his recent openness, Anthopoulos has been characteristically vague. When asked how Darvish compared to Dice-K, he replied: “I wouldn’t get into specifics about how good I think a player is going to be or isn’t going to be. Maybe after players are signed and things like that I would be a lot more (open) to commenting about abilities and things like that. But there’s no doubt it he’s a very talented player.” For those unaware, Anthopoulos made a trip to Japan earlier this year to scout Darvish, and it’s hard to imagine he didn’t love what he saw in him. He has every quality Anthopoulos covets, unlike the free agents available in the US, and as previously stated, unlike free agents in the US, can be obtained without losing precious picks or players.

So what are the Blue Jays to do? Well, I am no GM and I may be a little trigger happy, but I can’t see any reason why the Blue Jays shouldn’t make every effort to make Yu Darvish a Blue Jay. The Blue Jays have been big spenders in the international free agent market the last couple years, spending $10 million to obtain Adeiny Hechavarria, and were short on obtaining Aroldis Chapman despite offering $23 million, not to mention all of the spending the Blue Jays have done on the draft in recent years, which thanks to the new CBA will be severely cut down. So the chances of the Blue Jays finding an international free agent of this quality again, likely won’t be happening soon, which is why the time is right, and the time is now. I will say it again. The Blue Jays should make every effort to obtain Yu Darvish. Forget Prince Fielder, forget trades, forget everything. For the next four (business) days, the Blue Jays efforts should be spent making sure that their bid is the winning bid.

If you aren’t sure, just YouTube "Yu Darvish." I'm sure you'll get plenty of results.

Or should I say "YuTube?" Yu decide.

Yu can follow Brandon on Twitter @Bam_86