The Ghost Of Blue Jays Present & Future

With JP saying that the Jays are done, barring some minor league signings to fill out the AAA roster (In Las Vegas now, fuckin eh).

I have decided that I am going to look at the roster, the entire 40-man roster, and see where certain guy fit in going forward, starting with the pitching, and working my way around positionally.

Pitchers

Doc is the obvious ace of the staff, and one of the best arms in baseball. There are retarded rumblings to trade him for a package of prospects, but fuck that. No way is that cool with me. He should remain a Blue Jay until it is his free agent year and let him walk, Carlos Delgado style, unless a deal can be reached.

Shaun Marcum has got plenty of time left untill free agency, and will be back in the fold in 2010, as he will miss all of 2009.

McGowan will start the season on the DL, and will probably miss 2 months. He should be carefully brought back and not rushed 1 second too soon. 2010 is the key due to the health of Marcum & McGowan.

Jesse Litsch turned himself around after his AAA demotion and may be a different pitcher than the round, pink, efficient he was in 2007 and early 2008. He can be effective with either approach, and should use 2009 to find out which method is most effective going forward.

David Purcey is still an enigma. A 1st round pick who has shown what a 1st round pick is capable of with 2 dominate showings against the Rays last season. He has also shown flashes of what he mostly is, a bust. He could end up a decent 5th starter or a quality bullpen arm, but I see a AAAA player who will end up on 12 different teams signing minor league deals every year.

Ricky Romero, another 1st round pick (the infamous one), is going to get a shot at some point in 2009. It will be nice to see what the still-young Romero will be able to do against AAA to start the year. He has 3 above average pitches and I see no reason why he can't be another Ted Lilly type. I see a good pitcher when I look at Romero's future.

Matt Clement is a 1 year option if he can be healthy. If I see this hillbilly goat fucker on the 2010 roster, he better be the BP pitcher.

Scott Richmond will be a AAA guy bouncing between Las Vegas and Toronto like a ping-pong ball at a bachelor party. He is a control guy, so his success is hard to predict. It could be Josh Towers part 2, the ups and downs.

Other guys who could get starts in 2009:

Robert Ray, Davis Romero, Dirk Hayhurst, Brian Bullington, Brett Cecil, Brad Mills. These guys figure more into 2010 with the exceptions of Hayhurst & Bullington, who are likely 1 year as AAA rotation fillers. Both could have a spot start or 2 if the other guys falter.

Casey Janssen is an interesting case. He comes in as a starter, isn't great (but played through injury). Then goes into the pen in 2007 and dominates. Misses all of 2008 with injury, and may not be 100% ready to start until 2010. I say through him in the bullpen to build up strength and maybe post all-star break chuck him in the rotation. A rotation in 2010 with Doc, Shaun, McG, Litsch, & Janssen could be very solid and pretty cheap.

The Definate Bullpenners

The Beej may be dealt (the smart move), but he remains our closer and best pitcher. 2008 was a shaky season, but you can't deny the results and stats. He should be 100% recovered in 2009, and could dominate and give the Jays a valuable trade chip next offseason.

Scotty Downs should stay away from the rotation at all costs. He emerged as a dominate set-up guy last season after progressing from a shit-bag swingman. He could be a valuable trade chip as a cost-effective closer for another club or the Jays in 2010 is Ryan is gone.

Brandon League is a guy I have always liked. He can be so good, but sometimes he can look fucking clueless. Should be a good 7th inning guy few a while.

Jesse Carlson came out of nowhere last season and almost got some legit ROY consideration, which would've been well-deserved. The 3rd lefty in the "big 4" for 2009, gives another reason why trading Ryans/Downs would be smart.

Jeremy Accardo is hopefully going to be healthy in 2009, but I wouldn't expect 2007 part 2. He should be good, but I expect some lingering control problems due to injuries and the splitter needs to be on.

Shawn Camp was effective last year, but is no more than a 7th guy in the pen.

Brian Tallet is a guy I absolutely fucking hate. It could be his pedophillia-like sideburns, or his douche afro popping out of his hat. It could also be his shit-bag qualities. He is fine as a 7th bullpenner, but I rather the Jays see his value is better served to a team like St. Louis who needs another lefty. I just want him gone before he blows an important game.

Brain Wolfe will probably be the swing-guy in 2009 doing some starting and relieving. His home will be the pen, but long outings should be common with Purcey as the 3rd starter.

AAA Guys Who Should Get A Look:

Reid Santos, Jean Machi, Bill Murphy, Rick Bauer. These guys may not be needed, but provide depth in AAA in the event that guys get hurt in bunches.


Saturday, I will look at infielders, and maybe outfielders too.

Peace, and Merry Christmas.