no I am not changing my opinion) the head has cleared and I think
there actually are some things that can be done to assemble a
competitive team around Halladay next season. These things will of
course require that Rogers be willing to spend some/all/more than the
money saved by gettin rid of Rolen and Rios.
Pitching
Of primary importance they need some veteran, proven and healthy
starters, at least 1 and preferably 2. Trying to build some kind of
monster offence is going to be pointless for a number of reasons (the
players just aren't out there to acquire, pitching is more important
anyways), so better to build up the starters. There are going to be a
number of good #2 and 3 types available this offseason (Washburn,
Lackey, Marquis, Harden even might be a good risk if cheap) so get 2
with the money. Halladay + 2FA, Romero and Marcum would make a pretty
awesome starting rotation, and would make pitchers like Cecil, Rzep
Litsch etc.. pretty good depth/bullpen/trade bait for other parts that
are required. And after Halladay goes they they can be the needed
veterans behind the new ace Romero for a couple of more seasons.
The relievers just need to be sorted out. A closer is the #1 priority
whether coming from what is already with the team or added from
outside, they need to leave spring training next season with the
unquestionable man in that positiion. Hopefully when that is done the
rest of the mess sorts itself out and with a solid starting starting 5
things don't fall apart like this year.
Offence/Defence
I am a firm believer that pitching is a lot more important than
offence to build a winning team, but that said a team needs at least a
competent offence, which right now the Jays are not. The best way the
Jays can fix this problem is get a good bat into the DH spot and get
Lind into LF. Johnny Damon is the way to go here in my opinion. He can
hit in any of the top 3 lineup positions, he's very productive and
he's an excellent veteran presence who's worth adding to the team for
a number of seasons. He won't be cheap 10-12+mil per year, probably 3
years, but he would be a hell of a signal to send that the Jays are
serious.
Next up is re-sign Scutaro if the money is reasonable. He's excellent
at SS, and even if he falls off offensivley next season its hard to
see it being so far that he can't make be a legit threat as a #7, 8 or
hitter earning a reasonable salary. He had a ridiculous start to the
season but has kept up a good OBP and shown some real patience and
ability to get and hit deep in the count, I can't see how that all
just goes away completely in one season.
That done the Jays have a pretty reasonable 1-6 lineup in some
combination with Wells in the 6 if he doesn't regress even further.
There are other possible free agents of course. Chone Figgins or Dye
if his option isn't picked up, but not a whole lot that is going to
have the guaranteed impact of Damon.
Oh and Lind should stay batting 3rd and Hill move to cleanup until one
of them proves this season is a fluke, or a hitter who obviously
changes the equation is acquired.
Next up is right field. I don't know here. Can Snyder or Lind play RF?
Get a better 3B (Figgins?) and try Encarnacion in RF? Maybe trade for
one with the young/extra starters? Anyways keeping this problem in the
7-9 hitters makes it somewhat easier to solve..
What about Snyder? If he can play RF capably great! If he can earn his
way to the top 5 in the lineup awsome! But if they are going to rely
on him as a key part of their plans next year and as a solution to any
of their problems, then I don't think they are being serious. He is
still to unproven and young. He could suck next season and still have
a great career (see Lind).
A catcher will still need to be found, but capable #9 hitting catchers
are cheap and plentiful.
So would the Jays make moves like these? Who knows? Its going to take
these kinds of moves, which mean spending more next season than they
did at the start of this season. But they keep claiming they can spend
the money. These are the kinds of moves I think it will take.
Update:
Let's add Figgins to this list of dream players while we are at it, and he can be added into the mix at 3b, rf, and even 1b and bat leadoff. How about a lineup of this:
1. Figgins 3b
2. Scutaro ss
3. Damon dh
4. Hill ss
5. Lind lf
6. Overbay 1b
7. Wells cf
8. Snyder/Encarnacion rf
9. Catcher
A dream I know but what the hell.
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