I don't disagree, but im sure having Bautista doesn't hurt... OMG im talking about baseball FML....
- Arctic_AARDVARK

very lucky to have Batista, he could help attrack some talent, but the jays have to be willing to spend, which they are not. Too bad, they have the money.

it's pretty bad when the most interesting thing to talk about on a hockey site is the jays.

very lucky to have Batista, he could help attrack some talent, but the jays have to be willing to spend, which they are not. Too bad, they have the money.

it's pretty bad when the most interesting thing to talk about on a hockey site is the jays.
- Sammich

yea,, its frustrating. I think AA is trying to find these "diamonds in the rough" Did a pretty good job picking up Rasmus.. Thats something AA is good at, unlike BB, who brought in Connelly and Lombardi....

You can't blame that on Alex.. Injuries killed them this year.. If they were healthy all year then they would be in the wildcard. You gotta remember, jays are in the hardest division in all of sports.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

This is the reason i believe it will be a long long time before they ever win again...

This is the reason i believe it will be a long long time before they ever win again...
- shinebox

Not with the new extra wild card spot

Not with the new extra wild card spot
- TheFondler

Still don't think it matters, could be 10 new WC spots, when you are going up against the teams that spend the most in baseball just about every year, all the great drafting and acquisitions in the world are not going to win it. Without a cap there will be no level playing field, and they don't even want one in baseball. They seem perfectly fine with a 6 team race all year long...

very lucky to have Batista, he could help attrack some talent, but the jays have to be willing to spend, which they are not. Too bad, they have the money.

it's pretty bad when the most interesting thing to talk about on a hockey site is the jays.
- Sammich

chill brian burke

very lucky to have Batista, he could help attrack some talent, but the jays have to be willing to spend, which they are not. Too bad, they have the money.

it's pretty bad when the most interesting thing to talk about on a hockey site is the jays.
- Sammich

No point in spending to get over the hump, until you reach the hump. They simply are not there yet. Need to address the bullpen, and if or when they do, they may do some damage, either way their pitching has to get much better before they become much better as a team. When they do, then they will take the risk on filling the holes with great players, by then maybe even some will want to actually play in TO, which as of right now, i doubt they do. Winning will attract better players, Jays still a few years away IMO.

No point in spending to get over the hump, until you reach the hump. They simply are not there yet. Need to address the bullpen, and if or when they do, they may do some damage, either way their pitching has to get much better before they become much better as a team. When they do, then they will take the risk on filling the holes with great players, by then maybe even some will want to actually play in TO, which as of right now, i doubt they do. Winning will attract better players, Jays still a few years away IMO.
- shinebox

agreed... But i really hope brian burke does whatever it takes to get to the playoffs asap.. i dont care anymore. Sell the farm i dont give a (frank).

No point in spending to get over the hump, until you reach the hump. They simply are not there yet. Need to address the bullpen, and if or when they do, they may do some damage, either way their pitching has to get much better before they become much better as a team. When they do, then they will take the risk on filling the holes with great players, by then maybe even some will want to actually play in TO, which as of right now, i doubt they do. Winning will attract better players, Jays still a few years away IMO.
- shinebox

Pitching is their only problem, so to speak. There is good depth through-out the lineup. It's an example of how important having a good pitching staff is to the success of a ball club. If the Jays pick up two starters, a number 1 and number 4, they'll compete with the best of them next season.

This is off topic but WTF BURKE!! You've done NOTHING to improve the Leafs this summer. Ur a bum. You are a terrible judge of talent in today's NHL. I say we bring in Anthopolous.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Ya because AA has done so much better

Pitching is their only problem, so to speak. There is good depth through-out the lineup. It's an example of how important having a good pitching staff is to the success of a ball club. If the Jays pick up two starters, a number 1 and number 4, they'll compete with the best of them next season.
- A_Tree

It is their biggest problem, but i would be willing to bet there are more, starting pitching as well as their bullpen, but saying pitching is their only problem is like saying that goaltending is the leafs only problem, it's their biggest issue, but not the only one. Do you realize what it will take to pick up two starting pitchers? Especially a number one? Come on man...

Cherry think the lockout last 2 months.
- burn

Hope hes right, got my Winter Classic tickets yesterday haha, would suck if it gets cancelled

It is their biggest problem, but i would be willing to bet there are more, starting pitching as well as their bullpen, but saying pitching is their only problem is like saying that goaltending is the leafs only problem, it's their biggest issue, but not the only one. Do you realize what it will take to pick up two starting pitchers? Especially a number one? Come on man...
- shinebox

Hope hes right, got my Winter Classic tickets yesterday haha, would suck if it gets cancelled
- Leafsrulesens

Got insurance?

Ya because AA has done so much better
- bmoney411

he has. can't deny that AA is doing a better job than burke

very lucky to have Batista, he could help attrack some talent, but the jays have to be willing to spend, which they are not. Too bad, they have the money.

it's pretty bad when the most interesting thing to talk about on a hockey site is the jays.
- Sammich

Its crazy that they won't spend the money. Their one of the richer teams in the league so money shouldn't be an excuse. Its funny how they say they don't want to fork out the cash for someone like cliff lee, who was on waivers recently, but their not willing to pick up mediocre pitchers because their not good enough . Talk about being stuck between a rock and a wall. Then they blame the fans for not showing up at the stadium saying thats why their not willing to spend the money . Toronto is cursed

Its crazy that they won't spend the money. Their one of the richer teams in the league so money shouldn't be an excuse. Its funny how they say they don't want to fork out the cash for someone like cliff lee, who was on waivers recently, but their not willing to pick up mediocre pitchers because their not good enough . Talk about being stuck between a rock and a wall. Then they blame the fans for not showing up at the stadium saying thats why their not willing to spend the money . Toronto is cursed
- bmoney411

Considering the owners dropped how much buying the team, then how much buying the Leafs/MLSE? They will be wanting to see a healthy return on both of these before they start dishing out huge amounts of cash to field/ice a contending team, yeah i know, the fans don't give a poop, but the (frank)ing owners do, it's their bottom line.

he has. can't deny that AA is doing a better job than burke
- Arctic_AARDVARK

No hes not lol. Almost the exact the same. The jays at best have been a .500 team with him at the helm. JP had the team 10 games above .500 before he came in. There are alot of holes in the Jays line up and So far you can only say he's fixed one or two and thats center field with Rasmus and DH with Edwin. We gave up quality to get Rasmus so he wasn't exactly a steal.

No point in spending to get over the hump, until you reach the hump. They simply are not there yet. Need to address the bullpen, and if or when they do, they may do some damage, either way their pitching has to get much better before they become much better as a team. When they do, then they will take the risk on filling the holes with great players, by then maybe even some will want to actually play in TO, which as of right now, i doubt they do. Winning will attract better players, Jays still a few years away IMO.
- shinebox

I disagree. Sometimes you have to spend to get the player you need, when that player is available. Sure its convenient to wait until you're ready to compete to spend the money, but that leaves too much to assumption and wishful thinking. Who is to say that the exact pieces they need will be FA the year they want to spend? Who is to say that even if said players are available, they would come to a market like Toronto? You're also assuming that you can indeed get over the hump, or to the hump, without spending. It sure hasn't worked for a lot of teams, and the teams it works for are the exception and not the rule.

Would Fielder be making a difference between the playoffs this or not? No, especially with the injuries. But Fielder would be making a huge difference in the next few years making this team better and more able to compete within the AL east. We saw the "wait till were ready" plan at 1st base, and the waiving of Lind it resulted in, not be as fool proof as some make it out to be.

While spending money wouldnt guarantee this team anything this season, maybe that depth it would have given the team would have allowed to survive the intense injury impact and allowed this team to compete this season, and ready to make that leap next season. Its easy to assume there will be 3-4 Fielder type players available for the Jays conveniently, but thats not how sports work. Especially in todays sports world where just about all elite players are being locked down long term and few ever making it the FA stage. And if they did, they would be going to the big markets and teams ready to win now and at the top of the league.

The point isnt to blow the budget on more Overbays, Rolens or Glaus. The point is to spend on the elite players like Fielder when available instead of assuming you can land one anytime or that you can easily develop your own. At 28 years old, the guy would be helping you now and for most if not all of that contract.

Considering the owners dropped how much buying the team, then how much buying the Leafs/MLSE? They will be wanting to see a healthy return on both of these before they start dishing out huge amounts of cash to field/ice a contending team, yeah i know, the fans don't give a poop, but the (frank)ing owners do, it's their bottom line.
- shinebox

Ya I see where their coming from but the fact is the team has sucked for 20years. Don't expect the fans to come out because the team has new owners. Its suppose to be the other way around you get good then you see increase of fans. The attendance at the sky dome has actually gone up this year and still their doing nothing. We just hear excuse after excuse. Leafs don't matter your getting the fans regardless so again whats going on there. MLSE frustrates the hell out of me.

Considering the owners dropped how much buying the team, then how much buying the Leafs/MLSE? They will be wanting to see a healthy return on both of these before they start dishing out huge amounts of cash to field/ice a contending team, yeah i know, the fans don't give a poop, but the (frank)ing owners do, it's their bottom line.
- shinebox

Not in this case. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a cash machine, so they know the money will be flowing in. But in this instance especially, the new owners are major media conglomerates who will benefit greatly from having the Leafs, Raps, TFC etcbeing successful and the TV exposure they could provide and filling empty seats. This isnt just about the Leafs though, and thats the real problem.

The return on the Leafs will be healthy. Thats not even an issue. The problem is the Raptors, TFC and any other team they now own. All teams are bottom feeders with no hope and fan interest falling off. The Leafs have so many fans they could afford to lose a few. The Raps, Jays, TFC are all not that fortunate.

If the new owners want people tuning into their broadcasts, buying merchandise, paying for seats and showing up they are going to have spend money to improve these teams, because if they dont, thats the only obstacle standing in the way of the best possible ROI.

Most importantly for the Blue Jays in this discussion is that attendance is up 5000 a game and with the new uni's merchandise has been selling like mad. Sadly, the fans once again are being hung out to dry and not rewarded for their loyalty and support. Good luck getting a healthy return in 2-3 years if this team hasnt made the playoffs, keeps finishing at the bottom of their division with fan attendance and support falling way off once again.

Considering the owners dropped how much buying the team, then how much buying the Leafs/MLSE? They will be wanting to see a healthy return on both of these before they start dishing out huge amounts of cash to field/ice a contending team, yeah i know, the fans don't give a poop, but the (frank)ing owners do, it's their bottom line.
- shinebox

That works with the Leafs, but the Jays don't bring in fans if they don't field a contender. It's the owners prerogative to ensure that the Jays succeed, and the fans gauge success by the playoffs. So one would conclude that it's the owners best interest to bring in good players to improve the team with hopes to make the playoffs, or seriously contend for the position. Which is why I'm sure they discussed their desires with Anthopolis, and are confident he can deliver those aspirations.

No hes not lol. Almost the exact the same. The jays at best have been a .500 team with him at the helm. JP had the team 10 games above .500 before he came in. There are alot of holes in the Jays line up and So far you can only say he's fixed one or two and thats center field with Rasmus and DH with Edwin. We gave up quality to get Rasmus so he wasn't exactly a steal.
- bmoney411

Edwin isn't DH.

Lind is playing that spot.

No hes not lol. Almost the exact the same. The jays at best have been a .500 team with him at the helm. JP had the team 10 games above .500 before he came in. There are alot of holes in the Jays line up and So far you can only say he's fixed one or two and thats center field with Rasmus and DH with Edwin. We gave up quality to get Rasmus so he wasn't exactly a steal.
- bmoney411

same can be said about the Lawrie trade. No doubt that Lawrie is a talented player with alot of upside but we gave up markum to get him and starting pitching has been a weakness for the jays before and after that trade.

That works with the Leafs, but the Jays don't bring in fans if they don't field a contender. It's the owners prerogative to ensure that the Jays succeed, and the fans gauge success by the playoffs. So one would conclude that it's the owners best interest to bring in good players to improve the team with hopes to make the playoffs, or seriously contend for the position. Which is why I'm sure they discussed their desires with Anthopolis, and are confident he can deliver those aspirations.
- A_Tree

Not only that, but its not like the Jays are a team elite players are line up to sign with and play for. The Jays cant afford to be as picky and selective as they have been.

AA has done some good things for the Jays, but IMO he is so over rated it makes my feet vomit.