Thats one of the benefits for making moves like these. It becomes a destination players want to go to and a team they want to stick with. The writing was on the wall that a guy like Batista would eventually go the way of Halladay and take his talents to a contender instead of battling for 4th every year for the past 20 or so years.

It stings giving up these prospects, and for a player of Richardeys age, but its something the big teams do often. If we want to play with the big boys (Anaheim, Detroit, Yanks, Sox x 2, Texas) then you have to make moves likes them every so often to get an edge. Sure fans can point to the Orioles, A's, Rays as teams with modest payrolls making the playoffs but aside from the Rays, those are usually one off years where a team over achieves and quickly slips right back to irrelevance the year after.

One thing to remember after all this is that the Blue Jays will still have a prospect pool that is above average (probably around 10th best) so its not like the cupboards are bare all of a sudden. Plus the 10th overall pick in the coming draft.
- systemtool

The Richard has had one good year and is three from retirement, not a good sign.

The Richard has had one good year and is three from retirement, not a good sign.
- AdamFrench

3 good years in a row technically.

The guy can pitch, but for how long? Just by going from the NL to the AL East his numbers will take a hit though. The there's his age. If this wasn't a team that finished 22 games out of the playoffs last year maybe I could see this making sense.

Yup, agree with that. Still too soon to be selling the farm. Lots of talent still left there though. But, its great to see the team going for something for the first time in well over a decade. This team can still totally flop, but these moves wouldnt be happening during the season. The time to do it is now, as it would likely be too late to do it during the season. It was clear that pitching was a major weakness so its not like we didnt know what problems existed.
- systemtool

Im not as familiar with baseball, but as I recall it was midd-rotation type pitching that killed the Jays for several years now. Does any of these new faces fix that?

The Richard has had one good year and is three from retirement, not a good sign.
- AdamFrench

3 good years behind him now, to be fair.

Im not as familiar with baseball, but as I recall it was midd-rotation type pitching that killed the Jays for several years now. Does any of these new faces fix that?
- sanfordnson

Of course they do. And since Halladay left, the role of an Ace has also been missing. Morrow isnt at that level yet, but was thrust into the role unfailrly. Injuries have also been killer to the pitching rotation, and will probably rear its ugly head again this season, so its imperitive to have the depth.

Im a major baseball buff, so I follow the league/sport very closely. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Kadri 24 pts - 24 games
Gardiner 17 pts - 22 games
Frattin 8 goals - 12 games
Abbott 9 pts - 10 games
Rynnas 3 shutouts, 4 wins - 5 games

Of course they do. And since Halladay left, the role of an Ace has also been missing. Morrow isnt at that level yet, but was thrust into the role unfailrly. Injuries have also been killer to the pitching rotation, and will probably rear its ugly head again this season, so its imperitive to have the depth.

Im a major baseball buff, so I follow the league/sport very closely. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
- systemtool

How about their closers? I know their hitting has been pretty good in recent years but the pitching has buttraped them every year.

How about their closers? I know their hitting has been pretty good in recent years but the pitching has buttraped them every year.
- sanfordnson

We'll see if Santos can get it done. Janssen did a good job but hes qan ideal set up guy as opposed to being a true closer.

Kadri 24 pts - 24 games
Gardiner 17 pts - 22 games
Frattin 8 goals - 12 games
Abbott 9 pts - 10 games
Rynnas 3 shutouts, 4 wins - 5 games


- coolehmon41

All busts

All busts
- The_Vark

haha, before I scrolled down to see your comment I already knew what it said

haha, before I scrolled down to see your comment I already knew what it said
- coolehmon41

It's all I got .....

How about their closers? I know their hitting has been pretty good in recent years but the pitching has buttraped them every year.
- sanfordnson

The bullpen is actually pretty good, with the closer role either staying with Janssen or going to Santos. The biggest issues with the bullpen, or at least one of the major ones, is that the starting pitching staff was such a mess last season that it created chaos in the bullpen. Too many starters getting hurt, too many starters pitching poorly, and not enough starters pitching deep into games. This resulted in overuse of the bullpen and asking relievers to do more than they could in roles they arent accustomed to.

This is where Buehrle and RADongey will be key for the SP staff. They both should pitch over 200 innings, which should be huge for the club.

All busts
- The_Vark

Colborne and Ross = KissCam = skyhigh potential for NHL success