Blue Jays' offseason: What up, J.P.?

[sweaver]

The Jays have now signed Tanyon Sturtze, who will probably slot in as the third starter, behind Halladay and Lidle. Now, all of a sudden, the Jays' rotation seems to be taking shape. They let Jose Cruz Jr. go, and signed Mike Bordick to be a backup IF and insurance for Chris Woodward. Are they a dark horse in the AL East?

[WiredTiger]

I think it's going to be hard to catch the Red Sox and the Yankees. But it looks like the Blue Jays are back on track. Maybe they can create some excitement in the Skydome this year.

[Max Power]

It helps to make noise when you have TB and the O's as cell mates - - - Jays should do 3rd just by showing up. Like they did last year.

Now, if Orlando Hudson plays well. And, if Josh Phelps and Hinske play like they did last year, combined with Stewart, Delgado, and Wells - - - that's a very nice 1 thru 6.

Maybe just as good as Boston's 1 thru 6? But, Boston has Lowe and Pedro.........not looking good for the Jays.........beyond 3rd.

[gyb13]

* marks new acquisitions

C Huckaby, Wilson, Myers*
1B Delgado
2B Hudson
SS Woodward
3B Hinske
LF Stewart
CF Wells
RF Werth
DH Phelps
IF Bordick*, Berg
OF Wise

SP Halladay, Lidle*, Sturtze*, Loaiza, Walker, Miller, Hendrickson, Parris
RP Escobar, Creek*, Tam*, Thurman, Cassidy, Politte, Heredia

[Fatwater Fewl]

The lineup does seem very strong, though the ifs are worrisome. And I'd be happier with one more SP.

The biggest question for me is the bullpen. Even as a fan, I can't say the Jays have a real chance unless it gels.

[sweaver]

Originally posted by gyb13
SP Halladay, Lidle*, Sturtze*, Loaiza, Walker, Miller, Hendrickson, Parris
RP Escobar, Creek*, Tam*, Thurman, Cassidy, Politte, Heredia

Best guess for 2003 as of now:

Lineup: Stewart, LF; Woodward, SS; Delgado, 1B; Phelps, DH; Hinske, 3B; Wells, CF; Werth, RF; Hudson, 2B; Huckaby, C

That's a lineup with some swat, and if a young pitcher or two comes through in the rotation, they could make some noise.

[gyb13]

here's an article criticizing JP:
http://www.canoe.ca/Slam021227/col_ulmer-sun.html

i hadn't yet heard a voice of dissent from canada

[gyb13]

Frankie Cat has signed with the Blue Jays

[gyb13]

Catalanotto may take over in RF, instead of Jayson Werth, but here's what JP Ricciardi said over the weekend, prior to the signing:

Now that Cruz has gone, the leading candidate on the 40-man roster to take over in right field appears to be 23-year-old Jayson Werth, whose major-league experience is all of the 15 games he got into last year with the Jays. Werth, a former No. 1 draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles, is a converted catcher.

However, Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is still in the hunt for a seasoned outfielder, one such as Canadian Matt Stairs, who last week declined the Jays offer of $800,000 to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $900,000.

"I still think we're going to get an outfielder," Ricciardi said. "There are still other guys out there."

That doesn't mean he doesn't think Werth can do the job.

"Our best-case scenario is that Werth comes in (to spring training), plays great and wins the job," Ricciardi said. "Our worst-case scenario is that he's in triple-A playing and we have two other guys out there playing right field while he's getting more seasoning."

[sweaver]

Catalanatto could be used as an all-over utility player, in the manner of Tony Phillips or Mark McLemore, or he could be a prelude to a Shannon Stewart trade. I would really hate for the Jays to trade Stewart, though, because an Oakland-style offense with a true leadoff hitter could be a sight to behold.

[Skip]

Originally posted by sweaver
because an Oakland-style offense with a true leadoff hitter could be a sight to behold.

but does this really qualify? Or will it by April, at least?

[sweaver]

Perhaps not yet, but it's getting there. Delgado, Hinske, Werth and Phelps would all fit right into the Oakland lineup.

[Glyndwr]

Originally posted by sweaver
Best guess for 2003 as of now:

Lineup: Stewart, LF; Woodward, SS; Delgado, 1B; Phelps, DH; Hinske, 3B; Wells, CF; Werth, RF; Hudson, 2B; Huckaby, C

With Little Cat in there now I would expect to see :

Stewart
Catalanotto
Wells
Delgado
Phelps
Hinske
Woodward
Myers vs. R, Huckaby vs. L
Hudson vs. R

I am putting Wells at third as Tosca seems to like him there, I would rather see Hinske at three and Wells at six.
That is pretty sweet though 1 through 7.

[Glyndwr]

Originally posted by gyb13
here's an article criticizing JP:
http://www.canoe.ca/Slam021227/col_ulmer-sun.html

i hadn't yet heard a voice of dissent from canada

If you want JP bashing read Richard Griffin in the Toronto Star at waymoresports.com

Griffin will happily bash anyone for anything. He is currently mad that JP works out and doesnt drink long into the night during the winter meetings.

Worst Columnist Ever.....

[Glyndwr]

Originally posted by sweaver
Catalanatto could be used as an all-over utility player, in the manner of Tony Phillips or Mark McLemore, or he could be a prelude to a Shannon Stewart trade. I would really hate for the Jays to trade Stewart, though, because an Oakland-style offense with a true leadoff hitter could be a sight to behold.

Werth also has a little utility value as a fourth outfielder/third catcher/pinch hitter/defensive replacement type.

With the two of them Tosca has a lot more options that he did for most of last year.