bustaheims
Active member
The Sarge said:
Well, this might be a little different, since the Jays do currently employ his brother.
2012 Toronto Blue Jays Thread
- Thread starter Darryl
- Start date
Well, this might be a little different, since the Jays do currently employ his brother.
The Jays lost a great baseball guy in Brian Butterfield today. I was pissed off when I heard the news, like really pissed off. Butterfield is held in the highest regard by the fans and the media and he will go on to be a manager one day.
This has been a horrible start to the off-season for the Jays. It especially hurts after the most disappointing regular season in years. This team lost their manger - for better or for worse - and got their 1st and 3rd base coaches poached as well by a DIVISION RIVAL no less. This team is going to have to make a big splash in the off-season to recreate excitement and enthusiasm among the fans. Discontent with the organization is at an all-time high at least since I started watching. Step up, Rogers.
This has been a horrible start to the off-season for the Jays. It especially hurts after the most disappointing regular season in years. This team lost their manger - for better or for worse - and got their 1st and 3rd base coaches poached as well by a DIVISION RIVAL no less. This team is going to have to make a big splash in the off-season to recreate excitement and enthusiasm among the fans. Discontent with the organization is at an all-time high at least since I started watching. Step up, Rogers.
hockeyfan1
New member
Justin said:
All may not be lost with Butterfield afterall. His going to Boston still makes him a candidate for the managerial position with the Jays, according to sources. The Jays aren't ruling anything out yet.
The 54-year-old likely has an escape clause in his contract that allows him to pursue managerial openings, meaning he could still be in play for GM Alex Anthopoulos.
With the Blue Jays unable to make any promises to their coaches as they search for a new skip, Butterfield guaranteed himself some work for 2013 while apparently keeping his options. It also gives him a fresh start to pursue his own aspirations should he be passed on in Toronto again.
Anthopoulos phoned the entire coaching staff and told them they were free to search for other work while he conducted interviews, and whoever the new Blue Jays manager is will be allowed to choose his own staff.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2012/10/30/butterfield_still_open_for_jays_manager_despite_move_to_boston/
Champ Kind
New member
Justin said:
I think "losing" is too strong a word here. The new manager has to be afforded the opportunity to select his own coaching team. AA and the entire organizatiuon can love Butterfield, but it would be inappropriate to saddle the new manager with coaches he didn't select.
bustaheims
Active member
Andy007 said:
There's not much on the free agent market any way. If the team is going to improve their rotation, it's almost certainly going to be through a trade.
Corn Flake
New member
Champ Kind said:
And as Busty eluded to, plucking coaches from a team that has been as bad as this one has for as long as it has may not be the best strategy for success.
Everyone likes Butters because he's a nice old dude who apparently knew the game inside and out, but at this stage maybe the Jays should let go of anyone who wants to go and then dump the rest once the new manager arrives. Seriously, this is a good opportunity to clean house. Continuity should probably be thrown out the window when your record is 73-89.
Give me experience, give me track record of success and give me coaches who don't take or put up with crap, period.
Corn Flake
New member
Scratch Sandy Alomar Jr (likely) off the list:
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=408521
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=408521
maplesyrup
New member
A question if I may get away from mangers and coaches; When is Stroman eligible to play? I know he got 50 games but how much of that is already burned? Or, do games count at the minor league level all?
bustaheims
Active member
The Sarge said:
Missing games is missing games. He got suspended at the minor league level, so, those are the games that matter towards his suspension.
maplesyrup
New member
bustaheims said:
That's what I suspected... Has he completed the 50?
bustaheims
Active member
The Sarge said:
His suspension came at the end of August, so, I suspect that he has not.
maplesyrup
New member
I had forgotten. So, ~ half way done then. Cheers.
Champ Kind
New member
bustaheims said:
That's not necessarily true, Busta. Taking a look at free agent starters, there are plenty of middle of the rotation guys. Any one of Edwin Jackson, Shaun Marcum, Ryan Dempster, Brandon McCarthy, Francisco Liriano, Anibail Sanchez and, of course, Zach Greinke, but he's in another class. I even like the idea of a Dan Haran or maybe Carl Pavano on a short term contract.
If I was a betting man, I would double down on Marcum coming back to Toronto.
bustaheims
Active member
Champ Kind said:
But, as I've said a number of times, the Jays need a front of the rotation guy, not more middle of the rotation guys . . . and just about everyone on that list comes with some pretty serious injury or performance issues. Greinke is the jewel of this year's free agency class, and, really, he's a #2 guy that had one year where he pitched like a true ace.
As for Haren, there's no guarantee he hits the market. Word is the Angels are trying to move him before the deadline to decide on his option passes. Pavano is near retirement and was awful when he was healthy last season.
Corn Flake
New member
Champ Kind said:
They want a front of the rotation guy. AA's own words. None of those guys are that, except Grenkie.
That said I agree with you on Marcum being signed. He's already said the Jays are "on his list". If they signed Marcum it could free up some other resources to make a move for a legit 1 or 2 starter. I don't think I would consider him anything more than a #3 starter though.
bustaheims
Active member
Looking at the market, the only free agent I'd like to see make a major run at is Josh Hamilton. The rest . . . well, there's 3 or 4 similar guys out there at every position, or there's one guy who's going to get seriously overpaid because there's no real competition for him (like Greinke - a #2 who is going to get paid like an ace).