Should the Jays Trade Jose?

Don't hurt me. I beg of you.

The proposition seems preposterous. It may very well be preposterous; why move one of the best outfielders in the game on a bargain contract? Here's my response... why not?

Because he's locked up for nickels and dimes, that's all the more reason to trade Jose Bautista. Look at it from a contending team's perspective - who wouldn't want one of the game's biggest power threats with great instincts and a cannon of an arm in the outfield for only $14 million/year until 2015, with an option for 2016.

The Jays could get a huge haul for Joey Bats. Like... a HUGE haul... and as great a player as he is, do the Jays really need him?

Outfielder Kevin Pillar is banging on the door, posting a ridiculous .349 BA at AAA, while Anthony Gose and Moises Sierra still can't be counted out.

Further, offense isn't the problem. The Blue Jays are 8th in the Majors in runs scored - ahead of the A's, Braves, Reds, Rangers, Yankees, and Dodgers.

Would the Blue Jays offense take that huge a hit without Jose Bautista?

Take a look at MY hypothetical lineup:

1. RF Kevin Pillar
2. LF Melky Cabrera
3. SS Jose Reyes
4. 1B Edwin Encarnacion
5. DH Adam Lind
6. CF Colby Rasmus
7. 2B Maicer Izturis
8. C  JP Arencibia
9. 3B Brett Lawrie

Not too shabby.

It may be bold to assume that Kevin Pillar could so soon handle the vigor of being an everyday lead off man. But if that assumption is even close to reality, the Jays offense would be fine. That lineup is still very capable.

What the Blue Jays really need is starting pitching.

The Jays should know first hand that offense isn't needed if you pitch well. They've been slaughtered by the Rays over the course of the past six years.

So why not move Jose Bautista? Just imagine what you could get.

Jose Bautista is great. Young controllable talent is also great though.

Should Jose be moved? Leave a comment...

The Legend of The Red Bull

Some say he never left.
Some say he flew away with the wings that the Red Bull gave him.

But most say he's still here... 'cause he is. Should he be though?

Brett Lawrie is a spectacular third baseman. Defensively at least. Not as spectacular as... say a Manny Machado or dare I say it, Tabler, an Evan Longoria?

I digress. 

Brett Lawrie is still a very solid defensive infielder - and much more of a contributor than Munenori Kawasaki. Yet one must wonder if the Blue Jays are ruining him.

We've seen other Jays prospects disappear into the land of mediocrity following an impressionable debut *cough cough* Mr. Snider *cough cough*

This raises the question - should Brett Lawrie be sent down? He, like Travis Snider, had an incredible start to their careers. He, like Travis Snider, was maybe rushed. MAYBE. He, like Travis Snider, was incredibly young when he was called up.

Sure, other youngsters have been called up at young ages. Manny Machado, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, etc.

But if the player is struggling after a year or two, is it time to send them back down?

Despite the D, Lawrie has been... well... less than impressive this year, struggling to make solid contact at the plate, posting an average barely eclipsing the Mendoza Line. From what I see through my (what must be) less than professional analysis, Lawrie's swing needs work. Not level. Choppy. Overexcited. Whatever you want to call it.

It's the elephant in the room.

The next few weeks should be the deciding factor. Continuous struggles and he should be sent down.

What's your call? Leave a comment...

Buck Direction

Songs from New Album:

• Encarawnaeowanepyown http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU3-SXKdFKo (Shout out to Blue Jay Hunter)
• Robby Cano - Strong Hands
• To Ishmeal - With Love and Squalor
• Travis Thames
• Eric Snider (Why not, right?)
• Eva Longoria - Soft Hands feat. Pat Tabler
• Swing and a Drive! (<-- The show stopper)

FEATURING NEW SONG -Nick Tepesch Is The Bestest (written last night in between the 3rd and 4th inning)

525 600 Pitchers (Seasons of Desparation)

It seems to happen every year.

Toronto Blue Jays pitchers dropping likes flies... flies being tracked down by Melky Cabrera. In other words, all of them.

27 pitchers have been used this year already (yes, yes, the "Rent" reference title is wrong). Is it really that bad? Well let's compare...

BAL-21
STL-18
TEX-18
CIN-15
PIT-18
BOS-19
ATL-16
NYY-18
OAK-15
ARI-14
TB-16
DET-17
SF-16
CLE-18
WAS-15
COL-15
PHI-18
CWS-15
SD-19
LAA-21
MIN-17
CHC-18
SEA-17
LAD-19
NYM-16
KC-14
MIL-16
HOU-18
MIA-17

Well the Jays are winning SOMETHING at least. They go through pitchers like Taylor Swift goes through boyfriends. Geez...

WHY?
1) Starting pitching - well yes, starting pitching is pitching. But starters aren't going deep into games, relievers are being used excessively, and the Greek Man on top is forced into roster moves.
2) The pitchers are just shitty - the last man in the bullpen hasn't been stable this year. From Jeffress to Lincoln to Weber. It's understandable.
3) Injuries - of course

In the end, it doesn't all come down to luck. It can be changed. The Rogers Centre isn't just a place to have a cup of coffee. Why not a whole batch?

Forgotten Blue Jay Legends of the Past Decade (Second Edition)

Luis Figueroa hit .111 in 9 ABs with the Blue Birds in 2006. Congrats, buddy.

Game #31 - No recap today, player performances instead

Lawrie - Too many red bulls, 0-3. But he's Canadian... so that's something. Oh, his D is also superb.
Melky - 1-4? SUPER ALL-STAR. Melk and Coco Puffs all day, baby.
Bautista - Super sexy with dem high socks. At least he's decent.
Encarnacion - 2-4, congrats. This guy is pretty good. But his team sucks.
Colby - Oy vei
Davis - I love this guy, he was probably the cutest baby. He's not that good though. HE SCORED A RUN TODAY!
Izturis - Well he does nothing... so it's hard to like him. Sucked again today.
Blanco - Got a hit? I thought all he did was catch knuckleballs.
KAWASAKI! - WOOHOO KAWASAKI YAYYAWRKWOAEWQOMO MOAW 川崎は男です。私は川崎を愛し！彼は野球で最高の選手だ超セクシーな男だ！川崎GO！


Dickey - You're wise... like an owl... but you sucked today.

http://images.luvimages.com/luvphotos/y/you_lose_gif-392.jpg

Game #29 and #30 - Farrell Fun and Fantasy Baseball

Game #29 was a swell one! Lawrie with a lead off red bull run to centre. Ermageerd! Will we win? Nah...

Happ shits the bed in this one. Seven walks - that's a lot of Johnny Walker! 

We lose 3-1... but hey, look at the bright side! Ricky Romero is starting next game.

Never mind. Boring game. 4-0. I HAVE FELIX IN FANTASY! YIPEEEKAYYYAAAYBITCHEZ!

Two games lost, I like gyros.

-Your friendly, neighbourhood, Greek comrade, Alex Anthopolous's protege