Buffalo Boy's Blog

The Jays late season push took a big hit yesterday. That said, I being the die hard fan that I am have not given up just yet. A split of this four game series today with Doc Halladay on the mound would put the Jays 61/2 back again and the Red Sox head for Tampa and the Jays at home for a three game series against the lowly Orioles.

No matter what happens, the Jays late seson push is turning heads, If they don't make it, fine, I just would hope there is one thing that JP Riccardi considers going into next season.

Frank Thomas's salary will be off the books, Matt Stairs is off the books, Greg Zaun and AJ Burnett will also be off the books. That will most likely provide the Jays with an extra $25-27 million to spend.

Spend it. Get a solid two starter, get a big bat to plug into there and maybe look into the fact that Scott Rolen will not be the same as he was in 2004 and go out and get a new 3rd baseman. Maybe a new guy at 3rd base is your bat but if you have the money, go out and get what you need to get this team the 9-10 wins it needs to get to the playoffs.

Two to three holes to plug. Thats it really. They have a solid bench, the best pitching in the league. You need two to three parts to make this thing click and get there.

1. Big bat- Thrid, first or short would be nice. It doesn't have to be all three...If you think Rolen will bounce back then a hitting shortstop who could lead off would be perfect.

2. Number two starter

3. Thirdbase- Maybe a full off season to rest and maybe another surgery for Rolen, will Jose Bautista suffice?

A reasonable goal for the rest of this season for Cito would be 87-90 wins. Anything more than that would be gravy and maybe the wildcard. 87-90 would mean winning 8-11 of the remaining 13-14 games on the schedule. High expectations but it would continue to turn heads.