Buffalo Boy's Blog

At the start of the Jays season the general mood in Toronto and amongst fans was simply that Doc had gone and there was no where to go but down and keep sinking.

Suffice it to say this team has done anything but sink, its proven that it can play with the big boys in the division and may not be as far away as some had thought.

A few things before I get into trade deadline stuff, I wanted to mention the good things about this club since Alex Anthopoulus has taken over:

1. They are much more aggressive scouting players and have proven it with several risky and not so risky signings notably of Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria. It was a $10 million deal that not only outbid the Yankees but was the most given by the organization to an amateur player....ever. Who says they won't spend.

2. Vernon Wells is back.

3. Jose Bautista...hes got 30 bombs after tonight. Don't trade him, how could you? Hes got a year left, time to make a long term deal with him and hes got an outside shot of hitting 50 home runs which would be a club record. Want to see the seats full in September? Keep him and watch the countdown to 50.

4. No injuries, knock on wood.

5. The pitching staff is young but talented and holding together. Shaun Marcum is back, Romero had no sophmore slump and Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow have held their own. We officially have not one but two of the best lefties in the American League in Cecil and Romero, how many can say that?

6. The first major trade of Alex Anthopoulus' career as Jays GM was a short term success so far. Yunel Escobar is worth the price of admission to watch him play defense and he can hit too, Might be the most exciting player since Alomar and White defensively.

Okay, now on to trade deadline stuff:

1. Lyle Overbay- What are we waiting for? Probably for someone to take on the salary considering Lyle just isn't the hitter we got 4 or 5 years ago. You are probably going to have to package him up with John Buck but that will work out perfect because we have Brett Wallace waiting patiently at Las Vegas, I say patiently because he is only hitting .301 with 113 hits, 24 doubles and 18 home runs with 61 runs and 63 RBIs This guy can mash.

2. John Buck- he was signed to a one year deal and is going to get lots more this offseason so hes got to go and we have to get something in return, might even get a team to over pay on him because hes still young. Plus we have another guy waiting even more patiently than Brett Wallace, our future catcher JP Arencibia is tearing it up in Las Vegas, he is hitting .309, 29 doubles, 29 home runs with 63 runs and 74 RBIs. What are we waiting for? if Wallace and Arencibia were steaks they'd be so ready they'd be well done/burning on the grill. They are ready for the majors already.

3. Aaron Hill and/or Adam Lind- Both under performing yet last years numbers are still fresh in a lot of teams heads so this is a move you make if you get a team to overpay for one or both. Id prefer to keep Hill over Lind only because Hill offers you the fact that he is a great hitting second baseman and they are few and far inbetween. Maybe you can land yourself a quality bullpen arm, possibly a quality closer with one of them.

4. Don't trade Bautista, see above.

5. Scott Downs- Hes 34, a lefty out of the bullpen and thats valuable for contenders, its a money move but seriously, we can do better than downs next year. Downs for Chamberlain for a low risk, high reward type deal? Get Joba out of the pressure cooker in NY and maybe he relaxes a little and pitches to his capability.

Overall this team I think its safe to say has surprised a lot of people, they are 13 out of first in the toughest division in baseball. They have a realistic shot at catching the Boston Red Sox in the standings which would be huge for this organization, to show they can fit right in there with the big money teams. Especially for a team that hasn't spent the money yet. They have fought the Yankees tooth and nail, gave Tampa a good run in their series with them and they have played Boston tough as well. Plus we proved that we are far and away better than the Orioles 11 straight againt the O's, we are definitely not last place material.

Go out this offseason and revamp the bullpen, tweak the pitching staff and this team could contend next year. Alex said when its time to spend the organization will spend, this offseason while sooner then expected may be the time. to spend a little to fill in the gaps.