The Blue Jays' attempt to build a contending team has failed.
2008 was our best chance and the year we needed to make every effort to win. If not for the injury to Aaron Hill, which prolonged the misguided Johnny Mac experiment, management might have pulled the trigger on a few mid-season deals for a pennant push. As it was, the Jays hung around the fringes of the race and couldn't keep pace with their rich neighbours and the surging Rays.
With the departure of AJ Burnett, and no significant talent flowing into the organisation, it was clear to all but the rose-coloured glasses lot that the hot start this season merely masked reality.
What looms for Blue Jays fans for the foreseeable future is one of two scenarios. The first, and more probable, is a slow descent. The core of the team ages and there are not enough spare parts and prospects to fill the holes. This would be in keeping with JP Ricciardi's methods – his greatest strength being the acquisition of under-appreciated talent.
The second scenario involves blowing up the team by trading away the key players (with the exception of Aaron Hill) for a collection of B+ and B prospects, with (hopefully) the odd grade A variety in the mix. Not likely given Ricciardi's penchant for caution on the trade front, but he may yet surprise.
The long decline scenario is more probable because of bullpen depth and a bountiful crop of back end of the rotation guys. Not enough talent to contend, but enough to avoid being truly miserable. Hitting prospects are a lot thinner on the ground, which is why the Jays should try to obtain at least one grade A hitter in any Halladay trade.
Tough Neighbourhood:
Context is king in baseball, and the fact that the Jays must compete in the AL East and not the AL Central, makes the dark teatime phase inevitable. Let us survey the near future of the toughest division in baseball ...
The Red Sox are the most enviable organisation in baseball. They have a stadium which generates exceptional revenue, a super-smart front office, elite players in their prime and more quality young pitchers without a spot in the rotation than any other team in baseball.
The Yankees are (of course) obscenely wealthy and are getting smarter. Despite the gradual decline of key members of the offense (Jeter, Posada, Damon, A-Rod) they have the resources to fill in holes as the appear
The Rays still have a great young core, and have been able to fill out the roster with useful players.
The Orioles have the making of a serviceable if not great starting rotation with youngsters Tillman, Arrieta and Matusz. They also have a group of young hitters (Jones, Markakis, Wieters and Reimold) that will form the core of a solid offense for years to come. This team could gel in a hurry and possibly put together a “miracle” run in 2010 reminiscent of the 2008 Rays.
That leaves our beloved Blue Jays: young talent inferior to the Rays or Orioles, and financial resources which pale beside the Sox and Yanks.
The Endgame.
So what happens after a series of 5th place finishes, declining attendance (again), and a revolving door of spare parts mixed in with the occasional exciting player?
Welcome to the world of the Oakland A's – that would be the happy outcome. If our next general manager isn't as bright as the current man, following in the Pirates' footsteps could be our fate. If the team remains financially neglected, its relocation will cease to be an unthinkable nightmare. Possibly the only way out is the appearance of a white knight with deep pockets.
A few years ago I would never have imagined I'd come around to this, but what this team needs most is someone like George Steinbrenner.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090718020157425