Just copying and pasting what I wrote in the other thread

RE: The Signings

We now have 12 Players under contract (assuming Myers makes the team - he is under contract for 700,000 if he does)

Those 12 (Hinske, Koskie, Wells, Cat, Myers, Menechino, McDonald, Doc, Lilly, Batista, Speier, Ligter) are under contract for 38.6 million

We also can expect 9 non-arb players to make the team (Hudson, Adams, Rios, Reed, Bush, Towers/Chacin/Downs, Frasor, Chulk, Downs/Miller/League)

So we have 21 players likely to make the team under contract for somewhere between 41 and 41.5 million and our budget is supposed to be somewhere between 52 and 53 million - So we have anywhere from 10.5 to just under 12 million left to up our budget

Speier before the All-Star Break:
3-6, 5.29, 1 Sv, 32 IP, 31 H, 12 BB, 21 K, .263 Opp .BA
and after:
1-3, 2.70, 6 Sv, 36 IP, 30 H, 13 BB, 31 K, .219 Opp. BA

That second half, when he was fully healthy, indicates what I expect Speier can and should produce for a full season in 2005. If he ends up the closer (as I hope) and notches 30 saves, he'll be a bargain in '05 and highly attractive trade bait in 2006.

As for John McDonald, he'll now be able to afford that copy of Halo 2 he's had his eye on for Christmas. Good for them both.

Some of that money might go to front loading/balencing an arb byout of some of the 9 players. Maybe give Hudson a 3 year deal.

I think McDonald should use that extra money to get a few hundred transcripts of "Nightline."

So will there more or less pressure on Speier this year? As Jordan's numbers indicate above, in the second half he (Speier, not Jordan) was the pitcher we all thought he would be for the whole year. Do you anoint him the dreaded "Official Closer" before the start of the year, or do you ease him into the role? My old-school ways say, "Justin, you're the man; if you blow two or three, don't fret: you're still the man." My new-school ways say, "Get people out. Sixth inning, seventh inning, I don't care. You're a pitcher. That's what you're supposed to do."

I figure Zaun or a Vetran Equivalent.. maybe Myers as a DH too
that's 23

Do you anoint him the dreaded "Official Closer"

Speier?, no I don't think so.. but I'd let Jordan give it a try

Mr. Prime Minister must be feelin real lucky today. The Tribe wanted to banish him to the minors until the Jays saved the day. Not only does he stay in the big leagues the PM also gets a raise. With all the extra dough he can scoop up all the left over Vince Carter merchandise in Ontario.

that's 23

23 assumes 2 of
Towers/Chacin/Downs/Miller/League plus Zaun and Myers...
Lets stay with that,

that gives us two open roster spots, if we put $1.7M on the catchers(above), and leaving some room for 3 mid-season call ups (Gross, Chacin and League), gives us 8.0-9.0 to look for a bat and a reliever, or maybe 2 arms...

I wouldn't mind a 5 Mil bat and a 3 Mil arm... the market paid Rheal Cormier or Dustin Hermandson (2/5.25) and Jermain Dye (2/10.5)

Will there be likenesses of our first prime minister in evidence when "Sir John" strides to the plate for the first time as a Jay?

Do you anoint him the dreaded "Official Closer" before the start of the year, or do you ease him into the role? My old-school ways say, "Justin, you're the man; if you blow two or three, don't fret: you're still the man."

That's how I'd do it, as soon as spring camp opened. Mind you, each player needs to be approached differently, and Speier might be uncomfortable with the glare of the spotlight that such an announcement would bring. But if he doesn't like the spotlight's glare, he's probably not a closer candidate anyway. Give him the job and let him keep it, despite a few blown saves, until it's clear he no longer has the self-confidence to continue in that role.

I agree with Jordan. That's how I'd work it as well.

Fantastic signing by the Jays. I wouldn't be surprised if Speier is worth more than 4 million just next year. If the Jays are out of contention and Speier pitches anywhere near how he did in the 2nd half, the Jays could always flip him for some nice goodies. Absoluetly fantastic signing.

The second one doesn't rate high on Mike D's concern-o-meter for me. The choice of 25th infielder isn't going to make or break this team, and Johnny M certainly has some useful skills.

I can picture Jordan going to spring training next year, waiting for Speier to come over and sign autographs. Jordan takes out holy water and sprinkles it on Justin ...

"You are the closer, my son"

I can picture Jordan going to spring training next year, waiting for Speier to come over and sign autographs. Jordan takes out holy water and sprinkles it on Justin ...

"You are the closer, my son" Just Inspire

I'm not crazy about John McDonald signing for 400K -- I was thinking just ten dollars would do it.

Jordan takes out holy water and sprinkles it on Justin ... "You are the closer, my son"

If someone can translate that into Latin, we're set.

Jordan the Baptist? I could do that. So long as Salome (Barojas) doesn't ask for my head on a silver platter.

Salome Barojas!!! LOL

I'm not crazy about John McDonald signing for 400K -- I was thinking just ten dollars would do it.

Yeah, but the union gets testy about that sort of things.

BTW, Gitz, you were fantastic in Old School. Cracked me right up.

You would think the Jays could post a picture of Speier in a JAYS uniform on their site instead of a Rockies uniform. Way to stay current guys!!

Will there be likenesses of our first prime minister in evidence when "Sir John" strides to the plate for the first time as a Jay?

I could make a giant ten dollar bill -- that would be like two comments in one, though one of 'em isn't so flattering.

I don't have too much to add. Speier's been really consistent.

Last 4 year's ERA+
109
113
117
124

If Speier does that he should be well worth it.

Does anyone know what the splits are on Koskie's contract??