Toronto needs 2B filled with quality throughout the Major and Minors, because Ryan Schimpf (2009 - 5th round http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=schimp001rya ) is pretty much it.  Brandon Mims (2010 - 9th round - since released http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mims--001bra ), Matt Abrahams (2010 - 49th round http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=595105 ) and Jonathan Berti (2011 - 18th round http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=berti-001jon ) make up our most recent picks.   A.A.'s draft policies of picking the best athelete available means a lot of ShortStops get drafted, 8 in just 2011.   So unless a SS switches to 2B, we might continue to have a drought here.  One year stop-gaps for 2B is not enough.  We are beyond this point in team progress.  Signing Kelly Johnson 3 years $18.0 -$20.0 Million is fine by me, after all, he's not blocking anyone.  Unless you can find someone better by trade, you might as well go with Johnson.   Anyone with Mike McCoy as your first or second backup, in depth, is in trouble for not finding better.

At 3B, we have a Stud in Brett Lawrie.   And while third base talent has more upside, Matt Dean, Kellen Sweeney And Gabriel Cenas are 3 or more years away.   Bautista and Encarnacion should not be the first or second choice for Backup.  We need to do better.  We could use a SS switching to 3B also.

Martin Prado, Atlanta might be a decent choice as 2B.  He can play 2B, 3B and LF.  A.A. needs to decide if the price is right.

Oh, and at SS, we have, in no order: Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, DJ Thon JR, Dewal Lugo, Gustavo Pierre, Jorge Vega-Rosado, Ryan Goins, Andrew Burns, Shane Optiz and Jon Diaz to name a few.

All teams load up on shortstops in the draft with the intention of moving some of them to other positions. I don't know what the actual numbers would be, but it wouldn't shock me if a majority of current major league second and third basemen were shortstops at one time. Both Aaron Hill and Kelly Johnson were shortstops previously. Even Matt Stairs was a shortstop back in the day. It's safe to assume that a few of the shortstops you listed will be playing elsewhere on the diamond within a few years.

ESPN's Jim Bowden, former GM himself, estimated how mcuh each fre agent would get. Here are the summary numbers:

When listening to anything Bowden says, bear in mind that he authored this little gem. Yes, OPSBIs as a metric. His facility with numbers is, hmmm, less than outstanding.

What about getting David Wright and moving Lawrie to 2nd?  (Assuming at 28, he isn't washed up).  He would cost 15 million next year and 16 million in 2013 (with a 1 million buyout). 

His value is at an all-time low.  If you could get him for simular value to the Escobar trade, would you do it?  (example: Dickie Thon, Chad Jenkins, Cooper, and Carlos Perez)  Or maybe the Mets would be interested in Lind?  Etc etc. 

I think I would.  I hear he is a good clubhouse guy and is only one year removed from 29 HR, 100RBI and 280 average on a very bad club.

After seeing his 45-inch standing jump and his behind-the-back circus catch in the outfield, I fully expected the next scene to show him jumping over a car, like Joey Gathright.

He also has a tendency to stand and admire his moon shots for a LONG time before he begins his home-run trot.

A tweet from Buster Olney:

The Blue Jays are taking a very aggressive approach in looking for a closer.  Wouldn't be a shock if they landed one of the best guys.

Yu Darvish or bust.

Won't cost a pick, the cheapos that own this team will make some money back on the investment over time, and the Jays get a player who can contribute right away with impact potential. Benefits everyone involved.

Make it happen.

A tweet from Buster Olney:

When was the last Jays move that any scribe predicted? This front office seems to have quite the cone of silence surrounding it.

Milky Cabrera for J Sanchez + a throw in? Do the Giants have some depth relief pitcher who also goes by J Sanchez that I am unfamiliar with?

My perfect offseason. Well, one that focuses on Prince Fielder+ guys who will be undervalued IMO.

1. Sign Prince Fielder. Don't go beyond 7 yrs.

2. Sign Clint Barmes 3 years 

3. Trade Adam Lind , Brett Cecil, and Chad Jenkins for Wandy Rodriguez

4. Trade Eric Thames, Rajaj Davis, Carlos Perez and Deck McGuire for Johan Santana. (He's already shown he can come back from surgery and the Mets would love to get him off their payroll)

5. Re-sign Jose Molina

6. Sign Francisco Cordero (once everyone else has blown money on the big name closers)

7. Promote Jon Diaz as the utility guy just so I can watch him play defense.

8. Sign Kosuke Fukudome as a 4th OF, DH type guy. (I really think his on base skills are underrated and he'll sneak past teams in this market)

9. Sign Mike Gonzalez as a lefty setup guy and handcuff for Cordero

Shi Davidi is tweeting that the Jays are retaining all of their coaching staff, with the exception of Pete Walker becoming the bullpen coach to replace Pat Hentgen, who is quitting for family reasons.

So much for the rumor that the Jays were ready to dump Dwayne Murphy. 

Alright, everyone else has done the projected 2012 roster. So, why not me?

C - J.P. Arencibia
1B - Adam Lind
2b - Martin Prado
SS Escobar
Brett Lawrie
LF - Josh Willingham
CF - Colby Rasmus
RF - Jose Bautista
DH - Edwin Encarnacion

Bench:
C - Chris Snyder
OF - Rajai Davis
UTIL - Ronnie Cedeno
OF - Travis Snider

Rotation:
1 - Ricky Romero
2 - Yu Darvish
3 - Brandon Morrow
4 - Henderson Alverez
5 - Brett Cecil

Bullpen:
CL - Huston Street
SU - Casey Janssen
SU - Joel Zumaya 
MR - Jesse Litsch
MR - Joel Carreno
LOOGY -Luis Perez? (clueless here)
LR - Carlos Villaneuva

Rational behind/deal for Prado:
Solid hitter and a consumate professional that can play numerous positions. A bit unsure of how good he is defensively at second. Traded Eric Thames straight up for him as Atlanta wants a power hitting outfielder.

Rational behind Willingham:
One of the most underrated power hitters in all of baseball. Played in pitchers parks his whole prime. Okay on defense for now. Can plat first if Lind is dealt (opening up a spot for Snider). Three years and 24 million might do it without breaking the bank.

Snyder and Cedeno:
Snyder has long been a target of the Jays. Remember when they had a deal for him with the D-backs only to have it fall through, Solid two way catcher. Cedeno is an incredible glove at both short and second. May or may not own a bat. Remind you of anyone?

Yu Darvish:
He's Yu Darvish, you all know who he is. What it is going to cost is irrelevant to me. No pick given up for a potential ace is a win.

Huston Street:
Colorado is looking to unload his salary. Won't cost much and has a proven track record. Still only 28. Perfect buy low canidate.

Joel Zumaya:
Reclaimation project. Can't stay healthy lately. Dominate if he is. Worth a flier if he'll leave Detroit.

Feel free to give suggestions, laugh at me etc. Just my thoughts.

I've been saying all along the Giants would try to trade a pitcher, likely either Sanchez or Bumgarner for some hitting.  Interesting deal they made for Cabrera.  Both guys are free agents after 2012, so it's not like either team is giving up a significant long term asset.  Cabrera just turned 27, 3 months ago - he's been in the big leagues a long time, and may have just reached his potential in his age 26/27 season.  Quite a year - a decent defensive outfielder, hitting .305 with 18 HR's, 44 doubles, 5 triples, 87 RBI's, 102 runs scored and 20 steals.  Doesn't walk much, but still, that was good enough for an OPS over .800.  He immediately becomes the Giants' best hitting outfielder and probably the 3rd best hitter on the team behind Sandoval and Posey, unless Brandon Belt really develops quickly.  He put up good defensive numbers with the Yankees a few years back, but he must have lost some speed, as his numbers in CF for KC were poor last year.  His SB % took a hit, too.  I would imagine the Giants would play him in left and Torres in centre. 

Sanchez is almost 2 years older than Cabrera, but has electric stuff, and gets a lot of K's.  His 2010 was a terrific season, but he slipped back last year as he battled injuries.  As mentioned earlier, he needs to get his control problems figured out.  He has always walked too many, and he may never be able to fix that problem.

Interest article on Slam sports today indicating the Marlins are looking to make a splash as they move into a new stadium, and are taking a serious run at signing Jose Reyes, AND either Fielder or Pujols.  Hanley Ramirez has apparently agreed to move to another position, and Reyes would take over at SS.

...  I don't fancy the aggressive move for a closer unless the Jays have other moves lined up. An established closer should be the last piece of the puzzle IMO.

WRONG!   Without a good Bullpen (see Postseason 2011), it doesn't matter how good your starting staff is, you're pooched.  With Bautista, Rasmus, Escobar, Lawrie, Arencibia, Romero, and Lind, Davis, Encarnacion, Morrow, Litsch. Janssen, Villanueva as a core group, filling the holes is what`s needed now.

1) This team needs a top 2B, somewhere in this organization (see http://www.battersbox.ca/users.php?mode=profile&uid=9081 and http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/free-agent-and-trade-market-for-second-basemen.html ). 

2) We need a top-of-the-rotation Starter (a 1, or a 1A, or a 1B, or a 2, or a 2A, see http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/trade-and-free-agent-market-for-starting-pitchers.html ).  As good as, or better than Romero, or, at least as good as, or better than Morrow.  Number 4 and 5 staters will be in-house (let the kids play). 

3) We need a lot of help in the Bullpen, including a bona fide Closer, A.A.'s words.  Whether it be Trade or Free Agency, A.A. will get it done.    ?  /  '  "  $  (  )

4) We need a quality backup Catcher (see http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/free-agent-and-trade-market-for-catchers.html ).

5) We need a quality middle-infielder to backup 2B and SS (see http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/free-agent-and-trade-market-for-second-basemen.html and http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/free-agent-and-trade-market-for-shortstops.html ).

All these decisions will be made for this upcoming year.  The extra Wild Card and any Realignment will be occurring in 2013, means the major moves needed happen now.  

The Rotation, with Romero, new acqusition Starter, Morrow, In-house, In-house; and the Bullpen, with new acquistion Closer, possible new acquisition Reliever, Litsch, Janssen, Villanueva, In-house, In-house (7th Reliever - optional); will pitch in 2012.   If, after the 2012 season, help is needed or a hole exists, it will be corrected.   The Outfield, with Bautista, Rasmus, Davis, In-house; and the Infield, with Lind, new acqusition 2B, Escobar, Lawrie, Arencibia, Encarnacion; and the Bench with Teahen, new acqusition/ In-house backup Catcher, new acqusition / In-house Middle-infielder, (extra bench - optional); will play in 2012.   If, after the 2012 season, help is needed or a hole exists, it will be corrected.

The team entering the 2013 season should be playing in the Postseason.  Sometime during that year the minors will be delivering the steady supply A.A. forecasted.  Those in AAA in 2011 are available for 2012.  Those starting 2012 in  AAA could be available in 2012 or 2013.  Those starting 2012 in AA  could be available in 2013, or earlier.  Those starting A+ in 2012 should be in AA or AAA in 2013. Those in A in 2012 should be in A+, or AA in 2013.   In June 2012, another draft class arrives; in June 2013, another draft class arrives.  As long as A.A. is GM, nothing is missed. 

Their next three games will be quite tough. They could emerge from that stretch noticeably below the pre-season Top Four/Six or they could emerge ready to make a bona fide run at a Euro spot. It will be interesting to see how they fare, as they've not had a tough schedule so far, but they're not getting cheap victories either.

Reply to a couple of suggestions upthread:

4. Trade Eric Thames, Rajaj Davis, Carlos Perez and Deck McGuire for Johan Santana. (He's already shown he can come back from surgery and the Mets would love to get him off their payroll)

I wouldn't trade McGuire straight up for Santana. Think about what you ar esaying when you say 'he has already shown...'

From this point forward until the end of his career, he will spend more days ON the DL then on an active roster during a season.

8. Sign Kosuke Fukudome as a 4th OF, DH type guy. (I really think his on base skills are underrated and he'll sneak past teams in this market)

I don't think he will sneak past. He won't need to take a fourth OF deal. He may not saign with a contender but there are many teams that would pay him to start every day.

If the Jays want to try to contend this year (they might not), they should go after a middle of the lineup hitter and a top of the rotation starter. If they get those things, they can spend money on some relievers.

Absolutely correct.

rpriske.

I respectfully disagree regarding Johan Santana.  I think he'll win at least 12 games next season, more if he leaves the Mets.  And I still believe that because he throws a changeup as his out pitch he will age well.  If we buy into AA's mantra of trying to buy low on top shelf talent I don't see a better option out there.

With Fukudome I can see him getting a ML deal, heck technically we could throw him one. Either way he's a guy I'd keep an eye on. Because he signed that big deal but doesn't hit for power out of an outfield corner I think he's been underrated for a while now.

So, you are saying I'm wrong because...

NO.  I am saying you are WRONG about the Blue Jays not needing a bona fide Closer, they do need one (A.A.'s own words: TSN Article Thu 09/29/11 7:53:46 PM).  I am saying http://www.battersbox.ca/users.php?mode=profile&uid=9081  we need 2B, Bench, Starter, Bullpen help including Closer and WE ARE DONE!   Of course, A.A. will keep looking to improve this club after doing the needed things. 

The team that starts the 2012 season, to compete for a Postseason berth, will determine A.A.`s moves next offseason for 2013.  2013, the year of realignment and the additional Wild Card berth. 

The Rotation is: Romero, New Acqusition, Morrow, Alvarez (because I think he can) and McGowan (until he can`t - no options).   Cecil and Drabek will wait for their chance.  The Bullpen is: New Acquisition (Closer), New Acquisition (Reliever), Janssen, Villanueva, Litsch, Winner 1 and Winner 2 (of Cecil, Drabek, Carreno, Beck, Perez to name a few).   This is where the hard decisions will be made.   The Batting problems will be readily apparent and present easier decision to make.

Disagreements are never attacks, just passionate responses to something we deem stupid (no offence meant).

....I am in that small minority who would like to see Thames open the season as the leftfielder....

How is this a maverick viewpoint? Seems pretty conventional to me. He out-performed Snider in 2011 and there's no other obvious LF in the Jays system who's ready to seize the job from him. His numbers in 2011 weren't massively impressive but you have to remember that he was a 24-year-old rookie (with only 1,000 minor-league PAs) and he posted an OPS+ of 104 in his rookie season. It's not unreasonable to expect him to improve as he adjusts to the league. I doubt the Jays would trade him unless they're absolutely sure that Snider is ready to replace him -- and that's not a sure thing at all. Perhaps they could trade him next July if Snider is coming on like gangbusters. Otherwise he could be the starting LF for the whole season if he continues to improve.

Back in the 80's I was a rabid consumer of the Bill James abstracts and I also remember Brian Johnson, a writer for the Globe and Mail, who wrote a column called inside baseball.  Johnson also communicated back and forth with James and those communications sometimes made it into the abstracts.  The Hardball Times has a great interview with Johnson today.

 I seemed to be in a constant fight with other writers, columnists, etc., both within my own paper, and versus competitors. You saw, I think, how the Toronto Sun declared Alfredo Griffin the Jays' "MVP"—after I pointed out his atrocious OBP, and pretty much demanded that the Jays bring up Tony Fernandez. That was the basic tenor of the times. The response was very negative, very hostile. New ideas seemed quite threatening to baseball writers, for reasons that weren't clear then, or now. The letters to the editor were more of a mixed bag, pro and con.

What's the obvious aversion to playing Bautista in the infield? Despite what he believes he isn't a good RFer.

We need Bullpen help.  (Mind you, I still would like to see what McGowan does there).  We especially need some lefthanded specialists.  And don't compare signing Nathan or Papelbon to BJ Ryan.  BJ had one good year as an Oriole.  He did not deserve that money.  Papelbon and Nathan have been very consistent through the years.  Having a good bullpen could significantly change the framework of the team.  Maybe, the starter doesn't go that extra inning or a rally is snuffed out.  Etc etc

Since we are just doing this fantasy purposes

C. JPA with Molina as backup

1st - Morneau - traded for Lind and Twins eat up a majority of his contract

2nd - Kelly Johnson is retained

SS - Escobar

3rd - Lawrie

DH - BautistaEE

LF - SniderThames

CF -  Cespedes

RF - RasmusBautista

Bench - EE Someone better than McCoy and Davis

Starters - Romero, King Felix(traded Gose, McGuire, one of the young catchers and 2 other arms in AA), Morrow, Alverez and Bedard.

Bullpen - Nathan, McGowan, Villenava, Perez, solid LHP, Carreno (and room for some of the arms in AAA that need to prove themselves) 

                              (I would prefer Papelbon over Nathan, but the thought of giving the Red Sox our 1st round pick doesn't sit right)

                             - Please trade Litsch too. 

Personally, I like team speed.  Defense shows up every game.  I would love to see  Cespedes in the OF and Rasmus pushed to a corner.  Gose could be used as a trading peice to get a quality arm.  If you are going to trade the farm to get a good arm, get Felix.  A bullpen built around Nathan and McGowan is solid. 

Fun game.

Red Green wouldn't even call that solid.

B.J. Ryan had nearly identical years in 2004 and 2005. WHIP of 1.138 and 1.137, K/9 of 12.6 and 12.8, BB/9 of 3.6 and 3.3. So he either had 2 good years, or he had none. Unless you're saying the 36 saves in 2005 make it a good year, while only 3 saves in 2004 made that a bad year?

What I would like to see the Jays do ...

           1 ... Convince Rogers to expand into Latin America and establish an International Headquarters somewhere in Cuba ... Don't tell anybody !

            2... Add a baisebol complex for the recreational use of its Cuban employees ... Don't tell anybody !

            3... Hire people like Raul Castro's son who is in favour of allowing Cuban players to legally leave the island ... Don't tell anybody !

            4... Hire relatives of the premiere baseball talent and invite them to bring their sons to work ... Don't tell anybody !

            5... Award them foreign exchange scholarships to Canadian private schools where after a year they can apply for citizenship ... Don't tell anybody !

            6...Draft the newly proud Canadians in the North American draft ...  Tell everybody ! 

  Of course problems may arise !  The Cubans may prefer to work with a team that would be more politically saleable in Cuba ... like the Reds . And of course Rogers executives could be arrested by the Cuban Gov't if they provide the same high-handed unresponsive dictatorial sales approach that they utilize in Canada (perhaps they could negotiate a waiver of amnesty for any sales related problems)  The one plus of it all is that the Jays have a GM in place who is really good at keeping a secret . Actually, rumour has it that AA is already entering  Year 3 of a 5 Year Plan which seemed to go over well with the Cuban Gov't .

David Aardsma is also a free agent, but he had Tommy John surgery in July.  (Complements: MLB Trade Rumours).

I would like to see A.A. sign this Free Agent .  He may not be available until mid - 2012, or later, but he could be an asset for 2013 and on.

bpoz

Yes, that individual has been known to exist, often.   Whom, shall it be now?   I don't know.   However, this site: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012-free-agent-and-trade-market/ (still missing Left-handed Relievers post) lets you check out the possibilities.

While we wait with baited breath for Jamey Caroll news, I have two questions:

1)  Do you believe the Jays will add a number 1 or 2 starter this offseason?

2)  If yes, who do you think it will be?

I`d like to get a sense of who people think are available out there.

My answers are `yes` and Yu Darvish.  (I actually think a trade is more likely than Darvish, but Darivsh is the more probable than any other specific SP).

"By promising to make him their everyday SS.  A step too far for the Jays."

Thankfully.

 "The Jays probably offered more cash but the Twins had open slots"

Ya, think? I don't.

Checking out Jonathan Broxton, http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/broxtjo01.shtml , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Broxton ,  http://www.sportsoverdose.com/topic/jonathan-broxton-injury-update.html as best as I could, made me realize he could pitch for us.   Even at 93-96 on your fastball (once consistantly 99+) is better than most pitchers.   If his medical records are satisfactory, then $10-$15.0 MM over 2-3 years, with option year(s).

Checking out David Aardsma, http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aardsda01.shtml , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Aardsma ,  http://www.sportsoverdose.com/topic/david-aardsma-injury-update.html was interesting, he could be an asset.   He might not pitch until Mid-season or later (joining the club then).   If you show willingness to sign him when injured, you could get a bargain, try $8-12.0 MM over 2-3 years, with option year(s).

Checking out Ryan Madson,  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/madsory01.shtml , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Madson , http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=2293&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fblog%2fthe-gms-office%2fpost%3fid%3d2293 (some detail, but insider needed for more).  He's a Good Pitcher, who can Close, but dealing  with (that -blocked-) Boras is not worth the hastle.   Of course, the $12.5 MM average salary Papelbon's reportedly getting will block Madson's value.   Madson didn't pitch in the AL East and was the Closer for 1 year, not Papelbon's 6 years, offer $24-$32.0 MM over 3-4 years, with option year(s).   I can think of better ways to lose a 1st round pick.

Charlie Lea was may favourite Expo pitcher growing up, and there with El Presidente and Pedro for favourite of all time.  Definitely sad news to hear.

I think the market for relievers is becoming even more inefficient. If Ryan Madson had been a free agent a year ago when he was still a setup guy, he'd probably get about half of what he's expected to this offseason. Even though Madson was essentially the same pitcher from one year to the next, he's going to be rewarded because Charlie Manuel decided to use him in a slightly different role in 2011. The save is a contrived and largely meaningless statistic, and yet teams will pay through the nose for a guy who's accumulated a lot of them.

Given how prevalent sabermetrics has become in the game, it's baffling that bullpen usage hasn't changed accordingly. A manager using his best reliever just to accumulate saves -- many of which are piled up in relatively low-leverage situations -- is very inefficient and a waste of that pitcher's abilities. Lesser pitchers are tasked with the high-leverage non-save situations that occur in the earlier innings of a game, which often means that a 9th inning save situation will never arise because those lesser pitchers blew it. Using a relief ace in high-leverage situations, regardless of whether they occur in the 7th inning or 9th inning, would seem to be a rather obvious way to improve a team's win total. If teams started to place less emphasis on saves, it would also lower the salaries of elite relievers, at least in the short run. I can't understand why a team has yet to try this approach.

Players with big save totals get paid well because teams place a high value on that statistic. Teams once placed a similarly high value on batting average and RBIs, but we’ve seen a gradual shift away from those stats over the past decade. If saves were the subject of a similar shift in philosophy around the game, players would begin to realise that having a big save total isn’t necessarily going to result in a big payday. Eventually salaries would begin to rise for elite high-leverage relievers as the new approach gained acceptance, but in the short-term the team(s) that moved first would have an edge, both financially and strategically.

A relatively young bullpen without an established closer is probably the ideal situation to try it first. No reliever would have the stature to demand that he be used in a particular role. It would be tough to get someone like Papelbon or Rivera to buy into such a shift in philosophy, but some less-established guys might. A team would also need a manager who is willing to do some actual managing and unafraid of being second-guessed. Baseball is full of copycats, and if a redefinition of bullpen roles worked for one team, you’d soon see other teams going with it.

It's an approach that would have to be fully supported by (and perhaps even originate from) the front office. I can't imagine a manager initiating such a change in approach all by himself. If it was well thought out and communicated to the players, it could definitely work if given the chance.

The hardest part would be the second-guessing by fans and media that you mentioned. Fortunately the media is more sabermetrically-inclined than it was back in 2003 when the Red Sox attempted their "closer by committee" approach. I suspect that if a team today tried to redefine bullpen roles based on leverage, it would be praised for doing so by a significant number of journalists.

At the time of it's signing, the B.J. Ryan contract was the largest contract ever given out to a reliever.   Since that time (compliments of Cot's Baseball Contracts)

Relief pitchers
The highest-paid relief pitchers, by average annual value:
1. Mariano Rivera, $15,000,000 (2008-10) (2011-12)
2. Brad Lidge, $12,500,000 (2009-11)
3. Francisco Rodriguez, $12,333,333 (2009-11)
4. Jonathan Papelbon, $12,000,000 (2011)
5. Joe Nathan, $11,750,000 (2008-11)
6. Francisco Cordero, $11,500,000 (2008-11)
7. Billy Wagner, $10,750,000 (2006-09)
8. Kerry Wood, $10,250,000 (2009-10)
9. B.J. Ryan, $9,400,000 (2006-10)
10. Jonathan Papelbon, $9,350,000 (2010)
11. Brian Fuentes, $8,750,000 (2009-10)
12. Trevor Hoffman, $8,000,000 (2010)
13. Bobby Jenks, $7,500,000 (2010)
. . . Heath Bell, $7,500,000 (2011)
15. Jose Valverde, $7,000,000 (2010-11)
16. Danys Baez, $6,333,333 (2007-09)
17. Trevor Hoffman, $6,000,000 (2009)
. . . Mike Gonzalez, $6,000,000 (2010-11)
19. Bobby Jenks, $5,600,000 (2009)
20. Octavio Dotel, $5,500,000 (2008-09)
. . . Fernando Rodney, $5,500,000 (2010-11)
. . . Joaquin Benoit, $5,500,000 (2011-13)
. . . Jonathan Broxton, $5,500,000 (2010-11)    .............................     other reliever salaries have exceeded it.   And salaries for other less-than-stellar relievers came close. 

I believe two things to be true, because of the contract.   1) In 2006, B.J. Ryan threw steadily harder, than at any time before in his career.   2) In 2008, B.J. Ryan came back much too soon, and damaged his recovery beyond repair.     Any guaranteed contract, of 1 year or more, can be a bad contract if you lose that person, for 50% or more of a year.   IMO, the B.J. Ryan contract was not a bad contract, it just had an unfortunate result, tainting all other big contracts this team will sign.

I  believe A.A. should sign the best available reliever (Closer or not) as our closer.   Papelbon set this season's standard by which all contracts will be set.    That will determine what A.A. will pay.

bpoz

You are a little hazy about 1992.   You'll need a credit card.   Try going here: http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dca-dvd-tree&field-keywords=Toronto+Blue+Jays , it will help as will: http://shop.history.com/baseballs-greatest-games-1993-world-series-game-6-dvd/detail.php?p=300742&v=aetv_subject_sports  or, as will  http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=302527&icid=mybuys&green=E633478C-45A7-5C87-A09B-3ECD2A1C3952 .

Farrell made it very clear he's a fan of clearly defined bullpen roles

True, but in my view this is not mutually exclusive with the concept of a relief ace or fireman. Instead of using your best reliever as a closer (usually come in to start the ninth inning of a game when winning by 3 runs or less, occasionally come in to finish the 8th and pitch the ninth, occasionally pitch in a tied game at home when there will be no save situation), you could use him in the role of relief ace (usually come in when tied or leading by 1 or 2 in the 7th or 8th when runners get on, with other occasional uses that are clearly defined in advanced).

In 2010, Scott Downs was essentially used in this type of role; nothwithstanding the fact that Gregg was the closer, he was the best reliever in the bullpen and was brought in various scenarios, but usually with runners on protecting a small lead.