P.S. sorry no image with this story. I really would prefer a Nationals Gio Graphic!  :-) 

I just wanted to make sure that this truly groan-worthy comment got a moment of recognition.

Well done, Sir!

We need questions answered (accurately answered):

1) At SS, behind Adeiny Hechavarria: (a) Who's the next best brightest thing at Shortstop; (b) Who's the fastest mover / closest sure thing at Shortstop.   With Yunel Escobar under control for at least the next 4 year, we must know if we can trade Hechavarria, if needed.

2) At C, behind Travis d'Arnaud: (a) Who's the next best brightest thing at Catcher; (b) Who's the fastest mover / closest sure thing at Catcher.   With J.P. Arencibia under control for at least the next 5 years, we must know if we can trade d'Arnaud or Arencibia, if needed.

3) At CF, behing Anthony Gose: a) Who's the next best brightest thing at Center Field; (b) Who's the fastest mover / closest sure thing at Center Field.   With Colby Rasmus under control for at least the next 3 years, we must know if we can trade Gose, if needed.

4) At OF, because of the depth: a) Who's the next 3 best brightest things in the Outfield; (b) Who's the 3 fastest movers / closest sure things in the Outfield.   With Jose Bautista under control for at least the next 5 years, openings are limited.   We must know who and how many can be traded, if needed.

5) At SP, because of the depth: a) Who's the next 5 best brightest things as Starters; (b) Who's the 5 fastest movers / closest sure things as Starters.   With Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow and probably Henderson Alvarez (if not traded) occupying three roster spots, and possible New Acquisition, Dustin McGowan, Brett Cecil and Kyle Drabek after the other two spots.    We must know who and how many can be traded, if needed.

When we know these answers, we'll know what A.A. can do.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/cubs-planning-complete-and-total-rebuild.html

Do you think A.A. sees anything of value in this.    I see a few things but nothing to get excited about. 

            "We must know who and how many can be traded, if needed."    ... Richard S.S.

             I believe that, perhaps, that what we need is an understanding of what AA's program is .  My understanding/interpretation is that AA wants to be going forward with the core of the best young talent available . This is open to debate/correction .  You named  6 non-pitching young and talented players .  My perception is that of those six, the more talented players (higher ceilings) going forward are Hechavarria, d'Arnaud and Gose . My perception of the core going forward is that it also includes Brett Lawrie and possibly Travis Snider .  I would contend that  if Escobar, Arencibia and Rasmus are part of the core, then they will be in positions that they are not playing now ( Escobar 2ndbase, Arencibia 1stbase/DH, Rasmus RF/LF where they may be better internal upgrades and still maintain AA's criterion of above average abilities relative to their new positions )  I believe that the makeup of this core is not solidified but is in flux. I think that the trading deadline will be of crucial importance as to who moves forward. By then, the Jays will have their answers to the questions of evaluations. Can Escobar stay on SS ?  Which is the real Colby Rasmus , Version 2010 or Version 2011 ?  Can JPA's defense continue to improve ?  How real are d'Arnaud and Gose ?  Will Snider find his power swing and live up to his potential ?   And the elephant in the room question, is Bautista too old for this core group and when does diminishing value overtake perceived value ?  Also by August 1st,  the Jays will know how much high/low value they have in Lind, EE and Thames .  

            Then there are the ratings of the pitchers , present and projected .    The high end prep talent of the 2010-11 draft classes will be in full season play.  Their internal rankings will be firmed up .  How untouchable is the upper caste talent ?  Who will  move forward, who will be included as attachments in trades ?    How do the college guys shake out ?  Do McGuire, Jenkins, Hutchinson arrive in August or are they gone ?   Where are Cecil and Drabek ?  Can McGowan's shoulder/arm hold together ?  Tamra poses an onpoint question,  maybe the best talent available is not outside the system, but within ?        

            In closing, I don't believe we can know now but we should know by August 1st ...  patience Grasshopper ...     FWIW ... M2C

PS ... Now that I've said all that AA will probably announce the largest trade of the offseason this afternoon ...

I am not a big Gio fan.  As a fantasy player he reminded me so much of AJ Burnett.  His Whip was always so bad, and what happens when he is not in the pitcher freindly stadium in Oakland. Even though I would like to have him on the Jays, I would never give up that much.

I really like the idea of getting Oswalt for a year (if he was interested in TO).  The issue the Jays have are they don't want to lock up a free agent for 4-5 years and have pitchers blocking prospects.  I like the idea of getting Oswalt for a year. He will have trade value if the Jays are not in it.

...You are right that without those things, the Jays won't contend, but I don't think it will be the same as 2011...

We started 2011, knowing we had a good-ish offense, an improved Bullpen , promising young stud Starters (Romero, Morrow, Cecil, Drabek) and the knowledge A.A. would do something to upgrade somewhere.   What we got was a good offense (that disappeared sometimes),  a slightly disappointing Bullpen.

We are starting 2012, knowing we have a good offense, should have an improved Bullpen, but, will have questions in the Rotation.   Morrow: when does he 'get it', or is he A.J. Burnett with a little better control.  Cecil: it's all fine and good to really get in shape (duh, what happened in 2011), but if you've lost your stuff?   Do we get 2010 Cecil or 2011 Cecil back in 2012?   Drabek feared his fastball, didn't use it much, then lost any confidence he had in anything he had.   If he's not 110% mentally back, his stuff doesn't matter.

So you are right, it won't be the same as 2011, it might be worse.

According to Jim Bowden on ESPN Insider, for Gio the Jays were "willing to part only with low-level prospects with a lot of risk". 

So who would this have included?

"knowing"

In case of Problems: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/knowing .   I know our offense is never great.   I know our offense is never very good.   I know our offense is always good, because that's were the money's spent.   With one exception, 2008 (great pitching, offense - not so good), Toronto's always had good offense.   I know the offense will be good; but about specific players - you must be joking.

Since the end of the season, A.A. has known what this Team needs: Bona Fide Closer, 2B, Late Innings Reliever, LOOGY, Front-line Starter, Big Bat, Bench pieces.  

86 days later (27 Sep. - 23 Dec.):  A.A.'s top acquisitions are: Luis Valbuena (Bench - 2B/SS/3B) for cash considerations; Jeff Mathis (Bench - no hit C) for Brad Mills (no longer part of future plans); Kelly Johnson (2B - accepted arbitration); Sergio Santos (CL, 1 year) for Nestor Molina (not that very high a prospect, shouldn't be that hard a decision); Ben Francisco (Bench - OF) for Frank Gailey (who? - low level/rated prospect).   Waiver claims I don't mention.

In 10 days time (Jan. 2): it will be exactly 6 weeks until Pitcher and Catchers report to Spring Training.   During this time, optimism abounds and no-one wants to trade any more, so the rest of the Free Agents start to sign.   It is my contention that A.A. is much too enamored with his prospects, and too fearful of making a Mistake to do a good enough job.   Six key pieces and a few minor pieces were needed.   Lucked into 1 key piece (KJ), signed 1 key piece and all the minor pieces; GRADE: C.

Ricky Romero: lock for the Rotation; Brandon Morrow: lock, by default, for the Rotation; Henderson Alvarez: lock, by default, for the Rotation; and two of what's left: Dustin McGowan (out of options); Brett Cecil (finally in shape - duh); Kyle Drabek (loss of confidence).   This, frankly, is just not good enough.

Sergio Santos (converted SS), Casey Janssen, Jesse Litsch and Carlos Villanueva are locks, by default, for the Bullpen with who??? filling 2, possibly 3 positions.   This is unfinished.

John Northey

TamRa's Site has some interesting material to peruse: http://thesouthpawbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/12/trade-market.html .