I'd like them to PURSUE Kornerko and sign him if he would sign for anywhere around 12 million for 4/5 years. I don't see him signing for that or less though.

I'd rather see the Jays sign a FA pitcher and try and trade for a Bat...Manny/Thome/Dunn/etc.

With the Canuck Buck at 85 and climbing, I'd like to see Mr. Rogers break out the big bucks for Konerko. How much is an extra million seats sold worth? Forty million over three years could do it. Let's face it, in three years a loaf of bread could cost a hundred bucks the way things are going.

In a refreshing twist of the pursuit of a free agent, I would like to see JP throw some money at another team to encourage them to sign Omar Daal. If any other team were to sign Daal, preferably an AL East team, that could only improve the Jays' playoff hopes. It's sorta like paying a 'friend' to date a girl you have zero interest in to improve your dating chances in general because it eliminates some competition.
Not that I have ever done anything like that.

Put me down for "none of the above." Kevin Millar and Jeromy Burnitz are perfect examples of the kind of players the Jays should not be pursuing, or even keeping on their radar -- re-signing Hillenbrand would be a better idea, and I can tell you, that's not an idea I love. Konerko, like Beltran last year, is going to be vastly overcompensated for his playoff heroics, and like Mark Teixeira, he's aided greatly by his home ballpark. Pass, please.

I just had to vote for John Olerud because.... well because he's John Olerud, I'm sorry.

If the Jays can field a team with Reed Johnson, David Wright, John Olerud and Bengie Molina...I don't even think I'd need a world series, I'd be happy with that. Not that those fellows could take us to a world series, I meant an "emotional" world series.... oh, you know what I mean.

I voted for Wagner because I don't think they have much chance at Konerko. I'd go after a closer in the 5-8m range and Burnitz whowould come a lot cheaper than Konerko.

I voted for Wagner because every team should spend as much money on closers as possible. It's not like you can go out and pick up a Bobby Jenks on a waiver claim! Try to get by with a Chad Cordero or Derrick Turnbow and see what happens!

No, proven closers are scarce commodities that must be bought for big bucks on the free agent market. As Gagne has shown, closers are absolutely reliable.

Did Omar Daal vote for himself?

I would love Konerko, but he will be offered alot more than the Jays can spend,(Angels/Mets) so i would choose between Wagner and Molina. I love Gregg Zaun, but Molina would be an upgrade.

Wagner would allow the Jays some flexibility with Miguel, and it would give them a top flight closer. i would think whoever loses out on Wagner would pursue BJ Ryan or Eddie Guarduado, so maybe the Jays should look at them.

Or sign them all.

what about Matsui? i mean, there is no guarantee he is signing back with the Yanks. or did he already?

I dont think those are particularly good options for the Jays to pursue. Wagner isnt going to sign for less than 27/3 (as I believe the Phillies have offered him) and Konerko will be walking all the way to the bank after that post season. We need a corner outfielder that can hit 30 home runs.

Frank Thomas is tempting if he'd come with an incentive ladden contract. DH only, but for $1 million base plus incentives that could push it to $5 million would be acceptable imo. Wonder what he'll get as his market has to be small after two injury filled seasons. Even so, he still had over a 900 OPS in each of the past 3 seasons. The top Jay was at 818 (Cat). OK, Griffen did have a 1000 OPS but that was just 13 AB's.

Based on what we've seen with players in his situation, he'll either get the deal that you mentoined, or I could see his agent holding out until he's the last available guy and you get a team like Detroit just completely overpaying what he's worth, making a move out of desperation.

Count me in the "none of the above" group. Konerko just isn't good enough, even this year, to throw big money at him. An OPS+ of 136 isn't superstar stuff, not as a career high. Unless there is some reason to think he'll get even better, ala Derreck Lee (one of his closest comps), I don't think the Jays should break the bank on him. And who could reasonably claim to see a breakout like that coming?

Molina is only a little better than Zaun, Burnitz is older than Cat and not better than him anyway(right now), Millar is older and no better than Hillenbrand, Olerud might be a little better than Hinske, might not. Colour me uninspired by this group of hitters. The only player the Jays can replace with someone like these guys (slightly better than average major league hitters) and get a big improvement is Rios. And that's just because Rios stunk in 2005. Or maybe he just stinks, I think it's too early to tell. But it is a problem that he doesn't even seem to have a platoon split...so platooning him with someone doesn't work so well.

And since I don't think the Jays should be spending a lot on the bullpen (which was very good this year, overall), that leaves me with no one I'd want the Jays to pick up on this list, unless it's to enable trading. Maybe sign Wagner and use younger pitchers to trade for bats. Yeah, there's an idea I like. Wagner was incredible this year with an ERA+ of 300 (Rivera was at 323, Speier at 173), and would allow the Jays to keep everyone in the setup roles where they did well. So I changed my mind; I vote for Wagner, 2 years 6-7 million a year.

Props to 3RunHomer for a rare, and amusing, quintuple-sarcasm post.

All I have to say in reply is, "The Orioles are a model organization that had a really harmonious locker room in their controversy-free 2005!"