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Ba$eball new$: according to the Star, the Blue Jays aren't even willing to meet Shannon Stewart halfway. J.P.'s comments seem to indicate the team has made its "final" offer, and we can only guess what it might be:

"We've said this is as high as we'll go; and all I'll say there is that it's definitely below the 6.5. We're ready to prove (to the arbitration panel) why we feel our number ($5.5 million) is worthwhile."

Had Stewart's advisors asked for $6.75 or even $7 MM, the Jays wouldn't have the same leverage, but at the $7.5 MM figure, it will be a tough case for the player to win. The latest offer, whatever it is, was more generous than the club needed to be, and if Jeff Moorad is half as smart as he thinks he is, he'll accept it.

Also from today's Star: another ex-Oakland employee, Jim Bloom, is working on the next wave of "Baseball North" TV ads. I can't wait for the one where Tosca is swarmed by black flies in the dugout, waves his arms wildly, and the batter starts cross-checking the catcher. Orlando Hudson's in another, but we're not sure if he'll be eating poutine. Perhaps because they don't want to pay Dave Till a royalty for the idea, no word yet on Timbits.
Jays Play Hardball With Stewart | 4 comments | Create New Account
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Pistol - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 08:35 AM EST (#96413) #
I wouldn't say the Jays are the ones playing hardball here. They're the realistic ones in this situation.

When is the arbitration date? I haven't seen it.
_Harry Heatherin - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 01:05 PM EST (#96414) #
No more royalties for Dave Till. Trust me ....

I'd like to see them work in a Baseball North ad incorporating a fair percentage of Torontonians singing the words to the Star Spangled Banner. I think Americans would be astonished by how many of us 1) know the words; 2) actually sing it.
_DS - Friday, February 14 2003 @ 05:55 PM EST (#96415) #
Stewart better settle soon. Beltran just lost his case, and he's only getting 6 million. If Moorad doesn't reach an agreement, he's an idiot.
_Chuck Van Den C - Saturday, February 15 2003 @ 09:07 AM EST (#96416) #
With respect to Beltran's arbitration case, I'm not sure how much bearing that will have on Stewart's. Clearly Beltran is the better player, but service time plays a huge role in these cases.

Still, I agree that Moorad should try to reach an agreement. Playing armchair psychologist, one has to wonder how the seemingly sensitive Stewart will deal with losing an arbitration case -- or even winning one.

Win or lose, though, I imagine Stewart will be moved by the all-star break. I can't imagine the team pursuing anything long term with him. Same for Escobar who, hopefully by then, will have a sub-3 ERA and 20 saves.
Jays Play Hardball With Stewart | 4 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.