Arrrggghh. The weather be disinclined to acquiesce to your request, matey. Arrrgh

(sorry. couldnt resist)

Despite? They've only played 15 games. That translates to 97 swipes over an 162 game schedule. Last year they only stole 58.

Except that they'd look bad and other free agents would hesitate to re-sign here lest they be immediately flipped to another team.

I'd love to see the Jays start the year with 11 pitchers and have a job sharing scenario with LF/RF/1B/DH.

Unless Gross implodes during the final week+, I think this is exactly what they'll do. Throw in the health issues of Lilly, Rios and Koskie and I think you have a rotation scenario.

As long as it doesn't cost them Reed Johnson, I believe Gross will be starting the year in the bigs.

What you're talking about is hurting the team's reputation and ability to sign players long term for one or two extra months of an unproven player! I think you have to step back from your desire to watch Gross play every day this season and see what's good for the Toronto Blue jays.

Mike, just incase you're still wondering, this is the part from the Free Agency section of the CBA that I think you were refering to:

Any Club signing a contract after the expiration of the election period with a Player under this Section B may not assign his contract until after the next June 15.

The election period starts October 15 (or the day after the World Series finishes, whichever is later) and lasts 15 days. So since Cat re-signed back in September he can be traded (aside from the reason NFH pointed out) but Koskie, for example, can't be traded yet.

H Winfield Teut = uglyone?

Nolan, do you know anybody who subscribes to Inside the Dome? They seem to have pretty good coverage, and I'm itching for reading material. Though I'm sure once the season starts Blue Jays’ coverage in the Toronto dailies should increase.

No, I considered it, but decided against it. I do like the scout.com site for discussion on the Jays, but I enjoy the Box much more. I did find interesting that on that forum, Koch's release got discussed a LOT more than here, with most of the reaction there being quite negative- I found that quite interesting.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo

So you're saying it's not you, right? I'm sorry, I'm not good at subtlety :)

More like "If I sign a deal with them I'd better get a no-trade clause or extra cash, because they're likely to flip me before I play a single game".

I see no reason, at all, to make a move on this now and not in a month or two. Can someone give me a reason that makes sense?

Aren't there enough at bats in LF, RF, 1B, and DH (~2400) to get all 5 of Rios, Gross, Hinske, Shea, and Cat 400-500 at bats a piece? even if you give Reed 200? (especially considering Koskie'll probably miss time to injury as well).

I think this is why the Jays don't have to rush into a decision. Gross can come up for the first month or two and the Jays have an opportunity to evaluate where they are at. They don't need to rush into making room for Gross. The lack of depth after Gross is also a good reason not to hastily move an outfielder.

Oh, and I wish they'd let Jamie Campbell do an inning or two, just as a sneak peek to what we have in store for this year :)

That's another good point. Cat does so much research and puts in so much time gathering information that he freely shares with the rest of the team that he has significant value beyond his skills on the field. Not only does he set an excellent example, but he makes everyone else better.

And he's definitely a team leader -- don't forget that incident with the umpire and the rookies last year.

There will be an injury on the team, or something will transpire to open up a spot for Gabe if he doesn't start the season in Toronto. Trading away a player just to get Gabe Gross a starting position a few weeks earlier would be ludicrous.

That said, I'm all for a good or great trade that opens up a spot for him and helps the team. I just don't have any idea of what that trade would be.

I'd put money on Alomar being on the Level of Excellence as quickly as the plaque can be made. And if anyone from the Jays is reading this and thinking "how can I have a Level of Excellence plaque made up in time for opening day", click on my name and e-mail me. My pricing is competitive. ;)

That's not what I asked. I asked about the advantage of having him up on Opening Day vs. a month later when someone is injured or an advantageous trade situation comes along.

Reed Johnson tricked everybody into thinking the team needed bullpen help?

I think that the decision has been made that Gross will see major league playing time this year. The decision that hasn't been made is whether it will be tomorrow or next week. Hell, maybe even that one has been made, we just don't know the answer yet.

But if the decision is "next week" instead of "tomorrow", people will be freaking out for no good reason.

Try "Read this chapter and answer these questions" vs. a spring training game, then decide. :)

It worries me too, but pending a trade, there are really no better options. I have confidence that at least one of Towers and Chacin can come through for us. I mean, Josh isn't powerful but he has been solid in times when we counted on him most. I think he'll be alright while Chacin gets adjusted. As for Bush, I'm confident he can hold the fort at #2.

As for the ruling, Cone was signed as a free agent and traded that year, so I guess I am really in question, of the phrasing of the rule.

Cone wasn't signed as a free agent. The Jays traded Chris Stynes to KC to get him.

Reed did change to 3 for no particular reason.

No, he says he has always worn single digit numbers, and this year one there was one available for him.

Like I said, trivial.

No, he says he has always worn single digit numbers, and this year one there was one available for him.

You're right Magpie but if it was the case, why did he not change it last year when that number was available? That's why I speculate he may have changed it this year for some other reason.

Oh oh, I wanted to figure this out...what was the payroll for those guys and how much payroll was on the Yankee DL on the same day?

1) John Cerutti ceremony. 2) Bobby Mattick ceremony. 3) Possible Doug Ault ceremony.

Don't forget Peter Widdrington. Man, it's been a rough year.

I am not familiar with the name; could you share who this is?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

All Hail Google! Our friend and master!

Peter Widdrington 1930-2005

Well, if the Jays lose them on waivers, they're sure to pick up two other AAAA pitchers. Sean Douglass and Mike Nakamura were those two pitchers last year.

Or, stick Pete Walker in the back of the 'pen. Or Steve Downs. Or Jason Arnold, if there are no other options. Do the Jays still have Josue Matos?

Or Koskie will be hurt. Or Catalanotto will be hurt. Or Rios will be struggling.

Something will happen. It always does. Sometimes so much happens you're stuck playing Dave Berg in left field.