Alex Anthopoulos sat down with the media today to discuss the season and his plans for the off-season. He talks about the manager search without revealing anything and his positive view of the 2010 season. He did have some interesting player comments.
Jordan Bastian has a story on the main site that covers the big stories without breaking much new ground.
Bastian also has a story about Bautista's contract status. It doesn't sound like the Jays will sign him to a large contract extension though.
"We can certainly take a wait-and-see approach," Anthopoulos said. "There's a greater comfort level if the player's had a chance to do it again. At least you know what you're paying for. You don't mind paying a player if they're doing it day in and day out and they're productive players."
On his blog Bastian has AA comments on players. They include:
Asked if Adam Lind could be an option for first base, Anthopoulos did not rule it out. He did say, however, that Lind did not play enough there in 2010 to come right out and say that he is a realistic answer for the position. Anthopoulos also believes Lind will bounce back with a 30-homer season in 2011.
Anthopoulos noted that second baseman Aaron Hill came to him and said he's open to a position change (third base) if it will help the team. The GM also noted that Toronto has until Opening Day 2011 to make a decision on picking up all three club option years (2012-14) on Hill's contract.
Fred Lewis was not too happy with his diminished role down the stretch late this season and Travis Snider is likely a full-time player come 2011. Anthopoulos noted that Lewis needs to improve defensively. If Lewis is not in the plans as a bench player, I'm not sure he brings much value off the bench. That could make him a non-tender possibility.
Anthopoulos said pitching prospect Kyle Drabek will be given every opportunity to earn the fifth starter's job next spring. Close behind Drabek on the depth chart is Zach Stewart, who was acquired in the Scott Rolen trade with the Reds in 2009. As for the front four, Anthopoulos does not see a clear-cut No. 1 starter.
Asked what areas needed improvement, Anthopoulos pointed to the poor bullpen ERA and the club's subpar on-base percentage. He believes both areas need to be improved. On offense, Anthopoulos would like for the output to be more balanced, rather than living and dying by the home run.
Anthopoulos said catching prospect J.P. Arencibia has nothing left to prove in the Minors. He has earned a shot in the big leagues. Will it be as a starter or backup? The GM would not say. The Jays will explore bringing back John Buck, but Anthopoulos said he has earned a long-term contract and a No. 1 job, whether it's in Toronto or somewhere else.
Click on the link for more.
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Shi Davidi's stories are notposted yet but he had a different angle on the press conference. AA talked trades:
"I think the trade route, although there's a lot more risk to it ... I think that's probably the best avenue for us to pursue. I'm not opposed at all to taking prospects and trading them for big-league players. ...They're not all going to play up here."
Davidi's conclusion: My main takeaways? Blue Jays will be very active in trade market with their prospects...
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I expect similar stories from all the usual scribes will be hitting the WWW shortly.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20101004204842465