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Kansas City's in town. I don't want to jinx it, but what are the odds the Jays don't sweep? Oops, I just jinxed it.

Tonight: Bruce Chen vs. Brandon Morrow. Morrow has been pitching well lately - maybe he'll even get that ERA down to match his xFIP. In other words, maybe he's starting to "fulfill his potential". Wouldn't that be nice.

Tomorrow: Luke Hochevar vs. Ricky Romero. Romero is on fire, and much of the talk 'round here lately has focused on whether he's an Ace. It doesn't really matter. But he has been really friggin' good.

On Thursday, Canuckian Jeff Francis matches up against Brett Cecil. I'm getting repetitive here, but Cecil has been pitching well lately. Really, ever since getting called back up. Let's hope that early-season blip was just that and he'll come into 2012 ready to pitch a full season the way he can.

On offense, the Jays are a very exciting team right now with the only regular non-exciting player, in my view, being Aaron Hill. Brett Lawrie has been amazing since getting called up, Colby Rasmus has been heating up, José Bautista is back in top form - seems like the offense is firing on all cylinders. Kansas City has a decent offense that's been carried this year by the outfield trio of Alex Gordon, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur.

Question of the day: what do you about second base in 2012? A friend mentioned Jamey Carroll to me. No wait, before you laugh, go look at his numbers. Yes, he's like 37 or something, but he's been a better player in his 30s than he was in his 20s, and could may be an average player in 2012. That would be a significant upgrade over Aaron Hill (at least the 10-11 version) for a team that looks like it might be close to contention, and you could get him on a cheap one-year deal. Now, Carroll is clearly a stopgap solution, but if the plan is for Adeiny Hechavarria to come up in 2013, a stopgap is all that's needed. Of course, Hech as a MLB-calibre player is no guarantee despite his recent hot streak.

Other options from the free agent market include Omar Infante and Kelly Johnson, both of whom will be more expensive in terms of dollars and years (especially Johnson).

I'm not sure who would be available on the trade market. The top five second basemen this year in terms of WAR are Dustin Pedroia (7.0), Ben Zobrist (6.3), Ian Kinsler (5.5), Howie Kendrick (4.6) and Robinson Cano (4.3). I don't really see any of those guys being moved, but maybe someone like Maicier Izturis who doesn't have a starting job but still plays a lot for the Angels.

Or, of course, you could stick with Hill and cling to the hope he goes back to the Aaron Hill we know and love. So: what would you do?
The Royal Visit | 44 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Matthew E - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:20 PM EDT (#241951) #
Question of the day: what do you about second base in 2012?

It is a tough one. My preferred approach is to scratch my chin thoughtfully and say, "Geez, I sure hope Anthopoulos knows what he's doing."
Parker - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:27 PM EDT (#241955) #
Bring back Mike Bordick.
92-93 - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:28 PM EDT (#241956) #
You could bring in guys like Furcal & Scutaro on 1 year deals and hope one of them emerges as your everyday guy. The bench would be very versatile.
Lylemcr - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:30 PM EDT (#241957) #

Doesn't matter, as long as we sign Prince Fielder.  He will give us all the offense we need.  (just kidding)

I think Hill needs to have a change of scenary.  I would like him to stay, but it isn't working well right now for him.  He is talented and maybe needs a different coach,etc.  If Hech isn't ready, then I would sign a stop gap player.  Maybe a veteran that wants to prove that they still have it.  Maybe Alex Gonzalez :)

I am definitely not trading for someone, unless we can swing a trade like we did to get Escobar.  We have too many good young shortstops in the minors.

Jonny German - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:34 PM EDT (#241958) #
Ken Rosenthal tweets that Wandy Rodriguez has been claimed on waivers and the claiming team is neither the Yankees nor the Diamondbacks.

If I'm AA I set my sights higher.
Shaker - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:41 PM EDT (#241960) #

Actually Lylemcr, you're bang on.  As long as we acquire a cleanup hitter in the offseason (please be Berkman) then our 2B could bat 9th and hopefully be a defensive wizard.  A little OBP would be nice but just gravy.

Wandy to the Tigers?  They need SP don't they...

ayjackson - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:42 PM EDT (#241961) #
I was thinking AA would claim Wandy and try to deal him for value in the offseason by eating salary.  Risky, though.
Ryan Day - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:45 PM EDT (#241962) #
I think if you wanna roll big on a FA, sign Jose Reyes and move Escobar to second. Moving from Hill to Reyes is probably the biggest possible upgrade the team could make.
Dave Rutt - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:46 PM EDT (#241963) #
We have too many good young shortstops in the minors.

Who, exactly? There are some big-bonus kids (Thon, Pierre, Hech), but none have exactly set the world on fire. Hech is probably not a top 100 prospect, and the other two are nowhere near.
Dave Rutt - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#241964) #
AA is holding a press conference at 3:30. Could be about Wandy. Or the earthquake?
John Northey - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:54 PM EDT (#241966) #
While Wandy would be useful, he doesn't fit the 'need stars everywhere' thus could be trade bait in the offseason. Given it is AA who knows though - probably something we've never thought of.
92-93 - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#241967) #
Team friendly Morrow extension?
TamRa - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#241968) #
Izturus is a plan i could get behind if Soscia can be convinced to turn him loose. But his OPS is only .714 so it's not like that's a big win.

I would be ok with bringing Hill back for one last make good run, if the price was low.

otherwise, if you sort the list by OPS and look at everyone with more than 200 PA, not one player with an OPS over .720 is likely to be dealt.

If I was going to gamble on getting something more than I paid for, I'd see if the White Sox would sell low on Beckham

Looking at the SS list for a possible position change..

I'd as soon bring back Scutaro as sign Carroll (nothing against the latter) but here too you have to get down close to .700, or even below, to find a guy that his current team is going to easily turn lose of.

As bad as Hill is, in the context of a field of candidates who themselves are not likely to exceed .720, gambling on a mild rebound into that kind of territory by Hill might actually be the best play - at least you know he has done it, which is not really true of any of the potential targets except Beckham. Ultimately I think we're just going to have to write off 2B in terms of offensive contribution and be prepared to carry at least one weak bat.

uglyone - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#241969) #
I think signing Kelly Johnson is the no-brainer of all no-brainers, especially since his down year this year is only bringing his price down.

And before anyone freaks out about losing a draft pick if we get him....

1) The chances of that draft pick ever being as good as Johnson even 5 years from now are slim, and
2) It doesn't matter because we can't lose a 2nd pick after we've already given up one to sign Fielder.
92-93 - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#241971) #
Aaron Hill to Arizona? The next 30m should be fun...
uglyone - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#241972) #
press conference is hopefully announcing a Hill + something good for Kelly Johnson trade.
Dave Rutt - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:05 PM EDT (#241974) #
.714 may not sound like much but it's .131 more than .583 (math!).
John Northey - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#241975) #
An extension for someone would make a lot of sense. Bit odd in the middle of the season, but certain a strong possibility.

AA has mentioned he might trade to get more draft picks, so maybe for a potential type B free agent?

Also possible is getting rid of more relievers and/or guys like Mills.
Brent S - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:08 PM EDT (#241976) #
Hill + McDonald for Johnson
92-93 - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:09 PM EDT (#241977) #
And there it is. Everyone's fetish Kelly Johnson is a Blue Jay.
dan gordon - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:09 PM EDT (#241978) #
Hill + McDonald for Kelly Johnson
jgadfly - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#241979) #
Set up a new thread ... MLTR reporting Hill & McDonald for Johnson ...  
Mylegacy - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#241980) #
To me 2nd base is a foregone conclusion - Escobar to 2nd and Hechavarria to SS. Elementary, my dear Watson.

IF - spring 2012 is a few months too early - damn the torpedoes - do it anyway. After all - with Darvish joining the rotation, Prince at first, Lind and EE as a platoon at DH - there will be enough stuff going on so that the "drama" of moving Escobar to 2nd will be merely a minor side show.

Time for an early afternoon Scotch.

Paul D - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:11 PM EDT (#241981) #

Can someone explain why Arizona would make this deal?

uglyone - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:12 PM EDT (#241982) #
BRILLIANT

AA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jonny German - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:13 PM EDT (#241983) #
It's sort of a nothing move, in that all 3 players will be free agents after the season. But it lets the Jays get a good look an Johnson to decide if they want to sign him. And who knows, with his down year maybe Johnson simply accepts arbitration and thus 2nd base has a stopgap for 2012. He's making $5.85M this year.
dan gordon - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:14 PM EDT (#241984) #
What's the point?  Johnson's a free agent at year end.  Do they figure this gives them a better chance of signing him?  Is this to get another draft pick?
Ryan Day - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:14 PM EDT (#241985) #
I don't really understand it either, unless each team thinks they can fix the player the other team doesn't want any more.

Could be a great deal if Johnson bounces back, probably negligible if he doesn't (ie. everyone becomes a FA in October)

Spicol - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:15 PM EDT (#241986) #

Hmm, I'm not sure I knew how much I irrationally loved JohnnyMac until this moment.

uglyone - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:15 PM EDT (#241987) #
Can someone explain why Arizona would make this deal?

Well if Hill is ever going to get back to hitting homeruns his way, then that's the ballpark to be doing it in.

In general, though, like seemingly most people they're probably overrating how good he was 2 years ago, and underrating just how bad he's been the last 2 years.
uglyone - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:17 PM EDT (#241988) #
Kelly Johnson's one of the top-10 borderline top-5 2B in basbeall over the last few years. That's better than a "stopgap".
China fan - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:18 PM EDT (#241989) #

....What's the point? Johnson's a free agent at year end....

And he's probably a Type B free agent, which might be the point of the deal, according to MLBTR.

 

 

ayjackson - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:19 PM EDT (#241991) #
Ken Power Rosenthal is tweeting that Nats are not the claiming team on Wandy.
dan gordon - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#241996) #

And he's probably a Type B free agent

This makes sense, I guess - they don't want to offer Hill arbitration after they refuse his options as he could very well accept, but they're OK offering arb to Johnson, so they can get a draft pick when he refuses.  Plus the chance to convince him in the next month to stay.

Landomar - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:24 PM EDT (#241998) #

Johnson for Hill and McDonald is a genius move, if the reports are true.

We now have an opportunity to sign Johnson to an extension without paying type A compensation for him, if we can reach a deal that works long term.  If we can't work out a deal, then we would get type A compensation when he signs somewhere else (which is better than the type B comp that Hill will likely be worth).  There's even ther scenario where we offer Johnson arbitration, and he just accepts it, which would provide us with a great 2B solution for 2012.

As a player, I really like Johnson a lot, and hope that we end up keeping him.  He appears to be a solid defensive player, and his career batting numbers are fantastic for a middle infielder.  He's having a terrible season, but it's similar to the Yunel Escobar or Colby Rasmus moves...buy low.  As an added bonus, we re-unite the Atlanta Johnson/Escobar combo up the middle, which I always was a fan of.  It would be really exciting to end up with both of those guys in Toronto.

Spicol - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:28 PM EDT (#242006) #

One potential motivation for the deal is to bust up the comfort level of the players to try to spur them to decline arbitration, thus netting comp picks for both teams. Put another way, with the potential for money being equal in both cities, Hill could be more likely to accept arbitration in Toronto than in Arizona.

Jonny German - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 03:29 PM EDT (#242008) #
Kelly Johnson's one of the top-10 borderline top-5 2B in basbeall over the last few years. That's better than a "stopgap".

I didn't mean stopgap in any kind of derogatory sense. I meant it simply in that he'd be on a one-year contract, and thus 2nd base for 2013 would remain TBD.
subculture - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 04:12 PM EDT (#242046) #
Yep, I'm honestly going to miss J-Mac (esp his clutch D) more than Hill... who I liked...  I'm hoping the change in scenery and coaching helps both Hill and Johnson get back to form... in fact I think it's likely...
Kasi - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 04:26 PM EDT (#242053) #
So who plays second for the Jays tonight? Is McCoy already up with the team?
Timbuck2 - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#242069) #
Don't miss Mr MacDonald too much.  We've traded him before and like the proverbial cat - he keeps coming back....
Thomas - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 06:09 PM EDT (#242074) #
McCoy's with the team and, I expect, will be starting at 2B.
hypobole - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 06:32 PM EDT (#242078) #
I can't believe the giddy excitement over the acquisition of a player who is basically what Hill was last year. Johnson is definitely an upgrade over Hill, but they are just different levels of mediocraty.
Jonny German - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 08:28 PM EDT (#242087) #
Looks like Morrow didn't really have the FIP working tonight.
Ron - Tuesday, August 23 2011 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#242089) #
I wonder if AA can work his magic and see if there's another team out there that still believes Burnett can be a number 1 starter based on his ace level stuff. When the good version shows up, you think there's no reason why he shouldn't be challenging for the Cy Young every season.

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