Isn’t it a total contradiction that now JP is pretty much saying that absolutely no GM can build a contender in this division through the draft or on a limited payroll. This is the guy Mike that you say makes a whole lot of sense. Oh ya It’s possible that because what Im saying makes so much sense you may not post this, like the last post which had absolutely no profanity that wasn’t posted. Mike, out of some of the most reputable sports guys in this city Brunt, Blair, Griffen,Elliot, none have disrespected Cito or backed JP as you have, done. It’s been a pretty large concensous amoung the sports baseball media people in toronto that JP has clearly worn out his welcome a long time ago with them and with the fans but certainly not you. What will there be to miss about Jp. His drafting of one impact player in Aaron Hill in eight years and a hnadful of others that has not proven themselves past a full season and more notibly have just began to get utilized after giving up on high priced free agent signings. How classy of JP to throw future GM’s under the bus and his employer under the bus when his employer made it ubundantly clear what JP role was eight years ago.

MW: Again, a post doesn’t have to be profane to not get posted. If it’s insulting, snarky, something I don’t want to deal with, then I’m not going to deal with it. There’s a massive amount of either ignorance or intellectual dishonesty surrounding the whole “that’s not what J.P. said when he was hired” thing. It’s not insignificant that when Ricciardi was brought in, the Yankees and Red Sox were both spending $109 million on payroll. Three years later, the Yanks’ payroll was $182 million and the Red Sox’ was $125 million. Don’t you think that’s a significant, unforeseen change that shifts the landscape in rather a large fashion? As to your other points – Aaron Hill is the only impact player that Ricciardi has brought in? Sigh.

explain why batting avg is not significant to a hitter.
most of the ppl/analysts i grew up with use batting avg as a primary measure.

also, whats written on the official scoresheet when a player reaches first base on catcher’s obstruction

MW: On catcher’s interference? You write E-2 on the scoresheet, but it doesn’t count as an at-bat for the hitter. Why is batting average not significant? Aaron Hill and Placido Polanco are both hitting .287. Prince Fielder and Dustin Pedroia are both hitting .299. Are those pairs of the same hitters? Not even close.

It’s common opinion that to catch the Yankees and Red Sox and compete in this division there will have to be a significant outlay of spending upfront followed by an improvement in drafting and player development in the minor leagues.

I think a lot of fans are annoyed at Wells, at Ricciardi and at Gaston. But a lot are also annoyed at Rogers. Their name is now on the stadium, the team is on their TV channel and radio frequency. This much-praised corporate entity has a lot more money that could be put into this enterprise than they’ve been doing lately. Top that off with capping your Internet and jacking up your cable bill it should be no wonder why people are starting to feel that maybe the bottom line is all that matters here.

MW: You say “only” .600 as though that’s not all that big a deal. A .600 record over a full season is 97 wins.

I actually think JP gets a raw deal often, but his latest comments such as “If we’re going to play in the big man’s division, and we’re not going to spend that money, it’s going to be really hard for us to compete with those teams.”

Seems like a shot at Rogers (warranted or not, it’s not professional, also he didn’t say that 8 years ago or).

Or this comment:

“Let me make this clear: It doesn’t matter if J.P. Ricciardi is the GM, or Joe Blow is the GM. Two years from now, five years from now, seven years from now, the reality that we face in Toronto is the division is not going to change. The Red Sox and Yankees are not going away. If the Yankees want to, they can take their payroll to $300 million.”

This seems smug and basically I take this as no matter who runs the Jays they will suck.

MW: I take as J.P. thinks he did the best he could – and I’m sure it’ll be read by many as him saying that no one else could have done a better job.

Just wondering if you think Milton Bradley may be a jay next year? A lot of speculation that might actually happen. (with the cubs paying most of his contact thought) Do you think this would be a good idea?

MW: There hasn’t been any speculation backed by any sources actually in baseball. I think the odds against it are very, very long.

MW: Why would you want Soriano?

1) Considering the Jays’ abundance of good, young pitchers, and considering McGowan’s history of injuries, do you think the Jays should and/or might consider moving McGowan to the bullpen (as a late inning guy)some time in the (near) future?

2) Notwithstanding the above re McGowan, what do you think of Romero for Crawford?

MW: 1 – Maybe, but I’d let him get a chance to get healthy first. 2 – I’d do it, I think, but I doubt the Rays would.

re: Post 21 – I think it’s too bad that Harold Baines prob. won’t ever make it into the Hall of Fame…he was a model of consistency and he must’ve been doing something right to have been in the majors for 22 seasons. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though, given that Bert Blyleven (over 3,700 strikeouts) isn’t in there either.

re: post #8 – I agree with Brendan that it is a bit presumptuous to assume that Griffey Jr won’t be back next year. I know he’s gonna be 40 and he’s had a mediocre year, but he does have 1 more HR than Vernon. I think Seattle might sign him to another 1 year deal (if he agrees) just for the fan appeal he has and the influence he has on the younger players on the team. 650 HRs would be a nice round # to end his career with as well. According to Jamie Campbell, yesterday a bunch of Blue Jays were flocked around him during BP, probably picking his brain and just appreciating being in the presence of a true baseball legend!