Big Papi, big money. Godzilla, huge money. Vladdy?

On another note:

Rick Ankiel would look great in a RF platoon with JoBau, no?

Mike mccoy could be a valuable bench option, no? 25th Man? Nick Leyva was his manager in winter ball too! Maybe he got an extended look.

MW: Vladdy, not so much. He got $5 million – Bobby Abreu money from last year. Ankiel has signed with the Royals since you left this comment. McCoy’s minor-league numbers on a very hitter-friendly team in a very hitter-friendly league look nice, but he’s going to be in tough to make the team.

To follow up my question about the DH and it’s impact, it may not be the money invested in a DH, but rather that with a DH, a rich AL team can dominate more than a NL team because you can win with a few dominant starters and a closer, since you don’t have to pull a starter as early to pinch hit, thus bringing in what is often a weaker pitcher and the weaker position sub that often accompanys that move. Does that make sense?

MW: Yes and no. Dominant starters in the NL can go deep into games if their team provides them any kind of offense. It’s not as though they all get yanked in the 7th inning in 1-1 ties.

MW: Hockey rarely gets the police involved, and there are far, far, far more acts of violence committed in hockey than there are in baseball.

MW: If you don’t like it, put up your own blog!

Much has been made of the financial disparity in MLB and it’s impact on the ability of some teams to compete. I was wondering if it is your impression that the so-called “rich” AL teams dominate more than the “rich” NL teams and if that could be attributed to the DH? That is, do rich AL teams buy a big thumper DH, have a few good starters, and a closer and win “easier” than a NL team that needs a more diverse roster?

MW: Hadn’t really thought about that. Thing is, the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels haven’t been paying huge money to their DHs.

I think one misconception about Mr. Gaston is that he has preconceived opinions of players and doesn’t like to make changes. In my opinion, it’s not that he’s not willing to be creative, but rather that he’s not willing to try different things in season. He’s often said or alluded that in season is not the time to try something new. Going into spring training, players such as Ruiz and Lind will be given every opportunity to develop his trust. Come opening day, if Adam Lind has earned his trust in his ability to play left (and by extension, Snider to play right), then Cito will stick with him, heck or high tide. He seems to be a real “until I see it with my own eyes” type of guy.

Enough gnashing of teeth on the Overbay thing. In a perfect picture, Wallace starts in AAA, goes down and dominates. Overbay has a ‘contract year’ season, and either becomes a type A, or is moved at the trade deadline for good value, and to make room for a door-smahing Wallace.

In non-competitive seasons, it’s the story bylines that a true fan cheers for. I’ll be rooting for Lyle to do well. He’s been nothing but classy in a Jays uniform, so I hope for the best for him. I’d like for him to have an all-star calibre year both because he deserves it, and because it’d be great for the Jays if they could flip him at the trade deadline for a prospect. It’s a win-win situation. Besides, he’s a great player, who never really got a fair shake on this team. Lyle Overbay would be a fantastic complementary piece on a good team. Can you imagine his numbers in the Yankee’s lineup? Especially in the new stadium?

Guess there’s no real question here, other than a rhetorical one.

All the best,

MW: Thanks! I don’t agree with your points about Cito. I can’t see him giving Lind every chance in left, Snider every chance in right or Ruiz every chance to DH during Spring Training.

Love your blog, and wanted to let you know I respect your insight and knowledge.

However, I do disagree with comments I have read from you a couple of times about how you don’t feel its that important to find Lind a position.

I think it is importanant for a few reasons:

1) This season isn’t about winning, its about setting the team up for future success 2-3 years down the road. Therefore, it would seem to be a waste of time to give innings in the outfield to Bautista, someone who isn’t in the long-term plans and won’t be here when we contend again. Isn’t this the time to develop Lind into an everyday outfielder? We know he is going to be a cornerstone for this team in the years to come.

2) When we are ready to contend in 2 years it would be much better if Lind was the everyday starter in left rather than DH, as it would be substantially easier to find a DH through FA than trying to find a starting outfielder

3) I don’t get this whole thing anyways that Lind is a bad outfielder. Where did this come from? I’ve never seen anything that would indicate he is a below average fielder. I’ll grant you he isn’t gold glove material, but he is not terrible.

4) I know Lind has never publically said anything, but I can’t believe that a 26 year old is content being the everyday DH. He is a great player and we need to keep him happy if we want if to be here in the long term. He seems like a great guy, don’t think he would publically complain, but I can’t help to think its in the back of his mind. Maybe I’m just tainted from the George Bell circa 1988 spring training..but you have to agree I have a point.

On a related topic, but I know the ship has sailed:

If the Jays were so convinced that Lind couldn’t play the outfield, I don’t know why they were so big on classifying Wallace as a 1st basemen when he has played 3rd all the way through the minors. Why not groom Lind for 1st (post-Overbay) and Wallance for 3rd?

Cheers

MW: To your first three points – Lind isn’t a good outfielder. I agree with you that he should be in left field every day this season to see if he can become a good outfielder. 4 – Lind is here for at least four more years, whether he wants to be or not. He’s happy to be in the starting line-up, hitting third, everyday. Yes, he’d be happier in the outfield, but it won’t impact significantly, I don’t think, on his decision is 2013. 5 – Because they don’t think Wallace is a very good defensive third baseman, but they think he can be an above-average defensive first baseman.

MW: What $60 million payroll?