Interesting thought about Teahen: he can play 1B, 3B, and LF…does that give him a shot at a utility role? It’s possible, as he could be used to spell Lind and Lawrie while also getting ABs off-the-bench. Teahen is not a horrible player by any means, he just isn’t a starter, so that may be the best role for him while with the Jays.

Mat – welcome back.

I have the feeling that AA has more patience than we fans do. He’s looking at our “near ready” STARTING pitching depth and seeing: Hutchison (quickly becoming the top pitching prospect), Alvarez (a near ready elite prospect), Molina (a WOW prospect being lengthened out to be a starter), McGuire (a better than solid, near elite stud), Carreno (gets TONS of SO’s and gives up very few hits) – AND – the lower levels with at least 5 to 10 more truly spectacular starting prospects.

When he sees that Top Five – all who could at least challenge for a look-see in the Bigs in 2012 – I think he’s not too inclined to go nuts and jump into the free agent or trade starter market with both feet. I suspect he can live with the fact that the position players are coming together a year before the pitchers do. Can we be as patient? Can AA afford for our impatience to turn to anger if it’s clear we’re just a pitcher or two from SERIOUS contention? OR Will he sign one of the two big FA Bats and trade a couple of the TOP FIVE and a few of the lower levels guys for two pitching horses ready for prime time in 2012?

I suspect most fans would prefer the latter. I suspect AA REALLY wants to build this “perennial contender” the right way (as he sees the right way) and he sees we are literally only a few months of baseball away from at least Alvarez and McGuire being ready to at least get a sniff of the Bigs by – say – June(ish) 2012.

When I hired AA (OK – I admit I allowed others to act as my proxy in that hiring) I was – AM – willing to have the patience to see HIS dream unfold. I still am. I think however – I’m in the minority.

Pity.

We’ll see, but for now, I actually like Romero and Morrow at the top. I also love Henderson Alvarez and his potential to be a very strong #3. Add in those that you mention above, and you’ve got a fairly good amount of rotation options. The biggest question mark for me right now is whether or not Joel Carreno will remain a starting option, or a closing option. It’s a question because with Kyle Drabek, Brett Cecil, and likely Deck McGuire vying for the #4-5 spots in 2012, the Jays will need to make some tough decisions.

I’d love to see Reyes signed at a reasonable rate, but truthfully, if you take away his legs – which happens as players age – he simply isn’t going to be worth what he’ll get paid this off-season. He may be worth it for 1-2 years, but not thereafter. A more likely scenario has Yunel shifting to 2B and Hechavarria (and his top 3 SS defensive abilities) playing SS while hitting 9th. That will likely happen mid-2012 or in 2013, so whatever AA does between now and then will be interesting to see. He may keep Hill around just in case….

-LF: Boils down to Thames/Snider; Prospects you mentioned like Loewen, Sierra also liable to break out. Loewen is an exceptional athlete.

-CF: Rasmus has proven nothing, nor is he any sort of lock. Admit it, we’re just relieved from being saved watching the previous horror shows in CF. We’re pretty thin here if Rasmus fails, as Gose will not be ready next year. Here’s to hoping he develops nicely.

-3B: Yes, i believe in Brett Lawrie. No, i’m no talent scout. But everything statistical and written about him makes me believe he’s going to be an elite 3B; his defense will actually be a bright spot too. If he does fail, we do have our MVP Joey Bats ready to step into 3B, allowing one of our other bright young prospects to man what would be a very green outfield.

-2B: Past Aaron hill, internally it will be one of Escobar or Hechavarria. There are no other internal options, so this position is primed for free agency or trade. AA loves the middle of the diamond, so i believe this will be his last great position player acquisition. Maybe Jose Reyes? Hanley Ramirez?

-Starting Pitching: Not good. Past Ricky Romero, there’s no sure thing. And that’s bad. Like Lawrie, Morrow seems like a guy who will pan out. Or at the very least be our Ted Lilly. I think he will be our #3-4 on our playoff team. Brett Cecil, spent time in AAA this season after velocity (not really)/location (yes) issues. He’s pitched the AL East well before, so i would slot him into the #4-5. Acquiring Ubaldo Jiminez would have allowed us a decent one-two punch, although i do wish we: had acquired Greinke; or will acquire a STUD pitcher, ala Halladay/Lee/Sabathia.

-Relief Pitching: Obviously. Only a closer is needed. Emphasis added. Shouldn’t be too hard to find. With money and our bevy of young pitching, our bullpen isn’t a sore spot really. Finally, our playoff line-up next year should look something like:

1. Reyes (2B)

2. Escobar (SS)

3. Lind (1B)

4. Bautista (RF)

5. Rasmus (CF)

6. Snider (DH)

7. Lawrie (3B)

8. Arencibia (C)

9. Thames (LF)

Rotation:

1. Ricky Romero

2. Brandon Webb

3. Brendan Morrow

4. Brett Cecil

5. Kyle Drabek Closer: Jonathan Papelbon (thank you John Farrel)