Jays Journal » Alex Rodriguez

Jays Lock Up Edwin Encarncacion

Mat Germain — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:20:17 +0000

Jul 5, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) and right fielder Jose Bautista (19) wait to bat from the on-deck circle against the Kansas City Royals at the Rogers Centre. The Royals beat the Blue Jays 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

As most of you already know, the Jays have locked up Edwin Encarnacion, a.k.a. El Toro, for the next 3, possibly 4, years. The contract breaks down as follows: $8 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014. $10 million in 2015, and a club option for 2016 worth $10 million. Edwin stated that he loves Canada, loves the Jays and its fan base, and wanted to keep playing with his best friend, Jose Bautista. Sure enough, Jose Bautista’s recently signed deal also includes a club option for 2016 (worth $14 million). Coincidence? I hardly think so, and here’s why it makes things extra interesting.

The Jays have just lined up most contracts they have extended in recent years to end in 2016. Ricky Romero? 2016. Jose Bautista? 2016. Adam Lind? 2016. Edwin Encarnacion? 2016. Ok, Yunel Escobar and Brandon Morrow only got theirs to 2015, but that’s still within a very similar window. The point? Well, if you read the tea leaves, and in this case they’re made of millions of dollars, they indicate that the Jays are set to invest in the next 3 years as if they really do expect to win. (more…)

Jays are “going to win and win for a while” – Brian Cashman

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:47:31 +0000

Joel Sherman of the New York Post published a very interesting article today. Check it out here. The article titles “Blue Jays Quietly Becoming Threat to Yankees,” features quotes from Yankee GM Brian Cashman and Alex Rodriguez speaking about the Jays in glowing terms. “This is not a long-term project anymore,” Cashman said. “They are knocking [...]

Jays are “going to win and win for a while” – Brian Cashman - Jays Journal - Jays Journal - A Toronto Blue Jays Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Jays Journal: A.L. East Predictions for 2011 Season

Mat Germain — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:00:58 +0000

With the season just about set to begin and most of the position battles settled, I’m ready to set forth and make some bold predictions, and others not so bold. I’ll post my MLB wide predictions (most of which are unlikely to come true but make for good stuff to talk about), and hopefully I’ll come up with a few gems that will make some sense (as my 2010 prediction of the Jays finishing above .500 and Texas winning the West did last season).

Here are my A.L. East predictions, going from last to first, just to make things more interesting and to build up to the surprise team that I expect will win the A.L. East.

#5 – The Baltimore Orioles – Record: 78 – 84 (more…)

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #6 J.P. Arencibia

Mat Germain — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:52:31 +0000

The next player on our list is one of my personal favorites, and yet another catcher that the Jays will depend on for some much needed pop at the bottom of the lineup….

#6: Jonathan Paul Arencibia

image courtesy of minorleaguebaseball.com

Catcher / 25 years old / 6’1″ 210 lbs

Born: January 5th, 1986 in Miami Florida

Bats: Right Throws: Right

High School Team: Westminster Christian High School

College: University of Tennessee

Drafted:

In the 17th round of the 2004 draft by the Seattle Mariners, but decided to attend college.
In the 1st round, 21st overall, of the 2007 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays

Signed: for $1,327,500 by Matt Briggs

Quick Facts: (more…)

Is Toronto a Viable Option for Albert Pujols?

Mat Germain — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:21:31 +0000

image courtesy of farm2.static.flickr.com

As I hear about how the talks are souring between the St-Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols, I sit here, I wonder, I dream. There’s arguably a 0.05% chance that Albert Pujols will not be a Cardinal in 2011 or 2012, and probably a lesser chance that he would become a Blue Jay if he were available. However, let’s imagine for one second that talks did get so bad that St-Louis executives realized that they had little choice but to move him for as big a package as they could find. Let’s also imagine that Alex Anthopoulos would be in the front row of the pack chasing him, as he has been for the majority of available players, making inquiries, offering an attractive package that includes pieces from the team with the 4th best minors system in the majors.

Before I get into the Pujols market, however, I wanted to add that I’m not the only one looking into the possibility of Pujols becoming a Toronto target. Alex Anthopoulos wants to target the very best at each position, and we all know Albert is the best 1B OR DH. The last part is particularly important, because it tells us that Pujols may want to bring his craft to the American League for his next contract in order to prolong his career. If he signs a 10-year contract in St-Louis, what are the chances he’ll be an effective 1B at the end of it? It’s also important because it means that even if the Jays want to add Pujols AND keep Adam Lind, they can do so. If they do have to deal Lind to get Pujols, it’s really no big deal because Lind can’t hit LHP. (more…)

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #32 Michael Crouse

Jared Macdonald — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:47:31 +0000

After Ryan Schimpf at #33 comes a Canadian outfielder at #32…

Image courtesy of the National Post

#32: Michael R. Crouse

Outfielder / 20 years old / 6′4″ 215 lbs

Born: November 22nd, 1990 in New Westminster, BC, Canada

Bats: Right Throws: Right

High School Team: Centennial Centaurs

College Team: N/A

Drafted By: The Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round (489th overall) of the 2008 First-Year-Player Draft and signed by Kevin Briand for $150,000

Jersey Number: #13 for the Lansing Lugnuts

(more…)