Jul 13, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop

It’s a little ironic that Yunel Escobar was acquired, along with Jo-Jo Reyes, in return for SS Alex Gonzalez, RP Tim Collins (now with KC) and Tyler Pastornicky, a fellow SS who is beloved in the locker room and is noted for having players pull for him to do well. It’s ironic because the exact same thing that drove the Atlanta Braves to deal Escobar to Toronto at the time, is reportedly the same reason the Jays have made him available in trade. Well, that and the fact that Adeiny Hechavarria seems ready to assume the SS position in Toronto.

Until Pastornicky proves that he is able to become an everyday SS in the majors, it’s easy to call this trade a win for the Jays, particularly when you know the past struggles the Jays have had in filling the SS position. Escobar’s .276/.341/.378 over his 3 years in Toronto is much better than anything the Jays had prior to Escobar’s arrival. The problem is that the production doesn’t really match his talent, and that he has reportedly worn out his welcome in Toronto as well through a lack of focus.

You do have to question why the Jays ever signed Escobar to an extension if he really was a clubhouse issue. The Jays, or an acquiring team, still owe Escobar $5 million in 2013, and still have 2 team option years for 2014-2015 at $5 million a piece as well. What that contract tells me is that the Jays were more than happy with his clubhouse presence at the time of the signing. He signed that contract in mid-June 2011, so if the reports are true, he has worn out his welcome in Toronto over the last full year, and immediately after signing that contract. (more…)

Alex Anthopoulos has followed this adage for much of his tenure as the Blue Jays’ general manager, and to rave reviews.

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In order to get a better grip on the deal altogether, I’ll separate it into 2 portions: the SS portion and the pitching portion.

Part 1: Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez Tyler Pastornicky (more…)

Image courtesy of waatp.com

After #38 Mitchell Taylor, a promising young lefty to definitely watch closely next season, comes the highest ranked relief pitcher on our list at #37…

#37: Alan Robert Farina

Pitcher / 24 years old / 5′11″ 195 lbs

Born: August 9th, 1986 in Chuluota, Florida

Bats: Right    Throws: Right

High School Team: Oviedo Lions

College: Clemson University

Drafted by: The Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round (115th overall) of the 2007 First-Year-Player Draft for $254,250

Jersey Number: #10 for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

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On April 2nd 2010, I made some bold and “out of the norm” predictions about the upcoming season. Some people may have called them crazy, in fact some did, because I was one of a very few people who predicted that the Jays would finish off the 2010 season with a winning record. To make such a bold prediction after the Jays dealt the best pitcher in franchise history was not easy to do, but I truly saw the potential of the squad at the time. Sure, some of my assessments didn’t pan out, and I don’t have a crystal ball to look into. But, I did make a few calls that turned out just great. Here are the verdicts, with a link to the article itself available here.

1. Blue Jays Record: My overall record projection was 82-80. The actual record was 85-77. I was off by 3 games. (more…)

Alex Gonzalez is joined by SS Tyler Pastornicky who will take his place in the Braves system. Pastornicky will provide the Braves with another option at SS once Alex Gonzalez‘s salary expires after 2011, assuming the Braves pick up his option for that season at a cost of $2.5 million. The Braves get one of the best defensive SS in MLB in Gonzalez and more pop, something they are dearly lacking. This should help both their pitchers and their runs driven in numbers, and makes them better contenders in the NL East as a result. A solid deal for them that looks after both the present and the future at the SS position. (more…)

Brett Cecil has had plenty of time to prepare and watch the Phillies hit, so hopefully he took the right notes. I really do like how Cito set up the lineup yesterday, although I’m not sure it will last. Batting Lind and Hill lower in the lineup gives them more RBI opportunities and is definitely the change of pace both needed to get back on track and motivated.It’ll be interesting to see if he uses a similar lineup today. (more…)

1. Brett Wallace, 1B/3B (AAA) 23 - no change
2. Travis d’Arnaud, C (HiA) 20 - no change
3. Kyle Drabek, SP (AA) 22 - no change
4. Jake Marisnick, OF (LoA) 19 – begins 2010 season end June
5. JP Arencibia, C (AAA) 24 – up (more…)

The win didn’t go to Zach Stewart, but just like Chad Jenkins in LoA Lansing he was very dominant on the day.

5 IP/ 1 Hit/ 0 BB/ 5 Ks

His line above lowered his ERA to 5.02 on the year, a clear indication of just how badly Zach needed this kind of start. Bubbie Buzachero tried to throw his hard work away by committing an error and allowing 3 runs to score (if the pitcher commits the error, shouldn’t it still count as an earned run for him? Because it didn’t in this case). Thankfully, Adrian Martin (2.1 shutout innings), Tim Collins (winner), and Daniel Farquhar (5th save), all shut the door and earned NH the win.

New Hampshire leads their division with an 11-7 record, 1 game ahead of Portland (BOS).