Are There ANY Silver Linings to These Blue Jays?

Aug 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (40) talks to starting pitcher Todd Redmond (58) against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
I’ve had it. The debacle that is the Toronto Blue Jays season stinks. The stench carries all across this country thanks to the inability to do the most fundamental part of the game: Pitch. We can always fall back on the fact that we have a pretty decent bullpen. Sure. All they are doing is keeping horrid scores from becoming even worse. The fact that we didn’t even bring up an ace in the making for a few starts and instead had to settle for the Wang guy speaks volumes.

Alex Anthopoulos doesn’t want any of our prized pitchers to be thrown to the wolves for a team going nowhere. Why let them see what a losing team is all about? It just adds to the burden these kids feel knowing that the future of the franchise pitching falls on their young shoulders. So the Sean Nolin‘s and Marcus Stroman‘s will battle down on the farm and ready themselves for next year because at this rate…next year may be their year.

Is there anything positive to glean from this punch drunk bunch of players playing out the string? Can you find anything good to say when the ASTROS are kicking your ass? Well yes. Our offence is no problem as long as we recognize who deserves a hot next year and who deserves to be shot and left for dead in baseball limbo (I do not condone shooting anyone…really). Let’s go around the horn 2-9 and see who deserves to be here next year:

2. J.P. Arencibia: Goner. I love J.P. Arencibia as a person and team mate. That’s it. He has gotten worse as the year has dragged on and is approaching the mendoza line yet again. I would rather give a defensive gem like A.J. Jimenez the at bats next year. We don’t really need 20 homers from the position. a dozen and perhaps a 50 point spike in batting average would suffice.
3. Edwin Encarnacion: Keeper. Without hesitation. He has proven last year was no fluke with the bat and no slouch with the glove either (thank the baseball gods every day he doesn’t have to throw);
4. Maicer Izturis: Keeper…for now. He has made the plays that need making after a horrid start to the year. Good veteran influence who may be a great trading chip if Ryan Goins can prove he belongs. 2B is not the deepest position in the majors.
5. Brett Lawrie: Keeper. His renewed patience at the plate and slightly calmer demeanor as allowed Brett to flourish offensively and defensively post all-star break. He is still learning.
6… Jose Reyes: Keeper. I would love to see what this man could do when healthy for 140 games a year. A spark plug who needs a decent backup in case one his varied little injuries pop up.
7. Melky Cabrera: Goner: I would much rather give this to Anthony Gose. His speed and better approach to hitting the last month or so bodes well. Think of the better defense with him and our CF out there.
8. Colby Rasmus: Keeper. Next year should be a full breakout for Colby. He still strikes out a bit too much but he still has numbers thank rank him with the best centre fielders in baseball. That coupled with his defense should keep him here.
9. Jose Bautista: Keeper….for now. It would take a lot for me to want to get rid of Bautista but sometimes you sell high to get other parts you need for your team…like a front line starter. His defense is decent and he is certainly a presence. For how much longer though?
10. Adam Lind: Goner: He has fallen back into old habits and his numbers are dropping quickly. This would be a great place to put Melky while we hold the space for someone younger coming up the pipe.

I will desecrate the pitching in another column. We do have the pieces needed to move forward in the field but right now it would seem we need a new culture in the clubhouse and that means not John Gibbons. If Mike Scioscia is let go by the Angels I think the Jays should be first in line to sign him. I am sick of losing. I am sick of looking pathetic against our division foes. It is time to tinker not blow up. If you change the manager keep the players and see how a new man does with them…worked for the Orioles and Red Sox…