Blue Jays ink Jon Rauch

[The Nac]

1 yr deal for 3.5M, club option for 2012 for 3.75M

I like this signing. Between him, Janssen, Frasor and Dotel, this should shore up some of the bullpen issues we've had.

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

Good pickup.

[MCP313]

McGowan gonna ever pitch again?

[The Nac]

Originally Posted by MtrCtyPimp

McGowan gonna ever pitch again?

They extended him, and they're clearly not interested in giving up on the kid. But I feel so bad for him. His body will not cooperate with his rehab. I genuinely hope he does get a chance again, because he hasn't given up despite the nagging injuries, and he continues to do everything asked of him.

Fingers crossed. He deserves another shot.

[guzzi]

gazz cannz...

[The Nac]

Jays also signed Escobar, Morrow, Rajai Davis, Litsch and Camp and avoided arbitration. Team is starting to round out. Nothing special here and I'm personally expecting any division runs or anything. But striving for .500 again is certainly within reach.

[olgplayer]

manny...manny.

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

Originally Posted by The Nac

Jays also signed Escobar, Morrow, Rajai Davis, Litsch and Camp and avoided arbitration. Team is starting to round out. Nothing special here and I'm personally expecting any division runs or anything. But striving for .500 again is certainly within reach.

.500?? They were 8 games over .500 last year.
I want 90+ wins.

[The Nac]

Originally Posted by JohnnyMapleLeaf

.500?? They were 8 games over .500 last year.
I want 90+ wins.

They got rid of Marcum. My expectations are tempered unless they make a big upgrade at 3rd or 1st.

[L Diablo]

Jays are very weak at left handed relief...We lost are best relief pitcher (Downs) and all we have left is Jesse Carlson (?), Frasor is headed to arbitration along with Bautista...Sure Rauch was a good pick up and you cant have enough relief but in the AL East, you have to have at least, MINIMUM 2 quality left handed relievers to combat with those lefty bats that the Bosox and Yanks have...I dont see the Jays coming close to .500, with Baltimore's improvements, and Tampa giving up, I see our beloved Jays in the basement!

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

Purcey is taking Down's spot as the main lefty out of the pen.
Lefties had a .163 BA against him last year.
His overall stats were good as well.

I like the pen this year, just as good as last year, if not better.

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

Originally Posted by The Nac

They got rid of Marcum. My expectations are tempered unless they make a big upgrade at 3rd or 1st.

Marcum was expendable with all the good young arms.
I am fine with Bautista at 3rd, and Lind/EE at first/DH. Wells, Davis, Snider in OF.

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

Originally Posted by L Diablo

Jays are very weak at left handed relief...We lost are best relief pitcher (Downs) and all we have left is Jesse Carlson (?), Frasor is headed to arbitration along with Bautista...Sure Rauch was a good pick up and you cant have enough relief but in the AL East, you have to have at least, MINIMUM 2 quality left handed relievers to combat with those lefty bats that the Bosox and Yanks have...I dont see the Jays coming close to .500, with Baltimore's improvements, and Tampa giving up, I see our beloved Jays in the basement!

lol, no way the are in the basement.

[L Diablo]

Originally Posted by The Nac

Jays also signed Escobar, Morrow, Rajai Davis, Litsch and Camp and avoided arbitration. Team is starting to round out. Nothing special here and I'm personally expecting any division runs or anything. But striving for .500 again is certainly within reach.

Dont know about rounding out...They have a grand total of 2 left handed batters, Lind and Snyder, need mor than that...Hopefully they bounce back, along with Hill...if Wells and Bautista can maintain their power surge, we have a chance ?? to get to .500

And man do the Yanks need pitching...After CC and Hughes, they AJ Burnout (LMAO), Nova and Mitre...pending on Pettitte of course...don't think anyone is gonna stop the Bosox nation in 2011!

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

I will take any bet that the Jays are a .500 team this year...