The Southpaw gets creative!

Love this!

http://thesouthpawbaseball.blogspot.com/2008/11/thinking-big.html


"Randy Johnson needs five more wins to reach 300 and he's definitely going into his last year. He's thought to be seeking something in the neighborhood of $10 million and the D'Backs don't have that to spare. Certainly the dodgers and Astros will sniff around, but I think the Jays ought to be proactive and get him up here, even if they have to be creative. Hell, I would not be adverse to signing him to something unseen so far based on Roger Clemens late-start deals with the Yankees - a Half year contract!

Think about it - sign Johnson to a contract that pays him $6 million through the All-Star Break. He gets about 17 or 18 starts to get past 300 but he has the option of going home to the sunny southwest after the first half. The contract would include a $4 million player option with a proviso that the Jays hold his rights the rest of the season if he decides to play (no fair jumping to the Yanks for the second half)."

DH Discussion from Spencer Kyte

Bugs & Cranks cranks out another look at potential Jays signings, this time focusing on DH's.

http://www.bugsandcranks.com/toronto-blue-jays/spencer-kyte/blue-jays-hot-stove-dh-decisions/

My question is... do we really want to see Ibanez or Giambi hitting clean-up for The Jays? I don't really.

Milton Bradley seems like the right man for the job to me.

" Ideal world, Toronto inks Bradley to a two-year deal in the $7-$8M range and he puts up two seasons of output on par with his career averages. But we don’t live in an ideal world, so we’ll just have to wait and see."

rumors from Bluebird Banter

Bluebird Banter has a Monday review here:

http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2008/11/10/657847/monday-bits

Burrell to DH?

"Pat Burrell hasn't received an offer from the Phillies yet. I wouldn't be against the Jays looking at him as a possible DH, if he could be had for a reasonable amount of money."

JP is busy?

"JP has talked to Rafael Furcal (yay) and Jason Giambi's agents. It is good to hear that JP is at least kicking some tires."

more Shortstop discussion

The fine people at Bugs & Cranks take a look at potential SS free agents for the Blue Jays...

http://www.bugsandcranks.com/toronto-blue-jays/spencer-kyte/whats-cooking-on-the-blue-jays-hot-stove/

and they love Furcal

"The 31-year-old former Dodger was limited to under 40 games last season and would most likely take up residency on a second installment of The Anti-Ripkens. He just can’t stay healthy; there is always a hamstring or an ankle or a wrist or a pinkie or something and it’s a shame because when he is healthy, Furcal is still a difference maker and the best option of the three. In fact, I actually endorse Toronto going after the former Rookie of the Year, provided it’s for far less than the $13M he made last year.

With the plethora of utility infielders in the fold in Toronto, Furcal could be rested two or three days a week in an effort to keep him as healthy as possible. That would ensure guys like Scoots, Johnny Mac and Voodoo Joe get their cuts in and Raffie would get the rest he needs. A couple days a week you find someone else to plug into the lead off spot and see what you get."

let's pencil in Derek Lowe as the #2

Beyond the Box Score does some analysis on free agent starters here:

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2008/11/10/657328/valuing-the-free-agent-sta

"Derek Lowe deserves all the articles declaring him as the most underrated free agent pitcher. And his ground ball abilities can be leveraged by an organization with a slick infield defense. Philadelphia or Toronto, perhaps?"

I like the idea of writing in Derek Lowe behind Roy Halladay every 5 days, he's reliable and gets ground balls.

JJ Hardy talk

http://www.ghostrunneronfirst.com/2008/11/break-bank.html

Lloyd the Barbar (at the great Ghostrunner on first blog) suggests the Jays go after JJ Hardy.

highlights:

"Hardy won't be the answer to all the Blue Jays ills, but he is a good place to start. With the nearest shortstop prospect still better than 3 years away, the Jays need a more suitable stopgap than the Scutaros of the world. J.J. Hardy is all that and then some. "

"It is my contention that the JPs should pony up here. Short of Brett Cecil, nearly any (one) pitching prospect should be fair game."

Drunk Jays Fans weigh in...

Dustin Parkes has his round-up of Blue Jays Hot Stove news:

http://drunkjaysfans.blogspot.com/2008/11/irrelevant-rumour-roundup.html

and Stoeten follows suit:

http://drunkjaysfans.blogspot.com/2008/11/friday-everything.html