The Fog of War

Things just ain't right inside my thoughthole these days; thankfully I'm well aware and able to trace the source. November despair mixed with general Blue Jays malaise is leading me down a dangerous path though I'm going without a fight.

The heavily-rumored (way to keep it close to the vest AA!) Overbay-for-Snyder deal fell apart on the weekend. Understandable concern for the surgically repaired back of a catcher reportedly queered the deal. As much as I enjoy Overbay and all that he does, I was okay with the move. Overbay would absolutely kill it in that overheated bandbox while Synder potentially brought decent numbers for a catcher with the Snakes footing some of the bill.

So I started to think of other catchers that would work within the Jays indentured servitude youth movement. My mind first came to Chris Iannetta, the somewhat disposed catcher for the Colorado Rockies. Iannetta disappointed the Rockies in 2009 with a low batting average (who cares!) but still posted an excellent walk rate (!), high Ks (meh), and too many fly balls. Basically he swung at too many bad balls and developed a penchant for home run swings. He lost his job to Yorvit Torrealba down the stretch in 2009 though the Rockies had the good sense to decline Yorvit's 2010 option. Iannetta is cheap and under team control for 3 more years, meaning he wouldn't come cheap.

Naturally I strained to think what the Jays could offer to prize the young backstop from the Rockies clutches. Then I remembered I would want to take Matt Murton along with Iannetta. The Rockies have no need for Overbay or any other disposable Blue Jays piece, then my mind turned the corner.

The Jays should trade Roy Halladay to the Rockies.

Have I lost my mind? I'd freely sign up for a 1984-styled Thought Police service if it kept me from even thinking these awful, awful thoughts. After I finished bathing myself in astringents I realized what I'd done. My mind willingly attached Roy Halladay to a trade. The horror! But Halladay is exactly what the Rockies want and need. He's induces ground balls and limits dingers. He's Roy fucking Halladay. He's local. The Rocks have space in their rotation and Halladay would pretty much guarantee them many Rocktobers to come.

What would I demand back from the Rockies in exchange for The Blue Jay? Troy Tulowitzki, obviously. The perverse nature of trading for a player you easily could have drafted is dimished by AA pulling the trigger with Beeston behind him. The taint of passing doesn't stick to them so they can start with Tulo and build from there. That Tulowitzki signed a hilariously team-friendly deal long before Evan Longoria makes it all the sweeter. Throw in Iannetta, and the excellent Dexter Fowler.

Pie in the sky? Probably. Detached from reality? Indeed. A package that includes, basically, the three best Rockie prospects is borderline insane. But so is trading Roy Halladay!! If Tulowitzki is a deal-breaker, replace the face of the franchise (before Halladay would assume the title) with Christian Friedrich. Admitting that Roy Halladay is going to be gone next year is hard enough, don't expect me to take it well.

If AA is going to do it (and many people think he will) he'd better land himself 3 major league ready players. At least. Distant prospects are fine and good, but the Blue Jays' boat will rock with such force that a fleet of kids will do more harm than good.

Fortune Resumes Hiding

I was ready. The early season signs were unmistakable. Games the Jays seems bound and determined to lose, they pulled out of the fire. Odd and/or questionable managerial choices worked out, the Ws are on the board for time immaterial. By divine providence and the benevolent guidance of one Clarence Gaston, the Jays are in first place without any indication of leaving. This was it!!! Slightly outperforming their Pythagorean record, winning one run games, coming from behind!! Who knew? Hell, the Jays are sixth in baseball with runners in scoring position (2nd in RISP OPS!!!) Sure, they're not exactly putting up 2008 Angels-level numbers in the clutch, but they're still winning! In November I said the only way the Jays can reasonably expect to compete for the playoffs (!) was a little bit of luck. Luck they are experiencing a most profound way: they're winning games they shouldn't. And it's awesome. No way am I going to fuck this gift horse in the mouth!

Alas, some luck seems to have run out. Injuries are now piling up. Some are fortunate; preventing any, as the Tao Tweeted, "kabuki nonsense" over the next few weeks in search of a competent replacement. The Ricky Romero injury is not fortunate. While it will usher in the Brett Cecil era, it will also prolong the Scott Richmond (not as bad as I'd think, says Wilner) and the Brian Tallet Found Money era. A rotation peopled with never-wases is slightly frightening, but it's okay. They're still in first place, and will be for a minimum of one more full day! If the Jays are in first place on May 1st, consider this season a rousing success. Far too many people that I care to admit have told me how excited they are for this Jays team and baseball in general. Which is great. I just hope they all stay on the ride when the inevitable (or not, PLAYOFFS!) turbulence hits.

Deep Sigh Update: Apparently it is not time for the Cecil era to begin. Instead the Brian Burres shitshow will roll into town just to piss me off. FREE BRYAN BULLINGTON!

Hopeful Exhale Update: BRYAN BULLINGTON MIGHT JUST BE FREE AFTER ALL!!