I've been following the trading season these days, and the most confusing team for me is the Rays.  I can't understand why they have traded (are trading) Jason Bartlett and are considering trading Matt Garza.  I realize that Bartlett had a bad year last year, and that the Rays have a lot of good pitchers (hence the desire to cash in on Garza) - but these don't seem like good baseball moves.  Both are young, and extremely talented.  Garza has been a Jays killer - though less so last year. Bartlett went from a 320 batting average to 254 - which is a big drop - but not necessarily a permanent one. Can someone explain the reasoning?  I realize they're trying to keep the roster fresh and re-stock - but I'm not sure why you do that with young talent.  I don't get it.  If I were the Jays, I'd consider Garza in a heartbeat - pending what he'd cost.... What am I missing here???? Is there big talent that is being blocked? Are their big raise forthcoming???

Despite much doom and gloom among Raptors fans, I think this version of the Raptors isn't so bad. When you look at their competition for a playoff spot - Knicks, Pacers, Cavs, Bucks, and Bobcats - it's hard to say any of those teams are any better than this squad. Perhaps that isn't saying much - but really, this year's team should be as competitive for the 6 to 8 spot than last year's squad.  I'm actually enjoying the post-Bosh squad quite a bit - and think they should actually have a shot at the 6 slot.  I'm not saying they'll get it, but they have the talent to get there.

I wonder if Kazmir might be worth the risk to rehabilitate and come out as a long man from the pen.  Anywhere from 1 out to 5 innings, depending on the need.  I haven't seen him play in a long time, but it wasn't that long back when he was the ace of the Rays - what would he be worth - someone like Frasor?  Could Kazmir rehab in the Jays farm system - say in NH as part of a get well stint - like Snider has done. Trading Frasor and sending Kazmir to the minors would give a roster spot. Is Frasor enough?

With the ways Mills pitched, he could take the vacated roster spot instead of going back down.

Here's a link to his stats - http://ht.ly/2i5zZ

What do you think?

I've noticed that Jordan Bastian is doing some fine preseason reporting, yet he's not getting a lot of posts. Really, without him, it's all just a bunch of guys surfing the internet or offering opinions from their couch. There's so many great discussion on this board, I think we need to send some chatter his way. He's pulling the load right now, with the eyes and voice that no one else has. Send a post his way.  No offense to this site, but you gotta give credit where credit is due.

PS - he's not my brother or anything like that.  I just appreciate his work.

I have to say, that despite the rocky pre-season and some doubts after the Memphis loss, this looks like a very good squad.

They definitely have more talented players, who complement each other.

And they are definitely better coached. While Jay is still learning on the job, he is at least a strategist who is ready with a game plan. He will adapt. He will teach.

I'm not sure how they'll do, but I don't think it isn't unrealistic to expect them to put a scare into most Eastern teams. I think Orlando is clearly the Best, and Boston a near second. After that, they have the talent to get to the 4 slot. Cleveland is probably going to get the 3, though I think Atlanta is also very good.  I'm not sure iwhere they will finish, but it should be no less than the playoffs, and hopefully second rounnd.

And for everyone who's ragging on Bargnani - lay off. He's going to be a Monster in the NBA.  His defensive will grow, and he'll continue to get smarter offensively.  The decision to lock him up long term at 5 and 50 will be considered genius by year's end. For sure. Book it. Consider his age. Consider his upside. 

 Go Raps!

1) Sign Pedro Martinez

2) Call up Wade Miller, send down Ricky Romero

3) Call up Jeremy Acardo, send down Brian Wolfe

4) Put in Kevin Millar as the DH, and Adam Lind in the field permanently

5) Batting order: Scutaro, Hill, Rolen, Lind, Millar, Rios, Well, Barajas, Overbay

6) Rotation: SP: Hallady, Martinez, Tallet, Richmond, Miller

Mid: Litsch, Jannsen, Frasor, Carlson, Ryan, League

Closing: Accardo, Downs

7) Let Cito get the best out of this lineup 

8) Have faith, and get er' done

Wow. Scoring seven runs after your quality relievers cough up the lead big time is a great win. This team is looking good.  I think it'll be them and Boston in the finish. Nice work Jays. Adam Lind, you da man.

On a side note, the news of Basillie bid for the Coyotes is awesome.  If this doesn't go through, the players should strike and have Bettman and his cronies thrown out.  It's getting pretty sick already. Face it, hockey won't work in Phoenix...guess what, it's the desert.  Bring the Coyotes back where they belong...to the Great White North!

Plus, Arizona already has the Cardinals to cheer for as a consolidation prize.  And think about it, the Coyotes right now are being run worse than the Jets ever were, and that's saying alot.

I wonder how many more time the Jays can call on Purcey before he gets a quality start in. One more time? Two?  I realize this was considered a "developmental year", but with the way things have gone so far, it seems to me like the door to the wild card has opened up a crack, and they'll need to have all five starters going.  This isn't the Josh Towers era where you can go with a guy who'll lose 16 games because there just isn't anyone better. 

I'm very curious about Wade Miller.  I remember him when he was with the Astros, and then I caught mention of his name toward the end of Spring Training. Why didn't he play in Spring Training with the Jays?  Was he signed later?  The news that he was a Jay came out of nowhere.  I read the G+M Jays coverage pretty regularly and didn't ever see Miller mentioned.  I Miller's line from his first Vegas game and it didn't look so good. I wonder if the Jays will give him a call at some point this year.  He did win 20 games before in the majors, right? (if not 20, then something like that). 

Anyway, I'm anxious to see how things go over the next couple of weeks. If you have any insight on how things are going with the Las Vegas pitchers, I'd be interested to hear.

I've been a Blue Jays fan since the days of Dave Stieb and Jimmy Key, Jesse Barfield, Lloyd Moseby, and George Bell. 

I think the new philosopy of "See ball, hit ball"  says it all. If that's the root of Cito and Gene Tenace mantra, I'd say it's set in. 

As for Kevin Millar - it's good to have another former World Series Champ in the mix + some grit from Rolen. Good work Scott - after great seasons in Phil and St Louis, it nice to see you've got your mojo back in Canada. You're forgiven, as it's hard to get use to winters up here.  ha ha.

Go Jays! Get another one for Canada, you're the only team we have left.

BrotherK_13