AJ Burnett is not that good? He is that good and the Jays made some damn good moves. Signing BJ Ryan wasn't such a great move but only time will tell if it works out. However, it showed the other free agents that the Jays were serious this year and the Ryan signing triggered the Burnett signing. Lyle Overbay also signed and that was a great signing. Now the Jays can get rid of that stiff Hinske.
Halliday and Burnett as the 1-2 is as good as any 1-2 punch in the business and the Jays just turned into contenders in the East.
GREAT MOVES!!!
Halliday and Burnett as the 1-2 is as good as any 1-2 punch in the business and the Jays just turned into contenders in the East.
GREAT MOVES!!!
It is clear that both contracts are at least marginally bad and at worst terrible. However the Jays best window of opportunity is 2007 and 2008 as the Yankees fall apart. The Jays were much closer to the Yankees and Red Sox than last year's record suggests. I think the signings of BJ and AJ and the trade for Overbay and a healthy Halladay make the Jays an outside threat for 2006. But with the budget for the Jays likely to go up again in 2007 and 2008 and those moves they definitely should be real contenders. Now come 2010 odds are decent that the BJ and AJ contracts will not be such a great deal. But if you want to be in the playoffs in 2007 and 2008 (and given the Jays situation internally and in their league that has to be their target) I think you have to make those moves.
not too sure how much some of you follow the Jays at all but I am a lifelong fan so heres some info... the Jays total salaries for the next 2 seasons has a budget at 70-75 million per season (up from 50-55 million range from past couple seasons) , right now they are a few million over budget so are trying to get rid of Eric Hinske and Miguel Batista.. Considering the Yankees are around the 200 million range and Red Sox and O's are in the 100 millions,, I don't think moving up from 55 to 75 million is considered to be some crazed out of control spending spree,,lol... especially considering they filled 2 huge needs for the team with good arms in the prime of their careers in Ryan and Burnett... These are not old washed up free agents their pouring money into.. they are still lagging well behind in their division for payroll as well.. Last year the Jays finished right around .500 mark losing top two starters Halladay and Lilly for large parts of the season,, and had a very unreliable closer in Batista.. they lost a lot of close ballgames by 1 or 2 runs.. That was why getting Ryan was a big priority,, he is a huge upgrade over Batista... Adding Burnett behind a legit Cy Young candidate in Halladay makes one heck of a 1-2 punch as well,, something the Jays and their fans haven't seen in over a decade. Burnett is pretty excited to be reunited with his old pitching coach from Florida Brad Arnsberg,, who had a huge role in Burnett's development when breaking into the league.. Jays did give up some good young players and a top pitching prospect to get Overbay, but he is still young with a very cheap contract,,, (around 500,000 per season) and is a big upgrade over Hinske at first base.. Looks like Riccardi is not done yet and wants to add one more good bat to the lineup... With these three new additions and this young team of starters getting a year older (Adams,Hill, Wells, Hudson, Rios, Johnson),, it should finally give Jays fans a reason to be excited about baseball,, which we haven't been since the back to back world series wins in 92 and 93...
BLUEJAYS Signing of AJ Burnett will be something in 2years they will regret when they can't get rid of the contract.
BJ RYAN??? One proven year as a closer. LMAO
I hope those canadiens fill those seats.
They tied up money in 2players who won't be on the field but probably 35% to 40% of the season at the most. And they ain't named Pedro.
BJ RYAN??? One proven year as a closer. LMAO
I hope those canadiens fill those seats.
They tied up money in 2players who won't be on the field but probably 35% to 40% of the season at the most. And they ain't named Pedro.
I don't get it,, you wanna talk about pissing money away,, look at the Orioles,, Texas, the Dodgers, and about 10 other teams this past season... The Jays have been around 50 million and lagging way behind most of the teams in salaries for the longest time.. Bumping up from fifty to 70-75 million isn't exactly pissing it away.. They are now what,, 1/3 of the Yankees payroll ??? Its about time the Jays management finally opened up their wallets a bit and give the fans a reason to be excited.. I'm not too sure what people have against Burnett (age 28) and Ryan (30) but I've watched these guys pitch a lot ,, they both have great arms and are in the prime of their careers.. 2plays.. why will the Jays be wanting to get rid of Burnett when he's 30?? As a Jays fan,, this is the first time in a long time I give Jays management a thumbs up on free agency moves.. They will have a solid club that should compete this year around their 75 million budget,, you can do a lot worse in this league...
Jays are a much better team with these signings, bottom line. Ryan is a huge upgrade and with Toronto's suspect bats they will need a big time closer in all the tight games they will be involved in. If you have watched Burnett pitch you would'nt say he's a waste of money. He hasn't had the big w/l year yet but he's put up solid stats and you can only expect him to get better. His potential is pretty high and its possible he could become a consistent 15-20 win guy. You can't say that seriously for very many pitchers.
I don't expect the Jays to make the playoffs but they will stay in the picture and finish with 85-90 wins.
I don't expect the Jays to make the playoffs but they will stay in the picture and finish with 85-90 wins.
