[News] Rotation questions abound for Jays

看板Blue_Jays作者nash312 (北緯25度以南的夏天)時間17年前 (2008/10/07 23:13)推噓32(32推 0噓 31→)

留言63則, 11人參與討論串1/1

不管你是否為藍鳥隊的球迷，在今年球季結束後，藍鳥隊內部會有很多的問題發生，以下這篇文章是介紹藍鳥隊的內部情形及球隊的問題，本人對藍鳥隊不太了解，如果有了解藍鳥隊的球迷，看完此篇文章，說出來與大家分享，謝謝。 10/02/08 12:45 PM ET Rotation questions abound for Jays Injuries, possible loss of Burnett deplete team strenghth By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com TORONTO -- The 2008 season hadn't even ended before concerns about the Blue Jays' chances of fielding a contending club next year started to surface. Toronto's pitching staff -- the club's strongest asset -- is suddenly riddled with question marks. The Jays might be forced to open the '09 slate with a young and relatively green starting rotation, creating doubt that Toronto can realistically compete in the rigors of the American League East. Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi prefers to paint the picture a different way as the team heads into this offseason. Ricciardi is quick to point to the success of clubs like the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays, whose strong showings this past season was largely aided by young pitching staffs. That alone is enough for Ricciardi to hope that his Blue Jays could see similar results next year. "Look at Minnesota. Look at Tampa," Ricciardi said. "They've thrown a lot of young kids out there and they've been able to sustain and compete. We're confident with the guys we've got. We'll do whatever we have to do with the hand we're dealt." Toronto certainly hasn't been dealt an ideal hand. The Blue Jays boasted one of the best rotations in 2008, with a starting five of ace Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum and Jesse Litsch. Peering ahead to Opening Day 2009, there's a very real possibility that only Halladay and Litsch will be in the rotation at the season's onset. Burnett -- under contract for $12 million in each of the next two seasons, as of now -- has the ability to opt out of his contract in order to test his worth on the free-agent market. Ricciardi has noted that Toronto is willing to lengthen Burnett's contract in an effort to keep him in the fold, but the team won't get into a bidding war for the pitcher. "A.J. obviously has a decision to make -- whether he wants to stay here or not," Ricciardi said. "Whatever he decides, if he stays, it's great. If he doesn't, we've got some kids coming that we think we can throw into the mix." McGowan, who had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in July, might not be available until May. Marcum -- a recent recipient of Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow -- is out of the picture until 2010. The loss of McGowan and Marcum puts a lot of pressure on a cast of inexperienced arms. When Spring Training rolls around, Halladay and Litsch will be followed by a host of pitchers vying for jobs in the rotation. That group will likely include David Purcey, Scott Richmond, Casey Janssen, Brett Cecil, Ricky Romero and Davis Romero. Ricciardi insists that the Jays plan on filling the holes internally. The Blue Jays have roughly $70 million, including signing bonuses, committed in payroll to 11 players who are in the fold for 2009. That figure doesn't include the few arbitration-eligible players or the controlled players due for a raise. With a payroll of around $100 million, Toronto won't have an excess of cash to spend this winter. The Jays could use some pitching help, and the club might see what's available via trade, or look to the second tier of available free-agent arms. Then again, Toronto's main weakness in 2008 was offense, and the Blue Jays could benefit by finding a way to add another productive bat to the mix. "Maybe next year our pitching goes backward a little bit," Ricciardi said, "and our offense comes forward a little bit and we kind of even this thing out. Our pitching has been absolutely great. It's been great for a couple years. We've got no complaints there." The direction the Jays decide to take will depend on a few factors. If Toronto can convince Burnett to stay, that would help alleviate the problems in the rotation. The Blue Jays could also be in the market for a designated hitter, but the team is going to seriously discuss using rookie Travis Snider and Adam Lind in that role. "Until we really get into the winter," Ricciardi said, "we're not going to know what our needs are, specifically. We've got A.J.'s situation and we have to talk about the Snider situation. Is that one where we're totally convinced that we should go that way? "What presents itself in the way of trades? We've got a general idea, but I don't think we'll have a real good idea until we get into the winter." CONTRACT ISSUES Free agents: Gregg Zaun, C; Brad Wilkerson, OF; Kevin Mench, OF; John Parrish, RP. Eligible for arbitration: Jason Frasor, RP; Brian Tallet, RP; Jose Bautista, INF. Club options: Rod Barajas, C, $2.5 million. Opt-out clauses: Burnett, SP; Scott Rolen, 3B. Non-tender possibilities: Jason Frasor, RP; Brian Tallet, RP. CATCHERS Rod Barajas, .249 BA, 11 HR, 49 RBIs Curtis Thigpen, .222 BA, 3 HR, 41 RBIs (AAA) Barajas won the starting job over Gregg Zaun in 2008 and will be back in '09. This winter, the Blue Jays could be in the market for a veteran backup to throw into the mix for the No. 2 job, which could be Thigpen's to lose. FIRST BASE Lyle Overbay, .270 BA, 15 HR, 69 RBIs, 74 BB Overbay turned in an inconsistent campaign in '08, though he was still hampered some by the right hand he broke a season earlier. Toronto's offense needs improved production from first base next year. SECOND BASE Aaron Hill, .263 BA, 2 HR, 20 RBIs, 55 G Joe Inglett, .297 BA, 7 3B, 39 RBIs, .355 OBP A concussion ended Hill's season prematurely in May, when he was struck on the side of the head during an on-field collision with former Jays shortstop David Eckstein. Inglett stepped up in a big way and both he and Hill will be back in '09. SHORTSTOP Marco Scutaro, .267 BA, 7 HR, 60 RBIs John McDonald, .210 BA, 1 HR, 18 RBIs The Blue Jays, who have cycled through 19 shortstops since 2001, could be in the market for a new shortstop this offseason. If a 20th isn't added to that list, Toronto could split the playing time between Scutaro and McDonald, or consider moving Hill from second. THIRD BASE Scott Rolen, .262 BA, 11 HR, 50 RBIs Jose Bautista, .238 BA, 15 HR, 54 RBIs (PIT/TOR) Rolen -- signed through 2010 -- struggled late in the year, when his surgically-repaired left shoulder began acting up again. Rolen made some tweaks to his swing and the Jays are hoping he can return to his previous form in 2009. OUTFIELD Vernon Wells, .300 BA, 20 HR, 78 RBIs, 108 G Alex Rios, .291 BA, 15 HR, 79 RBIs, 32 SB Adam Lind, .282 BA, 9 HR, 40 RBIs, 88 G Travis Snider, .275 BA, 23 HR, 91 RBIs (AAA/AA/A) Buck Coats, .286 BA, 7 HR, 44 RBIs (AAA) When not on the disabled list in '08, Wells performed as expected for the Jays. Rios' power numbers dropped, but he was still Toronto's best all-around hitter. Lind and Snider could both see time as the left fielder and designated hitter next year. ROTATION Roy Halladay, 20-11, 2.78 ERA, 206 K, 9 CG A.J. Burnett, 18-10, 4.07 ERA, 231 K Dustin McGowan, 6-7, 4.37 ERA, 19 GS Jesse Litsch, 13-9, 3.58 ERA, 39 BB David Purcey, 3-6, 5.54 ERA, 58 K, 65 IP Scott Richmond, 6-11, 4.45 ERA, 124 K (AAA/AA) Casey Janssen (right shoulder surgery in March) Toronto's rotation could be in rough shape to begin '09. McGowan (right shoulder) might not be available until May and Shaun Marcum (right elbow) is out until 2010. If Burnett opts out, the starting staff behind Halladay could become really young, really fast. BULLPEN B.J. Ryan, 2-4, 2.95 ERA, 32 SV, 58 K Scott Downs, 0-3, 1.78 ERA, 70 2/3 IP Jesse Carlson, 7-2, 2.25 ERA, .275 BAA Brandon League, 1-2, 2.18 ERA, 31 G Brian Tallet, 1-2, 2.88 ERA, 51 G Jason Frasor, 1-2, 4.18 ERA, .208 BAA Shawn Camp, 3-1, 4.12 ERA, 40 G Brian Wolfe, 0-2, 2.45 ERA, 22 IP Jeremy Accardo, 0-3, 6.57 ERA, 16 G Ryan made a successful -- if rocky, at times -- return to the bullpen after having Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery on his left elbow in May 2007. With Ryan and Downs leading the way, the Jays' pen emerged as the top group in baseball. -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 220.134.51.75

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