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Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

Welcome to the Neno's Place!

Neno's Place Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality


Neno

I can be reached by phone or text 8am-7pm cst 972-768-9772 or, once joining the board I can be reached by a (PM) Private Message.

Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

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Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

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    Toronto Blue Jays ‘balancing opportunities’ in bid to fill roster holes, GM says

    jedi17
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    Toronto Blue Jays ‘balancing opportunities’ in bid to fill roster holes, GM says Empty Toronto Blue Jays ‘balancing opportunities’ in bid to fill roster holes, GM says

    Post by jedi17 Wed 07 Dec 2016, 8:51 pm

    Toronto Blue Jays ‘balancing opportunities’ in bid to fill roster holes, GM says

    NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Dexter Fowler. Edwin Encarnacion. Michael Saunders. Jose Bautista … pick a name, any name.
    Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said on Tuesday that the team is exploring all options to fill the holes that have punctured his roster since losing the American League Championship Series to Cleveland.
    “There’s not a free agent that fits our team that we haven’t had discussions with, their agents, their representation,” Atkins said late on Tuesday. “And there aren’t teams that have pieces that are potentially moveable that we haven’t touched base with and had discussion with, all to varying degrees.”
    When asked specifically about Bautista and Encarnacion, Atkins acknowledged that the Jays have talked to the representatives of both this week. Multiple reports suggested the team talked to the Bautista camp as recently as Tuesday.


    As for all of the names listed above, however, Atkins said all have been considered in some form. Atkins said the team is “in position” to make a deal or a trade, but that it takes two to make it happen.
    As for what’s in the wallet, the second-year Toronto GM reiterated that owner Rogers Communications is willing to spend an undisclosed amount to better the team. With glaring needs remaining in the outfield, how that cash is spent remains to be seen.
    “(It’s) more about balancing opportunities,” Atkins said about the team’s approach here at a convention centre crawling with all MLB teams and player agents. “There’s times when you feel you need to move and times you don’t.
    “The more the off season goes, the more your understanding of price points, whether that be trade or free agency. Sure we have the resources to move, but there’s still a lot of time left.”
    FOWLER IN PLAY?
    While Atkins was coy about commenting on the Jays interest in free agent Fowler, manager John Gibbons made it known how he feels about the possibility of adding the solid-hitting outfielder.
    Specifically, Gibbons likes the idea of having stability at the leadoff position.

    While Atkins was coy about commenting on the Jays interest in free agent Dexter Fowler, manager John Gibbons made it known how he feels about the possibility of adding the solid-hitting outfielder.
    “A guy like Fowler, that would be his role, something he’s accustomed to doing, the job he did for the world champs,” Gibbons said of the former Cub. “We were really looking for a leadoff guy all of last year. Fowler could answer that question. Without Fowler, you’re still trying to figure that out this year.”
    Atkins played it considerably safer when asked about Fowler.
    “I’m not going to comment specifically on who we’re in on or who we’re not in on, but Dexter Fowler is a great player. I’m sure a lot of teams would love to have him.”
    Speaking of leadoff, what about Ben Revere, who filled the position rather well with the Jays in 2015 before having an off, injury-riddled campaign with the Washington Nationals in 2016.
    “Benny did a great job for us a couple of years ago,” Gibbons said. “That’s another name we’ve definitely thrown around.”
    BACK TO THE START
    Francisco Liriano may have spent some time in the bullpen for the Jays in the post season, but that’s where it ends.
    “He’s a starting pitcher, he’s been that the bulk of his career,” Atkins said. “I think last year was the testament to the type of teammate he is, that he was willing to do that and motivated to do it.

    Francisco Liriano may have spent some time in the bullpen for the Jays in the post season, but that’s where it ends.
    “He’s a guy, historically, who has hauled innings. That’s a very difficult thing to find. I’m excited about him, with the second half he had, the delivery adjustments he made the work he did and had with Russell Martin was something he seemed to benefit from.”
    Both Gibbons and Atkins like the way the Jays starting rotation shapes up heading into spring training.
    “We really like ours,” Gibbons said when asked to compare the Toronto staff with the Red Sox version that on Tuesday was bolstered by the acquisition of Chris Sale. “They all proved last year that it’s a good staff. They carried us to the end and really were the key just getting us in the playoffs. And even though we didn’t advance to the World Series our pitching was outstanding in the games we did get to play. We feel good about that.”
    QUICK HITS

    They may be set at starting pitching, but the Red Sox are still in the DH market. Team president Dave Dombrowski poured cold water on Encarnacion as that option, however. “We’re not really looking for a long-term type hitter,” Dombrowski said … As for Bautista, rumblings around the Gaylord National Convention Center suggest interest is heating up, with the Los Angeles Dodgers among the tire kickers … Chris Colabello, who never made it back to the Jays after beign nailed with an 80-game suspension for failing an MLB drug test, is no longer part of the Jays organization. The 34-year-old first basemen/outfielder, who was a big part of the Jays 2015 success, turned down assignment to the minors and opted for free agency … Another Jay that won’t be returning is reliever Joaquin Benoit, who was signed to a one-year, US$7.5-million deal by the Phillies on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Benoit was solid out of the Jays ’pen late in the 2016 season before tearing a calf muscle in a brawl with the Yankees forcing him to miss the playoffs … Some overdue transparency for the baseball hall of fame. The Baseball Writers of America on Tuesday voted 80-9 in favour of making all ballots public beginning in 2018.
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