Jays Flying High?

In the past few weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays have shocked the baseball world by making the two biggest off-season signings in years. First they linked all-star closer B.J. Ryan to a five year deal worth $4.7 million (the biggest deal ever given to a relief pitcher). Then it was A.J. Burnett, the best starting pitcher in the free agent market, who was signed for something like $5.5 millions, also for five years. More recently they added first baseman Lyle Overbay - a reliable fielder and a much needed bat in the middle of the order, similar to John Olerud. After countless salary dumps and losing seasons, the Jays are slowly but surely morphing into a dangerous contender in the AL East. Could this be the team we've been waiting to see since... umm.. 1993?

Maybe not yet. I think they are still short of a big run producer (the Carlos Delgado type), but they have certainly come a long way in recent years. Much of the credit should be given to J.P. Riccardi doing several things since becoming General Manager....

1) Dumping all overpaid bums (eg. Raul Mondesi)
2) Dumping players with attitude problems (eg. Felipe Lopez)
3) Using homegrown talent to form the basis of the team (eg. Halladay, Chacin, Wells)
4) Spending the money on top-line free agents rather than the mediocore ones

Of course Riccardi isn't perfect by any means... his most notable errors being Eric Hinske's multiyear contract ($5 million/year for a utility player?) and a trade that sent Caesar Izturis to the Dodgers for Luke "torn labrum" Prokopec. But we all make mistakes from time to time, even the best of us. Also keep in mind that Gord Ash once traded a prospect named Michael Young. (What was he thinking??)

Expect the Jays to make a few more transactions before the beginning of the season. I wouldn't be surprised to see them clearing a bit of salary by trading Batista and Hinske, as well as adding a corner outfielder. They have an excess of infielders and pitching prospects that they can trade.

Whatever happens, it's exciting time for baseball in Toronto and the Blue Jays. Lets face it, the Raptors simply suck and the Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup in ages. It's time the Jays start getting some attention.