<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>DUNEDIN, Fla. -- In the perpetually uphill battle that is the relentless reality of the Toronto Blue Jays, 2008 is looking less like the Himalayas and more like maybe the Appalachians. It's still a climb, but it doesn't seem impossible. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are up there, as always, both talented and wealthy, as always. But the Blue Jays seem to be positioned reasonably well to make a run at the summit of the American League East. The reasons on the Blue Jays' side of the argument are substantial. Toronto should have one of the best defensive clubs in baseball. Injuries in the starting rotation in 2007 may have provided a blessing in disguise, because they opened the door for talented young pitchers Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum. Throw in genuine ace Roy Halladay and hope that A.J. Burnett's health remains as good as his stuff, and you have the foundation of the rotation of a legitimate contender. The bullpen has depth and will obviously be aided by closer B.J. Ryan's return from elbow reconstruction surgery. Ryan is aiming to be ready by Opening Day, but even if that proves to be an overly optimistic goal, if Ryan returns to his overwhelming effectiveness of 2006, this will be a very solid part of the operation. The Blue Jays' offense should be more than capable, too. A return by a healthy Vernon Wells to the top of his considerable form is a reasonable expectation. And the Blue Jays have made some truly impressive additions to the lineup, importing the entire left side of the infield that won the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.</div> http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_perspectiv...rtnered=rss_tor Good read.
bah if the Jays get close to Boston or the Yanks, they'll just buy some talent to leave T.O. in the dust. it's sickening how those two teams are playing monopoly and everyone else is playing baseball. until there is a salary cap or a crazy billionaire (better make that multi-billionaire) who buys the jays and joins the insanity.
Sadly, the Jays will be out of the race by Memorial day. I just can't see the Rays or O's (as long as Angelos is in charge) giving the other 2 any competition.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hustler @ Feb 22 2008, 01:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL JAYS, my bro told me they sell tickets at high schools for 2 bucks.</div> When you have over 50, 000 seats, you can actually have some good deals on tickets.
Orioles are definitely out of the race for the #3 spot, they are in complete rebuilding mode. But I would not count out the Rays. Over the last few years the Rays lost so many games because of a lack of bullpen support, but Troy Percival was signed, and Dan Wheeler and Al Reyes are going to be better. That gives up 3 good veteran relievers to finish games, which will really help this year. The real question this year for the Rays to contend for the #3 spot is Rocco Baldelli, he has been injured the last few seasons, he plays great defense and is a good hitter. If he is healthy throughout the entire year, the Rays will have their best lineup in their history.
The Rays are going to be a real scary team this year. I can't comment on the Jays - those stinking bastards always break my heart. Although I think the team is tougher this season than in previous years.
The Rays and Blue Jays would have money to spend on big free agents if their fans actually showed up to the games Average fans that attend Devil Rays games: 17,148 which is 41% of their capacity Average fans that attend Blue Jays games: 29,143 which is 58% of their capacity Red Sox and Yankees owners don't just pull money out of their ass. They put together a product that gets people in the seats. David Ortiz signed with Boston for $1.25 million originally and delivered them a world series ring. He later got rewarded with a large sum of money. He performed well, helped to bring more fans into the park everyday and gave people a reason to spend $100 on tickets. The Red Sox have sold out over 300 straight games. Money well earned. How is that unfair?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Feb 22 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Rays and Blue Jays would have money to spend on big free agents if their fans actually showed up to the games Average fans that attend Devil Rays games: 17,148 which is 41% of their capacity Average fans that attend Blue Jays games: 29,143 which is 58% of their capacity Red Sox and Yankees owners don't just pull money out of their ass. They put together a product that gets people in the seats. David Ortiz signed with Boston for $1.25 million originally and delivered them a world series ring. He later got rewarded with a large sum of money. He performed well, helped to bring more fans into the park everyday and gave people a reason to spend $100 on tickets. The Red Sox have sold out over 300 straight games. Money well earned. How is that unfair?</div> Yeah, I've never understood the "It's not fair" complaining. Our owners are willing to pay for excellence. Are they the richest? No. Do they care the most? Hell yes.
i have confidence in the Jays this year and i usually don't IF they stay healthy, they an have an excellent chance, even in that division
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame)</div><div class='quotemain'>The Rays and Blue Jays would have money to spend on big free agents if their fans actually showed up to the games</div> Its a chicken-and-egg situation, but I can tell you right now: a lot of people do not go to Jays games because they can't cheer for a team who's ceiling will always be 3rd place, because of their lack of spending. The Jays were at the tops in attendance during the early-mid '90's, but their margin of error has always been significantly smaller because they don't have Yanks/Red Sox money to make up for mistakes every season.
Why don't the Blue Jays have money? Their owners rolls in $9 billion a year in revenue. (Not with the Blue Jays) I don't think the Blue Jays lack money, they just don't use what they have. The Red Sox and Yankees were big spenders in the 90's too. (Red Sox not so much) Toronto was able to win 2 world series titles in the 90's. What's stopping them from doing that now? It just seems like their owners aren't as dedicated to winning as Henry, Lucchino, Warner/Steinbrenner are. And their ceiling isn't 3rd place in the AL East. In 2006, they came in 2nd place because the Red Sox had injury problems and gave up at the end of the season. Toronto's problem is they give up before September rolls around. The Rockies had no business making the playoffs but they did because they gave everything they had in September. Toronto can do the same if they give an 100% commitment to winning from April to the last game in September, rather than focusing on "the future" by starting bringing up all their September call-ups in August. The talent is there, the talent can be better, give them a chance and they can win the wild card.
The Yankees and Red Soxs have a long history of great players and teams, so people want to go to the games. I would love to go to fenway or yankee stadium just so be apart of atmosphere, but Tampa Bay doesnt have that atmosphere since they have only been in the league for 10 losing years. Also, the Red Soxs and Yankees get a HUGE amount of money because of Merchandise, because of their history and worldwide fanbase. Also if Tampa spent $20 million more on players, they would still only sell about 60-65% of their seats, so financially it doesnt make sense for them to try and spend like the red soxs or yankees. The Rays are getting a new stadium, so that may help bring more people to the games, but they still wont generate the large amount of revenue that the Yankees and Red Soxs get from Tickets and Apparel. On another note, has any Yankees fans heard anything about Andrew Brackman, the pitcher you drafted with your first round pick last year?
