I'm used to it, and i also think it's the best way. I don't see how it's broken. If you can't afford to run a fucking team then don't buy one. At least teams in MLB have control of their young players for a fuck of a lot longer than the NHL.

I like Anthopolis a lot as a GM.... but the easiest way to save your job is to not take risks... to say "we're not quite ready". It was time to make a statement in the off season, and they didn't. Now they are stuck in limbo for likely the next few years unless they can get some arms in here.

Also keep in mind that Drabek will be gone until the start of 2014, and Hutchison, if tommy john is decided on, will be gone just as long. They had no back up plan, and they are paying for it.

Excellent in development of their players. Strong draft prowess. And a bit of luck.

But I still hope that someday baseball will move towards something resembling a salary cap, because a move towards a true, full cap doesn't seem to be anything that MLB wants anything to do with. I'm probably sending wishes to a brick wall rather than to the baseball genie, though.

Another thing: Isn't it interesting how Blasphomet is railing against parity in sports, but is lamenting the Jays' inability to keep their players? Curious, ain't it?

Is this directed at me? Because if it is, you obviously haven't been paying attention.

Drabek just turned out to be a flop all around. He's still just a punk kid, and pitchers take time to develop, but he's already going for his second Tommy John at like... 25? He was the main piece of the Halladay trade. They also got Travis D'Arnaud who they might call up some time, and some bum they immediately traded. I can't remember who. Anyways, so far they've gotten hosed on the deal. After surgery, Drabek may come back worse. Who knows.

It isn't the sports fault. It's the team fault. They don't want to spend the money then that's their problem. They had Halladay for a long time. He stayed with the team in hopes they can turn it around. Eventually, when they decided to rebuild yet again because they fucked up, again... he wanted out. I don't blame him, and i was rooting for him to win. It has nothing to do with parody, or the jays and most MLB teams not being able to afford it... it has to do with cheapness.

It has EVERYTHING to do with parity.

No, it was for me.

I'm certainly not okay with them being as Frugal as the Rays, as they can actually afford more than Tampa, but they do seem to be modelling themselves after teams like Tampa right now. Spend a little, get a lot. That's too high risk for my likings, but hey, maybe it will work down the line... One can only hope I suppose.

Something that ALSO proves my point about prospects. Drabek was the top pitchin prospect, which is always more valuable, in the Phillies system. A blue chipper. The Jays wouldn't make the deal unless he was the cornerstone. So far they got hosed.... which is exactly why it is likely that the prospects they trade will be the same,,, average MLB players... if they trade them that is.

Although hosed is sort of harsh. Halladay still hasn't won his world series, but you can't deny his excellence on the mound.

Baseball has more champions than any other professional sport over the last two or three decades. It has nothing to do with parity. The jays could afford Halladay, and did afford when he signed another contract, they just wanted to rebuild yet again, so he wanted out. That isn't because of lack of parity, that is because the team failed to build a winner even after spending money on bums like Burnette (who everyone knew was a bum) and a closer, a position on which you should NEVER spend a lot of money.

No, he hasn't won his World Series yet, but he has produced for the Phillies and they've been in the playoffs every year since they got him, right?(Not looking good for Phillie this year though.) Counts for something. He can't win them alone. Drabek and D'Arnaud have and will continue to produce all of nothing for the Jays. Thus, HOSED!

Ricciardi was a shit, but he was trying to spend cash to compete. He only had so much to spend and he just made terrible TERRIBLE decisions with the money he had. How much was Wells' contract for again? Like 7 years for $120000000 or something?

Reegarding the Halladay thing... i agree with you, which is why i don't know why all the Kool-Aid drinkers are so opposed to trading any prospects... yep, just keep stockpiling and stockpiling and then maybe in 15 years we'll be just like the Tampa rays. The Jays shouldn't need 15 years just to fucking compete.

Well that's good since they have competed since before the strike in 94. So we're getting onto almost 20 years now.

Crushing on Colby Rasmus big time...his home runs are turning me on

He cracked a Grand Slam yesterday. Say no more say no more.

yes, let's be like the Mets and Cubs then, that'll work out great!

Red Sox trade Kevin Youkilis to the White Sox for Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge.

Youuuuukillis! It will be odd to see him in a different uniform. He does have the best batting stance in baseball though.

He jerks off a bat! But I guess if that works for ya...

What are you talking about? All the ladies know that he sticks his badonkadonk out for the whole world to see.

It's moreso the awesome facial hair that yanks the old crank.

... Wait, what?

I luff you.

I thought that was Francona.

... That's it. I'm starting to grow a mustache tomorrow. I will look terrible, and people will laugh at me, but god damn it, I will rock the 'stache. Pictures to come in the future photo thread.

No one sweats more than Kevin Youkilis.


I'll miss the surly bastard. Been a fun 9 years watching him.