2014 Spring Training Countdown: 44 Days
We’re a week closer to Spring Training than we were when I started writing about the Blue Jays and what is going on with them just before we entered 2014.
And while a whole lot hasn’t happened in that week for the team, it kind of has as well.
Last night Ken Rosenthal published a post on FoxSports.com and directly addressed the Blue Jays. He specifically put the pitching questions in the spotlight. Now, not everyone likes Kenny, but it’s hard to deny that he has his ear to the ground at all times and often knows what’s going on when regular Joe’s like me have no idea.
Kenny “Bowtie” Rosenthal says that the Jays are favourites to sign either Ervin Santana (Royals) or Ubaldo Jimenez (Indians). Jeff Samardzija’s (Cubs) name has also been added to that mix of starters that Alex Anthopoulos could be looking to pick-up and add to this rotation. However, the Cubs are reportedly looking for some substantial return for their pending free agent starter and I don’t know what AA wants to give up, or what I want him to give up. And Rosenthal expects that it none of this will happen until the Masahiro Tanaka (Japan) sweepstakes have wrapped up. anyway This of course is assuming that the Blue Jays don’t sign Tanaka, who would presumably cost more than Santana, Jimenez or Samardzija.
All things being equal I would choose Ubaldo Jimenez from those 3 MLB names. Maybe that’s because I know him more than I know Samardzija. However, I could be talked into the former Cubs starter thanks to his strikeouts, big body and innings pitched. I also think that he’ll be available for fewer dollars than Jimenez thanks to a lack of success in his career so far.
I think maybe I just talked myself into Jeff Samardzija right now… if the price is right.
In other Blue Jays news this week, the team reassigned 1996 Cy Young Award winner and bullpen coach, Pat Hentgen to an unnamed position within the organization. It has been reported that Hentgen needed to spend more time with his family and his ailing father, and so we wish him all the best. Promoted to the Blue Jays bullpen coaching duties is Bob Stanley who pitched 13 seasons for the Red Sox and spent the last 2 seasons as the pitching coach with Triple-A Buffalo.
We know that Hentgen was loved by the fans, organization and players and at this point all we can do is hope that Stanley will have that same relationship and success with his pitchers.]
With 44 days left until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training a lot could and might happen. There are still holes to fill and improvements to make. Keep your fingers crossed for that 1 big move that makes us all jump up and down with hope. Stay tuned for more info and thoughts as things develop.
Be awesome!
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