Making up 20 games not easy
Jays need a bat to make Ryan deal pay
DALLAS— The annual baseball winter meetings return here today, where they have been twice before — 1980 and 2000. The lasting memory during the meetings 25 years ago was news of John Lennon being assassinated outside the Dakota apartments in New York by a deranged killer. The seminal moment in the ’ 00 sessions was news of the signing of Alex Rodriguez outside the press room in the Anatole Hotel by a deranged owner.
Unlike previous years, the Blue Jays, instead of being the ones complaining about irresponsible spending, have been the ones setting the bar for the freeagent market, inking closer B. J. Ryan to a five- year, $47 million ( all figures U. S.) deal. But a closer is no good unless a team has the lead. The Jays finished ’ 05 trailing the Yankees and Red Sox by 20 games.
That’s a lot of ground to make up.
Following is a meetings preview for the AL East, really the only four teams that should matter to Jays general manager J. P. Ricciardi when assessing his post- season chances. Yankees: The Boss and his reaffirmed GM Brian Cashman have been silent leading up to the meetings. But, as John Wayne used to say before the Indians came galloping out of the darkness, “It’s too quiet out there.” On the offensive side, the Yankees never had to do much to remain on top of the heap. They already have A- Rod, Jeter, Matsui, Giambi, Posada, Sheffield, et al. The one guy needing to be replaced is venerable centre fielder Bernie Williams.
In addition, they need to add either a DH or a first baseman, depending on where they determine Giambi’s clunky skills would best be served. They would love to steal Johnny Damon away from the Red Sox or Juan Pierre from the Marlins. However, that Damon would have to cut his hair and shave might sway him to stay put in Boston. The pitching staff won’t look like it did last spring. Gone is the high- priced Kevin Brown. Questionable are the oft-injured Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. They would like to add one top- flight starter and have already replaced Tom Gordon with hard- throwing free agent Kyle Farnsworth. To say the Yankees are not spending is ridiculous. When all is said and done, they will still rank as the highest- paid roster. Red Sox: Boston has traded for the Marlins’ best pitcher, Josh Beckett, while the Jays and others duke it out for their secondbest starter, A. J. Burnett. Even without a GM, look for the Sox to be active in Dallas. Moving Manny Ramirez, at his own request, is a priority. No matter who they acquire from the Angels, Mets or another long- shot suitor, this will not be the same intimidating Bosox batting order, with just David Ortiz to pitch around.
Lefty David Wells has worn out his welcome ( duh!) and is expected to toil in San Diego ( again). The bullpen is deeper than before, but they are unsure of a closer. They’ll be hard- pressed to repeat the success of the last two seasons. Blue Jays: You don’t add 15 wins, which is what they need to compete, on the basis of just a closer. The Jays need to keep spending ( wisely). If they lose out on Burnett, at an estimated four years and $48 million, then look for them to add a lesser starter like Kenny Rogers.
Ricciardi has a history of rapid turnover. Opening Day ’ 06 could arrive without the likes of Miguel Batista, Ted Lilly, Alex Rios, Shea Hillenbrand, Eric Hinske and Orlando Hudson. They cannot compete with the same batting order and Rangers outfielder Kevin Mench is not the answer. The Jays need to rid themselves of Hinske or Hillenbrand to bring in Brewers first baseman Lyle Overbay. Hudson would bring the most immediate help in any trade. Orioles: The O’s suffered from last year’s moves of bringing in Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. They lost their closer ( Ryan) and have an international rotation of pitchers without success or a road map to contention.
Devil Rays: Looking to trade Julio Lugo, Aubrey Huff and Danys Baez. No chance.