Geezus, the Blue Jays may never win another game!

Hi Jeff, 
I really enjoy reading your work; especially during the spring. Keep it up brother. 

I have an idea that I want to bounce off you. The Jays are basically holding try-outs for the fifth spot in the rotation with Listch and Janssen being the front runners and maybe Chacin being the dark horse. I say, why not start the year with a six man rotation and allow two of them to be in there. Here are all my reasons...

1) AJ is going to get hurt anyway.
2) The young guys don't have the years of innings built up and run out of gas in September.
3) No one (on any team) has their arm strength built up by March 29th.
4) It's always cold in April.
5) Any one of the four young guys could have a relapse.
6) Doc has made a trip to the DL for three years in a row.
7) With League and BJ looking good, the bullpen is stacked.

What do you think?
Justin Fleming, Calgary

Justin: Not a big fan of the six-man rotation idea. I'd rather pick my top five and let the loser have a go at Triple-A, where he would likely be the staff ace. In the case of the Blue Jays, I just don't think Chacin is good enough to start. His stuff is way too short. I also think Litsch is the most likely of the young guys to regress. Same reason: I just think he's a little short on stuff. I'd like to think that the Marcums and Janssens and McGowans might have a few extra strikes saved up down the stretch if the bullpen is as deep as it appears it might be.

Hey Jeff,
It seems to me there's a pretty good chance of the Jays making a significant move before spring is out (and by significant, I don't mean just Reed Johnson).  You mentioned today that their bullpen will look pretty stacked when BJ is back, and with young Brett Cecil on the way (so we're led to believe), they might not even have ball to go around.  Would/should they try to put something like Accardo and Lind
together in a package?  I'd have to think that would get them the upgrade at catcher that they want (not a star, but a good major leaguer if they can find a good match)..

On another note, do you just get to stick MacLeod with all the crumbs of the Jays beat?  You get to be there at the start, see what's up, then go home for a while, and return in a couple of weeks when the lineups actually look like major league teams.  You also seem to get to miss out on most of the roadtrips to all these beautiful little hamlets on Florida's Gulf Coast (I've been there, I know why you'd skip some of those spots).  But seriously, is it just because you've been doing baseball so long?  Or is he scared of your crusty exterior?

Cheers,
Darren

Darren: I don't know if I'd ever use the word 'stacked' to describe the Blue Jays bullpen, but it does have some depth and it's understandable that a trade might be in the books. But the Blue Jays also have options left on several of these guys, so there will be no problem in shipping the ones who don't make the bullpen out to Triple-A. Plus, every one of the Blue Jays starters has his driver's license, which means there's a lot of car doors to be opened and closed by the end of the month. A smashed nail here or there and, well, bye-bye depth! J.P. Ricciardi assures me he's ready to go into the year with Rod Barajas and Gregg Zaun behind the plate and I almost believe him.

I've done my I-75 and I-95 penance throughout the years,  believe me. Basically, Rob does more of the Blue Jays beat stuff so he spends as much time around the team as possible. Crusty exterior? Moi? In fact, I have resolved to soften my approach, especially after this post on the Tao of Stieb site. I love my job! I love baseball! I love everybody - well, OK. Maybe not everybody. And I still don't think the Blue Jays will make the playoffs.

A number of you want to weigh in on the Reed Johnson/Shannon Stewart thing:

"Shannon Stewart or Reed Johnson in left field? No contest — Stewart."

Hi Jeff, I think starting Shannon in left, if true, is a big mistake. He is no longer the player he used to be, I think the Jays would be best served by having Stewart as the 4th outfielder. I'm not sure his legs can handle the day to day anymore, and has we all know he's never had any kind of arm, which can be such a detriment and sometimes demoralizing to a team, especially when you need a big out and he can barely make the cut-off toss.
Just my thought, anyway it's really nice to be talking baseball again, after such a long winter!
thanks,
Lon Kimsa
MiLB Alumni

Jeff,
You mentioned that Johnson vs. Stewart is no contest, that Stewart should win out. Is that as a result of Johnson's back? With Stairs likely in the lineup more often, would it not be better to have Johnson for late inning defensive purposes? Or you believe Stewart can at least provide adequate coverage in LF despite not having much of an arm?
Zach

My vote is for Reed - every team benefits from a Johnny Hustle in the lineup
Stuart Cowan

No contest?  Really?  Stewart is a good hitter, but has nothing in the way of defensive range that Johnson has.  Johnson can also play centre field if need be, given his speed and arm strength.  Stewart is a fairly one-dimensional player who can't throw very well and whose batting average is only marginally better than Johnson, assuming the latter has fully recovered from his back woes.
So on what basis do you think that things are so vastly tilted in Stewart's favour?  Is it simply a question of salary?
-Marshall

Guys: Johnson's a fan favourite, but Stewart can be much more of an offensive factor. He's a better hitter. Period. Defence is over-valued in left field, compared to offence at least. If you're asking your left-fielder to throw out guys on the bases, your team is in trouble. Hustle? Meh, sounds like one of those bad sportswriter cliches that get dredged up around the NHL playoffs. Like grit. Screw grit and hustle: I'd rather  have talented players. Plus, I don't think the Blue Jays trust Johnson to be healthy.

Hi Jeff,
I came across this article from the Seattle Times about Snider.  I wasn't sure if you'd seen it.  This kid sounds more mature than half the major leaguers.  Sounds like he has a great make up, and knows when to ask for help in life.
Cheers,
Joel Wood
Guelph, ON

Joel: I've known Larry for years and he's the most authoritative baseball writer in that market. Snider's a good story, one that I'm going to work on during the year. I haven't had much of a chance to talk to him, but I've watched how he goes about his business. Bet he starts here next year.