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JEFF BLAIR

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:25 PM EDT 26/03/08

Buck Coats and Randy Wells make club, reports Jeff Blair ...Read the full article

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  1. A Realist from Canada writes: After releasing Johnson, I was hoping Coats would make the team - for defense if nothing else. Stairs & Stewart in LF would put any batter at second if the ball wasn't hit right at them.

    This move illustrates that despite having more money than they have had in past years, the Jays cannot afford a $3.275M reserve outfielder - which is nothing for the Yankees and Bosox.
  2. Tony! Tony! from Canada writes: A Realist: Although freeing up some money had something to do with it, there was a much bigger reason why Johnson was let go. Simply put, he can't hit right-handed pitching consistently. If Stairs gets injured this season (or if Overbay or Thomas go down and Stairs takes their place at 1B or DH respectively) and Johnson becomes the full-time LF, that opens up a huge hole in the Jays' offensive lineup. With Stewart, on the other hand, the Jays have someone who's proven throughout his career that he can hit right-handed pitching -- as a result, Stewart's the "safer" bet. And safer is the way to go after the Jays horrible luck last year with injuries....

    Yes, Stewart's got a noodle arm, but I personally think it's worth the risk. Boston, after all, gets away with some atrocious defense in Left with Manny Ramirez. Also, with Rios and Wells patrolling Centre and Right, the Jays' outfield is still pretty sound defensively, despite Stairs and Stewart's liabilities....
  3. A Realist from Canada writes: Tony - I agree, Johnson cannot hit righties, but it came down to Coats or Johnson, not Stewart or Johnson.
  4. Tony! Tony! from Canada writes: I don't think it was ever between Coats and Johnson -- Coats is only on the roster because of the injury to Rolen. Once Rolen gets off the DL, Coats can easily be sent back to the minors. This wouldn't have been the case with Johnson and his $3.25 million salary...

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