My Wishes for the Winter Meetings

This year’s edition of the Winter Meetings has already met and exceeded the expectations set by last year’s (think The Terminator compared to Terminator 2).

With a flurry of activity after Day One which actually involved the Blue Jays as we progress into Day Two, there could be even more action on the horizon.

I know they say it’s bad luck to say what your birthday wishes are out loud, but what the hell … I’m going to do it anyway.


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Wish Number One: for the Zack Greinke/Blue Jays rumors to stop

I don’t mean to insult the intelligence of Alex Anthopoulous, but I would hope that he doesn’t have tunnel vision on Zack Greinke and is willing to give up Travis Snider and Kyle Drabek for him. A move like that seems especially counterproductive now that the Blue Jays have parted with Shaun Marcum.

Admittedly, like most homegrown talent I tend to overvalue Toronto’s prospects compared to other teams, but there’s no chance that Zack Greinke = Shaun Marcum + Kyle Drabek … because that’s essentially the move AA would be making if the Blue Jays go after Greinke.

Wish Number Two: figure out the first base situation

For some reason or another, having the first base situation up in the air at this point is the biggest question mark, position-wise in my opinion.

Third base isn’t necessarily as big of an issue because Jose Bautista or Aaron Hill could slide over to the hot corner if need be.

The Blue Jays are apparently very interested in Carlos Pena, which in the surface appeared like a great idea, until Parkes pointed out that his on base percentage has steadily declined since 2004.

The only saving grace is Toronto may be able to get Pena on the cheap due to his horrid 2010 season, and maybe they can hope Carlos could find his second wind with the Blue Jays and put up another 2007-like season.

Wish Number Three: stop with the euphemisms already


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I don’t know why, but for some reason at this year’s edition of the Winter Meetings, they are laying on the euphemisms especially thick. Every time I check MLB Trade Rumors, I can’t help but giggle  when skimming through the headlines.

Phrases like “in hard”, “deeply interested” and “pushing hard” are making me question whether these are the MLB Winter Meetings or an adult film shoot.

Which reminds me, did somebody order a pizza with extra sausage?

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

7 thoughts on “My Wishes for the Winter Meetings

  • December 7, 2010 at 4:28 pm
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    Fully agree. I do not want Greinke, I do not want Pena, and I do not want anymore porno phrasing…

  • December 7, 2010 at 4:57 pm
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    I will definitely be putting myself in adult film mindset every time I read MLBTR from now on.

    "As GM Brian Cashman said, Sabathia's presence as an ace makes Lee a "pleasant addition," but not a necessity."

    Haha, ew.

  • December 7, 2010 at 5:06 pm
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    I agree with your Grienke comment, however I think signing Carlos Pena would be a nice buy low opportunity. He had a .222 BABIP last year, well below his career .279 average, so you can pretty much bank on his OBP to go up at least 30 points next season. Also this guy plays great defense and don't forget he led the AL in home runs in 2009 (which would mean the Jays would have the 09 and 10 home run champs).

    My wish list would include:
    – Yonder Alonso from Cincinnati
    – not spending a lot of money on a closer
    – Alex Gordon from KC (if it doesn't cost much to get him)
    – Aaron Hill to stay at 2B (I do not get this 3B nonsense)

  • December 7, 2010 at 9:02 pm
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    Jeremy, agreed an all accounts.

    Xave, it definitely makes MLBTR an even more interesting read with those things in mind.

    Peter D, that's the thing about Pena – his offense has gone down, but his defensive attributes at first base are a plus. Would make for a smooth transition from Overbay to Pena defensively.

    And I'm with you, getting Alex Gordon would be my fourth wish (but we all know a genie only grants three wishes, unless your first wish is to get infinite wishes).

  • December 8, 2010 at 1:12 am
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    As an amendment to your Greinke wish, I would like for the rumors to continue, provided that the rumors become more 'logical':

    As per the wonderful 5th starters recent analysis of surplus value in Players (YAY ME!) Greinke is worth about $33 Million. Or, about Drabek+Stewart, or Stewart+Deck (PTBNL) etc. If the Royals want 3 prospects, They would have to take less quality to compensate, i.e. Drabek+Marisnick+Jenkins etc.

    Then I might be okay with the rumors. Also, if he were to sign an extension as part of the process, his value would increase, and a higher prospect might be worth sacrificing.

  • December 8, 2010 at 1:39 am
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    Drabek is AA's boy, he traded for he and he will want him to have every chance to show the world that his first trade was a good one…

    My wish is that the trade rumors invloving Snider stop, go to you tube and look at his swing, this kid is going to be a star, he is only 22…

  • December 8, 2010 at 5:54 am
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    5th Starter, that asking price is starting to sound a little more reasonable. Yes, it would be tough losing both Drabek AND Stewart, but there's a surplus of pitching prospects at the moment.

    Salty Cod, great point: why would AA turn around and flip Drabek a year after the Blue Jays acquired him in the first place? And yes, Snider's time is coming – hopefully it's 2011!

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