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Inbox: Can current payroll pay off?
Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers fans' questions
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
11/13/09 3:20 PM EST
Is it possible for the Blue Jays to compete in the American League East without ownership opening its wallet like the Yankees and Red Sox do? Can you give the fans any reason to hope that this is possible without spending the big bucks?-- Bill O., Brampton, Ontario
One only has to look to the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays to see that a club can compete in the AL East with a smaller payroll. The Rays had a team payroll of around $44 million and won the division en route to a spot in the World Series. Of course, Tampa Bay endured 10 losing seasons in a row before '09, helping it secure high Draft picks to build a promising farm system.
The Blue Jays don't want to spend a decade in the division cellar in order to achieve success far down the road. What rookie general manager Alex Anthopoulos does want to do is build a stronger scouting and player development system that can hopefully net similar results. Anthopoulos wants to have a solid young core in place before asking ownership for a pile of spending money.
All indications are that team ownership is willing to increase its payroll, and Anthopoulos believes the Jays can eventually be up with the likes of the Angels, White Sox and Red Sox with a payroll that consistently is around $100 million or more. For now, though, Anthopoulos does not want to overspend in search of a quick fix for the Jays -- he wants to reach a period of sustained success.
Toronto had a payroll of around $80 million last season and expects about the same next year. This winter and next, the Jays will likely look more to trades for improvements than to the free-agent market, with the goal of constructing a solid base to build around. Once the Jays appear closer to realistically contending year in and year out, Anthopoulos will consider spending more to take the next step.
Can Toronto win with a smaller payroll in the AL East? Maybe for one magical year if everything went right. The Rays showed it was possible, and the Jays were a first-place team for the first month and half last season. The reality is that it would be difficult to become an annual postseason contender with a smaller payroll in a division that includes New York and Boston.
Is there any chance that the Blue Jays will enter the Jason Bay sweepstakes?
-- Scott T., Innisfil, Ontario
I'm sure plenty of Blue Jays fans would love the idea of bringing the Canadian-born Bay north of the border, especially after he belted 36 homers and collected 119 RBIs for the rival Red Sox last year. Consider, though, that Bay is 31 years old and will command a multi-year contract with a raise over the $7.5 million he made in 2009.
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Bay will have plenty of suitors on the free-agent market, but the Blue Jays aren't likely to be serious contenders for his services. Anthopoulos' message states that Toronto is not yet in a position where he wants to lure big-name free agents with significant contract offers. If the Jays add a bat this winter, it will likely be through a trade.
As every fan knows, the rumors about Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay possibly being traded are increasing. My question is that if the deal with the Phillies wasn't enough, what will it take to get a deal done?
-- Dylan P., Waterdown, Ontario
The Jays were reportedly asking for J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown from the Phillies when the teams were discussing a possible Halladay trade in July. Instead, Philadelphia acquired lefty Cliff Lee from Cleveland and did not have to part with any of those three players. Remember, though, those talks were run by former Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi.
If Anthopoulos does trade Halladay this winter, he might accept a similarly-constructed offer from another team. Unless Toronto gives another club a window to discuss an extension with Halladay, though, the offers coming in will likely be of lesser value. That being said, it will still likely take an elite package to pry the ace away from the Jays.
What do you think the odds are the Blue Jays trade Halladay to the Yankees?
-- Vince C., Los Angeles
Blue Jays fans might not want to hear this, but Anthopoulos is not opposed to trading any of his players within the AL East. That was something Ricciardi said he was not willing to do with Halladay last July. If the Yankees -- one team able to take on Halladay's $15.75 million salary for 2010 -- come to Anthopoulos with a convincing offer, the Jays GM won't rule it out.
I remember Jayson Werth was a Blue Jays farmhand. Could you explain how he ended up with Phillies? If anything, what did Toronto get for him in return? He looked awfully great in the Phillies' lineup during the playoffs and would look right at home with the Jays.
-- G.T., Belleville, Ontario
Toronto initially acquired Werth from Baltimore in a 2000 trade that sent John Bale to the Orioles. In 2004, the Jays sent Werth, who had hit .234 in 41 games in two stints with Toronto, to the Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Jason Frasor -- now Toronto's closer. Werth signed as a free agent with the Phillies in '06 and began to emerge as a potent hitter two years later.
What are the chances of Brian Dopirak starting at first base next season for the Jays?
-- Ken H., Lumby, British Columbia
Toronto has been entertaining trade offers for first baseman Lyle Overbay this offseason. If Overbay was dealt, that might clear the way for outfielder Adam Lind to shift to first. Dopirak -- placed on the club's 40-man roster earlier this week -- has shown potential with his bat in the Minors and might also be considered for that spot at some point in what is shaping up to be a transition year for Toronto.
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
