December 17, 2009

Life Goes On ...



"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
- Robert Frost

Roy Halladay, a born and bred Toronto Blue Jay, has left the nest. He's a Phillie now. Officially. What he wanted to be. And a legion of Toronto baseball fans are now silent Philadelphia supporters.

Look at that smile. You love that smile. You can't root against that smile. Doc's happy. He will pitch in October. After years of dominating the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, he will now, finally, get the opportunity to do it on the grandest of stages. And I can't wait.

As for the prospect pornography on it's way north, I am content. Kyle Drabek will follow in the footsteps of his father, and the footsteps of Roger Clemons, Pat Hentgen, and Doc before him, and win a Cy Young. He's also already had Tommy John surgery, so at least that's out of the way. Brett Wallace, while playing first base, will conjure memories of Carlos Delgado with his bat. And Travis d'Arnaud will be the greatest Blue Jays catcher since ... who the hell was the last great catcher the Jays employed?

You did good, Alex Anthopoulos. Actually, we'll know in five years, but that's neither here nor there right now. (No pressure, prospect porn.)

It's a new era. A new chapter. A new beginning. And I'm excited. Now that Doc is out of the American League, he's paved the way for Shaun Marcum to win his first Cy Young award. Marcum first, then Drabek. With Ricky Romero, or Brett Cecil, winning it in between.

Thanks Doc. #GBOAT.

"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction."
- Winston Churchill

20 comments:

bkblades said...

And it's quite obvious that Brandon League will win the Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year award with the Jays, too. Rosterbation indeed.

Tao of Stieb said...

Seriously, I think that a lot of people underestimate the potential of the Jays' roster as it stands now. This could be a really fun team to watch, as soon as next year.

Now, where do I find my Kyle Drabek jersey?

kushnir said...

Alomar.

Aquamelli said...

Im on the AA bandwagon... I like what he is doing... maybe we can get another decent prospect for Overbay... and cash this baby in 2012!!

Playoffs!!!1

William J. Tasker said...

My only problem with the package is Wallace. He's a big stocky guy and not a good fielder. The Jays already have one of those in Overbay. Oh well. They do have a chance to be a good team, especially if this is one of Wells' good years.

Anonymous said...

Pat Borders!

Escaped Lab Rat said...

I agree, Borders. World Series MVP.

Wallace is supposed to be able to hit for power though, so hopefully he's better than Lyle.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

@ BK: I'm glad League wasn't included in the trade. I got scared there for a few.

@ Tao: 75!!1 (Wins, that is.)

@ kushnir: What about Robbie, bro? You want him in the poll? We're all about the present.

@ Aquamelli: Quite the first few months for AA. Considering it had to be made, I like the trade too. We're on the right path.

@ William: Overbay's a great defender, so I see your point about Wallace, but I'd rather have someone who can mash at 1B. Overbay, when his time with Toronto is done, and it seems to be all but over, will be remember more for how he teased us that first season, and left us wanting more the rest of the time. Great D, always. But we wanted more out of that bat. And that's where Wallace comes in. Hopefully he turns out to be what he's projected: an above-average hitter.

@ doggit & Escaped: I was looking at Borders's OPS during our World Series winning years. Below .700; standard for a catcher, I guess. It's been, what, 17 years, and catchers are still putting those types of OPSs on the board. My expectations for catchers today are clearly wrong. Makes you appreciate Joe Mauer.

On The Fence Sports said...

I am so happy Halladay has a legit shot at a World Series ring but him wearing anything but the Blue Jay uni seems a little weird. Anyone with me on this?

onthefencesports.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Romero's the new ace. Plus it keeps the diversity thing together

The Ack said...

I'm still sad.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

@ On The Fence: Of course it's weird, mate. It doesn't look right. But I look forward to him no-hitting the Nationals, probably about 4 times, before his three year extension is out, and he returns to Toronto.

@ Anonymous: Ricky's my choice for opening day starter.

@ The Ack: Me too, brother. Me too.

Ian Hunter said...

eyeB, you can I should be the head cheerleaders for Shaun Marcum this season. He is going to have a monster year, and I have no doubt in my mind that Shaun Marcum is the new ace of this team.

Aquamelli said...

i really hate the fact that everytime i go to docs wikipedia page, its in red/blue... ah well

i hope your right ian... we need someone to lead our rotation... perhaps shaun is the man? I dont think Ricky is ready to be our #1 ... YET

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

@ Ian: Do we need to create a Shaun Marcum Appreciation Society? It's head office would of course be situated North of Steeles, in Markham.

@ Aqua: It sure is going to take some getting used to. As for the rotation, I don't think we have a #1. Marcum and Romero are at the front end, let's call them 2A and 2B. Cecil and R-Zep follow. Our fifth could be Richmond. Lord knows when Litsch will be back. I'm not sold on Purcey, and I'd really like Tallet to be coming out of the bullpen. It really would be great if AA could pick up an innings-eater to fill out the rotation; some veteran presence.

Now, I'm not comparing the 2010 rotation with the 2008 Tampa Bay rotation, but here's how they finished up:

James Shields 14-8/3.56 ERA/1.15 WHIP
Edwin Jackson 14-11/4.42 ERA/1.51 WHIP
Andy Sonnanstine 13-9/4.38 ERA/1.29 WHIP
Scott Kazmir 12-8/3.49 ERA/1.27 WHIP
Matt Garza 11-9/3.70 ERA/1.24 WHIP

Going into 2008, who would have thought Tampa's rotation, those five guys, would have put up numbers such as those above? No one. Definitely not me. The Jays' rotation can surprise. I believe in our kids.

Mattt said...

As much as I like Halladay, I'll never cheer for a team not in Toronto...

I do hope for the best for Roy though. How could you not?

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

@ Mattt: If the Jays don't make the playoffs, I'm all about the Phillies.

Escaped Lab Rat said...

In my dreams, in 3-4 years, Roy rejoins us for our own World Series run.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

@ Escaped: Hopefully he gets a two rings in Philly. In his first World Series, he throws a complete game 2-hitter against Boston in game 7 to win it. In his second World Series, he goes 1-1, and comes in out of the bullpen in game 7 to close it out as the Phillies beat the New York Yankees. And, then, when his contract is done, he comes home to Toronto, just in time for when the Jays are ready to contend.

DAN THE MAN said...

churchill had an endless long list of great quotes, and i love it.