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Toronto adds a pair of veterans

ROBERT MACLEOD

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:30 PM EST 09/05/08

Blue Jays deal for Kevin Mench and signs Brad Wilkerson ...Read the full article

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  1. David P from Canada writes: Nice - way to bandaid things with a couple of bit part players...Wilkerson was not so good in Texas and not so good in Seattle...so let's put him with an even lousier manager...Mench couldn't even crack the Texas roster, so why would we want him in TO - neither one can play short stop, netiher one is that great with the bat for any real length of time and Wilkerson, while alright in the OF, isn't the great hope JP thinks he's going to be...

    Mediocre moves for a mediocre team by a GM who is, well, mediocre...
  2. Canada Forever from Canada writes: Riccardi always reminds me why I dont buy tickets to Jays games, heck why I dont take free ones either.
  3. Mike M from Toronto, Canada writes: You're right David - we should have picked up Hanley Ramirez for cash instead of Mench. Then we could have picked up Manny for cash in LF as well.

    After all, everyone knows it's really easy in May to pick up all-star caliber players. You see them moving all the time.
  4. BB Freak from Canada writes: a pair of "rejects" is more accurate..JP's inability to trade effectively has been his trademark and the downfall of this starting line-up..his only recourse is to scramble off the reject pile and hope he gets lucky..this is the JP formula...a great pitching staff being wasted...
  5. Wasabi Jones from Canada writes: More big, slow, lumbering old farts who strike out a lot and are mediocre at best on defence. Ladies and gentlement, your 2008 Toronto Blue Jays! Barf. Why not just make this year's slogan "Rod Barajas Fever...Catch It!"?
  6. Cole H. from Toronto, Canada writes: Mike M, I hear Jose Reyes can be picked up for cash considerations as well. Go get em' J.P.!
  7. Mitchell A from Canada writes: Inability to trade effectively?? No team want to make a deal for a bat unless it's for any guy named McGowan or Marcum. Then if he did that, you'd have his head. JP"s damned if he does and damned if he don't. Why not pick these guys up and see if they can resurrect their careers? What have they got to lose and what is it costing them?? Nothing!!!
  8. Sherlock Hemlock from Canada writes: I agree with Mitchell A..... let's see what these guys can do on a new team.
  9. Bobby S from Toronto, Canada writes: Desperate moves by a desperate GM.

    Mitchell A, I have no problem with J.P trying to improve this team, however, what does it say when he releases Thomas, allows Stairs to be the full-time DH, then brings up Lind who get's 20 at bats, and then Stewart becomes the full-time LF but has a bad game and is now replaceable, even though originally he released Johnson for him?

    If it is about 'waiting and seeing' then why not wait for Frank Thomas to get going? He has more ability than these two players combined.

    Everything he is doing is a bandaid solution. I'll admit I'm not a big fan of his, I think he get's way too long a leash for no reason. He's arrogant and smug and I don't understand why he still has a GM job with the Jays.
  10. Cole H. from Toronto, Canada writes: J.P. had to shell out peanuts for these guys.
    You want a big middle of the order bat, you're gonna have to say goodbye to McGowan or Marcum - as Mitchell A correctly points out.

    Kevin Mench destroys left handed pitching & in those situations he could be a very sound pick up for the Jays.
  11. Luke P from Vancouver, Canada writes: I like the Mench pickup. What's the big deal? The guy is a useful bench player, a .270 career hitter with some power and a good contact rate (i.e. he doesn't strikeout a lot). Most of all, he hits lefties well, which is a problem for the Jays (.219 vs. LHP). My guess is he'll play a little left field and DH against lefties, with some pinch-hitting duties mixed in.

    A right-handed bat should have been a priority, and JP made sure it was. All you armchair GMs love to bash him because you look at the big picture without trying to understand how to actually improve a team without selling the farm (literally). This is an example of a move GMs make ALL THE TIME. If Mench ends the year at .310 against lefties, this is a winner.
  12. BB Freak from Canada writes: well, that's what a minor league system is for..trading for what you need...(see Pat Gillick, John Schuerholz etc.) seeing as the system is not what it used to be thanks to Jp he still has Travis Snider and David Purcey to peddle...and peddle he should if he wants to make a serious run at the wild card...
  13. Joe Cool from Canada writes:
    Anyone coming of the bench in the 10th last night would have been better than the sad lot that couldn't bring Rios home from 3rd with none out with all three striking out.
  14. C C from Canada writes: People have short memories.

    Back when Mench was popping 25 HRs a yr and Rios had no power (that 1 HR season), there were a lot of rumours of Texas and Toronto swinging a deal for the two players. That same off-season, the Nats were offering Wilkerson for Rios too.

    I like how things have come full circle - without giving up Rios (or the farm) for two servicable players.
  15. Scenic Sask! from Canada writes: Maybe they could pawn off Accardo if someone hasn't been watching his poor performance this year. If not send him to the minors to hone his skills until a glimmer of his ability from last year returns.

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