Tonight the Blue Jays square off against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Rogers Centre.  It is the first of a three game series.  Wednesday’s game will be an afternoon tilt.  Let’s hope the boys can keep the momentum going after winning five of the last six as this series will definitely decide their fate.  If they get swept, than the Jays should start looking towards next year.

On a happier note, Alex Rios has been playing a lot better lately.   Especially on Saturday when he hit two home runs and had three RBI’s.   The Jays are now above .500 (53-52) and are 7.5 games behind the Wild Card.  That doesn’t seem all that bad, except that there are six teams ahead of them for the wild card.   So unfortunately, I think they are finished.  If healthy, I could see them making a run for it.   But, they have injuries.  Some of the players missing are Vernon Wells, Aaron Hill, Dustin McGowan, Casey Janssen, and Jeremy Accardo.   Also, Scott Rolen, B.J. Ryan and Shaun Marcum have all spent time on the DL.  Well, it just makes even a tougher hill to climb.

          So the question to ask yourself is this:  Should the Jays start trading some of their players?  Riccardi says “no” as he likes this team and does not want to dismantle it.   But how good is it, really?  Will they be better next year (if healthy) with the same roster as this year?   I don’t think so.   Who’s to say that Vernon Wells becomes the same player as a few years ago?  Maybe the constant injuries that he has endured over the past couple of seasons have worn him down.  Maybe Vernon will never be a number four hitter, which the Jays are badly lacking.  How about Alex Rios?  Is this year a fluke, or will he remain inconsistent and be forever an underachiever?   Plus, Burnett is more than likely leaving after this season and who knows if Dustin McGowan will be the same pitcher when he comes back from rotator cuff surgery.

          I say trade them now (not Wells or Rios).  One name that I heard mentioned was B.J. Ryan.  That is an interesting name, as many teams could really use a ‘sure thing’ like Ryan.  I personally think that it would be a bad idea.  If the Jays want to compete next year, they will need a perennial closer.  And that closer is B.J. Ryan.   I personally think they should trade Matty Stairs, David Eckstein and perhaps Brian Tallett.  Heck, even Greg Zaun.  Plenty of teams would like him on their bench.  Another name could be Scott Rolen. 

          Now I know this sounds a little negative and I hope that the Jays do play better this year.  I also know that Toronto is not as bad as myself and others are implying.   They are just above .500 and there are a few teams that would love to be at this position.  I just feel that Riccardi can only build a .500 club and he just can’t seem to make the next step.  J.P. keeps saying it’s because of the injuries and the payroll.   Now when the Red Sox and Yanks get injuries, they just trade or sign a player.  Unfortunately, the Jays cannot, and they need to rely on prospects.  So why not trade some veterans for some young guys?  Riccardi needs to realize that we will never have the same payroll as them and we need to win the old fashion way.

 Heart and determination.

Thanks for reading and bye for now.