BY EVAN PEASLEE – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
In one fell swoop all was forgotten. For a brief moment around dinner time on Tuesday all the grief, anguish, disappointment, and pent-up frustration of another lost season was erased. The highly-reported trade by the Blue Jays – that has Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, and Mark Buehrle coming to Toronto – has the town talking again and ready to crown Alex Anthopoulos their king; only a month and a half after what many were calling one of the most miserable seasons in the franchise’s history.
The trade already has people questioning whether this makes the Blue Jays a legitimate playoff contender for 2013. That sort of buzz is premature considering that we’re only two weeks removed from the San Francisco Giants World Series victory. But what’s amazing is that AA has quickly, and swiftly, filled all the major holes in the Jays lineup and all but the most eager shoppers haven’t even started looking for Christmas gifts.
So it’s easy to start jumping to conclusions, but before we get way ahead of ourselves let me remind you that the last few teams that made huge splashes during the offseason failed to make the playoffs the next year. I’m looking at you Boston circa 2011, and Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins of 2012.
So before the parade route gets planned and humble pie needs to be served, expectations need to be tempered; especially before the Red Sox and the Yankees begin their ritual offseason spending habits.
But before we do that, this is a time for celebration for a city starving for something to cheer for.
For all of Tuesday night the Blue Jays were the centre of the MLB universe for the first time since Joe Carter touched ‘em all. Even overshadowing the announcements of the AL and NL Manager of the Year.
In a move that had zero speculation, or rumours about until it happened (pending approval by the MLB), the Jays general manager acquired two front-end of the rotation starters and one of the best shortstops in the league.
The biggest thing that is accomplished by this trade is that the Blue Jays no longer need everything to go perfect to make an impact in September or October.
AA has just acquired enough depth, and talent that the blue birds won’t need to rely on 54 home runs from Bautista, and a sub 2.00 ERA from the starting pitching staff to make the playoffs.
But before the ever so slight changes are made to the 20-year-old parade route, the other general managers still have their own Christmas shopping to do.
And maybe someone else will get that Red Ryder B.B. gun.
But for now the Blue Jays are the talk of town, so let’s just enjoy this one for a moment.
It’s a trade that may be as powerful, and changing as the acquisition of Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter; or it could all blow up in our faces like a Vernon Wells contract.
Only time will tell how truly impactful this move will be. Until then, let’s just wait for the other 28 teams in the league to pick their jaw up off the floor.
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