May 14, 2008

HERE’S HOW A BURNETT FOR GRIFFEY TRADE WORKS FOR BOTH TEAMS

The Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds are perfect trading partners. The Jays possess what the Reds desire and Cincinnati wants to move a commodity that Toronto so desperately needs. It’s not a matter of talent with this trade, however, and the needs of both clubs from a competitive standpoint—this is a negotiation of finances, current and future, involving two highly overpriced ballplayers.

Burnett is the fourth starter on this year’s Jay club. He makes in the neighbourhood of $11 million. Now, AJ has a world of talent (electric is the baseball jargon used to describe his stuff) and if any team could possibly get through that flaky exterior, and moderate demeanour, and instil a more competitive edge to his behaviour then that club would have a potential 20 game winner. With some good young hurlers coming up and some aging hitters going down the Reds may be willing to take a shot with Burnett and his possibilities. Maybe they have the management team that can get through to Burnett and toughen up his soft head. At worst Burnett could opt out of contract at the end of the season which would purge that hefty salary from the Reds payroll.

As well, the Reds would be ridding themselves of a financial headache. Griffey’s contract is much more debilitating–Griffey is making $12.5 million this year and the Reds hold the option on his 2009 contract worth $16.5 million. They have a $4 million buyout. As a 10-and-five player, Griffey has full no-trade rights.

The issue isn’t this year—the difference in dollars when pro-rated for the remainder of the season is miniscule and if it was the only issue this deal should get done. I say should because JP has shown very little willingness to make the trade his club so desperately needs.

No the problem is next year. In order to waive no-trade clause Griffey would certainly demand that the Jays pick up that option. That’s a ton of money to invest in a man who looks like he’s nearing the finish line. The Jays have just come out of that situation, having been burnt to a crisp with the Thomas contract (a signing, I might add, that was questioned by even the most indifferent of Jay fans).

The Blue Jays are in their own quandary. This is likely the final shot of the JP reign and naturally he would like to be successful enough to earn a reprieve, and at least another year. JP realizes that even with years left in his contract the money he earns is a spit in the bucket for his owner. If Ted wants you out—you’re out. Unless the Jays can produce some competitive baseball through out the entire month of September—thereby creating a tremendous amount of interest in the club and a boost to the club’s earnings—then JP won’t have even the slightest chance of talking his way back into his job.

JP has ammunition. He has built one of the better pitching staffs in baseball but has been unable to produce even a decent line-up to support it. Right now the offence is bordering on comical—and comedy is the last thing Ted wants to be associated with his ball club.

Desperate men take desperate measures. Is acquiring Griffey that daunting? The Jays were prepared to spend another $10 million next year for Thomas and could use that money to pay for Griffey. They would also be without Burnett’s asphyxiating contract. With a young, inexpensive pitching staff the Jays could afford spend a little money on their offence. And wouldn’t Ted love having someone of Griffey’s star power around to promote for his club.

With all the talk of Barry Bonds it is Griffey who would fit perfectly into the Jays system. Griffey looks like he’s done—but in the AL he can spend much of his time DH’ing and save the wear on his aging body. The Jays don’t need his defence at all. They need a power left-handed bat in the middle of their right-handed line-up. Matt Stairs is a nice player, but if he’s hitting fourth then you’ve got some issues with your line-up.

The Jays don’t have that feared hitter in the line-up—the kind that changes how a pitcher pitches and a manager manages as he approaches the plate. Thomas had too many holes—in his swing and in his head—to be that man. Griffey, being left-handed and likely eager to be a part of any pennant race could be that hitter. He might look upon the Jays as an opportunity to play against the two beasts of the east. Griffey would love to hit in Fenway again, and he would especially love to be a part of Yankee Stadium’s final year. I believe you would have a motivated and rested Griffey to plug into the fourth spot and balance out your line-up.

Hill and Rolen should hit together—they seem to be developing a nice combination the way Rolen had with Eckstein in St. Louis. And Hill is beginning to understand that he can no longer wait for others to step forward–he needs to be a leader on this team. Hill is an all-star who can and can play regularly at that level. Having Griffey allows the Jays to push Stairs and Overbay further down and hopefully punch up the normally anemic bottom of the order.

The Jays don’t have an identity. They aren’t a fast club that steals a lot of bases and they aren’t a power club that hits a lot of home runs. They aren’t even a professional hitting line-up with an array of .300 hitters. No the Jays don’t have an identity. Add Griffey and you now become the solid pitching club with offensive balance.

Now doesn’t that sound a lot better than comical, Ted

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