So tonight was the State of the Franchise at the Concrete Convertible. A solid crowd (as compared to past years I'm told) gathered along the first-base bleachers to hear Beast, The Silent Assassin and the Skipper comment and (in some cases) defend the moves (or lack thereof) made by the club this off-season. Here are some of my thoughts on the hi-lights (and low-lights)
Buck Martinez - two things....1-being called Albert by Paul (and later a fan)...classic 2- this guy's hair is out of control! It looks like a hair piece taken from the back of the Abominable Snowman..I would have loved for AA to refer to him as 'Silver Fox' all night.
I'm tired of talking about Prince Fielder (as I'm sure the panel was) but I'll address their comments by saying that I liked how it was stated that by ruining the clubs philosophy of 5 yr. deals, they would in turn lose credibility with their players. I get it, and I'm bored of the whiners. This team makes me excited but one player with a contract like that won't necessarily make your team a guaranteed winner and can cripple you financially for years.
Some dude complains about letting players like Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey slip away. AA states how there are a lot of players in the league that he really likes...but only at a cost. I, for one am glad that they didn't sell the farm like the Nationals did to get a # 3/4 starter in Gio Gonzalez.
Farrell on his evaluation after year 1..."I'd give myself a C-"...I don't know...I wish we had a manager who was more honest. I really respect him for admitting his faults in dealing with the bullpen in regards to not defining their roles etc. With only a year under his belt, he admits to his mistakes and where he needs to grow. The fact that he's able to do so in a public forum that he has, shows that he knows he has the support of the brass behind him.
AA thinks that the club will be better this year.....I gotta agree with him. I don't agree with his decision to wear capri suit pants...or perhaps it was the ankle suit socks.
Beeston then says that after 3 years, he thinks that they should be in the playoffs, he laughs...but did anyone else feel that he wasn't joking? He also believes that the Jays sustainibility could start this year. "Five years from now we better be in the post season"...ummm yeah.
Fan says that he may not come back as a fan next season after the lack of moves this season...give it a rest, pest. You stop going to games and I'll take your seasons tickets off your hands for you.
Actual Grass in the Convertible?!?!?! Safe to say that we'd all lose our minds. With the amount of traffic/events other than baseball that take place there, I don't see it happening. However it would make the stadium that much more enjoyable to watch a game in.
Honestly, the purpose of this event is to reach out to the 'share holders' of the company and calm them and assure them that all is well. To be honest, I don't need to be talked down from the ledge. I buy in to what they're selling. I'm okay with the moves that were made (and not made) and I'm just jazzed to get this season under way.
20 days til pitchers and catchers report...
