A recent post got me thinking about the Jays situation. I have often lobbied for baseball to move to a balanced schedule mostly for the selfish reason that I don’t think any team should have to handle playing the Red Sox or Yankees as many times as the teams in the East do. The Jays play the Yanks and Sox thirteen (13) times each. 26 games from a 162 game schedule is a lot and there is no doubting that no matter what the other teams in the division do, the Yankees and Red Sox will always be spending money (and no I am not equating that to being good). Now however while I still think a balanced schedule would work out better for all involved

The Jays however are a team that has been full of promise the last three years. Each year they come out of spring training looking like a team that could challenge for at least the Wild Card and so far, nothing. Yes injuries have been a factor and I only need to point you to Vernon Wells going down for 4-6 weeks to emphasize that point, but that just shows what a surface team the Jays are. They have a nice one through nice (not spectacular but good) but the bench is weak. The pitching staff has been absolutely tremendous, going late into ball games and to be honest even at the expense of some of the relievers getting innings. So where are the bats?

The $9+ million going to Frank Thomas who is now happy again in Oakland and dropping Reed Johnson for Shannon Stewart are two huge busts. Steward is batting a lowly .216 and has an on base percentage of less than .300 - Lyle Overbay seems to be coming around but in again showing the lack of depth the Jays have already sent Adam Lind back to the minors determining that he is not the right one to fill the hitting void.

I know you’re probably not supposed to suggest throwing money at the problem, but in this case the Jays might have to do just that. Package a B level prospect with a little bundle of money and bring in a bat, it’s the only way to salvage the season and it’s not even the middle of May!