Bird Feed - Blue Jays fans

The big news this week is that Kyle Drabek has been optioned to Triple-A. He had really been awful lately, with his season ERA rising to 5.70 in 14 starts, and having walked more hitters than he's struck out. He's been replaced by Zachary Stewart, who has been called up from Double-A New Hampshire and will make his mlb debut on Thursday. That's hard on Brad Mills to be overlooked, as he leads the Pacific Coast League in innings pitched (82.2), ERA (2.87) and WHIP (1.15), in what is a notorious hitters' league.

Brett Lawrie looked set for a call-up from Triple-A until he was hit by a pitch, fracturing a bone in his hand. He'll need a few weeks recovery time and then has to show that his hitting is unaffected, so I doubt we'll see him with the Jays until after the All-Star break.

Adam Lind has been hitting superbly since coming off the DL, offering Jose Bautista some protection. Bautista has slowed down a little in his home-run pace, but he's still getting on base nearly half the time.

Yunel Escobar has agreed a two-year extension with the Blue Jays. The deal also includes club options for the 2014 and 2015. He will get a base salary of $5 million in each of the years including the two option years. How do Blue Jays fans feel about this deal?

I'm very happy with the Escobar extension. Anthopulos works his magic again!

$5million a year is not much to pay for a player of Escobar's quality. He is a strong fielder at a premium position, gets on base well and has decent power for a SS. The 2 guaranteed years (2012-13) cover his last 2 arbitration years, and the 2 options cover his first 2 free agent years, so this looks like a great deal for the Jays. AA seems to have a knack for getting players to agree to these, particularly the option years which give the team so much flexibility.

One year on, the trade with Atlanta (Jays get Escobar & Jo-Jo Reyes for Alex Gonzalez/Tim Collins/Tyler Pastornicky) is looking even better. Even Reyes has pitched ok lately.

That deal is beginning to look really good for the Blue Jays. I’m surprised he signed the deal but it might be down to him being happy in Toronto. Did he not have some problems in Atlanta?

Has anybody seen the new Blue Jays logo? I'm unable to post a picture as I'm on the IPAD but I watched the video and I love it. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't like it as I rely liked the one we had but the old style looks good, I also like the way we have gone back to the old style shirts too.

Here's hoping that we have a successful season.

After the anouncement of the new "old" look for the Blue Jays which already got me feeling good about our chances next season, that feeling is a lot stronger after the signings we have made this year.

I think that we will be strong this coming season and I'm hoping for at least a place in the play-offs, I don't think we will win the World Series but I do feel that we look good enough to at least make the play-offs this season.

Come on Blue Jays

Been a while since I've managed to get online and I take it my old account must have been deleted with the move over here but I'm absolutely buzzing for this coming season!

New closer, a better bullpen, re-signed the players I wanted us to keep...

TORONTO BLUE JAYS = WILDCARD WINNERS 2012 (at least!)

OK, I'm away for a lie down!

GO JAYS!

I absolutely love this...

Tribute to Cito Gaston

So, what's everyone's thoughts on the start to the season?!

Been slightly disappointed with Brandon so far but hopeful that he'll come good as the season progresses - didn't have his fastball working at all last night!

Came across a Jays specific podcast for us, check it out...

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/blue-ja...eek/id430621876

Just started listening to the latest one and they are talking about my favourite Jay, Brandon Morrow's game against the Angels!

Any Jays fans out there?

There dont seem to be many of us here, or they may be hiding

While the Marlins are being criticised for the deal but surely the Blue Jays must be commended on making such a bold trade.

A line-up of
SS Reyes
2B Izturis/Bonafacio
RF Bautista
DH Encarnacion
3B Lawrie
CF Rasmus
1B Lind
C Arencibia/Buck
LF Gose

Rotation

Johnson
Morrow
Buehrle
Romero
Happ

The line-up looks very good if everyone stays healthy. The rotation has a lot of question marks with Johnson and Morrow both having injury problems. If they stay healthy they will both pitch well but staying healthy has been a problem for them. Buehrle will pitch his 200 innings and will be solid enough. Romero has a lot of potential but hasn’t lived up to his potential. The bullpen also needs some work done on it.

The trade makes the Blue Jays a lot better but they aren’t a lock for the playoffs. I think they have made this deal at the right time. The Red Sox are rebuilding, the Yankees are good but are concerned with payroll and the Rays and Orioles both have problems that they need to fix.

How does everyone think the Blue Jays will do next season?

Blue Jays have a shot but like you say there far from a lock

the division is one of the toughest in baseball the moves they made made them stronger but then we thought that last year and look how that turned out.

If Johnson stays healthy is really is an ace which might be the key in how well they do

I think its great for baseball if the Blue-Jays can have a strong couple of years following the trade.

Adding Reyes is excellent, i'm less keen on Johnson/Buerhle but obviously if Johnson returns to top form its a hell of a rotation for next year.

Overall it puts the spotlight on the other AL East teams for the off-season so we could see a good few more moves coming now.