Weekend Transaction Roundup

In Leafland the Buds called up Jeremy Williams earlier this week to see what he can bring to the team if given the proper opportunity. Ron Wilson will be giving him the chance to center a line with Jason Blake and Dominic Moore. His skills are on the offensive end of the ice and the traditional knocks against him are his lack of strength and weak back checking. Will he stick this time? Early returns seem good as he has scored a goal two games straight, both of which were Leaf victories.

The AJ Burnett saga has mercifully come to an end. In an absolutely ludicrous signing, the Yankees have decided to give him $82.5 million over five years. Why would any team give that ammount of money to a pitcher who only shows up for contract years? A five year contract for a player who will be 32 when the year starts and who is chronically injured? Will he collapse under the pressure of the New York media? From my point of view the answer is yes, it is only a question of how soon.

Who will be his replacement for the Blue Jays? Apparently Rogers has decided to pocket the savings due to the financial crisis. Great. Friggin great.

The Raptors have made quite possibly the least interesting roster addition in the history of any professional sports league by bringng in Jake Voshkuhl. This journeyman center has played for Colangelo before in Phoenix and will bring a bit of toughness to the end of the bench. Interestingly, this signing does lead to a lot of questions. Does this mean that we can offically say that Nathan Jawai's season is over? With the Raps now into the luxury tax will they make a move to shed salary?

Monday December 15 is the day that all NBA players will be eligible to be traded. Will we bid farewell to some Raptors? My gut tells me that traditionally healthy players like Anthony Parker and Kris Humphries who have found themselves on the injury report lately, may simply have been sitting out to ensure that they would be healthy for tomorrow when they will need to pass physicals.

Obviously, the big news this weekend came from TFC. Please check out the posts below for more info on DeRosario.

MLB Free Agency Looming

Free agency is nearly upon us. What should we expect from the Blue Jays? A variety of scenarios abound...

1. Uncle Roger will blame a weak Canadian Dollar on the fact that he cannot spend money.

2. AJ Burnett will stay in Toronto. (fingers crossed he doesn't!!!!!!!)

3. JP Ricciardi will continue to diss Johnny Mac and sign another crapola shortstop of the Eckstein ilk.

4. Lyle Overbay seems on the wayout, leaving the obvious money going to a new first baseman with some pop.

5. At least one starting pitcher will need to be signed. ESPN seems to think it will be Brad Penny due to his ties with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg.

6. Designated Hitter rumours of the Giambi variety are floating.

7. Trade BJ Ryan to clear salary for a bigger move. (Please, please, please, please..)

8. But let me state the thing that the vast majority of Jays fans are thinking. I apologize if this is completely and utterly obvious.... but we want the wow factor. Remember the year the Jays signed Roger Clemons and you were like "fuckin A right!"

Well this time instead of picking up a guy who shoots roids in the butt, lets offer Manny Ramirez a guaranteed 4 year contract. Not only is he awesome on the field, I defy you to read this article and tell me he is not also the balls off it.

Without a truly outstanding offseason the Jays could sink to fifth in the division. I don't want to have to curl up in the fetal position and weep.

Our lives are in your hands Mr Rogers, Beeston, Ricciardi dudes. Give Cito something to work with. Sing it with me now - "Ok, Ok, Blue Jays, Blue Jays, let's, let's, play, play, ball."