The Jays bullpen is one of the strongest in the league and consequently it is also one of the most expensive.
Part 2 - The Bullpen
MR Mike Jacobs
33 years old, LHP, Velocity: 98-100 MPH
19th round Pick 558th overall in 1993 by Los Angeles Dodgers. Signed with Toronto as a free agent in 2007.
2007 Stats: 1-1 7 SV 2.09 ERA 13 BB 102 K
Contract: 2 years $10,300,000
GM's Comment: He is one of the best relievers in the league but has a huge price tag. He was the primary set up man last year and unless I can trade him he will return in that role.
MR Joe Maloney
31 years old, RHP, Velocity: 99-101 MPH
18th round Pick 538th overall in 1999 by Toronto.
2007 Stats: 2-5 1 SV 4.28 ERA 32 BB 89 K
Contract: 1 year $2,350,000
GM's Comment: He has a tremendous arm and could be a closer. He was the righthanded setup man last seasona and is still relatively cheep. He will likely stick with Toronto and I will try and get him to sign an extension.
MR Tom Maxwell
28 years old, RHP, Velocity: 93-95 MPH
20th round Pick 578th overall in 1998 by San Diego. Traded to Toronto in 2004.
2007 Stats: 1-1 3.38 ERA 10 BB 33 K
Contract: 1 year $2,270,000
GM's Comment: Another good arm in that pen. The old GM sure did a good job putting together a very good bullpen. Maxwell should stick around for a while depending on how much he will be looking for in an extension. He is also aver attractive trade piece and meay be shopped before the reqular season.
MR Juan Morales
29 years old, RHP, Velocity: 95-97 MPH
19th round Pick 564th overall in 1998 by San Diego. Traded to Toronto in 2004.
2007 Stats: 5-4 6 SV 2.37 ERA 24 BB 86 K
Contract: 3 years $17,360,000
GM's Comment: He is in the first year of a 3 year deal that will pay his over $17 million dollars. He is a good arm but I think he is making too much money for the innings he will pitch. He will likely be traded at some pint this season.
MR Jack Thomas
29 years old, RHP, Velocity: 98-100 MPH
19th round Pick 555th overall in 1999 by the Cubs. Traded to Toronto in 2004.
2007 Stats: 8-2 2 SV 2.40 ERA 36 BB 138 K
Contract: 1 years $2,624,000
GM's Comment: Thomas is another very hard thrower out of the Jays pen. He is still inexpensive at just over $2 million but is due for an extension. If he is demmanding too much in terms of a salary I will look to move him.
CL Martin Hood
28 years old, LHP, Velocity: 94-96 MPH
22nd Round Pick 639th Overall in 2001 by Toronto.
2007 Stats: 4-5 33 SV 2.40 ERA 12 BB 82 K
Contract: 2 years $4,290,000
GM's Comment: Hood is one of the best closers in the American League. he lead the league in 2006 in saves with 47. At only $4 million over the next two years he is still inexpensive and I would love to keep him a Jay long term.
GM's Comments:
The bullpen is just way too expensive. Currently we have almost $28 million dollars tied up in 6 players. This is totally unacceptable and I will definately be looking to reduce this by around half for the upcomming season.
Top Prospects:
Absolutely nothing. I don't have a singe reliever or closer rated higher that 1.5 stars in my entire minor league system. It is no wonder the old GM needed to go out an either trade for players or sign them to overpriced free agent contracts. This will definately be addressed in the next few Amature Drafts.