Toronto Blue Jays Shouldn’t Sell the Future for Jon Lester
Okay, so you all know my Toronto Blue Jays coverage has been undermined by “the uncertainty principle: any effort to measure quantities is disturbed by the act of covering.” That was covered in last month’s Sports Illustrated – and I may have changed the last word from “observation” to “covering” – but it struck me when reading it… and I don’t wish that on the Jays, especially right now.
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Jul 25, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
However, I cannot let this one pass (and this isn’t covering the team on the field so much, but covering a rumour). Jon Lester for the rest of the year, or Marcus Stroman? Gimme Marcus! Even if it’s just for the rest of the year. Have you seen this guy lately? His past six starts have been terrific! He is killing it. Two starts ago he threw seven innings before giving up a hit to Boston (Shane Victorino, you’ve always bugged me). That’s one hit to the reigning World Series champions! This guy is killing it! And look how young he is. The Jays have control of him for a while, too. Lester (right), if the Jays trade for him, have him for just the rest of the year. BIG WHOOP! I’d rather have Stroman for the end of the year anyway, even in the playoffs – did I say he’s killing it?
A 2.18 ERA – unreal! 67 strikeouts and only 17 walks? Book that. 5-1 at home with 1.54 ERA in seven starts. Wow! And I was at the one loss. He deserved the win. Dustin McGowan came on in “relief” and threw one pitch, which was a three-run home run and Stroman (above), sitting idly on the bench, went from a win to a loss. Not Stroman’s fault.
Feb 25, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) poses for a photo at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
I would be more comfortable if the Jays gave up Aaron Sanchez (right), but still, I wouldn’t do it! Sanchez debuted with six up, six down… then his next game he got the win in New York (okay, he gave up a run, blew his assignment in doing so, but never the less, he picked up the win). But same argument applies for Sanchez… Jays have control over him for years – and we’d have Lester for just the rest of this year.
A trade with him signing for years, like the trade for R.A. Dickey, would make me feel a better… but still, what do the Jays gotta give up? In all cases I’ve heard, NO THANKS! Stroman, I would take before Lester, unproven or not. Sanchez, I probably still wouldn’t. And rumours have it that it’s one of those two guys, plus TWO others (roll my eyes). I’m not devaluing Lester, but I’m liking what I see from these guys. And Marcus isn’t just potential anymore.
September 18, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos speaks during a press conference addressing offensive comments written on the eye black of infielder Yunel Escobar (not pictured) before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
These guys can be now AND THE FUTURE.
Sportsnet’s Tim and Sid believe in Masai Ujiri, the Raptors GM, for the moves he made and the success of the Raptors. Jays fans should believe in AA (Alex Anthopoulos, right), the GM of the Jays. He won’t do the wrong thing… we gotta trust him.