J. A. Happ: A Microcosm of Toronto Blue Jays Management

Why signing J. A. Happ over David Price is speaking volumes on the mindset of the Toronto Blue Jays’ front office.

To the delight of Toronto Blue Jays fans, J. A. Happ is having an outstanding season and will look to win his 10th consecutive game on Wednesday night, against the Tampa Bay Rays. At three years and $36 million, he continues to look more like a steal with every outing, in the process making David Price seem like a distant memory.

it was not too long ago that many Blue Jays fans, myself included, were furiously waving the “whatever it takes” banner in the face of management, when it came to re-signing Price. Time has shown however, that much like the big names before the five-time All-Star and the big contracts they demand, they almost never end up being worth the asking price. (No pun intended.)

Price made himself the eighth-highest paid player of all time, when he signed his seven-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. Many believe he had earned it, despite post season falters in the past, but for now, the Blue Jays seem to have come away with the better side of those severed ties.

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Management has managed to add a veteran arm who is having a resurgent season, while the Red Sox attempt to keep pace with the Blue Jays, with almost no help coming from their new $217 million left arm. Although, as much as I enjoy the Boston media and fans having a fit over Price’s uninspiring 9-8 record, the fact remains they are just a game and a half back from the Jays, and are still getting great production from their lineup.

However, what can best be taken from this little comparison will never be what it it is, but rather how it looks. Toronto is getting better value from a guy who has never been considered a top pitcher, while Boston now has an unmovable contract for a guy who may be beginning to slip down the backside of his prime.

Spending that much money on one player is always risky, but it was one the Red Sox were willing to take. For all of the times it can be frustrating to watch Blue Jays management never go after “the big one”, it is nice to see that once again it has worked out well.

Remember when we wanted Prince Fielder? Or Yu Darvish? How about Masahiro Tanaka? Fielder is now retiring, Darvish is FINALLY coming back to form, and Tanaka has been lights out, when he’s healthy.

The truth is, as great as those players were when they were healthy, the distraction they become when they are under performing or not playing at all, can be a glaring one. When you add in that the teams who signed those big contracts have done almost nothing in the post season, it ends up looking even more impressive that Blue Jays management are as frugal as they are.

Next: Checking In On Jesus Montero

It may not be a sexy way to win, but time has shown so far in this decade that the Blue Jays are doing it just right – picking spots, trading big for talent, but vying for depth over splurging at the contract table. You might even say they are doing it “The J. A. Happ way”.