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July 23, 2008
Were one so inclined, one could make a pretty compelling argument that the Blue Jays are done for 2008. It would be an argument difficulty to combat, though there’s also room to debate the notion that even hovering around last place in the American League East, it could still get worse for Cito’s crew. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a short list of languishing free agents J.P. Ricciardi could sign without any real risk of making things any worse. Barry Bonds Come on, everybody’s thinking it. Sure he’s clubhouse cancer, but he’d fill seats and who knows, maybe even hit a dinger or two. Could it be worse than Kevin Mench? Sammy Sosa Barry not your guy? Fine, how about Sammy? Yes, he’s more or less completely ineffective without steroids and/or a corked bat, but he’s still the only guy in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in three separate seasons. Six over the rest of the year would be an improvement over several guys in the Jays power-starved lineup. Kenny Lofton At this point, he’s just looking to sign with the three teams in the Majors he doesn’t already own jerseys from. At least he’s been a winner, and he rocks a dope gold chain on the regular. Shawn Green You loved him once, why not once more? He probably doesn’t have too much pop left, but then again you never know. Sometimes all a guy needs is a second chance. Reggie Sanders The guy’s won everywhere he’s been. Except Kansas City, I guess. He’s probably just a nicer, less decorated/defamed version of Sosa, but since Toronto’s just a less decorated/defamed version of several of the teams Sanders has played for, maybe he’d be a real nice fit. Ryan Klesko Let him slug it out with Lyle Overbay Home Run Derby style. Whoever wins gets to hold down first base the rest of the season. If Matt Stairs wants into the mix, all the better. Preston Wilson There were two or three seasons in Wilson’s career where he showed tremendous power. So what if they were all more than five years ago and came with the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies? He’s got a ring, and that’s more than pretty much any Blue Jay on the field can currently say. Corey Koskie For the same reasons as Shawn Green. And Matt Stairs. If you’re going to consider/continue paying either of them, then isn’t Koskie pretty much a must-sign? I say yes. Mark Bellhorn There’s a very real and very sad chance that Aaron Hill might not play baseball for some time while working back from post-concussion syndrome. If that’s true, a permanent replacement at second base is needed. Marco Scutaro’s pretty good, but Bellhorn is so much greasier and knows the AL East as well as anybody could after solid stints in both Boston and New York. Orlando Palmeiro What?! That’s right he’s still out there. Sure he’s only 155 pounds and amassed just 12 career home runs over 1206 games, but maybe that's because he just hasn’t found the right fit yet. J.P. should snatch the veteran of 13 seasons up before it's too late. If anybody needs a long shot, it’s Toronto. Julio Franco I know he said he was done with baseball, but come on. If Tim Wakefield can keep playing, than so should Julio. Better he keeps slugging away now than comes back when somebody breaks or threatens his record Roger Clemens/Randy Johnson style. Besides, no team lives in the past the way the Jays do, with the possible exception of the Chicago Cubs. That said, what better player to have suiting up down the stretch?
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