J.P. Has His Wallet Out Again

It looks as though the Blue Jays are on the verge of signing DH Frank Thomas. I think it's a good but curious move. The offense was not really the problem for the Jays this year, pitching was. I think signing Thomas to big money was either a way to show Vernon Wells that they are willing to spend to protect him in the lineup in the attempt to sign him long term, or a signal that they are going to trade Vernon this winter. I think it's the latter. With Glaus, Overbay, Thomas, and a healthy Alex Rios likely turning into a 25 home run guy, they will try to deal Wells for a reliable 2 or 3 starter and a good middle reliever.

I think Ricciardi still has money to spend (which he has to do to stay competitive in this division as the Red Sox proved by paying $52 million just to negotiate a contract with Daisuke Matsuzaka)and I would like to see him go after a front of the rotation guy like Mark Mulder. He's coming off surgery but he's only 29, eats up innings and has pitched in plenty of big games. A rotation of him, Halladay, Burnett, and Chacin would be one of the best in the league. Or they can sign a middle rotation guy like Gil Meche who is good for 12 or 13 wins and 200 innings.

But whatever J.P. does, the thought of The Big Hurt playing 9 games a year with The Green Monster in his sights is pretty fun to think about.