While waiting with anxious anticipation to see if the Blue Jays pull off any deals between now and the August 31 waiver deal dea

Posted in IYH Forums by jokergreen0220 at 08:55, May 24 2017

While waiting with anxious anticipation to see if the Blue Jays pull off any deals between now and the August 31 waiver deal deadline, I decided to look back and see just how many swaps they have pulled off during the "Dog Days" month and how fruitful the deals have been. Chidobe Awuzie Jersey . So far, a week into the fifth month of their 38th season, I can tell you the Blue Jays have only made 25 deals during August. There are 11 franchises of the other 29 who have never pulled off a trade in August including the Tigers, Cubs, Marlins, Astros, Angels, Twins, Giants, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Montreal/ Washington. Some of deals were straight cash transactions, such as when the Jays sold Pedro Hernandez to the Yankees years ago, the only August deal between the two teams. Most were inconsequential shuffling of body swaps, but there were some keepers. On August 31, 1987, the Blue Jays picked up lefty Mike Flanagan from Baltimore for a pair of relievers, Jose Mesa and Oswaldo Peraza. Flanagan gave the Blue Jays a big boost down the stretch in their race with the Tigers for first place and although the Jays came up short, Flanagan was an invaluable leader and pitched one of the greatest games Ive ever seen on the second-last day of the season at old Tiger Stadium against Jack Morris. Both men lasted into extra innings. Neither figured in the decision in a game the Tigers ultimately won. Earlier, that same month in 1987, on August 9 to be exact, the Jays picked up knuckleballer and future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro from Cleveland for Darryl Landrum and Don Gordon. Unfortunately for the Jays, "Knucksie" had little or nothing left and after a handful of starts, they released him, likely increasing the urgency for the Jays to acquire Flanagan. Beyond the Flanagan deal, the Blue Jays have made three trades that stand out above the rest. Two figured in their first World Series victory in 1992, and one brought them one of the greatest power hitters in franchise history. On August 9, 1991, the Blue Jays made their one and only August deal with Milwaukee, sending youngsters William Suero and Bob Wishnevski to the Brewers for veteran outfielder Candy Maldonado. The "Candy Man" was in left field in Atlanta in 1992 the night the Blue Jays clinched their first World Series title and he was a great presence in the clubhouse. But even bigger than that deal was the one Pat Gillick pulled off on August 27, 1992, just four days before the post-season rosters had to be set. The Blue Jays sent future star and now-Hall of Famer candidate Jeff Kent along with outfielder Ryan Thompson to the Mets for right-hander David Cone. It was the kind of trade that Oakland just pulled off to get lefty Jon Lester from Boston, and Detroit made in landing David Price from Tampa Bay. Though he turned out to be a rental after Cone signed with Kansas City as a free agent in the off-season, he nevertheless was the man who pushed the Jays over the top. Veteran reliever Dan Plesac, then with the Brewers, told me that once that trade was made Milwaukee players knew the race in the A.L. East was over. What appeared to be a run of the mill deal on August 21, 2008 turned out to be the best of J.P. Ricciardis tenure as Blue Jays GM and one of the greatest swaps in franchise history. The Blue Jays sent catcher Robinson Diaz to Pittsburgh for a journeyman outfielder by the name of Jose Bautista. Incidentally, the team the Blue Jays have dealt with the most frequently in August is Texas. Three of those 25 trades have been with the Rangers. No blockbusters, but they did ship Maldonado to the Rangers in a conditional deal on August 31, 1995. They also picked up veteran DH Cliff Johnson from Texas on August 28, 1985 to help the stretch run on the way to their first division title. To land "Heathcliff" they gave up three youngsters in Greg Ferlenda, Matt Williams and Jeff Mays. Going over the 25 trades, its difficult to name even one that the Jays got burned on, and if you throw in the Johnson swap, there are four deals that any GM would hang his hat on. Not just saying this because I picked them to be a Wild Card team this year, but as tightly as Kansas City, the Blue Jays, the Yankees and Mariners are bunched, the Royals have to be considered the favourites right now for that second Wild Card slot. Right now they are a half-game up on the other three clubs. But consider this. Of the Royals remaining 49 games, 27 are at home at pitcher-friendly Kauffman Stadium. On top of that, 32 of those remaining 49 are against teams with records below .500. They have solid starting pitching, a great bullpen and as John Gibbons conceded the other night, alongside Baltimore are probably the best defensive outfit in the American League. If thats not enough, the Royals are off to a 5-1 start this month. The four-game set at home this weekend will be an acid test for Ned Yosts crew though. K.C. could certainly use another bat before the deadline, but even without it, they still look like the strongest team with the most favourable schedule. Ryan Switzer Jersey ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Chidobe Awuzie Youth Jersey . -- Floridas smothering defence returned to form just in time for the third-ranked Gators to keep their winning streak going. http://www.thecowboysfansmall.com/c-82-cowboys-jourdan-lewis-jersey.aspx . Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight.ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Curtis Lazar is leaving the Ottawa Senators to play for Canada at the world junior championship, a decision those involved consider a win-win.The 19-year-old Lazar gets the experience of playing against the best junior players in the world, Canada gets a polished top-six forward and the Senators hope to benefit down the road from the development their top prospect gets from his second of these tournaments.Hes going to play a more prominent role, Senators coach Dave Cameron said. With us hes in the bottom six, playing a safe role. There hes going to be a go-to guy. Thats a real world-class tournament on a huge stage, so all those factors are going to make him a better player.Lazar was Ottawas fourth-line centre averaging 12:45 a game, second-lowest on the team ahead of only Chris Neil. Wednesday night at the New Jersey Devils, Lazar skated 15 shifts for 8:30, his lowest totals of his rookie season.Hockey Canada had discussions with the Senators this week about getting Lazar, but the organization didnt find out until Thursday morning that hed be joining the world junior team. Understandably, those in charge of the team are thrilled to add Lazar to a group already favoured to win gold on home ice.He is a big piece of the puzzle, said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canadas vice-president of hockey operations. He will come in here, hopefully with a lot of confidence and a lot of experience of having been here last year. We expect him to be a leader, and we expect he is going to give our group a boost.Lazar called it bittersweet leaving the Senators in the middle of the season, especially considering the upheaval lately with the firing of Paul MacLean and the hiring of Cameron as coach. But he relishes the idea of becoming that go-to-guy at the world juniors.The Ottawa Senators, Im happy to be here, I love to be here and I feel Im going to have a long, healthy career here with them, said Lazar, who has a goal and six assists this season. Two weeks its not going to make that much of a difference.Having Lazar could make a huge difference for Canada, which already had six returning players: goaltender Zach Fucale, defenceman Josh Morrissey and forwards Sam Reinhart, Connor McDavid, Nic Petan and Frederik Gauthier. Lazar could slide in on Canadas second line on one of McDavids wings, something he said would be a lot of fun.Salmond said it was up to coach Benoit Groulx whether Lazar would play wing, as he did in 2014, or line up at centre.I see him, imagine him, playing a lot, Salmond said.Thats part of the reason Cameron, who has a history of coaching with Hockey Canada, supported letting Lazar go. Ultimately, the decision rested with Senators general manager Bryan Murray, but he got input from Lazar and Cameron along the way.Lazars teammates saw last year what he can bring to a tournament like this when he was a point-a-game performer.Curtis brings everything, really, Morrissey said. He is an all-around player, he brings a lot to our team on the ice with his skills and ability, but off the ice he brings tremendous leadership. He is a hard-working, honest guy.Before he even skates with this group, Lazarr becomes a top candidate along with Reinhart to be named captain. Chidobe Awuzie Womens Jersey. At the very least, the Salmon Arm, B.C., native will be part of Canadas leadership group because hes constantly smiling and can lighten the mood.He always brings down the pressure, McDavid said. Hes obviously going to be a huge leader, if not the biggest leader on this team.Groulx, an assistant last year in Malmo, Sweden, has only good things to say about Lazar on and off the ice.Hes well-liked by his teammates, respected by his teammates, Groulx said. Hes won everywhere. Hes a competitor, everybody acknowledges that. Hes such a great young man. I think hell fit right in with our guys.The downside of Lazars addition will be felt by the one extra player who has spent the week at Canadas camp at Meridian Centre in St. Catharines but wont be starting the tournament with the rest of the group Dec. 26 in Montreal. Now three forwards will need to get cut, along with a defenceman, to get down to the 22-man roster.Thats part of the process, Groulx said. Having Curtis back, obviously I think it puts a smile on everybodys face on this team. Yeah, its going to make our decision tougher, but I think its good for our team to have him back.Five forwards appear to be on the bubble of making the team: Gauthier, Michael Dal Colle, Jason Dickinson, Rourke Chartier and 17-year-old Lawson Crouse. Though Gauthier is a returning player, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect doesnt consider his spot safe.I think I need to earn it, Gauthier said. I dont think I got it right now.Dickinson, who centred the fifth line this week, understands he has to show his value Friday night in Canadas exhibition game against Russia at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. He isnt worried about the Lazar news affecting him mentally.It is one of those things that happens in hockey, Dickinson said. There are going to be guys out there and take your spot, and you just have to battle through it.Theres little doubt that Canada is a better team with Lazar than without. Hes the second full-time NHL player to join after the New York Rangers released Anthony Duclair to play.It obviously makes us a lot deeper, McDavid said of adding Lazar. Theres so many good players throughout this country at this age. Obviously hes one of the best. Hes going to help all around.Lazar will meet up with the team in Toronto but wont play in Fridays exhibition game. Hes hoping to put on a show for the Sens fans Sunday when Canada plays Sweden in an exhibition game at Canadian Tire Centre.Obviously the long-term goal is the games that matter and Lazar trying to help Canada win its first world junior gold medal since 2009.Were on home soil here and the expectation is for us to win gold, Lazar said. My junior resume, its pretty complete except for a medal at the world juniors. Its a big opportunity here and I like the team that they have in place so far and Im going to go and contribute and hopefully I can check that one off the list.With files from Lisa Wallace in Ottawa---Follow @SWhyno on TwitterNote to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said there were six returning players. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '