The Times they are a Changin....

So we now have the direction A.A. is taking pretty much laid out.

Scutaro is gone, but the Jays might covet the obligatory extra draft picks that a Type A free agent garners.

Barajas is gone, just reported that A.A. realises that Rod is seeking a multi year deal, which the Jays are no interested in.

Also, a note to Travis Snider, hello dear boy, do not come to camp expecting to handed a starting assignment.

Roy Halladay, start filling out those change of address cards.

In 2010 we shall all have to learn the new Jays fight song " Tread Water" because that's what is expected.

2 shortstops making $4.2 mill, rather than re sign Scutaro to a 3 year deal at maybe $ 3 plus a season, and still then resign a suitable back up. Nope, not going in that direction.

Behind the plate will be from this cast, Kyle Phillips ( 2009 in Triple AAA, Raul Chavez, JP Arencebia, or maybe a return for 1 year by Gregg Zaun ). I say Zaun for a simple reason, the last 2 years Rogers Sportsnet has used Zaun as a colour analyst during the post season, and he's very good at it. When you're career is coming to a close, and if you are not the managing type, the media beckons sometimes.

As I wrote awhile back, the road map is clearly set by Beeston and A.A., take 2 giant steps back, in hopes of taking the bigger step forward.

I don't agree, but then again, I don't disagree, at least it's a plan of attack. In the great stockpile of young Jay pitchers , there are still huge question marks in my mind. Once you admit to yourself that Halladay is leaving, what stands behind him, rookies, kids, 2nd year hopefuls, and guys coming off long stints on the DL. If A.A. and Beeston are reading the tea leaves the way I think they are, 2010 will be stumbling effort and a year of maturation and growth. But not winning.

This rotation then gets a boost with experienced shortstops who field the ball well, and maybe catchers ( like Zaun and Chavez ) that work well with youngsters.

Listening to the radio the other day, there was a discussion about the Jays black hole at 3rd base, and that will continue to be a concern, because traidng Gold Glover Rolen for Dr. Strangelove ( Encarnacion ) is going to add on additional hits, and force more 4 out innings, something young pitchers don't always handle well.

Just add David Stieb about fielders.....

So maybe the ever patient new arctitects of the team will look to see if 3rd base can be another stop gap position, a platoon of Encarnacion and anyone with a glove. That would require spending a few shells but our resident 3rd sacker is not here forever, and can be moved to DH, where his defense is superior.

I wrote back in October about the 2010 payroll heading south to 60 million, so I would say based on the recent events that is bang on accurate.

" Oh the Times, they are a changin...."