Everyone knows that Tim Lincecum is one of the premier pitchers in the game, and that is why I want him on my team.  The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a great start this year, in fact the best in baseball (13-5).  However, when I analyze the team I see that the jays are doing something that they didn’t do last year, they are hitting the ball.  Last years team had the best pitching in the American League, but they struggled to hit in key situations causing a disappointing 4th place finish in the East division behind Tampa, Boston, and the Yankees.  This year however, they have lost some of that key pitching.  Burnette went to the Yankees and McGowan and Marcum are on the DL.  So the Jays could use some help on the mound this year.

Let look at this years pitching squad.  Halladay is by far the most consistant pitcher on the team and possibly the best pitcher in the majors since 2003.  Enough said about the ace of the staff.  Litsch, who is currently on the DL until at least the middle of May, is the next most experienced pitcher and he only has one full season under his belt entering this year.  He is at best a 3rd, but most likely a 4th pitcher in the rotation.  Other than that we have Romero, Richmond, and Purcy, all of whom have very little experience in the big leagues.  Although Romero, who is also on the DL, has been pitching great this year he is still a rookie and is most likely destined to go through some growing pains as a starter and falter on some nights.  Richmond and Purcy also have very little experience at the big league level and Richmond barely made the team comming out of spring training.  So why not add Lincecum. 

Sure he pitches in a weaker division and may not have the same success in the American League East, but I am totally willing to take that chance.  He is the reigning CY Young winner and his contract is very affordable.  He throws strikes, has good velocity and is a proven winner for a mediocre team.  I think he would be great as a number 2 pitcher  behind Roy Halladay.  He would put Litsch in the 3rd spot, Purcy in the 4th spot, and Romero in the 5 spot.  This will maximize the Jays chances of winning if the bats ever go cold.

Now lets look what we are giving up.  Rios is a great hitter, however he has had a cool start to the year.  2 years ago he showed promise when he hit 24 home runs and has a great arm.  Last year he hit for decent average, but his power numbers dropped.  So far this year he has only one home run and is struggling.  I see him being a career .290 hitter with 15 home runs a year and 80 RBIs.  However, 2 years ago I saw him as potential for more.  I think he still could exceed my expectations, but I think what we see is what we get…a good hitter who will at times will hit for power.  He also is a threat on the base path, so we are giving up a talent.  However, I don’t think we will miss Rios in the field because we can easily move Lind from DH to Left field, put Snider in Right field and move Millar into the DH role instead of platooning with Overbay at 1st.  Although Rios is  a much better fielder than Lind and Snider, I am willing to give up the defence (which the Blue Jays do not lack) for a better pitcher. 

To balance this trade, I am proposing that we give up one of our star young players in AAA.  Cecil was close to breaking camp with the Jays even though he was drafted in 2007 in the first round.  He is young (23) and can pitch.  Although he may not be big league ready this year, I see him being a great addition to any pitching staff next year. 

I think that we are giving away 2 very good players (Rios and Cecil), but in return we are getting the pitcher we would want to go in the 2 spot behind Halladay and maximize our chances of playing October baseball.

So JP, get the ball rolling on this trade!

GO JAYS.