The Most Critical Stretch…

Well, here the Jays are. At the critical juncture of their season, the Jays currently sit 9 games back in the Wild Card standings behind the Boston Red Sox and 12 games out of first in the East behind the Tampa Bay Rays. And here we are: Fifteen games in a row against the Red Sox, Rays and Yankees. A stretch that’s absolutely critical if the Jays want to improve upon their longshot odds of playing into October. Fortunately, everyone’s favorite red-headed 5th starter is back in the rotation. Yes my friends, the Litsch is back and if you can’t get excited for that than shame on you. At least look forward to the fact that the Doc is getting the ball rolling tonight at Fenway.

If anything, these times should provide some exciting baseball for a fanbase that’s pretty much been devoid of excitement since May. Although to play devil’s advocate, this stretch of games could put the final nails in the coffin that is the 2008 season. Similarly, it could also seal JP Ricciardi’s fate as General Manager. Which leads to the question of why the GM has promised that Cito would return in ‘09 despite the fact that Ricciardi’s job security appears flimsy at best. I don’t recall Paul Godfrey or any other member of the Jays brass addressing the media and giving JP a vote of confidence. So the question deserves to be asked: What gives?

Waivers:

Ok Jays fans. Relax. Just because the Jays placed V-Wells and Johnny Mac on waivers, it doesn’t mean they’re going anywhere. Here’s how the post-trade deadline waivers work according to Paul DePodesta’s blog:

No player can get traded after July 31 without being placed on trade waivers.

Unlike outright waivers, August trade waivers are NOT irrevocable. In other words, if we place a player on trade waivers, and another organization places a claim on that player, we can take him off waivers if we don’t want to lose him or trade him.

Once a player is placed on trade waivers, the other 29 organizations have 48 hours during which to place a claim.

If a player is claimed by another organization, one of two things can happen: a) the player can be traded to (or simply given to) the claiming organization only or b) the player can be pulled off of waivers by the originating Club.

Any trade with the claiming Club has to be consummated within 48 hours.

If a player is claimed on trade waivers, and the originating Club pulls that player off of waivers, he CANNOT be traded for the remainder of the season unless… the originating Club puts the player on trade waivers a second time. If they do this, however, the waivers become irrevocable so any claim would result in the automatic assignment of the player to the claiming team. If a player goes unclaimed, he can be traded to any other team at any time.

Based off reports, don’t expect V-Wells to be claimed because of his massively backloaded contract. Similarly, expect Johnny Mac to be claimed but I’d assume that the team claiming him would be a team ‘blocking’ another contending team from claiming him.

Enjoy the next 15 games everybody!

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Last post (s) by Graeme Nichols

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