Toronto Blue Jays

I know the first thing is getting past the spelling of his last name.  Marc Rzepczynski.  Once you handle that, you are going to find a pitcher that has the potential to make an impact in all fantasy formats, potentially this season.

Earlier this week the Toronto Blue Jays started listening to offers for Roy Halladay, their strong ace, after falling out of the AL East race. Surely there are teams interested, but not many may want to pay the price that they are asking for. I have come up with a list of five teams that should consider going after the ace, and establish a run in this years playoffs.

JP Ricciardi reminds me of myself, although maybe not in the way you think.

The world in the last three or four years has seemingly been swept up in the craze that is competitive poker. I, unfortunately for my social life, have not.

I wonder what the opposite of a fist pump is or could it be a fist thrust downwards or possibly a fist bump? Either way, B.J. Ryan is likely doing the opposite of his trademark enthusiastic celebration after hearing he was released by the Blue Jays earlier today.

Even though Ryan is still owed $15 million dollars, the move was a smart one rather than parading him out there in the mop up role for the next season and a half. The Beej had two great seasons as the closer for the Blue Jays, with 37 saves in 2006 and 32 saves back in 2008.

It's something that no Blue Jay fan wants to envision, but with all this trade talk lately it's all I can think about. There is a possibility that Roy Halladay could be traded, and frankly it's breaking my heart.

In a somewhat surprising move today, the Toronto Blue Jays have cut ties with former All-Star relief pitcher B.J. Ryan.

The Blue Jays signed Ryan to a mammoth five-year deal, which was the largest ever for a reliever at the time, following the 2005 season.

Ryan, who was the Blue Jays' closer as recently as this year, has struggled mightily this entire season. In 20.2 innings pitched, Ryan posted an ERA hovering near seven, which is more than double his career ERA (3.37).

In the past offseason, I thought about who were the top five pitchers in baseball. A while later, I realized there was a major omission in my list. Roy Halladay is not only undoubtedly in the top five, but he might be the best.

At one point, Halladay was extremely underrated. With all the talk of Cliff Lee making an unlikely run at the Cy Young award, Halladay was performing to his usual standards, finishing a close second.

Everyone knows that Halladay is good, but just how good is he?

Don't trade Roy Halladay, Blue Jays.

Not for the sun, the moon, and half the stars.

Maybe to the Yankees if they offer you CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes. Or for an equivalent offer from another team. But not otherwise, because he is the "sine qua non" (without which not) of your playoff chances.

I have been one of the people that believes your team has a legitimate shot at the playoffs, if not this year, certainly next. You got off to a good start, then faltered, mainly against (weaker) National League teams. A better "draw" next year might see you through.

Every time I watch a baseball game I always have the same question: What is that thing on the hitter's thumbs? After being told, "I don't know" and, "Move your face off the screen" for the hundredth time, I took it upon myself to investigate.

As you watch some of your favorite hitters, check out their thumb on the hand closest to the end of the bat. Some of them are sporting a little tab of plastic that sits between the bat and the space between the thumb and the rest of your fingers.

There's something to be said about a game where John McDonald hits a home run. For those who witnessed it live, be thankful because a Johnny Mac home run comes around about as often as Haley's Comet.