The Favre Solution?

While trying to make a routine phone call earlier today, I was somehow connected into a conversation between Brett Favre (who left Packer training camp yesterday) and CFL commissioner Mark Cohon. The following is a transcription of their dialogue.

Mark Cohon: Hello Brett, listen, I've always been a big fan of yours and I'd really appreciate a few minutes of your time to discuss a very exciting idea. I'm with the CF...

Brett Favre: Sorry buddy, I've already got an insurance guy and a family friend handles all my investments. How did you get this number anyways?

Cohon: No Brett, I'm not interested in representing or advising you in any way. I'm actually the commissioner of the Canadian Football League.

(Awkward pause)

And, ahhh (nervous laugh)...I've got a proposal for you. Green Bay is offering you $20 million to stay retired from the NFL, but they never said anything about our league.

Favre: Ahhh, look partner, I'm a National Football League quarterback. Four down football. Best players in the world. That's the stage I compete on.

Cohon: Look, you've already won the Superbowl, been the MVP and rewritten the NFL record books. What else is left to accomplish down there? Our season is already one-third over and wraps up right around American Thanksgiving. Instead of hanging out in Mississippi and throwing passes to highschool kids while waiting for a good team to get into injury trouble, why not come up here for a few months and get into game shape?

Favre: Wait, did the Bills move to Toronto? Dangit, I thought I heard something about that a few months back.

Cohon: No the Bills are still in Buffalo...well, kind of. But we've got eight teams and only three or four legitimate quarterbacks, so you could pretty much have your pick of the litter. Ever been to Regina?

(Silence)

Warren Moon, Joe Theismann, Doug Flutie. We've had several star NFL quarterbacks, why not play meaningful games and build your legend while showcasing yourself for a possible return to the NFL in November? At that point it will be far easier to determine which teams are serious contenders. Do you really want to go to Kansas City or the Jets?

Favre: I dunno...maybe. I hadn't ever considered Canada. What's this gig pay?

Cohon: Well our salary cap just rose to $4.2 million

Favre: Hmmm. Four mill.

Cohon: Ahhhh, no that was actually per team so you're looking at something more like a couple hundred grand, but think about the upside: you could...

Favre: Click.

Cohon: Brett? Hello?

Blue Jays Report Card - Part II: The Bats

Lyle Overbay - I'm just not a fan. He never seems to be in sync with the rest of the team, when he gets hot (rarely) the rest of the roster is ice cold, and when you need a big hit he almost always disappoints. I also think his defence is overrated which translates into him being one of the worst first basemen in the AL. Grade: B-

Joe Inglett - The new Reed Johnson: he plays hard, is scrappy, is very easy to cheer for and also has the soul patch thing that Reeder sported. The super-sub, with his play in the outfield and at second base, should have a spot locked up for next year's squad. Grade: B

Aaron Hill - Truly disheartening to see our best young everyday player make an extended stay on the disabled list only weeks after signing a new team-friendly contract. I like Hill's game a lot, both offensively and defensively, and at this point I think the best move would be to just tell him to get ready for next season. Grade: B-

Marco Scutaro - Has a knack for getting the timely hit and has absolutely been more than anyone could have expected. However I still think if he's playing everday that can't be a good sign. But after being asked to play 3 of the 4 infield positions, it's tough to get down on him. Grade: B

John McDonald - He's been awful with the bat (even for him), but I'm willing to give him a pass since Gibby barely played him before he got hurt in May. And Riccardi jobbed him when he brought in Eckstein, a guy that was widely assumed to be washed up. Grade: C

David Eckstein - Another awful signing by J.P. who has now inked Royce Clayton and Eckstein in back-to-back years rather then just going with Johnny Mac full-time and providing continuity to the line-up. If Eck sees another game as DH I'm going to eat my remote. Grade: C

Scott Rolen - It was painful to watch as Gibby religiously stuck by him and batted him in the 3, 4 or 5 hole while his numbers and general plate appearance bore more resemblance to a 7 or 8 hitter in the line-up. But at least the Jays weren't held hostage by all the Troy Glaus HGH questions, because that has really hurt the Cardinals. Grade: C-

Alex Rios - After improving both his home run and RBI totals four consecutive years, Rios will need a ridiculous final two months to keep that streak alive. But when you're (supposedly) being protected in the order by guys like Rolen and Scutaro it doesn't make a lot of sense for opposing pitchers to challenge you. Grade: B-

Brad Wilkerson - A stop-gap player who has done just enough to escape being released (again), but really has no business being on a team with playoff aspirations. I guess that's why he's playing here. Sigh. Grade: C-

Vernon Wells - Getting injured while stealing third in a game where we're up 7-1 left me scratching my head, especially for a guy with only 4 stolen bases this year. Is it me, or does he seem like Jason Spezza with a ball glove: supremely talented, but looks like he would rather have a good time and lose than focus hard and win? Grade: C+

Matt Stairs - A solid addition since joining the Jays last year and his home run power has taken on increased importance in a line-up that lacks anyone close to a heavy hitter. However, in my mind it doesn't make sense to employ an everyday DH, I'd rather leave the spot open and shuffle a handful of guys (Wells, Rolen, Rios, Lind) through the position instead of giving them a full day off. Grade: B

Shannon Stewart - His reacquisition never made sense (a laughable 14 runs scored and 3 stolen bases in 175 AB's), and now with Lind firmly established in left it's adios to Mr. Stewart and his popgun arm. Grade: C-

Adam Lind - Finally found his footing under Cito and has been the Jays best and most consistent bat since being recalled from the minors in June. Lind has only been held hitless twice in the last 24 games and has an outside shot at leading the team in homers despite the fact that he'll probably end up playing only slightly more than half the season. Grade: B+

Greg Zaun - So Zaunie wants out, wants to go to a contender. Has he looked at his own stats, or realized he's 37 years old? Listen Greg, the only way you're going to see the postseason is if Sportsnet hires you as analyst again. Grade: C

Rod Barajas - He's been better than Zaun but I'm not ready to hand over a multi-year contract to a guy who turns 33 in September and has an awful .298 OBP. But his power and throwing arm are a huge upgrade compared to Zaun and he seems to have bonded well with the pitching staff, so I'd try to bring him back on another 1-year deal if he was willing. Grade: B-

Blue Jays Report Card - Part I: The Arms

Roy Halladay - An absolute delight to watch. Truly one of the best pitchers of his generation. Works fast, never gives an inch and always bounces back from a bad pitch, inning or game. People have been touting Cliff Lee as the probable AL Cy Young winner, but from here it looks like Doc should be preparing his second acceptance speech. Grade: A+

A.J. Burnett - Let's be honest, J.P. didn't need to announce last night that he was keeping Burnett. Doc had already made the decision for him with his All-Star game comments about possibly wanting out if the organization wasn't committed to winning. Unless the Jays found a way to get a ready-for-prime-time prospect back, one to either take A.J.'s spot in the rotation or play short stop, there was no way they could justify a deal. And that type of player was never going to be on the table. Either way, Burnett is gone next year and combined with McGowan's injury it's going to leave a huge void in the rotation.
Grade: B

Shaun Marcum - I love him as a third or fourth starter but not so much as a number two. And that's what he'll be in 2009 if we don't replace Burnett in the free agent pool. Or via trade. Back to Marcum: he racked up 11 quality starts in his first 13 appearances and somehow only came out with 5 wins. Well, we know how (worst...bats...ever) but the point is he's pitched much better than his record indicates. Grade: A-

Dustin McGowan - Never really got back into last summer's groove where he established himself as a true major league starter with considerable upside. With the injury history he has (Tommy John surgery in 2004) I just hope we haven't already seen his best.
Grade: C+

Jesse Litsch - Young "straight-peek" had a really incredible run followed by a mostly horrible one, but I was surprised to see him get sent down. He started to get hit hard and also struggled with his control but his ERA was still a reasonable 4.46. It's basically the first trouble he's had as a big leaguer, and at 23 years old, what did the team expect? When he debuted early last year it was obvious the Jays never intended to keep him around. He pitched for his big league life most of the season and still had to come into spring training this year and prove it wasn't a fluke. I don't think Riccardi believes in the kid. I do Jesse, I do. Grade: B

B.J. Ryan - Not sure I entirely trust him anymore. I still think B.J. is a quality closer and his performances have been solid after coming back from injury, but when he's on the mound at Yankee Stadium or Fenway I don't feel like it's lights out. That meltdown in Anaheim on June 1st (after a back-breaking loss the night before) and then his next appearance when Giambi crushed one in the bottom of the 9th (and started his awesome mustache) was the turning point of the season for Toronto. From 31-26 and 3 games out of first (and delusional fans dreaming of the playoffs - whoops) to yet another hollow September. It's not all your fault B.J., but the most damage was done on your watch. Grade: B+

Scott Downs - He's been fantastic. Again. Only three poor showings in 44 appearances. Incredible. And two of those were way back in April. Grade: A+

Jesse Carlson - Emerged out of nowhere (7 years in the minors with 4 different organizations) to become a valuable lefty. You have to wonder if it makes sense to keep both him and Downs, because it seems a bit redundant. Maybe it's time to cash in and move Downs. Grade: A

Brian Tallet - And when you have another good lefty who can step in and give you more than an inning if needed or be a situational guy, wouldn't it make sense to to bolster another position? When you factor in Accardo returning, is there really a need to continue with 4 lefthanders? Grade: B

Shawn Camp - Been getting a lot of work since the All-Star game and has responded very well. At 33 and coming off a disastrous year in Tampa and a mostly forgettable five year career, getting anything out of Camp has to be considered a bonus. Grade: B+

Jason Frasor - Gotta love Cito giving Frasor his umpteenth chance to prove he should be more than a mop up man, showing everyone on the roster that he wiped the slate clean. However, on this one Gaston could've asked around and quickly found out the guy should be stapled to the bench in any key situation. Grade: C-

Brandon League - Speaking of umpteenth chances, ladies and gentlemen, the flame-throwing, rock-star coiffed, tattoo covered Brandon League! He's a big-time prospect with electric stuff who can't find the strike zone under any kind of pressure. But he can throw 98! Grade: C-