Ladies and gentlemen, the time is now.

The time is now to prepare yourselves for a recession and the static position of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not your average J.P. Ricciardi hater. I've actually sat down with the man and talked baseball with him, and he's got a brilliant mind for the game. There's just some reason out there that it doesn't translate to wins for the Blue Jays.

The Canadian dollar has dropped 25 cents since the last day of the 2008 regular season, and that means, unless the fans of Toronto want to pay 25% more than the rest of Major League Baseball fans the Blue Jays really can't afford to pay top dollar for free agents like A.J. Burnett.

With that said I do have a few ideas based on the current 40 man roster that can't really hurt us at all, but could cut payroll and help get our prospects on the field and helping this team now and in the future.

First of all, Russ Adams is still on the 40 man roster really just taking up space. I don't know anyone that expects him ever to be a contributer to this franchise, and with the 2009 starting shortstop job apparently being given to Marco Scutaro I'd be willing to trade Russ for a bag of balls or a minor league player that needs to prove himself the same way.

Secondly, B.J. Ryan could be moved. He's a big cost and our bullpen is the strongest part of our team with or without him. Accardo, Carlson, League, Downs, Frasor, Janssen, Camp, Tallet, Richmond, Wolfe, Halladay, Litsch, Marcum, McGowan... that's 14 pitchers that could do a job. Teams don't carry 14 pitchers, let alone 15. Move B.J. and one or two of - Wolfe, Camp, Carlson (sell high) or Richmond for a first baseman or DH. Which leads me to point 3.

Lyle Overbay. I like him, he's a good baseball player with a smooth swing. But we need power there, even at the cost of defense. Trade Mr. Overbay for a 3 or 4 starter and a minor leaguer. If we can get a David Bush type guy back that would be great. (I'd like to go on record as saying I did like that trade at the time and still believe it was a good baseball move)

Looking to the free agent market we should take a chance on a guy like Carl Pavano, he won't have to be a number 1 guy here. We have that in Roy. And if Dustin McGowan comes back healthy in May as he's supposed to he's my number 2 with A.J. gone. A healthy Carl Pavano with something to prove and an incentive laden contract looks good to me.

But what do I know...

Cheers