I interviewed Mark Shapiro in December and I told him that many Jays fans feel like Vlad should be on the Opening Day roster, but understand the nature of the business. Here’s what he had to say:

Now, clearly we get what’s going on here, and we know that Shapiro can’t say anything that’s going to lead to future service-time-grievance issues when it comes to Vlad. But, when Ross comes out and says:

It just, kind of, ya know, doesn’t sound as good as what Mark said. I interrupted Shapiro while he was talking about Vlad and told him that ‘some fans don’t believe’ him. Mark spoke with some serious conviction. He pounded his fist on the table we were sitting at, as he made each point (true story):

(Ed. Ross probably should have taken some of this material into his recent interview).

And now they’re not considering April 1st as a potential date because Ross doesn’t see Vlad as a major league player?! Anywho…

Now, Ross could’ve taken a different approach – that’s for sure. I guess, I just don’t understand the whole Vladdy-is-only-19 angle because this is what he had to say about an 18-year-old Elvis Luciano:

When it comes to Vlad, we all understand that Ross has to say the things that he says, but maybe he should pick better words from the bullshit tree next time. I mean, the Jays do have a couple talented writers working for them in Carson Cistulli and and the maverick Richard Griffin, so they could craft up some sort of script to help him out during these thicc Vladdy times.

Maybe something like this: We really like the way Vlad is progressing, but we really want to have a closer look at Drury at third base.

Or maybe something like this: We’re definitely watching Vlad closely this Spring Training and I’d be elated to see him on the Opening Day roster. But, I think that maybe the best thing for him might be to spend some time with our great coaching staff in Buffalo. 

I dunno – anything is better than the ‘I don’t see him as a major league player. He’s 19.’ thing.

Now, all the people out there, who think it’s okay to hold down players like Acuña or Vladdy because ‘every’ team is doing it, should really think about just how shitty it is for the player involved, baseball, and the fans. It might be the way ‘EVERY’ team operates, but it doesn’t make it right.

Also, since I’m kind of – sort of – ranting here because I haven’t had a dumb cigarette in 8 days: wouldn’t the best way for an organization to conduct business be to pay the player when it’s time to pay him? If you’re a front office that wants to develop a good relationship with its future players, what kind of message does it send them when you manipulate service time?

You can think it’s cool to hold Vlad down in April because ‘why lose a year of service time for him to play meaningless baseball for 3 weeks’, but that’s just dumb. The Jays can have Vlad for as long as they want if they pay him when the time comes to pay him, it’s really that simple. The organization should field the best 25-players on Opening Day, and Vlad is the best player in the entire organization and he’s only 19 (turning 20 in March).