Who Put the Ouch in Rauch? Jon Did!

Well, Jays fans are still reeling nearly 24 hours later after Jon Rauch blew yet another save for the Blue Jays. That's his fifth of the year and the team's whopping 19th. Just last month I suggested that it was imperative GM Alex Anthopoulos address this issue by going out and finding a legitimate closer (they did test the waters on San Diego's Heath Bell, the main target I suggested in that column). Seeing Rauch serve up fastballs as if they are soft served ice cream for the opposition to knock them out of the park accentuates that fact.

Now, many will point that this is still a transition year for the Jays and these trials and tribulations are all part of the growing pains of a developing team. Which is true. There were many who suggested as well that the Jays would finish dead last in the AL East and be lucky to reach the 70-win plateau, let alone finish .500, which they are treading the line at now with a record of 56-55. So by all accounts, it could be argued that the Jays are ahead of schedule.

But is it really unfathomable to expect more from this team, especially after last season? Furthermore, the Rays have been a thorn in the Jays side for years and a series win down in Tampa Bay would have gone a long way in providing future confidence for the team. They are also a team within striking distance for the Jays, and although it's a petty consolation, finishing ahead of the Rays and 3rd in the division behind the Yankees and Red Sox would be another positive stepping stone for the team.

And with that, one can't help but think this -- had the Jays had a "lights-out" closer who nailed down even half of the number of games they have blown thus far, they would be mere games out of the division and wild card lead. Instead, they continue to trot out the behemoth Rauch and his silver platter-like 91 MPH fastballs only to see this team throw away games they should just as easily win. I fully expect this to be addressed before next season as Anthopoulos knows that the closer position is now the team's achilles heel (that includes either reducing Rauch's role or not picking up his option, which I hope is the latter at this point). You can't help fans though who feel a bit cheated knowing that yet another year has been pissed away and a non-playoff appearance is in the making.

Ouch.