THIS IS THE END ...

What's there to say that really isn't manifestly obvious? The Blue Jays lost another game it could ill-afford to lose yesterday, losing 7-4 to the Oakland A's after scoring four runs off Barry Zito before he could record a single out. Dustin McGowan looked every bit like a Triple-A callup, the A's hitters got on to him eventually, and the overtaxed bullpen couldn't hold it together like it did heroically on Friday.

How many times can you keep referring back to "you're only as good as tomorrow's starting pitcher," which by the way, happens to be Roy Halladay. Playoff aspirations are all but dead,, unless -- unless -- the Jays can win five out of six against the Yankees and the White Sox next week.

Since that seems unlikely, well, is this the end? It was pondered here three weeks ago whether it was time to start looking longingly toward 2007. When in doubt, quote David St. Hubbins in Spinal Tap:

Well, I don't really think that the end can be assessed as of itself as being the end because what does the end feel like? It's like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe, you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how - what does that mean? How far is all the way, and then if it stops, what's stopping it, and what's behind what's stopping it? So, what's the end, you know, is my question to you.

With two months left in the season, what's it going to take for The Geek and myself to come away somewhat satisfied? It was never really about making the playoffs. Going in, there was the deep-down knowledge that the Jays getting back to the playoffs was, as my friend Greg Hughes pointed out, was a two-year job. Maybe three. (Never mind that GM J.P. Ricciardi had promised a playoff team by 2005 when he was hired.)

It says here it will take a final record of 90-72 to feel good about this year. Ninety wins is usually enough to get into the playoffs in most years, and it will be minor coup for the Jays considering the injuries to the starting pitchers.

Ninety wins, and this Jays fan and his alter ego can feel smug since that total would likely top the winners of both West divisions.

Also worth tracking as eyes fall on '07:

• Bracing for the departure of Vernon Wells. It may not happen, but he seems bent on testing the free-agent waters and landing a contract that would be too rich for the Jays' blood after next season. It would be bad to see him leave, but from a fan's perspective it would be worse if the Jays got nothing in return like they did with Carlos Delgado in 2004.
• What the top priority is if Ricciardi is cleared to add more payroll. Is it re-signing Wells? Is it another starter or a legit everyday shortstop? It will probably be framed as only one of above.
• Seeing how Reed Johnson handles prosperity. The Jays' part-time leadoff hitter (944 OPS in 275 at-bats) is apparently staying in the everyday lineup despite Alex Rios being back from injury. The knock on Johnson has always been that he can't be effective as an everyday player. Now he may be the top candidate to take over centre-field if Wells is traded.
• Whether or not Rios, Johnson, Eric Hinske and Frank Catalanatto and Reed Johnson can provide enough offence at the outfield / DH spots in '07. If Wells is gone, the Jays would likely have to do what most AL powerhouses do -- sign a veteran to be a full-time designated hitter.
• If any of the kid pitchers who've been stuck in the rotation -- McGowan, Casey Janssen, Shawn Marcum -- can be counted on as a possible sixth starter. You can't take anything for granted with the pitching staff, but the Jays probably will need to see if they can swing getting another top-3 starting pitcher, with Theodore Lilly and Gustavo Chacin as the Nos. 4 and 5 guys.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.