12:25 PM Eastern
The Blue Jays are all here in Bradenton for their pre-only-off-day-of-the-spring tilt against the Pirates. Even Matt Stairs, proving that he does, indeed, have grey road pants. In your face, Justin Morneau!
Scott Rolen, not so much, though. The only Blue Jay who actually lives here in Bradenton and commutes back and forth to Dunedin every day, he’s allowed to just meet the team here at McKechnie Field when they’re in town. Today, though, he’s stuck in traffic, on a bridge behind a transport truck that’s lost its load, I hear. If he’s here by 1:00, he’s batting clean-up. If the Jays go 1-2-3 in the top of the first, I guess he has until 1:10 or so to get here. Kind of reminds of the guy who’s running late to the beer league slo-pitch game when you need that ninth to avoid a forfeit.
Frank Thomas was quite a sight to see, staying loose and relaxed by power-shagging and then taking BP with his iPod buds still in. I guess maybe he’s taking a cue from the basketballers or something. Thomas still has two weeks left to slump if he wants to, but everyone expects him to be ready when the bell rings, and avoid a three-peat of the atrocious April-Mays of 2006 and ‘07.
The bad news for Reed is that, even though he’s on the trip, he’s not in the starting line-up. Every little hint we get here and there seems to indicate the Jays prefer Shannon Stewart to Johnson as the right-handed-hitting half of the left-field platoon with Matt Stairs, and we got another today. Stewart is in left, hitting 6th, with the rest of the regular line-up in there, and the Jays are facing a lefty. Saturday we got the Opening Day batting order against a righthander, and today I think we’re getting the regular batting order against a lefty.
It’s not a good sign, Reed playing beyond all the regulars in pretty much every game (when he starts) and making all the road trips. I have to think that the job is Stewart’s, but I’ve thought that ever since they brought him in - he didn’t come here to not make the team.
First pitch is in 40 minutes, and the live bloggage will begin then!
1:15 PM Eastern (for Blair - mid 1st)
Eckstein started the game with a terrific at-bat. Got behind 0-2, then fouled off a pair around a ball, then bounced one up the middle for a single. Rios followed with a liner to right that the wind knocked down for a routine out, then Wells bounced into a 5-4-3 double play. Not on the first pitch. Actually, I thought the play at first would have been closer, it was a bounding ball that took two high bounces before Bautista got it, but Wells wasn’t busting it down the line. He wasn’t jogging, but he wasn’t in “I smell a hit” mode.
1:28 PM Eastern
A long inning for Burnett in which he didn’t give up a run or a hit. He popped up Nate McLouth - looked like it was routine to second, but the wind pushed it over behind the bag and Eckstein had to come charging and make the grab as he fell. Eckstein was in on the next one, too, running out from under his cap to pick up a slow chopper up the middle by Jack Wilson and actually side-arming the throw to first to beat him. Burnett then hit a bit of a wall, unable to get strike three past either Sanchez or Bay, he walked them both on seven pitches each, but got Adam LaRoche to ground to second after he fouled off a couple of two strike pitches himself. 29 pitches for A.J. in the inning, 18 strikes.
1:35 PM Eastern
Not much of a breather for Burnett as his teammates go 1-2-3 on a trio of veryroutine groundballs. Rolen’s to first (yep, he made it), Thomas’ to third and Stewart’s to short. I’m not counting Duke’s pitches, but I don’t think he made it to double digits that inning. Oh, by the way, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the Pirates are wearing bright green caps and the bases are green. They make a REALLY big deal about St. Patrick’s Day down here in Florida, and I don’t understand why.
1:40 PM Eastern
Well, that was a very different Burnett what came out in the second. It took him just eight pitches to get the side in order. Xavier Nady popped up the first to right, and Paulino and Bautista were retired on routine grounders. Two in the books, 0-0.
1:45 PM Eastern
Wow, this game is flying! (I wonder if that’s the kiss of death in Spring Training, too.) Duke struck out Overbay looking, on three pitches, then Aaron Hill stroked a smooth liner over Rivas’ head that dropped in right for a single. Stewart followed by ripping a liner to short, but Hill strayed too far and Wilson doubled him up at first.
2:10 PM Eastern
So wouldn’t you know it, the scoreboard gets dented, but the Bradenton internet goes down so I can’t tell you about it until now. Burnett ran into quite a bit of trouble in the bottom of the 3rd, but would have emerged unscathed if not for this killer wind.
With one out, he walked Nate McLouth, who then stole second. Impressive, though, was the fact that it was a bang-bang play at second base even though the pitch was down and away and tough for Zaun to handle. Jack Wilson then hit what should have been a routine fly to right, but the wind knocked it down so hard that Rios couldn’t get it even on the dead sprint-and-roll. It fell for a double, but McLouth stopped at third. Freddy Sanchez then singled hard up the middle to score one, and a second run scored on a little nubber to third by Jason Bay. Rolen made a fantastic play to charge and bare-hand it then throw Bay out at first. The inning ended on a pop-up to second by LaRoche that had Aaron Hill winding up on his back because of the wind.
Both teams went in order in the fourth, Burnett saving his strength by getting three groundouts on 10 pitches, and in the 5th, Frank Thomas got his third hit of the spring! It was a hard line shot past Bay in left field that bounced to the wall. But Thomas got ambitious in thinking double, and kept going even though he appeared to blow a tire halfway to second. The relay got him easily.
2:15 PM Eastern
A NEW BLUE JAY! VP of Communications Jay Stenhouse just came in to tell me that the Jays have claimed lefty Bill Murphy off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. I don’t know how to link to his page on The Baseball Cube, so I’ll tell you that he’s 26 years old and has spent the better part of the last three seasons in AAA, but got 6 1/3 innings of big-league time with the D-Backs last year.
Looking at his AAA numbers, I see a guy who gives up about a hit per inning, with a lot of strikeouts and too many walks. I’m sure I’ll find out more later on, but it looks to me like another arm to contend for that last lefty spot with Tallet and Parrish and help out in Syracuse, though he may well be out of options. Again, more info forthcoming. To make room on the 40-man roster, Casey Janssen has been placed on the 60-day disabled list.
2:30 PM Eastern
A.J. didn’t make it out of the 5th inning, facing three batters and allowing all of them to reach. Rivas led off with a double right down the left-field line, it hit the line as it bounced just past the reach of Rolen at third, and McLouth followed with a first-pitch gapper to right-centre that rolled to the wall for an RBI triple. With Wilson at the plate, Burnett fired one past Zaun to the backstop, and didn’t get to the plate as McLouth scored. Wilson eventually walked, and A.J. came out for Mike Gallo, who got Sanchez to bounce into a 3-6-3 double play before walking a pair, then getting Nady on a foul pop. Burnett’s line: 4+ IP, 4 hits, 4 runs, all earned, 4 walks, no strikeouts. 78 pitches, 48 for strikes.
2:40 PM Eastern
The Jays got off to a good start against reliever Franquelis Osoria, with Overbay ripping a leadoff double over the head of Nady in right. Hill followed with a grounder into the 3-4 hole that I thought was through for sure, but Rivas came over and made a tremendous diving stab to his left to rob him. Zaun popped foul on the first pitch and Eckstein grounded out to strand Overbay. Now shhhh, B.J. Ryan is coming in.
2:50 PM Eastern
The Beej started off beautifully, with a gorgeous slider to ring up Paulino looking, but Bautista got him with a solid line single to left. With the runner going and Hill going to second to cover, Rivas hit a wormburner just to the right of the second-base bag. Hill grabbed it and looked to flip to second to start a double play, but Scutaro (who had come in for Eckstein) wasn’t there yet, so Hill just threw to first for the out. Scoot made up for it with a tremendous leaping grab of a line shot by McLouth that was headed into centre for an RBI single. Instead, Ryan gets 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 17 pitches, 12 strikes.
Now, time to head downstairs to catch up with A.J. and B.J.
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Hi Mike, tell me, its a platoon situation and Reed is going play against lefties for the most part. He hits lefties better than Shannon. Don’t you think they should keep Reed for his defence. One run ball games who’s JP’s defensive specialist? JP wants to save money about 2 mill. worth.
MW: It’s not just about saving money, it’s more about the fact that Stewart is actually a viable offensive option against right-handed pitching. Why does JP care about saving money? It’s not like it’s his.
- brunoHey Mike, I love the blog, I read it everyday. (Sometimes twice.)
If Reed Johnson doesn’t make the team as a starter and is therefore obsolete as a bench guy considering the Jays depth. And isn’t traded… can you seem him possibly being sent down and clearing waivers or is another team likely to pick him up?
MW: I don’t think that would happen. The Jays would likely put him on waivers to see if anyone claimed him for full value, but if no one did and they couldn’t trade him, they’d just release him and pay the 45 days termination pay.
- JeffHey Mike has AJ’s nail grown enough to throw a curve yet? Or soon anyway.
MW: Nope
- clintWell, JP stated that the Johnson/Stewart decision was up to Gibby,but, he wanted to take the best offensive team north.
Clearly, that should mean Johnson, not Stewart because Johnson is better against LH pitching than Stewart. With Stairs expected to start against most RH pitchers, the BA against LH should be the guide.
Of course Johnson also is faster, is prepared to do whatever is needed to get on base and plays the game the right way. If we really need to get someone on base he’s the guy I want at the dish.
Stewart was poor on defense before he left here. The only thing that’s changed is his grandmother arm is weaker and he’s slower than he used to be. Johnson is a really good defensive fielder by comparison to Stewart.
Although sooner or later we will need to trade Johnson in order to make way for both Lind and Snider, now is not the time.
Johnson today brings little, send Stewart down to AAA, let Johnson go north and prove he’s over the injury and then trade him when he has value and or when Lind is ready.
Trading him now only further shows how incompetent this lying blue Jays management group really is.
MW: Gerry, the thing is that in baseball sometimes your platoon players are pressed into everyday duty. It can’t just be the numbers against lefties that make the decision. You can’t ignore that over the course of his career, Johnson has not been able to handle right-handed pitching.
Someone is also going to have to explain this “Reed is prepared to do whatever is needed to get on base.” I guess that just means he gets hit by a lot of pitches and drops the occasional bunt single, right? I know it doesn’t include walking much. Also, one would think that someone who is prepared to do whatever is needed to get on base would have a higher career obp than .342, no?
So Stewart isn’t willing to do whatever is needed to get on base, but his obp is 20 points higher than Reed’s. Man, imagine how good Frank Thomas would be if he were actually willing to do whatever was needed to get on base.
- GerryHey Mike,
Are they serving green “beverages” at the game today?
Jason
MW: Probably, but I haven’t hit the concessions. The media lunch was corned beef and cabbage.
- jasonDid Rolen make it to the game?
- DaveHow long do we have to wait until the offense starts hitting?I know its spring training but theyve scored less runs then anyone by a far amount. If its may and the team is still not hitting gibbons and ricciardi should be fired.
MW: If they don’t get any hits between now and March 29th, it doesn’t matter.
- aviAny top prospects in line for an appearance in today’s game? Romero, Cecil, Ahrens..etc?
MW: Nope
- JoshHey Mike,
So we have two outfeilders fighting for a spot, but what about catchers? It looks like Zaun will start the season as #1 but do you think he will finish. Barajas is good at throwing guys out and we’ve got some good kids coming up. How could this season shake out at this position?
MW: Robinzon Diaz could make a run at it if he has a huge first half at Syracuse, but otherwise I think it’s Zaun everyday with Barajas backing up all season long.
- ScottHi Mike, please tell me AJ will be throwing the decuse by opening day i took him fairly early in my fantasy draft.
- Dan Moorecould you give me an idea of what Adam Linds numbers are against left handed pitchers? in talking to some guys at baseball prospectus there seem to be still alot of believers in his bat and i would think he’ll be a better option by the end of the year then either stewart or Johnson.
but in the mean time lets go with Stewart blue jay fans please note that johnson isn’t the only baseball player in the world who hustles.
Hey Mike
Are you looking forward to going back on “the grill room” once you get back from Florida?
Wheeler needs you for the baseball preview show!!
MW: Whenever they call me, I’ll be there.
- daveMike,
It seems like this abundance of outfielders is really hampering the development of Adam Lind.
Sending him down year after year seems to be counterproductive and he is even more buried on the depth chart behind Stewart, Johnson, Stairs and maybe Coats.
Is Lind still in line for the 2009-2010 job or is he just hanging around for trade bait?
MW: Let’s all calm down. Adam Lind is NOT behind Buck Coats. I’m not sure it’s counterproductive for him to go light it up at AAA and be the first call when someone goes down. Let’s not forget, he hit .238 with a .278 obp in the bigs last year, a little more cook-time won’t hurt. He’s the left fielder in 2009 if he’s still here.
- Brett VHey Mike,
Any word on when Benitez is scheduled to see some live action? From what I’ve read he looks awfully impressive. Do you expect him to travel north with the team??
MW: I don’t know when he’ll pitch, I’ll be stunned if he makes the team. May maybe, maybe mid-April, but no way he breaks.
- TommyMW
I’m not convinced this is a case where you compare career stats, because Stewart is in the declining stage of his career and Johnson came back from an injury last year-which followed a break out year for him in 2006.
Stats for the last two years:
Johnson
2006: BA-left-.323, OBPL-.422
BR-Right-.317 OBPR-.370
2007: BA-left-.325, OBPL-.381
BA-Right-.202, OBP-.275
Stewart
2006: BA-left-.288, OBPL-.373
BA-right-.295, OBPR-.336
2007: BA-left-.269, OBPL-.333
BA-right-.298, OBP-.350
Now, I doubt if Johnson returns to 2006 level, but he certainly is going to be much better than 2007.
He is significantly better against left handers than Stewart and if we want someone who’s great against right handers put in Stairs-who also provides some pop.
So, in my view Johnson is a better offensive weapon for our team make-up. The better defense he provides is a bonus.
MW: I feel you can compare career stats, because if you look only at the last two years, Johnson’s first half of 2006 severely skews the results. In the first half of ‘06, Reed hit .365/.451/.507. After the all-star break, it was .283/.338/.457. Except for 3 1/2 months in 2006, Johnson has been an average to below-average offensive player, that’s why Stewart is ahead.
This makes me sound like I’m knocking Reed and I’m not. I like him a lot as a player, as a defender and as a bat against lefties. Stewart is simply a better hitter.
And yes, they have Stairs, but he’s already supposed to be in the line-up against righties.
- GerryHey Mike,
Thanks for the positive comments on Eckstein’s defensive play - especially the accurate, pressured throw. Looking at his career fielding stats, he’s not as poor on the D that a lot of sources are making him out to be. Although I think he should bat 8th or 9th and doesn’t have anywhere near Johnny Mac’s range, I believe that he is a solid pick-up for the Jays and the first legitimate starting shortstop that we’ve had for some time.
Let’s hope Diaz pans out behind the plate to complete the “up the middle” strength. Glad we didn’t overpay for LoDuca!
Look fwd to more Jays Talk this year.
Todd
- ToddMike,
Of the pitchers we have/had in camp, who do you think poses the closest threat to Litsch as the #5? Banks, Purcey, Wolfe, other??
MW: Nobody.
- jasonHey Mike
How do you see the bullpen shaping out?
I’m not sure how many pen arms they are going to carry.
Maybe: Ryan, Accardo, League, Downs, Frasor, Parrish/Tallet, Wolfe?
MW: Definitely seven in the pen, but we’ll have to see what happens as far as the soreness B.J. felt today is concerned before we can pencil him in for a spot. But I think that if Ryan is healthy, your seven are bang on, though you might be able to now add Bill Murphy into that mix with Tallet and Parrish, but I doubt it. John Gibbons said Friday that Tallet wasn’t going anywhere.
- Dan HMW
Johnson’s second half stats in 2006 were skewed lower because he played almost every day and got a lot more bats against right handers, than he did in the first half-but he did continue his high output against lefties.
If Stairs is in the lineup against right handers what position does he play other than left field-except for the occasional spot at 1st.
Hey, I don’t have a problem trading Johnson, I just think it’s better for the team to go north with him, prove he’s over the injury, give Lind time to further develop and then trade Johnson when we can get something of value for him. At the moment, we’d probably get nothing.
Stewart’s already on a minor league contract which I think means we can send him to AAA for a month or two in the meantime.
By the way, I agree with your assessment of Coats; although he’s had a good spring, he’s not close to Lind in potential.
MW: You seem to be missing the point. The Jays aren’t looking at that spot for someone who can only hit left-handed pitching. They also would like some insurance in case one of Stairs, Wells, Rios, Overbay or Thomas gets hurt, so they want to have someone there who can play every day. That’s Stewart, not Johnson.
I agree with you that Johnson’s trade value is very low right now, but the difference between releasing him for nothing and trading him for less than what they’d have gotten a year ago is still worth trying to make a deal if he’s not going to make the team.
- GerryBill Murphy Stats
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Bill-Murphy.shtml
- GerryHi Mike,
Beyond the numbers, how was AJ today? Was he working on his change-up and got beat up or just too many adventures with the wind or what?
MW: He was OK, not terrific. If not for the wind, he wouldn’t have allowed a run over the first four innings, and would have saved some pitches into that fifth. But he wasn’t throwing his change-up for strikes as he had been the past couple starts, and that made a big difference.
- CharlesHi Mike I was just looking at this new guy Bill Murphy most comparable players at baseball prospectus and number two and three on his list are Kenny Rogers and Pedro Martinez respectively. I’m sure that doesn’t mean anything but its interesting anyways
MW: That’s got to be some sort of misprint. Pedro had already had five years in the bigs by the time he was 26, and Rogers had had two very good years as a reliever.
- Dan MooreHey Mike,
Great Job with the live bloggage so far. Always makes class a little easier to get through. Is there any word about Jays Talk podcasts this year?
MW: Haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m assuming with the super-cool relaunch we may be good to go.
- TomWell let them know that the fans want it haha
- TomMike,
Have you had an opportunity to talk to the new hitting coach Denbo and see his approach in his new role?
I’ve read he likes video a great deal. Have you been able to sit in on a session with any of the players to see how he goes about his business?
I know it’s only spring training and the offensive stats don’t mean a thing, but have you seen any improvements in regard to the hitting instruction from last year or is it sort of a difficult thing to judge this early?
MW: I did get a chance to talk to Denbo, he was a featured interview on a pre-game show last weekend, I think. I like him. Smart guy, knows hitting, and hopefully he can get through to the players.
It’s a very difficult thing to judge hitting instruction in general, because there’s only so much a coach can do. Denbo isn’t Mickey Brantley, and that’s the most important thing. Not that I think Mickey did a bad job, but because the players might have needed to hear the same stuff said in a different way from someone else. I don’t think a hitting coach has nearly the effect on a team that a lot of people seem to. To me, it comes down to the player doing his job. The coach can help break down a swing, help with getting the players reps in the cage, help the players do their work and maybe come up with the occasional nugget that a player hadn’t thought to do himself, but I think it’s a stretch to believe that a coach can change the way a veteran big-leaguer has hit his whole life.
- DJJAYMike,
What’s going on with BJ’s soreness? Shouldn’t this lead management to be more careful in letting him go out there for a bit of time to make sure he’s fully healed?
Mike
MW: Yep. And it will. But it won’t be based on what management thinks is the right thing to do, it’ll be based on what the doctors think.
- mikeHey Mike. I was wondering why St Pattys day is such a huge deal over here in Canada. Its even stranger that an irish holiday is so big in Florida!
- Matt