6:15 PM Eastern
That’s it. The sky is falling. Roy Halladay can’t get anybody out, the Blue Jays can’t hit and therefore we can look forward to another second-division finish. I wonder if the Jays will be able to hold off the Rays for fourth place.
Look, I don’t know, maybe it’s me, but I find it bizarre that there’s so much hand-wringing and rending of garments going on about the Blue Jays’ lousy showing this spring. Nothing matters until the bell rings, and the seemingly overwhelming panic about Frank Thomas’ 6-for-41 is getting way out of hand for me. No one has mentioned that Alex Rios is hitting .156 this spring (7-for-45) after his 0-for-4 today.
I find it funny that there are complaints about the lack of offense. I mean, I understand that there’s worry after what happened to the bats last season, but give the season a chance to get going. And by the way, not that I think it matters (but a lot of you seem to), Vernon Wells is hitting .302 this spring, Lyle Overbay .364, Rod Barajas .300, Aaron Hill .417, Matt Stairs .304, Shannon Stewart .263, John McDonald .267 and Marco Scutaro .281. Buck Coats, who likely makes the team, is hitting .400. Scott Rolen was hitting .345 before he busted his finger. All those numbers are fine, or better. Yes, Thomas, Rios and David Eckstein are stinking it up, but they’re the only ones. So if you’re complaining about the offense based on the results of the spring, quit it.
I’m not going to go over the “inning from hell” again. If you want to know about it, check the last post. It was insane, and I really feel badly for John Tolisano, who at this point last year was getting ready for his last three months of high school.
Interesting to note that Gregg Zaun was walking around today wearing some sort of wrap/brace type thing below his right knee. He hasn’t caught in a game since last Thursday’s loss to the Yankees, and J.P. Ricciardi said today that he was having a slight hamstring issue, but it wasn’t a big deal. That thing wasn’t wrapped around his hamstring, though. Zaun was supposed to DH in last night’s loss to Cincinnati, but the Reds decided that they weren’t going to allow the Jays to use a designated hitter, so they sent Zaun home. This is something worth keeping an eye on. If Zaun can’t answer the bell either, then Rod Barajas becomes the starter and Curtis Thigpen is the likely back-up, since the Jays released Sal Fasano today. Of course, if the Zaun thing was serious, they probably wouldn’t have released Fasano, so chances are they’re actually telling us the truth. Oh, and you can add Zaun to the list of guys who aren’t hitting. So it’s him, Thomas, Eckstein and Rios.
And Reed Johnson officially signed with the Cubs this afternoon, where he’ll fit nicely into the outfield, spelling Matt Murton, Felix Pie and Kosuke Fukudome. I don’t think Lou Piniella is quite sold on Pie, who struggled mightily last year, and he’s hurt now, too, so there could be a good chance for Reed to get a lot of work. I wish him nothing but luck. The Jays and Cubs square off in interleague play this year, at Rogers Centre June 13-15, so we’ll all get a chance to catch up with Reed then, which will be nice.
Tomorrow night, the Reds come here to Dunedin, with Jesse Litsch for the Jays against Aaron Harang. We’ll have a webcast, so no live blog, and with Alan Ashby already having hit the road to Philly to meet up with the Jays Friday night, yours truly will get some serious play-by-play time. Make sure you tune in!
Comments are encouraged, as always, and make sure you check out the comments section, because I’m answering almost all of them in there.
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How patient should we be with the offence this year? I mean, last year we were farely patient and look what happened. Also, its very unlikely that pitchers like mcgowan, litsch, and marcum improve from last year. maybe macgowan, but probably not the others. Therefore, the offence MUST be better or else we could finish the year in 4th place. Also, I was just curious how many wins you predict for the jays this year.I say 82 if everything falls apart or 92 if everything goes right. Even with 92 wins it is unlikely they will make the playoffs with boston and New York in the same division
MW: Yeah, you know what? If the fans had been less patient with the offense last year, the Jays probably would have won the World Series.
I think you’re right about the young pitchers, though, I believe that all but McGowan will take at least a slight step back, as most do. I have no idea how many games the Jays will win this year. 95 isn’t out of the question, but neither is 85. I’ll tell you this, though: Baltimore may not win 50.
- aviI just wanted to say that I am so excited for this season. It’s going to be fun to see baseball after this snow-crazy winter.
Here are my reasons to be excited:
Hill: I expect him to have a bust out season. Pretty good numbers last year, one more year of experience to build on–not to mention his defense.
Overbay: He is probably the the one player, based on his career, you can absolutely count on having a comeback season after his injury muted 07. I’m excited to see him hit all his doubles.
Rios: His continued development is going to be fun to watch.
Nothing’s guaranteed, we may not make the playoffs, but it’s going to be fun watching them try.
- michaelHey Mike
Do the Jays have any interest in Claudio Vargas? Do you think he would sign a minor league deal?
Steve
MW: Why Claudio Vargas?
- Stevesorry for saying “we”.
- michaelMike, is it me or do the Jays suffer more injuries than any other team? Just a guess but I bet they have more games lost on DL than anyone in the last few years.
Will someone be held accountable for this?
MW: Yes, the magic evil curse fairy that keeps doing horrible things like belting hard line drives off pitchers’ shins, fouling balls off catchers’ fingers, hitting guys in the hand with pitches, tearing people’s menisci and ripping the skin off their fingers with infield practice ground balls. Not to mention that dirty such-and-such who goes around messing with people’s appendices. Look, it’s not like we’re talking about a bunch of hamstring and groin pulls here.
- neilMike
I watched last nights game on MLB.tv and the reds announcers mentioned that Zaun stayed in Dunedin because of a “gimpy knee” ,no mention of his hamstring .This was 24 hrs before we hear of it from the official sources.
If one of the catchers does go on the DL is there any chance that Jeroloman jumps ahead of Thigpen and Diaz ? ,he has had a good spring (yes i know its only spring!!!)
Enjoying your work from over here in Scotland.
Billy
MW: Interesting that the Reds’ announcers would say that. The only indication we were given in Sarasota was that Zaun was sent back because the Reds wouldn’t let the Jays use a DH. And no, I don’t think Jeroloman gets here if Zaun is DL’d, you don’t want that kid up in the bigs watching Rod Barajas for two weeks when he could be playing every day in AA.
- BillyHi Mike,
You make a very good point, Mike. We need to sit back and lets give the season a chance. There are some questions, probably Frank Thomas the biggest one in regards of offence to start the season. We saw what Boston did today come from behind late and win. There starting where they left off. Thats what champion teams do and thats what The Jays need to do.
- brunoGlad to see Buck Coats (hopefully) making the team…what are the odds the Jays carry 11 pitchers and five outfielders for an extended period of time? I remember last year you commenting on the lack of usage of the 7th man in the bullpen.
MW: No chance. The Jays love that seven-man bullpen thing.
- EricHey Mike,
You don’t suffer fools gladly, do ya? :)
I’ll spare you any weeping, wailing or gnashing of teeth over the Jays’ spring performance. It’s worth noting that the Sox and Yanks havne’t exactly been tearing up the Grapefruit circuit either, and no one’s thinking they’re going to be deadbeats.
My questions is about Buck Coats. It would almost appear he has leap-frogged over Adam Lind in the Jays’ estimation. What’s your take? How do the two compare in ability and where they fit in the grand scheme of things?
MW: I don’t think that Coats has passed Lind in the Jays’ minds. I think they see Coats as a versatile, fifth-outfielder, defensive-replacement, pinch-runner, good 25th man on the roster type. Lind they see as the starting left fielder in 2009 and beyond.
- RobSorry — ignore the Yankees reference. They’ve actually been doing quite well. I was thinking of the Tigers. The point is the same!
- RobWith respect to Zaun you said: “So chances are, they are actually telling us the truth”
Did you actually write that? I’m confused. Do you think it Is it a matter of J.P. not always telling the truth, or does he just flip flop depending on which way the wind is blowing? During the offseason he was looking to trade Rios to the Giants for pitching. Since that didn’t happen, now it’s pitching and defense didn’t get it done last year so we need offense – Stewart and a new 6 year contract for Rios. Honestly, I don’t believe it’s dishonesty. I don’t believe Riccardi knows what he’s doing. Luckily, trading Rios did not materialize – trading a budding star who plays a position every day for a young pitcher is most often a mistake?
A bit off topic but now Coats may become a defensive replacement for our left fielders? Just wondering, but if they had held on to Reed for one more day, maybe they wouldn’t have needed to call someone up for Rolen? Finally, could you please ask Riccardi if he believes whoever the Jays 12th pitcher is, that he is more valuable than Johnson.
MW: Yep, I actually wrote that. I disagree with the notion that JP makes things up as he goes along. I actually like the fact that he’s always willing to change direction when he feels that something better is available. I don’t think I buy the trading a budding star position player for a great young arm is most often a mistake. The Jays could far more easily replace Rios’ potential contributions than pick up a guy like Lincecum – 24 years old, great arm, under control for six years and with big-league experience.
And as to the point about Reed, it’s already been answered. Yes, if they had held onto him for one more day he could have been the guy to replace Rolen, but the Jays would then have had to pay him almost $3.3 million for three or four weeks of work.
- MikeWith Rios’ extension imminent (with Rios mentioning a no-trade), Wells and Overbay locked up, and Thomas most likely to reach his 376 AB total to trigger his option for next year, not to mention Snider on the horizon, what does that say for Lind’s future with the club? Seems to me the best he can get, is either a call up for this season if Stewart struggles, and maybe a chance at starting next year in the unlikely event that Snider struggles. I can’t see the Jays moving Thomas or Overbay, so doesn’t that mean Lind is either doomed to play in AAA or be traded?
MW: I wouldn’t pencil in Snider as the starter in ’09. Let’s let him play a game above A-ball first, huh? I agree that Lind’s future is clouded by Snider coming up behind him, but I think that he’ll find his place somewhere. If Thomas starts slow, the Jays will do all they can to make sure he doesn’t reach that vesting plate appearance total, so that might help Lind out. If he’s trade bait, that’s fine, too, so long as they can get a good asset back for him.
- JasonWhile we know that you can’t put a lot of stock in spring numbers and performances, do you feel that this is the year Aaron Hill makes the AL All-Star team?
If the club gets off to a rocky April and May, do you see JP firing Gibbons and replacing him with Dick Scott?
MW: Making an all-star team doesn’t mean much to me. Shea Hillenbrand was an all-star for this team, almost by default. And no, I don’t see John Gibbons being replaced by Dick Scott. If Gibby gets fired, the new guy will have to be someone with big-league experience. I doubt very much that the Jays would bring in a fourth straight rookie manager.
- JohnDo we see Vernon Wells steping up from a so-so season last year. Also how bad does Rolens injury look at this point? We need him in this line up desperately, especially with the the tough schedule starting off the season with New York and Boston.
MW: Vernon Wells had by far the worst season of his career last year, in almost every offensive category. It also so happens that his shoulder was torn apart throughout. I find it hard to believe that that was a coincidence.
Rolen probably misses a month, as I’ve said and written before. I don’t think any one guy is needed in this line-up desperately. You’d obviously prefer him in there, no question, but Scutaro will be an adequate replacement for the month.
- AndrewWho exactly is this new hitting coach we hired? And what exactly is he suppose to do with our club?
Because we’re hitting the same this Spring as we did last.
Maybe we just hired him because he was a former Yankee staff member and maybe JP is trying to get inside information on how to have a $250 million payroll.
- Brandon in TorontoAlthough I like Zaun as a player..I am thinking that maybe his injury may open the door for another ‘gem’ in either Thigpen or Diaz..I know Thigpen struggled last year, but there’s no harm in having him back-up, the Angels have survived using young guys at catcher..hes also a useful guy to use in other parts of the field too, and to pinch-hit/run.
- MarkMike – agree that you can’t read too much into the team record in spring. I recall ’89 when the Jays spring wins were more than double their losses and everyone had high hopes. The team went north and limped to 12-24 before Jimy was torched and the Cito era began. So you can’t get too high or low. The Jays went on to narrowly win the pennant.
MW: Not sure what the point is there. Team did well in the spring, people had high hopes, team overcame slow start to win the division.
- Ian CSorry, new to the site, but are the webcasts only on mlb.com($$$$)?
Thanks
MW: I think so.
- ScottWhy would Marcum take a step back ??? I disagree ! On wards and upwards i say.
I have nothing but my gut informing me of this — and the fact that he’s my fav pitcher — but i think he’s going to win more games this year then last.
He’s looking bigger then last year, so if he could put a little bit more umph on those sliders and sinkers he could be a pretty competent 4th starter
MW: I think he’s going to be a very competent 4th starter, and much better than that as his career progresses. But look at history. Young pitchers who have breakthrough seasons like Marcum, McGowan, Accardo, Litsch, Wolfe and Janssen all did very, very, very rarely sustain that production the year after. The good ones bounce back and go on to have solid careers or better, but the follow-up year to the breakout is often a step or two back.
- DaveI wonder if GIbbons realizes he almost never touched his 6th man last year (Frasor) and would often let the 7th man sit for over a week unused (Towers/Vermilyea/DeJong…). I’d much rather we carry 6 relievers and another LH bat (Coats) to PH in games Stairs gets the start.
- Ari“We’ve been working on right-handed outfield guys, and all of a sudden the best guy kind of falls in our lap,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said of Johnson, who signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal. “He’s a really hard-nosed player and a good hitter against left-handed pitching. He can play all three spots.”
MW: All of it true. What Hendry didn’t say was, “good thing he fell in our lap, too, because there was no way I was going to pay him $3.275 million and give up an asset to get him!”
- GerryI like Dave’s point about Marcum. I loved watching that guy pitch last year he gets no love from the media because his “stuff” only average but his “stuff” should be graded up because he has pin point control with it. He has to have one of the best change ups in MLB and he locates his curve as good as anyone.
On another note i was reading all the comments a couple posts ago about how much the jays are going to miss johnson’s defence and how not having him in LF is going to cost the jays 3 wins a month lol. Jays fan’s need to give it a rest there are lots of teams who have awful defencesive left feilders. Like the Reds with Adam Dunn or the Red sox with Manny and even the yankees have employed Johnny Damon the last three years and his arm is everybit as bad as Stewarts and they’ve still won 90+ games every year
- Dan Moorehi Mike,
- marioplease explain to all the bluejay fans out there that the bluejays are not the only team trying to win.It is hard to win in any sport .all we can hope for is that they give it all they got every night.hopefulluy that is good enough for a championship if not we try again.but this talk of we have to win this year or we stink ,those are just leaf fans thinking they are the only team tryiing to win .
You guys worry too much. I personally don’t care about predictions since its all speculation. I don’t worry about who’s injured, whether or not Thomas will hit, what the spring record is, nor when Beej gets back. Even their best seasons back in the day had MANY disasters. Recall Stieb’s back in 92? Fernandez in 89? Dave Stewart in 93? Gruber’s year long slump in 92?
I just am happy to see and hear them play. So instead of worrying, just sit back and enjoy the ride cuz the boys of summer are back!
The only hope (keyword is hope) I have is that they beat up on the yankees. anything else is a bonus for me.
- DavidESPN reported this on their web site today. Thoughts Mike?
Rumor has it that although the Jays haven’t yet made it official, they also will leave A.J. Burnett and Shaun Marcum back when the team returns north for the season. Burnett suffered a torn fingernail this spring and Marcum is recovering from knee surgery. Both still need more work to get ready for the season. No word yet on whether either of them will miss a start, but be prepared for it to happen, just in case.
MW: ESPN reported that? I didn’t see it anywhere on their website. Bear in mind that ESPN also reported yesterday that the Jays had activated Cory Lidle from the 15-day disabled list (thanks, Drunks!). I would ask J.P. about the Burnett and Marcum “rumour” but I’m pretty sure he’d laugh in my face. A.J.’s fingernail is no longer an issue, I have seen the fake nail, and I spoke to Marcum Monday night and he says he’s ready to go.
- ChrisMike I was wondering if we’d get any predictions from you like Jordan has done on his blog ? Not that I take them seriously but they are fun to read and look back on when the season is over.
MW: I was thinking about doing that. Maybe Saturday or something like that. I’ll be picking the Orioles for 6th as well!
- DilsonI was expecting that. After all it was you who suggested that the Orioles would be 6th haha. I assume you’re thinking 100+ losses for them?
MW: 110+. I think they’re going to be historically bad.
- Dilson