2:45 AM Eastern
Posting late because I had a couple of Fat Elvis games to play tonight (lost 2-1 in 10 when Abreu took Accardo deep, won 1-0 with Yusmeiro Petit throwing 7 innings of one-hitter Accardo got the last four outs for the save), but there were a few things I had to say about tonight’s game.
The good – A.J. Burnett. Not only did he dominate the Yankees for six innings, but he also wrenched his knee in the 4th fielding Derek Jeter’s comebacker, and stayed in the game! Burnett can pitch through pain, and we learned that tonight. Also, super-clutch job by Jeter getting thrown out at second by 5 feet on that play.
Burnett actually threw a few change-ups, and looked every bit like the pitcher the Jays are hoping he can be this season. He can be close to this good if he’s healthy and has his head on straight, but those are two very big ifs.
Also good – Vernon Wells hitting the Jays’ first homer of the season and winding up 3-for-4, though he was pretty pull-happy, which he wasn’t this spring. Aaron Hill continues to rip line drives all over the place, like he did all spring, and so does Alex Rios, in stark contrast to his pre-season.
And how about that Brian Tallet fellow? I was surprised to see him come out in the 7th in a close game, but he stuck it right up the Yankees’ collective, umm, Bronxes, retiring all six hitters he faced without a single hard-hit ball. Very, very impressive.
And we can’t forget Jeremy Accardo, who got a ground ball from Jeter on which Hill usually makes the play and then shattered Bobby Abreu’s bat, but the ball dropped, bringing the tying run to the plate with nobody out and 4-5-6 coming up. Accardo blew a fastball past A-Rod for strike three, got Jason Giambi on a fly ball (albeit to the lip of the warning track in dead centre), and got Robinson Cano on a pop-up to shallow left. That was huge.
I do think it’s hilarious, though, that in an hour of JaysTalk we didn’t have a single caller complain about the fact that the Jays didn’t bunt at any point in the game, had two runners thrown out trying to steal, hit into five double plays or were just 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Had they won the opener, would we not have had all those people whining about not bunting Hill over in the 7th?
There are people I never hear from when the Jays win, and that’s kind of sad. If you’re going to get all worked up, and release Frank Thomas, trade Vernon Wells and fire John Gibbons when the Jays lose, you should give some people some credit when they win.
The Blue Jays did a lot of things wrong Wednesday night, and the leadoff man is now 0-for-9 on the season, but a win covers up a lot of stink. They pitched brilliantly, and more importantly, they scored enough runs, because they’re going to pitch well a lot this season.
There were a couple of red flags, other than everything in that paragraph up there, though. First, Hill and the defense. That’s the second straight game that Aaron Hill has failed to make a play that a good second baseman makes – the double-play ball in the 7th in the opener, and the transfer on Jeter’s grounder in the 9th tonight after he made the outstanding diving grab. Hill has shown himself to be a better-than-good second baseman over the last couple of years, and I’m sure these mistakes won’t have a lasting effect on his psyche, but here’s hoping those were the last ones for a while.
Second, the fact that David Eckstein made the last outs of the 9th and came back out for defense in the bottom of the inning. Had John McDonald been sent into the game there, to help protect a three-run lead, he wouldn’t have had to bat until the 11th or 12th had the Yankees come back to tie. The only reason not to use McDonald there (unless he’s sick or hurt and we haven’t been told) is to not insult Eckstein, or to not make Eckstein think the Jays lack confidence in his glove. That’s a losing game to play. Eckstein is a big boy, and he knows full well that McDonald is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. I don’t think he’d be hurt by being replaced for defense late in close games – though even if he would be, I don’t care – everyone understands that the win is the most important thing. And if the win is the most important thing, John McDonald must play shortstop late in close games in which the Blue Jays lead.
The rubber game goes on the full Fan Radio Network, including the flagship, starting at 7:00 PM Eastern, with Phil Hughes for New York and either Dustin McGowan or Shaun Marcum for the Jays, depending on how McGowan is feeling. And keep your eyes open for a Joe Inglett sighting.
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Hey Mike…
I know they’ve only played 2 games but it seems John Gibbons is much more willing to steal bases this year.
Do you think we’ll continue to see this kind of aggressive base running?
Also, the Jays face Phil Hughes tomorrow night. Is Hughes really all that good… or am I just hearing exagerated NYY hype on TV?
Cheers!
MW: I certainly hope we don’t see this kind of aggressive base running. 3 for 5 is not where I want to be in stolen base attempts. Hughes really is all that good, or at least he will be. It’s kind of early, but he’s got the stuff where he could potentially dominate any night. Of course, any night he could also get his head handed to him, but in a year or two, look out.
- EricMike, is it true scott rolen is a free agent after this season because Jeff Blair wrote a article a while back that he can leave this after 2008. I thought he is a free agent after 2010. Can you clairfy that?
MW: Since Rolen was traded in the middle of a multi-year contract, the CBA gives him the right to demand a trade at the end of this season, and if he’s not traded by March 15th (I think), he can become a free agent. But I believe I heard something about the Jays and Rolen reaching an agreement that he wouldn’t exercise that option.
- andrewHey Mike,
I like what I’m seeing in the first couple of games. Small sample size, true, but I like that the running game is creeping back into the Jays’ repetoire, and the pitching is so thus far coming as advertised. It’s also a nice change to see opposing runners DOA at second.
I couldn’t agree more with your comments re: Eckstein and Johnny Mac. I saw a quote from Gibby a while ago where he said McDonald wouldn’t be used as a late-inning replacement. I hoped it was a misquote or taken out of context, but it appears he meant it. What on earth is the rationale for *not* putting in one of the best gloves in baseball in the late innings of tight games? To me, that’s a no-brainer. A lot of times I think people dump on Giboons unfairly, but in this case I think he needs to give his head a shake. You’ve got a defensive specialist sitting on the bench, why not use him when he can add the most value? (Unless that was just a one-time, short-bench decision, in which case I take it all back!)
Rob
MW: Yeah, I want to wait and see as well. My shock may have been misplaced, as I don’t know if Marco Scutaro would have been able to swing the bat again, having been hit on the hand by a pitch in the 9th, so they might have needed McDonald to go in for him had the game continued. We’ll see.
By the way, I wouldn’t say that the running game “is creeping back into the Jays’ repertoire” (excellent use of the apostrophe there!). Five attempts in two games mean that they’re playing Whitey Herzog style! Used to be you wouldn’t see five guys take off for second in a month.
- RobHere’s hoping A.J. keeps this up. He can be so dominant and fun to watch. If McGowan continues to progress, that’s a solid top 3 barring injury, and I’d like Toronto’s chances against just about anyone in that case!
- Mike MExcellent outing from AJ and the pen. Let’s hope AJ is healthy all year. He’s my pick for the Cy Young.
Also nice to see Vernon have a good night. I still don’t think 4th is the right slot for him, BUT, he might be the right guy until Rolen gets back. I’d like to see Rolen bat 4th, Vernon 5th, Overbay 6th and FT 7th.
I think we might be seeing Hill have some struggles getting used to Eckstein. It certainly looks like it’s on his mind.
I also would like to see them try Hill as lead off on days when Eckstein isn’t playing, or when he’s struggling.
Mike, I agree with your analysis of having Johnny Mac go in. This is one of the areas were I feel Gibby messes up. He misses little stuff like this a lot. Sometimes, I think he sleeps through some of these games. Certaibly not manager of the year calibur.
All in all though, anytime you go into that zoo and win, it’s a good thing.
MW: Nice to see at least something positive out of you, even though you still had to slap Gibbons around. As I said, I’m withholding judgement until we get more info about Scutaro’s hand.
- gerryHey Mike I have to give you alittle taste of your own medicine when you responded to someone post in your last one you said “…but he can make pitchers work” refering to David Eckstein. David saw an average of 3.64 pitcher per plate apperance last year tying him 317th with Jaque Jones and Roy Oswalt. so can every stop this Eckstein takes alot of pitchs BS.
MW: Yeah, I figured he wasn’t too high on the “pitches seen” list, which is why I said he CAN make pitchers work, as opposed to saying he DOES make pitchers work. Roy Oswalt, huh? Cool.
- Dan M.Great job by Tallet last night three K’s over Two innings. Where did the confidence for Gibby to send him out there come from he didn’t have that last year.
- Dan M.Mike have you heard anything on the Stiars situation?
MW: The fact that he didn’t play last night leads me to believe that he’ll be put on the disabled list today. Especially if Scutaro needs a couple of days to take care of his hand. However, it should be noted that John Gibbons said Stairs should be good to go for tonight’s series finale. But he also said that about Saturday’s pre-season game in Philly, and last night’s game as well.
- Dan M.Hey Mike,
I would like to clarify my stance on the sac bunt. I only like it with runners on first and second with none out, in order to keep out of the double play. You have a lot more to gain in that situation…(although there would be a force at third in that case.)
- ChrisAnyway, good game tonight. I thought that Barajas called a good game, and didn’t let Burnett lose his cool. He knew when to go out and settle him down. Hitting with runners in scoring position still worries me, but they survived tonight. Not to often is 5 runs against the Yankees going to be enough. I love the fact that A-Rod flips the bat after his homerun, and jogs to first looking into the dugout. Did anyone tell him they were still down 3? Talk about someone who only cares about himself…
Mike, could you give an idea of how many change ups Burnett pitched last night??? they didn’t have the radar gun on Sportsnet last night and I honestly couldn’t tell when he pitched his changeup. How many times did he throw it?
MW: I don’t know, I wasn’t charting every pitch. I’d guess he threw about 6-10 of them, might have been a few more. Pretty cool, though, that Burnett’s change-up was harder than Mussina’s fastball.
- Dan M.Good thing Burnett is in an opt out year! He would have been on the 15 Day-er for sure!!
Is Scutaro’s hand ok?
MW: I’m trying to find out. Sure hope so.
- MarkNot good to start the year 4-24 with runners in scoring position. The whole key is to have the offence of 2006 combined with the pitching of last year. I think this is where Rolen will make a big difference over Glaus (more of a contact hitter). Only time will tell. Let’s not start getting the engraver ready for the World Series trophy quite yet.
MW: Had anyone called the engraver yet? I was trying to keep people from jumping off the ledge after the opener.
- Aaron KerMike, I agree with you about Mussina being an a$$ but Cito should have let him pitch in the All-Star game in his own ballpark!
Also, hypothetically if AJ opts out of his contract and Thomas is eventually benched and doesn’t reach the required number of plate appearances do you think it is all possible that the Jays make a run at Sabathia?
MW: Anything’s possible, and those things would free up a bunch of cash, but remember, at least Wells, Rios and Hill will be getting big raises for next year.
- Chris JonesMike – I agree with your comment about Johnny Mac playing in late innings to strengthen the defence and help secure leads. We need to keep our eye on that and please call it out to JP on Wed night if this pattern continues (ie Gibby leaving Eck in).
At the State of the Franchise event in February my buddy and I attended and he asked JP an interesting question about McDonald. His point to JP was that Doc prefers to have McDonald playing on his starts. He asked JP if the Eckstein signing would risk upsetting Doc. (personally my impression of Doc is he would not raise any stink over it). JP’s reply to my friends question was interesting. He said we could expect to see McDonald make a few starts when Doc is pitching. So it will be interesting to track as well so we can see if Gibbons is over-riding Doc’s (and JP’s) preference.
- Ian CI was more commenting on the fanatical switches some fans take in this market from time to time concerning the sports teams.
MW: Ahhhhh, good point. So was I.
- Aaron KerConsidering that Gibbons always gets ripped at a moments notice by many a fan and some media. I’d like to throw him a compliment. On the Giambi overshift the Jays had Scutaro play 2nd/SS leaving Eckstein to play at his more comfortable SS position. Subtle strategy, but shrewd nonetheless.
Mike, does Gibby deserve this credit or is this more Butterfield’s doing?
MW: That’s a good question. I would imagine it’s probably Butterfield, because he’s in charge of the infielders, but every decision has to go through Gibbons.
- JJMike,
I keep sending comments because I can’t believe what I hear from you sometimes. You just can’t handle the truth.
MW: Massive improvement in grammar, spelling and punctuation! Congrats.
- brunoHello Michael:
What is the status of the Rios extension negotiations?
As well, why do you never compliment my grammar? I saw you tell some dude he made good use of an apostrophe above; I’d like to think that I have yet to make a grammar mistake in my time here.
MW: I wouldn’t have gone with a semi-colon there, but that’s just me. The grammar compliments don’t come if you just don’t make a mistake, that’s the expected minimum. As far as the Rios talks go, I’ll wager we’ll hear something by the weekend.
- JCLMW
I post boht negative and positive items, frankly I post what I believe to be the facts-or at least how I view them.
I love our pitching staff, don’t like Eckstein and don’t like the fact we dumped Johnson and kept Stewart. You like these changes and that’s fair enough. I also think the Frank Thomas signing is going to haunt us, and I said so at the time.
I question whether this team has the killer instinct and whether they can win on the road. They certainly didn’t last year and if that doesn’t change we will fight for 3rd place.
It is true, I’m not a Gibbons fan. However, I think most Blue Jays fans think he’s incompetent-other than yourself of course. Time will tell who’s right on that issue.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I always thought a blog was set up for fans to express different opinions.
That being said, this is the only blog I know of where the blog writer makes snide or insulting remarks to the posters because the posters have different opinions.
I guess it’s your choice to do so, but next time get your facts straight.
MW: A blog set up by fans to express different opinions is one that’s set up by fans to express different opinions. This is a blog set up by the FAN590 to enable you to read my opinions and, yes, comment on them. But if I disagree with you, you’re going to hear from me. And sorry, I’m not going to go back over all your comments, but I’m going to guess at least 85% of them have been very, very negative.
- gerrymike,
i understand your position on the macdonald eck situation but i don”t agree.Eck has won 2 world series rings and has proven himself to be a reliable shortstop.He is not as good as macdonald but he is far from a liability.
MW: He’s not a liability, for sure, but he’s not as good defensively as McDonald, so why wouldn’t you want your best out there to protect a lead in the 9th? And yes, Eckstein has two World Series rings. So does Chad Curtis.
- marioHey Mike, If Scutaro is out for any time would we perhaps see Johnny Mac at the hot corner at all or would they call someone else up? Also Big Frank looks awful, i know its early and he takes time to really heat up but would they consider moving him down in the lineup until he finds his stroke? Maybe they could move up Hill in the lineup who looks great
MW: I’m all for moving Thomas down if he proves that he’s off to another really slow start, and two games hasn’t proven that yet. I would hope the Jays would make a move if Scutaro is out for a while, but it might mean Joe Inglett coming up to play third. If Scutaro’s hand is broken, they might have to make a deal.
- DaveHey Mike,
There has been a lot of discussion about the Jays’ lack of hitting with runners in scoring position. I know that 1/12 and 3/12 are less than stellar, but what is the AL average and what number do the teams that excell in this area achieve?
Also, I thought that Larry Bowa’s comments on his suspension (“You’ve got guys who tested positive for steroids and admitted they took them – no suspensions. They’re still playing,”) might draw some comment from the league offices…
MW: I expect a team to hit as well with runners in scoring position as they do the rest of the time, but I don’t know the league-wide stats. I’ll see if I can check those out to see what the difference is.
- ShawnI read that batista closed a game for the mariners las night because putz was out. Look forward to some long ninths mariners fans.
My question is: it seems to me lind and thigpen are good options for the jays to trade as they have better options coming up behind them, how would you assess their value? what kind of return would you expect with those two as the center pieces (i am ssuming we could add chacin or wolfe or frasor etc.)? Thanks
MW: Batista did, in fact, close it out last night, but he’s still the M’s 5th starter, so don’t expect to see that on a regular basis. I think Lind and Thigpen may in fact be good trade bait, but I think their value will increase as the year goes on. I wouldn’t deal them yet, but it’s not like you can put the two of them together, plus one of the three you mentioned, and get Rich Harden or something.
- jeremyWhat would that deal be who’s out there? I know Florida had both Jorge Cantu and Dallas Mcpherson would either of them be availible?
MW: Maybe. I might try to get Aaron Boone from Washington for a couple of weeks, wouldn’t cost much. But I haven’t really thought about it. Thing is, you don’t want to go get a starter-type because he’s only going to play for a month, and you don’t want to give up that kind of value for 25 games or so. But you need to have someone in there for those 25 games or so.
- Dan M.Is a Adam Lind + whatever for Harden a possibility at all? It is a trade with Oakland.
MW: It would have to be a LOT of whatever. I don’t think Billy Beane is all that inclined to trade Harden.
- JeffHaven’t seen anything yet to justify Eckstein being preferred to Johnny Mac. If Mac had been playing in game 1 versus Yanks Jays could have won that, too.
- JimOtherwise, team looks good, if they stay healthy.
I have a feeling that if the jays are close this year J.P. will be very active at the deadline.
Who do you think the jays need more a 1 or 2 type bat (on-base + speed) or a middle of the lineup type bat (jasonbay or adam dunn off the top of my head)?
Also i’d love to see overbay hit after rios and thomas come up with those two on.
MW: Adam Dunn would be perfect. I’d take my chances with the top of the line-up staying the same if they could land him.
- jeremywould you trade rios for granderson or sizemore straight up? its an inriguing idea since both are left handed hitters with speed. Would the indians and tigers do that? Not that I want to trade rios but its interesting.
MW: Maybe for Sizemore, but I’d really have to think about it with Granderson.
- aviMike,
Is it just me, or does Vernon Wells look better conditioned this year? Comments have been made about Litsch and Halladay, but Vernon certainly appears more fit than last year. Any knowledge of his training in the off season?
MW: Vernon is a big guy, but he’s always in great shape. He’s built like a fullback, but he’s not fat. I didn’t notice him looking any better conditioned this year, but that’s just me. Halladay definitely looked thinner this spring, and Litsch has dropped a few, too.
- RBKeep up the great work Mike — the tone of this blog is very similar to JaysTalk, which is great — the main object of each should be to inform and entertain the great number of people in the audience of listeners and readers and not make nice to a vocal buy tiny number of individuals who make silly comments — all too many PC-ish Canadians in particular tend to have a weird aversion to disagreement and differences of opinion — your blog and show stand in bold and wonderful contrast (sorry about my lack up puctuation, blame it on the Interweb)
- HenryThis business with not bringing McDonald in defensively reminds me of Gibbons and his notion that Vernon Wells “earned” the right to hit in the 3 or 4 hole. Anything Wells might have earned previously he gave up last year, IMO. The only thing Vernon “earned” last year was the right to be traded or benched! Hopefully Vernon will “earn” SOMETHING this year!
Last year I called you on the show Mike, and told you I thought Gibbons should be fired. I still haven’t seen much from him to make me change my tune. Ernie Whitt for manager!!!
MW: Oh, yeah, because Ernie did such a great job as the bench coach.
- Kevin from AvonleaHey Mike,
Great game last night. The Yankees looked completely lifeless.
This isn’t exactly topical, but do you think the Jays will try to sign Halladay to another extension before his contract runs out in 2010? If so, would they do that after this season? I’d love to see him be a Jay for his whole career.
MW: I think they’ll try, but not after this year.
- JamesMike,
Can you do us a favour and try to get a MLB scout outside of the Blue Jay organization, so he or she can be up front with us. Jeff Blair thinks FT should move down in the order asap.
- brunoSo then why did a guy who used ” Jays’ ” correctly get a grammar compliment if merely not making mistakes is the expectation? You must have a very low standard of exceptional grammar if something like that exceeds ‘not making mistakes.’
Either way, I’d like you to compliment my grammar, Michael.
And (I just deliberately started a sentence with a preposition both to be ironic and to potentially engage you in a debate over where archaic grammar rules like that can acceptably be overruled by both time and idiosyncrasy as good prose)I feel that my use of the semi-colon was fully defendable; that is objective fact.
Anyways, keep up the good journalism — if you weren’t a good journalist I wouldn’t especially care about your feelings on my grammar.
MW: There’s no question your use of the semi-colon is defensible, but like I said, I would have gone another way. But you’re working hard, and I appreciate it. Therefore you have earned a compliment on your grammar.
- JCLI think everyone is blowing the RISP “problem” out of proportion. So the Jays went 3/12 with RISP, but that is a little deceiving.
1) Wells HR is not counted in that stat since Rios was on 1st. Two runs are created and nothing reflected in the RISP stat.
2)It counts against the team when a batter grounds out, but advances a runner from 2nd to 3rd (not necessarily a bunt).
3) Batters up with RISP:
Rios – scores Eckstein/Stewart
Wells – GIDP (Stewart to 3rd)
Thomas
Scutaro
Barajas – GIDP (ends inning)
Overbay
Hill – scores Wells
Scutaro
Eckstein – Barajas to 3rd
Stewart
Rios – scores Barajas
Hill – SO
Five of the opportunities were the 8-9-1-2 batters. For the most part the guys that are supposed to be bringing in the RISP did their job last night.
On another topic. Mike, you are a proponent for bringing Bonds in, wouldn’t the FieldTurf propose a challenge for his fragile knees? (Unless Thomas goes down).
MW: Nah, playing on Fieldturf is basically the same as playing on grass. This isn’t the painted concrete anymore.
- BrendanEdit to above: only Eckstein scored on Rios first a bat. Stewart moved to 2nd.
- BrendanHenry — exactly. Little bit of disagreement and these guys take it as a personal affront and are sitting there at their computers seething with anger.
And gerry, I don’t think you’re in a position to determine what most Jays fans think of Gibbons, bud. So crawl back into your ragehole.
Mike, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read about Mussina and his blaming of the Tom Cheek ceremony for his outing. What a disgrace. That guy deserves a serious beating.
MW: I don’t advocate physical violence. But I don’t like Mike Mussina.
- markusHi Mike,
I was listening to JaysTalk on the FAN after the game and you made a comment that was right on. This city of Toronto is still sadly a hockey town and it’s hockey team (?) have been a joke and have let the fans down for the past 40 years. So much so that most sports fans in Toronto seem to be very pessimistic of everything to do with professional sports and especially the Jays.
It seems that people have forgotten that this team gave us 2 dream years (1992-1993 World Series wins)and pretty much everyone who has worn a Blue Jays uniform since 1977 has been proud to do so. This organization has been class from the days of Peter Bavasi, Pat Gillick to now.
All these armchair “coaches” who are hard on Gibbons and Ricciardi need to be “Leaf de-sensitized” for a few years to be able to be positive about anything. I am a reformed Leafs fan and happy about it. I now look forward to Spring and Blue Jays baseball. All the way Blue Jays!
- JOEFor JCL
I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that when I went to school (MANY years ago), “and” was a conjunction, not a preposition.
You may have good grammar, but it looks like you need some work on your terminology.
- Norm