12:05 AM Eastern
Actually, I did. Not always as a ballplayer, but he wasn’t the first to get fat off a rookie-of-the-year award, and he didn’t spend all 3 1/2 of his seasons as a Jay post-big-contract stealing money from them. Nice guy, though, always good to me, even though he did refer to me once in the clubhouse as “Mike F. Wilner”. He didn’t just say F, though.
Hinske was the focal point of this game, first booting then throwing away the Gregg Zaun grounder in the second that led to two unearned Jays runs, then making up for it by doubling, tripling, homering, scoring three runs, driving in two and starting a swell 3-6-3 double play in the 5th. It’s nice to see him doing well, and it’s kind of interesting that he’s going to get pushed for playing time by Gabe Gross. I’m not sure what that means, other than it’s a bit eerie, but I’m sure they’ll enjoy fourth place in the division together.
I’m leading with Hinske because there wasn’t much to this game BlueJayically, there was no JaysTalk to discuss because of the Raptor game and I didn’t want to start off by ranting about idiots who slow down at a green light because they’re watching the seconds tick down at the crosswalk and want to make sure they can stop the second the light turns amber. I had a very-near-miss at Carlton and Jarvis on the way home from the studio. Near miss of rear-ending an idiot, who was in a car at the time. I know with some of the words I just used in the context of “Carlton and Jarvis” there can be a double meaning, I just want to make sure no one goes the wrong way.
Jesse Litsch wasn’t good, unable to deal well with the 7-8-9 hitters in the Tampa line-up in their three-run 4th, and the offense was horrendous again. Usually, when a team hands you two gift runs early, you should take that as an opportunity to score even more, and eventually win the game. The Jays decided against that, putting together only a nice little two-out rally for a run in the 4th and getting Vernon Wells’ 4th homer in the 6th to add on to the two-spot, not nearly enough. Seemed like old times, too, when the Jays ended the game 12-up and 12-down after the Wells homer.
Jesse Carlson was very impressive again, despite the fact that Hinske homered off of him. I know it seems a contradiction, but he did retire the other seven batters he faced, though one was given to him on Akinori Iwamura’s crappy safety-squeeze (or Nathan Haynes’ missed sign) bunt. Interesting, the last two bunts I’ve seen with a runner on third have resulted in that runner winding up out. Still, just an anomaly, because bunts advance baserunners about 95% of the time. Anyway, the Jays seem to have a find in Carlson – at least one they should ride until (unless?) the cracks in the armor start to appear. He makes a very good bullpen even better.
Snakeface was bang-on, too, striking out four hitters (including denying Hinske his single for the cycle) and losing the other two on a cheap flare and a grounder off Overbay’s glove. I have to wonder about the infield at Disneyland, specifically on the first base side. Overbay missed that play in the 8th and had a Jason Bartlett grounder take a Traberesque (Francoesque? I can’t remember which one it was) bad hop in the 4th, and Hinske looked terrible on the Zaun ball in the 2nd. But that’s an A-ball park for you, I guess.
One more thing before I go. There was a commenter on the Drunks site (you should really check them out, they’re terrific) who took issue with my saying that Thomas wasn’t popular among some of his teammates but not providing any further detail. First of all, I’m not sure what to think of the fact that he commented there and not here, but more importantly, I kind of see where he’s coming from. Kind of. The thing is, I can’t provide any detail on how I know, that’s what “off the record” conversations are all about. If I want to find something out and a player doesn’t want it known that he provided the information, that information gets put out there without identifying the source. And I have to do things that way if I ever want to get any future information, just like most other reporters. So, I’m sorry, you’re just going to have to trust me when I say that Thomas will not be missed by at least some of his teammates. I make the statement based on good, solid information. And I never used the word “cancer”. That would be a huge exaggeration. You can be disliked without being a cancer in the clubhouse, and Thomas was certainly not a cancer, from all indications.
Wednesdays with J.P. makes its valiant return to the air tomorrow – call in and ask anything and everything, I’m expecting to hear a lot of Thomas and Bonds questions.
Comments are encouraged, as always. It’s how we keep the JaysTalk going 24/7!
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I have defended Gibbons on this blog many times noting that managers themselves don’t decide wins and losses. Most of the in-game baseball decisions are obvious and hard to screw up and even if they do, it rarely ends up costing the game. If you look at even the best of the best managers in baseball history, they are all around .500. Only one since 1900 has a win % over .600. So I won’t ever blame a manager for a losing season even though they end up being the natural scapegoat.
That said, there is no excuse for not fielding your best possible team every day. Alex Rios is a 26 year old pro–I’m sure he doesn’t need any rest in APRIL! Neither does Vernon Wells, Overbay, or Hill. Yet Rios has already missed two games and Wells and Overbay have sat for one. I don’t care if they have 20 straight days of games…it’s APRIL!! That’s what off days are built into the schedule for. Actually, that’s why there are 162 games in the first place, because baseball isnt football/hockey/basketball. If hockey players can go through 82 games and then play on consecutive nights in the playoffs, I’m sure Alex Rios can run around the outfield and catch fly balls for 3 hours. And I’ve never heard a baseball player complain about fatigue after a season. In fact, most actually get better as the season goes on. Why do managers act like there is scientific proof that if you play all 162 games, your body will spontaneously combust and your limbs will fly off?
MW: Because it’s been documented no less than 53 times in major-league history. Look, the truth is that as much as most people would like to think otherwise, we’re dealing with human beings and it’s a tough grind. If you give a player one day off a month, he still plays 156 games.
- ShawnI think Hinske’s been reading Drunk Jays Fans and took exception to constantly being called “Sh**ske” by the thullards over there.
It blows when the Jays lose, but it’s even worse when we lose to Tampa. They are the definition of pathetic.
MW: But we should be used to it by now.
- Navin VaswaniMike I think If we can bring a Jose Canseco in here, A guy who admitted to taking steriods also a guy who tried to run his wife over with his car, Then surely Bonds Should be a canidate for this DH spot NO Question. I remember the hometown fans of Oakland yellling STERIODS while
- alexanderthere beloved Canseco was out in right field. The Jays were alot more forgiving than his owm hometown fans when they picked him up in 98. 46 home runs 107 runs driven in, Why not. A wife beater or an ALLEGED steriod abuser, you be the judge.
Might be because its 2 in the morning but that snakeface comment cracked me up.
I agree that Carlson might be a good find. If he was going to blow up you would think he would have showns signs of it already.
Offense kind of laid an egg tonight, hopefully they can turn it around.
Just found out about your blog last week and I fell in love with it already. Keep up the good work Mike.
MW: Thanks! What took you so long?
- ChadOnce again a very poor outing by the blue jays offense by not capitalizing on the errors made by the rays. If jays don’t take 6-3 on this road trip or better i think they will be left behind, because the jays are already 4.5 back of the red sox and the sox seem to be winning. BTW bring on Bonds, who cares about what he brings, Toronto could use that. He’s only going to help us win ball games and thats all that should matter.
MW: Yes, it is. But if the Jays go 5-4 on the trip, or heaven forfend, 3-6, will the season be over with 133 games left?
- ImranWhere on Earth was Rios again tonight? I couldn’t believe it when he didn’t play against Baltimore, and now a second time?! The Jays have a good enough team to win the AL East, and if they don’t it better not be because the manager didn’t put the best lineup out on the field everyday. What good explanation can there be for not playing perhaps your best offensive player when your team is struggling to score runs and win close games? They get rid of Thomas because he didn’t start hitting yet, but they also don’t always play the guys who are hitting. Sometimes it makes me wonder whether the Jays authorities actually want to win or not.
MW: He may not have played against Baltimore because of the lazy dropped pop up the day before.
- ShmuelTough game today, the offense has really struggled the last few games but i guess when one of your best hitters has the day off the last two days you can’t expect much.
I wanted to ask you Mike, if Gibbons job is secure for the rest of the season or if they don’t start winning will action be taken ? Also who would your choice for the Jays next manager be if you had a say ?
Finally i noticed that Travis Snider started the season in high A and has already been promoted to AA. Is it me or does it seem like the Jays are rushing him ? From Sniders stats in A ball i didn’t think it waranted a promotion. Whats your thoughts ?
MW: Gibbons’ job is certainly not secure for the rest of the season, and signs of the pressure could been seen, I think, with his comments last night about Litsch’s ineffectiveness. Snider is up in AA for now, maybe for good, maybe just for a taste while Scott Rolen takes the DH at-bats in Dunedin. The kid can rake, and there’s better way to see if he’s ready than to give him a shot. If you’re one of those who expects him to be here by next season, he’d better be ready for AA by now. He didn’t blow the doors off in A-ball, but did hit .279/.333/.557.
- MikeRios played 161 games last year. He already got a day off last week, or else was benched for some brain cramps in the field, something Alex has certainly shown himself to be prone too, both on the bases and defensively. Either way, once again Gibbons had no business resting one of his top hitters tonight while his team is simply not producing offensively. Joe Inglett in RF for a “contending” team is astounding. And I know you don’t agree with me, but I guess I’ll keep mentioning it until you realize you’re wrong.
MW: OK
- AriAnd please don’t answer that Gibbons based his decision on 9 previous PA vs. Shields, that’s just weak. I also forgot the game before was at 12:30, which gives him even longer to rest his weary bones 3 weeks into the season.
MW: Three weeks into the season, yes, but nine weeks that they’ve all being going at it every day. I’ll bet the decision did have to do with the 1-for-9 (I think) against Shields, though I think that’s as ridiculous a way to make a decision as you do.
- AriLove the Jays, but it was definitely nice to see Hinske do well tonight. I don’t really think he got his chance to show his skills in Boston.
Anyways, wanted to comment on Longoria’s longball in the 2nd off Litch.
Mikey, do you think Vernon wasn’t comfortable with the small confines of the disney field, or simply doesn’t have the gold glove ability he once had…
Seemed like a fairly catchable ball to me.
MW: Home runs are never fairly catchable balls. I didn’t think that was one that Vernon should have caught.
- Matt WatsonHey Mike I’m actually suprised to see that your happy for Hinske! At one point durring a Jaystalk in the 2005 season you said he was “horrible” and yes you used that very word and I called in and argued with you that, that was too strong of a word to use for a 1st baseman who was hitting in the .260′s and you followed with saying “Perhaps I overstated it when I used the word horrible, but not by much.” Anyway I hope when he used the F word inbetween your first and sername that it was all in good humour but maybe I’m wrong. I’m going to end off with a question. What do you think about the Ray’s playing in Disneyland in order to increase their fan base??? I honestly think that if spring training itself won’t make the locals interested in major league baseball then its just not a popular enough sport in florida.
MW: Spring Training games are fun, but they’re nothing like the real thing, and they’re mostly played in front of retirees and vacationers. In the summer, there are fewer vacationers, and the retirees don’t often come out for night games. I think it’s odd that the Rays would play games in Orlando to try to extend the brand out there – don’t those people know there’s a big league team that plays an hour and a half away? But I think it’s more strange that the Rays drew more fans from New York and Boston than from Orlando last year.
- Matt from BCMike,
Hopefully I’m not overreacting to a couple of bad starts, but I really have some major concerns about Jesse Lisch as the 5th starter on a contending team.
With all of the discussion of Thomas, Lind, Scutaro, Rolen, etc. and Litsch starting the year with some decent performances his situation really hasn’t been addressed.
I see him as a 4.60-4.80 ERA AL pitcher at best, and I’ve always been concerned with his inability to miss bats on a consistent basis?
I think he’s a better option than Purcey at the moment, but overall I think someone like Tallet or Wolfe would give the Jays a better chance to win as a 5th starter.
Do you agree with me at all? If not, what kind of career numbers and longevity do you foresee for Jesse as a ML starting pitcher?
MW: I think Jesse is hanging on to his spot right now, but he’s definitely starting to teeter. That said, a 4.60-4.80 ERA is actually good for a 5th starter. He showed me a lot this spring, but hasn’t shown much over his last two starts, and not only did Gibbons rip him for his inability to throw strikes last night, the last time he talked about him, he spoke in Chacinic terms like “what he does is win”. As I’ve said before, if that’s the best thing you can say about a guy, it means you’re reaching.
- GregJPMike, benching possibly your best player in 2 games within a 5 day span? What’s up with Rios?
Anyone else starting to feel an axe looming over the JP-JG era? You’ve gotta feel that the leash is short given their trackrecord.
MW: I don’t think the leash is short on J.P., Godfrey loves him and Godfrey makes those decisions. And it was 2 games in a 9-day span.
- omurchuWith the sox out to a 15-7 start, I don’t think it’s more than a week’s worth of games away before the division title is out of reach for this year.
This sucks man
MW: It would suck, if it were true. Do you think the Red Sox are going to win 110 games this season? And even if they did, what does it matter if the division gets out of reach so long as the playoffs don’t?
- Paul OHey Mike,
How long are they going to keep sending Jesse Litsch out to the mound. He has yet to record a quality start. Every time I turn on the game, there he is with two runners on. Any chance we could see Purcey given a longer look?
MW: Maybe.
- DaveHey Mike,
Does it seem like the Jays seemed to have lost the “aura of hope” (for lack of a better term, it’s early)that they had coming in the this season? I know were only 21 games in, but you would have thought that the high-hopes would still be evident in the play on the field.
Thanks,
David
MW: They have hit a big bump in the road here, having lost five of seven, but it’s still very early and they’re only a game behind any decent team in the wild card race. Also, they’ve been without Scott Rolen and have gotten zero production from the DH spot, so the fact that they’re just a game under .500 isn’t that bad. That said, they’re going to have to get on a roll at some point.
- DavidMike, I have been hearing a lot of fans calling in to the Fan and stating that if the Jays dont bring in Bonds, then they never want to hear JP say: “We are going to compete this year”. I cant agree more, the opportunity is here to make a run. Imagine how packed the Rogers Center would be! Imagine all the jersey sales. JP is worried about what he brings to the clubhouse? Common, look at the distractions the Jays have faced in the last two years, Lilly, Shea, Thomas, Glaus wants out of town, who’s playing left every year, trade Rios. I am pretty sure the Yanks and Red Sox face distractions with the media all over Big Papi, ManRam and A-Rod everywhere they go.
My question to you is, do you think Barry would come to Toronto and don’t you think Ted Rogers is thinking, imagine the ticket sales. He must also be thinking thanks for wasting my money on Thomas.
MW: I don’t know if people are thinking “imagine the ticket sales” more than they’re thinking about the potential P.R. backlash involved if Bonds comes to town. Personally, I couldn’t care less about the backlash because winning cures all. Common, though? Seriously?
- JamieJeff Blair wrote an article this morning basically indicating Gibbons was “F-in” tired of Litsch’s performance and a drop to the minors may be in the near future. You hear anything like this?
The Globe quotes him as follows
“You [expletive] watch it – every [expletive] night, you know,” Gibbons, the Blue Jays’ manager, said after the Tampa Bay Rays handed Toronto a 6-4 loss at Disney’s Champion Stadium and Litsch lasted a season-low 31/3 innings in the first game of a nine-game, 10-day trip.
“You watch it. [Expletive] strike zone. Hit your spots – boom, boom – that’s the kind of pitcher he is. You got to do it.”
MW: The 5th starter is always on tenterhooks, and Litsch hasn’t gotten through the 6th inning yet. At the very least, they should be skipping him when they can to keep everyone else on their regular day.
- Chris—–, what’s Hinske been
- Loboeating lately ? Wade Boggs’
left over chicken ? Too bad
JP didn’t sign him in the off season to a one year deal. He would have been perfect at 3rd & LF.
Why was Rios sitting again? Because he is 1 for 9 career against Shields? Our line-up wouldn’t scare Minnie Mouse at the moment and Gibbons sits our best offensive player. It doesn’t make sense.
Also, do you think J.P has been getting off easy with regards to the Thomas situation. He essentially threw away millions of dollars on the Thomas signing and I don’t have to tell you where else that money could have been used.
It’s early in the season (as I’m sure you will point out) but we are already 4.5 games behind Boston. J.P’s reign is quickly becoming 7 years of waste. At least we have that top rated farm system to fall back on…oh wait…
MW: I hope Rios wasn’t sitting because he’s 1-for-9 lifetime against Jamie Shields, that’d be a brutal reason to do it. I think he was sitting because Gibbons is giving everyone a day off here and there. I don’t think J.P. is getting off easy at all on the Thomas thing, he seems to be taking quite a bit of heat.
- Chris JonesBrudel game last night. I wouldn’t say Hinske and Gross will enjoy 4th place together so quickly PETCO has predicted the Rays to finish ahead of the jays this year.
Question, don’t you think Hinskes triple should of been ruled a double with him going to third on an error??? as Inglett (so he was Thomas replacement last night) couldn’t pick up a baseball?
And do you Think the Jays released Thomas now while he was slumping so they didn’t have to bench him in a couple months (closer to his PA incentives) while he was hot and take a huge PR hit?
Correct me if im wrong here Mike but you keep saying they Jays were sitting him down for a couple days and thomas made a stink over it so they had to release him before it became a distraction.
I thought they jays told him he was sitting down for the for-see-able (i can’t spell) future, not just a couple days.
That was my last FT post I promise Mike.
MW: You’re not kidding you can’t spell – “brudel”? Are you kidding me? And why does it matter that the Padres’ stadium has picked the Rays to finish ahead of the Blue Jays? How do they get stadia to make predictions, by the way? That’s kind of cool.
- Dan M.The Jays said that Thomas was going to DH two or three times a week, though that very well could have been after-the-fact spin. I think they knew how he’d react, and they knew they’d wind up releasing him, though I didn’t think it’d happen so quickly. If they’d waited, and he’d gotten hot, they wouldn’t have taken him out of the line-up when he was hitting well.
I know the season is long, and guys need days off, but when the offense is struggling how can it be justified that 2 of your top 3 hitters are given days off? Until Rolen comes back, and Lind is up here at full speed, Wells and Rios need to be in the lineup hitting 3 – 4. Hopefully Doc lives up to his nickname tonight and can provide the medicine for a long winning streak! I think the chinks are starting to show in Inglett’s armour, so time for him to take a game off.
- Aaron KerFor JP:
What firm timetable are we looking at on Lind and Rolen? Surely they know by now how that projects since both were in the field last night.
For Mike:
any buzz about Listch being on the bubble? And related to that, reaction from Arny/Gibby/JP about how ready Purcey is to get up here for good if/when they have to pull the plug on Lucky Listch for a while?
Also…any whispers about Gibbons’ job situation? I’m not in the crowd who has carped for his dismissal but I have to recognize the “win now!” panic voiced in the Thomas situation…and that can’t help but lead to increased speculation about manager firing the longer the Jays hover around .500.
MW: J.P. doesn’t answer questions on this blog, but you can call him tonight on the post-game! The only buzz about Litsch being on the bubble came from Gibbons’ profanity-laced comments about his performance last night. I can’t get reaction from people while they’re down there and I’m up here, unfortunately, but they seemed to be impressed with Purcey. It’s his night tonight in Syracuse, so we can see the bounce-back from the seven walks.
- WillRainYou’re completely right about Gibby’s job security. The longer they hang out around .500, the more his position is in jeopardy.
Hi Mike;
With all the Barry Bonds talk, no one has mentioned another free agent alternative….Sammy Sosa. Sure, he has his baggage as well, and might not have as much pop as Bonds, but when he played last year, he still struck the ball pretty well. 21 HR’s, 92 RBI’s, and a .250 average with a little over 400 AB’s isn’t to shabby.
And what about Mike Piazza…hes available, don’t think he would have as good of numbers as Bonds or Sosa, but also another option.
I think either of these guys would surpass any production they could get out the DH spot with their current roster….
Your thoughts?…..
MW: Neither Piazza nor Sosa can hit righties anymore. Piazza was .268/.300/.418 last year, and Sosa .222/.267/.410. They don’t need that. Bonds was .283/.486/.587 against righties. by the way (.265/.470/.521 against lefties).
- Andrew NMike;
Does Greg Zaun call his own pitches, does he get them from the bench, or does it depend on the pitcher?
MW: He calls his own game.
- Andrew NIf litch continues to struggle (his ERA is over 6 now) how long before we call up Purcey to take his place?
MW: Probably not that long.
- Dan M.It’s funny you mentioned liking Hinske, I was actually gonna write about how it’s nice to see him doing well, I’ve always been a fan of his and was sad to see him leave but it was pretty clear that he wasn’t gonna get any playing time here…I guess the same can be said about Reed….
anyhow, I have had this sinking feeling lately after Thomas left that without him in the lineup, we’re not as opposing as a lineup….I know he’s one guy but we don’t seem as threatening anymore. NY has got the A.Rod/Giambi and Bostons got Ortiz/Ramirez and they are heavily feared….I guess we have the Rios/Wells but they pale in comparison as far as striking fear to a pitcher….I just think we need to bring in another big bat to solidify this blue jays line up?
Also think we should have stuck with Thomas. but we’ll see what happens.
MW: You mean imposing, but Thomas is only an imposing presence when he’s not an actual train wreck at the plate, which he had been most of the season. Once he comes around, he definitely makes things scarier, but the Jays couldn’t afford to wait. Giambi is hitting worse than Frank right now, by the way, I think it’s Abreu/A-Rod that makes the Yanks scary in the middle. The Jays’ strength is in the fact that although they don’t have a killer 3-4, they have good hitters one through nine, all evidence to the contrary.
- RandyHow long of a leash do you think they give Litsch? (It’s a lot easier to write that sentence than it is to say it out loud.) Although Litsch has, for the most part, gotten the job done (since they called him up last year), I don’t think he can survive longterm in the AL East (maybe not in the big leagues at all for that matter.) I don’t think J.P. does either as he really wanted Jansen in the 5 spot. There’s only so far that guts and intangibles can take you, isn’t there? (There’s obviously the case of some older players who manage to stick around with diminshed stuff and still be effective like Maddux and Hoffman. But they’ve logged thousands of big league innings and are first ballot Hall of Famers.) Litsch reminds me of Josh Towers in that he has to have perfect location all of the time in order to be effective. That’s pretty tough, especially after everyones seen him a couple of times.
Purcey, 7 walks(!) and nervous jitters aside, looks pretty ready and a lefty in the rotation would look nice.
Any thoughts? Feelings? Lasting impressions?
MW: Already answered above, though you had no way of knowing that when you left the comment.
- peteHow many bad starts can Litsch have before JP sends him down and calls up Purcey??
I know its only two bad starts… But I was never sold on Litcsh and have always been doubtful he can pitch in the long run at this level….
MW: See the above answer, then look even abover.
- SteveMike! Help me understand…
If the Blue Jays are trying to get some kind of consistancy or even some kind of winning streak going, would’nt it make sense for John Gibbons to start his best line-up everyday?(For now at least). On Monday he leaves out Wells and last night he leaves out Rios with both these players hitting over 300. I understand that it’s a long season but these guys are paid millions of dollars to perform and there for should play. We need to apply constant pressure even when we play these weaker teams.
Anyways…I guess im just frustrated!!!
Loving the show.
MW: Yep, you’re frustrated. And you have much reason to be.
- Warren OwenAs a fellow journalist, Mike, and a devout Drunks reader, I couldn’t believe how upset that guy was getting about your anonymous sources.
Has he ever read a print story? That’s my medium, and, especially at the big daily sports sections, unnamed sources are used all the time.
Maybe he’s never heard of the San Fransisco writers who went to jail to protect their source in the BALCO case. Protecting sources is the definition of credibility, not the opposite, as that clown said.
Keep up the good work.
- Buck16Fourth in the division? Hardly! Isn’t that where the Jays are headed? Unless you meant that the Rays were going to pass the Jays into fourth and put us in the AL EAST basement. The basement with no windows, and that darn leaky faucet that drips, and that humming beer fridge, which we’re incessantly reminded of by David Suzuki.
At last check on MLB.com, the Jays are 4.5 games out of first, with a game in hand. If the season ended today, we wouldn’t win the wildcard race between Baltimore and Oakland!
Sorry… Too soon to over-react?
(I got this way from being a Leaf fan…)
MW: Way too soon. The O’s and A’s will both finish at least 10 games behind the Jays. If not 20.
;)
- USELESS MANMike, wouldn’t it be nice to have the offence like Boston to be able to come back over and over late in games and win. If history tells us anything, this lousy start from the Jays knocking on the door of last place is there isn’t going to meaningfull games in September. Don’t be too sure Tampa is in 4th. They got 2 key pithers on the DL ready to come back. So, I don’t think its too early to start talking about trading AJ Burnett and have Purcey come in get some experience for next year. Hopefully without JP Richardi, this guy must go. Wouldn’t be nice just to have Tampa’s offence.
- brunoMike,
What is your take on the team defence? I think this issue seems to be flying well under the radar when in my opinion it should be right there with the hitting with RISP. It seems that David Eckstein, scrappiness and all is giving up close to a hit per game (usually up the middle) that are routine plays for Johnny Mac. I didn’t catch all of the game on Monday but there was a hit in each of the 9th innings of the Saturday and Sunday games and then the one last night that I’m pretty sure even Derek Jeter gets to. While Mcdonald may only hit .250, even if he saves 1 hit every for every 10 AB’s (or 1 every 2.5 games) the case can easily be made that he is far more valuable than Eckstein.
And what’s up with the gold glove centre fielder? There has to be at least 5 hits that Vernon has let drop in front of him that in the very least he makes an attempt at in previous years. There are two things specifically that I’ve observed. First, he seems to be always taking a first step back, something that old beer league players do, not gold glove centre fielders. And second, he seems like he’s scared to dive (especially head first) for those balls that are dropping in front of him. Possibly being over cautious with the shoulder?
MW: I don’t think it’s a conscious thing with Vernon and the shoulder, but it does seem like there have been a few more times this season where I’ve been surprised he didn’t catch a ball. It’s worth keeping a close eye on the rest of the way. I agree with you on Eckstein’s defense, but I’d be happy if the Jays would just use McDonald for defense late, which they don’t seem to be interested in doing.
- MattIs Litsch going to pitch through 6 or more this year? I realize last night it was because of a bad outing and thats fine. However is limiting him to less than 6 simply because they want to build up his arm and they can use the pen more with Doc comming up the next day, or are they unsure of how effective he is deep into games?
- NickThe poor results vs. non contenders that Halladay called the team out on in the spring is happening again so far this season.
The Jays are 6-4 against so called contenders (NY, BOS, DET) and 4-7 against teams they “should” beat (OAK, TEX, BAL, TB). Yes it’s early, but it’s extremely frustrating because this team has shown no signs that it will be any different than last year.
If this team can’t get hot and keep pace with the AL leaders in the next month (we’re already 4.5 games out), what would you do Mike?
MW: They’re only 2 games out of the wild card, and doing it without two key players, one of whom is already gone. I’d go get Barry Bonds right now, but that’s just me.
- AmMike,
I gotta know…is the “Snakeface” thing just an ongoing joke at the guy who thought Downs needed to be more intimidating, or does he actually have a tatoo on his face?!?! I have tried to look very closely and find pictures, but I can’t see anything!
MW: He actually has a tattoo of a snake on his face.
- MarlsHey Mike,
I log the blog … I’m with you on the dolts that try and stop at a green light because the countdown reads 3…2…1.
It is one thing to stop if the intersection is jammed … but, just to stop for the sake of stopping because of the countdown….Come on !
As for the Jays: I had my buddy call you on Monday to ask why Wells was sitting in the wake of losing Thomas’ bat (or lack there of) from the lineup. And then didn’t even use him effectively as a pinch hitter. Day off I guess. Great, a shorthanded team sits their best player. We lose. Next day, we sit our 2nd best player and hitter. And, doesn’t pinch hit him at all. Day off I guess. We lose again. I’ve called your show and discussed the trend of the Jays being a .500 team, while Boston climbs to 5, 6, 7, 8 (now) games over .500. And where are we: below .500. Awful. But, typical. I know we look better on paper this year: great starting staff, bullpen and hitters. But, as usual, we’re .500 (or worse).
MW: Rios was on-deck when the game ended, at least.
- MichaelWhy have I not been called up yet. I am on fire in Syracuse and I read in the paper the Jays just released their DH. Did I mention I hit left handed?
MW: I think it’s because they wanted to make sure you learned how to sleep properly so the neck thing wouldn’t be an issue in the future. And I have a feeling the phone will be ringing today or tomorrow.
- Adam LindYou’ll probally call me dumb for this one Mike but if a ball is going over the fence it would be perfectly legal for an ourfeilder to throw their glove at the ball and try to know it down wouldn’t it.
I’ve always wanted to see outfeilders throw their gloves to try and know it down instead of just standing their looking disapointed.
MW: Yep, but if they knock it down onto the field of play, it’s a ground-rule triple, and it’s not that easy to do.
- Dan M.Re : Yesterday’s Bloggage
The American announcers are saying the Jays have a 1 year window for a very obvious reason – the state of the Yankees. The opportunity is knocking because they decided to go with 2 rookies and an aging vet who stinks in their rotation. That won’t last too long if the results aren’t there, Hankie won’t stand for it. It has virtually nothing to do with Toronto’s own roster, and such is the reality of playing in the AL East.
- AriI find the lack of hitting with men in scoring posission worrisome, as many Jays fans do. Especially now that we can’t blame the hitting coach, or injuries to key players as was the case last year. Why is it that otherwise good hitters can’t seem to buy a hit with men on second and/or third base and yet others (I.E. Pat tabler) thrived on those situations. I remember in the 1980s and early 1990s when if Tabby came up with the bases loaded or two men on, there was a good chance of him getting at least a single. Maybe he should come down from the broadcast booth and show these Jays hitters how to hit with men on base.
- Kevin HuberMike, why do you think Gibbons feels the need to rest Rios so often? Alex is 27 years old, one of the most consistent hitters on the team, and a big part of the offence. He should be playing everyday and getting as many at-bats as he can.
Why would Gibbons “rest” Rios in favor of playing Inglett in right field when the team is struggling offensively and clearly needs all the help they can get? Is it some kind of Little League attitude of making sure “everyone gets their turn to play”? Why not field the best team you can every single day and let the bench players be bench players?
MW: It doesn’t work that way. There’s a reason so few players play 162 games per season, you have to try to keep everybody sharp all year long. I don’t think Rios should be sitting twice in nine days, though.
- DonIn your heart of hearts, do you feel this team will ever hit the way it is capable of? What’s your gut instinct?
I’m a big fan of the Jays, but this is getting ridiculous.
If they get swept in Tampa, I may have watched/listened to my last game of the season.
Also, given what you’ve seen so far, what do you think the Jays’ record will be this season?
MW: Yes, I do think they’ll hit the way they’re capable. Sorry that you’ll tune out with 139 games to play if they lose the next two. I think they’ll wind up being far better than what we’ve seen so far, and I still think they could be a major factor in the playoff race. Look at where the playoff teams were after 21 games last year, or the year before. Wait, I’ll do it for you. Last year – BOS 14-7, CLE 13-8, LAA 11-10, NYY 8-13/PHI 9-12, CHC 8-13, ARI 10-11, COL 8-13
- Bob2006 – NYY 11-10, MINN 9-12, OAK 9-12, DET 13-8/NYM 14-7, STL 14-7, SDG 8-13, LAD 10-11
Some great, some crap, some in-between. It’s early.
Mike, is it really necessary to make smart-ass comments like when the poster above referred to Petco and you made a comment about stadia predicting wins/losses. You knew he meant PECOTA and the high road would have been to correct him and move on. That poster could be 12 years old for all you know.
MW: He could be, indeed, but it’s just another example of the general laziness that seems to be afoot about the language, about spelling, about being accurate. Everyone has an opinion on everything, but few are the people who bother to get their facts straight before they present theirs.
- Chris JonesI know the bullpen is looking good so far and really we don’t seem to need him (until someone goes down I guess…) but what is up with Brandon League? I took a peak at the Syracuse box scores and he is getting hit hard and is walking a ton of guys. Is he still recovering from his arm problems?
Also you mentioned that Syracuse might lose their team. That is sad news, I’m from Niagara and I really feel for a city losing their minor league team, having seen the Welland Pirates and St. Catherine Jays (later Stompers) leave town.
MW: Yeah, a couple of bad outings in a row for League, statistically anyway. I didn’t actually see them, so I can’t really comment.
- AaronIt’s so funny to see Bosh put his body on the line every night, get hacked, bumped, constantly run the floor and then see your number 3 and 4 hitters for the Blue Jays sit consecutive nights when the 4th and 5th pitcher is in.
What a complete joke it is to rest Rios when Litsch could use all the offense he can get while he is up against TB’s best (healthy) pitcher in Shields. Two days off in a week doesn’t cut it for me. These guys have more rest between fielding and batting and there is no way they are mentally breaking down this early in the year.
Vernon fine, if the player is in a slump let him think it over, but why rest Rios on consecutive nights? At least wait till your stud ground ball pitcher is on the mound!
Ridiculous
MW: Rios didn’t sit two days in a week, nor did he sit consecutive days. And Bosh goes out there and puts his body on the line “every night”, but only every night that there’s a game. Sure, basketball and hockey are more physical games, but they don’t play every single day.
- ScottThe only way I come up to Toronto,is if you get rid of MW. Better yet, use his head for batting practice and to have my locker all spic n span.
MW: Yeah, because Barry Bonds is even aware that I exist.
- Barry BondsThanks for offering up all of that great information on where the playoff teams were at in 2007 and 2006 after 21 games. That actually gives me some hope! I’m back on the Jays bandwagon now!!
This blog thing is tres cool — good on you for taking the time and making the effort for all us Jays fans.
I still think the Jays will get swept by the hapless Rays. It’s a rather sad state of affairs.
- BobMike, what do you think about Bobby Valentine as a manager? I would like to see him manage the Jays but what do you think about him generally?
MW: I had a bad experience with him when I was just starting out in this business, so I’m not a big fan. But people seem to think he’s a pretty good manager.
- Chris JonesMike I wonder if you happen to have any stats which would indicate the streakiness of a teams offense. What I mean by this is there are some hitters who are consistent (1 for 3 or 4 every day or second day vs the guy who doesn’t get a hit for a week then you can’t get him out the next week. It seems to me that the Jay’s probably have 3 hitters (Rios,Hill and to some degree Eckstein)who are somewhat consistent. The balance appear to be streaky. If you have an offense like this the problem that seems to arise is if all or most of the streaky guys go bad at the same time you can’t score. I would appreciate any comments
MW: It’s an interesting theory, but that would take a LOT of time to look up, and I can’t take on that kind of project. You do hear about guys who don’t go more than three games without getting a hit, those would be the less-streaky ones, I guess. But you don’t hear about too many 0-for-15s, either.
- mike glattMike, I can never, EVER, get used to losing to Tampa Bay. Never. Ever.
MW: Everybody does it.
- Navin VaswaniWhat I don’t understand in Gibbon’s philosophy of resting players. Most MLB managers do not simply rest their regulars unless there is some sort of issue (hits poorly against someone or has a nagging injury). After resting Wells against Texas, Rios gets the night off yesterday. He also got the night off in Baltimore (On TV, they said it was to send a message regarding his botched play in Texas.) Of course, they use his bat when it is too late.
I just wish they would give Joe Inglett the night off instead of Wells or Rios. I want to see the A team every night when it is healthy.
MW: I know you do, so does everyone else, but look at the number of players who play 162 games a season, it’s generally less than 5 per league.
- Jim BMike, isn’t it obvious that Jesse Litsch’s portly charm is to blame for his inability to get outs?
Is the solution not emulation of Scott Downs’ snake tattoo?
- TylerHi Mike:
I really enjoy the work of Jerry Howarth and Alan Ashby on the Broadcasts. Where do you suppose they would rank in terms of quality compared with the other Radio Broadcast crews in the majors?
MW: I haven’t gotten the chance to hear many other broadcast crews, but Jerry and Alan are terrific.
- RickIt is so cool that Adam Lind reads your blog!
If the Jays don’t start hitting in crucial situations I’m going to shoot myself out of a cannon & into the sun.
MW: Wow – let us know before you go so we can watch.
- ColeMike, how do you know the Jays will come around and be the hitting team rquired to make noise in September? You don’t, no one does. Richardi has shown us talk is cheap we as fans want to see it to believe it. Fact is this team looks like last but worse offensively & defensively. Is there anyway we can get rid of Richardi and bring in a Ken Williams type and have him revamp our offence aka CWS this year make some trades?
MW: When did I say I knew they would come around?
- brunoWhy the heck did Rios get the day off? Vernon got the day off the day before against the Tigers. I dont understand why you wouldnt want the best players in the lineup every bleeping game! Thats why these guys signed the big contracts.
Franchise players like Sizemore, Ichiro, Rollins and Reyes started every game last season.
MW: Seven players played 162 games last season, Ichiro and Reyes weren’t among them.
- Brett Vlol Sorry for PETCO/PECOTA mistake. I wish I could say I’m five years old but I’m actually 23 and spelling/grammer is just something I’ve never been good at. I read alot Mike especially about baseball but not just about baseball and as bad as my spelling/grammer are and this might scare you but I’ve got alot better the last few years and I’m obviously still trying to improve.
On a baseball note though Mike I talk to the guys at baseball prospectus regularly along with Keith Law and they’ve all told me the same thing and that is that the Jays simply don’t have enough offence to make the playoffs this year. I’ve tried not to believe them but after watching the first few weeks of the season I agree with them. I know the Jays don’t have Rolen but even with Rolen this is an average offensive team at best.
MW: I’m really glad you’re working on it, that’s good to hear. I think it’s a better than average offensive team, but we’ll see. So far the numbers bear that out, but it’s very early.
- Dan M.Mike at the start of a season because its a small sample size players hitting lines often look funny so taking out Frank Thomas 3 best games and giving his stat lines for his other games is just something I can’t believe you continue to do.
MW: I actually took out his four best games, and I did it to illustrate just how miserable he was the rest of the time.
- Dan M.Mike, you say its early in the season. I say its become late in the season early in the season for the Jays.
MW: You’re right – they’re two games out of the wild card spot that’s currently held by a bad team playing over its head. Might as well pack it in.
- brunoMike you’re stupid. The bblue jays wont make the playoffs
MW: Very constructive. Thanks for raising the level of discourse.
- StevenPardon the mistakes by various commenters- Rios did not miss 2 games in five days or 2 games in a week. That’s not the point. The point is he has not played twice already and there’s still a week left in April. Other regulars have been out of the lineup at times for no good reason as well.
Give me a break about needing the days off. Rios didn’t play the first time less than a week after a scheduled off day and this time it is a few days before another off day. The Jays have been preaching consistency and taking teams not named the Red Sox or Yankees seriously. How can the players be expected to take other teams seriously when the manager doesn’t take them seriously?
The fact that only a handful of players played 162 games last year is irrelevant and misleading. How many players are both completely healthy for an entire season and arguably their team’s best player?
MW: It’s very easy to call in wherever you live, but I’m sure that topic will come up tonight regardless, probably a few times.
I wish somebody would ask these questions to Gibbons point blank. (I don’t live in Canada so it’s not easy to call in myself…)
- ShmuelRE: Petco/PECOTA
I was sort of hoping that there was an Oracle At Petco that predicted baseball game outcomes through riddles.
When the doctor pitches / Expect a different outcome from Litsch’s
I’m fairly confident that Mr. Sources who erroneously criticized your journalistic integrity while hilariously and unintentionally using the handle “anonymous” was just trolling for an argument.
I’m curious how often your call screener/producer dumps a prospective caller from the radio show (for trolling or other reasons), and if there are any humorous stories about wannabe callers that didn’t quite make it to air.
MW: You know, I’d have to ask the producers about that. K-Rod does most of the games now, but there’s kind of a rotating group, not like the old days when Stevenson, Pizzo or Walsh did almost all the games. The stories get better when the guys are in there every night.
- Dustin ParkesIf you were to choose, which manager would you have replace Gibbons ?
MW: Does he have to be out of work?
- NathHi Mike,
I continue to be impressed by the amount of time you put in to reading/answering questions on the blog. Keep it up!
I agree with your comments about it being early in the season (I know that a lot can happen over the summer in a baseball season). I have a tough question for you? In your opinion, at what point does a season stop being early and when do you start getting very worried about your team’s position?
Which has a greater impact to you…games left or games behind (especially the wild card position)?
My opinion is that it starts to happen around the middle of August (depending on the games behind the wild card). The big factor for me around that time is how many teams are above the Jays for a playoff/wildcard spot – not so much how many games back they are (assuming of course that it is not something unrealistic like 15 games back).
Thoughts?
MW: I think that games behind teams you expect to be there at the end has the greatest impact. For example, right now there’s no worry about being a game back of Oakland, with Baltimore and the Twins being in there as well. Keep your eye on teams like the Yankees, Detroit, Cleveland, maybe Seattle. The Jays are right in there with them.
- Glenn WaddenI think the separation/concern starts to happen before the middle of August, though.
In your opinion, have we already seen the best of Lyle Overbay (2006)? I am starting to get worried he may never slug .500 again
MW: Overbay has more doubles this season than he had at this point in 2006, when he wound up with 46.
- ScottMike I don’t think you took out Franks four best games to show how bad Frank was this year. You took out his four best games to ex·ag·ger·ate how bad Frank had been this year.
I looked up exaggerate on dictionary.com lol there I go improving my spelling and grammer to ap·pease you lol.
MW: Swell of you. But I don’t think it was to exaggerate. If I had taken those games out without saying I had, then that would be true. I did it to illustrate just how bad he was outside the good 5 days.
- Dan M.Mike, I’m not a big fan of J.P’s but one thing I admire about him is that he comes out for Jays talk and allows the fans to have their say (even though I think the calls are screened and you get Vito from Woodbridge).
How long do you think it will take before the trigger is pulled on either J.P or Gibbons if the state of affairs is status quo? If the Jays made a drastic change (ie) fire Gibby or J.P today do you think it’s too early? The reason I ask, and not to bring a puck analogy, but both the Capitals and the Stars fired their coach and GM early in the season, and it helped their teams get into the playoffs. I read the Reds fired their GM today, so I’m wondering if that will light a fire under them?
I personally don’t see Gibbons lasting longer then May. He doesn’t seem to have a good handle on his pitching staff and he has no idea how to put together a decent batting lineup. One thing it has done, is show how great Cito Gaston was as manager of the Jays even though those in the media never wanted to give him his due.
MW: It is amazing how many people think John Gibbons can’t run a pitching staff despite the results. The Jays aren’t 10-11 because of a lack of pitching. I think it’s too early to pull the trigger, and I think J.P., at least, is completely safe, but I have seen triggers pulled even earlier than this.
- BobbyHey Mike,
Can you please describe your bad experience with Valentine?
Also, thanks for replying that no player picked Thomas to be team MVP last year, but I was hoping for something a little juicier with regards to why he was not well liked in the clubhouse. Again, I’m not asking for any names, just a good story about Thomas.
MW: Sorry, I’m not going to get into juicy. In my mind, that’s trafficking in gossip and it’s not something I want to do. I also don’t want to get into detail about Valentine. I was just a kid, probably had no idea what I was doing (save it), and he wasn’t very nice to me. For all I know, I deserved it – though I doubt it.
- Jasoni don’t think you need to know a thing about or even like baseball to find these blogs/comments entertaining. Man do you get people p***d off. Fantastic.
- jeremyI surreptitiously called you fat in my mail bag today. Care to comment on my baseball knowledge (or lack thereof)?
MW: Nope. Like I said before, I don’t take shots at other people in the media, and I expect them to extend the same courtesy to me. I’m still trying to figure out whether Griff called me fat or not. I think we’re pretty close to the same weight class. But I’m not getting in the ring with him.
- Richard G.MW, this Reed Johnson vs Stewart debacle is starting to really effect the team. What’s done is done but I think choosing Stewart over Johnson really brings into focus the poor decision making process this organiation has been employing seemingly regularly as of late. Stewart was brought in to add bench depth, specifically, a solid professional bat off the bench. The only thing that Stewart, at this point in his career, can be expected to do better than Reed, is hit right handed pitching. It is a simple fact that Reed runs, throws, and catches better. Reed also hits lefties better. Here’s the problem, the way the Jays team is structured, when healthy, STEWART SHOULDT BE FACING RIGHT HANDED PITCHERS ANYWAY! Thus the one advantage he brings to the table over Reed is negated. I could give a crap about the money saved by dumping Reed, that money is not mine. That money will not go back into improving the team in other areas. That money could have almost recouped by simply not signing or Stewart and not obtaining a crappier version of J Mac in the form of Marco Scutaro. Im not even that big a Reed Johnson fan, but the choices this regime makes (specifcally with regards to position players) are mind boggling.
MW: You’re completely right. If the Jays had kept Johnson over Stewart they’d probably be 13-8 right now.
- sammy jalalzaiMike,
I completely agree with your view that it’s too early to be panicking about the offense, the bats will come around. On another note, I was flipping through the pitching stats on our ‘A’ team in Dunedin and came across a kid by the name of, Kenny Rodriguez. While listening to the “Baseball Show” on ESPN during spring training, the broadcasters (sorry,cannot remember their names) mentioned that he’s raw, but could have tremendous potential. I’m curious if you have heard anything about this kid?
Keep up the solid job your doing!! Let’s hope the bats wake up tonight, Doc deserves a win!!!
- Tommy ScholczMike, you’re missing the point on the player rest issue. Sure there are only a few who play all 162 games but that stat is misleading because it counts appearances not starts. Rios’ 161 games last year are the 161 that he APPEARED in. It doesn’t reflect how many he didn’t start. I just checked and Rios sat for 4 games plus the 1 he didn’t appear in at all.
As for Chris Bosh not playing every night. Well, he also has to travel to a different city for each game unlike baseball players who travel for series so the travel grind is about the same. I’m no expert on this obviously, but I can’t think of any reasons other than actual physical problems to sit a player. Just resting a player for the heck of it is just old-timey foolishness. Plus, does it really count as “rest” if they end up pinch-hitting for a couple at-bats anyway? Why not just let them play the whole game.
MW: How am I missing the point?
- ShawnMike,
You keep defending Gibbons resting of Wells and Vernon by stating how few players play 162 games. Well most players dont play 162 games due to factors such as injuries(long and short term) bad numbers against a certain pitcher, personal leave…etc. Having given Rios 2 days off in the month of April while your throwing out a bunch of bench players just aint bright, especially when his reasoning for sitting rios was he was 1-9 against Shields.
- PeeWeeSorry for the confusion re asking JP a question – I know he doesn’t answer here, but I’m not in a position to listen to your radio show (by almost 1,000 miles I’d guess) so I was just kind of saying “here’s a question I hope he gets asked” under the assumption that if you knew the answer you would have already commented on it.
I suppose it’s possible I could listen on-line? Hmm.
Anyway, excellent job as always.
MW: Listen on-line! On this very website. I love me some long-distance callers!
- WillRainOK, stop it guys! You’re killin’ me here. This blog gets funnier every day. People firing themselves into the sun, stadia making predictions…and I love that Adam Lind *and* Barry Bonds posted replies to the same blog. What is this PTI? Here’s one for ya:
Dear Mike,
Red rover, red rover. We call Rod Barajas over!
Love,
- Rob_NSEric, Reed & Frank
Mike,
What do you think of today’s lineup: 3 catchers in, and no Rios?
-J
MW: Rios is sick. I never like to see Barajas starting against a righty, but having 3 catchers in is fun! It’s nice to see Diaz get into a game before he goes back to AAA.
- JasonMW
What ever has happened to Balbino Fuenmayor; I don’t see him on any of our minor league teams?
Thanks.
MW: He’s still on the roster of the Gulf Coast League team, which doesn’t start play until June.
- GerryMW, if you actually read what i had posted, it had nothing to do with the Reed vs Stewart choice being a 3 win differential in only 21 games. moreover, you know this is not what i was referring to. the point of the post was to illustrate yet another example of a perplexing choice regarding personnel made by the organization. can you please specically point to something i wrote that implied Reed Johnson was a star or a huge difference maker? simply stating he was a far better choice for this team at this time over the aged, injury prone wunderkind
MW: I felt as though you were saying that the current state of the Blue Jays is attributable to their selection of Johnson over Stewart, which is a notion that I feel is worthy of the sarcastic answer it got.
- sammy jalalzaiYou’re “missing the point” because you’re assuming that games played is the same as games started. Delmon Young and Grady Sizemore APPEARED in all 162 games last year (the only two in the AL), but Young was a late inning PH in 3 games and Sizemore in 4 games. And Young was a rookie.
MW: Then we’re arguing the same side. My point is that very, very few players start all 162 games.
- ShawnIm in a pretty good mood right now, just finished my last exam and im getting ready to watch the Jays, a day couldn’t get much better. Hopefully Doc comes through and the Jays pull one out. Can’t wait for Jays talk tonight. It will be interesting to see what JP has to say about the team so far. As I said before keep up the good work.
- ChadJamie Campbell just said that Matt Stairs wouldn’t “clog up the bases” as much as Frank Thomas.
I give up.
- GregJPHey Mike,
Doesn’t Marco Scutaro look like J. P. Ricciardi with his sunglasses on?
MW: Maybe, a little bit.
- XiaoTonight’s game provides one good reason not to randomly sit one of your best players except on very rare occasions. Over the course of 162 games, he’s bound to show up one day under the weather, perhaps with a fever or the flu, and thus get his rest for unavoidable reasons. Rios’ absence from the lineup tonight for good cause highlights the folly of not playing him yesterday.
MW: That’s true to an extent, but you can’t anticipate a player getting sick or hurt, and just run him out there everyday until he does.
- ShmuelWho ever the manager you choose has to be in the minors or near the end of his contract in the majors, and of course the out of work managers.
MW: Hmmm, lemme think.
- NathMr Wilner
I’m not saying that we will suck but if we do (below 75 wins), do you think that JP or Mr Gibbons’ job is a risk?
MW: If the Jays are on their way to 75 wins, Gibbons is long gone. I don’t know about Ricciardi, though, Paul Godfrey is solidly in his corner.
- gregJust listening to Jays talk and have a question. During comercials are you able to talk with JP (off air)? Anything good you can share with us?
MW: When the Jays are on the road, no, when they’re at home, he’s in the booth with me, so yes, but he’s usually on the phone during the breaks.
- GlennHey Mike,
Couldn’t get through to Jays Talk tonight (Wednesday). Good 1st episode of Wednesdays with JP. I had to write with this comment. Is it just me, or was JP walking a fine line of hypocrisy: If they didn’t like Reed, because they like what they have in Lind … then why didn’t Lind start the season in LF; If 40 at bats isn’t enough time to make judgement on Stewart & Overbay, why was it enough with Frank?; and if free agent signings of MLB ready players isn’t what this team needs because they like what they have in Travis Snyder, Lind, Diaz, Thigpen, etc., then it sounds like JP is still playing for the future, not the present like we all think. I can’t stand the hypocrisy that is our GM and organization.
MW: I think you’re reading too much into things. He didn’t say they let Reed go because of Lind, he said that he let Reed go because he believes Shannon Stewart is a better hitter. He did say 40 AB wasn’t enough on Stewart (Thomas had 60, but that’s neither here nor there), but Stewart’s not playing every day, and doesn’t deserve to. Nor did Frank, and Thomas reacted badly to being benched. I don’t see the hypocrisy in his not being interested in Aaron Rowand, and he felt what the team has is as good or better than Swisher, especially given what the cost to acquire him would have been (McGowan and Marcum). He only started talking about the kids when I brought up Carlos Quentin. Then again, most people hear what they want to hear, so I’m sure you’re not alone.
- MichaelMW
So how do you like the Stewart experiment now. The guy’s batting an anemic .152 against rh’s.Pathetic.
On the other hand Reed is now leading of for the Cubbies and hitting .323. Dumb decision.
The solution is to bring up Lind and sit Stewart against RH’s. Of course our dumb a** manager knowing Stewart is hitting RH’s so well, keeps him in the 2 hole. Real bright.
These guys play with no intensity at all against weak teams. No matter how you view that, it’s the manager job to motivate them and it isn’t happening.
Yep, looks like manager of the year material to me. The only team Gibby can manage is a sand lot junior high school in the hills of Kentucky.Let’s send him there.
MW: Yes, Reed Johnson is outhitting Shannon Stewart. We get it. It’s April 23rd.
- GerryMike, I’m glad to see you respond to the blogs frequently. I caught a bit of J.P this evening on Jays talk, and he sounds like a guy who realizes his team is toast. I don’t think it’s a stretch to believe the Jays will be out of the A.L East picture by the end of May if they continue at this pace.
My question is since Riccardi is so adamant to not want to bring the best hitter in the game (ie) Barry Bonds, and he admits his offense needs help, is their any possibility he starts looking to trade some of his pitchers? If the rumour that Burnett is leaving at the end of the year, do you think some teams contending (especially in the NL) would consider making an offering?
Finally, at what point do you start considering the contract to Wells a disaster?
MW: The contract to Wells a disaster? He’s hitting .302/.375/.477 and leading the team in slugging, HR, runs, RBI and total bases. He’s also 29. He had a bad year last year, that doesn’t make the contract a disaster.
- BobbyI didn’t think that J.P. was adamant at all about not wanting to bring in Barry Bonds.
And who cares if the Red Sox run away with the division? It’s not about winning the division, it’s about making the playoffs. 4 1/2 games back on April 23rd is nothing, but regardless, if the Red Sox win their next 50 games, the only impact that makes on the Jays making the playoffs is that they’ll lose the three games they play with Boston over that span, and they’ll lose one of their two avenues to reach the post-season, People get so hung up on winning the division, I don’t get it.
And toast with 140 games to go. Hilarious.
Whaddayaknow… The Jays are about to get swept by the Rays, should be no surprise here. This is the same old story as the previous few seasons. They get up for teams like the Yanks and Red Sox and when it comes time to pummel the dirtbags, they come up so flat that they look like Kelly Ripa! And what’s this, the Red Sox have one 6 of last 7? Same old story here too.. The Jays have good intentions when the season starts then fall into the crapper and watch the Red Sox and Yankees extend their lead. It will be a long time before we have the looks of the ’92 and ’93 Jays but will keep supporting them as I am a die hard fan believe it or not. I just needed to vent
- BrentMike, I know that “it’s early” and all those other cliches, but don’t you realise that the diehard Jays’ fans are slowly losing what hopes they started the season with? Can you blame them? We are going into K.C. and the story will be the same…doormats. The thoughts of a wild card are just that….wild. Jack
MW: I can’t blame diehard fans for beginning to lose hope, that’s why they’re diehard fans. That’s why you think they’re going into Kansas City and getting swept. Fans ride the roller coaster, but don’t think the downs will ever turn into ups or vice-versa. I’m here to remind you that it’s never as bad as it looks when it’s going bad, and it’s never as good as it looks when it’s going good.
- Jack Lynch