You’ve said on a few occasions that you think that “something HAS to be up”* with the Blue Jays not bringing Lind up before today’s game. Some people have hinted that it had to do with a potential trade brewing, and others have claimed that the Blue Jays were playing with the numbers in order to avoid Lind from becoming a super-2 player and save some cash in the upcoming years, instead of allowing Lind to become arbitration eligible, and since they are already paying Thomas to play in Oakland, this seems like a dumb thing to do.

I’ve got a possible theory as to why they would hold him back in AAA so as to avoid him being a super-2 player and would like your comments..

Although we have not heard any rumblings of a trade for Lind (or anyone else) right now, it doesn’t mean that the Blue Jays will try and pursue possible trades near the deadline.

With Travis Snider working his way up through the minors, and Wells and Rios signed to long term deals, it seems as if there is one extra player for all 3 spots.

This suggests (at least to me) that one of the trading chips that the Blue Jays have is Adam Lind (unfortunately). With any potential trade partner, it seems as if Adam Lind would have a higher value if he would still have one more year left before he became arbitration eligible.

So, if in fact the Blue Jays brass were paying around with numbers it could possibly be that they did so in order to keep Adam Lind’s potential trade value higher so that if it comes to it they can try to get more for him, or not trade away as many players in order to get what they want, instead of trying to save a few bucks down the road for themselves. In which case, I might not like that it took a few days extra for Lind to be called up, but in the long run, it might be beneficial if those bats start to turn around like everyone expects

I look forward to your comments, keep up the good work on Jays Talk,

*Comments from post 5

MW: It’s an interesting thought, and there’s some merit to it, but it makes no difference. A team that’s trying to win now must use its best players to its best effect without worrying about things like arb eligiblity. Of course, if they trade Lind for Adam Dunn tomorrow, then it was the right move.

MW: The offense wasn’t fine, because it’s not just about getting people on base. If you load the bases every inning but don’t score, you haven’t had a fine night at the plate. I agree with you, Mickey Brantley shouldn’t have been fired. Every other member of the coaching staff got a mulligan because of all the injuries.

MW: Nope.

I have a bone to pick with Jerry and I wanted your comment on this. Last night you were waxing eloquent on the need to put Johnny Mac in. Today on the pre-game show, Jerry was interviewing Gibby, and I was waiting for him to ask why Gibby didn’t put in Johnny Mac. However, Jerry didn’t ask the question. Why won’t Jerry or Alan ask those sorts of questions? I think they are the ones that need to be asked the most, especially by the media which is very close to the team.

If you had the opportunity to interview Gibby, would you ask the hard questions?

MW: That’s a question you’ll have to ask Jerry, I can’t comment on his interviews. The Special Olympics reference was in poor taste, and has been removed. Sorry I missed it before.

MW: Wouldn’t have been a double play, but the point is taken. When you say “poor showing”, by the way, you’re being kind.

MW: There are still four games left on the trip before you have to worry about the homestand, but if this keeps up, I’m sure we’ll see a couple of 11,000s. And no, this can’t keep going on. It never has before. Ever. I mean, this is Cleveland Spiders bad.

Always enjoy listening to JaysTalk and reading your blogs.

Just wanted to comment on the inexcusable move keeping Eckstein in the game. I agree that McDonald should have been in the game defensively in the 8th. The only (somewhat?) logical(?) reason I can think of is that Eckstein was due to bat in the 9th inning and Gibbons might have wanted Eckstein’s bat in the top of the 9th to possibly stretch the lead and then use McDonald defensively in the bottom of the 9th. I don’t think Gibby or anyone could have forecasted the meltdown in the bottom of the 8th, especially after the clutch hitting by Rolen in the top of the inning. I think it’s possible Gibbons was looking ahead to the 9th inning instead of managing the 8th.

Keep up the great work with the JaysTalk and bloggage!

MW: You have to make sure there’s a lead to take with you to the 9th. If it had been the 7th, with Eck coming up third in the 8th, then that’s easier to understand.

MW: Not that I’m aware of, but there are some old statutes that are still on the books.

MW: Yeah, he’s the guy who is 10 for his last 86. Damnit, why can’t he pick up his game?

MW: I don’t mind Rios leading off, because it gets Eckstein out of the top spot, but I don’t know if Rolen has shown enough to be a 3-hitter.