10:45 PM Eastern
Not much of a post here on a Saturday night, but I did want to make note of a few things. The Blue Jays continue to make baby steps towards an offensive recovery, counting 12 hits in today’s win and going 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. While that last number seems unimpressive, it’s a .231 batting average, up substantially from the .092 run they were on in their last 87 shots coming into the game.
They scored in the first inning again, a big two-out single by Vernon Wells cashing the run, and didn’t need an error for help this time. At least, not at that point they didn’t. Wells wound up with three hits on the day, he’s 5-for-his-last-8 and heating up. Two of his hits today were to the right side of second base, and if he’s going to start using the whole field, that can only be a good thing.
Even though there were a couple of occasions where they had the chance to do some serious damage, especially the man on third, none out situation in the 8th with the 2-3-4 hitters up, and failed miserably, they still managed to put up five runs. Yes, three of them were unearned, but the last two of those three scored on a two-out hit after the error, which is something the Jays haven’t been getting at all for a couple of weeks.
Jesse Litsch was spectacular, continuing the now seven straight start run for the rotation in which no starter has given up more than two earned runs. The only time that the starter failed to take the game to the eighth inning was Friday night when the puketastic Shaun Marcum went 6 2/3 on fumes (and not the good kind) in slamming the door shut on Chicago. Who would have thought that Litsch would be leading the team in wins on May 3rd?
B.J. Ryan picked up the save using the same balk move that he used in Boston, but with no call this time. As much as David Eckstein let him down simply by not being John McDonald on the Paul Konerko single up the middle with one out, Alex Rios picked Ryan up with a tremendous running catch in the gap on a Jermaine Dye rocket that I thought was a definite RBI double off the bat. Ryan topped out at 88 today after pitching two days ago, so that should serve as a gentle warning to those who are ready to have him out there on back-to-back days.
Scott Rolen, the best Blue Jay ever, spent the afternoon as a spectator, watching as an active player for the first time since joining the club. Stunningly, they won anyway, and scored five runs in the bargain. Just goes to show you that even with a struggling offense, you can sit a regular contributor and win a game.
Comments are always welcome, how else do you get a 24/7 JaysTalk?
Mike
What a differance 3 Games can make. I do believe that the offence will come around. It’s sweet that after the bad start that we are only 4 Games back. I know that this is old news but why did Troy Glaus want to be moved? Was it the turf?
PS, Mike you really had me going on Scott Downs. When he came in to do yet another great job today I was looking for the tattoo .. Nice
MW: You didn’t see the tattoo????? Glaus said the turf that was the reason why he wanted to be traded, but I think it was us media types. We always wanted to talk to him and stuff.
- Bobby BMike, Im a yankees fan and I’m just wondering do you think we need to get a power bat cause there’s nobody other then A-rod who is a HR threat?
MW: Yeah, but the Yankees will just go sign Barry Bonds, or trade for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey, Jr. later if they need one.
- seanOk, extreme hypothetical here. Halladay goes 0-28 for the rest of the season, finishing 2-32. He throws 30 complete games, and finishes with a 3.26 ERA. Does he get Cy Young consideration? I know, silly question, but it’s questions like this that are fun to think about.
By the way, love the blog and Jays talk.
MW: You’re right, silly question. It’ll never happen. If it does, though, forget the Cy Young. Nolan Ryan led the National League with a 2.76 ERA in 1987, but went 8-16 and finished 5th in Cy Young voting.
- MattHi Mike, I was thinking the same thing when that ball flew by Eckstein in the ninth, thank goodness for Rios amazing catch after that.Johnny Mac would have had that ball without breaking a sweat. Jesse Litsch was amazing today, interestingly enough The Captain was back there again today. I am really impressed so far with Barajas.
- LizLiz
Ok, I’m a hockey fan, first and foremost, but baseball is a very, very close second (tie goes to hockey playoffs - nothing like them). I’m a Wings fan, so I want to compare Zetterberg and Datsyuk to McGowan and Marcum. Datsyuk is that flashy player, who puts up good numbers, but Zetterberg is that all around player that plays every part of the game well. He plays at both ends, and in the neutral zone with intensity, and completeness. I will take Zetterberg on a team before Datsyuk any day.
Same with McGowan and Marcum. McGowan throws hard, throws strikes, and is every game. But Marcum has the stuff. He is a young pitcher that will someday be the complete pitcher. I think McGowan will always be a solid #3 at best (#2 in a bad rotation). I think Marcum will one day be a staff ace, either on the Jays after Halladay leaves, or somewhere else. What do you think?
This is getting a bit long now, but also predict superstar status for Kazmir in Tampa (someone who I think the Jays could have gone after a couple of years ago, and should have, but oh well). So essentially, where do you see these three pitchers, McGowan, Marcum and Kazmir, in, say, five years?
By the way (second ‘by the way’ of the day), love that you’re a stickler for spelling and grammer (I’ll probably read this back now, and see umpteen spelling and grammer mistakes).
MW: Grammar. And I’m loathe to do any hockey comparisons in general, but I don’t know that yours fits. First of all, why do you have to pick one of McGowan or Marcum over the other? Second, why can’t they be Smoltz and Glavine for you? Kazmir seems to be kind of fragile, I want to watch him over the next few years to see if he shows any increased durability.
- MattSo here’s my analogy of the team thus far.
You know when you go on vacation and you get that neighbour of yours to watch the house, collect the mail, pick up the pile of newspapers from the step, and you set the timers for the lights, all in an effort to make it look like someone is home. Well, the Jays pitchers would be the neighbours, holding things together to give the appearance that the team is plodding along 4-2 in the last six games. Let’s just hope that when the hitters get back from extended away time, they are rested and ready to rock.
MW: Not bad.
- anthonyBuddy…..Puketastic, Greatosity, Flacciditude?? — Great stuff. Keep up the good bloggin’!!!
MW: Hey, I write like I talk.
- AlexanderMike,
What in the world do you think is keeping Manager Gibbons (notice I didn’t call him ‘coach’? I’m lernin’…) from bringing our all world defensive shortstop into the game in late inning, game winning situations. I’m sure we all understand why he’s not in there regularly (that hole in the bat). But, in a late game situation where his bat won’t be needed (for example, tonight’s ninth inning) it only makes sense to put him in, no?
Is it something coming from above him? Is he trying to not upset Eckstein? I’m sure he’s at least THOUGHT of this, let alone heard from either yourself or others in the media.
Your take?
MW: He’s thought of it, and heard about it. I’ve given my take before, but it’s that the company line is that the shortstop is the shortstop. Gibbons says that they didn’t bring Eckstein in here to take him out late in games. I’ve said before that if it’s all about winning it’s supposed to be all about winning, and not about hurting people’s feelings. That said, I can’t imagine that a guy like Eckstein would take issue with being replaced by a defender like McDonald.
- KevinHere’s an easy way to upgrade the offense. Platoon Lind and Stewart in LF and then pick up a right handed bat to DH with Stairs. Perhaps we could pick up Piazza, Sosa, or Botts or maybe even trade Tallet or a different one of our little used relievers for Wily Mo Pena. We’d have to go with 6 pitchers in our pen but seeing as a few of them don’t pitch very much anyways then I don’t think that would matter.
MW: It’s not a bad idea, but I’d still like to see whether or not Lind can hit lefties instead of just assuming that he can’t.
- Matt SMike,
On the Tigers telecast a couple of weeks ago (when Marcum started against the Detroit), the broadcasters said that since being converted back to a starter Marcum has had the highest winning percentage of any starting pitcher in the AL… I know you arent big on wins and loses for pitchers… But thats a big time thing to say about a starter…
Firstly, is that true?
Secondly, if that is true, then Marcum has to be considered not a 2.5, but a 1..
MW: If it is true, and I’ll try to find out if it is, that doesn’t mean he’s a # 1.
- SteveDon’t want Gibby’s head on a platter, don’t want JP sacked,don’t want the BO fine-tuned…..in fact I don’t want to say anything except “It’s Sunday, Halladay’s pitching, and FREE JOHNNY MAC !!”
(watch…..this won’t suit a whack of experts)
Jack
MW: The BO? I’m assuming you mean batting order, but congrats on attempting a new addition to abbreviocrosphere. I don’t think it’ll take, though.
- JackMW. First of all, IM NOT complaining about Jessies outing. it was good, as was his last. he’s a very solid pitcher for a number five. teams would kill to have a five like him. BUT, i think in todays game there were still the signs of his limited ceiling. he gives up a TON of hard hit, liners. when they get hit at people, he wins, when they dont, he gets in trouble. today he gave up two blasts and nearly a third that went for a double, high off the wall. he had that liner to overbay from swisher that saved him a run. im just saying, he’s not as good as his numbers are making him look right now. On a positive note, his strikeout rates are up this year..just not sure if this is going to continue and how long he can hold off purcey if he keeps doing his thing in AAA (first round pics of the current GM tend to get chances early and often). I was getting quite excited about vernon too with his taking balls up the middle and to right but he went and ruined it with the pop up in the eighth..i wont believe this team is out of the funk until they start taking advantage of the majority of these man on third less than two out situations. for gods sake, seems like half the hits they get with runners in scoring position dont actually score a runner!
MW: You’ve described 5th starters to a T, and Litsch is probably the best one in the majors. Yes, Purcey is pitching well, but what’s the rush? The five guys who are up here are doing a fantastic job.
- sammy jalalzaiHEY BROTHER
MR WILNER BROTHER I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOU ON THE JOB YOU DO BROTHER. I NOTICED A CALLER TODAY CALLED YOU A HOMER, AND HAVE NOTICED ALOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY, BUT EVENTHOUGH YOU AND I MAY NOT ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE I WILL DEFINETLY HAVE TO BACK YOU UP ON THE FACT YOU’RE VERY OBJECTIVE BROTHER. IT’S FUNNY HOW SHORT PEOPLE’S MEMORIES CAN BE. I REMEMBER WHEN THE JAYS WERE NOT FULL OF A WHOLE LOT OF TALENT BACK IN 03, AND WENT ON A MONTH AND A HALF SURGE WHERE THEY DESTROYED EVERYBODY, PEOPLE WERE PLANNING THE PARADE, AND YET YOU KEPT A LEVEL HEAD, SAYING NO WAY THEY WERE GONNA MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. ALSO, IN 2005, WHEN THEY STARTED 8-3 PEOPLE WERE ADAMENT THEY WOULD WIN THE WORLD SERIES, YET YOU SAID THEY WOULDNT HAVE A CHANCE IN HELL OF MAKING THE PLAYOFFS, AND YOU PROVED RIGHT. IT’S FUNNY HOW THE TIDES HAVE TURNED, YOU USED TO BE “TOO NEGATIVE” AND NOW YOU’RE TOO MUCH OF A “HOMER.” SO THE NEXT TIME SOMEBODY CALLS YOU OUT ON IT, MAKE SURE YOU REFERENCE THAT BROTHER.
THANKS BROTHER
- TerryCould the problem with Overbay be his stance at the plate? He steps in, reaches forward with his bat to check the distance to the plate, then steps back with his right foot to face the pitcher more. He says that he gets a better read of the pitches. He has stepped AWAY from the plate, and at that point can’t reach any pitches on the outside corner. He ends up waving at a lot of pitches that he can’t possibly get close to. He’s frustrated, but is his own worst enemy.If they keep pitching him away, he’s in for a long, hot summer
MW: He came into today’s game with a .425 obp vs righties.
- JackGibby looks smart sitting Rolen and his replacement hit a home run. Good Lord, that was a shot, and it left the yard in a hurry.
Brainiac alert: The announcers on ESPN news today kept calling Jesse Litsch by the wrong name. They were calling him “Pat Listach”. Oops!
MW: Oops, indeed.
- Jim BranscomeSome trivia for you Mike:
How many former Blue Jays are now base coaches in the major leagues?
MW: I haven’t got a clue. I can think of Alfredo Griffin, maybe Dave McKay (though I doubt he still does that anymore), Ernie Whitt.
- MCI’ve always felt like JP is getting a free pass from the media. The only people who seem to be down on him is Bob Elliot and Richard Griffin. Do you think he gets a free pass?
MW: Not even remotely. Several members of the media have been critical of J.P. since the day he got here, and there are a lot of people who simply disagree with everything he does.
- antonPitching again. The best in the American East.No injuries mean good looking for a wild card spot. Cmon Roy keep it going.
- JimI’m somewhat shocked by Litsch’s last couple performances.
Let’s get Marcum’s name on a James Shields type contract, or would that make Dustin jealous?
MW: The Jays will try to lock up the both of them before next season.
- PeeWeeHey Mike,
Your blog is the greatest thing ever for me since I work shifts so I’m not always able to listen to the show. Put my vote in as “Yea” for a Podcast as well.
Kudos for the Jays getting above the Mendoza line with RISP, but what is with Hill getting caught between 2nd & 3rd to end the rally in the sixth? Did he think the throw was going home or was Pevey giving him the sign to advance?
Thanks.
MW: I think he thought the throw was going home. Or he could have been going in order to ensure the throw coming to third, thereby allowing that extra run to score for sure.
- KevinMike, didn’t see the game but looking at the box score it seems that all the line-up changes Gibby made from Friday night paid off and highlighted a missing man over the last two weeks, Scutaro (9ab in two weeks). And as much as you harp on the under utilization of McDonald, I can’t but feel the same can be said for Scutaro. Now that Gibby has all of his pieces together he is going to have a tough time balancing playing time. If I had to critize Gibby it would be on the AL tendency to run out the same line-up almost everyday. I ‘ve always admired managers like Jor Torre who manage to keep their bench enolved, putting them into situations where they can succeed while giving his everyday players much needed rest over 162 games.
Looking at the line-up Gibby used, any chance he’ll leave Hill batting third when Eck plays? I rather see Wells batting 5th or 6th than Hill.
MW: I don’t think Aaron Hill will be the three hitter, that’s Rolen’s job. When Rolen sits, I’m fine with Hill hitting up there against a lefty.
- JWMike, when was the last time the blue jays starting rotation pitched five gems in a row, if ever? Marcum has impressed me the most, he doesn’t have the best weapons but he’s a tough bulldog. Long Live Blue Jays starting rotation!
MW: I’m sure it’s happened lots of times. Remember, this team used to be really, really good.
- BeburgYour post game jays talk is frustrating to listen too lately. This is baseball and the fans have to let the numbers play out. No more talk about Reed Johnson….John Macdonald shouldn t be anything more than a defensive replacement or firing the hitting coach please………or people worrying about the jays spending money because as you put it “is it your money”
- darrenMichael,
I am at a loss to explain to my wife the various pitches in a pitchers arsenal.In my day there was a drop,a curve,changeup and of course,the fastball.
Can you explain to us oldtimers the action of the most common pitches now used such as,cutter,slider,screwball,etc.
MW: A cut fastball is a fastball that darts at the last second, depending on which side of the plate you throw it to. A slider is like a flatter curveball, with a sharp, late break. A screwball is a curveball with the opposite motion.
- Hadley JacksonWhy is Eckstein out there again?
MW: Because he’s the shortstop.
- Michael KrimmerHey Mike, I have a 101 question for you… how big can an infielder’s glove be? I don’t think that there’s a limit for outfielders’ gloves.
MW: There are limits for glove size, but I don’t know what they are.
- StuWith pitchers like Litsch doing well, do you think there will ever be room for David Purcey in the rotation? Maybe it would be in the Jays best interest to trade him for a guy like Adam Dunn?
MW: There’s going to be a giant hole in the rotation next season, and Purcey might fit in there beautifully.
- Brett VComparing sitting Rolen to Wells/Rios is a bit much, in my opinion. Firstly, it would be one thing to give the outfielders a rest with Rolen in the lineup (like Wells and Rios were when Scott got his day off), but they were being given their days off in the midst of historic ineptitude. Secondly, Rolen is on the wrong side of 30 and is coming off a DL stint AND two injury plagued seasons, so an off day is way more justified. Thirdly, we found out Wells and Rios were suffering from the flu, and not that they just necessarily were given off-days. The fact that Rios missed basically an entire series should signal to you that it wasn’t the smartest of decisions.
I had to post this in direct response to the blatant sarcasm of your last paragraph where you clearly are attempting to demean the opinions of your posters and show everyone how right you must be.
MW: OK. But let’s be honest here, what people were saying last week was “You CANNOT rest any starters when the team is not hitting well.” Clearly, you can.
- AriIve been trying to read SI.com and ESPN.com (since the TSN seems to pull all their baseball coverage from the AP wire) to get some type of intellectual and authoritative analysis of baseball. I notice a complete lack of writing about the Blue Jays. I dont mean good things, I mean anything at all. In articles about the first month of the season, SI in their section about surprises mentioned nothing at all about the Blue Jays, when I thought they would have at least mentioned how bad they had been. Beyond that, whenever SI talks about the best young pitchers etc etc Clay Buchholz Tim Lincecum and Cueto are alway mentioned, yet there is never any mention of McGowan Marcum and Litsch. Having said that, TSN seems to make the error of over-emphasizing and favouring the Blue Jays when they shouldnt ought, such as the article which said the Blue Jays had the best rotation, flat out.
I think the worst part of this is that no matter whether the Blue Jays do poorly or well, they are never a story in the US, and rarely if ever reported on. Does this impact the willingness of players to play for the Jays?
MW: It appears not. The Jays were able to sign the two most-coveted free agent pitchers of the 2005-06 off-season, both Troy Glaus and Scott Rolen waived no-trade clauses to come here, and guys like Roy Halladay, Vernon Wells, Alex Rios and Aaron Hill have all forgone free agency to stay here.
- Sam McLeanwith rolen going oh-fer on sunday’s game, who is the newest member of “greatest blue jay ever”?
MW: Still Rolen.
- karim kanjiHi, Mike:
Listening to today’s JaysTalk concerning “who goes” when Brian Wolfe comes back, I got to wondering whether or not they might be able to work out a trade with the Rangers for Jason Botts, for either Tallet or Frasor?
Not sure where the Jays would play Botts, but at least it would solve the problem of possibly losing a reliever for “nothing”.
MW: The thing is, if they got Botts, they’d either have to let Stewart or Scutaro go, or another pitcher (once Wolfe comes back), or try to get Botts through waivers themselves, which might result in losing him for nothing.
- NormGreat blog. I generally agree with you, but could you ease up on the Overbay praise. Like you, I think he, not eck should be at the top of the order but only because of eck’s weakness. Overbay doesn’t get on base like a crazy man he gets on base at 370, which is good, especially on this team, but not great. Overbay’s OPS is about .700, far too low for a first baseman. I’m optimistic that it will rise in time but even still, Overbay is a below average first baseman at the plate. Slugging pct does matter. When you trot out the “430 against righties” stat, do you mean to suggest that overbay is only worthy as a platoon player? If so, that is not much of an endorsement. One more question. Given some of the recent adventures on the basepaths I’m wondering if something is up with the 3rd base coach or if it is the players’ responsibility alone?
Thanks, and keep up the good work. P.S. FREE JMAC in the late innings(w/ lead) and on days when halladay pitches! His ground ball ratio is way higher than anyone else’s. G in B.C.
MW: I think a .430 obp against righties (now .425) is a tremendous thing, and pointing that out means a lot more than saying he’s a .370 obp guy. I do think that maximizing Overbay’s contribution does mean that he should probably be a platoon player, or at the very least he should be leading off against righties and hitting in the bottom third of the order when a lefty starts, and there’s not a thing wrong with that.
- GAs for the adventures on the basepaths, I have noticed that Marty Pevey appears to be pretty indecisive at times - today he didn’t put a signal up to Gregg Zaun at all until he was three feet past third base. Now maybe Marty says that if you don’t see anything from me, keep running until you do, I don’t know, but I have heard from those who saw him coach third on a regular basis in Syracuse that it was often not pretty.
“3 for 13 with RISP” sounds bad, but “3 hits with RISP” sounds not so bad. And last night on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, they (mostly Buster Olney) talked for a few minutes about why the Jays rotation was the best in the bigs. Admittedly if they’re playing a small market team the game recap can get buried toward the end of the hour.
MW: It doesn’t matter to me whether the Jays are recognized south of the border. Once they start winning, they’ll get respect and recognition.
- TorgenLet’s say, for the sake of argument, that AJ has a solid year — no significant injuries, decent ERA, WHIP and W/L record — and opts out. What sort of price do you think he would command on the open market, and would the Jays be likely to pony up to keep him? Or does that decision hinge on the performance of one or two key young guns?
MW: I’ve said many times on here that I think Burnett will get at least a 5-year, $80 million deal, and that the Jays won’t be involved.
- Rob_NSJust wanted to add my voice to the “Free John McDonald” chorus. I don’t mind Eckstein (though I’d prefer to see him hitting ninth), but I think McDonald should be used as a sub in the late innings of most games in which the Jays are ahead. I also think he should be used strategically as the Jays’ starting SS–say, in a half dozen games a month when an extreme groundball pitcher like Halladay is on the mound.
I rarely get worked up about a particular managerial decision (such as where to bat a particular player), but this one actually seems important. Using McDonald properly could help the Jays win a few more games this year, which could mean the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.
MW: I couldn’t agree with you more.
- Geoffmw…lets say lind gets run out there for another month and is still not getting it done (which is a very real possibility).
with the way this team is structured, they cannot afford to have an empty bat in the left field position. ideally you would like to be able to develop talent AS you contend. that is difficult to do when the remainder of the lineup cannot carry the developing player. having said that, i see the basic options (should lind continue to struggle and he looked god awful against contreras today) as being
-give shannon stewart the lions share in left. (i hate this idea)
-sign a not so good but servieable major leaguer with experience who can at least hit around 250 with an ob of 320 (like lofton..egad..or wilkerson)
-make a move for a “more expensive” left fielder or DH from a team not contending and looking to shed salary as it gets some prospects. (Dunn, Griffey Jr, milton bradley). this third route likely involves a high level and one mid level prospect going the other way. depending on whether they obtain an OF vs a Dh, matty stairs would fill the converse role.
quesitons are
1. what route would YOU go.
2. what route do u think the club will go?
MW: If Lind doesn’t work out (I think he will, though), I would look to acquire a very good, left-handed bat via trade. I think the Jays will give Stewart the full-time job first, though.
- sammyHey Mike.
The Cubs are currently leading the NL in runs scored and have gotten absolutely no production from their leadoff spot. I think the last I saw was that Soriano was hitting .196.
My point is, Eckstein in my mind has almost reached the level of a defensive liability. I cringe everytime he throws or goes for a ball. He has made some glaring errors this year that I know J Mac would not have made.
My question is, could the Jays not play Mac, stick him in the ninth spot, and take his poor avg, obp and the rest without hurting themselves?
If the Cubs can lead the NL in runs scored with no production from the leadoff spot, why can’t the Jays score runs with poor production from the ninth spot which is usually your worst hitter on the team anyway?
Your thoughts Mike..
MW: My thoughts are that Eckstein will wind up being the same guy that he always is, which is markedly better offensively than Johnny Mac. I have no problem with Eckstein playing the first seven innings to make use of the better bat, and longer if the Jays are trailing.
- BrentGreat outcome today (in spite of Eck) It’s all speculation now, but JMac makes that play…absolutely. Overbay should get Lasek…he waved at pitches and struck out looking…but you think he’s O.K. What do we know.
They’ve got the brooms out tomorrow !!! Go J’s !!(Gibbons,Ricciardi,and MacDonald)
MW: I don’t think he’s OK, his .425 obp against right-handed pitchers PROVES he’s OK.
- JackNot sure what all the hubub about Jason Botts is, but what about Kevin Mench? The Rangers have to call him up or cut him loose soon and we already have a good track record of what he can do vs. LHP in the majors.
I expect he’d be relatively cheap too given the circumstance. i admit I have no answer for the roster problem given that he share’s Johnson’s imbalance vs RH which would imply he’s not going to get Stewart’s job (sadly) but still, if you are looking to platoon someone with Stairs or Overbay at the plate, he certainly has the track record.
Meanwhile, there’s a lot to like about the last seven games so I’m not going to get too involved in a discussion of acquisition of more help right now.
Keep up the good work Mike.
~Will
MW: I’m not sure the Jays have a helmet that would fit Mench’s massive melon, but other than that, he’s a guy who has mashed lefties in the past. Still, though, I like having Stewart as that insurance policy in case they need an everyday guy, which Mench wouldn’t be. But Stewart is definitely miscast as a DH against lefties. For that role, you could do so much better.
- WillRain“Secondly, if that is true, then Marcum has to be considered not a 2.5, but a 1..
MW: If it is true, and I’ll try to find out if it is, that doesn’t mean he’s a # 1.”
I agree with you Mike, Marcum is not a number 1 just because of his numbers. I think it’s mostly because he’s a great guy and I think, he has had a positive impact on Litsch. Litsch really seems to be pitching more like Marcum now, with a lot more movement on his changeups. So for all the intangable Marcum brings to the table and his stellar pitching, i think thats why he’s a #1
MW: Intangibles don’t make you a staff ace.
- DaveMan, we should trade Roy Hallday right now. Shouldn’t a pitcher’s win-loss record determine what kind of pitcher he is. But in all
kidding aside, do you think Roy Hallday is frustrated that he isn’t getting the run support he been getting over the last few starts and do you think he may seek a trade elsewhere?
MW: I’m sure he’s frustrated at not getting run support, but I’ll bet he’s more frustrated at giving up a three-spot right after he got a 4-0 lead. He’s not going anywhere.
- andrewLuckily for the Jays today, the umpire forgot that when a player has the ball and tags a runner on the basepath that they’re out. Rios is really bad running the bases it seems. Granted the Jays got the hit to get the runs but 3 of those runs should never have counted because of that bad call. Luck like that won’t last forever. The next 16 were shut down in order after that to finish the game and I think that needs to improve.
MW: It sure does. The ump didn’t see the tag, he was behind them. To the naked eye (without the benefit of replay) it didn’t look to me like there was a tag, just looked like they bumped into each other and Cabrera’s glove never got anywhere near Rios. It was a stupefying bit of baserunning, but just as bad defense, as Cabrera never made any kind of move towards a tag.
- Peter B.How much longer will Adam Lind struggle before he’s back in Syracuse? Maybe Joe Inglett could do better than .053…
MW: Inglett definitely could, but he’d probably hit .330 and everyone would complain about the DP’s. Oh wait, that happened. Lind’s ceiling is way higher than Mighty Joe’s though, and I believe he’ll hit, and hit a lot.
- ZackRios’ brainfarts on the base paths MUST stop. One of the vet players or even gasp coaches have got to give him a stern talking to about his base running.
Heading into this season, it was assumed that Adam Lind would benefit from his first full season at AAA so he’d be ready for 2009. I don’t see why the plan has changed all of a sudden just because we got rid of the cancer that was Thomas’ base clogging bat.
Kenny Lofton could probably be had very cheap. He’s the perfect acquisition - he lets Lind develop in Syracuse. He can still hit righties, and he hits them well (.313/.386/.452 last year) enough to leadoff. Speed is something people always like up there, so hey, he brings that too. He also provides Gibbons with ability to slot Rios back down in an RBI spot.
All this team is missing is a LF who can hit RHP, and Lofton to me seems like the obvious answer.
MW: Good job throwing “base-clogging” in there. Always good to make a big point by using a statement that has no merit to it. I hear you on Lofton, and he seems like he’d be a good fit, but I’m willing to give Lind a chance to show that he can be the hitter they expect. His power potential can help a lot, if it’s fulfilled, and if they’re not going to bring in Bonds or Adam Dunn (yet), I’d like to see if Lind can do it. He’s not killing them hitting 8th.
- AriHey Mike, I’m just wondering, that play today with Rios running into Cabrera. Should Rios have been called out on Interference. Cause Cabrera was “in the act of fielding” and Rios ran into him.
MW: Nope, because Rios didn’t actually interfere with Cabrera’s ability to make the play. He got the ball and threw out Eckstein at first no problem.
- JustinOBP is a very important offesive statistic. However, in the case of Overbay, I think,it is a little misleading. First of all, what is Overbays’s slugging %. I guarantee you it is very poor and that is a very important statistic for a hitter as well, especially a first baseman. As a matter of fact, its.333 which is very poor. Secondly, what is his OBP against left handers?. Its probably also very poor since you are only telling us the stat vs. right handers. Now, of course, the team faces righties more than lefties, but Overbay is in the lineup against most lefties and the team does not need another black hole in the lineup. Lastly, his overall OPS(slugging and obp) is .706 which is awful for a hitter. Overbay is definitely walking , but he is not hitting doubles, triples, and homeruns. What is the real use of him considering that this team cannot drive in anyone anyway? You would be much better off to stop defending him because OBP does not tell the whole story. The reality is, he is having a poor season and the team does not need that.
MW: The reality is that he’s most certainly not having a poor season. The fact that people aren’t driving him in when he gets on base can’t be used as a reason to dismiss his ability to get on base. Against right-handers, he’s simply getting out less often than anyone else on the team. Yes, he’s weak against left-handers, but they’ve faced, what, seven lefties in 42 games this season? He’s not hitting for power, and first base is traditionally a power position, but the Jays will still get 35 homers out of first base/second base, which is fine. It’s ludicrous to suggest that Overbay is having a poor season.
- aviSarcasm?
MW: Huh? Again, don’t expect me to know what you’re talking about if you don’t tell me what you’re talking about.
- Ari