4:00 PM Eastern
UPDATED - 4:05 PM Eastern
I said last night that when Vernon Wells rolled over on his left wrist making that nice diving catch on Franklin Gutierrez I was certain that he had broken it, but the Jays released a statement during the game saying that the wrist was only “jammed”.
Well, it turns out that after some further tests today, the wrist is indeed broken, and Wells could be out until the all-star break.
Jeremy Accardo isn’t doing all that well himself, and he’s joining Wells on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm. Joe Inglett and Armando Benitez have been called up from AAA Syracuse to replace Wells and Accardo on the active roster.
Without Vernon for six to eight weeks, Alex Rios becomes the everyday centrefielder and I’m thinking that Brad Wilkerson will take over every day in right, though he has played centre well in the past.
It’s horrible timing, as major injuries always are, but Wells was one of a very few Blue Jays who was actually hitting well, going at a .413/.452/.655 over the last eight games. Of course, the team only scored 26 runs over those eight games, but Wells scored five of them and drove six in.
I’m also thinking that Wilkerson might go into the leadoff spot, with Rios moving down to third and Rolen to fourth in Wells’ absence., but we’ll have to see how the line-up looks. Today, facing a lefty, it might be Kevin Mench in the clean-up spot and maybe even Marco Scutaro up top.
This is going to be a big test for the Jays, to see if they can get hitting on several cylinders without Wells. They still have enough offense to score runs, I think, but the fact that they need to start hitting as a group doesn’t change with the loss of Wells. They weren’t scoring any runs with him as a result of their overall failures. These guys need to start hitting, and they needed to start doing it a long time ago. Losing Wells doesn’t make it that much harder to score four runs a game to support this phenomenal pitching staff.
Another sad part is that he was actually hitting well with runners in scoring position - at .279/.373/.372. Take away his contributions and the team batting average with RISP is a staggering .200 - 60 for 300.
And by the way, Tracy Thorpe was designated for assignment in order to make room for Benitez on the roster. The 27 year-old is getting his first taste of AAA and struggling with his control, with nine walks in 13 2/3 innings, but has allowed only 11 hits (including just one HR) and has struck out 18.
Benitez pitched a perfect inning last night for Syracuse, his first action since yanking a hamstring covering first base for Dunedin in the second week of April. He retired three former big-leaguers in a row - Dan Johnson on a comebacker, Joel Guzman on a fly ball and Chris Richard on a pop-up.
Remember, tune in to the pre-pre-game show at 6:00 pm Eastern tonight on The Fan 590 and this very website!
Wow… it’s truly over now.
MW: Yep, no point in playing the last 125.
- ErikDo you think there were better options to DFA than Thorpe?
MW: No, especially since they did Chacin and Santos yesterday. I had actually thought that Thorpe was the guy they would DFA a couple of weeks ago when they called up Shawn Camp, but they did Josh Banks instead.
- JasonGlad you agree.
Why hasn’t Adam Lind been called up? why Joe Inglett?
The thought of the starting outfield of Stewart/Rios/Wilkerson made me vomit slightly.
MW: I hope you’re near some sort of waste disposal unit.
- ErikHey Mike,
Is now the time to trade some of our pitching for hitting? I keep hearing rumours that Adam Dunn, Jason Bay, or Josh Hamilton could be acquired for some pitching prospects.
MW: That’s the second time someone has mentioned Josh Hamilton. Why would he be available?
- Dan C.I’m really feeling sick right now and the reason why is because right after Eckstein and McDonald got hurt I said to myself ” Oh that’s ok they’ll do fine for awhile without them but at least we didn’t lose Wells!”
- ZacharyWell what to know Wells gets hurt and not even for a couple days its 6-8 weeks!!! Hopefully our offence steps up and overcomes this string of injuries.
The loss of Wells hurts badly. Given how starved this team is for runs, and power in general, he is one of the few hitters who has the *potential* to step up.
Rolen has been impressive, and despite his recent slump, Rios is also a productive hitter. The problem is that the team does not have a single superstar hitter, and has below average production at at least half the positions (C, 1B, SS, LF…)
Let’s hope the new faces inject some new life.
- KieranAs lousy as this is for Wells, at least now the Blue Jays will have an excuse.
But seriously, if in 2009 they get the pitching they had in 08 and the hitting the might have had in 07 and 08, we could really contend.
MW: Wells going down isn’t an injury excuse. If the team loses Wells for two months and Rolen for a month and that’s it, long-termically, that’s not enough to write off the season the same way we did last year.
- bgPeople are really going to see the value of vernon well ironically now that he’s NOT out there. 6 weeks of brad wilkerson playing everyday should make people realize wells’ worth to the team.
I see the everyday lineup like this (against righties. )
1. Wilkerson
2. Rios
3. Stairs
4. Rolen
5. Overbay
6. Hill
7. Zaun
8. Stewart
9. Scutaro.
Id rather flip flop Zaun and Wilkerson but thatll never happen. This lineup is balanced with alternating lefties and righties..
MW: Until the bottom. I’d go Stewart 2 and bump everybody else down a spot, flip-flopping Stairs and Rolen.
- sammy jalalzaiMike,
whaddya think of overbay?
He’s hitting .272 with a homer and 10 RBI?
MW: Read a bunch of previous posts to find out what I think of Overbay.
- WilliamVernon Wells career OPS+: 108
- Chris SBrad Wilkerson career OPS+: 107
This is so completely & utterly depressing. I’m going to the backyard to yell at my neighbours & hopefully let off a little steam.
MW: Don’t get arrested or anything.
- ColeAny chance Wells comes back at 100%, or does this type of injury take some time to heal, like Overbay’s hand last year? Should we just write him off for the rest of the year?
I don’t actually think this is so bad - Rios can play a mean CF, and this may force the team to bring up Lind for an extended period of time if Wilkie can’t reverse his mid-career decline.
MW: It’d be something if Lind got another shot and made it work this time. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those “tough to recover from” injuries.
- RickHey Mike,
Someone else is likely to ask this, but with the injury to Vernon, what are the chances that JP manages to pull the trigger on a deal for an OF that can start (and is better than Wilk)? Do you think he’ll be able to find a trade partner this early in the season?
MW: I really don’t, but I’m sure he’ll try.
- DougIf they can’t hit and win with Wells in the lineup I don’t see how they have much hope without him.At least this makes the acquisition of both Mench and Wilkinson look more useful.Just what is the story on Mench?He went from hot prospect to 2 or 3 good years in the bigs then tailed off to where nobody wanted him until JP stepped in.Did the pitchers find his weakness or is there something else like injuries or substance abuse?
MW: Turned out he wasn’t as good as everybody thought, but he does smack lefties around pretty good.
- Paul McCreathThis gives JP an excuse after the season that injuries are yet again the reason for the clubs troubles.
- Brett VMarcum/Lind/Thigpen for Dunn and a 5 year deal.
The Jays need some offense, and they need it fast. I appreciate the fact that you recognize these are good hitters, but the longer you wait the greater the chance there is that you fall into a hole from which you never recover. This offense was just dealt a HUGE blow and needs a serious infusion.
Jason Bay’s contract is nice too, and the Pirates have a plethora of OF and prospects for that position.
There are players JP can go get to fix this offense. Brad Wilkerson isn’t the answer.
MW: Wilkerson isn’t, but that’s far too high a price to pay for Dunn. I wouldn’t do Marcum straight up.
- AriGreat now JP has an excuse for the jays not competing this year. Im more concerned about Wells injury though. This is the type of injury that can bother him the whole season. Somewhat like Overbay’s did last year. Especially on the hitting side of things.
- aviWhy don’t the Jays call up Lind instead of Inglett. The Jays are showing absolutely no confidence in Lind. If Lind plays well for a month that could increase his trade value and they can trade him for bay or Dunn. Lind can’t be much worse than Wilkerson or Mench.
MW: I think we’ll see Lind soon enough if Wilkerson can’t get the job done, but it’s certainly not wrong to want him here now.
- aviDamn, that sux….can’t say i’m surprised given his immediate reaction on the field & how he carried himself as he walked off. In keeping with the ‘Jayz-Effect’ i guess Overbay should be next on the DL as he’s been swinging the hickory in a manly fashion as of late.
- i_fatguyAccording to Shea Hillenbrand, the ship has sunk.
- gregExpletive expletive expletive expletive.
In the grand scheme of things though, it won’t be a season crippling injury. There’s still a lot of games and he will be back at 100% (I’m assuming and praying) for the 2nd half.
Why does it have to be Wilkerson though? This would be the perfect excuse to bring Lind back up. He can play LF and Wilkerson can play RF and they can explain away the Stewart issue by saying they need the offense.
MW: See above.
- ShawnI know this is early and i know J.P. has a history of not doing much at the trade deadline, but if things don’t turn round significantly in the next 6 weeks, are they likely to shop guys like Burnett, maybe Rolen? What do you see J.P. doing? and what do you think we get in return?
MW: I have already addressed this, you can find it a few posts back, but yes, I do think those guys, and others, will be on the block if things continue to go poorly.
- Phil SmithSigh…not again
- TomWell, if the team couldn’t hit with Wells, maybe they can start hitting without him. Can’t get any worse, can it?
As for the question in the pre-pregame show about the Blue Jays 1993 salaries, I did a bit of research, and the average salary this year was $3,154,845, while the average salary in 1992 was $1,084,408 and in 1993 it was $1,120,254.
So in 1992, with an original payroll of $48,991,840, it comes to a 2008 payroll of $142,530,912.
And in 1993, with a payroll of $51,935,034, that comes out to a 2008 payroll of $146,258,779 (which I must say, was very close to your guess of $144 million).
MW: Wow. Dig me!
- AubreyWell, looks like they can keep both Mench and Wilkerson… at least for a while.
Just a positive note to think about in the midst of all this injury stuff: Kevin Mench was brought in to DH against left-handed pitchers, and over the past three years, he’s hit .305/.361/.558 against lefties. Not half bad.
Anyways, my question: with Accardo being put on the DL, which of these statements do you think is more accurate?
1. He was DL’d because of his poor performance - they wanted to get a new arm in the ‘pen, but didn’t want to have to go through the trouble of sending him down to AAA; or
2. His arm’s been hurting all year, and that’s why he’s looked so terrible; or
3. Neither?
MW: I don’t think there’s “trouble” with sending him down to AAA, I believe he has an option left, so it’s not that. I just don’t know if he hurt himself last night or if he’s been hurt for a while - maybe that’s what prevented him from throwing his splitter. If latter is true and the team knew about it and kept giving him high-leverage innings, though, that’s problematic.
- Tyyou are a busy man so I looked it up for you. someone named “Terry” asserted in last night’s discussion that the 2006 offense was a myth and that they were poor in the second half and thus the jays offense brought “a year and a half slump” into this season.
Well, closer examination reveals that the 2006 jays offense sucked - in August. and only in August.
I should be stunned at the shallow attempt to tie one bad month in the middle of a season to the injury-provoked mediocrity of the next season and yet, somehow, I’m not.
MW: Thanks, Southpaw! At least Terry dropped the Hulkster act, so that’s something.
- WillRainNow’s about the time you and J.P. realize the team is YET AGAIN not going to make the playoffs because of talent and his decisions as GM and blame it on injuries?
Perfect timing for you guys. Love the two excuse makers you guys are.
MW: We work on it on a daily basis, got to make sure we get our stories straight.
- RaymondHello again Mike. You know what, I spend way too much time checking on the Jays online. I suppose that’s a compliment to you, but maybe I need to get out more!
You know where I’m going to go? Once the Jays are back in Toronto, I’m going to go to Skydome. It takes three hours to get there, but we bought a more fuel efficient car this year so we can roam farther from home. And when I get to Skydome I’m going to cheer for whatever version of the Jays is on the field that day. because I love the damn team. They’re like that bad boyfriend (or girlfriend, for the men out there.) that you know will only cause you heartache, but you just can’t stay away. Well, there’s been good times in past, and they’ll be good times again. It just seems like we’ve been waiting a long time for some of that old glory back. But I’m making a stand. I’m going to keep cheering, I’ll keep wearing my girly pink Jays hat, and I’m going to look for the positive. I can’t handle any more of this screaming for heads to roll. For now, I’m going to enjoy the pitching and what good stuff happens, and I’m going to stop worrying about October. I’ll still be here, but I’m done Jay bashing. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go check out the game. Oh, and Mike, thanks for letting me rant, and if I may end on a positive note, do both McGowan and Marcum go to the All Star game this year?
MW: You’re free to rant here anytime. And no, I don’t think they both go to the all-star game - but all-star appearances don’t mean anything, they’re just fun.
- kitawell 6 in the first - not a chance on g-d`s green earth the jays can come back. this team sucks! really sucks!
- PaulHow long till JP trots out the injury excuse to explain why he deserves an extension? On the bright side, at least Accardo won’t continue his pace towards an 0-10 season….
- ZackIs it just me, or does Dustin McGowan need glasses? Do you know if he wears contacts, because if he does it still looks like he has a hard time reading the catcher’s signs.
MW: I don’t know if he wears contacts.
- AriAt least it’s over before the start of summer so i don’t have to waste my summer whatching these guys blow games.
MW: OK, it was nice knowing you.
- Dan ParkWhy doesn’t Toronto go out and try and hire the scout’s of florida who keep findung great ball players year after yeamr.
MW: I thought it was over.
- Dan ParkDear Mike
I think the Jays need an offensive catalyst. If it takes giving up some starting pitching, So be it, but some one like Jose Reyes.
MW: Asked and answered.
- Liam0 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors. If they hadn’t been out of the game already, this probably would have been painfully frustrating. For the first time this year, they’re truly out of the game right from the start. Maybe that’s a good thing.
MW: First time all season.
- Xiao^ Referring to the top of the 7th.
- XiaoI don’t usually chime into the blogs but I need to vent my frustration. It’s over, it’s time to blow this team up and start all over again. Now if some people are clinging onto the hope that the Jays have what it takes to contend then I suggest firing Gibbons (he’s been doing a much better job this year but well…) and bring in someone completely different.
I suggest to you all…Larry Bowa. Ask the Dodgers for permission and if they give it to us then hire him. He’ll kick some serious butt.
MW: That would not be a fun time. And wouldn’t ever happen with Rolen here.
- Chriswow, i cant remember the last time i saw a team get four hits in one inning and not score a run. of course most of it was due to shannon stewart. the great thing about shannon is he not only gets himself out, hes pretty good at taking someone with him.
i think you need to take a phrase heard in the financial sector and apply it to certain, aging players MW “past performance is not a guarantee of future success” Stewart is done. done. done. hes lost just enough bat speed to not be able to hit the inside fastball, which he used to murder. now he must cheat to get around and this then renders him vulnerable to the offspeed pitch..hence his incredible penchant for rolling weak grounders to the middle infield. now i dont think he’s as bas as his numbers are right now..but he’s not that much better…certainly not worth blocking lind down in AAA. 19 at bats??? thats supposed to suffice as a long enough look? give me a break. make a plan and stick to it and stop panicking front office…please.
MW: You were starting to make sense until you fell back on the “plan” crutch, which is a load of crap. The “plan” at this point was to have Russ Adams at shortstop and Eric Hinske playing third base for the last six years. Is that what you want?
- sammy jalalzaiMike, a “non-Blue Jay” question:
I note that Kevin Millwood threw only 12 pitches tonight, before leaving. Any word on why?
MW: Strained groin.
- NormMike, Do you think Accardos’ injury is legit or just good timing for a 2 week vacation to work on his split finger??
MW: I think he still has options left, so they could have sent him down to work on the split. I could be wrong, though. Whatever works.
- Sandy - Cambridge, ONAdams, Hinske, Stewart and the other merry members of this outrageously un-clutch lineup are all reasons why the Blue Jays need new management. Blown draft picks (Blame the scouts, whatever), disappointing performances by free agents, and no playoff spot. A few more wins, ok. Great pitching, fine. Meaningful games in September? No.
If all the hitters just started sucking, so be it. Riccardi brought them here, he should be on the hook if the player’s won’t be.
Hope somehow the bats stop sucking , but can’t see it happening. Guess will see in the next 124.
- A different kid named LiamBROTHER
THE HULKSTER IS BACK AND IT AINT NO ACT. JUST SO YOU KNOW, IT WASN’T ONE BAD MONTH IN 2006. THE JAYS WERE 7TH IN RUNS SCORED IN AL SO ONE BAD MONTH DOES NOT DO THAT. LISTEN MENE GENE THE GIG IS UP, THIS OFFENSE SUCKS. LISTEN BROTHER THESE GUYS ALL NUMBERS STARTED TO DROP AFTER THEY SIGNED THE BIG MONEY CONTRACS. HINSKE, OVERBAY, RIOS, HILL, WELLS ALL HIT LIKE DIVAS AFTER TAKING THE COIN. BROTHER WE NEED A NEW HULKAMANIAC GM WHO WILL PUT A SMACKDOWN ON THESE BAD CONTRACS. THANKS BROTHER
MW: Seriously, though, have you sought help?
- TerryHi Mike: I don’t get to listen to Jays Talk so this forum is enjoyable to read even during this tough start. Although I don’t always agree with you, I appreciate your hard work and I believe my punctuation and grammar is improving due to your floggings of others less inclined towards diligence!-:)
I go back to the days of when 2 very popular Jays DH’s played. First the ‘Beeg Man’ Rico Carty and then Cliff Johnson. Seeing Heathcliff approach and break the all-time pinch hit home run record was a thrill. How he battled pitchers with men on base was priceless.
MW: That was a lot of fun, I remember how exciting it was to watch Cliff take a shot at that record. I also remember him heaving the bat down the left-field line on a regular basis.
- SkipKMike, let me ask you under what circumstances a batting coach should be fired? Same with a manager - when sould a manager be fired? I am not talking about Gibbons and Denbo, just generally speaking. Surly there are circumstance when a change should be made, just curious in your opinion when that is?
In my opinion, when the boss uses physical violence against an employee he should be toast, especially if it happens twice.
MW: There’s no indication that there was a physical confrontation between Gibbons and Shea Hillenbrand, and the world of professional athletics is different than the regular business world. I’ve already discussed when I think a manager should be fired, but you can’t have a revolving door of coaches, as well.
- WayneI’ve heard you allude to the idea of making Rolen available if things continue to go south. I am EXTREMELY opposed to this idea simply because there is no plausible replacement in sight (and also because I think he brings a lot to the team that it needs).
I’m all for trading Burnett, Eckstien, Zaun, Barajas, Scutero, Frasor, Tallett, maybe even Accardo and Overbay in the right deal . . .
(Stew and Wilkerson too but they have no value)
But NOT Rolen!! Not no way, not no how!
MW: There’s no one who never not ever be traded no way no how, and one would think that if you’re dealing all those assets, you’d find a Rolen replacement in one of those trades, or in a Rolen trade itself.
- WillRain