12:45 PM Eastern
A crazy road trip wrapped up with a crazy game, and the Blue Jays headed home a .500 club, almost unimaginable given how the trip started.
The Chicken Littles were out in full force just a week ago after the trip started with Vernon Wells breaking his wrist in an eventual 6-1 loss in Cleveland and the Jays going 30 innings without scoring a run after Wells came out of that first game.
While I have never been a member of the “sky is falling, season is over” contigent, I did feel that had the Jays lost that last game in Cleveland, and done so without scoring a run, that would have been it for John Gibbons’ tenure with the club, fair or not (and it wouldn’t have been fair). But after the offensive struggles reached the point of utter hilarity in the ninth inning of the nightcap at The Prog, the Jays scored three in the 10th and really haven’t looked back since. They’ve won six of seven, they’re scoring runs, they’ve climbed out of last place and hit the break-even mark, and things are looking swell as they come home for a week’s stay against the Angels and Royals.
Even yesterday’s road trip finale summed up just how much the worm has turned for this club over the course of the last week. Down 3-0 after four innings a week ago was a death sentence, even more so in a get-away day game that had already been delayed two hours by rain, but they managed to come back. Not only did they come back, but the comeback rally started with two out and nobody on! The Captain doubled, Marco Scutaro worked a walk, and then that power-free first baseman who doesn’t deserve to play because he doesn’t hit home runs came off the bench and hit a mammoth shot to deep right to tie the game.
The Jays took the lead in the next inning thanks mostly to doubles by the revitalized Aaron Hill and Shannon Stewart, and managed to hold onto the lead thanks to their ace, Roy Halladay, who played the part of the cavalry.
As the story goes, during the second rain delay Gibbons walked past Halladay and Doc pointed to his cleats. Gibbons told him that he wasn’t going to send Halladay in to pinch-run at any point, and Halladay then pointed to the bullpen. Cool story, very John Wayney – without a word, Harry Leroy Halladay III tells his skipper that he’ll win him a ballgame.
Whether or not that’s the way it really happened, Halladay did go out and win the Jays a ballgame. Because of the first rain-out, Shaun Marcum lasted just one inning, so by the time the rains hit a second time, Shawn Camp, Brian Tallet, Jason Frasor and Jesse Carlson had all been used, which left just Armando Benitez, B.J. Ryan and Snakeface, who had thrown an inning and a third the night before. Carlson could probably have come back out, because the second delay was only 39 minutes long, but lefty-masher Pat Burrell was at the plate with the tying run on first.
So out rode Halladay on his white horse to pop up Burrell and face the minimum through his 2 1/3 innings of relief, handing the same two-run lead to Ryan that he had been given. It was a tremendous performance by a tremendous pitcher, and Halladay should be lauded for being willing to do it and then for going out and getting the job done. It’s a difficult thing to do, as we saw from A.J. Burnett back in the 14th inning of the Texas game, but that’s why Halladay is who he is.
Ryan came in to close it out and finally gave up a run for the first time this season, when Pat Burrell took him deep with two out on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. Ryan couldn’t put away Chris Coste either and had a hard time with Eric Bruntlett before striking him out on an 8th pitch to finally end the game. The off-day comes at a perfect time for everyone, with the all-hands-on-deck relief work and The Beej working on a second straight day and flagging a bit. Still, though, Ryan is 9-for-9 in his save opportunities and has only given up the one run all season.
The day off allows the Jays a great opportunity to re-jig the entire starting rotation, because theoretically any of Halladay, Marcum or Dustin McGowan could start tomorrow. If it were up to me, I’d go Marcum Tuesday, Halladay Wednesday (because Halladay threw more than Marcum did yesterday), A.J. Burnett on his regular day Thursday and then fill it out with McGowan and Jesse Litsch. Marcum and Halladay are the best the Jays have, and I want them out there at every possible opportunity.
That’s the way I would do it, but that’s not the way the Jays will. McGowan is going to get the start tomorrow on his normal 5th day and Marcum will slot in on Wednesday. Halladay, for some strange reason, is being pushed back all the way to Friday. That means he’ll get the full four days off after having thrown just 23 pitches yesterday, which boggles the mind.
We had a long rain-delay show, and Jerry Howarth was kind enough to hop on for nearly an hour and take calls, but The JaysTalk was abbreviated so that we could get the network to the Yankees loss in time for the first pitch. Here’s the abbreviated JaysTalk for your listening pleasure:
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Comments are welcome, as always, hope you’re enjoying the long weekend!
122 Responses to “Wet Wet Wet”
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I think that was the most intelligent article Griffin ever wrote. I don’t know how you can continuously defend JP’s draft record. Other than, Marcum, Hill and Janssen he has not drafted anything substantial. Overbay and Tallet were acquired via trade for prospects, but should not be considered “homegrown talent”.
MW: All the players I mentioned (Overbay, Accardo, McDonald, Tallet, Scutaro) were obtained for players that J.P. drafted.
- aviI agree with your opinion when you state Gibby would have been fired had the Jays lost game two on Monday night, particularly if that loss had resulted in yet another shutout. It is ironic though that the new manager would have promptly walked in , won 5 of his first 6 games (I’ll assume that’s what would have happened since that’s what did happen) and the interim manager would have been hailed as some managerial genius while Gibby goes home to Texas looking like a bum because he could not get the club to hit.
Once again I had to miss the rain delay show because the network was broadcasting english soccer programming. Oh well, at least I found out that Bristol City will get promoted to the first division if they win this week…………..yawn.
Thanks for putting Jays Talk on the blog, that helps me a lot. You’re the best Mike!
MW: Hey, good for Bristol City!
- Jim BranscomeOne thing I forgot to mention in my above post, the Jays are still undefeated on Sunday this year.
- Jim BranscomemIKE, YOU THINK THAT jp DOSN’T GET A FREE PASS FROM THE MEDIA. wHAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA OTHER rICHARD gRIFFIN AND bOB eLLIOT THAT ARE HARD ON jp?
MW: Bob McCown? And sweet reverse-capitalization there.
- andrewMike, on the last post I made, I accidently used Caps Lock, so don’t assume I’m shouting at you.
- andrewHow often do both our aces pitch in the same game? Perhaps most odd was that neither of them got a win or a save. I know a lot of people will take this opportunity to slam A.J. because he couldn’t do what Doc did earlier in the year, but I think that’s wrong. A.J. volunteered when he was needed, just like Doc, and we should all be impressed that both were willing to do so.
Oh, and what did you think of Jeter managing to get Delgado’s homerun overturned?
MW: Yes, we should be impressed by both. I don’t know if Jeter was the one who got Delgado’s homer overturned. The ball hit the bottom of the foul pole, where it’s not painted yellow. I think it was Bob Davidson, the home plate ump, who said that the ball was foul, and he may be the worst umpire in the bigs.
- ColinDo you know what their record is against LA at home because you said the blue jays have the LA angels number?
MW: 14-5 since the 2003 season.
- andrewA frustrating day it was. Rain-delays, Canada losing to Russia and when the play resumes, no TV coverage and to top it all off, a very late blog by Wilner(see we are spoiled now). Would have loved to see Doc coming out of the bullpen as it happens once every seven years… But a cool Blue Jays win significantly reduced the frustration.
I don’t know what to expect from this team anymore. I am sure loving the inconsistency. I find it thrilling, but i am neither pushing the panic button, nor expecting any October baseball. Anything from 78-92 wins won’t surprise me. Can’t wait to see the boys tomorrow from the 500 Level. Way to go Toonie Tuesdays!
- BeburgWhy was Wilkerson starting at first yesterday? I’m guessing I missed something, unless they just wanted to give Overbay a day off or something.
MW: They wanted to give Overbay a day off or something.
- TyI know you don’t believe in the Tampa Bay Rays, but you have to be impressed by the Rays your talent such as Evan Longoria, Scott Kazmir, James Sheilds, B.J Upton, Craw Crawford ,etc. This team looks like it’s legit? What do you think about that team and also do you know what JP did during the first 3 years when he had to slash payroll?
MW: I’ve talked many times about what I think of the Rays. When J.P. had to slash payroll he did things like trade Alex Gonzalez, Paul Quantrill, Brad Fullmer, Dan Plesac, Raul Mondesi and Shannon Stewart for prospects and let Carlos Delgado, Kelvim Escobar and Chris Carpenter walk (among others) because he couldn’t afford them.
- andrewHello Mike, hope you’re well. Now that certainly did turn out to be a much more pleasant road trip than it looked at the outset, didn’t it?
- kitaI don’t really have any major questions or comments, the Jays are playing pretty self explanatory good ball right now, long may they continue to do so. Just wanted to say, because of the rain delay we managed to catch some of Jays Talk. First, kudos on, during your answer to the caller asking why domes (retractable or otherwise) are not required in ball parks, using the word stadia to describe more than one stadium. It was just really cool to hear when nobody would have busted your chops over ‘stadiums’.
Oh, I do have one question inspired by your Jays Talk yesterday. Is Jerry Howarth truly the nicest man in the entire world, or does he just seem like it? Thanks.
Hey Mike
Great game by the Jays! Hopefully this game will put an end to the “Overbay sucks” talk and the crying over why the Jays chose Shannon Stewart over Reed Johnson (although we both know this is totally wishful thinking.) My question is, what is your opinion of the majority of Toronto sports fans, in particular the Jays? It just seems that we tend to have the most fickle sports fans on Earth! Our teams win 2 in a row and we’re planning the Parade, we lose 2 in a row and it’s time to blow up the entire organization, I just find this really frustrating! I’m a die-hard Toronto sports fan and I feel very strongly about supporting my teams through the good and the bad. When we see the Jays lose a couple in a row we act like the world is over even though we’ve won 2 World Series in the 90′s on the other hand the Cubs haven’t one in 100 freakin’ years and they have some of the best fans in sports. And it’s not just the jays that this happens to, it’s the Leafs, the Raptors etc. How do you feel about this?
Thanks
MW: I used to think it was just Toronto, and specifically because the Leafs, the biggest team in the city, have been the biggest tease in sports the last 40 years. But now I’m starting to think that every city’s fans think the same way.
- Kyle SheaMike in a previous post you said that if the game had to be resumed atg a later date because of rain “The game would have had to continue from where they left off, which was two outs and runners on first and second, but the players wouldn’t have to be the same. They would have been whatever players were on the 25-man roster when the game was continued”
Does that mean the same pitcher could get the win and a save in the same game?? Has this ever ocurred before?
MW: No, the same pitcher couldn’t do that, because once you’re out of a game, you can’t come back in.
- SteveThere’s an error opening the the abbreviated JaysTalk
MW: Yeah, we’re still working out the kinks. But it’s fixed now.
- SteveHas anyone (or even you) tried asking JP if he was going to give Gibbons the ax had they lost that 2nd game of the doubleheadder in Cleavland? I know its a gutsy question and he’ll likely not give a straight answer, but perhaps next Wednesday you can politely ask him.
Thanks
MW: If the answer is yes, he’ll never admit it (nor should he), so what’s the point?
- SteveHey Mike,
I bleeded envy looking at the Phillies infield and heart of the batting order. How did they end up with Rollins, Utley, and Howard? I get WAMCO flashbacks. Rollins in particular reminds me so much of Alomar, in that the effect he has on the game far transcends the numbers. I would trade just about any two Jay position players for him.
It’s with caution that I share some of the optimism you exhude in today’s blog. I am wary because I find that this team of the past couple of years often responds negatively to times of ‘things may be looking up’. Moreover, I believe that a real championship contender must have at least one position player having a year worthy of MVP consideration. But hey, I won’t get too down on the Jays. After all, one look around the league demonstrates that most teams in the AL are having similar and/or worse problems (best player not playing like the best, inconsistent hitting, lack of a long winning streak, depressive fans) as the Jays.
Thanks for the great work on Jays coverage. As a long time Jays fan, I definitely think you are one of the best ever.
MW: That’s very kind of you, thank you. The Phillies got Utley in the first round, Rollins in the second and Howard in the fifth. I don’t think that I’d trade two position players for Rollins, though. He’s a heck of a player, but I don’t love the .330 on-base.
- Wong Kar WaiMichael of the Ballyard:
Richard ‘the heavyweight’ Griffin said in an article (from today, I think) that Mr. Purcey has partaken in two spot starts this year and struggled with command in both. I remember the one on APril 18th v. the Tigers (in which he did struggle with command), but when was the other one and, in your judgment, how did he do?
MW: The other one was Friday, and he had his head handed to him.
- JCLDo you give any merit that the Jays seem to be playing better without Vernon? Sometimes teams band together without star players knowing that they need to step up without them.
MW: Nope. I think the hitting was bound to turn around sooner or later, and that Wells likely would have been a part of it had he stayed healthy. It’s certainly not like Brad Wilkerson is outperforming what Wells was doing when he was healthy.
- Brett VI listened to you on the Bullpen and you seem tired whenever you talk. What’s up with that?
MW: Sometimes I’m tired. This job generally involves staying up very late at night, and with two small children, I don’t get a lot of sleep.
- andrewHi Mike,
Have you heard anything on when the Jays plan on bringing up Brandon League? Had high hopes for him this year, and he’s currently pitching well in AAA (3.2 ERA, 1.2 WHIP, 5 GO/AO) much of it in multiple innings per appearance. I think he brings more to this team right now than Benitez. Thanks.
MW: I had high hopes for him as well, and he may well offer more than Benitez right now, but I think the Jays want him to get significant successful innings in AAA before they call him up again, hopefully to stay.
- AliWhy captain?
MW: Check the blog archives from back when Barajas was signed.
- Phil Smith“Marcum and Halladay are the best the Jays have, and I want them out there at every possible opportunity”
If that’s the case why did the Jays (and you seemed to support it) select Burnet to go on Saturday ahead of Marcum on Sunday, when they both pitched the previous Monday doubleheader?
MW: It didn’t make a difference to me who pitched Saturday and who pitched Sunday, but there you’re only talking about one instance. This is an opportunity to re-make the entire rotation.
- SteveOne more thing:
I was just reading Jon Heyman on SI.com and he so succinctly writes: “It’s May and I’m already Joe Morgan-ed out.”
Oh my, I couldn’t agree more. It astounds me that the two colour guys who have the biggest stage in baseball, Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver, are absolutely horrendous at their job. I find their analysis uninsightful, uninteresting and, actually, uncolourful!
Mind you, although I respect the fact that you probably cannot comment on this Mike, Tabler isn’t anything to write home about either. What is wrong with him? Why can’t he make a definitive statement about anything? Is he related to every player, manager, and head office personnel in baseball. Say something, Pat! You don’t have to couch everything in political correctness. Where are you Shulman and Martinez!
MW: I have never heard Pat Tabler analyze a game, so I can’t comment. But I’m not sure why you would use this forum to criticize other broadcasters, who don’t have the opportunity to defend themselves.
- Wong Kar WaiPlease tell blogger Jim my team Leeds United go for promotion next sunday, I’ll be sure to let you all know what transpires.
Thats AJ, Litsch, and now Doc who have all been willing to pitch in relief this season, surely that shows excellent team spirit and a real desire to win. I’ve noticed that McGowan is now going for the Marcum look (excepting the baggy pants) only without the same results, Is he ok? his pitch counts are becoming Chacin like
MW: It shows how highly thought of McGowan is that people think something is wrong with him because he’s not getting the results that Marcum is. He’s going through a rough stretch right now, but let’s not pull the chute just yet.
- Phil SmithHey Mike
big fan of the jays talk!! love your show.
Both Zaun and Barjais contracts exspire at the end of the season. Wondering are the jays looking to go to the farm team to fill the rolls. or will they bring one veteran back and go to the farm. OR are there any other catchers that will be free agents next year that we may be interested in.. How do u think the situation will turn out?
MW: I think that they’d love to make Robinzon Diaz the every day catcher next season, and would probably back him up with a veteran. maybe Zaun.
- TannerOops, I just read on the Drunks that he started Friday. I feel like an acid eater now. Such is the quandry of getting baked at the radio/TV-less cottage on the long weekend.
I’d like your assessment of how he did.
MW: See above.
- JCLI can understand why McGowan is going on Tuesday as both Halladay and Marcom threw more pitches (warming up and in the bullpen) then there actually pitch count. By going with Marcum on Wednesday it basically makes his work on Sunday what he does on his off day. Halladay should be the same thing and should pitch on Thursday, unless they are holding him back to face the “power house” Royals on the weekend.
MW: I can’t figure out why Halladay will sit until Friday. But every pitcher throws more than his pitch count, what does that have to do with anything?
- jamieI truly believe pitcher management is one of Gibbons’ weaknesses. Was it really worth Halladay pitching in relief yesterday to skip his spot in the rotation? I can’t imagine that Halladay would have offered if he knew what the deal was. I just don’t get it. They normally pitch between starts anyway. Not only did he barely pitch, but he’s a guy who could probably pitch every 4th day all season and not miss a beat (recall when he did that for a few games several years ago). Even if you think that last point is completely exaggerated, the question is still the same, namely, why on Earth are they skipping him when it’s not necessary, and if they knew before that that’s how they would handle it, then why did they bother bringing him in. I’d rather Halladay get work in against the Angels than the Phillies.
MW: I’d rather he get work in against both.
- ShmuelMike,
I also agree with you that not sending out Roy until Friday is mind-boggling, but, since he has pitched a boat-load of innings (the four straight complete games) and the fact that the rest of the rotation is pitching extremely well, it may be a smart move keeping him fresh, because we all know we will need him in August/September.
MW: I don’t think these four days off will serve to keep him fresh, he might get stale!
- MarkMike,
You say you’d rather have Dunn than Holliday ’cause of the latter’s road stats, but:
a) Holliday’s .301/.374/.485 road stats would have been the best overall numbers on the Jays last year (and the Rox play a lot of games in some extreme pitcher’s parks).
b) Dunn’s numbers are tempered by the fact Great American Ball Park also plays as an extreme hitter’s park.
c) Holliday is a better defensive LF than Dunn.
d) Holliday hits rights and lefties equally well. (Dunn tends to struggle a bit against southpaws.)
e) Unlike Dunn, Holliday is under contract for 2009 as well. Heck, if you’re not in the race in ’09 you could flip him for prospects.
Holliday outside of Coors isn’t a superstar (or MVP candidate), but he’s still an above average bat with a track record of solid production. (No lingering injuries, no weird blips over the past three seasons, etc.)
If Bay weren’t an injury risk–something this club already has far too much of for my tastes–I’d be down with that, but given what the Canadian might cost I’d look elsewhere.
If the Rox want McGowan or Marcum for Holliday, I don’t know, I might seriously consider it…
MW: I wouldn’t. You’re giving Holliday’s road stats in an MVP season, not a typical one for him, the Blue Jays need the lefty bat more than the righty, and Dunn is a monster.
- MichaelHey, Mike. I would love to know what exactly is up with the interleague schedule this year. In the past they’ve had a “rivalry weekend” (including some absurd, nonsensical match-ups usually involving the Jays) plus a yearly rotation of divisional matches for the later portion of interleague play. This year, it seems different. (i.e. The White Sox vs. the Giants?) At first I thought that this was to balance out the “rivalry” games that were already covered in the “divisional” match-ups, but that doesn’t make any sense, especially since the Jays are playing the Phillies, Cubs, Braves, Brewers and Pirates this year. What’s all that about? Anyway, if MLB decides to stay with the “rivalry weekend” concept, I have an idea: The teams that actually have natural interleague rivals (i.e Cubs/White Sox) will play them, the other teams will play natural/geographical rivals, regardless of league (i.e. Jays/Tigers, Philles/Pirates, etc…?) This would undoubtably result in some duds (like now), but perhaps fewer of them. What do you think? I don’t have a problem with interleague play (I do think there could be less of it), but BRING BACK THE BALANCED SCHEDULE!!!
-Nick
p.s. I’m sure you’ll cover this, but when was the last time two Jays starters pitched in relief during the season? Before June, no less. Weird…
MW: I would love to bring back the balanced schedule. The AL East is playing the NL Central this season, hence the Jays against the Pirates, Cubs, Reds and Brewers. The Phillies and Braves are the “natural rivals”, which is very strange to me. If they can’t figure out the scheduling thing, I say dump interleague, but they never will.
- nickIs Wilkerson’s original position in rightfield? Becuase I have never seen somebody bobble the ball more!
Also do you think Rios is better suited to be a number 3 or 1 hitter in the lineup? Thanx
MW: Wilkerson had one bad game in right field, it just happened to be his first as a Jay, so that’s what you’ll always remember. He’s a natural corner outfielder/first baseman. I don’t think Rios is better suited to do either.
- blakeAnd here I was just going to post that the Jays are undefeated on Sundays so far. Good job Jim LOL.
Also, great job to MLB for not scheduling the Jays at home (or at all) on a holiday. Somebody please send MLB a calendar with Canadian holidays on it. I think this also happens again later this season.
MW: Yeah, that was a swell move by the schedule-maker.
- DanLooking forward to Eckstein’s return and watching him do some exciting things out there. I know he’s persona non-grata among some diehard McDonald loyalists, but pound for pound, this little guy makes up with his heart what he might lack with his bat and throwing arm. He’ll quietly deliver the clutch big hit and surprise you in the least expected way. BTW, in German, Eckstein means entrance music. I think he gets in tune when he gets back.
MW: I’m not sure what he can deliver with his heart that he can’t with his bat and arm.
- Vito From HamiltonIn response to kita. I don’t believe there’s any pretense with Jerry Howarth. He truly is the nicest man in the world. Perhaps only Jesus Christ could possibly be any gentler.
MW: That’s pretty high praise, I’ll let him know.
- Vito From HamiltonHey Mike, What a surprise Richard Griffin bending the truth to put down J.P. glad your catching Griffin has only been doing it the last six years. I guess it wasn’t fair earlier in the year when I said I hated Richard Griffin when I’ve never met him but I hate him as a baseball writter he’s simply terrible and irresponsible.
Yes Holliday had a good year last year but Wright and king Albert had better years and one of those two were the MVPs not Rollins or Holliday.
I loved the comment Jerry made on thursday about how hard Scutaro plays the game I know he’s not the only one on the jays that goes hard on every play but I hadn’t heard Scutaro get credit for before until Thursday afternoon.
I’m really hoping Wilersons bat comes around as he seems be very good defensively although im not holding my breath.
I know one play means nothing but did you see Giambi’s pick last night?
MW: I didn’t.
- Dan MMike, I listened to (part of) the PTS show this afternoon, and heard M. Toth, M. Grange, S. Brunt & M. Zeisberger talking about the Jays’ chances, and they again mentioned (in the negative) the “playing meaningful games in August/Sept” mantra.
Since I have heard this numerous times, I decided to “check it out”, and see if in fact their claim that the Jays had not done so for “7 or 8″ years holds up.
Obviously, the whole argument depends on the definition of “meaningful games”, and also whether you’re looking at the Division or the Wild Card. But for my purposes, I looked at the Wild Card standings for each of the six years 2002 to 2007, on each of Aug. 15, Aug. 31, and Sept. 15.
The first three years (2002 to 2004) were pretty bad, with the “best” record occuring in 2003, when they were (respectively) 9, 12.5 and 11 games out on the three dates reviewed.
However, in each of the next three years, they were at least on the “fringes” of the race in each year, as follows:
2005 — Aug. 15 — 6 GBL, T 4th place; Aug. 31 — 9 GBL, T 5th; and Sept. 15 — 11.5 GBL, 6th place.
2006 — Aug 15 — -7.5,(4th); Aug. 31 — -9.5,(5th); and Sept. 15 — – 9 (5th)
2007 — Aug 15 — -5.5 (5th);
Aug. 31 — -6.5 (4th); Sept. 15 — -10 (4th).
My own opinion is that a deficit of between 5.5 and 7.5 games on Aug 15 (approx. 40 games left) falls into the definition of “meaningful games” — clearly, they didn’t get it done between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15, but I think those that are saying “they haven’t even been close” have been unduly influenced by the final result.
Any comments?
MW: I think you’re stretching the definition of “meaningful”. If you mean the deficit wasn’t double-digits on September first, you’re right, but I think to play meaningful games late in the season you have to actually be within striking distance, as opposed to needing to string a few wins together to get into striking distance. They weren’t out of it, by any means, in August the last three years, but they needed to make a move to really get into it, and they never did.
- NormDid anyone else realize the hard circumstances that were facing Richard Griffin when J.P signed Brad Wilkerson.
On one hand Wilkerson is a former Expo and I’m sure Richard wanted to praise the former Expo and tell a story about how him and Wilkerson shared a toasted bagel with herb and garlic cream chesse one morning before Wilkerson hit for the cycle, but on the other hand he would once again bash J.P.
after much internal debate with him self Griffin once again got on the screw J.P. boat.
- Dan MMike, I’m starting to question JP. I’m not saying he should be fired but over the course of his tenure here, he has had 16 shortstops, 4 highly touted 3B like Eric hiniske, Corey Koskie, Troy Glaus, and Scott Rolen, overpaid Frank Thomas, and letting Reed Johnson go and going after Shannon Stuwert. Your thoughts?
MW: 16 shortstops is no big deal. Even if there had been one starting shortstop over J.P.’s seven years (a VERY unlikely scenario with a rebuilding team), there probably would have been at least nine players who had actually played the position over that time. As for the third baseman, each one was better than the one before him, no? So what’s the problem there? Overpaying Frank Thomas is a fair criticism, but the Stewart over Johnson thing isn’t, in my opinion, and I’ve given my reasons why dozens of times.
- andrewThat game was simply awesome to listen to. I really thought that you guys did a great job with the delays and the game was really exciting.
I was thinking about how the lineup is being put together and I really like Stairs hitting behind Rolen. I just think they should be up a spot.
I’m hoping they move Rios down and shape up the lineup something like this:
1. Stewart
2. Overbay
3. Rolen
4. Stairs
5. Rios
6. Hill
7. Zaun
8. Scutaro
9. Mench/Wilkerson
What do you think? With Stewart heating up I think he could do a good job at the top.
Again thanks to you, Allen and Jerry for the great work yesterday (and all of the behind the scenes people that I’m sure worked a long shift).
MW: Thanks, long delays do make for a long day, for sure, but this is still better than a real job. As for your line-up, I wouldn’t put Mench at the bottom against lefties, nor would I have Stairs in there at all, but otherwise it’s a fine collection.
- AaronThink the Yankees will go on a run when they get A-Rod and Posada back in the lineup?
MW: It’s sure not going to hurt.
- Brett Vit’s a simple game, you throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball – sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains
MW: Hey! You can quote movies!
- Paul OTo the poster dissing Pat Tabler is ridiculous. Tabby is awesome, unbias and isnt annoying. I would take Tabler any day of the week over Rance. I thought everyone loved Tabler, who knew?
- RyanI couldn’t understand Gibbons yanking Tallet after three lucky hits (and short on pitchers). It was only the 5th and its not like Tallet has problems with righties. Now we don’t get Halladay because the way he was used until Friday? Are you kidding me?
MW: One doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the other. They were three lucky hits, it’s true, but the fact that Halladay threw 2 2/3 innings on Sunday shouldn’t knock him out until Friday. Turns out it will, but it didn’t have to.
- Jim BHey Mike:
I love the opinion on umpire “Bob Davidson” (re: message 6). It’s refreshing to hear someone in the media have an opinion which may not be “flattering” to MLB.
It’s not just a baseball thing.
Does this happen because the reporters get too close to the team/players etc? Is it easy to get “fined” by MLB?
What is the “fine line” (catch the double meaning)for how critical a reporter can be without getting fined?
Love the JaysTalk links!
(Waterloo, Ontario)
MW: Reporters can’t be fined by MLB.
- Scott BrownMike, do you think the blue jays could trade for Andruw Jones to take over for CF until Vernon Wells comes back? Also, do you think Vernon Wells has a chance to be voted in the all-star game or will it be too late by then?
MW: Andruw Jones is awful, and still due over $30 million until the end of next season. And Vernon may not even be back until the all-star break, so it’s pretty safe to assume he’s not going to the game.
- samAlso, when healthy, where would you rank Vernon Wells among the top centre fielders in the AL?
MW: He’s firmly at the top of the second tier behind guys like Grady Sizemore, Ichiro Suzuki, Curtis Granderson and maybe Josh Hamilton and Torii Hunter.
- samMike,
Why do the Jays need a lefty bat like Dunn if a righty like Holliday is equally adept at against RHP and LHP? The issue is they need someone who can take care of RHP, regardless from what side of the plate he bats.
I think you’re exaggerating the Coors factor. You can’t just take a guy’s road stats to suggest how he would really hit. Besides, it’s not uncommon for players to do a lot better at home than on the road. Are you saying Wells is really only a .764 hitter? Or Rios only a .746 hitter?
OK, fine. Let’s say Holliday’s true talent is only a .780 hitter (despite playing over a third of his road games in Chavez Ravine, AT&T Park, and Petco Park). Conservatively that would still put him as the Jays’ second best bat. (And if the Rogers Centre adds .100 points of OPS to its best hitters’ home stats, well, Holliday is back to being an occasional All Star.)
And you get him for 2009? Come on.
I’m not sure what you mean by “Dunn is a monster”. I love Dunn’s power and patience, but with his contact rate he’s really only a slightly better version of Troy Glaus. I fear his low BA and high K’s means he’s prone to the kind of slumps that could give this team absolute fits. He’s not the kind of difference maker (like, say, Beltran to the Astros) where it seems worthwhile for a 4 month rental for a club without much in its minors to give up anything useful to get him. (And given Dunn’s so-called “old player skills” he’s not the kind of guy I’d feel comfortable signing to a contract into his mid-thirties.)
MW: No one is talking about signing Dunn into his mid-thirties. He’s a guy who just simply crushes right-handed pitching, and the strikeouts don’t bother me. You make an interesting point about where Holliday plays a lot of his road games, since he’s in the NL West, but Coors Field, with it’s massive outfield, has more of a beneficial effect (I think) than most other hitters’ parks. What makes Dunn not a difference-maker?
- MichaelI was thinking of this move by Gibby a little bit, and maybe he is doing it as a way to show faith in his youngest pitchers. If they choke, the Doc is there to stop the madness, and if they suceed, 2-3 or 3-3, they gain a huge boost in confidence. I think you can look at this as part of why gibby is looked at as a player’s manager.
Also, could Johnny Mac before he got hurt have been a possible trading chip to sweeten a deal for a midseason trade? hes got the right kind of contract and reputation to be a second person in a trade.
Third, the bats were only slow at the beginning from hitters trying to adjust to a new coach and philosophy, as well as pushing because they felt the need to win that halladay spoke of.
Last, ARNSBERG FOR KING!!!!!
Cheers
MW: I have no idea what you’re talking about in the first point.
- DaveAaron,
I like your lineup, but I don’t know about Stewart at the top. Then again, who else? How bout Overbay-Rios-Rolen at the top? And when is Hill going to cement himself as the Jays’ #2? He is so designed for it.
Ryan,
I can’t agree with you on the Tabler thing. Although he may not be bias, he most assuredly lacks objectivity. I apologise Mike if I got a bit too personal in my critique of him earlier, but his work needs improving. Tabler’s analysis of games is passive and lacks frankness. I do in fact prefer Rance as he isn’t afraid to call out players or managers. In my opinion, the best baseball colour guy going right now is Rick Sutcliff. And Dan Shulman still rocks the play by play. Damn he’s good.
- Wong Kar WaiJust a random question for you. A player reaches base on an error with 2 outs, and the next batter up hits a home run. Is the pitcher charged with an earned run for the guy who hit the homer, or is that unearned because the inning should have been over? Seems like it should be earned because it was all his fault for givng up the homer.
Thanks
MW: It’s unearned, because the guy who hit the homer never would have come to the plate if not for the error.
- BrettAt least they got this game in unlike the Yankees-Mets game on Friday night. I hear they might have to move the game to June and play a day-night, two stadium double header. I heard that the Yankees don’t want to sacrifice one of their common offdays in september with the Mets and I guess even if they did, major league baseball would want this “subway” double header to go on just for ratings.
MW: Two-stadium doubleheaders are cool.
- JimmyMike! It’s a holiday. Take the rest of the day off. Sing Happy Birthday to Queen Victoria. We’ll see you tomorrow.
Thanks for all your hard work.
- MattQuestion: Hey Mike, my buddies and I are wasted and arguing over the infamous Jose Canseco ball headbutt. Is that a homerun or some type of error ? Thanks
MW: I don’t remember how it was scored, but it should have been a four-base error.
- SleazyJust looking at the on-line play by play of the Rangers/Twins game, and it’s the top of the 7th — Twins ahead 5-4, and the Rangers have 11 syllables on base.
Catalanotto is on third, and Saltalamacchia is on second.
Might be a world record!
- NormThe Jays have played better witout Vernon Wells and therefore I can reasonably conclude that he was a detriment to this team. He needs to be traded ASAP.
MW: That’s a good idea, trade him at the absolute low point of his value.
- AlexHey Mike,
I hope you are enjoying this rare off-day with your family (take a break from answering posts dammit!) and/or friends.
I’ve got the career road splits of three players for you followed by some observations and comments. Why the road splits: simple because it eliminates the advantages/disadvantages of one’s home ball park.
Player #1: .274/.336/.444/.780
Player #2: .241/.369/.490/.859
Player #3: .274/.325/.499/.824
The three players respectively are the fans choice Matt Holliday, Wilner’s choice Adam Dunn and Jeff Blair’s man crush Khalil Greene (?!). Please, please, please if this does nothing else let it put to rest all the “Let’s get Matt Holliday” comments. He’ll come at a price that far exceeds his actual value. You’ll also pay a hefty price for Adam Dunn, but isn’t it fair to say you might be able to upgrade the shortstop position at a reasonable price given that Greene is off to a very slow start? I hear he also plays defense pretty well, which Adam Dunn certainly doesn’t. I know that .325 OBP is icky, but I think Greene would be a major upgrade at a premium position and it appears he can hit for power, when he isn’t playing in a stadium that swallows his obviously underrated offensive abilities. I don’t know what his contract status is, but I do know that Dunn’s gone after this year. I’m not sure what his health has been like over the years and obviously given the amount of time players on this team have spent on the DL over the last two years, that has to be a consideration.
Of course JP would have to deal with the peanut gallery getting upset that he’s upgrading yet another position which of course demonstrates that there is no plan for this team. Not that that’s ever stopped him from upgrading a position before. From Eric Hinske to Scott Rolen in six short years. In some towns that would be cause for celebration, but here it demonstrates a complete inability to stick to a plan. I don’t think you go from one of the worst third basemen around to one of the best to ever play the game, without some ability to evaluate talent and build a team. Just some random thoughts from left field on a lazy holiday Monday.
MW: Greene is signed through next year, $4.5M this year, $6.5M next.
- Tom-During the RainDelayJaysTalkWhateverThingy, someone called in about Moneyball and asked about Garret Anderson, Gwynn and some others. Anyway, you said or implied (I forget which) that you don’t like Gwynn. Why is that? I can’t see anything in his career that is not to like.
-On the Moneyball topic, it’s good that you corrected the caller about what Moneyball really is. A lot of people think its about getting white college guys who walk a lot. Anyway, don’t you think that the OBP market itself has been cornered and that it’s actually now a saturated market? What’s the next frontier as far as inefficient markets in baseball go? I think it’s speed and defense.
-Casey Janssen’s interview was heartbreaking. It’s hard for me to be optimistic about a labrum tear. It’s pretty much a death sentence. I really wish this happened later in his career so he could’ve at least made some money.
-Roy Halladay leads the majors in innings. He’s having to strike guys out recently because he’s not getting GB out. And his pitch counts are high for him. Dude just needs a rest. I’m all for giving him as much rest as possible.
MW: I don’t not like Tony Gwynn. He was a great singles hitter who didn’t walk a lot. I just preferred guys like Barry Bonds and Frank Thomas in Gwynn’s era. Not sure what the next big inefficiency is – look how much Juan Pierre and Torii Hunter got for speed and defense (one, then the other). It’s hard for me to be optimistic about a labrum tear, as well, but look how Davis Romero is doing in AAA.
- ShawnIt’s possible someone else mentioned this already and I just missed it, but according to the Jays site, Halladay isn’t starting until Saturday.
MW: I’m going with Friday until I hear otherwise.
- JessicaJust wondering why Toronto sports fans love guys who try hard such as Darcy Tucker, Reed Johnson, Wade Belak, Tie Domi? Can you explain?
MW: Everyone loves an underdog, a guy who doesn’t have as much talent but tries to make up for it with effort.
- samI’m happy to see the wins but there were a couple of things that disturbed me. First was the consistent tail to the shortstop side of second when Barajas was throwing. I hope he’s hit the video tape to correct that, else it could be a long summer of runners. The other thing that I noticed is Ryan’s velocity has really dropped over the last while. When he was healthy prior to surgery his fastball was clocking in between 91 and 92. The start of the year he was coming in at 89 and after a few appearances he did hit the magic 91 to 92 occasionally. This last time out he was down to 86. Perhaps it’s time to back him off again a bit?
MW: I never saw Ryan hit 92, he’s been around 88-89 most of the year since he’s been back, but Sunday’s gun did have him at 86. That was on the second of back-to-back days, though, let’s see what happens next time. Barajas has been a fine thrower in the past, I’m sure it’s just a little blip.
- Iain SutherlandMike, what I meant by 3 highly touted 3B who were hyped as the next brooks robinson before we got Scott Rolen. Remember, everyone was saying Eric Hiniske was the 3B of the future, now he’s gone, Corey Koiske, a JP mistake was hyped up as the next Canadian star and he’s out of baseball right, Troy Glaus, another JP mistake was traded for O-Dog and was hyped up as this great power bat and was traded for Scott rolen. What I’m saying Mike is that JP made 3 mistakes overvaluing hi s 3B.
MW: Ricciardi didn’t know that Hinske was going to eat himself out of a few productive years. Koskie is out of baseball because he suffered a concussion and is still battling the effects, but yes, he was a mistake. Glaus wasn’t a mistake. He was brought in to be a big power bat and hit 38 home runs his first year. Then, after an injury-shortened season that made it appear as though he was on the downside, Ricciardi traded him for Rolen. How was that a mistake?
- andrewMike,
First time poster. Anyhow, you have probably been asked this question a million times but I’m going to ask again since I have never heard an answer. When are we expecting either or both Eck and J-Mac to return from their respective injuries?
MW: Eckstein is expected back on Thursday, and I won’t know about McDonald until I get to the ballpark today.
- AndrewMike,
You wrote in your previous blog that if they wouldn’t have finished Sunday’s game after the second rain delay, they would’ve continued at a later date? Why?
It was beyond the fifth inning.
Is it because the Jays only took the lead in the sixth? And would they had have to finish the game until the ninth or just finish the sixth?
Please enlighten me.
MW: It was beyond the fifth inning, but it was tied after five and the Jays had taken the lead in the top of the 6th without the Phillies having had a chance to respond. If they had finished the 6th inning before the second rain delay with the Jays leading or with the Phillies having re-taken the lead, the game would have been official. And had the game been suspended there, they would have finished it at a later date, all the way to the 9th (or later, if necessary).
- SimonHey Mike i was going over the Thomas contract and i wanted to know if he makes the required number of plate appearances needed to gurantee his 2009 option, does that make the Jays responsible for his 2009 salary ?
Also i know the Jays desperately need a huge beast like Adam Dunn but his numbers with RISP and RISP w/2out are terrible throughout his career, what makes him so appealing besides his HR totals.
MW: His HR totals and his walks. The OPS is tremendous. It seems like he doesn’t get pitched to all that much, historically, in those RISP situations, but his career OPS with RISP is only 22 points lower than his overall number, so I wouldn’t call that terrible. The contract that the Jays signed with Frank Thomas no longer exists, so there’s no more vesting option.
- NathTo people who critisize Joe Morgan, Tim McCarver and Pat Tabler and im not going to defend them because I can’t stand them either but you have to remeber these guys appeal to the “casual baseball fan” not fans like us who spend all day looking up stats and check 50 times a day to see if Mike has updated his blog and their are a lot more casual fans then their are people like us.
Just to add your point Mike that Halladay might get stale not pitching until friday. I’ve often heard sinker ball pitchers are more effective with tired arms and the fact that Halladay’s carrerr post all star break numbers are better then his pre all star break numbers seems to back up that claim.
MW: Hope so.
- dan mJust a general comment I really think everyone on this blog thinks that the Reds will get way more for Adam Dunn then they actually will.
- dan mMike, how are you!!!!
get over it, when callers ask you this it is a greeting or a conversation starter. Many people will say “good morning” in january in a -30 blizzard.
Also you are not very nice to most of your callers, reed had huge fan support, and that is what drives your show…the fans…and as shannon hits .235 you will continue to field these calls(I would rather have marco Scutaro in left,but I can understand their frustration…but I am not a radio talk show host).
If you have the time please reply to the jays talk comments, and is roy out until saturday?
MW: I think Halladay will start Friday. I hate the fact that “how are you” has become a greeting, it’s ridiculous. I don’t think support for Reed Johnson drives my show.
- Joe MacDonaldIs there a rule in Baseball that prevents a team using a player against another team that is paying the players wages? Secondly, how long might we resonably expect Vernon to be back to his best once he returns, looking back to last year Lyle and Zaun never really recovered their form fully after injury.
MW: No, and I have no idea. I think it’s unreasonable to expect Wells to be back to his 2006 form at any point this year, though.
- Phil SmithWhat do you think about Jon Lester no hitter. One year ago we didn’t know if this kid could throw a baseball after being diagonsed with cancer and how high is his ceiling in your eyes?
MW: I think it’s awesome that he was able to throw a no-no last night, great for anybody, but especially someone who has been through what he has. It hasn’t changed his ceiling in my eyes, though.
- andrewHey, when are we gonna see you have a show on TV!!! GREAT STUFF
MW: Thanks. No one has said anything to me about any TV work, though.
- TomDang! queued up the Jaystalk hoping it was the session with Jerry, but alas. Does the Fan590 have you on podcast? If not they should. I would’ve given my right testicle to have a chance to talk the esteemed Mr.H. (one of my exes has my left).
As for the rotation, I’d go Marcum, Hallady as well, in fact with pitching the ilk of the Jays, if anybody but those two were to go on the DL, I’d opt for a four man rotation, which is the way it should be anyway. 40 starts a seasnon means you have better pitchers pitching more often, giving you a potentially better chance of winning. For the pitchers, more W’s = Cooperstown.
Scott.
MW: It’s true, but until somebody actually uses a four-man rotation and none of the starters gets hurt, we won’t see it back.
- Scott 'from North Bay' ChampionMike
I, and many others, have asked you many times about the current regime’s results in building the team through the draft. I know many of your responses have dismissed criticism citing many prospects have been dealt, albeit in for utility players (Scutaro) or mid-level major leaguers (Overbay). When I see Lester pitch a no-no, Bucholz’s no-no last year, Ellsbury, Papelbon, etc., you would have to admit that the Jays are falling behind teams like the Bosox in developing front line players. Aside from Hill and Marcum(?), there are no proven “plus” (above average) players on the Jays roster from the current management team’s draft. I think it’s too early to suggest Litsch, Lind, Purcey, Snider etal are “proven”. And aside from Overbay, a debatable “plus” player, no other starter has been acquired with Ricciardi draft picks. Could you give us an honest assessment of the Jays development program?
MW: Oh, it’s definitely too early to say that Litsch and those others you mentioned are proven. None of them have proven anything yet. But I wouldn’t say without question that the Jays are falling behind the Red Sox – you say Buchholz and Lester, I say Marcum and McGowan. You say Ellsbury, I say Hill. Papelbon is something else, it’s true. Remember, though, scouting is a hell of a crapshoot. Every team in the bigs passed on Papelbon three times, Lester and Buchholz once each, Marcum twice.
- DanSo, Jon Lester gets a No Hitter. Only in Baseball cana “defensive” game be exciting to watch!
Anyway, I don’t remember watching any No-Hitters in my time although I do remember Dave Stieb throwing one a couple of decades ago. I also understand that Nolan Ryan has pitched a bunch of them during his career.
My question is have you seen any and if so what was the most dominant performance of a no-hitter you’ve ever seen?
(BTW, when is your next softball game? We WANT updates!!! LOL.)
KK
MW: I haven’t seen any no-hitters live, but I’m hopeful! Next softball game is Thursday, but I won’t be able to make it.
- karim kanjiFor those interested in the Jays minor leaguers…
Travis Snider is expected to start playing the outfield for AA New Hampshire sometime this weekend. (courtesy of the team’s game notes)
Ricky Romero & Brett Cecil will be starting for AA the next 2 nights against the Red Sox AA team.
The Jays top SS prospect went 1 for 3 with a 2B and a BB with Dunedin (Hi-A) last night! His name would be…David Eckstein ;)
- JJHey Mike,
I was looking up a lot of contacts after i heard you say sunday that someone will probably give Burnett a 90 million dollar contract and i wanted your opinion on whether you think the MLB is getting out of hand in term of Salaries.
Also i wanted your opinion on what you think the League should do about draft which I believe is ridiculously flawed where good talent slips to the better teams because they demand a huge signing bonus.
MW: Getting out of hand? Just now? And the way to fix the imbalance in the draft is, I think, to allow trading of draft picks.
- NathAlso i forgot to ask whats a good site or magazine to look up some stats and projections about this years draft prospects.
MW: Try Baseball America, but you have to subscribe.
- NathRay’s Get:
Shannon Stewart
Adam Lind
Jessie Litch
Jay’s Get:
Carl Crawford
What do you think? Carl’s comming off in the next year or two…right? Keep this guy away from the Yankees!
Great Job Mike!
MW: The Rays would never do that.
- AllisterFYI my best friend just called me and asked if I wanted to come with him to the game tonight he has ticket four rows up from the jays dugout.
FYI Jays are 14-1 life time with me in attendace.
FYI in last weeks leisure ball game in Burford I got jammed on a ten foot high lob ball pitch. Never again will I yell at my TV when the a Jays hitter fails to get a runner home from third with less then two out.
PS. Sorry I’m a loser and post this non sence on your blog Mike.
MW: At least you’re self-aware.
- Dan M.Would you say the Padres are done?
MW: Nope.
- AndyMike,
Even using a crude tool like Runs Created (which favours high OBP/high SLG guys) Dunn hasn’t been a top 10 performer in the NL once in the past three years. (Unlike Bay and Holliday, both of whom have had big big years in recent memory.) And using a more sophisticated stat like VORP, Dunn hasn’t cracked the MLB top 30 in the past 3 years. (Bay and Holliday both have twice.)
Dunn is exactly that kind of guy the Jays already have too many of: a guy who was great about 4 years ago (yes, 2004), and the memories of his past greatness is perhaps creating the impression that he’s really better than he currently is.
Dunn is a useful bat, and if the Reds would take him for some non-Lind, non-Snider, non-Marcum or Mcgowan package, or any potential “players to be named later” from the ’07 draft I would consider do it.
But if the Jays have to give up their top prospect or someone who’s helping (or ready to help) the club right now, I’d want to make sure you were getting more than 4 months out of whoever they’re getting in return. (Hence the appeal of the extra year of Holliday, and who unlike Bay doesn’t have any lingering injuries to worry about.)
MW: Dunn’s numbers are skewed down by the fact that he doesn’t hit lefties. In 2004, Dunn had a .957 OPS. In 2007, it was .940.
- MichaelWho’s Tampa Bay playing in the World Series this year?
MW: Nobody.
- JohnHi Mike! I like your blog! One thing I always wanted to say to you was that I find your clear, levelheaded logic and good sense, too much of a challenge for my closemindedness and overreaction on days when I want to rip into the team for losing. As much as I hate it when you’re right, more often than not, you usually bring me around to your side of the argument. It is with almost surgical precision, you dissect and lay waste to the uncomplimentary assertions of disgruntled fans on your Jays Talk radio show after the games. Your advocacy for the Jays is truly a work of art in progress. Thanks for helping all us over anxious fans to keep it real. In fact you’re excellent professional help for Jays fanatics struggling to hold it together! Thanks Mike. Good work.
MW: I don’t think I’m an advocate for the Jays, though. Just for reason and rationality.
- Vito From HamiltonSorry for taking up two posts Mike, but a curious thing just crossed my mind. I wonder who Matt Stairs is favouring to win the Stanley Cup between Motown and The Berg? My money says he’ll say Pittsburgh because Crosby being Canadian, but who knows. Who’s your pick Mike? My piggy bank money is on Detroit, banking on the fact that being the first time these Pittsburgh players are in the Big Dance, they will be overwhelmed with it all lose focus. What do you say Mike? I know you’re more than just a baseball expert.
MW: I’ll ask Stairs, I know he’s a Hab fan, though. I’m taking the Penguins.
- Vito From HamiltonDo you realize the dude that wrote in criticizing Morgan, McCarver, and Tabler was Wong Kar-Wai, Hong Kong’s greatest contemporary film director?
Anyway, since we’re looking forward to another homestand, I thought I’d bring out an idea I was developing during the last bunch of home games. I was thinking that at Bluejays.com or perhaps in some other sports site, they should obtain and start posting the income generated from in-game advertising in the Skydome. For ex.: (I’m obviously making these figures up) a $75,000/yr contract with Home Hardware to sponsor the sixth inning raking, or the $12,5000 that TD Bank pays for the green signs lining those high-priced playing field seats, or the ring of alternating, electronic ads below the 500 level where stats could have been shown instead.
The reason this would be relevant, I think, is because it could draw the fan in even more in terms of player management/fan experience. I, for one, hate all that electronic crap and dream of the day when we can be offered even the most basic expansion of player stats (pitcher’s stats, expanded hitting stats, etc.). So I would say, I’m willing to give up $1.5 million in pay roll (meaning we can’t sign player x, but have to go with player y, instead) if we can get rid of that ugly ring of ads and replace it with relevant info. Likewise, a fan who doesn’t mind all that garbage could say, “why don’t we paint the entire 500 level seats into a mural for Coca-Cola or for some insurace company… That way we can add a one-time lift of $2 million to next year’s payroll and be able to resign burnett (as our #4 starter at $16/yr.)?”
I offer this suggestion to you because it seems like, from listening to your show quite frequently, the average fan runs out of things to say. This could revolutionize the fan experience, just like when WHIP and OSP became trendy…
MW: It would most assuredly revolutionize the fan experience, but not in a way I think most fans would want. I think most people are sick of all the talk about sums of money to which they can’t relate. Also, no, I didn’t know about that director, I’ll have to ask my cousin, who publishes a great film magazine called cinemascope (www.cinema-scope.com)
- RWMike help with some math here. In order to catch the Red Sox and realistically this is the target to shoot for (the wild card could be a maybe if you fall a little short of winning the division) this team has a serious problem. I don’t think the pitching staff can be much better than what it has been and Boston’s pitching matches up pretty well with Toronto’s therefore we must outscore them or at least be close to them as a team. At this point in the schedule Boston has scored 69 more runs than Toronto, a huge difference. The power numbers account for most of the gap as well as of course the anemic hitting of the Jays which I expect will improve but I am not convinced it will improve enough to close the gap with Boston. If you were a realist right now you would say that even if the Jays improve thay would probably continue to lose ground albeit slowly over the year. Barring an injury or injury to Boston’s pitching staff it appears the only way for the Jays to close the gap is to buy more run production either through team speed or power (I don’t think we can trade any pitching).For the record if the Jays can get rid of Wells and the horrible contract they should do so at the earliest opportunity. His impact in terms of outcome of a game is way out of wack with his salary as a percentage of team salary. Re if his number is 15-20% of team salary you would expect his play to reflect his impact on the outcome of a game. Clearly a horrible contract by JP (same as Frank Thomas). At least on Frank’s he was smart enough to cut his losses.
MW: I think six weeks into a seven-year contract is MUCH too much too early to judge one way or the other, and it’s crazy to say that it’s CLEARLY anything. I’m not worried about how many runs they’ll score, just about how many games they’ll win. Can they win five more than Boston the rest of the way? Sure.
- Mike GlattHi Mike….big fan of what u do….been a fan of JP, and a critic….have to give him props right now as he has created a top tier pitching staff, but need to get the hitters going. Just a question about the 2005 draft, WTF happened…I am trying to remember if there was no scouting staff, at all. Keith Law gives JP alot of criticism, almost weekly, but his background is scouting and he was in the room wasn’t he. I still have hope for Ricky Romero, but the rest of the draft class is horrid. Can’t wait to see who pitches next, keep up the good work…
MW: I think horrid is a little strong, but it wasn’t a good year.
- RockMike do you think the Yankees will still contend this year. I know recent history tells they will but the back end of their rotation has been a mess this year plus all of their position players are a year further away from their satistical primes outside of Melky and Cano, and Cano looks awful right now.
Do you think I’m right in thinking the Yankees could finish 7 or 8 games out of the playoffs this year or is that just the Jay’s fan in me talking?
MW: I think the Yankees are as likely to finish eight game out as they are to finish five games up.
- Dan M.RE #33, Teams have an idea which holidays people show up at the ballpark for and which ones people don’t. If everyone is out in cottage country for Victoria Day then attendance would be low. As for Canada Day in Seattle, I think it’s a great idea because it gives fans in BC a chance to see the team. Safeco was packed with Canadians for Canada Day last year.
- TorgenFirst time commentor long time reader…I think that is how is goes. But anyways great game the other night and its nice to see Overbay get on track with his homers. He has been hitting the ball hard the past 3 weeks so the HR totals are going to come.
My question to you is what do u think of Khalil Greene in SD? He is having a crappy start but he plays short well and his numbers away from Petco are pretty impressive. Personally I think if someone liberates him from that park he will excel as an everyday SS. He is a perfect buy-low candidate and considering the Pad’s dont seem to be doing much this year what do u think the odds of the jays or any other team going after Greene?
Thanks
MW: I think lots of teams will go after Greene, and I think the Jays will get more out of him than they get out of Eckstein. I don’t know about buy-low, though.
- NickHi, Mike:
Looks like it was an interesting game in Syracuse this afternoon. The Chiefs win 3-2 in 10 innings, with the winning run scoring on a 2-out bunt single to third by Russ Adams, who entered the game defensively at second base in the 9th.
David Purcey went 6 shutout innings, 5 hits, 3 BB, 5 K’s; Brandon League gave up the tying 2 runs in the 9th, his third inning of relief, for the Blown Save, and Jordan De Jong picked up the win.
Curtis Thigpen went 2 for 3, and drove in the other 2 Chief runs.
- NormWith Jorge Velandia declining the assignment to Syracuse, and becoming a free agent, this leaves an opening on the Jay 40 man roster, right?
Does this change JP’s thinking regarding “further tweaks” at this point? And, if so, who might be a likely target?
MW: Yes, Velandia is off the 40-man, but he was anyway, once he was DFA’d. I don’t know that it has an effect on J.P.’s thinking. If there’s a move to be made, he’ll make it regardless of what he’s said.
- NormHey Mike, @ last tuesdays softball game, one of our guys hit a ball to the wall. The Lf’er attempted to catch it but it hit his glove and went over the wall(a la canseco). What is the official ruling, scorecard wise ? Thanks Mikey
MW: It depends. Would it have been a spectacular catch or a routine one?
- Nicky ZHi Mike, first time blogging, i do listen to you on Fan590. I would like to know, i have listened many years of Sports Radio Host talks on Radio shows, other day Jerry and you were talking about the Play by Play or Sport Radio shows. I wonder WHY do you Pause some time for too long on the RADIO, i just feel that too long of a PAUSE some time…it just doesn’t go well!!!!
(I Mean Playing Area)
Other thing i wanted to ask…Why all the Baseball Fields are Different Dimensions. They are not Consistent in Dimensions?
One Ball Park is Smaller and the Other WHY…? Any Reasons!!!
Thanks Mike
MW: I actually talked about the ballpark dimensions thing on that very show. In the long, long ago, ballparks had to fit into the city blocks on which they were built, which is why they were so different from one another. I kind of like it. Pauses in the broadcast? Sometimes to let in some crowd noise, to let the broadcast “breathe”, maybe because we have to sneeze.
- DenushanIn regards to comment #56:
What the he*l are you talking about???? A detriment to the team????? They were bound to start hitting regardless of what happened to Vernon…give your head a shake buddy
MW: Thing is, you could just as easily say that the turnaround shows that David Eckstein is a detriment to the team. It’s ridiculous.
- Tommy ScholczHi Mike, can’t seem to access Jays Talk off the website. what you put in your post, seems to be just text rather than a link. Could not find it iether in the podcasts section of the main fan590 website either. Maybe drop me an email to help me out here if ya can. There’s the fan loyalty club, do I have to become a member of that, to get access to available podcasts?
MW: You should become a member of the loyalty club regardless, but you don’t need that to get to The JaysTalk. I’m not terribly savvy, computerically, so I have no clue why you’re getting text. I get sound when I click on that thing.
- DanHey Mike – just to be clear about the advertising revenue suggestion (#85) – it was a joke. I just have some serious issues with the Rogers Centre experience (and some minor ones with baseball fan speculation/discourses). In fact, there’s a part of me that wants to stop going to games altogether when the dome is closed. Thank goodness the team is half decent and they’re mostly likable. Otherwise you’d have to pay me to go in there.
MW: Honestly, I couldn’t tell you were kidding. I’ve had weirder suggestions. Sorry you don’t like the Rogers Centre experience, but it’s better to have a game with a closed roof than 2 1/2 hours of rain delays, I think.
- RWMike, you would you say has the best pitching future down the road? Boston with Jon Lester and Clay Bucholz, New York’ with Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy, Toronto’s with Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan, and Jesse Litisch? Also, just wondering why you think Pittsburgh Penguins will win the Stanley Cup from Detroit? I just think Detroit experience factor will overwhelm the penguins young players. Your thoughts?
MW: I’m happy to take Marcum and McGowan, though Lester and Buchholz are going to be very good, as are Hughes and Joba (I’m only going top two). Why do I like the Penguins? See, this is the thing. If the Red Wings win, it’ll be that their experience carried them to the title. If they lose, they’ll have looked old because of the Pens’ youth and speed. The story is already written regardless. I like Pittsburgh to win.
- andrew“that the turnaround shows that David Eckstein is a detriment to the team. It’s ridiculous.”
It is far from ridiculous to say that replacing Eck’s .246/.315/.322 season line with Scutaro’s (as a SS) .310/.383/.333 has had a big effect on our offense. Especially when you consider that Eck was leading off, which was even more detrimental to the team than providing that garbage to the bottom of the order. In fact, I would go as far as to say that’s it’s ridiculous to NOT think Eckstein was a detriment to the team. And yes I realize one player doesn’t make or break an offense, and yes I realize Eck was probably only slumping. The facts remain.
MW: The facts remain what the facts are, and yes, Scoot has been an offensive improvement over Eckstein. But I meant it more to say that you could just as easily blame it on Wells being gone as anyone else who has been out of the line-up the last little while (Eck, McDonald, Accardo). Like you said, one player doesn’t (I’d say can’t) make or break an offense.
- AriThe catch as to my earlier post wouldn’t have gone over the wall if it didn’t hit his glove. However the catch wasn’t going to be Hon worthy, but it wasn’t routine either. So does this chap get credit for a HR or even a hit ? because it was an error.
MW: If it wasn’t routine, I say give the guy a homer.
- Nicky ZMike, do you think that the mlb draft is more of a crapshoot then the nhl draft, nba draft and nfl draft or do you think all 4 drafts are crapshoots? Also, what do you think about instent replay because of Carlos Delgado HR that should have counted.
MW: I do think MLB is more of a crapshoot than the other sports, longer development time, way more of a pool to choose from. And I think instant replay, if it could be used quickly and efficiently, would be great for baseball. Fair/foul calls, out/safe calls, homer-or-not calls. I couldn’t care less about the human element, I want the call right.
- andrewI think you should take the advice of George Carlin when people say “How are you?”
Reply with
“I’m moderately neato” or “I’m not unwell, thank you”
:D
Then wish them a crappy day!
MW: I have used the “not unwell” on many occasions. At least I won’t be using the Steve Martin retort to “Mind if I smoke?”
- WillRainZaun’s 5 RBIs are unacceptable. It’s so painful to watch him GIDP after the 2 leadoff guys get on while Molina is popping out 2r 2o HRs and carrying a punchless offense on his back.
MW: Five RBIs is a pretty gruesome total, I’ll give you that. But Molina’s hardly carrying the Giants’ offense. Molina was at .276/.310/.428 going into tonight’s game, which isn’t good. Zaun having a tough time driving in runs doesn’t mean Molina is having a good year.
- AriMike, what would be your all-time Blue Jays team in terms of time as a Blue Jay and performance? My rotation would be Stieb, Halladay, Key, Hentgen and Guzman. 1st base would be Olerud, 2nd base Alomar, SS Fernandez, 3B Mulliniks, LF Bell, CF Wells, RF Carter and DH Molitor.
MW: Let’s see – Rotation of Clemens, Stieb, Halladay, Key and Hentgen, closer is Henke with Ward as the set-up man. Around the infield we go Delgado, Alomar, Fernandez and Mulliniks (in a squeaker over Gruber), and in the outfield Bell, White and Carter. Molitor and Winfield share the DH duties.
- RossYou must have really hated Joe Carter, because all you seem to care about is OBP, and he got out that same 70% of the time that Molina did. And he IS carrying the Giants offense ; he’s leading them in HR and RBI, I’m not sure what else you want. Just looking at BA/OBP/SLG doesn’t always tell you the whole story, so while Molina isn’t putting up a ridiculous Soto-like line, it still can be said he is carrying the Giants team with his bat.
How many more times are we going to see the Jays go down looking on 3-2 fastballs in the 9th inning? And it’s our freaking #3 hitter. It’s mind bottling.
MW: I don’t hate Joe Carter, but I do think he’s VERY overrated.
- AriHey Mike,
Just wondering why there’s no such thing as a left handed catcher. I was creating a player on a MLB video game, and this wasn’t even an option. Is this sorta like how players are only allowed right handed sticks in Field hockey?
Thanks
MW: I just answered that in another thread.
- JamesHey Mike..just to follow up about 2005 draft. http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?franch_ID=TOR&year_ID=2005&draft_type=junreg. If anyone other than Romero makes the bigs it will be a shock, and no way any of these names makes an impact. It was horrid!
MW: Hey, no one’s perfect.
- RockMike, I’m listening to your out of town score updates tonight, and, while giving the Yankees score (YES!), I didn’t hear you mention the fact that 8 of the first 9 Oriole runs were UNearned, with 6 of the 7 in the first inning coming after a throwing error by SS Captain Clutch, which would have been the third out.
Of course, you have to give the O’s credit for making the Yankees pay for their captain’s folly.
Johnny Damon erred with 2 out in the second, leading to two more unearned runs. (Presumably a dropped fly, although the details were not given).
MW: Wow – I didn’t even realize.
- NormDo you think the mlb draft will adopt a draft lottery like the nhl and nba and would you like to see it?
MW: No, and no.
- samIn your mind, give the top 5 players that will be availble at the trade deadline?
MW: It’s too early to speculate, but I expect that at least Adam Dunn, Jason Bay and Ken Griffey, Jr. (who has a no-trade) will be shopped.
- samOne more thing, are you still confident that the celtics will be the nba final despite not winning on the road?
MW: Do they have to win on the road to get to the Finals? Didn’t think so.
- samWhat is the matter with the team with hitting with RISP? Can someone get a hit when it matters? It really did look like the bats were starting to come around and now they are back to square one. BTW, what is your theory as to why the AL offense is down compared to the NL. That is very unusual considering the AL is traditionally a higher scoring league.
MW: I don’t have a theory, I’m waiting for the season to play itself out and see what happens. I also don’t think that the Jays are back at square one after one bad night.
- aviMike, I agree with you that any one player won’t or can’t make or break an offense.
Signed,
Lebron James
MW: Because basketball is so similar to baseball.
- Vito From HamiltonI agree with Lebron.
Signed,
- Vito From HamiltonMatts Sundin
I’d have to go with Lebron on this one, Mike.
Signed,
Mats Sundin
MW: How about someone who plays baseball?
- Vito From HamiltonAnother L tonight Mike. What is it about 500 with this club? How is it this team keeps sliding back below 500 so quickly? Why can’t this team seem to stand the prosperity? I don’t know about you, but to me, it’s a sign that they’re just not very good and as you’re fond of saying, Mike, it is what it is. And coincicentally, I’m listening to The Score and Tim McCalif just said the same thing. That the Jays tease their fans with these 500 marks but perhaps they’re just simply not good enough to do any better.
MW: Congratulations. Tim Micallef agrees with you.
- Vito From HamiltonThanks for the correction on the spelling of Tim’s name, Mike. But in all sincerity, Mike I pose this question to you. Seriously…. Are they for real Mike, or what’s THE SCORE?
MW: Are who for real?
- Vito From HamiltonAre the Jays for real? I mean, are they really serious about winning because this cast of players remind me of the saying, close but no cigar. Disturbingly, they lose more than their fair share of one run games. I really believe Gibbons’ time has come. I just think it’s time for a changing of the guard in Jays Land. It’s the same old story. Flirt with 500, lose close games, contend for about a month tops and then pack her in almost right on schedule to make a meaningless late-season run at respectability. I’m really tired of this team’s tired act and act is what I hope they do in regards to Gibbons remaining in Toronto.
MW: It’s not Gibby’s fault, and firing him wouldn’t serve any purpose. Let’s say the Jays had fired Gibbons between games of the doubleheader in Cleveland and brought in Joe Schmedecky to be the interim manager. The Jays then win six out of seven and the stories would have been about how Gibbons was the problem and Schmedecky is some master motivator with the magic touch who has fixed everything. It’s all just such crap.
- Vito From HamiltonMike, as usual, I find it hard to argue with your sentiments. I guess, what I’m saying is that there are many managers buried in baseball’s graveyard that did far less to deserve firing than Gibbons has thus far. Sooner or later something has to change. If the players don’t respond to a certain coach then you owe it to the fans to get someone in there that they are motivated to play for. This hovering around 500 is almost a signature mark of the ball club. Gibbons, rightly or wrongly, cannot inspire nor affect better than that. I believe in continuity to a certain point, but in this case, it seems to me that it’s just a whole lot of spinning of tires, status quo worship and fear of change when this team proves year in and year out it cannot take it to the long overdue next level. Something has got to give. Quite honestly, I was happier with the job Buck Martinez did than that of John Gibbons.
MW: Then you weren’t paying attention. As much as people are upset about Brad Wilkerson leading off for a week and a half, Alex Gonzalez was Buck’s # 2 hitter. Alex Gonzalez.
- Vito From HamiltonWell, Gonzalez had his moments as a Jay, Mike. What do you expect for a first year manager? He’s green behind the ears. He could be excused for that Gibbons has been around alot longer than that and with all his experience he still couldn’t identify a good pitcher if he ran one over with his car.
MW: This continues to amaze me. The Blue Jays had the second-best ERA in the league last year and sit fourth this season and it has nothing to do with the manager. The lack of hitting, though, is all his fault. And yes, Gonzalez had his moments. Remember that season he hit .255? Or the one he struck out less than 90 times? No? That’s because neither of those things ever happened.
- Vito From HamiltonDarn, Mike, you’re a tough nut to crack! Ok, let me back up alittle. I wish he’d make better choices out of the bullpen. Seems the guys he trusts are the ones blowing up on the mound. His instincts can frustrate a Saint. But all in all, the Jays won last night and Overpay, oops, I mean Overbay had that delightful homerun to put the Jays ahead for good. I’m in a better mood today and more open to having Gibbons remain in his post for the rest of the year and see how this thing plays out. Do I expect too much from just one man, Mike? Am I being unfair to Gibby? I don’t know why I can’t seem to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I’m too impatient and being Italian, I hope you can appreciate that. Now, Buck, I loved for his exuberance. It was great watching him going wild in celebration in the dugout when the Jays did something really dramatic to win the game. You can tell, the only place he’d rather have been than behind the bench would be on the field. That stuff is fun to watch, when a manager lets his guard down for a brief moment unable to contain his joy. Neither here nor there, however. That era is past tense. Keep up the great work, Mike!
MW: You’re definitely being unfair to Gibby. The Blue Jays have the best bullpen ERA in the league, so the guys he brings in aren’t blowing up at all. You think I’m Italian?
- Vito From HamiltonAre you going to tell me your mother is Italian, Mike? I was referring to myself to offer an excuse for my impatient nature. Of note was Scutaro’s heavy Italian accent on the pregame show today. He sounds like Bargnani of the Raptors.
MW: Oh, you. Gotcha. No, my mother’s not even a little Italian. Scutaro doesn’t sound like Bargnano at all, he’s from Venezuela and Spanish is his first language. I’m not sure he even speaks Italian.
- Vito From Hamilton