UPDATE 7:30 PM Eastern
Here’s today’s edition of The JaysTalk!
6:10 PM Eastern
For a guy who faces constant complaints about his inability to turn up more than the odd player in the draft, I present the Blue Jays’ 24th round pick in the 2004 first-year player draft, Mr. Jesse Allan Litsch.
The 23 year-old took the club lead with his sixth win of the season, pitching his first shutout (and first complete game) in the bigs and setting a team record in the process. He got to the 9th inning without issuing a walk, making it 38 consecutive innings pitched without a free pass, breaking the Jays’ record Jimmy Key set in 1990. Hands up anyone who thought that Jesse Litsch would ever break any of Key’s club records! Didn’t think so.
The kid has been an absolute revelation. He doesn’t have great stuff, but he has great location. He doesn’t shy away from contact, but there’s rarely anyone on base when he gives up a big hit because he simply refuses to walk people. And - he’s a fantastic defender. He’s always in a great fielding position after he delivers a pitch, and it stood him in good stead today, when he was ducking shrapnel pretty much all afternoon, breaking bats right and left and having the barrels fly out towards - and right over - the mound.
Every time he gets the ball, Litsch proves again why he more than deserves to be part of this pitching staff, and there were plenty of us - including your trusted correspondent right here - who didn’t believe he’d have anywhere near this kind of impact.
That said, will there ever be a better sell-high opportunity on Litsch? It’s not like this is fantasy baseball, though. The Pirates won’t be calling offering Jason Bay, and the Reds won’t ring up to try to pry away Jesse for Adam Dunn. Anyway, it’s not like the Jays have someone ready to step in and take Litsch’s spot if they move him, so let’s enjoy the second-best 5th starter in the majors.
By the way, Litsch had five innings in which he threw fewer than 10 pitches. Granted, it’s the Royals, but that’s awesome stuff.
How about that Lyle Overbay? As Jordan Bastian of mlb.com worked out (with a little help from his friends), he’s been ridiculous over the last 12 games, hitting .359/.479/.590 (the perfect slugging percentage). He’s also tied the club record by reaching base safely in his last 11 plate appearances, and will have a chance to break the record in (probably) the second inning tomorrow against Gil Meche.
Brad Wilkerson’s day off seemed to stand him in good stead, he took a 3-1 heater from Luke Hochevar in the first and hit it out for the Jays’ fourth Grand Slam of the season. He could have had a second slam, too, but popped up to short in the 7th. One was more than enough, though.
Shannon Stewart continues to look good, reaching base four times in five plate appearances out of the leadoff spot, and Joe Inglett made an incredible catch of a foul ball down the left-field line and threw in a triple for good measure.
The Jays went just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, but when one of those is a home run, you can look awfully good. This team has now won nine of 12 to get back over the break-even mark.
I know I’ll be hearing from a lot of you about Marty Pevey sending Stewart on Aaron Hill’s double in the 1st, and it was definitely a bad send given the fact that there were none out. Stewart is running better than he has in a few years, but he’s still nothing like the guy he was when he came up. Still, the ball was still in the left-field corner when Shannon hit third base, and Marty didn’t hesitate a bit in waving him on, which is good. Of course, Tony Pena - the relay guy - has an incredible arm, you have to take that into account, too.
I’m more concerned with the fact that in the 7th, Shannon was at third when Scott Rolen hit a shallow fly to left, and it appeared that even just seconds before the ball landed in David DeJesus’ glove, Pevey still hadn’t made up his mind. Stewart actually stood on third with his palms up, as if to say “what should I do?”. That’s just what I’m speculating from the palms-up thing, though, what really happened may have been entirely different.
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Mike,
I love Jesse Litsch right from the first time he pitched in his first major league game last year. Do you think he could get 15-20 wins and have a possibility for they CY Young award. Is he also eligible for rookie of the year. Thanks
MW: He’s not eligible for rookie of the year. He’s on pace for about 18 wins right now, so sure. Cy Young? He’d have to either get a lot more wins than 18 or really whittle that ERA down, but anything is possible.
- StevenHey Mike, where’s the audio of today’s JaysTalk? We couldn’t get it at fan590.com live, it was still being blacked out well after the game was over. I need my JaysTalk!!!
I have a baseball question too. Who goes down when Eckstein comes back? Hector Luna I assume? The camera caught him in the dugout, I’d kinda forgotten he was still with the team. What about when McDonald comes back? And I know it’s down the road quite a while yet, but what about when Vernon comes back? I’m guessing one or both of “Mencherson” isn’t going to finish the year with the club. Your thoughts?
MW: The JaysTalk is up on the site now. When Eckstein comes back, it’s Luna. I had assumed it would be Inglett when McDonald comes back, but now I’m not sure anymore. And Vernon is still a month away, so anything could happen between now and then.
- darrenMaybe you’ve mentioned this before but I missed it, who is the best fifth starter in the game?
MW: Right now? Cliff Lee.
- clintEven a blind dog finds a bone once in a while. 24th round pick says it all. It is unfortunate that J.P. doesn;t connect on many 1st round picks.
MW: Right. Every bad move J.P. makes is because he’s incompetent, and every good move is blind luck.
- BrianWilner
I hate to be negative after a win like that but, I hope that that grand slam by Wilkerson doesn’t buy him another month of being in the lineup everyday while hitting .150. Yes, I know you’re gonna rip me for getting down on the guy after that homer today but, I just hope that if (and I’m thinking he probably will) he reverts back to being crappy they still don’t keep putting him out there. Even when he wasnt contributing at all Gibbons said he loves him, I shudder to think what will happen now.
MW: The Slam will get him back in the line-up tomorrow, but not in the leadoff spot, and I think that if he continues to struggle Inglett will get more playing time once Stairs gets back.
- TerryHello Mike, hope you’re well. By the way, I’d like to say very good job of quoting the ‘Go Diego Go’ theme song the other day, very nice. If anyone had any doubts as to your parent status, that removed them!
Not much to say, the Jays are so much more fun to watch these days, and I’m hoping these last two high scoring games are the signs of a turning point for our offence.
I do have a couple of questions for you though. What do you think of Joe Inglett, and what do you think the Jays should do with him? Once everyone is back on the roster from the DL, is there room for him? Should there be room for him? Is he perhaps one of the guys JP was alluding to when he was talking of going to a deeper bench and carrying 11 pitchers? Thanks Mike, enjoy your evening!
MW: I like Inglett as a fill guy on the bench who can play six positions and start every once in a while, more if necessary, and he may have been exactly who J.P. was talking about.
- kitaWhat happened to today JaysTalk podcast? Also, what would be your AL all star roster?
MW: The JaysTalk is there now. All stars? Way too early for that.
- andrewHi Mike,
Pevey’s name keeps coming up. A good third base coach is like a good referee or umpire…you should never know they are there. If they are doing their job, know one ever talks about them. There is a learning curve when coach third. It is difficult, and takes time to master. I’m willing to give him more time. What is Pevey’s experience as a third base coach either in the majors or in the minors?
MW: He’d never done it before in the majors, but he’s managed nine seasons in the minors.
- DAWGThe three hot topics today are Litsch, Wilkerson and Pevey. So a brief question on each of them.
To the naked eye, Litsch looks nothing like a 6-1 and 3.something ERA type pitcher. His stuff looks pretty ‘ordinary’ . I really don’t think he’ll ever be a top three starter in this league despite his success this year.. Agree?
How many Jays have hit two grand slams in one game? It’s a shame wilkerson just missed out of that elusive club.
Pevey has no idea what he’s doing out there. He’s made atleast 10 blunders this year and we are still in May. The last thing you wanna worry about is your base coaches, that’s the easiest job in the game. Every run matters. Marty should be fired or sent back to first.
MW: I have learned not to use words like “never”, “ever” and “always”. Except to say that you never know. No Blue Jay has ever hit two Grand Slams in a game, only two have ever hit two in a month (Joe Carter, Darrin Fletcher). Saying Pevey has no idea what he’s doing out there is pretty harsh.
- BeburgPevey’s call in sending Shannon in the first was brutal. I was in the car listening to broadcast on the radio and couldn’t believe they were sending him when from what I was hearing, Hill hit a double down the left field line.
I couldn’t agree more with you on Litsch, the guy is a gamer and as long as he can locate his pitches, he’ll be effective.
Now off to go watch the Pens/Wings game. Hope to see the Jays sweep the Royals out of town tomorrow.
MW: The Royals are staying through Monday.
- Derek ParkinMike,
On the matter of the constant speculation on marketable players, I have a question about Jeremy Accardo. Laying aside the injury - obviously you can’t trade a guy who’s hurt - I note that some of the negativists seem to think he has negligible value.
I can’t believe that this would be true. In your opinion, if the Jays approched a team with closer/set-up issues and offered them Accardo in trade, either alone or as part of a package, isn’t it true that most teams are going to see a chance to get a guy who spanked the AL last year while racking up 30 saves, not a guy who had some control issues in 12ish innings this year?
It seems to me Accardo might be the one player with the best combination of marketability and extendibility (when he’s healthy again) on the team.
Am I wrong about how much value other teams would place in him?
MW: He’s probably the most marketable of anyone in the Jays’ bullpen.
- WillRainWho is the best 5th starter in the majors?
MW: Cliff Lee.
- MarkHi Mike,
Everyone seems to be in a great mood when The Jays win. You can hear it on Jays Talk.
MW: Nah, people still call in to complain, whether it’s about Gregg Zaun or Marty Pevey or Josh Towers.
- brunoNot saying Scutaro should take over for Eck Mike but they Jay’s should ride him until he cools off. you said in your last post “you shouldn’t lose your job because of injury” thats just really dumb. Tell that to Drew Bledso.
MW: It’s not dumb. It’s not Eckstein’s fault he got hurt. If you’re the starter, you’re the starter.
- Dan Moore“given the fact that there were none out”
this is horrible grammar. “were” is plural. should either be “there were no outs” or “there was none out”
MW: It’s baseball-appropriate speech, just like “he flied out”.
- roccoJust curious, if the Jays were to make the playoffs, which network would get the broadcast rights? Would it stay on Sportsnet or would one of the big national networks (such as CBC or CTV) pick it up?
MW: I’m pretty sure that Sportsnet has the rights to the baseball playoffs, regardless of who plays.
- kitHey Mike if JL is the second best 5th starter in the game who is the best no. 5?
thanks
MW: Answered above twice.
- TOMMYPHey Mike
This stretch has been fun to watch.
I don’t want to get too high on Jesse Litsch, but…
These are the current numbers of Yankees #1 (I think..?) starter, Chien Ming Wang:
GS:10
W: 6
L: 2
IP: 66.2
WHIP: 1.17
ERA: 3.51
and of Toronto’s #5 man, Jesse Litsch:
GS: 9
W: 6
L: 1
IP: 58
WHIP: 1.16
ERA: 3.57
I know it’s early, and I think Wang is a better pitcher - but still… he’s quietly putting up some great numbers!
Where do you see Litsch in terms of potential compared to a guy like Marcum?
MW: I think Marcum is ahead, but man, Litsch is showing us some stuff, isn’t he?
- James Hfaster runner?
jacoby ellsbury, juilo lugo
MW: I’m going Ellsbury.
- SunkenDPr0-Pardon my complaining after a win, but I still don’t think this “offense” is back. They’re still at .229 with RISP. They’ve only scored 6 or more runs 6 times since April 15th and 3 of them have been aided by a grand slam! Grand slams are great, but you can’t rely on them. This is still a historically horrendously atrociously inept offense.
-It’s been two or three “Wednesdays With JP” since Lind was sent down and still no one, including you Mike, has asked him why exactly Lind is not here and/or why Wilkerson was signed in the first place. We need to know this sort of stuff!! Vernon didn’t get hurt until after Wilkerson was signed so the injury is not the reason. So what is it? Did Adam Lind call JP a pimp or something?
MW: This is not, and never was, an historically horrendously atrociously inept offense. It’s certainly not great, might not even be good, but all it has to be is average. If the callers don’t want to ask about Lind and Wilkerson, the callers don’t want to ask about Lind and Wilkerson.
- ShawnIt’s all semantics, but I wonder if you can even call Lee the 5. Right now it would be Laffey, but really it’s Byrd. He’s the worst pitcher on the staff, the same way Wakefield is the worst pitcher on his staff, despite whatever # people ascribe to him.
I would just refer to Litsch as being the best “worst SP option” for a team. The #s are worthless.
MW: The numbers are, indeed, worthless. Litsch is the de facto 3, behind Halladay and Marcum. But Litsch and Lee both started the season as their teams’ #5 guys.
- Michael3 Questions:
1) With Ottawa leaving the IL how many minor league baseball teams are left in Canada?
2) Do you believe Carlos Delgado has a shot at the hall of fame. I personally dont think of him as a hall of famer but if he reaches 500 homers it might become a possibility.
3) Do you believe Derek Jeter is a hall of famer?
FREE JASON FRASOR
Thanks
MW: I don’t believe there are any affiliated minor-league teams left in Canada, save for a short-season A team in Vancouver (I think). I don’t know about Delgado’s hall of fame candidacy in light of the era in which he played, but he may have the numbers. Yeah, Jeter’s a Hall of Famer. No question.
- BrendanHi MIke,
Yea, people do call in to complain after a win. Sore winners.
- brunoHey Mike,
I really think Jesse Litsch has an opportunity to become a No. 2 or a No. 1 starter even, and same with McGowan and Marcum. They all are fantastic pitcher. And 2 questions: do you think the Jays have the best overall pitching in baseball? And with sportsnet doing the Memorial Cup all the time, who’ll pick up the Jays? But, taking a quote out of your book… That son of a Litsch can Pitch.
MW: I don’t know if Litsch is going to be that good. It’s pretty easy to get excited when a guy is going on a run like he is, but remember that lefties are still hitting .291 against him, as good as his record is. Yes, I think the Jays have the best pitching staff in baseball 1-12.
- Willand provide some stats plz to prove ur point
MW: Huh?
- SunkenDPr0My First child is due any day now, not sure if its a boy or girl, but I’m looking for a good baseballish name for him(If its a him), so far the only one the wife agrees to is Easton. She has vetoed Marcum, Janssen and Broxton. Any ideas?
MW: If I had had a boy, I was thinking of suggesting the name “Maddux”.
- PeeWeeI have always been a JP crtic, but who would have thunk that Jesse Litish was picked in the 24th round. Also do you when Travis Snider may make the big Leagues?
MW: I think we might see Snider late next year.
- andrewMike,it is interesting that in one dictionary it made specific mention of “flied out” as being specifically a baseball term. I love that.
- brent in KoreaRocco, if you’re going to tell someone their grammar is “horrible” then you’d better be sure of what you’re saying.
Check this high school grammar textbook out:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=z6g_L6GkEK4C&pg=PA239&lpg=PA239&dq=%22were+none%22+%22was+none%22+proper+grammar&source=web&ots=XWfTp4DbrL&sig=F52Txo9hlLS13nZroXzgfBfkjJg&hl=en
“None is construed in the singular or plural as the sense may require.”
In the case of outs in baseball, you’re referring to something that is potentially plural, so “were” would most likely be considered correct.
It’s not that “was” is blatantly wrong here, but saying that “were” is “horrible grammar” isn’t fair at all.
MW: Back-to-back grammatical support from the commenters!!!!
- darrenMike,
Joe Inglett gets a triple and 2 hi-light Reed Johnson type catches. He kinda looks like out their. Marco Scutaro has an outstanding record since taking over short and their winning. Management needs to use the winning combonation. No if’s and’s or but’s.
MW: He’s short and white and wears his socks high, so of course he looks like Reed. Got to figure out the there/their/they’re thing and how to use apostrophes, though.
- brunoSo Tom Brady taking Drew Bledso job when he got hurt was unfair???
MW: Yup. Worked out well, though.
- Dan MooreAllen Ashby’s call just before Wilkerson hit the slam was brilliant! Over the last week or so many games have been on Jays TV, and we’ve been exposed to other broadcasters on other networks. I just have to say that the broadcasters in our market do a first class, professional job on both the radio and TV. I didn’t realize how brutal the other TV guys are (especially in Philly!!). You never know what you have until it’s gone. It was nice to have the Jays back on Sportsnet with some familiar voices!!
- DAWGWhat on your thoughts on scouting, not just in baseball, but in all 4 leagues?
MW: It’s really, really important.
- andrewMike, when comparing Overbay’s streak to Tony Fernandez’ 1999 streak you were unable to find gamelogs for Tony. In future, try http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR
all the details are there
MW: Thanks - another listener fed me that info, as well.
- blair adamachehey mike
perhaps you’ve commented on this before…I haven’t sifted through every post but what is your honest take on Rios? His inconsistency and poor numbers this year have frightened me into questioning whether or not he is the “franchise” type player he’s supposed to evolve into…..is it just me, or do his bad at-bats seem particularly awful…obviously patience is key with him, I suppose, but what’s your view? Are you a Rios fan?
MW: I am, I think he’s an overwhelming talent who hasn’t come close to putting it all together yet.
- samAbout JP’s drafting…
I thought I had picked up a loose pebble in my shoe the other day but when I reached in I actually pulled out a toonie.
Sometimes merely by chance some good fortune falls your way.
MW: Right. My issue, though, is that for J.P.’s critics, everything he ever does that turns out well is luck and everything that ever turns out badly is incompetence.
- Michael HobsonHey Mike
For the first time ever I totally dissagree with one of your opinions. Many people have commented saything that once Eckstein comes back Scoot should continue to be the starter at short because he is playing so well and has the hot bat at the moment. However you have repeatedly disagreed with this theory saying that “it’s not Eckstein’s fault he got hurt, if he’s the starter he’s the starter.” I can’t believe that someone with so much baseball knowledge is being so narrow-minded. Isn’t professional sports about winning and giving your team the best possible chance to win? If Scutaro has the hot hand at the moment and Eckstein is coming back from injury how can you NOT stick with the hot hand, it’s almost like your saying that because Eckstein makes more money that automatically gives him the right to take the starters spot even when someone else is playing very well. This is the same sort of thinking JP had about a month ago regarding J. Mac coming in as a defensive replacement late in games for Eckstein with JP saying that he didn’t pay Ecksten all that money for him to sit on the bench, and if memory serves me right you actually DISSAGREED with him on that, how is this any diffferent? Im sorry mike but this isn’t Tee-Ball with a bunch of kids where it’s only about having fun and being “fair” it’s pro sports and giving your team the best chance to win, and right now that’s with Scoot not someone fresh off the DL who wasn’t playing that spectacularly to begin with.
MW: It’s completely different than not using McDonald in the late innings, nor does it have anything to do with who makes more money. I’m not saying send Scoot to the bench for good, or let Eckstein get back in there and hit .200 for a week, but I’m saying that if you have decided that player A is the best at his position and he gets hurt, he gets his job back when he gets back.
- Kyle SheaOh, Michael, come on. I’m not a J.P. basher, but this notion that getting Litsch in the 24th round reveals some great insight is just absurd. If J.P. knew he would be this good this quickly, then it was negligence verging on incompetence to pass on him so many times — each time risking him getting taken by someone else. He gets credit for Marcum and Hill — not for Litsch.
MW: OK. So every gem picked late in a draft by everyone ever is complete and total luck.
- MikieHey Mike, quick random question. If a team is down 3-1 in a best of 7 championship series, they are ‘facing elimination’ in Games 5 and 6. Let’s say they then tie the series up at 3, and it goes to a Game 7. Are both teams now facing elimination? Because technically, neither team can be ‘elminated’ from the playoffs because this would be the final game of the season for both clubs, regardless of who wins.
MW: If you’re going to say a team in facing elimination in Game 5, then the same situation has to exist for both teams in Game 7, no?
- seanHi Mike,
Not to sound like I’m nit-picking, but is Cliff Lee really the 5th starter on the Indians staff? Looking at their starting rotation of C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee, and Aaron Laffey, would you not agree that Lee would be a #4 starter and Laffey a #5? This would make Litsch THE best fifth starter in the majors.
MW: Nope - Lee was the 5th guy at the start of the season, just like that son of a Litsch.
- DarcyHate to nitpick but isn’t Lee the 4th starter and Laffey the 5th? If so that would make Jesse the best 5th starter in the league. Anyway just a quick question that really has nothing to do with tonight, I have nothing to complain about that hasn’t already be griped so here goes. The pitching is set for a while, we know who the future Catchers and OF are but who are the top guys in the system for the infield right now?
MW: The top infielders in the system are all in A-ball. John Tolisano at second, Justin Jackson at short and Kevin Ahrens at third, though Scott Campbell (AA) is trying his best to bust into that group.
- NickHey did you notice Litsch kept looking over his shoulder in the post game interview? Do you think he was looking for AJ and a pie?
MW: I didn’t notice, I wasn’t watching on TV, but that’s what he was probably looking for.
- AlMike alot of these callers that call into Jays talk, feel the need to call in and suck up by telling you know it all, and your smart and all that suck up stuff. I refuse to do that because I’m quite confident in my knowledge of the jays, being that I’ve been a fan since the Bobby Cox ERA.
My problem is, you beat people over the heads with stats, which at times is not really telling of a player, As the great and realist Jerry Howarth Says stats are not always telling of a players performance or a teams performance. Another thing I can’t stand is when you describe Vernons injury last year, you make it sound like he had a Mike Sirotka type shoulder injury or a Casey Jansen Injury, when in fact it could not have been that bad as you state or else he would not be in the shape he was in befor he got injured,Guys coming back from serious shoulder injuries as you’ve made Vernons sound usually gradually transition their way back into the lineup to avoid any further damage, Dind’t seem like that for Vernon. Lastly, You can say what you want about J.P’s Picks Litsh,Marcum,and Aaron Hill, However the fact is that the core of this team Vernon,Rios,Halladay,Mcowan are all products of the Ash Regime. Vernon,Rios and Orlando Hudson and Reed who are no longer with the team, were solid bats developed in house by the Ash camp Mcowan and Halladay are solid pitchers developed in house by the Ash Camp. Your praising J.P because his best developments are a # 5 starter a # 4 and a second baseman, in seven years. If this team where to be blown up by a new Gm, more of The Ash developed players would be LIKELY to remain as oppose to J.P developed players. Pretty sad after several years. A # 5 and 4 versus a future hall of famer. I’ll tell you this Docs chances of going to Cooperstown will be less likely. With J.P runnin this Ship, If he hasn’t made this team a contender in seven years, he won’t ever do it. FACT.
MW: Statistics tell you everything about a player’s performance, without letting “feelings” get in the way. Vernon had a torn labrum that required surgery to correct. He’s not a pitcher, and it was in his non-throwing shoulder, but I’m sure with your medical background you know all about the extent of the injury so you can say with confidence it wasn’t the same as Sirotka’s or Janssen’s. And for the last time, Reed Johnson is NOT a solid bat.
- NeilDo you think that Lind is in AAA so he can play every game, thus face lefty and righty pitching. If he was with the jays would he play vs both lefties and righties? When Wells is healthy my guess is no as I think the outfield would be Mench Wells Rios, with Stewart DHing. I think him in AAA rakin’ isn’t a bad thing. Love this blog, love Jays talk love fan590.com as a canadian in the states
MW: Thanks! I think Lind raking in AAA is lovely, but him hitting in the bigs would be better than the Jays giving all these at-bats to Brad Wilkerson.
- barryMike, you know full well that after the first couple of rounds the drafting is left to scouts. I doubt J.P had anything to do with drafting Litsch in the 24th round. But he was drafted under his regime so credit is due.
J.P’s draft record from the first 4 or so years of his tenure is pretty absymal. The practice of drafting college players did not work out for the most part.
He has turned it around in the last couple drafts but that is a lot of years of wasted picks.
MW: It’s actually not abysmal at all, and the facts bear that out. I’ve gone over it many, many times.
- Chris JonesTwo quick points.
1) Despite the fact that the jays starters have pitched back to back complete games with only one run scored against between the two, neither have been highlighted in anyway on MLB.com. I find that disappointing.
2) I love Jesse Litsch and think he is doing a tremedous job. Can someone point out to him that he IS doing a tremendous job and that he needs to start walking off the mound instead of jogging off?? Show a little cockiness young man!!!!
GO JAYS!!
MW: The first one you’ll have to take up with mlb.com, the second - why would you want Litsch to change anything that he’s doing right now?
- Matthew FabbricinoJust because my error embarrass me, I want to correct myself. When I said “extendability” above I meant “expendabllity”
MW: OK
- WillRainMy favorite Blue Jays grand slam memory has to be from 1989. The Blue Jays used to have a radio promotion called “The Miracle Foodmart hit and win inning” The big prize during the inning was some incredible amount of money if the batter hit a grand slam home run. I think it was one million dollars, maybe a hundred thousand. Jerry Howarth would remember for sure. The Blue Jays hit some incredible amount of grand slams that year, ten of them I believe, and something like seven of those were during the “hit and win innnig”. Late one Saturday night in Seattle, Lloyd Moseby hit an upper deck slam off Dennis Powell in the ninth Inning and the Jays routed the Mariners. The home run came at about one o’clock in the morning eastern time. 1989 was Lloyd’s last year as a Jay and he had a terrible year hitting just .221 with 11 home runs and 43 rbi’s. Jerry called the fan after the game. It was a woman in Scarborough. She was awoken from her sleep to be informed she had just won this incredible sum of money. Her reaction? “Oh isn’t that wonderful. Lloyd has had such a terrible year”. I thought for sure she say “Wow! I’m filthy stinkin’ rich! Yeeeeeeeehah!
No wonder there’s no “hit and win inning” anymore. The 1989 Jays caused Miracle Foodmart to go broke.
MW: Could be, could be. They gave away $50,000 for a Grand Slam, and the Jays hit three in the hit-and-win winning inning in 1989, according to Jerry - Pat Borders, Junior Felix and Lloyd Moseby.
- Jim BranscomeJessie…great game..but please remember this is the royals. jessie is a solid number five starter but people need to not overreact to a start like this…not good to overreact to players when they are going bad (like overbay for example) and its just as true for overreacting to a player when he is going good. Jessie gives up one hit per inning and gives up alot of homers.he’ll end up the year with an era in the mid to low 4’s AND THATS JUST FINE…if u expect more, you are being unfair to him.
as far as marty pevey…this is the one area where i cant agree with you. ive never seen so many mishaps in so short a time with a third base coach. you dont “develop” third base coaches like they are a commodity or something..its a very easily filled position, so to have a guy in there that even gives the appearance that he isnt capable is pathetic..this is the freakin big leagues. nine years in the minors?..well george bush has had 8 years in the white house and it doesnt mean he’s been good just because he’s been there..same with marty. the thing that scares me the most isnt pevey getting guys thrown out..hes going to get someone hurt, he almost injured rolen already..please get rid of this guy and replace him with someone that isnt god awful.
finally..why is it THE jays talk..and not just Jays talk?? (not that i dont like THE jays talk)
MW: Why shouldn’t it be The JaysTalk? I think the show deserves a definite article.
- sammyMike,
Calling Lee and Litsch 5th starters just sort of goes to show how throughly silly and useless it is to number the starters 1-5. The only real differences among them are whether or not they are skipped (and that doesn’t happen with all teams at all times) or whether the starter gets to go the first day of the season, leading to an extra start (or perhaps two) if a given pitcher is healthy all season. But I’m sure you know that and I digress.
Three questions:
Other than the brief comment by about League working on his secondary stuff (which seemed like an odd comment, there’s no reason why League needs to pitch 3 innings at a time to work on that, why not, like the team often does during ST, tell him to throw nothing but, or mostly his secondary stuff)… do you buy JP’s explanation or do you think League is being converted into a starter, which would be a wise thing give how Purcey has misfired. Have you heard anything more than this comment by JP?
Second, I’m mostly a fan of JP’s work here except for one aspect of his tenure. The organizations clumsiness at integrating young players into the roster. This year, Lind has been mis-handled (and last two with him being rushed). Purcey has been mis-handled as well, given he’s shown a bad case of the yips starting, he should be worked into the majors in low-leverage, mop up situations, like Jimmy Key was in the 1980s. This has seemed like a trend. Marcum and McGowan both had their development mishandled (Marcum bouncing in the BP last year) McGowan, being made a reliever, then starter and so on. Hill was rushed at 3B, and then shuttled around from position to position. Russ Adams, was mishandled to the point where his weakness (fielding) then affected his strength. Perhaps the handling of young players doesn’t matter much (the Jays have had a bunch of success with the players above) and it is good for the organization to be flexible and to have players with good attitudes to help the team by going outside their comfort zone. Anyway, my question, in light of what I’ve pointed out above, is in talking with JP and the front office, have you gleaned some method to their apparent madness? Giving 19 AB to a player who was the top hitting prospect in the organization two years ago is just the most recent (and probably the most egregious) example of mis-handling of a young player. Not that there’s and hard and fast rule book about this but I’m hoping you can give me “some truth” (or just a factoid from the front office even) to make me think that the Jays have an idea of how to integrate the products of farm into the line-up.
Lastly, will we ever see Thigpen as a catcher at the major league level? Will either he or Diaz get a shot to back-up in the second half (not a Barajas fan)? Given Gibby’s history of using stiffs like Philips, Huckaby and Fasano… I don’t think Thiggy will get a shot but personally I always find it more interesting to watch young players fail, than watch re-tread after re-tread be who we think they are.
Thanks, great blog, great show as always,
C.
ps. Sorry for the “essay-ish” length.
pps. Have you ever thought of getting your own show on the Fan? One more baseball-friendly host would be great. Perhaps when Swirsky leaves soon?
MW: This deserves a better answer than I can provide right now. Remind me in a couple of days, please.
- Christopher TaylorMike last wednesday with JP some guy called in and told JP that they should trade Jessie because they don’t need that good of a fifth starter is that not the stupidest thing you ever herd.
MW: No, I’ve heard plenty stupider. Someone called in to say that Ernie Whitt should take over as the general manager.
- MikeHave you read today’s Toronto sun and how Steve said that Reed Johnson scored more runs then Shannon stewart. What do you think about Reed Johnson scoring more runs then Shannon Stewart?
MW: I think that it’s May 25th, and that runs scored is more of a reflection of the people who hit behind you than you.
- andrewDo you think Scott Campbell will be promoted to Triple A now because he’s tearing it up in New Hampshire?
MW: Could be, could be.
- andrewHi, Mike:
I notice that in yesterday’s AA game between New Hampshire and Bowie, the Bowie third baseman Jeffrey Nettles went 4 for 4.
Do you happen to know if he is the son (or any relation) of the great third sacker Graig Nettles?
MW: No, I don’t.
- NormFor a guy who supposedly was suspect on defence, Scutaro has looked pretty solid at SS. Given the number of games not televised lately, I don’t know how much he’s been tested. How has he looked from the press box?
Also, while I’m amazed at how well Litsch is doing, I have to say he still doesn’t inspire the confidence that the others do. Even when he’s pitching well, I find myself cringing just a little bit when he faces good hitters. In fact, it’s a LOT like the feeling I used to have when Towers took to the mound — hoping he’d do well, thinking he might do well, but mostly just hoping he didn’t have an “off day” and implode. I hope I’m wrong and his early success isn’t an illusion (a la Towers’ 13-win season) but at this point I have trouble envisioning Litsch as anything higher than a fourth or fifth starter.
MW: You’re not alone in that. Scutaro has looked solid, but not spectacular save for that play in the hole in the 9th today. He hasn’t shown a ton of range up the middle, but neither has David Eckstein.
- Rob_NSMighty Joe Inglett seemed to take a couple of dings yesterday. Any word on his situation going forward?
MW: He was icing up pretty good before the game, but I think they’d have told us if he had a cracked rib or two. Then again, maybe they wouldn’t.
- NormAny word on Mighty Joe? Hope he’s not injured. He came up a little gingerly after that splendid catch in foul territory yesterday. I’d hate to see him go down now.
MW: Is there a time you would have liked to see him go down?
- jayjayMike, just curious.
If I understand it correctly, Jesse Litsch came into yesterday’s game with 30 consecutive walkless innings.
He went 8 more complete, and had two outs in the 9th when he issued the walk to Teahen.
So is his new team record 38 innings, or 38 2/3? Putting my question another way, are these types of “consecutive innings” records scored including part innings, or only “true” (complete) innings?
MW: It’s 38. The way they keep the record is that if you walk a guy in an inning, that inning doesn’t count. However, if Litsch had been yanked with two out in the ninth, before the walk, the streak would still be alive at 38 2/3 innings.
- NormHi Mike..
You mentioned that Litsch would have solid trade value currently. What type of player could he command, do you believe?
Playoffs here we come! (until our next loss)
MW: I mentioned that Litsch will likely never have more trade value than he has now, but I don’t know if he has solid trade value. Probably, though. Could he get back an Adam Dunn? No.
- paul sI think Litsch is pitching well now, but ultimately his ceiling is a 5th starter. He just does not have the stuff to be anything more than that. Josh Towers won 13 games for the Jays once. It does not mean he is a no.3 starter. Its best not to get ahead of yourself on Litsch. I see much more promise in Macgowan and Marcum. He is exactly the kind of pick JP likes to make since its low risk low reward.
MW: I don’t think it’s fair to say that Litsch’s ultimate ceiling is as a 5th starter, just like I don’t think it’s fair for people to be saying now that he could be a number 1 or 2.
- aviI’m wondering what the plans are for Inglett? He keeps proving that he deserves ABs and looks like a legitimate major league player that the Jays could use every day.
MW: I think the plans are to keep him around, and maybe give him the majority of the RF work as long as he’s healthy.
- Brett Vi know i might be a little late on this, but what in the world happened to the indians lefty rafael perez during the playoffs? i think i heard he was absolutely horrible vs. the Red Sox
MW: You’re a little late on that.
- SunkenDPr0For Pete’s sake, can they leave Overbay in the fifth spot instead of Stairs?!?
MW: Nope. Stairs has a lot more power.
- ShmuelHey Mike
Do you know the latest up date on Johnny Mac and/or Eckstein? When they come back do you think John Gibbons will give Scutaro more playing time due to the fact he’s hitting pretty well? My last question is that for the all star game does each team need to be represented?
MW: Eckstein should be back on Tuesday, Johnny Mac goes to Florida to start rehabbing tomorrow. I think that if Scutaro keeps hitting well (0-for-his-last-9) that at-bats will be found for him. Yes.
- BlakeJust wanted to comment on the caller who talked about how low the Jay’s farm system is rated. It’s low because all the “young prospects” who would normally be in triple A are so good they’re in the majors.
MW: No, it’s not. I would think that guys like McGowan and Marcum would be in the bigs by now regardless, and no one had guys like Litsch and Carlson on their top prospects list.
- KevinMore about JP.
There are no extremes in life. Nobody is totally a fool nor are they totally a genius. My issue with JP is the same as it has been since he got here…he’s smart but thinks he’s smarter than he actually is.
This is an obviously mediocre offensive club, and has been for some time and he did nothing in the off season to correct it. Is that smart? This is a crucial season for him…if the club continues along on its moribund pace he will be looking for work once the season is completed. He’s done some good here, but in the business of professional sports, like all businesses it’s about results.
MW: It’s definitely all about results, but you also have to keep an eye on how you get to those results. I think it’s fair to say that every coach/manager or general manager in pro sports thinks he or she is smarter than he or she actually is. And this club’s moribund pace has it having won 10 of its last 13 games.
- Michael HobsonWho do you think goes down if Johnny Mac and David Eskstein are activated from the DL. I saw one of the comments about Shawn Marcum and Jesse Litish just being #4 and #5 starters. Why does there have to labels on who’s the #1 Starter, #2, etc?
MW: Because people demand labels. It’s kind of ridiculous. Sure, you start with an order when the season begins, but as the season plays out, the results tell who’s who. When Eckstein comes back, Hector Luna goes down. When Johnny Mac does, good question, but I’ll bet that’s still more than a week away.
- andrewI heard Keith Law say that the Tampa Bay Rays could have All-star players at every position and a great starting rotation in the next couple of years? Could this be a team with many all-stars in the next couple of years?
MW: Sure. Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Jamie Shields, Scott Kazmir could all be all-stars this year or next (maybe not Longoria this year). There’s a ton of talent there, and even more on the way up, like David Price and Reid Brignac, to mention two.
- andrewMike, how to do you think the Yankees will finish this year. They have had similar starts like this in the past few years, but this year things might be different. From the beginning of 2008, I’ve said that the Yankees will not make the playoffs. That said, they still have an amazing offence and will likely turn it on in the second half of the season. What are your thoughts on the Bronx Bombers this year?
MW: Same as the last two years - they’re getting older, but they’ve definitely got at least one run in them. They’re far, far, far from done.
- Rosssry…25 was referring to #19 about lugo and ellsbury and can you EXPLAIN THIS TIME what happened to rafael perez in playoffs last year (instead of just telling me that I’m late (because i know i am)
MW: No, I’m sorry. There’s at least a six-month statute of limitation on questions.
- SunkenDPr0Mike, you said it was a 450% chance that A.J burnett will opt out of his contract. You believe this because you think he will get 15 mill a year instead of 11 mill a year. Then I’m just wondering why did he sign a 11 mill deal back then instead of the 15 mill you think he will get?
MW: I said there was a 478% chance that Burnett will opt out. He didn’t get offered $15 million a year three years ago, the market has changed.
- andrewDo you think that Josh Hamilton is the real deal or do you think he’d playing way over his head?
MW: Yes to both.
- andrewI just got back from the game. Excellent game. But one more time I’m going to say that there is something wrong with Rios. I sit a few rows back behind home plate and I watched him walk to the batter’s box. Shoulders and back twitching, twitching all the way up there. I’ve sat in that exact spot for years and years and I’ve watched him walk up for a number of seasons and never seen that.
MW: I’ve seen it a bunch of times. He had a sharp single today, and killed another ball to right field.
- reyesI’d say that Stairs has “a lot more power” than Scutaro. He doesn’t have “a lot more power” than Overbay. His career SLG is a mere .036 higher than Overbay’s, not .100 higher. Stairs also has a lower career OBP than Overbay and strikes out more often, which is a good recipe for killing rallies. Last year was a surprising anomaly by all accounts; do you really expect him to repeat his performance from a year ago? The main reason, though, for putting Overbay in fifth has nothing to do with Stairs. It has to do with Overbay; After watching him hit for the last two years in various spots in the lineup, I can’t help but realize that he just hits better batting fifth. Period. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. And so I’m not surprised that - poof! - he gets bumped for Stairs and suddenly fails to get a hit. I’m not stupid, and I realize that today doesn’t prove anything. Today just corresponds with all the other data points.
MW: I don’t really buy the X hits better in Y position in the line-up argument, I really think that a hitter is a hitter. Stairs has more home-run power than Overbay, but Overbay hits a ton more doubles. I don’t think Lyle should be hitting 7th, by any means, but I like Stairs in the five-hole, until he starts to show his age. So far, he’s doing fine.
- ShmuelAll these people still clamoring for JP to be fired for not putting together a “competitive team” seriously need to give their heads a shake.
The team is clearly in a better position now than it was when he took the reigns, and you only need to look to the Mariners and Giants to see how successful teams can be run into the ground by incompetent management.
I’m far more confident with JP at the helm than I would be with Bavasi or Sabean up there.
Things could be so much worse. Do you have any idea what some of these people expect to have happen if JP is shown the door, Mike?
MW: Yes, they expect Pat Gillick II to be hired, the roster to change by about 60%, and the Jays to win the World Series next year.
- DougI just happened to look at the batting averages for Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson and what do you know Stewart now has a .265 avg while Reed has a .261 avg. Johnson is still slightly ahead in obp but Shannon is heating up.
I noticed that you said you thought the Jays had the best pitching staff in the American league yet their ERA is 0.22 runs per game worse than Oakland. Do you think that era is a proper measure of a pitching staff? Do you think the Jay’s staff will have the best ERA in the AL at the end of the season?
MW: ERA is a fine statistic, but I like WHIP better. Of course, there’s no one number that tells you everything you need to know. I don’t know if the Jays will finish first in the league in ERA. They might, they might not, but I still believe it’s the best pitching staff in the league. Would you rather have Marcum and Litsch or Greg Smith and Dana Eveland?
- JayIf only every day was Sunday. Jays are perfect on Sundays!!!
MW: And Tuesdays or Thursdays too. Or something.
- AndrewMike,
Parrish fans 11 today. He’s been ligthts out in AAA. Im sure a team can use a lefty thats pitches very well.
MW: Any team can, and any team could have had him in the off-season, but he had to sign a minor-league deal. The Jays wouldn’t get much more for him, I don’t think, than they gave up for Kevin Mench. But you never know.
- brunoFor the caller today who said “the Jays are still hitting .229 with runners in scoring position” to advance the notion that our earlier difficulties in that department had not changed, let me suggest that you seem to have a slight error in your reasoning. Over the last 13 games, the Jays are, by my count, hitting .330 w/RISP.
MW: It’s pretty cool that they’re hitting .229 with RISP now, since at the beginning of the homestand they were at .220.
- WillRainI would like to know why is it that clearly the jays have a lack of participation and showing of fans at roger Center stadium is. Really pathetic to watch these games online since i am in the town of the Yankees and Mets.
Past that now congrats on the 4 wins in a row finally seem like mr gibbons is doing some kind of coaching.
MW: Yeah, Gibbons has completely changed his entire approach to managing in order to get this little 10 of 13 run going. Either that, or he’s doing exactly the same stuff he was doing when they weren’t scoring any runs at all. Why the lack of fan participation? Two words - it’s Toronto.
- From behing enemy LinesI know that Roy Halladay contract ends in 2010, but can you see him staying with this club beyond 2010 and what would you rate the chances of him staying beyond 2010 and do you think Blue jays management are going to talk contract extention with him and when do you think they might try?
MW: I think they’ll try before the start of the 2010 season, but I don’t know. I’m pretty sure Roy likes it here, believes in what the front office is doing and relishes the challenge of knocking off the Yankees and/or Red Sox, but I don’t know if he won’t want to try his luck with a team that might have an easier time making the playoffs.
- samMike
We’ll just have to agree to disagree about the Jays farm system other than to say when the Jays needed help, they had to sign two guys off the scrap heap. So there.
Anyway, my question regarding the farm, where is Campbell going to play in the bigs (which maybe a year away) with Hill entrenched at 2B?
Second question(s),why is Cecil only pitching 3 and 4 innings? Was he relieving and his now being stretched out? Does he have 3 big league pitches to start?
MW: I have never seen Scott Campbell play, so I can’t answer that question. Cecil is starting, and I believe he always has been, but the Jays are following a very conservative innings plan with him so that he doesn’t throw too much too early. They signed two guys off the major-league scrap heap, both of whom have very good CVs in the bigs. So there.
- DanAlso, where would you rank B.J ryan among the 30 closers in baseball and what makes B.j ran so sucessful?
MW: Location and deception are what make him so successful. Where would I rank him? Easily top 10, maybe even top 5, but he’s barely a year post-op. He hasn’t blown a save yet, but neither have Joe Nathan, Brad Lidge, Joakim Soria or Matt Capps.
- samI find it funny how many people complain about JP’s drafting.
In his first 4 drafts he’s managed to find 5 decent to good (maybe very good) MLB regulars already in Marcum, Litsch, Janssen, Bush, and Hill. On top of that, he’s got Lind and Purcey tearing it up in AAA at the moment, and pretty likely to have some sort of MLB career. That’s 5-7 legit at least decent MLBers in his first 4 drafts.
That’s not bad at all, if you take the time to compare to other teams. Getting 1-2 quality MLBers per draft is at least average, if not better.
And on top of that, from his 5th and 6th drafts, we have a number of very exciting prospects in A and AA at the moment, most of them doing very well (Snider, Cecil, Arencibia, Ahrens, and a few others), making it start to look like a safe bet that JP will once again get 1-2 MLBers out of these last two drafts as well.
If you compare to our AL East opponents, only Boston has clearly done better in the draft over JP’s time here. And for fun, a quick comparison with the mighty Rockies and their genius Tulowitzki pick (Tulowitzki and his great 90 career ops+ no less), shows that JP has clearly done better than them at the draft table since he started in 2002.
I guess its mostly because some are still skeptical on Marcum and Litsch (although the objective numbers tell us that they’re clearly quality MLBers), but I think it’s becoming very clear that JP’s performance at the draft table has been underrated to this point.
- markI heard a couple of Jays fans call into your post game show and say that Jays don’t have a shot. I would have to agree with them,
besides your love for J.P and your homerism. What within the past seven years gives you the perception that these Blue Jays can beat Boston or the Yankees or even this years Rays. To me there is nothing that gives me a better indication that they can finish ahead, I see this team hanging around the five hundred mark, and at the end of the season you and J.P making some excuse, Just remember it can’t be payroll and it can’t be injuries.
By the way.
You say stat’s show everything about a players performance, what do stats show about Johnny Mac’s amazing plays in the infield. Is the stat regarding catchers throwing out runners totally telling of a catchers true ability to throw out runners or is it misleading because a catchers ability to throw out runners hinge on the pitchers ability to work quickly. You say stats tell everything? maybe you keep your own stats. Is Roy Halladay’s 5-5 record telling of his Performance. Mike you say stat’s tell everything? Your dead wrong.
MW: You can find the stats that will tell you all you need to know if you look hard enough though you’re right, defense is difficult, if not impossible, to measure objectively. The stat regarding catchers throwing out runners is very misleading, that’s why you also look at the pitchers’ SB-CS numbers. Roy Halladay’s 5-5 record isn’t at all telling of his performance, that’s why you look at all the other numbers he puts up. I find it hilarious, though, that you would ask what within the past seven years tells me the Jays can finish ahead of Boston and New York and then mention the Rays. What within their franchise history tells you that Tampa Bay can finish ahead of anyone?
- NeilHave you ever considered being the play by play guy instead of the third man in the booth? Do you want to be a play by play man someday in baseball?
MW: I’d love to, but no one has offered me a job.
- andrewHi Mike : I have been thinking about a retort to your answer to me, and it has come down to this : If you actually READ my comment as opposed to a quick-scan, you might have understood what was said. I was glad to see(as you were) that Scoot was doing so well(still am)and did not even hint that he qualifies as the everyday SS.That is Eck’s job. Someone named Andy mentioned something about a “SS vacancy” and if “John Paul” was negotiating to fill it. It was nothing that I had heard before or since…yet you shot ME down as a proponent of Scoot taking over as everyday SS.
My last sentence still stands…Get out the brooms !!
Enjoy the blog, The Jays Talk, and the chance for a rebuttal.
MW: You said that Scutaro has filled the shortstop vacancy, the vacancy in question is for next year when Eckstein’s contract runs out. I actually read your comment.
- JackI nearly had to go to rehab w/ the recent stretch of non-televised games. Now that I got that out of the way, I’m very happy w/ little turn around of late. We all knew it was a matter of hitting because the pitching was there hopefully we can keep it up. I vividly remember Joe Carter’s home run when I was 15 years old, but I need some new memories.
As for all the JP lovers/haters, I think when it comes down to it he’s been average. Look around the league and compare him to his peers, they’ve all got some hits and misses. Of course you’ve got some better recent drafts for some teams (Boston) but Toronto isn’t at either extreme.
Here’s to the Jays continuing to score enough to win!
- Sean CourtHi Mike.
I have noticed that when the television crew at Rogers Sportsnet use the ’strike zone graphic’ to show where a particular pitch was located, it seems that on many occasions, the pitch was called a strike by the umpire while the graphic shows the pitch was not in the strike zone (and often not even that close to being an actual strike).
It seems to me that one of two things are occuring: Either the strike zone graphic they are showing is not accurate, or the umpires have a strike zone that is larger than the rules stipulate and are calling a lot of ’strikes’ on pitches that are not in the actual strike zone.
If the graphic is inaccurate, then Sportsnet should stop using it. If the umpires are getting this many calls wrong, either expand the strike zone rules to conform with the umpires’ current expanded zone, or perhaps, if the computerized strike zone is accurate, maybe it’s time for the system to become automated where, after every pitch, the umpire would look down to a mobile electronic device in his hand which would flash either ‘ball’ or ’strike’ based on the accuracy of the automated system,, and the umpire would simply bark out the result indicated on the device. I know this is blastphemy for the baseball purists, but it seems like there are way too many missed for the sytem to remain as is (or maybe a simple refresher course by the league to umpires pointing out all their missed calls and the need to call the strike zone as stipulated in the rules is all that is needed….?).
MW: It’s really, really hard to call balls and strikes correctly, and for the most part, the umps do a terrific job. Still, I’m all for robot umpires.
- James“J.P’s draft record from the first 4 or so years of his tenure is pretty absymal. The practice of drafting college players did not work out for the most part.”
I think he’s draft record is pretty rockin compared to some other clubs. Imagine how many expletives would be in this post if we were Pirates fans. JP is doing a fine job to the people who understand how hard it is to draft.
MW: I’ve gone over J.P.’s draft record many times, it’s not bad at all.
- DaveHey Mike
Love the Blog! I wanted to talk about some young Jays.
1) Do you think Snider will be in the everyday lineup in 2009 or should we expect him in 2010.
2) Doesn’t J.P. Arencibia remind of Brian Mcann with his offensive stats?
3) Ive heard Justin Jackson is the reakl deal down at A ball. Whats his ceiling as an MLB player?
MW: 1 - No, I don’t. 2 & 3 - They’re both supposed to be very good, but the drive-thrus are littered with guys who were great in A-ball. Let’s see how they do once the competition improves.
- TarunMike
I would like to see Overbay moved up into the 2 hole. What do you think of this batting order (vs righties)
Ecstein ss
Overbay 1b
Rios rf
Bonds dh
Rolen 3b
Stairs lf
Wells cf
Zaun c
Hill 2b
MW: Except for the fact that Eckstein is at the top, it looks pretty strong. Of course, that’s mostly just because Bonds is in it, which is a pipe dream.
- rickMike,
How much longer is Wilkerson going to be with the team? Aside from that grand slam, he’s done next to nothing for the Jays. I would love to see Adam Lind brought up for the rest of the year and given a real shot to play everyday. He’s proven he can hit in the minors and hasn’t been given a fair chance with the Jays. Inglett can’t play everyday and neither can Mench, so why isn’t with the team?
MW: It’s a good question.
- Mike