1:45 AM Eastern
The Jays were awful again, going without a hit from the 5th inning on against the team that was the worst team in baseball when the night began (but isn’t anymore - thanks, Padres!). Dustin McGowan wasn’t terrible, but he gave up two ropes into the gap to Miguel Cairo! With runners on! That’s not supposed to happen, and when it does, you’re going to lose - especially when the team has fallen back into it’s flaccid offensive ways.
Say what you will about the Jays looking “better” or “more relaxed” or “having a better idea” under Cito Gaston, but though they put up a nine-spot against the Braves Saturday and scored six last night (though only scoring in two innings), in four of their last six games they have scored two runs or fewer. They’re 7-for-their-last-48 (.146) with runners in scoring position, and that includes those two big games.
I hate to quote Glenn Frey, Solo Artist (unless we’re talking Smugglers’ Blues, now THAT was a hell of a tune), but “so much has happened/nothing has changed.”
The season, very obviously, remains still not over. The 1989 team was also 41-45 after 86 games. But with every passing day it gets harder and harder to watch.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The LateNight JaysTalk:
There was no Wednesdays with J.P. tonight - we couldn’t get a hold of him before the game. We’ll have him for you next Wednesday after the Jays’ game against Baltimore.
Comments are encouraged, but if you’re just going to spew hate at me, take your act somewhere else, please. No one is making you read this, and if you don’t like it, you can easily find a ton of baseball information elsewhere on the internet, especially if you have a computer. I’ve had to ban two commenters this week, it’s getting ridiculous.
There will be no post tomorrow, though I’ll check in once or twice to answer the comments - if you really want a softball update I’ll throw one on late Thursday night.
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Hi Mike,
Yep, that was a pretty deflating loss…again. I keep hearing you say the hitters are going to start hitting, but as I’ve said before, what if they are just overrated or past it? 2 years ago if you’d looked at the batting lineup, you would’ve started jumping up and down, but now they are just coma inducing.
I dunno, to me there are only really 4 scenarios for the rest of the year:
a) batting improves/pitching stays the same = a run for the wild card, but falling short
b) batting stays the same/pitching stays the same = a few games under .500
c) batting stays the same/pitching goes sour = don’t want to think about it
d) batting improves/pitching goes sour = a few games under .500
e) batting gets worse…nah, it couldn’t could it???
None of the scenarios look very good to me, but you are the eternal optimist and that, if nothing else, gives me hope.
MW: I’m hardly an eternal optimist. I’m a realist. As much as everyone wants to believe that the Blue Jays’ hitters are just terrible, their track records prove they’re not.
- Oz RobIm gonna be disagreeing with you but im not gonna be hateful about it..lol.
you are really getting technical when you claim the jays offense hasnt been “slumping” for the last year because different guys are doing poorly this year than last year. you look at a team as a collective and it doesnt matter whose not doing it..just that it isnt being done. at some point people are just going to have to realize that the team just does not have enough good hitters to win consistently. any team with a dh platoon of stairs and eckstein isnt serious about winning.
on the one hand you have been talking about how the season is long and how there’s time for the team to turn it around..yet on the other hand you state that it was a good move to release thomas because the team could not afford to wait around for his bat to get hot…which you yourself believed it would come June/July. Now the point may be moot because he got injured…but i still dont understand the logic of your stance on that matter.
Lastly, im not gonna ask you if you think the rays are for real just because they swept the sox..three game home sweeps are not a big deal by any team vs any other team. rather im going to ask you on what specific grounds you think the rays are not serious contenders for the division or a playoff spot? if you recall..way back a couple months ago i went and compared the jays and rays position by position including the pitching and didnt find the jays to match up very well. 60 or so more games has reinforced this idea. the rays have speed, power, decent defense, a balanced lineup..a starting staff as good as any save the jays and angels…a penn that has been solid. what in your opinion is gonna prevent them from contending? the individuals on the team are certainly not having career years (save for longoria who by definition is having a career year as its his only year)
MW: The Rays thing is going to have to go in the imaginary FAQ section. I’ve answered it in depth at least three times and I’m not going to do it again. If I have to read through all the comments, so do you. I disagree with your disagreeing with me about the whole “teamwide slump” thing. It’s far too easy, and really, lazy, to paint everything with one brush. They didn’t hit last year and they’re not hitting this year. Look deeper and you’ll see that the main guys who didn’t hit last year (Wells, Overbay, Zaun) are hitting this year, and the guys who were hitting last year (Rios, Hill, Stairs) aren’t hitting this year.
- sammy jalazaiStairs hitting 5th with a lefty starting…are you kidding me? Don’t you think Zaun should have started at catcher, and Barajas should have been the DH?
MW: Yes, but Cito doesn’t like starting both his catchers with one as the DH.
- TerryTampa Bay - 52-32
Boston - 50-37
Toronto - 41-45
If Tampa plays 0.500 ball and Boston 0.550 ball the rest of the way they both get to 91 wins. In that scenario the Jays need to go 50-26 or 51-25 to make the playoffs.
Time to move Eckstein and Burnett and start planning for next year.
MW: —
- GregJPThis is not intended to be a barb at the impotent offence (I want to give up hope sooooooo badly, but the blogosphere keeps me afloat).
I actually on paper thought that tonight’s batting order was the most “powerful” lineup this team could field with the current 25-man roster. Agree or disagree?
In the bigger picture, would it not be better/more logical for Cito to pick what in his mind is the “most powerful” offence and stick with it (allowing the usual variations for days off and left-versus-right-handed pitching and such)?
Blogging rules. Congratulations on your awesomeness.
MW: Their OPS leader was on the bench, owing to the fact that a lefty was pitching, but I’m not sure what you mean by “most powerful”.
- JoeHi Mike,
I agree with you assesment in regards to AJ Burnett that the Jays need to decide whether they can get a package the equivalent of a first round pick and a supplemental first round pick. My only worry is that currently Burnett is not ranked among the top 20% (Type A) of free agents by the Elias Sports Bureau judging by his numbers over the past two seasons. If he doesn’t get it going, he will be classified a Type B free agent and the Jays will only get a supplemental round pick. Hopefully Burnett can continue his strong string of starts so the Jays can either deal him for a nice package (Rich Hill would be great) or the Jays will receive the two good picks.
Thanks!!!
MW: But we don’t know how Elias ranks its players, so how do we know that A.J. isn’t currently in the top 20%? I have no doubts that he’ll manage to get there by year-end, if he isn’t.
- Dave JIt seems the Mariners have finally found two teams they can bully- the Padres and the Blue Jays.
Yeah the 1989 Jays were 41-45 at this point, but their situation was different in that they really were the best team in the division that year and no one in front of them was running away from them. The ‘89 clubs largest deficit was 10 games on July 5th and the 89 club would only have finished fourth in the AL West that year. This club never really came together. The corner infielders and outfielders have been brutally non-productive. I don’t care about a guys on base percentage if he can not deliver in the clutch. Hypothetically, if Alex Rios gets three harmless singles, but strikes out with the bases loaded then he may as well not have had a hit at all. Stats are misleading. Casey Blake of the Indians is a good example. His batting average will not strike fear in the other clubs, but his batting average when it counts is off the charts. J.P. said before that “if this team doesn’t hit then they’re not as good as I thought they were.” Right now, it’s hard to reach any other conclusion. Worst of all, everybody’s trade value has never been lower, so it does not look like anyone is going anywhere. I can’t see the Jays being buyers or sellers at the deadline.
Like the others who post here, I am disappointed. I don’t bother to do any scoreboard watching these days because the only team the Jays realistically can concern themselves with is the Orioles, They’ll have to catch Baltimore first, then worry about the other clubs.
MW: Your last point is bang-on. Your others, I don’t buy. The 1989’s club’s largest deficit was 10 games on July 5th? Well, here we are on July 3rd, the team has the same record and they’re 8 1/2 games back of a playoff spot. I know there was no wild card then, but there is now, and playoffs is playoffs. If they hadn’t gone on that crazy 77-49 run (which, at this point, they had only finished 29-21 of) then no one would have said that they were the best team in the divison anyway and all that stuff. As frustrating as the Jays have been this season, far more frustrating to me has been the fan base that seems to think a baseball season is only 50 games long.
- Jim BranscomeAdam Lind eh? What are your expectations now that he is playing everyday? What type of numbers, if healthy, do you see him finishing the year with. I’m sure he’s on a little hot streak since his anointment as “the future” and the starting LF but I feel he’s showing signs of his true abilities at the plate. He looks solid, all things considered, against lefties.
Anyway get some sleep, and have a good day off.
On a side note. I worked at Cora’s last summer and can verify that John Gibbons does indeed eat a messy breakfast> I check my facts Mike! :P
MW: Lind has hit wherever he’s been, I don’t expect this to be any different. I’m not putting any numbers out there, though, because I’m tired of constantly defending myself against predictions that aren’t correct at the halfway point of the season.
- SpiderSilvaah gross - I’ve always liked JP, but I’ve got to think he’s run out of excuses this year. This is his team, and they plain suck. The worst part is that we’re stuck with JP’s team until 2010
MW: Gross?
- Paul OHi Mike,
It’s a shame you have to watch each and every inning of this season. The rest of us can turn it off when it gets really ugly. I never thought I would envy the Tampa Bay Rays, but they are having the season the Jays are supposed to be enjoying. It’s tough to watch. If the Jays are still under .500 and stuck at the bottom of the standings at the trade deadline will it be time to call it a season and trade some assets? With disappointing season number 2 well under way nobody (except Roy) should be untouchable for the right price. Thanks for all the great work!
MW: You’re welcome. Nobody at all should be untouchable for the right price. Yes, if they’re still under .500 and in last place at the deadline, it’ll be time to run up the white flag (assuming everyone else hasn’t fallen back hard, too).
- DanMike,
This current Jay team reminds me of the mediocre Jay teams of the past. They make a so-and-so pithers look like the second coming of Cy Young and make a .200 hitter looks like they are reborns of Ted Williams.
What I remember from the 92 & 93 Jays, and all the good team in baseball is that these players thrive when it is their turn to bat. They look forward to driving people home. When someone makes a mistake in the field, the pitcher gets the team out of trouble by striking the next batter out or make the hitter hit into double play. When the pitcher gives up a home run, the offence gets the team back into the game in the next inning. It is an all team effort.
This current team is just the opposite end of a good team. They continually beat themselves over and over. How many times have I heard you say - this is the game they should have won……… So many wasted chances, you can’t even count them with all your fingers and toes, even if you include your kids’ and your dog’s.
When it comes down to it, they are not playing as a team. As a group, it is not a good team. We kill rallies by loading the bases with no outs and cannot get anybody home.
I am hoping they can duplicate history, storming back ala 89 Jays… how I wish for a Paul Molitor or an Alomar in this team right now…..
MW: Neither of those guys were on the ‘89 team. Excellent use of apostrophes, by the way. I was almost right there with you (winning teams lose a lot of games) until you got to the “they’re not playing as a team” crap.
- francishey mike….these guys are
so hard to watch…one question..I’m going to yankee
and Shae stadium next week. What are
the best food to eat at these
stadiums.
MW: I’ve never been to Shea, and the one concession stand I hit at The Stadium was nothing special.
- lukespeaksBrandon League gives me gas. He was just as I remember him. I don’t know if there is anything that can be done about that. Maybe an extended trip to Dunedin for some intense control work? Would that even be helpful?
On the happy side of things, the centrefield wall was a loooong way away from Adam Lind’s bat. He has some serious pop in that bat. It looks like he’s had 27 at bats since his recall from triple A. He has three home runs in that time. What does your crystal ball say about his future? 20 HR a year? 30? 40?
MW: You’re not going to get me.
- mattHey Mike. I was on hold last night, but had to go into work and couldnt t/t you. My question was: “mike, you’re like my baseball therapist in a way, but seriously can u give me a good reason to keep watching the Jays this year? I mean, now theyre just outright boring. THey cant even get hits at all now, let alone hitting .150 as of late with RISP. If its not Rios striking out on a bad looking swing, or Overbay killing another rally with a brutal grounder, I just dont get the Jays luck! As my baseball therapist, please help me to understand what is there to cheer for?
MW: First of all, The JaysTalk is far more important than having to go into work. So that was your first mistake. What is there to cheer for? Fantastic pitching and terrific defense, for starters. I get the Jays’ luck - it’s pretty much all bad.
- DaveHey Mike. Sorry to hear you’ve having to ban people. Let me come down on the opposite side of the coin and say you’re my favorite baseball commentator and you do a great job, both here and on the radio.
Numbers question that has been nagging me ever since the Jays become awful with men in scoring position:
When a team has a runner on third and less than two out, people always say “they have to score”. Do you know what % of the time a typical major league team actually gets that man home and cashes the run? Is that something you can look up? Also, where do the Jays sit in that department (I’d assume, low).
Thanks Mike.
MW: There are two different ways to look at that scenario: 1 - when a hitter comes to the plate with a runner on third and less than two out, does he score the runner, and B - when a runner gets to third with less than two out, does he score with less than two out (or on the second out)? I prefer the second way. I’m not sure where to find that stat (I keep it myself for the Jays), but the run expectancy chart says that with a runner on third and none out, the expectation is just under 1.5 runs, and with a runner on third and one out, it’s about .98 of a run. That doesn’t mean that that runner should score every time, that’s nuts, and certainly not score with less than two out. But often that scenario can lead to bigger innings. The Jays are currently 98-for-169 (57.9%) by my count this season, which is unabashedly awful. Their opponents are 84-for-132 (63.4%), which is closer to average, but likely still below. Amazing, isn’t it, that the Jays have had 37 more chances than their opponents this season with a runner on third and less than two out?
- ScrimHe Mike, despite what people say, no one wants a softball update, heck, that’s not baseball.
MW: Less work for me, no problem.
- Jason DeneaulHi Mike,
As of July 3, 2008 Tampa Bay has the best record in baseball 52-32 and they have swept the BoSox (not the Seatle Mariners my friend, to whom the Jays are 2-4). Also, for the first time ever, the Rays are atop the power ranking for all MLB in sportsline.com… Any comments on the how the Rays have gone under the radar? Will you consider them a pretender until September? or do you think they’re already a contender?
Sorry that this post is not about the Jays, they’re depressing and simply put stink more than ever
MW: Gone under the radar? Are you kidding?
- AxelMike,
Does JP get paid for his Wednesday’s thing on the radio? If yeah then he better keep his cell phone on.
MW: That’s between J.P. and the radio station, and we don’t have his cell number.
- Beburg aka The relief pitcherHey Mike,
It’s truly amazing how ‘brave’ some people are when posting comments on an anonymous blog. I bet if you met them face to face they would cower into the background.
Anyway, onto baseball. I’m a huge Cito fan - always thought he should have had other management offers after the Jays - but when Gibbons was fired I said that it was really too bad. It wasn’t his fault the team wasn’t hitting with RISP.
Hope the team can hit like they were the first few games under Cito the rest of the season but it won’t be because of the management change - it will because they are (at least) average hitters.
MW: Bingo
- WayneMike,
I don’t know if you read baseball prospectus, but Nate Silver has a good article about the Rays that was just posted on the site. I don’t have anything to say about the Rays but the article says, “Is the Rays’ success likely to continue in the second half? Odds are that it is.” — I’d like to hear why you think the argument posed by Silver is so fatally flawed.
MW: Nope. I’ve already answered that question many times.
- Christopher TaylorMike, to any rational human being it is over. More than half the season has passed. This offensive slump, it would seem, is not an abberation.
The only positive is this signals the end of the J.P/Godfrey era in Toronto.
Mike, if you’re honest you’ll admit that the J.P era turned out to be a waste of seven years. We didn’t play any meaningful games in September and we had a minor league system consistently ranked in the bottom 5.
MW: I’m not honest, so I won’t do that.
- Chris JonesMike,
At what point do you consider this season a write off. Obviously Seattle is a team they must at least win 2 of 3, probably sweep. Every week, Boston, and Tampa Bay (who I think have proved they are legit - similar to the 2006 Detroit squad) are pulling farther away.
To me its time to ship Burnett, possibly Barajas get a couple good AAA or close to major league ready prospects and build for the next two seasons. There are some good kids down on the farm, Arencibia, and Snider are not that far away thats about the only promising thing I can pull out of a season full of dissapointment.
MW: I’ve answered that question every day for the last month and a half, I don’t know why people keep expecting the answer to change.
- DennyMike,
What so confusing to you Mike. It’s simple, a last place team lost to another last place team. Yes the season is over for The Jays. Its not over for Tampa however. This team is just not good enough. I feel sorry for you.
MW: Right back atcha, Bruno.
- brunoMike,
Don’t fret, I have it from an expert source that it is simply not possible for this group of hitters to be this bad for much longer. All you have to do is look at all the hitters career average and poof…next thing you know their season numbers will start to look more and more like their career numbers. Just put your faith in stats…and forget that the means can move too.
But for a question. When Hill and Stewart come back the Jays will have 5 middle infielders and 3 leftfielders, while they have no real back-ups at 1st, Centre and Rightfield and 1 guy that can back-up at 3rd. It seems like something has to give. Do you think Bad Brad will be sent packing? And is there a goal to move one of the middle infielders before Hill gets back?
Say what you will about the Rays, but I think the Jays will have to get use to looking up at them, both the rest of the season and next few years.
MW: It still floors me that people can take a snarky and sarcastic shot at me and then still expect me to answer a question.
- JWThe dog days of summer, it seems, have started early for the Jays. And judging from your post, you are also suffering through the quagmire of the 2008 season. TB sweeps the Sox, the mighty Tigers are not, and the Jays are what they were last year. To quote Mats Sundin: “AAARRRGGGGHHHHHHH…”
MW: Right now, the Jays are far worse than what they were last year. And it’s not the quagmire of the season that’s getting to me, I don’t think, as much as dealing with this stuff is.
- VavaHi MIke
I couldn’t stay up to watch the game last night (Didn’t miss anything)
ok what is the answer to this horrible situation in your mind. If the team was hitting just to their career numbers it would be a lot different.
How do you get them to step it up??
Are the Jays likely to be sellers now?
Somebody please put me out of my misery
MW: Can’t do it, sorry. I don’t know how you get them to step it up - they’re grown-ups, they have to play to their capabilities.
- RichardHi Mike,
I read the Jays are potentially interested in obtaining a shortstop for AJ Burnett. Any thoughts on who that could be, or even possibly just an indication of the quality of player they could expect in return?
Thanks very much!
MW: A shortstop would be a good idea, since that they’re going to need someone there for a few years until Justin Jackson is ready (assuming he will be). I kind of like that Jason Donald fellow, hitting .299/.390/.494 at AA, but I’m sure the Phillies do, too. Maybe they get desperate enough for pitching, and feel that they can spare a middle infielder because of Utley and Rollins.
- RoryMike, After 86 games, the jays were indeed 41-45. However, the next best record in the division at the time was 48-36. In fact, there were only 6 teams with a WINNING RECORD in the entire AL. Right now, the Rays have a 52-32 record, the BoSox have a 50-37 record, and the Jays the only team in the division with a losing record. There are also 6 other teams with records above .500 (for a total of 10). That makes this road so much tougher than 1989.
I’m an eternal optimist, but there comes a point in the season where you are what your record says you are. I think halfway through the season is that time, and the Jays are what their record says they are, as are the Rays.
MW: The Jays and the Rays are, indeed, what their respective records say they are. It’s impossible to deny that. But will they be what their records currently say they are when all is said and done? I don’t think so.
- KevinStick a form in em. Sorry for being pesimistic but this is getting rediculous. I guess we just ride out this season and then fire JP and start over. Im starting to wonder if that season a few years ago when we had all kinds of hitting and no pitching was just a year where everyone over acheived becasue two years straight now we cant hit, oh sorry we cant hit when it counts.
MW: You don’t have to apologize for being pessimistic. But if you want J.P. fired at the end of the season, why wouldn’t you want someone else running the show for the trade deadline?
- KDMike “I Remember when CFTR 680 Played Top 40 Music” Wilner -
Could we please have a softball update? And I think we could also use your season totals and averages. It would be interesting to see where you rate (only for fun!!) in comparison to MLB and Jays players.
In keeping with your musical melodies, I hope we as Jays fans don’t have to start singing…”Wake Me Up When September Ends”, by Green Day.
Have a great day off!
KK
Future Head of Musical Programming for the Mike Wilner Fan Appreciation Club
MW: It was awesome when CFTR played Top 40 Music. Except they once had “Islands In The Stream” as their number one song, for which I can never forgive them. I don’t know, so far this is one for the softball update and one against.
- karim kanjiAdam Lind’s defence is just plain average. He doesn’t even know how to run properly. Very slow. Won’t he be better off at 1st base? I know it won’t happen because Jays have Overbay at 1st but down the road I hope they consider that. Outfielders should be good athletes and Lind is not.
MW: Adam Lind isn’t slow at all, and he’s worked his way up to being an average defensive outfielder. I don’t mind him in left field at all. I’m not sure how you can say he’s not a good athlete.
- Beburg aka The relief pitcherTo Bob Post #66 last blog.
Big Brown finished dead last in the Belmont stakes because winning the triple crown is an extreamly difficult thing to do. A horse trying to win Three races in that short of a time is next to impossible now a days. One race takes so much out of a horse, After a race its not uncommon for a horse to hardly eat at all for the next five or six days. losing valuable training time for a race just three weeks away. It’s not like Big Brown was the first horse to look dominant in the Derby and Preakness and then fall flat on his face during the Belmont. Just look at Smart Jones (2004) Funny Side (2003)War Emblem (2002) Charismatic (1999) Real Quite (1998) Silver Charm (1997) and theres many more but I wont go on.
My point is the trainer says he didn’t give him his shots before the Belmont but if he didn’t its because the trainer felt it would benifit Big Brown it was not to prove a point. There is way too much money on the line in that race and it’s not like he would be at a competitive advantage as all other horse would be on the same thing if their trainer felt it would help them.
- Dan M.love the show mike. more entertaining than the games some nights. sounds like some fans are taking their frustrations out on you. tough job some one’s gotta do it. glad it’s you. keep up the good work.
MW: Thanks!
- John KernsPainful to watch that game last night - so painful in fact I turned off the tv after the 6th inning and hit the hay - knowing in my gut they were not going to come back.
I agree not a lot has changed since Cito and his crew took over however there is still almost half a season to go and I for one am waiting to see the top dwellers hit their own extended slump this season. Hopefully we go on a tear at that time.
Thanks.
- BobMike I just want to say once again how incredible frustrating it is to read your opinion on Frank Thomas. its so wrong its not even funny. I’ve never disagreed with you on something so much in my life. It seems to me that you just take J.P.’s side sometimes.
MW: You’re not the only one, but that doesn’t matter. And I think you’re wrong about my being wrong, so would that make it funny, or would it still not be even funny?
- Dan M.Looks like the Jays are showing that it doesn’t matter whose coaching, the players still have to perform.
This team needs someone to hit with RISP. The power numbers have improved, but as you pointed out, they still aren’t cashing runners.
The Jays just seem to be stuck in a 1 step forward, 2 steps back rut this season. Many times fans and analysts thought the bats were about to turn around, just for them to go back into hibernation again.
It’s just as frustrating as watching a certain player go on a tear for a couple of weeks, and show what can be done with the bat, but then can’t seem to put it together for a whole season eventhough he is dripping with talent.
What are the Jays going to have to do to be .500 by the All-Star break, and how many games left will they have?
The difference between 1989 and 2008, eventhough the teams have the same record at the same point in the season, in 1989 when Cito took over the team was playing .580 to get to 41 - 45, not stumbling like the current squad.
The most frustrating part is that they have the ability to pull off another string like they did through May and everyone is waiting for it.
MW: It doesn’t matter who is (managing) the players still have to perform! Brilliant! I’m glad that people are beginning to realize this. In order to get to .500, the Jays must go 7-2 up to the break (they’d be 48-47 - can’t hit the break at .500), and they’re still have 67 games left. It’s unlikely.
- Aaron KerAs to the steroids Mike - I haven’t done any research as to the corelation with home runs and long balls being down this year due to no or less usage of steroids.
Other than reading articles on same. The comparison to horse racing and steroid usage is not anything I have read - but have had experience with. Just thought it would be a good comparison to make.
I should have added as a pre-text to the statement “most definitely” the reason behind the lack of long balls - an “in my opinion”. After all it is only that - an opinion.
As to Big Brown and the “lost shoe” - he never lost his shoe during the race. It was stepped on and slightly pulled (rear)- happens all the time in horse racing and if the shoe does not go back into position on the next impact with the track - then the track surface is soft enough to absorb the offset and not likley be a huge factor.
In fact as soon as the horse stepped on to pavement after the race his shoe bent back into shape (steel has a wonderful memory). Anyway this shows the shoe was making good contact with the hoof every step of the way during the race and not a huge factor.
No Anabolic Steroids (Winthrol) given to the horse between the Preakness and the Belmont is fact and the results showed.
Ever see a horse after a huge race who has been pumped with this damn stuff - bleeds from the nose due to bleeding lungs. Anabolic steroids be it applied to human or animal contributes hugely to performance - but at a huge expense. Not using or rather stopping use of has an opposite effect.
It will be interesting to see the difference with horse racing next year when they ban this stuff as to times at the tracks.
“In my own opinion” with regard to horses and steroid use. I believe you can safely draw a parallism here to baseball with respect to less or no usage of Anabolic Steroids resulting in reduced power and fewer long balls.
Thanks.
MW: Good info about the horses, and the shoe (I had heard that it was dislodged, and assumed that was why Desormeaux said he “had no horse” 2/3 of the way through the race), but I don’t think that you can take that info and draw that parallel. Research has been done, by greater minds than either of us, and there haven’t been any conclusive findings that I’ve seen.
- BobI feel sorry for you Mike, at least I don’t have to watch this garbage night in and night out. I know its a great job and you wouldn’t trade it, but still, it must be a little painful watching these kinds of games. I turned it off after the 6th inning. I know its not ‘over’ yet, but its getting to that point where I’m starting to care less and less every day. As a side note, I feel asleep for the first time ever at a jays game last Friday (partially jet-lag induced…but still..just shows how the season is going).
MW: Friday was a good game at which to fall asleep. As I said before, watching the games is far less frustrating (lately) than dealing with most of these comments.
- BryanHalf-way through the season, what’s your take now on Tampa, Chicago, Oakland? Pretenders or contenders? (I still don’t believe in Minnesota, myself.)
MW: Chicago is starting to win me over, but I don’t buy the other two.
- MichaelA couple of comments:
1. re Brandon League: coming into the game, his WHIP was 2.6+ (yes, small sample size), and with two baserunners in each of his innings last night it won’t improve very much.
I’ll cut him some slack due to his not having been used for 10 days or so, but his “command” has to improve quite a bit if he expects to be successful in the bigs. The velocity is certainly there to be the right-handed power pitcher the Jays need, so I hope he can get it together and throw strikes!
2. Once again we confirm that Stairs should not be DH’ing against lefties. But with only Wilkerson, Inglett (both LH), Zaun (spare catcher) and McDonald on the bench, what can they do? On balance, I think my choice would be to catch Zaun, DH Barajas, and take my chances on losing the DH if Zaun suffers an injury — at least if that happens, there is a chance that they might be past the LH starter, so that the Wilkerson, Stairs and Inglett can pinch-hit for the pitcher’s spot.
At the very least, if they think they have to start Stairs, I’d put him further down the order - 7th or 8th!
MW: I agree with you, but I think Wilkerson is the better option (over Stairs) to DH against a lefty.
- NormMike,
How is it possible that the Jays are beat almost single handidly by Miguel “I will go anywhere someone will take me” Cairo. Ignoring the facts that the Jays still cannot hit the broad side of a barn with runners in scoring position, I just do not get how McGowan got burnt twice by Cairo. How does taht happen?
MW: Because .200 hitters don’t go 1-for-5 every game.
- Brandon FHi Mike,
I read in the paper this morning that, according to Bob Elliot, the Blue Jays are shopping AJ Burnett with the intentions of acquiring a shortstop.
Thoughts?
MW: Asked and answered above.
- Jeff“The season, very obviously, remains still not over. The 1989 team was also 41-45 after 86 games.”
Hey Mike, love the blog, love the show.
The 1989 team had 89 wins to win the AL East. Do you really think that 89 wins will be near enough?
That would mean: Toronto at 41-45 goes 48-31.
That also means the other teams in the AL east couldn’t do better than the following:
Baltimore at 43-40 goes 45-34.
New York at 45-40 goes 43-34.
Boston at 50-37 goes 38-37.
Tampa Bay at 52-32 goes 36-42.
I just don’t think the Jays will catch Boston and Tampa and I can’t imagine 89 wins will be anywhere near the totals needed to win the division or contend for a wildcard.
Now, the argument is: If the Jays go 2 for every 3 from the time Cito started, they’ll finish with 95 wins.
But if they can’t take advantage of the worst teams like Seattle, how do you suppose they’ll make up the ground they need?
Look, I’d love to see it happen, who wouldn’t? But I just don’t see it sadly.
MW: I’m not doing the math, it’s a useless exercise as has been pointed out several times before. I also couldn’t care less whether or not they win the division, and nor should you. 89 wins, I think, will be enough to get the wild card. Will the Jays get there? Doubtful, but certainly not impossible.
- AngeloHey Mike,
It simply baffles me that people thought this would instantly get turned around with new managers coming in. This is exactly the same team that people have been pained to watch for most of the season.
Also I am getting slightly more worried about Rios. So far in what we have seen in his young career his best months are before the halfway mark, Traditionally it seems that his power and average dropped off as the year went on. If that is the case this year, I shudder to think what the last half will be like for him. Perhaps the curse of the HR derby has struck again?
MW: The curse of the HR derby tends not to last quite this long. One of the years, the dropoff in the second half was because of the staph infection, at least. There aren’t many reasons not to worry about Rios, other than his age and his past production. His dropoff this year has been baffling, indeed.
- Johnny GMike:
Congratulations on the 10,000+ comments on the blog. You’ve created a monster with this thing since you actually answer people’s comments which others don’t. It must seem like a second job at times.
I know you’re always busy and doing various research but I just wondered if you were able to find out about the draft picks of Boston that was brought up the other day on the blog. I was wondering who was/were an above slot guy since I don’t have the slightest clue of where to look for that information and don’t understand the slot thing at all. Thanks Mike.
At the moment, the Jays are 8.5 back of Boston for the wild card spot and 7 ahead of Seattle for last place in the AL. Which is more likely to happen … Toronto catches Boston or Seattle catches Toronto?
MW: I haven’t been able to find out specifics about the slot thing. I’m sure it’s an easy get once you know where to look, but I didn’t anticipate spending this much time (on what’s supposed to be a day off) dealing with the comments. I really have created a monster, and I’m afraid that soon it might be time to “uncreate” it.
- Peter B.Alex Rios is really disappointing me this season and I know the team’s offensive woes can not be placed solely on Alex’s shoulders but I think he needs to be a key run producer if this team is to turn this season around. To date he hasn’t been and he looked absolutely awful when he struck out in the top of the seventh or eighth last night (can’t remember as I was trying not to fall asleep and I’m too tired this morning to look it up) when he chased a 3-2 pitch out of the strikezone.
It is funny how the momentum of this series changed so quickly. By the sixth inning of game two, it looked like the Jays were heading towards a series win and an opportunity for a sweep. Instead, they drop game two and lose the rubber match.
Enjoy the day/night off of blogging.
MW: Strikeouts tend to look awful in general, but Rios has been looking particularly bad when whiffing this season. They’re certainly missing his bat. Momentum can shift in a hurry, it’s true, either way though.
- DerekI cannot believe you call yourself realistic. Every time the Jays have a nice little offensive outburst you say the bats are coming around. Then they go back to being awful again. When the offense is awful you say the bats will get better. That is not realistic. Its idealistic/optimistic if anything. I do not even want to get started on your optimistic view of what Ricciardi has done. Its more then halfway through the season and either you do not want to admit it or you cannot see it but the team lacks good hitters. They try to use the same offensive approach as BOS and NYY, but lack the talent to execute it. Wells and Overbay are terribly overrated. Rios is having an off year and everyone else is mediocre.
MW: The team does not lack good hitters. It lacks hitters who are hitting well.
- aviHey Mike
I don’t know how you show up to work and cover this team everyday, they are just impossible to watch/listen to. I know you always reference back to the 1989 team, but I think it is a better to reference the team over the last 15 years…plain and simply not good enough to compete…but not bad enough to tank, which could be their demise.
MW: See, that’s the thing. If they’d been as bad as the Devil Rays over the last 10 years, everyone would be falling all over themselves to be climbing on the bandwagon right now, but they’d probably be elsewhere.
- Brandon WagnerWhere have we sinned against you O Sovereign Lord? Why do you shut thy face far from us? Is it because of our arrogance? The double World Series victory, were they your doing or the doing of the players fans and city? Does the hammer use the carpenter to drive in nails?
Have we been remiss in thanking you for your awesome display of mighty power that took a mustard seed of a baseball team and crowned them with glory, not once but twice? And in thy anger against us, have you again performed an amazing feat before our tired eyes? Taken this team to the gutters and made them utterly amazing in their futility? Have you bannished the the spring rain, O Mighty Lord?
If so, I aplogize to thee for my own part and I ask thee that you forgive us for our misteps and restore us to the dignity and standing that we once enjoyed. Or enemies strip us of all that we possess and then shove our faces in the mud and leave us there. Hear me All Powerful One. Glory be restored unto thee.
MW: Methinks Vito hath it losteth.
- Vito From HamiltonI’m sorry about the Rays crack, Mike. I guess I’m completely frustrated and chose to take it out on you since I’m unable to go down to the dugout and go Rambo on the Jays’ collective behind!
MW: Join the club, plenty of people want to take it out on me, too.
- reyesHey Mike
Yes, the Jays are frustrating, no the Jays are not awful (although that’s getting somewhat more difficult to say).
The people who are waxing poetic about Cito and his completely tangible leadership skills are the same people whose reactionary commentary is now calling for J.P.’s head and to just blow the whole thing up.
However, there’s a flaw in that logic, for if this team is good ‘on paper’ as a couple of your callers brought up last night, then isn’t J.P. doing a pretty good job? If anyone plays this game on paper, is it not the g.m.?
My concern, then, lies with Paul Godfrey. I’m scared that he feels somewhat justified in the firing of Gibby and the hiring of Cito (which smacks of Godfreyism), and that if J.P. is relieved of his duties at the end of the season, then Godfrey will see the good-will garnered by Cito and dip back into the past to find a replacement for J.P. Now if that’s Gillick, I guess we could do a lot worse, but he’s stated his intentions to retire at the end of the season. So that leaves…Ash? Pete Bavasi?
But really, that’s ridiculous. I don’t really think that, if J.P. is let go, that Godfrey will push Gord Ash back into the fold. Really, I’m just bitter. All of the people who pined for Cito, chanting his name from the rooftops for no real baseball reason, but rather just because they remember him as managing in the glory days, I don’t want those people to have one more iota of a chance of saying ‘I told you so’ to people who follow and cheer for this team with a lick of rationality. Listening to JaysTalk (regular or extendo) can get incredibly frustrating…sometimes as frustrating as this season.
- SteveIs there a market for A.J out there? Is anyone going to offer two prospects to offset the draft picks we would receive, or is he gonna be a blue jay for the rest of the year?
MW: Of course there’s a market for A.J.
- ScottHi Mike
- marioAlthough it was tough to watch I won’t call it frustrating. With this team it is expected. They have given so many games away that I don’t think karma will allow this team to win.For some reason they don’t take advantage of their opprotunities and it comes back to bite them in the a**,AGAIN.I am not giving up I just won’t get frustrated when they lose.I think I am a reasonable fan.I don’t expect the team to win every season or every game but what I do exoect is that the best possible team be fielded and those players do thier best .At the begiining of the season I thought we had a solid team.Great pitching with a solid everyday lineup that would contend.I still feel we have a solid team but for some reason it is not translating into wins.What this means to me is that this group of players is not working.What I suggest is that throughout the month of Julywe begin to look at all trade scenarios with Marcum,Doc and Mcgowan the only untradeable players.I do not suggest we move anybody for the sake of moving but if we can move a big contract and replace it with a younger comparable player even if there is a risk we should take it.Players like Lind ,Litsh and players in the minors I would like to see stay with the team but if the right deal comes along go for it.This sounds like a rebuilding process but in actuality it isn’t because I only propose we make trades if it makes us better while saving money this is hard but that is why J.P. gets the big bucks and headaches.We still have the month of July to make a run so lets hope this what ever you want to call it is mute.
mario
Go Jays!!!
Wilner, you’re great on the radio and I admire your work, but you’re a fan with nothing but a hope and prayer if you think the Jays season ISN’T over.
A playoff appearance for them would be the antithesis of the Mets collapse last season in every form.
Keep up the good work, Cheers, Derek.
MW: Actually, no. A playoff appearance for the Rockies last year was the antithesis of the Mets’ collapse last season. IT’S JULY 3RD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Derek from Cloud9 SportsGood article on the emergence of the Rays and likelihood of their continued success this year (available to nonsubscribers):
http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7743
- GeoffGiven our depth of catching, is there a chance Arencibia would be converted to a first baseman by the time he’s ready?
MW: Why?
- Justinhey mike,
don’t let the haters get you down. i grew-up in the states around a couple big baseball cities (new york and boston) and believe me when i say that you’re one of the best in the business.
keep doing what you’re doing
-a
MW: Swell of you.
- AndrewMike,
Im sure your going to hear alot about the Burnett trade rumors. A guy Id like to see them aquire is Jason Donald playing AA for the Phillies. They have Rollins at SS so they dont have a need for Donald. Would you do that trade straight up one for one?
MW: Yep. See above.
- DennyStay strong Mike, anomnimity brings out the worst in people. Check out a random videogame website mesage board and it will make some of these people look like gentry. I forget who said this, I think it was Kornheiser but in baseball your gonna loose 60 and win 60 the fight is about the remaining 40, so till wins or losses hit 60 nothing is for sure for anyone. Ok now that’s been said, do the O’s or Phils have anything we’d want for AJ that could play short this year? All I can think of is Roberts with the O’s and sliding Hill over to SS.
MW: It was Sparky Anderson. Why the Orioles?
- NickHey Mike,
I just read that the Jays are going to use Burnett as trade bait for a SS?
Do you really think this is a smart move?
Who could we possibly get that could give us the hitting that we need, especially for someone like Burnett?
We need a bat, not a SS
MW: I think they’d be looking for a shortstop who can hit.
- Andrew NMike,
Where are you reading fans saying Tampa is going to make the playoffs? Not on your Blog. All they’re asking if Tampa will be still in it in September like we hoped Toronto would. Which you keep on predicting they won’t. You understand why we’re reading more and more on your blog how you could’nt get a predicton right if your life depended on it and from past records its only going to get worse.
MW: Bruno, you’re thisclose to done here.
- brunoMike
Tom Verducci made this comment “Age, in an era of testing for steroids and amphetamines, is an important part of evaluation again.”
To what degree do you think this is playing into the A-typical seasons so many guys are having?
MW: Overall? I don’t know. Jason Giambi is having a heck of a year, Frank Thomas had come around as he always does before he got hurt. Look here at who’s struggling - Lyle Overbay (31), Alex Rios (27) - have the old guys fallen off the map?
- JWI think you’re being pretty stubborn about the Rays, Mike. You usually back up your opinions with some good factual or logical explanations, but all you’re saying about the Rays is that they have sucked in the past and/or they’re too young (6th youngest, and there’s no correlation between age and winning). And you can’t say they’ve been lucky because they have only overachieved their Pythag. by 2 games. Just face it, they’re really good.
MW: Actually, that’s not all I’ve been saying at all. But thanks for reading!
- ShawnI really want a softball update.
Kyle in Thornhill
MW: Yeah, you would.
- KyleHi Mike - whether you agree with it or not the Jays are shopping AJ and are looking for a shortstop - according to the Toronto Sun. Why not make AJ’s dream come true and send him to the Cubs for Ryan Theriot? Perhaps the Cubs would not go for this - but there is never enough pitching during a World Series drive. What short stops do you think AJ would fetch? Granted some fans will miss the manicure man who has pitched lights out of late and Johnny Mac - The Primeminister of Defense - is a fan favourite.
MW: Why would the Blue Jays want Ryan Theriot?
- DanielWhat about the Jays possibly picking up Jhonny Peralta? The Indians seemingly are discouraged with his defense and he can be had. The rest of our defense is good enough to absorb a guy of his caliber (see Eckstein), and he is a good bet to hit 20+ homers every year. He’s also locked up through 2011. We could throw Accardo and Purcey at them. They need a Closer and a guy to replace CC at the end of the year.
MW: Peralta doesn’t thrill me, but he’s the kind of low-obp relatively-high-slg guy that doesn’t turn my crank. I’d like to see him hit righties better, too. Thing is, the Jays could use more high-slg guys regardless of their obp. I think Accardo and Purcey is too much, though.
- Matt SMike:
Unfortunately, time and again, given the inconsistency of the hitting especially with men on base, it has become very clear to this point, this team is incapable of making any sort of run so that they can make up ground on the rest of the teams in order to have any playoff chance at all. It seems, “they are what they are” and nothing more.
I must admit, what I find even more discouraging is that the players J.P. assessed as being the cornerstone of this team and signed them to long term contracts(Wells,Rios, Overbay,Hill(injured) etc.)is this a case of “is this as good as it gets”? These players have played long enough in order for us to get some idea as to where this team is headed and it doesn’t look particularly promising.
In my opinion, at the end of this season, if the team has any chance whatsoever of turning things around for the future, it looks like J.P. will be gone and a new GM will, no doubt, make some significant changes to a ball club that never seemed to reach its “alleged” potential.
MW: It makes my head spin that people are willing to write Rios and Hill off after a poor half-season each.
- RonJP owes us all an apology. Don’t tell me he did not know we were waiting, or that he did not have a cell or could not get a signal. How cheap of him.
On another note, I think you sould apologize for saying that guy (whatever his name is) that you said sucked. OK he beat us and if we were 15 years old it is natural to say he sucked, but it was an unfair comment. That was not the word to use. Combined that with some of JP’s gaffes and this organization is in the dumps. Back in the day we were viewed as an ideal organization. Jerry, Alan, Tom etc would never say someone sucked and with all due respect I think you, and JP should be more respectful.
I know you will have and “excuse” as opposed to just saying your sorry. Just like JP said “I let my guard down” as opposed to just saying he was wrong and sorry.
As for this team, they are just not that good. Trading Burnett is useless. We need to trade Overbay, Wells, Rios, Zaun, Eckstien, and probably a starting pitcher other then AJ. This collection of talent is not good enough, and waiting for them to become good enough will just not help
MW: “Trading Burnett is useless”. Of all the head-scratching things you wrote, and there were many, that’s the head-scratchingest.
- wayneMan, it is so frustrating that the Jays are again done this year before the all start break. JP has done a terrible job in the time he has been here and it is time to cut him loose. All the spin and political crap Godfrey spews further proves he knows nothing about baseball and is starting to make Peddie look smart!
- Al PriceHey Mike,
Great job.
OK, lets say the Jays decide to throw this season away and play for 2009.
Who on the Jays do you explore dealing? (I’m guessing Eckstein, Stairs, Burnett?)
Do you think the Jays need to change the ‘core’ of the offense next year? (guys like Rios, Hill, Overbay etc)
MW: I don’t think Stairs has much value in trade, but yes, Eckstein, Burnett, Zaun or Barajas, maybe even Rolen. They don’t need to change the core of the offense (Rios, Hill, Wells).
- James HWell since you mentioned haters and quoted a song lyrics i might as well combine the two and give you some Will Smith
No love for the Haters,
Mad cause I got floor seats at the Lakers, see me on the 50 yrd line with the Raiders.
Im pretty sure that was useless, but fun nonetheless.
seeing as i was only 9 in 1989 can you tell me if there was some midseason changes which caused a turnaround in that team?
MW: Useless but fun, indeed. No big mid-season changes, just the 36-games-in one.
- PeeWeeMike,
With all the Panglossian crap written about the great age of the Internet, democratizing, empowering and so on, it doesn’t change the fact that the world’s still full of jerks. And, at the end of the day, empowering citizens, readers, listeners, whoever, also entails empowering the jerks. The price to be paid. Sorry to hear you’ve been subjected to such crap, but I guess it comes with the territory. I hope it hasn’t soured you too much on the experience though because having the blog and podcasts have hugely enhanced my experience of the game and the team this season. Please keep it up.
However, while I have been a pretty much every-game-watching fan, I have to agree, it’s getting harder and harder to keep watching. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to keep sacrificing perfectly good summer hours to this frustration. (Though, of course, soon as I stop watching they’ll go on a phenomenal winning streak that will be immoralized in baseball lore for eons. It’s just not fair!)
Have fun. Play ball.
MW: That’s the way it works. For something that people get for free, they certainly do an awful lot of complaining about it.
- MikieMichael of the Ballyard:
I hadn’t really noticed this until I started using your blog as my primary source for Jays info while being in Europe, but you seriously need to start including the scores in all of your posts.
It never really occurred to me to be a problem while I was at home and I watched the games and then read your blog for analysis, but it’s kind of frustrating to read about what happened here and not know the score. Plus, now that I think of it, it’s kind of journalistically weird to write about a game and not mention the score.
MW: I’m not writing game stories, though, I’m writing opinion pieces. The score, boxscore, etc. are all readily available elsewhere on the website.
- JCLCould Brian Giles be acquired from San Diego for a reasonable price? He dosen’t hit many home runs but he gets on base alot and hits doubles. Giles could DH and play in the OF. Maybe he could help the Jays offence.
MW: The Jays don’t need another guy who gets on base and doesn’t hit home runs.
- NigelDo you really think JP is on the hot seat? What’s your gut feel about his situation?
MW: I do. If this team finishes under .500 this season, I’d say he’s done for sure. If they finish way out of the race but with a winning record, he’s probably still done.
- JeremyDo you think Ricciardi will be back next season?
Will Godfrey?
MW: See above. Godfrey depends more on attendance than success, and I think the attendance will be up again this year, so he’s likely safe. Safer than J.P. anyway.
- CamWord on the street is that the Jays are shopping Burnett for a shortstop. While trading Burnett away doesn’t seem like the most horrendous of ideas, specifically targeting a shortstop seems strange when the Jays could use an upgrade… well, everywhere, it seems some nights, but particularly at DH and Left Field. Do you think this is something the Jays can match up?
MW: I think it’s a lot tougher to get a shortstop than a DH, and I think Adam Lind will hold left field down for a while. Why not go for the biggest need?
- TonyHey Mike, I have read your blogs for quite a while now and try and listen to your post/pre-game shows as much as possible as well. I think that it is so refreshing to know that there is someone in this Hockey crazed city that is so passionate about baseball as you are.
My question is what do you think about the recent AJ for a SS rumour that surfaced today?
Thanks and keep up the great work following and reporting on a real Toronto team
MW: See above, and thanks.
- ChrisWow! You really are taking the day off! I’m telling ya Mike, get the intern to post these blogs.
Anyways, I’m sure the blogbox is filling up with AJ Burnett comments. “Let’s get rid of him!”, “Let’s keep him!”, “Trade BJ or JP not AJ!” comments are surely coming in fast and furious.
Here’s my series of questions:
1.)How do rumours get started? Not the song but these rumours that seem to appear out of nowhere. Are they “leaked”? Why?
2.) Why shortstop? I guess a power hitting one? Why not second base? Aaron Hill seems to be done for the season and maybe life. This concussion stuff is scary, eh?
Well that’s it. And I know you’re not taking the day off. You’re busy coming up with some snazzy song to be our Headline for your blog. Oh, and also following up on these rumours!
Good luck on your game.
KK
3rd base coach for the Mike Wilner Fan Appreciation Softball Team
MW: 1 - They’re started by the jealous people ’cause they get mad seeing something they had and somebody else is holding it. Or they’re leaked, or someone in the media just takes a best guess as to what a team might need or might be looking to deal and builds a story out of it.
- karim kanji2 - A shortstop and not second base because they don’t believe that Hill is done either for the season or for life.
Hey Mike,
I am tired too - mainly of the Blue Jays’ lack of hitting.
Anyway, if you were to pick a shortstop for next year’s edition of the Jays (or this year if traded for), who would be your choice?
Thanks and keep up the good work.
MW: You mean anybody?
- CameronMike
- TrentI am wondering if burnett is being shop for a shortstop, what shortstop would they get in return for a rental 500 pitcher in A.J. Does this also mean they are giving up on the season.
Thanks
Hey Mike…I like the softball updates, despite what Jason says.
On a side note, I struck out with the bases loaded in my first slopitch game this year so I can empathize with the Jays a little bit when they occaisonally do the same thing.
MW: One should never strike out in slo-pitch. That’s two in favour, one against.
- ZackMike I can’t stand on how the Jays keep getting L’s. How can they wake up.
- J.DHey Mike,
Maybe if you decided to quit posting some of these stupid questions people would realize that you are doing this on your own time and to start asking REAL questions. I really don’t know how you stand it!
MW: I don’t, either.
- CameronRe: Post 5
I was thinking OPS, but you’ve answered my question. Thanks.
- JoeMike,
If you “uncreate” the monster let us know well in advance. Two weeks notice would be good.:). Just don’t take the wind out of us fans rightaway. That’d be a huge loss! But hey because of this monster, Eric Smith has also started to answer our questions/comments.
MW: He has? I feel for Eric.
- Beburg aka The relief pitcherMike, you had mentioned in the comments a week or so ago that you had posted about how the Leafs have contributed to the negativity of Toronto fans (or something like that). I’ve gone through the archives and can’t find it. Would that lovely intern of yours mind finding it for me?
MW: That’s up to him, but it’s there - keep looking.
- MKLets have a softball update! why not.
we need some positive baseball news in here. I can’t believe how incredibly negative a lot of people in here are…yet they care enough to read all your blogs and then criticize everything you say…weird isn’t it?
Keep up the good work and it’s awesome how you still bring yourself to blog daily, especially with the overwhelming negativity. some of us appreciate you
P.S. do you know Jason Portwondo from Sportsnet? (I butchered the name) he’s an amazing softball player, I use to play against him in Mississauga, if you ever need a sub, you should get him.
MW: Portuondo used to be one of my stable of reporters back in the 680 days. I don’t think they’d buy him as a Bnai Brith member, though.
- RandySooo Mr.Wilner are you still gonna say it’s still early to panic?? It looks like there is no more hope. Last in RISP and first in GDP. Everytime the other team score 2 or 3 runs I turned off the TV cause there’s no way they will come back. I will say it again that guy Denbo messed up their stroke and swing. The funny thing is JP still offering him to work as a hitting coach in the Minor League HELLO??? What did he see in him? Just like he so obsessed with Mench and Wilkinson..
MW: Is there ever actually a right time to panic? I mean, how ridiculous a notion is that?
- Angel galangMike, are you getting offended that people are getting sharky and sarcastic? I hope not? Hey, have you braced yourself for the post AJ Burnett ERA? I know a good therapist to talk to after he has been traded.
My thoughts on who could get traded if this ship isn’t turned around. Burnett, Eckstein, Scutaro, stewart, BJ Ryan. What are your thoughts?
MW: I’m not offended by the snark and sarcasm, though I don’t know why people bother coming here if they just want to complain. What kills me is the insulting, snarky or sarcastic comment who then asks me a question as though I would answer it. What do you think Scutaro or Stewart could bring back in trade?
- Jason DeneaulHey Mike a couple days ago, or maybe it was only a day ago, u said the Jays may end up trading their assests if they’re going nowhere (later on in the season), and you mentioned they may trade Scott Rolen… just wondering what the Jays may get for Rolen?
MW: I don’t know, but I expect he’d be in reasonable demand.
- GrahamMike,
The only reason people spew hate at you is because it is what you have been asking for. Your opinions have been strong and in most cases irrational and wrong. Maybe it is your allegiance to JP and all of his moves, or the fact that you believe all baseball players should produce like they have in the past (regardless of age, injuries, leagues, lineups etc.). You know you have asked for it through the way you carry yourself. I like the show for the most part and the blog is interesting..though the writers are just as if not more interesting than you. You know you dug this whole for yourself. Just from me personally hearing you defend (to this day) the drop Reed sign Shannon, Zaun is superior to Molina, Rolen for Glaus was a good trade, never bunt in a game unless it is 2 on nobody out in the 9th, daily lineup changes do not impact a player, the Devil Rays are “not that good,” the list goes on and on..it is getting sad actually..although since the Toth incident I have seen some positive changes in you, probably because you know now how wrong you were on so many things..anyway..I still believe the Jays can play some good baseball and I will continue to watch them..
MW: I dug a whole? All those things about which you said I was wrong, I was right. Though I never said the Rays are “not that good”.
- MatthewMike,
I can’t believe the number of Rays comments you are getting, it’s incredible! You really struck a chord with the listeners when you said they wouldn’t be there at the end and now they are coming out of the woodwork to hammer you.
I would say a good 40% of the comments are about the Rays. Is there any chance we can turn this blog into the Rays Talk?? I have DirecTV, so I see every one of their games and man, are they exciting to watch (another amazing win last night.) They are certainly more exciting than that group of walking dead at Rogers Centre.
I encourage all people on this blog to send in your Rays comments. Instead of focusing on the embarrassment of a team here, let’s focus on a team that will be great for the next 10 years!
MW: I encourage all people on this blog to send in your Rays comments to a Rays blog.
- GeoffHi Mike,
How about them Rays? Just kidding.
I heard people talking about AJ and they made a good point. There is the assumption that he will opt out at the end of the year no matter what. I agree with that. However, if the Jays try to trade him, other teams may be interested in him as a rental until the end of the year, but not want the rest of the contract if he doesn’t opt out. Also, a team may want to trade for AJ if he is going to stay for 2 more years, but not if he is going to leave.
Even though you and I know he will opt out, other teams may not be so sure and the uncertainty of his contract and the fact that he controls everything could scare some teams away or cause them to offer less.
What are your thoughts on this?
MW: I think the offer would be higher if the team was thinking that he might not opt out. A.J. Burnett for two years at $24 million is not a scary proposition for any team.
- KevinPeople are giving you a hard time about the Rays, but let’s not forget you had the A’s dead and buried, too. Now, they are only 5.5 games back and since the Angels have a terrible offense (Vlad having his first bad year) the A’s could win this thing.
Who would have thought Jack Cust would be a better hitter than Rios.
MW: I would have.
- LarryM-Dub,
Your Billinsley report for today:
8IP
6 Hits
1BB
5Ks
0 ER
1W
Season ERA 3.12
MW: Uh-huh. He’s good.
- slobberfaceMike,
I question how extensive
is Shannon Stewart’s ankle sprain as to why it has taken this long to heal and that he is still on the DL.I do recall that he has had foot/heel problems in the past when he was in Minnesota. I question whether this is a ploy to keep him off the playing roster?
MW: I might be, but I think he’s still hurting.
- Markmike, who is the better power hitter rios or barajas?
MW: Right now? Barajas.
- roccoHey Mike,
Great job, because of you we don’t have to suffer in silence.
Just for the record and for what it’s worth 100% behind you on Frank Thomas, he was the one who removed any alternative, and yes to the softball update (can’t have you spending too much quality time with the family, might make you lazy)
MW: Thank you.
- ukJayThe Jays really have trouble hitting lefties, don’t they? Good grief.
One interesting thing about Lind’s homerun: it was the first Jays homerun hit off a lefty by a LHB this year. First lefty on lefty homerun. Think about that.
MW: Sad, isn’t it? Means that Overbay and Stairs haven’t homered against a lefty this year.
- Flaming Moeno mike, I mean career wise who is the better power hitter? if you look at the career stats the answer is horrifying? it makes you then question if rios is really a power hitter or not
MW: Alex Rios - career .444 slg; Rod Barajas - career .413 slg. How is that horrifying? Unless you mean that Barajas’ isolated slugging is higher than Rios’ (about 17 points). And feel free to question whether Rios is really a power hitter - he’s never hit 25 homers in a season. Power hitters tend to do that.
- roccoMike,
I appreciate the warning. I will try to behave. It’s just so frustrating to see. Especially when you wait all winter for baseball and have hi hopes. There are some serious offensive and contractual problems on this this team that won’t be easy to fix. I used to be a huge hockey fan (Bruins) but hockey has changed for the worse. Now I’m a huge frustrated Jays fan .
MW: Be as frustrated as you want - but don’t take it out on me.
- brunoMike, by asking about trading Scutaro and Stewart is necessarily about getting some real value in exchange. We know that there are a handful of players with much value, but outside of AJ and I think Rolen, the Jays will probably sit idle. In fact there are tons of trades, and the Jays have made many, just to get rid of some players that have some small value to another team. So to dump a salary to get a draft pick or the famous player To be named later isn’t as bad as some think.
MW: You can’t trade draft picks in baseball. But you’re right, to dump salary has value. Scutaro and Stewart don’t make much, though.
- Jason DeneaulWillie Bloom, Miguel Cairo, and the M’s. A third rock bottom? Ok, it wasn’t that bad, but its getting harder to watch, but I still do, and i’m an eternal pessimist. Even I think they can get hot and at least make it somewhat interesting.
It’s hard to knock the pitching, but McGowan is becoming extremely frustrating. What do you see him ultimately becoming, an ace like Halladay, or a weird kind of inconsistent guy like Burnett?
MW: I see him settling somewhere in the middle.
- BrettHi Mike,
Why is there some strange myth about AJ Burnett’s consistency. Even today on Prime Time Sports we kept hearing how AJ is so inconsistent.
In 2007, AJ was 17th (tied with Halladay for Quality start %. Still 49th in number of quality starts.
This year Burnett is tied with Halladay again for number of quality starts (9) and QS %. Obviously, Halladay is still having a better year.
3 of Burnett’s other starts were 5 to 5.2 innings with 2 or 3 runs allowed.
That means AJ has had 12 okay or better starts out of 17 total. Is that inconsistent?
MW: Nope - two out of three times, he’ll give you a good start. The other 33% of the time tends to be pretty ugly though, hence the comments about his inconsistency.
- PeterHey Mike, keep the faith!
Here’s a little tune I think you’ll like…great Guelph band, my friend!
http://arts-crafts.ca/constantines/islandsinthestream/
Tim
- Tim CGuelph
What’s with the CFTR reference above??
I certainly enjoyed “One Night Love Affair” last night while waiting for Ricciardi. In a way I kind of hoped you’d play the whole thing, we don’t get Bryan Adams on a good AM radio much these days.
And still no Joe West interview on the website?
MW: I dunno, the commenter dropped the CFTR reference, so I went with it. No Joe West still? It’ll be up by the weekend.
- Rob MBurnett’s value must be pretty good right now. He’s pitched well in his last two games.
I won’t be real upset if we finish last this season. We’ll get an excellent draft pick out of that. I also have a kind of feeling that Ricciardi might be gone sooner rather than later. His signings and trades haven’t all been duds, but he’s had more than a few high-profile mess-ups. Add that to the Dunn mess, and if I were the front office, I’d get rid of him before we start making trades rather than during or after.
I note that you ‘couldn’t get hold of him’ before the game yesterday to do his open mic thing. Made me go ‘hmmmmm’.
MW: Made you go hmmmmm as in I was lying and he told us he wasn’t coming? Believe me, I wouldn’t have come in an hour early to fill air time if I’d known he was going to no-show. Or made you go hmmmm as in maybe he’s been fired or won’t do the show for the rest of the year? If that was the case, I don’t think he’d have done it last week.
- reyesHi Mike,
It sort of puzzles me that so few people seem to want the Jays to try and keep Burnett. Yes, he’s inconsistent, but he can be dominant. We are riding a wave of excellent starting pitching this year, but there are a lot more hitters out there than quality pitchers. I’m loathe to get rid of one.
If we get rid of AJ and then something happens to 1-2 of our starters, we’re in even more trouble than we are now. Who knows, this same cast of hitters could wake up next year and if we suddenly suffer from a starting pitcher meltdown, we’ll be kicking ourselves for letting a good one go.
Yes, he might seem immature or a bit caustic, but I don’t mind someone who speaks their mind and shows emotion. I always liked Josh Towers as he gave a great interview and seemed like a genuinely open and nice guy. It’s rare for fans to see flashes of real personality amongst all the cliched responses. And Josh got dumped on big time for being honest and speaking out a few times.
So why don’t we try and keep AJ? Or will we?
I am always worried about pitching. You can never have enough.
MW: You’re right, but Burnett isn’t going to be here next year regardless, hence (part of) the desire to trade him.
- RobGood idea about the Wilner FAQ. It would clear things up about your opinions. That said, it would probably just set off more fires and you’ll get 400 comments per blog instead of 150.
MW: Oy.
- ShawnHey Mike, why threaten to kick ppl off of your blog? if you don’t want them then just don’t publish their comments/questions.. I’ll be honest with you Mike. The only reason I read your blog is because of the entertainment value that I get and it is from the likes of Anton, Bruno, Ari, and to a lessor extent Vito from Hamilton (congrats to the Ti-Cats tonight btw) big win for them…
As for the Jays Mike.. Just because you’re paid by Rogers doesn’t mean that you have to keep defending these bunch of lazy ass ball players who don’t even care to be in Toronto. They’re only here to make a salary and to play in an environment where they won’t be under the microscope so much.. just ask AJ Burnett..
Anyways Mike please don’t ban these guys from your blog because if you do you’ll start losing readers that I am sure of..
MW: If I lose readers, I lose readers. I can’t worry about that.
- DonnyHey Mike I just want you to know that when I was at the game in Seattle I was getting an autograph from Scott Downs and I asked him what he thought of the nickname “Snakeface”. He said “Snakeface… I think it sounds cool!” I told him that it was Mike Wilners idea and he seemed to know who I was talking about. Good guy in my opinion. I saw him and B-52 (BJ Ryan) teasing fans and Downs would throw a ball up high right by the box scoreboard in safeco just out of reach for the fans in that section sort of like teasing a dog with a cookie. It was actually quite humorous. I must mention that some people are jerks when a ballplayer wont sign a ball. They take it too personal and yell rude remarks at players who wont come over. On another note I would also like to say that the Jays fans on Canada day put the M’s fans to shame drowning out there hometown cheers with GO JAYS GO!!! People from Edmonton and even as far as Saskatchewan went down. I think Fans from out west here get behind the Jays more because they are Canada’s team and it’s there one chance to see them play when they make the trip to Seattle. When the Jays lost on Canada day I’ve never seen so many depressed Jays fans after a game(and I’ve been to many games in TO)! I want to see fans in TO get behind the Jays like I saw them on Canada day!!! Sorry for the long read.
MW: Not long at all. So Downs likes Snakeface, huh? Interesting. I wonder if he’ll bring it up with me when the Jays get home.
- Matt from BCI recently went to a new doctor and noticed he was located in something called the Professional Building. I felt better right away.
(George Carlin)
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
(George Carlin)
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
(George Carlin)
The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.
(George Carlin)
I heard you were a fan.
A tribute and a reminder. Life is too short.
MW: He was particularly incredible. Wonderful WINO in Western Walla Walla was a phenomenal radio station.
- Larry SiposI am seeing 3 good starters on the market, and I would say AJ is the #2 guy behind CC. Which teams do you think are going to be after a starter this month.
MW: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers - at least.
- jasonHey Mike,
I saw someone in the comments was asking about ballpark food. They should check this link out:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/06/08/travel/20080608_BALLPARK_GRAPHIC.html
It’s an interactive graph ballpark by ballpark of the best and worst foods. Might come in handy for jerry, alan and you as well.
Take care and keep it up!
ryth.
- rythBruno needs a cold bath.
- AndrewHey Mike,
Re: Uncreating the monster
I think you do a great job as a radio broadcaster, and you write pretty well too, but…I think you should shut down the blog. It seems unsustainable, too stressful, and there are *way* too many idiots, cowards, fools, imbeciles…did I mention idiots?
There must be a saner way to advance your career in the media universe. I don’t know what that path is, but that’s my two cents. In general, this type of blog (maybe blogging generally?) seems to be more hassle than it’s worth.
Whatever you decide, good luck, and keep on fighting the good fight!
MW: This blog has nothing to do with advancing my career in the media universe.
- GeoffHey Mike,
People always seem to get into a funk about baseball just before the Allstar break — teams are tired, people are tired, pitchers are tired (deadarms).
Im excited for after the All star break. Marcum will be back ! Which is great ! Burnett will hopefully be traded for JJ Hardy (Unless the Brewers land CC and trade Escobar) and Eckstein will be an Oriole, and Johnny Mac will be back full time !
Keep up the good work Mike. Im not visiting the cite as much anymore, but it’s not your fault, its just the jays are boring without Marcum pitching.
(I am serious about thinking JJ for Burnett would be great — but i would be equally happy with Elvis Andrus or Lowrie.)
MW: I don’t know that the Jays will get any of those guys for Burnett. Why would the Orioles want Eckstein?
- DaveMike,
JP is apparently shopping Burnett around for a shortstop, but I don’t think there are too many good hitting shortstops on the market. Is he or at least shouldn’t he be looking for anyone with a bit of pop to DH?
MW: No. As sad as this is to say, given the current state of the Jays, DHs are a dime a dozen. Good young shortstops are not.
- Dan C.They should have kept Troy Glaus for DH and traded Vernon Wells for a Yankee outfielder.
MW: Just any Yankee outfielder? The DH spot was filled when they traded Troy Glaus - and who would have played third?
- ShawnMike,
Rob Neyer mentioned on ESPN Radio that Tampa could be one destination for AJ Burnett and that the price tag for him right now could be one top prospect ready for the majors and one B grade prospect.
I would take that and I think the Jays should start planning for 2009.
On another note…If Roy Hallady played for the Yankees or Boston, how much more of a god would he be considered…the guy is of legendary status and I just don’t think he gets the media attention he deserves.
MW: I’d take that, too - depending on who the top prospect was. If Halladay was a Yankee or a Red Sock, he’d already be preparing his enshrinement speech for Cooperstown.
- MarkI think I have a solution for you as far as the daily blogotedium (yes I know that’s not a word). Pick relevant questions you want to answer and post those. That’s pretty much how every other blog works. That would also solve you having to ban people because they could still submit comments you could just ignore them as if they never existed.
Thanks for the blog and podcasts.
MW: Yeah, but what’s the difference between banning them and me not posting their comments? It’s the same thing.
- Sean CourtIf a team has players suspended due to a brawl for 10 days or so, are they allowed to replace them on the roster, or do they have to go short for the duration?
MW: Short.
- ukJaySince there is no blog from you today Mike (well earned day off from this by the way - did you enjoy it?). I figured I would be safe to stay one more day on the horses and steroid use.
Post #32 - Dan M - I agree Dan the Triple Crown is extremely difficult to win. Especially the Belmont and distance of same. It takes a “great” horse to do this and BB is a “good” horse.
However taking Big Brown off a dependent drug like Winstrol (a musular injected -Anabolic Steroid) and expecting him to perform as he did in the previous first two legs of the TC is just begging for disaster!
As much as I hate seeing any horses on this stuff (humans have a choice)it has and did in this case (my opinion) have a hugely adverse effect with respect to BBs’ performance.
When a horse (or human for that matter) is taken off this junk - their performance at any level does in fact regress significantly and very quickly.
Winstrol increases not only muscle mass but also more importantly red blood cells which carry tons of extra oxygen. In fact more oxygen than the horses lungs can consume - hence the horrible nose bleeds from bleeding lungs a lot of horses have after a race. It was pretty clear BB ran out of the stuff (oxygen)with a 3rd of the race still to go.
With steroid use in horse racing legal (until end of this year - thank God) - horses have not been bred nor trained as they used to be for long distance racing and/or stamina - trainers dependece on Winstrol and steroid use becomes their favorite training tool as to increasing power and stamina.
Big Browns’ trainer did not inject him in the week or two before the Belmont and was bragging his horse did not need it to win. Your correct Dan this is not the reason why the horse was taken off the roids before the race (to prove a point or for bragging rights). I was saying this is what he told the media.
Why take the horse off the junk then at this time? I would suspect he (Duthrow)did this only because he had no other choice than not to inject the horse due to a more than likley test result showing a low sperm count!
Most probable scenerio is the word came from the owners group who have in their back pockets some prospective or confirmed syndicate which is ready to pour out millions of dollars to put BB at stud. Not something he could mention publicly of course - hence the bragging comments as to his horse not needing the stuff to win. Pure speculation on my part and not factual by the way.
Horses like Big Brown and what they would command as to breeding are tested regularily as to sperm count and especially if they have been or are on Winstrol.
This drug along with other serious medical concerns is known also to effect fertility - hence a lower sperm count may have been showing and when you have big breeding dollars on the horizon why risk the chance of the big guy “shooting blanks” later on and being known in the industry as the “big dud” rather than the “big stud”!
The removal of the Wintstrol in my opinion had plenty to do maybe everything to do with this horse not competing well or at least to expectations at the Belmont.
I would also agree with you Dan that not being able to train the horse as per schedule between races had a somewhat detrimental effect also (cracked hoof preventing training). However the withdrawl of the muscular injected steroids looms much larger.
I agree Mike drawing a parallel to baseball and horse racing as to steroid use is pure conjector on my part. I do believe there is a correlation between the two but, perhaps the parallelism belongs more with track athletes and horse racing.
Thanks.
- BobLove the blog Mike! I’m willing to help you negotiate a fee per comment whenever you’re interested.
I am intrigued by the prospect of trading Rolen. If that were to happen, would you want to do it for prospects, or someone ready for the bigs? Also who would play third? Is there anyone in the minors who might be able to step up?
Thanks for your time!
MW: There’s no heir apparent in the minors, though maybe you move Hill to make room for Scott Campbell eventually or move Campbell over. You definitely want somebody who is ready for the bigs.
- Chris - KitchenerMike - sorry for the novel on the previous post and steroids etc.
Not sure why everyone who is on your case about your prediction or rather just a gut feel and/or opinion as to the Rays and their season don’t see it as just that.
Get a grip folks it’s just someones opinion - you don’t have to get all bent out of shape and go out there to try and prove somebody wrong game after game - yikes!
One quick point to make as to the Rays - think Mets 2007 season and a 7 game lead atop the NL east as late as September 12/07!
I think what Mike is saying “over and over” again is the Rays are not “September” tested as yet and is not speaking of the present mid season stuff. He is not diminishing what the Rays are doing right now - but rather saying the present may not equal the end result.
The one thing the Jays have in common right now with the Rays - their names rhyme.
Man, it must be a long season for ya Mike when the Jays are playing lousy or below expectations, the vultures are circling daily and coming for a landing each and everytime something you say goes the other way.
Most of what you say is just “common sense” - or law of averages stuff and not written in stone. So comments left by some (not all for sure) need to be toned down a bit.
My old Dad used to have another saying that bodes well with common sense…..
“around a pigs rear end is pork”!
Thanks.
- BobMike - is there any mechanism by which one MLB club can ‘loan’ a player to another club in return for cash or another ‘loan’.
Or can you trade someone with the proviso that the player is traded back for PTBNL the following year.
I suppose it could be done easily - but is it MLB Legal?
You can see the scenario I’m thinking of: a potent offence no pitching team trades swaps offence one year, pitching the next and Voila, four third place teams become two first place teams (and two last place teams, but, hey)
MW: That scenario will never happen, but it has happened before on a smaller scale - most recently with John McDonald being traded to the Tigers for himself.
- bwgHi Mike,
It made me go hmmm because I wondered whether Godfrey had done what I would have done, which is told him to forget about your show for a while since he can’t be trusted to keep his mouth shut. That’s obviously not the case, because he’s been on your show since the famous Dunn incident. But I’m surprised that he gave you no warning that he wouldn’t be there.
We’re now heading into the trading period and a lot of decisions are going to be made that may no longer be made by him. I think there is an outside chance that he is gonzo and they are preparing the transition period, so they are keeping him away from the media right now.
(And you were right about Frank Thomas. He was the worst signing Ricciardi made. I think his lack of hitting at the beginning, and the reverberations felt by his ouster, were contributory factors to the poisonous feel around this team right now.)
- reyesHi Mike.
Post # 118 Eckstein to the O’s.
That actually makes sence to me. Finishing over .500 means alot more to the Orioles then it should and they don’t have a MLB shortstop although Cintron has played well in limited action. Not saying you’d get anything valuable for him but I think the would have interest in him which I can’t think of alot of other teams who would.
MW: It doesn’t make any sense to me in that I don’t think the Orioles are going anywhere, and they shouldn’t either, and it seems nuts of them to want to add a shortstop on a one-year deal. But hey, if they’re willing to give up an asset, I’m all for it.
- Dan MWhat do you make of the report in yesterday’s Sun that the Jays are already shopping A.J. Burnett? Apparently they’re looking for a shortstop. I think it’s too early to trade him, I’m not convinced he’ll leave after this season and he usually pitches better in the second half. I also don’t think the Jays need a shortstop (the type of shortstop who would actually help doesn’t exist).
MW: You really need to read the comments first.
- ShmuelIn regards to #15 - i think these numbers and sources for them can be found in the book, “The Last Nine Innings.” Which is a book Mike Wilner should read. Because it’s a good read. A really good read Mike. In other words, the book reeks of AWESOMENESS!!!!!
KK
Co-chairman of the Mike Wilner Library Club
- karim kanjiOkay, so I missed your comments again, this time about trading Burnett for a shortstop. But the way I understood it, the Jays are looking for a shortstop who can play now, not a prospect.
MW: I don’t believe that to be the case.
- ShmuelMike buddy,
Got a couple questions about AJ Burnett…
I was looking over the numbers in which he has to match or better to be a Type A at years end, in order for us, or whatever team we trade him to, to get compensation…
He needs to lower his ERA from 4.74 to 3.98, his WHIP from 1.48 to 1.30 and his K/BB needs to improve from 2.04 to 3.02 for him to match his 2006 numbers, and therefore qualify as a Type A…. What other conditions are there?
You sounded fairly confident that he would indeed be a Type A by years end, so am i missing something because if he has to match all those numbers, Seems to me there is a good chance he won’t be a Type A.
MW: How do you know all this stuff? The formula isn’t public knowledge.
- Andrew (Guelph)MW: 1 - They’re started by the jealous people ’cause they get mad seeing something they had and somebody else is holding it.
Thanks for answering mine and everyone’s posts and especially for the above. PRICELESS!!!! You gave me my second laugh of the day. Kahzmir (not Kazmir) - my son gave me my first laugh of the day!
Now, let’s talk about your softball game……
KK
- karim kanjiHost of “Mike Wilner Idol”
I appreciate all the hard work, Mike. Keep it up.
Go Jays
- BrentMaybe I have losteth it, Mike! But I feel this team is in need of Higher intervention and I’m not unwilling to get down on my knees for them. Ask and ye shall receive. Whadda we got to lose, Mike?
MW: It’s true.
- Vito From HamiltonDonny, thanks anyway for the backhanded compliment. How about dem puddy cats?
- Vito From HamiltonHey Mike
You sure are taking a beating on this blog, but please, do not consider shutting it down. It is a great place for fans to express their frustrations after 10+ years of meaningless baseball. I don’t even remember the last time i was excited about the Jays in September. As a fan, i don’t have unrealistic expectations like a World series win every other year(like Yank fans), but with the amount of money the ballclub spends i don’t think its unreasonable to expect a playoff appearance at least every 3 or 4 years, or at the very least a battle for a spot late in the season. You spend a great deal of time defending JP and the Jays, so unfortunately a lot of the crap gets re-directed your way. I’ve done it as well, but please don’t take it personally as the blog is a tremendous form of therapy for all the frustrated fans.
- rickFrom MW’s reply to comment 43 above:
“89 wins, I think, will be enough to get the wild card.”
Would you be willing to bet a dozen latkes on that?
MW: If I was a gambling man, I certainly would.
- JaymeisterHey Mike
So JP is shopping Burnett for a shortstop, very good. There is not much available at the Major league level (no, we don’t want Ryan Theriot), but he may be able to add a guy that is almost ready from the minors.
The Rays are contending, and since they drafted Tim Beckham 1st overall, they might be willing to part with Reid Brignac, who should be ready be 2009. Brignac could easily provide 25 homers/year, with maybe a .260 average. Do you think the Rays would deal him?
Milwaukee might also make a great dance partner, as they have 4 guys i would love to see in a Jays uniform. Although the Brew crew may not deal LaPorta or Gallardo, they might deal Matt Gamel (3B) or Alcides Escobar (ss), and i’d take either one straight up for AJ in a heartbeat.
If AJ goes to Philly, i hope they get Adrian Cardenas. He is more of a 2B than a SS, but he looks very good. Maybe he could make the transition back to short, but either way i would prefer him over Jason Donald. Do you think the Jays could get any of these guys for AJ?
MW: It’s very possible, depending on how the Sabathia/Bedard sweepstakes go. Brignac is allegedly being brought to the majors to be showcased very soon.
- rick“He needs to lower his ERA from 4.74 to 3.98, his WHIP from 1.48 to 1.30 and his K/BB needs to improve from 2.04 to 3.02 for him to match his 2006 numbers, and therefore qualify as a Type A…. What other conditions are there?”
Andrew (and I presume he got this information from The Mockingbird blog) - the Elias uses the last 2 years of stats combined to come out with the rankings. That is why Mr. Hale was comparing his 2006 #s to 2008, because it stands to reason that if his 06-07 wasn’t good enough, than neither is his 07-08, because many of his 2008 #s are inferior to those from 2006. However, that assumption is rooted in 2 fallacies - first off, he didn’t pitch a full season in 2006, so if he does this year, the counting stats should help mitigate any peripheral regression. Secondly, none of this takes into account the rest of the league’s performance, which is vital, because Elias ranks the top (whatever it is) % relative to everybody else.
If he pitches a full season at his usual levels (slightly better than he has been thus far, but not much) he should qualify as a type A free agent.
MW: Wow. Ari, we’re agreed.
- AriCito wasn’t hired to right the ship. Cito was hired to please the fans. I think he’s a good manager and I’m pleased he’s here, but I doubt anyone in the Jays organization believes Cito can do much with the team he has right now, and given the contracts in place, there won’t be much difference next year. However I still have hope that the right DH would make a big difference to the team, and Matt Stairs isn’t the right DH. He’s just the DH right now.
- reyesHey Mike, i just heard that the Orioles wanted to improve their SS since they don’t have one who is playing above a replacement value player level.
I thought it made sense as the fan base in Baltimore is taking a real hit this year as evidenced by the horrible attendances they have been having. So if management can show that they are still a 500 team then their would be more hope for next year. Sorta like the symbolic 500 level the Jays shoot for everyyear.
But yes you are right, it doesn’t make sense from a practical viewpoint of winning this year to make the deal.
Would you think Eckstein could be considered a Type B free agent ?
MW: I don’t know what the formulae are for measuring, but I’m assuming Eckstein would likely be a type A.
- DaveMike,
Hear you on the radio the other day saying that if the team is still in the same position after the next weeks that you think they should start trading guys away. My question is if that happens do you let JP do it or would that be the time to let him go? It is a terrible time to find a replacement but how can you let the guy that built this team be the one to tear it down/rebuild/retool?
As for the writers that spew the venom, when you are always right and anyone one who disagrees is wrong, what else do you expect. Just seems to me that if someone agrees with you, they are providing smart comments or questions, but those that disagree are mocked, not answered or inundated with stats that only support your view. I personally disagree with alot, not all, of things you say but I keep listening/writing. It would just be nice if you even considered the notion that you aren’t always right i.e. your constant support for JP, that hasn’t turned out so great.
MW: I don’t think I’m always right, but you’re not reading with an open mind if you think that what you said is true.
- ThomaI guess we’ll find out, but the Sun had this in their article:
“‘They’re offering Burnett to any team that needs pitching,’ said an American League general manager. ‘They’ve told us they’re not happy with either David Eckstein or John McDonald.’”
- Shmuel“MW: Wow. Ari, we’re agreed.”
And you had to poison such a Kodak moment with “we’re agreed”. It’s okay though, you work too hard on this thing, as others have mentioned. Keep up the good work it’s a pleasure to read. And for the record, we agree 99% of the time. It’s that 1% of yours that I don’t agree with that gets me commenting. You’re definitely one of the best baseball analysts on the continent.
MW: The continent? High praise, indeed.
- AriMW: I dug a whole? All those things about which you said I was wrong, I was right. Though I never said the Rays are “not that good”.
Mike, about a month ago someone called in and said “are the Rays this good” and you said “no, not even close to this good” and went on to pretty much say they would finished last or close to last in the division. I do not want to get into semantics here, but it was one of my many examples as to why some people spew venom at you. If you are going to take a very hard line on several topics, then call people idiots, un-informed, silly etc. and then only realize that these very idiots were right and you were wrong you must expect some venom. This is why I say you dug the hole. You are a smart guy and I am certain you know that you have partially created this scenario, it just did not crop up out of thin air with no responsibility on your part. It makses things more entertaining anyway.
Yes, there are a lot of clowns that call in, but you need these clowns so that you can look smarter, I think you love when they call in so you can point out how dumb they are. There are also a lot a smart baseball fans, who can see issues with their team and especially GM when you did not and it seems can not. This team is simply horrid right now (outside the pitching of which Halladay and Mcgowan are pre JP days). Not too mention the young players coming up? Who do we have? I read the sports pages all the time and there seems to be no hype around the blue jays of “tomorrow”. You can name names and quote minor league stats, but fans, with eyes like me do not see much coming! Yikes! Someone save the Jays!
MW: You expect to open the newspaper and see stories about the “Blue Jays of Tomorrow”? I don’t know why you would. The fact that you haven’t heard of them doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. But that’s an excellent point you make, that the names of prospects and their minor-league numbers don’t matter to fans with eyes like you. You’re right, I did say that the Rays are not THIS good - because they’re not. That’s not the same as saying they’re not good.
- MatthewIts tough watching this team..Its like having a nutty girlfriend that’s nice to look at but not so nice when she opens her mouth..Why can’t they just hit a ball?.I’ve been reading that the Jays want to trade for a short stop..Why? They can’t hit..Shouldn’t a good young power hitter be on the top of their list?..A.J is the best trading asset they have..Unless that Short Stops name is Florida Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez, thats a different story..However, I think there is a better chance that hell will freeze over before the Marlins would take Burnett back..So who is available?..Who do you think they can get for Burnett?
MW: I think they can get any numbers of young shortstop prospects, from Milwaukee, Texas, Philly, Dodgers, if that’s what they want - more one of those teams will lose out on C.C. Sabathia and Erik Bedard.
- gump“You’re definitely one of the best baseball analysts on the continent.”
Sounds exaggerated, but I actually agree. I find most baseball analysts (really, most analysts of any sport)
to be stupid, rash, irrational, etc. Now, you’ve told me that you believe nothing that you write, but even if I were to take that literally, at least you write it.
MW: The next thing I write will be true. The last thing I wrote was a lie. Thanks for the compliment, by the way, I’m not worthy.
- Shmuel