1:20 AM Eastern
The Blue Jays didn’t exactly come swinging out of the all-star break, proving wrong my theory that going into the break hot would work for them as much as going in cold would work against the Tampa Bay Rays. Now, the Rays didn’t exactly light it up, either, but they got the big hit when they needed it and the Jays didn’t.
Those of you who believe in jinxes can blame me for this one. I wrote “Devil Rays” on my scorecard, and surely that mistake had something to do with the Tampa win.
A.J. Burnett looked terrific for a second straight start – and I do mean a second straight start! For the first time (that I could find) in club history, the Jays had the same starting pitcher in consecutive regular season games. Admittedly, I only checked around all-star breaks and before and after the ’81 strike, so I could be very wrong. Over the back-to-back starts, Burnett has gone 1-1, 1.76, allowing 11 hits, walking four and striking out 14 in 15 1/3 innings. .500 pitcher, that guy.
Anyway, he dealt tonight with what the Jays’ pitchers have dealt with all season – the almost complete lack of a margin for error, and he wasn’t perfect. The way the shutout broke was tough, with 9-hitter Ben Zobrist yanking one out down the right-field line after the two-out walk to Eric Hinske, but Burnett wasn’t going to win this one unless he threw a shutout. All the Jays could muster was a solo shot by Adam Lind in the third inning.
The Jays didn’t even blow a bunch of chances in this one, either – they left Lyle Overbay’s one-out double at second in the 7th, and had just one other chance, but a big one. A two-base throwing error by Zobrist on Lind’s leadoff grounder in the 8th got things going, and Joe Inglett dutifully (argh!) bunted Lind to third for Marco Scutaro, who just happens to be the worst hitter among Blue Jays starters. He got ahead 2-0, then watched two strikes go by before grounding to a drawn-in Carlos Pena at first. Alex Rios then struck out on ball four to end the inning.
I’m not sure which I like worse – bunting with the top of the line-up up down a run on the road in the 8th inning, bunting with a better hitter than the guy who follows, or having Scutaro hit so high in the line-up.
Before the season started, I said that David Eckstein was the wrong choice to lead off for this team, that the lion’s share of the at-bats shouldn’t be given to someone who doesn’t get on base well, and that by season’s end, Eckstein would lead the Jays in outs made by a wide margin. Had I known that Scutaro was going to play so much, I’d never have said that last part.
Marco Scutaro, among Blue Jays with over 100 at-bats this season, has a better OPS than only Brad Wilkerson and Shannon Stewart. This is not the man who should be hitting second in the order, and this is not the man up for whom Joe Inglett (believe it or not, the TEAM LEADER in OPS among Blue Jays with over 100 at-bats this season) should be giving himself.
The fact that Inglett is the Jays’ OPS leader is a whole other issue altogether.
We had another brain cramp from Alex Rios, forgetting the number of outs when he caught Hinske’s fly ball at the wall in the 2nd. Dioner Navarro was the Rays’ runner at second, which is a good thing for the Blue Jays, because anyone else on that team scores on that play. Hopefully now that the baby is born, Rios can regain his focus, bit by bit. At least, if that’s the reason for its lack.
Before I get to the all-star game and my trip to New York, here’s tonight’s The JaysTalk:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Now, the all-star game – four hours and 50 minutes of mostly really good, tight baseball. It was a very intense game, stupidly managed (I’ll get into that lower down), with a ton of terrific defensive plays and some pretty big swings.
The best thing about it, though, was probably the pre-game. That ceremony where almost every living Hall of Famer showed up and came onto the field at his respective position, to be joined by the all-star starter, was mind-blowing. The biggest applause of the night came last, when Yogi Berra was introduced. Seeing all those legends down there on that legendary piece of real estate was incredible, but it also made me angry, because Roy Halladay deserved to be out there shaking all those legends’ hands, not Cliff Freakin’ Lee.
I got to see a piece of the all-star parade that afternoon, and that stuff doesn’t usually impress me, but when Hank Aaron’s car drove by I stopped, watched, took out the cell phone and took (sadly) a really crappy picture.
I thought the way that Terry Francona treated the three Yankees who made the AL team was great. He removed both Alex Rodriguez (in the 5th) and Derek Jeter (in the 6th) while the A.L. was on defense, in the middle of the half-inning, so that the crowd could give them a great send-off. He also brought in Mariano Rivera in the middle of the 9th, while the game was tied – which was a good move, since if the A.L. had scored in the bottom of the 9th while Francona was holding onto Rivera, he wouldn’t have wound up pitching at all.
The Canadians were fantastic. After winning the Home Run Derby on Monday, Justin Morneau wound up 2-for-4, scoring the A.L.’s first run on J.D. Drew’s homer and the game-winning run on the Michael Young sac fly. Russell Martin caught 10 innings, had a hit and a sac bunt, threw out Ian Kinsler trying to steal in the 11th and made a couple of sensational plays at the plate. Ryan Dempster pitched the 9th for the N.L. and struck out Kinsler, Dioner Navarro and Drew in order.
In the overall, though, the game was a mess. Is it supposed to be about winning or is it supposed to be about getting everybody in? Obviously, it “matters” now, but it’s still about making sure everyone plays. Francona was on his third catcher by the 7th inning! Ryan Braun was the only starter on either side who even saw the 7th, everyone else was gone in the 5th or 6th, and this was a 2-0 game after six! Clint Hurdle at least showed some sense by having his first three pitchers go two innings each, and he used Aaron Cook (his own guy) for three innings, from the 10th through the 12th, but Francona, having used nine pitchers over the first nine innings, was forced to extend Rivera into the 10th and then have George Sherrill, the Baltimore closer, throw 2 1/3 innings!
It’s ridiculous.
Look, count me among those who believe that the all-star game should be an exhibition based on popularity. The fans want to see the stars play? Marvelous! Get the stars out there to play, and let’s see as many of them as we can. Let the better team after 162 games have home-field advantage in the World Series – it works in the other sports (save for the NFL). But MLB has decided that it had to attach meaning to the game, and now it has to be played to win.
So, damnit, play it to win! And if 10 guys a side don’t get in, then 10 guys a side don’t get in. It’s not like the second wave of all-stars were bums, but who would you rather have in there when you need a big hit – Chase Utley or Dan Uggla? Chipper Jones or Cristian Guzman? Alex Rodriguez or Carlos Guillen? Josh Hamilton or Carlos Quentin? And in a game I’m looking to win, am I going to have Roy Halladay throw just nine pitches? Starting pitchers should go three innings, and so should the pitcher who follows. Play from there, you’ll have three innings to use 10 pitchers. If somebody doesn’t get in, hey, it’s about the win. I have a feeling we might see that next year in St. Louis.
As for Yankee Stadium, it really seemed, as the game continued to continue, that the ballpark just didn’t want to let the game go. It was a real treat for me, since they almost made up for the Opening Day rainout by giving me two full games Tuesday night. But at 3:00 AM, while I was listening to the tape I’d gathered and writing up voicers that may or may not have made it to air, I took another look around the place and was saddened by the fact that I’ll never be there again. I don’t have any particular attachment to Yankee Stadium in particular, other than loving baseball in general, but I’m really glad that I got to spend so much time there this week, and I’ll most definitely miss it when it’s gone.
Now a quick note, for those who are interested, about the two-day mini-vacation following the game. I woke up Wednesday morning to find my wife had arrived, which was awesome, and we thought what the heck, why not try to get Letterman tickets? So we headed over to the box office, and Terrence the security guy sent us down to Times Square, where they were giving away tickets to that night’s show (seemed a big group had cancelled). I know people wait months to get in, but we saw Letterman that night. I had a terrific seat, on the aisle, five rows up, but he never came into the audience. Maggie Gyllenhall (plugging The Dark Knight), Neil Young (plugging his 100-mile-per-gallon prototype) and The Hold Steady were the guests. Having done a bit of TV, it was really interesting to watch all the behind-the-scenes stuff, and having been a big fan of Letterman’s for over 20 years now, it was fantastic to be there. Not as cold as they tell you, either. I was comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt.
Afterwards, we wandered back to Times Square to look for something to do that night, and bought a couple of tickets to Dangerfield’s comedy club from a jerk who told us that among that night’s performers would be Charlie Murphy, Dave Attell and some other great comics, none of whom wound up being there. Still, it was a pretty good show, but some idiots brought their 11 year-old daughter! There was also a 13 year-old there. Not cool, and it made the comics really uncomfortable. It was an awful house, but they soldiered through and we really enjoyed it, at least.
Yesterday we figured we’d hit Broadway, but first we went for lunch at a place called “Empanada Mama” in Hell’s Kitchen. My wife is from Argentina, and she’s crazy about the empanadas (as am I – they’re like little panzerotti but filled with all kinds of great stuff). We walked up to Columbus Circle, hit Central Park, and then went down to Greenwich Village to visit my cousin Steve and his wife Hiroko. They just opened a very upscale men’s shoe store called Leffot (www.leffot.com) – it’s a great place, but I couldn’t even afford to buy one shoe, let alone a pair. Sadly, I didn’t rate a mention in his blog, but he gets one in mine anyway!
We then entered the lottery for tickets to Wicked (The Lovely Wife really wanted to see it), but didn’t hit, so we wound up going to a show called “Boeing Boeing” (TLW is a flight attendant, so I figured it’d be fun). Good show, if a bit overacted, with a great cast that includes Brad Whitford (from two of my favourite shows – West Wing and Studio 60) and Gina Gershon. Finished up with dinner at the Carnegie Deli (matzo ball soup and a pastrami/corned beef knish, what else?). A terrific trip, and a great way to recharge the batteries for another 3 1/2 months of baseball (hey, I get to work the playoffs whether the Jays make it or not).
Reasonable, rational comments are always encouraged! The 24/7 JaysTalk is the thing!
Click here to subscribe to Wilner's blog
Michael of the Ballyard:
Griffin had some pretty harsh words for your show in his mailbag. How do you feel about that? Do you plan to do anything about it? Has it changed your professional opinion on him? How about your personal opinion?
MW: It wasn’t a shot at the show, I didn’t think, it was a shot at J.P.
- JCLMike, I enjoy listening to your show…
Seems to me, and I might be wrong… that the lead off hitter position has been week. Would you agree? And maybe they need someone there who could regularly spark the rest of the team? Would you think a guy like Adam Lind would do that? Would enjoy reading your response.
MW: The leadoff position certainly hasn’t been great, but the Jays’ problem hasn’t been getting people on base – they’re quite good at that. They have plenty of sparks, they need someone to light them.
- Victor KovariAs a neutral observer, what happened tonight was Tampa beat a team they are supposed to.
If they start losing to also rans like the Blue Jays, especially at home, they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
MW: They just got swept four straight by a last-place team, one that’s worse than the Blue Jays. What does that mean?
- Rick GRaceI cant believe you said Upton has been in the league for 5 or 6 years
MW: Sorry. His first season was 2004, so this would be his 5th season (had he played in ’05).
- anonymousHey Mike! Thanks for the quick note on your NY happenings. As the season gets more and more down the wayside, it’s lovely to hear about your trip and any other quick bytes from Team Wilner. Question: Is there a prayer the Jays may go after Orlando Hudson and move Hill back to SS or is JP still being a “pimp”? If you were running the team what would you do at SS next year?
The Letterman story reminds me of the time I went to a Benjie Molina signing and got to see my favourite FAN590 host do a segment live.
MW: I’m not sure they can make any moves based on what Hill can do until and unless Hill gets a clean bill of health. Evidently he’s taken another step back and may be out for the season. If I were running the team, I’d work the trade market pretty hard in the off-season looking for a shortstop.
- SpiderSilvaHi Mike,
Not being able to score Lind from 2nd with nobody out is, at this point in the season, unacceptable. If the Blue Jays have any hope of turning the ship around in time to make a run at the Wild-card, they just simply HAVE to get those runs across the plate… especially tying or go-ahead runs.
Just a disappointing and frustrating game to watch after such a promising homestand prior to the All-Star break.
Glad you got to catch a game at Yankee Stadium before they turn out the lights for good. I’m glad I was able to see two Blue Jays games there last season, one which Josh Towers lost (*sigh*), and one which Roy Halladay unbelieveably gave up a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth, only to have Zaun hit the eventual game-winning homerun in the top of the 14th.
Thanks, Mike!
MW: They don’t HAVE to get those runs across, but it’d sure be nice. Remember, even if they do get back into the race they’re going to lose plenty of games along the way.
- JeffJust out of curiosity, why was it necessary for you to go to NY to see the All-Star game in person?
Couldn’t you have written your blog and reported about the game by watching it on TV? Also, what will you be doing for playoff coverage?
MW: Sure I could have blogged and reported about the game by watching it on TV, but I wouldn’t have gotten to sit down with guys like Roy Halladay, Justin Morneau, Russ Martin et al. That’s the whole point of going.
- MitchDo you know how lucky you are to see Letterman without prior booking???
On the CBS website, they say the wait could be 1 year.
I have seen the show 3 times and it was as cold as a meat locker all 3 times, so you lucked out on that, too.
However, you played your role of the naive tourist well by being gullible enough to believe that guy on the street who sold you the tickets.
Did you buy any $10 Rolexes while you were there?
MW: I bought an Omega for about 15 pesos when I was in Argentina last winter – does that count?
- MarcusWecome back Mr. Wilner! Sounds like, you and your wife had a great time Mike. You sure crammed a lot into a couple of days – good for you. Amazing isn’t it, what a couple of days away from the job can do for you – regardless of how much you enjoy your job.
Despite the All Star game meaning something, you won’t see any changes as to the managers making sure they get everyone into the game. MLB didn’t make the game “worth something”, thinking, this would make for a more exciting game.
There is not a lot you can do as to making baseball anymore exciting than it already is. The All Start game is supposed to be a spectacle – a showcase of stars, let’s leave it at that. I think it’s fine, there is something on the line here, as to home field advantage. However, the regular season really should determine home field advantage – not a game where most of the participants won’t see post season anyway.
It would be unfair to the fans, to have their respective teams represented by a player who sits in the dugout all night. Seriously, how would we feel if the Doc or any other Jay who made the team didn’t get a chance to pitch/play? Dissapointed I’m sure, regardless of who won!
Once again Mike, welcome back – “the fun has just begun”! Wait and see.
Thanks.
p.s. Griffins comments were not a shot at you or even at JP for that matter. It is a “self serving” show – what else could it be when your speaking about your own team! Some of you need to stop being so cynical and negative.
- BobI think the Jays have found the “magic pill” as to AJ and his un-tapped potential. Yikes what a masterful job again. What was that – basically, like, 2 fantastic starts over 7 – 8 days rest. He’s a “work horse” and needs less time between starts.
As to AJ going on 3 days and 4 days rest respectvively.
I’ve said it before that 4 days rest is plenty for most guys. Especially the “fire-ballers”. Guys who throw hard and use less junk pitches are guys who need to throw more often. It’s the unorthadox movement of the arm/elbow from tossing “junk” (curves mostly) that require extra time off not from throwing “heat”!
Speaking from my own experiences playing this great game and by talking with pitchers. By the 5th day most of these guys begin to feel the tightness in their arms and need to let loose! A four man rotation would work wonders for a team – bring it back! In fact, if possible, the Jays should contemplate that for the 2nd half of the season. Provided of course they have enough arms.
Thanks.
MW: Not gonna happen.
- BobStudio 60 should have been renewed for a 2nd season. I look at all these terrible shows on the air, particularly those on NBC, and I wonder what they were thinking.
MW: You and me both.
- Steve“I’m not sure which I like worse”
I’m not sure which is worse, or I’m not sure which I like less.
- GregJPActually, if you are comparing more than two things it’s “worst” and “least”.
MW: Wasn’t I comparing three things?
- GregJPSir Michael,
Thanks for the All-Star Report. Sounds like you and your wife had a great time in NYC — you’re going to remember that trip fondly for the rest of your life!
Bonus — You got to see The Hold Steady! As always, they were awesome on Letterman. Not sure if you’re a big music fan but, if so, do yourself a big favour and pick up their new album, Stay Positive. I think it’s their best! Sorry to be so Off Topic, but just had to get a plug in for them.
As far as the game last night, that was about the worst way I can imagine to start off the “second half” (unless AJ had also got rocked).
Every time we lose one of these close ones because of the offense, it just feels like two steps back. The feeling is even worse when it’s against a team in your own division and one that went into the break reeling. This was a chance for the Jays to show they are still in it to win it — and they showed just the opposite. “Lacklustre” pretty much fills the bill.
The climb towards .500 continues.
Cheers.
MW: I wasn’t sure what to think of The Hold Steady. They sounded good, but there was a whole “we’re just kidding around” vibe about them.
- EDFNLind again shows he should not be hitting 9th in this anemic batting order . 3-6 is appropriate
MW: He’ll get there.
- chas calzMike,
I think A.J. gets a bad rap here in Toronto. He has a certain way about him. You can call it A.J. being A.J. This doesn’t bother me at all. Except him for who he is.
J.P. said before yesterdays game he doesn’t believe A.J. is going any where before the trade dead line. The writing was on the wall, it doesn’t supprise me. There is little interest for him. He’s been on the DL who knows how many times, his contract, the myth is over and A.J. being A.J. He has 24 million reasons not to opt out and I won’t be suppried if he doesn’t. Toronto fans should get used to him for the next year or so at least. My beef isn’t against the players or Gibbons when he was here. It’s J.P. I have a problem with. He’s put together an OVERATED and PAID team. This team feels like its been put together like like patch work, it just doesn’t feel like a cohesive team. After seven years its time for J.P. to go. We need someone that know’s how to build a contender. I know you will disagree Mike, but your theories of why this team is what it is doesn’t cut it with me.
MW: Your writing is abominable.
- brunoMike
Like you I think New York is an amazing place. I am going to see Yankee Stadium in August, first visit, (Father’s Day Gift).
- BrianIf you ever go back there with your wife/family and want tickets to Letterman or Regis, or any other show email me and I’ll get them for you. My son works on The Tyra Banks Show and has all kinds of contacts.
I think that you should cut Cliff Lee some slack, he is 12 and 2 on a bad, bad ballclub. Halladay is a better pitcher but Lee has been awesome. he desrves something.
Regarding A.J. I agree that he has pitched brilliantly, but I maintain that there are pitchers who win the 1-0 games and the 10-9 games, (Halladay). A.J. appears to be the guy who loses the 1-0 game and the 10-9 game.
If you post this please remove the offer part.
Runners in scoring positon less than 2 outs, you don’t score runs, thats been the Jays situation all season long. Very sad. I am glad Doc made those comments about this team, it was long over due. Mike, what’s status with AJ. I live in Rhode Island, talk here is AJ is a hot commodity and will be traded. I listen to Fan, JP and Mr. Godrey say NO?? What about Stairs or Eckstein being dealt before the deadline? Thanks Mike, Richard Griffin is a fat blow hard who nows crap and obviously hates JP.
MW: I don’t know why you have to take a shot at Griff like that – he’s definitely not fat, by the way. I think Burnett will be traded, despite the denials.
- tom stewartMike,
So what did you think of The Hold Steady? Saw them in TO last summer during the August long weekend and it was the best show I’d been to in years. If I had a band, I’d want it to sound exactly like them.
Cheers
MW: Again, not sure what to think of them. They seem to be teetering on the brink between real rock band and early Barenaked Ladies.
- johnny wasMike, why don’t you please just admit already that the Rays have become a better organization than JP could ever assemble and in less time. Stop defending the used car salesman. It’s getting old and frustrating. If JP is back next year, I’m throwing all my Blue Jays stuff out the window because this team is PUTRID!
MW: Vito, this is getting old.
- Vito From HamiltonYou’ve got a good taste, Mike. Argentinian women are really pretty. I’m impressed.
MW: I appreciate the compliment, but broad generalizations, even positive ones, are just stereotypes.
- Beburg aka The relief pitcherMike,
Last night the Ash/J.P. debate was re-visited on the radio. While Ash did not emerge as the next Branch Rickey, his record can certainly be defended against J.P.’s mediocrity:
Bad contracts: You cited Mondesi, Gonzalez, Bush and Fullmer.
As you know Mondesi was only acquired because Shawn Green had made it clear he was going to leave at the end of the season and sign with the Dodgers. Rather than losing their (at the time) best player for next to nothing Ash made the deal – which, as I recall, was considered a sage move at the time.
Don’t know why you are so down on Gonzalez, who at least had some oomph in his bat – unlike the sadsack collection of shortstops who have paraded around since he left.
Fullmer and Bush’s contracts were obviously mistakes – but suspect (don’t know) that their compensation wasn’t as ill-conceived as that doled out to Hinske and Towers.
The Michael Young trade is always cited, justifiably, as the worst trade the Jays have ever made. But AT THE TIME, Mike, were you jumping up and down and screaming, “They can’t trade MICHAEL YOUNG!”? The inability of J.P. to fix the shortstop problem has exacerbated the trade’s consequences to the nth degree. Also, the deal was made because the Jays were in a contending position at the time – a situation with which J.P. has never had to grapple.
Was also disturbed to hear that the Jays only need “a few tweaks” (or something) to achieve whatever it is they hope to – presumably playing meaningful baseball in Sept. (the scenario of ever winning anything seems but a chimera). As this is written the team has the 10th best record in a 14 team league; and it might be suspected that they are not regarded by baseball people as a team on the rise – their line-up is riddled with aging cast-offs and guys whose production is dwindling. Probably needs more n’ a “few tweaks”.
If they want to significantly improve – and if they don’t want to touch their big three starting pitchers, then, as you were saying last night, it looks like they’ll have to trade minor leage pitching… Because it’s hard to believe they’d get value for the kind of contracts and ebbing production that go with Overbay, Rolen, Wells and Rios.
How about trying to trade Ryan and a pitching prospect for someone who might be able to drive in runs? And TRY throwing Overbay and his formidable OBP into the deal…
MW: I really should research the Bush and Fullmer deals better to see exactly what they were. I think Homer got three years an about $9-11 million, and I don’t know what Fullmer’s was exactly, but they were the ones that popped into my head after a long travel day. Gonzalez’ deal was awful – what was it, 5 years and $25 million? Horrendous, and I don’t know how you can justify the Mondesi deal by saying that Green backed them into a corner. He did, but they didn’t have to take back that ugly contract. Of course no one was jumping up and down saying that the Jays can’t trade Michael Young at the time, but the front office is supposed to have a better idea of what they have than we do. Pat Gillick gave up star young talent, but when he did, he got quality back. So far, J.P. Ricciardi hasn’t given up star young talent for mediocre return, Ash did.
- KenMW: But why would fans want the Jays to sign Bonds’ stuff?
I guess you missed the opening quotation mark on that phrase. But I didn’t. Go back and check, it’s still there. So I’d like an apology from the Grammar Police..
This game was a microcosm of the season. Rios got a brain cramp. He didn’t hit. Neither did Stairs, the dh. The pitching was brilliant. The defense was pretty damn’ good. The kid who got the only Jays run–and that was a homer–was the kid that the previous regime had decided was unfit for prime time. We lost.
MW: You’re right, I’m sorry. You used a single quotation mark on either side.
- reyesPS I agree, Griffin wasn’t taking a shot at the show. It’s Ricciardi he’s after. A lot of the press, including guys on SportsNet like Scott Carson, agree with those of us who would love to see that gentleman take a long walk home out of here. Sadly, it doesn’t look like that will happen until the end of the season.
By the way, Ricciardi released Johnson ‘because we’re going with offense’. Looking back, how funny that is. Stewart could hardly hit a ball and now he’s on the dl and will surely be released as soon as he comes off. I don’t know how Johnson is doing, but that’s not really the point. Even if Ricciardi was a thoughtful GM who watched what he said, treated his players right and was the darling of the fans, he should be let go anyway. Because he has an amazing instinct for hiring or long-contracting players who will have a bad year. Call it luck, talent, whatever, but he’s done an amazing job of assembling a bad team that looks great on paper.
MW: I’m confused. How is how Johnson is doing not the point? He signed what he thought was a better offensive player, and Johnson has continued to be the average-to-below-average player that he has always been. I can’t believe you actually think that signing players who will have a bad year is a repeatable skill.
- reyesHey Mike,
I managed to get last minute tickets while in New York for a 3 day weekend subway series. But the studio was absolutely freezing!
MW: Yeah, I’ve heard that from a few people, and I was pretty worried, but it was fine. Cool, for sure, but fine.
- MarkHey Mike, keep on doin your thing, I know it’s what keeps many of us watching this team given how frustrating the season has been so far.
I think that you need to screen these callers a bit more and disallow the same old ill-informed callers from repeating their “blow it up” mantras. Please remind your audience that this isn’t fantasy baseball, or XBOX 360, a team cannot just be blown up on a whim. Yes this team is grossly underperforming, but the vast majority of fans seem to think that you can just trade the guys that are sucking for guys that are not sucking. It’s mind boggling to hear comments like “this team needs to be blown up, but don’t trade Halladay, Marcum, McGowan, Ryan, etc”.
On a more realistic note, the Brewers may be shopping J.J. Hardy in the offseason and if they do I’m sure there will be multiple teams after him. To me he couldn’t be a better fit for the Jays who have had a revolving door at SS for a while and desperately need some power in the lineup. Thanks Mike, take care
- Pat - AjaxMW: Your writing is abominable.
Very funny.
MW: You think?
- ClayHi Mike
When you think the jays have given their share of wins away last night happens.I said I wouldn’t get frustrated anymore after losses but yesterday was to much.I was screaming at the t.v. begging Cambell and Rance to shutup about not having to pitch to Hinske and bam talk about a jinx.It is unbelievable how this team finds ways to lose ballgames.I have never seen Stairs struggle this badly all he seems to beble to do is foul pitches off that he should be smashing.Baras left a cuople of hangers in the park.I want to give credit to Rays pitching staff but I think it was more our hitters that weren’t hitting those mistakes than their pitchers making pitches.How much longer do you think we waste a spot on Wilkerson?The guy is worse than Mcdonald at the plate.Why not give a kid from the minors a shot? He can’t do any worse.Hopefully Doc has more luck than A.J.
mario
Go Jays!!!
MW: When you only score one run, it’s not a win given away.
- marioEach time I read Richard Griffin’s column, its seems be negative and Anti-JP. The man should give JP some credit once in a while. The only person in the media giving JP any credit is you which I think is great. I often criticize JP, but I still think he has done a pretty good job with this team. Okay, Griff is not fat. It could have been a picture I saw on the Drunk Jays Fan website.
- tom stewartThanks
Mike,
The way you feel about my writing is the same way I feel about your baseball. Most of the time I find it worth nothing and I have little respect for it. If you listen long enough you find people who know anything about baseball feel the same way. Maybe one day you’ll get something right. Listening to you is like watching a train wreck you can’t believe what your seeing I mean hearing.
MW: And yet, you leave a dozen comments after every post.
- brunoMW: It wasn’t a shot at the show, I didn’t think, it was a shot at J.P.
I thought it was pretty obviously a shot at the show.
“Ricciardi criticized John Lott of the National Post for directly recording “Wednesdays with J.P.” or whatever the hell that self-serving paid show is called.”
All of the strong adjectives are directed at the show, rather than JP. Plus, by suggesting that the show is self-serving, he attacks your ability to be objective.
MW: Your point isn’t without merit, but I’m not going to get upset about it. Most people see the show as J.P.’s, not mine.
- JCLAlex Rios 366 at bats – 4 home runs
Adam Lind 81 at bats – 4 home runs
- Jeffy PBarenaked ladies? dont you mean bare neked crack “……res?”
but on to more high brow discussions.
first off, people should give the hitters some slack for last night. plenty of teams come out of the break stumbling the first game offensively…these guys rarely get a day off let alone four..so sit tight.
however, a disturbing trend even before the break…the jays really have NEVER come around hitting on the road. if you look back, their improvements post cito have been nearly all at home..something to watch for.
lastly..buck coats is a better all around baseball player and talent than wilkerson is right now. there is no excuse to run that guy out there everyday while wells is out. the only talent he has (besides getting out) is walking.
as far as eckstein scutaro go..everyone knows how cito works..he gets his guys and then he runs them out there till they get hurt or go 0-79..and then he gives them the green light on 3-0 and they pop up (see ed sprague)
and just to remind you…the jays defense certainly HAS cost them at least one game this year (dropped ball at 2b on a sure double play vs royals up 3-1) and poor defense could have very well cost them the middle game of the yanks series…
MW: OK, yes, so defense has definitely cost them one game, and maybe another. How many games have a lack of offense cost them? 20? 30?
- sammy jalalzaiMike
I watched the game yesterday and do not get what Matt Stairs was doing in the 9th inning.
He got to the plate and did not swing at all and eventually got called for a strike out. He just watched -pitch after pitch – worse, the inning before, he watched the pitcher paint the corner on Rios and got him to strike out swinging.
why would any hitter go on a plate and not swing at all?
By the way, it looks like you and your family had a terrific time last week in NY! You sure made up for never being in in the Yankee stadium!
MW: I think Stairs’ plan was to go up there, not swing, and hope for the best.
- francisRichard Griffin:
“…“Wednesdays with J.P.” or whatever the hell THAT SELF-SERVING PAID SHOW is called…”.
Mike Wilner:
“It wasn’t a shot at the show, I didn’t think, it was a shot at J.P.”
Wilner you are a hoot!!!
My question: after your suggestion that there is a market out there for AJ, and after you suggested Milwaukee and Philadelphia were interested, and after both denied any interest in AJ, and after both traded for pitchers superior to AJ without making any formal offer for AJ, at long last sir, do you have the decency to admit that Jays fans are correct in their valuation of AJ “the Joey Hamilton wannabe” Burnett, and that there is no market out there for a .500 pitching nutcase who only stays healthy in years in which he is playing for a new contract?
MW: And you expect an answer?
- ProkopecOne more thing:
‘MW: It wasn’t a shot at the show, I didn’t think, it was a shot at J.P.’
That’s pretty clumsy, so allow me to copy-edit it for you.
The best bet would be:
‘I didn’t think it was a shot at the show. It was a shot at JP.’
Or if you wanted to preserve it as much as possible, the easiest fix is:
‘It wasn’t a shot at the show, I didn’t think. It was a shot at JP.’
I don’t like the latter because that double negative ‘wasn’t/didn’t’ is really clumsy and arguably misleading.
MW: Misleading?
- reyesMike, here’s a trade proposal with STL for you to shred.
ABurnett SDowns DEckstein for CDuncan AReyes PKozma BAnderson.
MW: Why can’t you get Colby Rasmus in there?
- AriHi Mike,
How are you doing? I hope you are still not unwell as you usually are. I still believe that the Jays have a shot this year. I think they will keep AJ because JP Ricciardi’s time is running out, and he is in a similar situation as Ferguson was which is that he can’t afford to sell players for the team’s future, but he must buy players and keep his talent for his future. AJ has been a .500 record pitcher,but I think records are not very important. Run support and ERA are what counts. I think Burnett is MUCH better than his record indicates.
Alex Rios has been a major dissapointment this year. I don’t care about his power, but I care about his .170 average with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. Before the game I made a mental note that Rios shouldn’t start because you shouldn’t juggle a lineup that has won 5 of 6 games. I know you enough to know you won’t agree with that, but that’s my opinion.
MW: Rios was in the line-up when the team won the first three of those 5 of 6. I don’t think J.P. is in a similar situation to John Ferguson, Jr. at all. At this point in the Leafs’ season, they still had a very real chance of making the playoffs, because aside from the fact that more than half the teams in the NHL make the playoffs, the league is so screwed up as to make some games worth more than others and to give teams points for losing. Baseball doesn’t work that way.
- WarrenGood post Mike. Sounds like NY was an amazing experience. But what about Alyssa Milano? I guess I had the impression from your previous post that you had a comment on her involvement at the game. Was she in the parade or signing autographs or what? Didn’t see her at all on the TV. : )
MW: Right, sorry. Alyssa Milano was there promoting her line of women’s baseball wear, and checking out the ballgame, and I spent a couple of minutes interviewing her. Nice lady.
- TimHi Mike,
I heard you with Roger this morning stating that you’d love to see the jays take a shot at Manny Ramirez should the red sox not excercise his option. If I remember correctly he said Toronto would be a team he’d consider signing with when he was a free agent before signing on with Boston. I know you feel they should but do you think J.P. would with the way this guy acts sometimes ? Last night being a prime example. I don’t know about you but if Manny does become available I would still stick with Mark Teixera as the top man to try and lure. Having said that there is no question that Manny would be a terrific fit.
MW: Manny would be awesome here, and I think that so long as he produced, people would be fine with his “eccentricities”. I don’t think the Jays have much of a chance of hauling in Teixeira.
- DilsonHi Mike,
One baseball writer compared the Jays 05 draft with the Red Sox 05 draft in his weekly mail bag. Sure Romero was 6th overall but the Red Sox had 5 1st and sandwich round picks. Jays also didn’t have a 2nd round pick that year. Don’t you think such a comparison (especially since players are still developing) is meaningless?
MW: Uh-huh.
- PeterMike,
Assuming AJ. gets traded and that Marcum and McGowan comes back do you see Parrish (with his recent two good starts) being the regular starter for the rest of the season or would Cito give Percy another shot?
Also when do you see Lind moving up from the 9 or 7 spot, anytime this season?
Thanks
MW: I wouldn’t be too sure that McGowan is coming back. I think that Parrish has that spot until they find out exactly how long McGowan will be out. If it’s the season, then Purcey gets a shot. If Burnett is traded, they’re both in. I don’t know when Lind moves up, but if he continues to be the only guy hitting, it may be sooner than later.
- RandyWhy is Wilkerson still in the lineup? Why is Kevin Mench still on the 25 man roster? I have no idea what J.P. is doing as Wilkerson and Mench should not be on this team. I understand that it was a low risk/high reward move though they have not proved anything the last two months. They basically have done nothing since they were brought in by J.P.
It’s time to get rid of them both and call up Travis Snider. There is nothing to lose in giving Snider a shot.
MW: Sounds like something I said a week ago!
- FrankyMike,
Is it possible that JP may be asking for too much from AJ Burnett in the trade market?
ESPN reports a while back said that a couple of mid-tier prospects would be about right for half a year of AJ Burnett. JP is looking for that big name prospect, but maybe nobody feels it is worth half a year of Aj Burnett?
MW: If they don’t, the Jays will take the two first-round draft picks when he walks.
- MarkMike,
I work as a quantitative analyst at a hedge fund and loves sabermetrics. I’ve been studying the records of last yr’s rockies, and they were 1 gm below .500 on July 15, .500 at late July, and only 3 gm +.500 on Sept 1st.
I’m seriously thinking about going to Vegas and putting up some big money on the Jays. They are like 100 to 1 to go to the World Series, and 150 to 1 to win. The Rockies had some young players at the end that fill out some of their holes. Could Snider, Arencebia, Lind, Purcey, Cecil, do the same for the Jays ?
MW: No, they couldn’t. Well, I mean they COULD, but the odds against it are much, much higher than 150 to 1. What the Rockies did last year was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
- johnMike,
Writing on this blog has more to do with being a Blue Jay fan and little to do with you. I don’t need you to answer questions especially when your answers to fans sound like you have an agenda.
MW: Please. If your commenting on this blog has so little to do with me, then why does almost every comment of yours include either you insulting me or arguing with me?
- brunoMike,
Are you still living in that glass house?
MW: How’s that? You’re here as a visitor to MY blog. Welcome to leave a comment, but to paraphrase WillRain from a while back, not happy to just be a welcome guest instead preferring to rifle through the liquor cabinet, vomit all over the furniture, break a couple of windows and then expect to be thanked for coming. You’re no longer wecome here.
- brunoMike,
Thanks for having this blog up so I can comment on the Jays and see what you think on things.
Do you think that the Jays will make any trades before the deadline and what do you think they’ll be after?
MW: Thanks for reading – you could have been a great pitcher if only you’d had a clue as to where the plate is. I do think the Jays will make a trade or three, and they’ll be after anything that can help them in 2009 and beyond that will be better than what they’d get in draft picks should their free agents walk at the end of the season.
- Matt Young“MW: I’m confused. How is how Johnson is doing not the point? He signed what he thought was a better offensive player, and Johnson has continued to be the average-to-below-average player that he has always been. I can’t believe you actually think that signing players who will have a bad year is a repeatable skill.”
But I do think that. Ricciardi has proved that such a skill exists. So far he signed Thomas–who did not have a memorable 2007 and was let go in 2008. I’m not arguing about the Rolen deal, because Glaus wanted out. But Rolen isn’t producing this year. Glaus hit a few home runs for us but never had years like he had with the Angels. Corey Koskie didn’t do well with us, did he? Overbay had better years with the Brewers than he had with us. As for Reed Johnson, he may or may not be doing well with the Cubs, but he hit a 3-run blast against us at the Rogers Centre. How many home runs did wonderful Shannon Stewart hit? OK, how many rbis did wonderful Shannon Stewart hit? And now he’s on the dl.
Yes, I think that signing players who are about to have a bad year is, unfortunately as much a talent as signing players who are about to break out. Ricciardi has that talent. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it is. His character–which I think is wanting–really isn’t important in this discussion. He could be as much of a pain in the a*s as he wants if he puts together a winning team. But he hasn’t, has he? Not only has he not put together a good team, he’s put together a team that is untradeable. I’ve been reading the sports media, and at least one US commentator has pointed out that even if the Jays hold a fire sale, it’s probable that no one will attend. In earlier years we have had tradeable players that could be used to help the team. This year we’ve got zilch. Except Halladay. And they would be crazy to trade Halladay, even for all the goodies they could get for him, because this team isn’t a couple of pieces away from a contender, this team is a hot mess and is light years away from a contender. That $100M payroll is a joke.
Why am I so annoyed? Could be because I’ve just watched the poor doomed Rays belt out 5 runs in an inning against Halladay. Our guys? I think we got lemme see, was it one hit or two hits? No, I think it was one hit. We may yet win this one, but something tells me we won’t. So right now, I would like Ricciardi’s head on a plate so I could put it on the ground in front of me and see if I could score a goal with it.
MW: You’re frustrated, and it’s not my job to talk you down off the ledge. If you think this team is a mess and light years away from being a contender, fine. But if you think that it’s anything but dumb-a** luck that some good players have had bad years following signing with the Jays (and Thomas and Glaus are poor examples, by the way), well, that’s just you looking for another reason not to like J.P. Ricciardi.
- reyesI don’t know why everyone thinks we need to start to rebuild and just give away everyone for whatever we can get.
We already have solid players down in the minors. Cooper, Snider, Brett are the obvious best down there, we also have Arencibia, Diaz both good catchers (in the minors…not tested in big leaguues), Scott Campbell, Purcey are doing ok too as is Jaspe. Seth OVerbea isn’t bad either for pitching.
In the big leagues we still have halladay, marcum, mcgowan in the rotation and rios, hill, lind on the feild to build a team around.
That is a pretty solid core…however all the minors are going to take a aouple years to come up. But we can still compete. All we need is that ONE SOLID CLEAN-UP HITTER and rios back to last year and vernon in his form with the year Delgado was here (not even his contract expiry season ) and we would have a soild lineup.
Mike do you know any potential free agents that the Jays might look towards getting?. I think you or someone already mentioned the possibility of Ben Sheets if he opts out. Who else…especially a clean-up/power hitter would the jays go after?
MW: I’ve already answered this a few times.
- HarryOh and Bruno wats your problem…just answer this truthfully CAN YOU EVEN POSSIBLY HAVE MORE OF AN EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THE PLAYERS AND BASEBALL CELEBRITIES, ACESS TO RICCARDI AND GASTON AND THE JAYS PLAYERS THAN MIKE?…I doubt it unless you are a part of the front office, and then again if you were then you wouldn’t be arguing with Mike?
These are his opinions which he backs up using EVIDENCE HE COLLECTS and HIS PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE. you can’t ask him to change that or rip him because of it because mike has solid facts (most of the time) to back up his opinions. So just stop arguing with him and say what you want to say and ask him what you want to ask him…if you don’t like it …. too bad don’t ask him again in the future and stop visiting this site.
- HarryOh and another question I heard the jays were offered the same package for Burnett from the Phillies. I personally wouldn’t have taken it for Burnett but would you have?
Would you rather take that package (the one with blanton) or go with the two first round draft picks the jays will recieve assuming burnett opts out.
MW: I haven’t heard that (about the Jays being offered the same package), but I was incommunicado for a couple of days there. I would have liked one of Carrasco, Donald or Golson in a deal for Burnett, and I think the Jays are looking for players who are closer to being able to contribute in 2009 than the Philllies got.
- HarryYou’re right, I was and am frustrated. Although that 9th inning did somewhat assuage my desire to kick something hard.
Leaving Ricciardi aside–and by the way, I don’t need any more excuses to dislike him–it’s abundantly clear to me that we need a hitter asap. You’ve said many times that the fans don’t run the team. They don’t and they shouldn’t. However the front office people have to pay some attention to the fans because this is a business, and the Jays don’t want to lose too many customers. They need to do whatever it takes within reason* to get someone in the team with home-run power. These guys don’t have it this season. They may get their power back next season. I can’t believe we’d be this miserable twice. But this year is like a vacuum that’s suctioned all the power away.
I’ve no idea who’s available. I don’t see going the retread route again. I talked about Delgado earlier, and I think it’s a possibility that the Mets would let him go. He’s on the downside now, but he was a popular player when he was here and he does have some power. He shouldn’t cost much, and ok, it’s pandering to the fans. But what have we got to lose? We’re hanging around the bottom of the AL East and that probably isn’t going to change any time shortly.
*That means we don’t trade Halladay. No matter what jewels are thrown our way. Vernon Wells isn’t the franchise. That guy is the franchise.
MW: It depends on what jewels are thrown our way. And as far as the paying customers go, I’ll be surprised if, at the end of the season, the 2008 attendance isn’t slightly higher than 2007 was.
- reyesPS “But if you think that it’s anything but dumb-a** luck that some good players have had bad years following signing with the Jays (and Thomas and Glaus are poor examples, by the way), well, that’s just you looking for another reason not to like J.P. Ricciardi.”
OK. I believe you. Now can you point me towards the players who have had better years after JP Ricciardi signed/traded for them than they did on their previous teams? Overbay had a better 2006 than 2005 in Milwaukee. Others?
MW: We can both look that up, but whether or not we find any (and we most assuredly will) still doesn’t change the point.
- reyesHi Mike,
I noticed one of your callers inquired about Timothy Beckham. I follow the minor leagues fairly intensely so I figured I would give him a quick breakdown on Beckham.
Beckham was by far the best bat in this years high school class. Scouts believe he can hit .300 AVG, 20 HR, and 40 SB while comparing him to Renteria with more speed. While not the best fielder in the draft it is believed he will be able to stick at shortstop which is a rarity for a high school shortstop.
However, the primary reason Beckham was selected first overall was because the consensus best talent, Pedro Alverez, was a bad fit for Tampa. Pedro is a thirdbaseman and is blocked long term by Longoria who has inked a long term deal. Also, his agent Scott Boras caused many teams to consider whether they could afford his contract demands. Pedro was hampered by a broken hamate bone this season, but his bat has compared to be somewhere between Aramis or Manny Ramirez. It will be interesting to see how both these young players perform in the coming seasons.
MW: It’s always fun to watch the top draft picks as they progress, and see how few of them actually live up to their potential.
- Dave JMW: Vito, this is getting old.
Yes I know. 7 years of garbage is quite enough for me too.
- Vito From HamiltonOh and Bruno wats your problem…just answer this truthfully CAN YOU EVEN POSSIBLY HAVE MORE OF AN EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THE PLAYERS AND BASEBALL CELEBRITIES, ACESS TO RICCARDI AND GASTON AND THE JAYS PLAYERS THAN MIKE?…I doubt it unless you are a part of the front office, and then again if you were then you wouldn’t be arguing with Mike?
These are his opinions which he backs up using EVIDENCE HE COLLECTS and HIS PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE. you can’t ask him to change that or rip him because of it because mike has solid facts (most of the time) to back up his opinions. So just stop arguing with him and say what you want to say and ask him what you want to ask him…if you don’t like it …. too bad don’t ask him again in the future and stop visiting this site.
- Harry
Nice suck up job there, Harry, but I’m almost certain Mike can speak for himself.
- Vito From HamiltonHi Mike,
- steve tI saw Wicked and it was overacted as well. Thanks for the mention of the store since then I’ve had so many Torontonian’s I had to look the door. Hope to see you in the Big Apple again soon.
Steve