Just wanted to comment about a caller pointing out A.J. Burnett and his .500 record he is known for. You were all over the poor guy telling him a .500 record means ‘nothing’. I must agree that if A.J. Burnett’s pitching is consistent then his record doesn’t really mean a lot…but… A.J’s record this year has been anything but consistent. Of the 10 games the Jays won (dropping his worst decision for statistical purposes) when he started he pitched superb. His WHIP was 1.20 which would place him around 10th out of all starters in the A.L. and his E.R.A. during those 10 games was a paltry 2.44 placing him 3rd in the A.L. well ahead of Roy Halladay!

Of the 9 games the Jays lost while he pitched (I dropped his best outing for statistical purposes and an extra inning game he got rung up when they brought him in as a non-starter) he pitched horribly. His WHIP was 1.74 and his E.R.A. was a dismal 7.03!

I don’t know what the rest of his carreer has been like statistically but I think the caller made a valid point regarding this year anyway. I feel the same way as he did. A.J. Burnett can be extraordinarily proficient and frustratingly inefficient. He is a real Jeckyl and Hyde with a lifetime winning percentage sitting around .500. He certainly has the potential to be a great pitcher but doesn’t a guy have to show some sort of consistency to be considered a player of that level?

Cheerz, Jim

MW: If you look at the numbers he’s put up over the course of his career, you’ll see that they’re very, very good. Comparable even to Roy Halladay. This year, you’re exactly right though. And, “for statistical purposes”?

In regards to my post (#78), you are right. 13 other teams past on Hamels, Cain, Kazmir, Swisher, Blanton, Loney and Francouer, just like JP did when he selected Russ Adams. But who did some of those teams select instead ? Prince Fielder, Joe Saunders, Zack Grienke, Jeff Francis, Jeremy Hermida and BJ Upton.

MW: OR Bryan Bullington (1st overall), Chris Gruler, Adam Loewen, Clint Everts, Scott Moore and Drew Meyer. You’re really cherry-picking there.

MW: Almost always, but when you have a poorer hitter like Scutaro and 3-4-5 behind him, why not go after him if you’re overpowering like Morrow?

MW: There’s no age limit. We don’t put a lot of teenagers on the show, but if a younger kid has a point and can speak about it intelligently, I have no problem getting that caller on.

I was at the game last night and it was painful watching Parrish pitch – Man, is he slow…. I could have gone for coffee and cooked eggs between his pitches.

It was a great ending, but watching Rolen hit was not pretty. Twice he came on with men on first and second – same result, four times at bat, four times grounding to the short stop.

Mike, two questions – do veterans still consult the coaches for help when they are in a slump. I don’t know if it is my imagination, but Rolen just does not look comfortable at the plate. It seems that hs has problem hitting the ball out of the infield.

I know that the Jays seems to have a lot of prospect in the minors; first base, catching, pitching and outfield. Do they have anyone playing third base who can step up in two or three years?

MW: Robinzon Diaz might be the guy who takes over at third base, though Kevin Ahrens is the stud first-rounder making his way up. By the way, Rolen only grounded out to short twice last night.

.999, .861, and .870 this year.

I’ll take that, wouldn’t you?

MW: That’s pretty swell. Check out Will’s comment above.

Why all the great things in the world end with ‘uck’, eg. buck, luck e.t.c? Jays need some more luck like last night, so that punters could make a buck and we all could go home happy and tuck in the bed. What a win! Thanks Ichiro.

MW: I’m not avoiding you, you just don’t often leave comments that require a response.

But if you were saying that the players were getting back to where they should be–and I agree with you–I think ‘regression’ might not be a word I would use there because it has negative connotations. May I suggest ‘return’ instead?

In any case, yes I was cheesed-off at the way the hitters weren’t hitting last night. Especially my pet goat Mr A____ R____. However Luck decided to get involved in a good way this time and we won the game via Mighty Joe.

Who is beginning to heal the break in my heart left by the departure of Reed Johnson.

MW: I love that Joe Inglett is becoming the new folk hero for those who still can’t get over the release of Reed Johnson. What is it with short, scrappy, white guys with limited talent and results? Alex Rios, who you love to hate, is a far, far better player than either one of those guys, and is having a far, far better year.

Here’s Carlos year by year for his time in NY, road averages only:

06 – .304 .390 .608 .998
07 – .288 .351 .519 .870
08 – .289 .348 .512 .860

Not the numbers of his prime – and certainly not preferable to, for instance, Man-Ram….but still a reasonable consideration, especially on a one-year “value rebuilding” deal like Thomas signed in Oakland in 2006.

Call it “Plan C”

MW: Maybe Plan “D”. Manny, Thome and Giambi would be the first three plans for me.