12:15 AM Eastern
It continues to amaze me, how fickle the fanbase is. Mid-April - “the season’s over!” Late May - “the Jays are playoff-bound!” Mid-June - “the season’s over! It’s a collection of mediocre players who were never any good and will never be any good!” Late July - “they still have enough time to make a run, they’ll be in the playoff hunt!” Honestly, it’s almost comical. I guess it’s part of being a fan, but it can get pretty frustrating on this end.
Here’s the deal - if you think that the Jays have a run in them that will get them into a playoff race, then they were never just a mediocre group of players who “are what they are” and will never be any better. The season wasn’t over in April, or when Vernon Wells broke his wrist in Cleveland in May, or on June 5th when Jason Giambi hit the three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th, or when the Jays got swept in Milwaukee leading to Gibby’s firing.
It’s a long season, which is what I spent most of the first half trying to explain on a seemingly daily basis. That said, I remain confident in saying that the Jays reached the point where it will take a miracle to get them into the playoffs on July 9th, when Wells was lost again for an extended period the day after Dustin McGowan was lost for the season. On the day that Wells got hurt, the Jays were 43-47. Since then, they’re 11-5. If they sweep the Rays, take two in Texas and then come home to go 5-2 against the Indians and A’s, that’ll have them on a 20-8 run and they’ll be 63-55. They then go on a 19-game run against Detroit (4), Boston (6), the Yankees (6) and T-Bay (3 - at the Rays). If they can come out of that in a playoff race, with David Purcey and Scott Richmond in the rotation and with Joe Inglett and Marco Scutaro up the middle every day (I’m assuming Wells will be back by then) - it will, in fact, be a miracle. Which is not to say that stranger things haven’t happened.
As for tonight, A.J. Burnett was brilliant. He walked Eric Hinske three times (for some reason - might have had to do with Jason Bartlett hitting behind him, but I doubt it), but other than that issued just one free pass over seven innings of work, striking out 10 and holding the Rays to just one unearned run. He loaded the bases with nobody out in the 3rd - because of a bad call by third-base ump Mike Winters - but got a strikeout. Then Lyle Overbay couldn’t make a throw home on a grounder, but still got an out at first, allowing a run to score. Burnett struck out Cliff Floyd following. So you have the bases loaded, a bad call, muffed play behind him, and Burnett didn’t fall apart.
Over his last four starts, Burnett has thrown 27 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on 23 hits, walking eight and striking out 31. He’s 3-1, 1.32 with a WHIP of 1.134. Shame he can’t put back-to-back good starts together. For those of you to whom it matters (the .500 pitcher crowd, I’m assuming), he has matched his career-high with a 12th win, the 3rd-highest total in the league, tied with Roy Halladay. He’s also leading the league in strikeouts, which is kind of neat.
The guy is a very good pitcher. I’m sorry.
On another note, it’s funny that in the 5th inning, with the Jays down 1-0 and Rod Barajas leading off, I thought to myself that The Captain and Stairs can’t keep hitting 5-6 if the Jays are serious about trying to make a run. Going into tonight’s game, Barajas was hitting .145/.155/.232 over the last calendar MONTH. Over the same amount of time, Stairs was hitting .196/.308/.375. They had reached the “you’ve got to be kidding me” stage for middle-of-the-order hitters in a big-league line-up. So what happens? Barajas hits a soft liner to right for a single, and Stairs blasts one off the restaurant for a two-run homer.
As for the Jays’ other run, well, the triple might just be the most exciting play in baseball. Back-to-back triples are another story altogether. Fantastic. It’s amazing that Joe Inglett is only two triples off the league lead (he has six) despite having fewer than 200 plate appearances 2/3 of the way through the season.
Lastly, Scott Richmond, of North Vancouver, B.C. was called up from Syracuse today to take Brian Tallet’s place on the roster. Tallet broke the pinky toe of his right foot while on his way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. No word on whether or not he’d been having a nightmare about spiders. Richmond is a 28 year-old righty who is in his first year of affiliated professional baseball. After high school, he spent three years working as a labourer in the shipyards of Vancouver before finding his way to a wood bat league in Moose Jaw. He impressed enough there to earn a spot with a Junior College team in the States, then went to Oklahoma State, then had to play independent ball in Edmonton because he couldn’t get a work visa in the States. The Jays signed him out of a tryout camp.
Richmond had 16 OK starts in New Hampshire this year, throwing 89 2/3 innings with a WHIP of 1.33, allowing 89 hits, walking 30 and striking out 84 while allowing a scary 14 home runs. He got moved up to Syracuse (when John Parrish came up to the Jays, I think) and in five starts there really opened some eyes. In 32 innings he allowed just 31 baserunners (25 hits and six walks) for a WHIP of 0.97. He struck out 31 and only gave up four homers.
Could this be some lightning in a bottle? You never know. Richmond will get the start in Wednesday’s series finale, much to the chagrin of the Canadian Olympic team, for whom he was going to pitch in Beijing. I’m really looking forward to seeing him pitch.
There may be a big to-do about the Jays denying Baseball Canada a chance to have Richmond for the Olympics but the Jays can’t worry about that. They’re 6 1/2 games back, and he has a chance to be part of the miracle. It’s very different from the 2004 Rockies calling up Jeff Francis - the Rox were well up the track (11 back of the wild card on August 1st) and wouldn’t have been poorly served by letting Francis pitch in Athens and taking a look at him in September. The Jays believe that Richmond is the best option to help them win. I don’t quite get it, but I’ve never seen him pitch. The Jays’ player development people in the minors are crazy about him.
Ideally for Canada, the Jays would have picked someone else and let Richmond go to China to wear the maple leaf but, again, the Jays have to worry about the Jays. Richmond, from talking to him before the game, is thrilled to be two days away from his major-league debut, despite the fact that it means he won’t be going to China.
Here’s tonight’s super-long edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
Reasonable, rational comments are always encouraged!
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Mr. Wilner, just a couple of comments:
- Wow A.J. looked sharp tonight. I’ve kind of lost track of what exactly he’s pitching towards now, but Jays fans have to enjoy the ride as long as he’s pitching for T.O.!
- Possibly unlike some of your fan base, I have no issues with the Jays depriving Team Canada of an Olympic pitcher. Summer Olympic baseball reminds me of the hockey World Championships - both of which are unfortunately timed with respect to the schedules of the top professional leagues in the world. I struggle to understand why ANY pro club allows their atheletes to compete in national games (whatever the sport) given their potential financial exposure.
- Last I have to keep reminding myself: “Correlation is NOT causation!!!” The Jays will not continue to excel every time Wells goes on the D.L.!!!
Oops the engineer in me came out in the end.
- James (from the 'Shwa)Was it Bobby Cox that said (I think) you will win 54 and lose 54, but it’s what you do with the other 54 that’s important. So, let’s see what the Jays do with that other 54.
MW: Sparky Anderson said it, or something like that, but he didn’t mean that after 108 games, if you’re 54-54, you get to “the other 54″.
- BrentI think the triples are part of why Toronto loves Joe Inglett.
MW: I think it’s because he’s short and white, wears his socks high and hustles.
- Sam McLeanWhat is the purpose of the 60 day disabled list and does it differ from the 15 day disabled list in any way? The Indians placed Travis Hafner on the 60 day DL a couple of days ago and their radio announcers said it meant his season (maybe his career) is effectively over.
The season certainly is starting to get exciting. A sweep of the Rays and then on to Texas (who they swept there earlier in the season) and then games with the fast fading Indians and A’s and who knows what could happen. Don’t forget the Jays still have 12 games with Boston, 9 with New York and 6 with Tampa Bay after this week. They have cut their deficit in the A.L. East from 14 games to just 7 and one half games in just 22 days. If they play well over the next 10 days or so, they could be in a position to control their destiny. Wouldn’t that be something.
It annoys me that I get the impression that there are people out there who claim to be Blue Jay fans but seem to want to see them lose just so they can see J.P. fired or so they can berate Vernon Wells over his contract. I don’t care if they pay Vernon a zillion dollars. It’s not my money. I don’t agree with everything J.P. has done and his ignorant remarks about Adam Dunn did not sit well with me, but I still believe he always has the best interest of the club in mind and I believe he has tried his very best to put a competitive team on the field. Gord Ash left a legacy of bad trades and bad contracts and never really seemed to have a plan to make the club better. Ash just seemed to react to the moment and traded for the likes of Raul Mondesi or Joey Hamilton and signed Randy Myers and Erik Hanson. I was going through my 2008 media guide the other day and to tell the truth, I’d forgotten about a lot of his ridiculous acquisitions. It’s a wonder I’m still a fan.
In closing, I’d like to say I don’t believe you can accurately grade the job J.P. has done until long after he has left and you can evaluate his performance in 20/20 hindsight. In the meantime, I wish people who delight in the club’s failures would stay away from “Jays Talk” and stay off this blog. I don’t care if they disagree with my opinion, but if all they are going to do is take delight in a bad performance by the Blue Jays or one of the players then I really wish they’d find something more constructive to do with their time.
MW: Placing a player on the 60-day DL removes him from the 40-man roster. It also, obviously, means he can’t play for 60 days, though it’s backdated to the point at which the player went on the 15-day DL. Hafner going on the 60-day doesn’t mean his season (or career) is over by any means, though I guess it could be. For example, Aaron Hill got moved to the 60 yesterday, but he’s eligible to come off of it tomorrow. As for your closing comment, I’m continually amazed by the number of “Jays fans” who actively want the team to lose, either so they’ll be right that the season was over in April or June or whenever, or so (they believe) J.P. will be fired or whatever.
- Jim BranscomePretty cool story about Scott Richmond. I hear about these MLB open tryout camps but haven’t heard of to many people who attend them actaully being signed to a contract. I’m sure there’s been more but the only other guy I can think of is Jim Morris. Hopefully Richmond’s career lasts long then Morris’.
- NickPlease don’t insult the intelligent among us by insinuating that every fan who currently believes the Jays can make a playoff run also believed that the season was over in April, or June, or whenever.
Also, it’s disingenuous of you to point at Marco Scutaro as evidence that the Jays need a miracle to make the playoffs. The Jays have David Eckstein. Scutaro is playing because the manager thinks he gives the team a better chance to win on a daily basis. Would you be so flippant about the Jays’ middle infield if Eckstein were playing instead? Whether you think Scutaro is better for the team or not, the Jays have both Eckstein and Scutaro, and they’re winning with Scutaro in the lineup.
MW: I don’t believe for a second that every fan who believes the Jays have a shot now thought that it was over earlier, not at all. There were plenty of people (though the minority) who knew all along that it’s a long season. Not disingenuous at all to point at Scutaro. He’s not there as a substitute, he’s there as a starter who shouldn’t be.
- ShmuelMike, just wanted to show how the jays hitters aren’t under performing as much as you’d like to think.
Heres the jays actual hitting stats followed by their PECOTA projections.
Lyle Overbay:
2008 Stats: .273 .378 .401
PECOTA Projection: 261 .338 .421
Vernon Wells:
2008 Stats: .287 .329 .449
PECOTA Projections: 270 .336 .460
Scott Rolen:
2008 Stats: .260 .355 .408
PECOTA Projections: .259 .327 .430
Alex Rios:
2008 Stats: .283 .331 .426
PECOTA projections: .279 .342 .474
Now where are the hitters that are under performing? Alex Rios slug. maybe?
Maybe you don’t like PECOTA because it looks at things other then players triple slash stats but please don’t say that “nobody could of predicted this offence being this bad” because baseball prospectus did.
MW: If a team doesn’t have some players exceed their 50% PECOTA projection, then it’s likely not going to win. Of all the players you mention, Lyle Overbay is the only one whose OPS isn’t below the 50% projection.
- AnothonyHey Mike. Through a combination of apathy and less free time I haven’t been keeping up with the blog and such. I’m happy to say I was wrong; it looks like Lind won’t need to go to Japan to enjoy success after all, though it is early. Team slg. is still a problem, and I hear you may have actually acknowledged that to be the case instead of merely trumpeting obp. Keep on given’er. I know the answer is probably “above,” but I’m curious about your overall assessment of Overbay’s season. And, I think Burnett is staying beyond this season. It would be very AJ, no? g
MW: I think Overbay is having a disappointing season, no question, but solid. There’s no chance that Burnett stays beyond this season unless his deal gets reworked.
- GWould the Braves be interested in something like an Overbay, Ryan, and Ahrens package for Teixeira. Having Teixeira and say Wolfe in the lineup instead of Overbay and Ryan makes the team better for the next 2 months, and if you can’t resign Teixiera then his departure provides you with the flexibility to re-draft yourself an Ahrens. Then you have an additional 16m (to the 20m-ish you have previously mentioned) to get yourself a legitimate SS, DH, and thumping 1B.
MW: The question is moot now, but I think the Braves would have been interested in Ahrens for sure, and Overbay would be a reasonable replacement at first. I’m not sure that Ryan would be the guy to get that over the top, though.
- AriHey Mike. Im getting really tired of all the J.P. bashing. Some fans just dont seem to realize that a GM’s job is to put the best team possible out on the field and i believe JP has done a damn good job. Like you’ve said over and over…its not JP’s fault that this team has underperformed for the most part of the season. JP seems to get alot of heat for guys like Lyle Overbay now but lets remember that the season before JP signed this guy i believe he lead the league in doubles with something like 56 or so…and he had a terrific 06 season…anyways Mike…just so you know that there still are some fans out there that support the team no matter how frustrating things get. I have not given up on the season yet…Thanks for being a voice or reason Mike…
- Trevor BMike, in the spirit of making the miracle of ‘08 happen, how about the front office finally getting over itself and signing Bonds?
Think about it:
Inglett
Overbay
Rios
Bonds (DH)
Stairs (RF)
Lind
Rolen
Barajas
Scutaro
Try that on for size. OK, it’s not *that* scary. But that lineup might just make a bit of noise in August and September. And Barry can donate a chunk of his salary to the make a wish foundation, or some such, just to make everyone feel better.
MW: It’s not going to happen.
- GeoffThis who AJ is. He is a good pitcher that is capable of doing amazing things at times and thats what you ask for out of your 2nd and 3rd starters.
As for the discussion about the 3-4 combos, I cant believe you said Beltran and Delgado for the Mets while forgetting about David Wright. He might bad 5th but he is still a a number 3 hitter on most teams.
MW: I was talking about 3-4 combos. David Wright doesn’t hit in the 3-4. I didn’t mention Grady Sizemore or Pat Burrell, either.
- Abdouni. RHey Mike,
I can’t reference my source, but I remember hearing about JP approaching Aaron Hill 2 years ago in the off-season and asking ‘Would you prefer 2B or SS? And we will get you a Free Agent counter-part.’ and Aaron said he’d play either, but he’d rather stay at 2nd.
A lot has changed since then, but it’s something to keep in mind during all this O-Dawg/Inglett talk.
MW: I’m sure Hill would move if asked. He might not be happy about it, but he’d get there.
- ChrisMike
can you please explain to me what clearing waivers means?
MW: Sure. It means that the player was placed on waivers, and the 72-hour waiver period expired with no team putting in a claim on him.
- SimonHey Mike, look what I found on CBS Sportsline
“A.J. Burnett has pitched wonderfully in his past two starts, which means he’s due to stink it up against the Orioles on Wednesday, likely with 724 scouts watching his every wince … David Eckstein has finally and mercifully been benched, and that’s that … On the days when Roy Halladay isn’t on the hill, there’s no less interesting team in the game.”
Bit harsh don’t you think?
What about K.C., Cleveland, Seattle,and the other barf puke teams of the NL?
Oh wait, they live south of the border. My bad.
MW: That was a cbssportsline.com article? Are you sure it wasn’t a comment?
- SimonMichael of the Ballyard:
Who art this character from Vancouver? I’m going to the game he is starting on Wednesday. Am I in for a treat or is this equivalent to the Blue Jays’ brass rearing back and losing control of their bowels on my ticket?
And re: our discussion on the merits of applying anti-inflammatory cream to insect bites…
–
MW: I don’t know if you want to get that kind of cream into your bloodstream - usually it’s not applied onto an open sore, but I don’t know if that would make a difference.
–
Insect bites aren’t really an open sore, though. They’re just swelling from whatever the insect injects into you to draw blood. I’d imagine the holes from the bites are so small that they smooth over instantly and aren’t anything like having an ‘open sore’ in the traditional connotation.
Perhaps run this by the BJ medical personnel before the game tomorrow?
MW: Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to do that. As for who art Scott Richmond, ummm, you should read the post on which you’re commenting.
- JCLHey Mike
I’m not fickle, i still say its over. Am i sold on AJ yet? Yes, he is clearly one of the Jays best starters. I just wish some of the GM’s around the league were sold on him enough to send us a blue chip prospect. The one thing that has always frustrated me about Burnett, is that he is never consistant from start to finish for an entire season. AJ’s raw stuff is as good as any pitcher in baseball (and better than Doc’s) and he has the potential to be a cy young candidate. He just never seems to put it all together, and i think it is this inconsistency that keeps other GM’s from making a decent offer.
Litsch, on the other hand, has pitched to his potential. I’m not sure what all the fuss is about with him being sent to the minors. Jesse will eat up some innings as a 5th starter and maybe win 10-12 games, but his stuff is mediocre and he isn’t going to turn into a dominating pitcher. I think the 7-1 start this year had a lot of people fooled.
I liked the point you made tonight on the Jays record when Vernon is in the lineup. Wells is obviously better than Wilkerson, but it hurts the team with him batting cleanup, especially vs righties. When he returns, they should move him down to the 6 hole. Trouble is, they don’t have legit 3 or 4 hitters on the roster.
- rickMichael of the Ballyard:
Haha, I commented without even reading the blog! Silly me. Thanks for the rundown on the dude from Vancouver. I hear they’re constantly baked in Vancouver.
MW: Good job!
- JCLwhat is the logic of putting Richmond in the starting rotation and Parish in the bullpen, especially against a team you are chasing? Parish has not exactly pitched himself out of a starting job.
I guess they could be trying to catch lightning in a bottle with Richmond. Still, the timing is odd.
MW: The timing is, indeed, odd. But Parrish had had a pair of less-than-great starts in a row, and Cito said he wanted that “third” lefty in the bullpen with Tallet down.
- mikeHey Mike. Can you make every Jaystalk from now on go over an hour??? That would be awsome!
MW: Can’t do it.
- Matt from BCMike,
I’ve had been meaning to ask what you thought about the whole, “Jays play better without Vernon Wells” but as it’s received so much attention over the last week I won’t. However, are you familiar with Bill Simmons, a writer for Page 2 on ESPN.com? Mr Simmons (aka the Boston Sports Guy or TSG) is a proponent of the Ewing Theory, named for Patrick Ewing, former NY Knicks center. Here is the basis of the Ewing Theory:
1. A star athlete receives an inordinate amount of media attention and fan interest, and yet his teams never win anything substantial with him (other than maybe some early-round playoff series).
2. That same athlete leaves his team (either by injury, trade, graduation, free agency or retirement) — and both the media and fans immediately write off the team for the following season.
When those elements collide, you have the Ewing Theory
I think Vernon is a picture perfect example. Thoughts? Also, if you’re interested in the rest of Simmons’ article on the suject I can email it to you but as it’s from a pay section of the ESPN.com website I thought it best not to post it in it’s entirety here.
On a more serious note, I want to comment on Cito’s handling of the bullpen. There was a couple incidents that really bothered me from the most recent series with Seattle.
1. Why did Cito take Brandon League out after one inning on Friday’s game? It was probably his best outing of the season in regards to his command of the strike zone. I guess I can understand replacing him for Ryan but why when we had our 9-1-2 hitters scheduled to hit in the bottom of the 9th? Why not let league go one more inning and bring Ryan in when we’d have Rios, Stairs Zaun (who was in for Barajas)up?
2. In Sunday’s game, Cito elected to have Marcum start the 6th inning when I want to say he was at around 80 pitches at the start of the inning. Marcum threw 77 pitches vs Baltimore and it sure seemed he ran out of gas in the 5th around 65-70 pitches. My question is, did Cito say anyting about wanting to give the pen as much of a break as possible or was this just a situation where hindsight is 20/20?
MW: I’m familiar with the Ewing Theory, but I’m not sure it applies here. Usually the player has to be traded away or injured for the season, does he not? Regardless, it’s as good an explanation as anything. As for the questions: 1 - I’m not sure I understand what the Jays’ upcoming hitters have to do with anything, but Ryan pitched the 9th in a tie game because there was no longer an opportunity for a save situation and because you don’t want to lose the game with your biggest bullet still in the chamber, as it were. 2 - It’s complete hindsight. Marcum should have been fine for the 6th inning, he should have been good for 25 or so pitches more than his last outing. And had Marco Scutaro turned the double play as he should have, Marcum would have been out of the inning having allowed just two runs.
- Jays fan in NVI’m 41 and have been watching baseball before the jays won back to back, however I’ve never been a hardcore fan of baseball but just love sports in general. I love sports however have never claimed to know the all and end all to any sport,unlike yourself your knowledge is very vast. Saying that I think AJ Burnett has some of the best stuff I’ve seen in this game and should be more than a 500 pitcher,which JP also believed. Everyone should know that run support is huge in this game and many of the best have not been so fortunate. Roger Clemons has gone 8 strong in a 1-0 game and still never gets the win, Randy Johnson too and Curt Shilling and I’m sure alot of the best from the past. What people should realize is that the bullpen accounts for alot of the wins and loses. Without a strong bullpen, hence defence, then the chances in this game of a high winning percentage is low. Look at Tampa this year, the starting pitching is strong and their bullpen has improved, having said that their offence is still hanging there,and I’m sure they are not going away easy. I share your frustrations in these wanna be Managers and Coaches, because alot of them are just asking too much too soon. I’m no smarter than JP or you or anyone else in the upper echelon in the game, but I do know that winning a championship in baseball is probably harder than in any other sport, and that’s why winning back to back makes it much more sweeter for us here in Toronto.
Best regards
- DonHi Mike,
File this one under wishful thinking, I guess BUT Is there any chance AJ will, at the end of the season, look back on his time in Toronto and see that he threw a total of 300 innings in his first two seasons and feel likes he owes the club and his team-mates and therefore forgo free agency?
I live in hope but everyone should take a step back - $24 million is a lot of money and I remember what Arron Hill said when he signed his deal - He probably could have got more on the open market but “really how greedy can you be?”
MW: There’s not a chance that happens.
- RayHi Mike,
Back to back triples? WOW.
I thought it was Crawford and
Upton, but confirmed it was Inglett and Wilkerson (!)
Seeing AJ come on like this
is, almost, the miracle. This
is what makes his opt out option so frustrating. I
didn’t, don’t and won’t
want him to leave and if
he goes for one or two drafts
back to the Jays then (without having made it to, at least, the playoffs this year) that
contract seals it (our 7 years of bad luck with JP) for me.
Without Thomas,I don’t see anything wrong with bumping up
AJ and Halladay’s $$ as they are proving out to be the
best #1 & #2 in the majors.
However, Mike, the miracle is happening because of the Gibbons replacement (not just
because it was Cito, but Cito’s presence is a positive as I’ve noted before) but it will not be enough without
that extra LH bat. Stairs and
Wilkerson just have not been
consistent enough.
Trading for Manny could be the biggest mistake that JP could ever make, and I’d much rather sign Bonds as a F/A for now as opposed to trading for or signing Manny as a F/A for next year. There’s no way either are worth $20M, unless maybe as a total for the rest of their career.
It’s OK to have Manny just be Manny, as long as it’s somewhere else.
I’d rather just get a decent player, there must be a few
good options for right now and for the next few years other than Bonds and Ramirez!
In Texas, where my targets sit, Young cracked a finger
last night and Vazquez (the
.310 utility guy that they
sat down upon Blalock’s return and a F/A after this year)
gets called back into service
and delivers, again.
All they want is pitching.
All they’ve got is hitting.
There must be something there.
MW: Their hitting is driven by Kinsler, Hamilton, Bradley and the cracked Young, and they’re not going anywhere. The Jays shouldn’t be interested in guys like Ramon Vazquez and Brandon Boggs.
- BRick in OakvilleDo you really think Scott Richmond is the most logical choice to start that game? Better than Parrish? Better than Jesse Litsch? Better than anyone else in Syracuse? I don’t much care about the Olympics, but the timing on this couldn’t be worse.
MW: I have no idea, I’ve never seen him pitch. However, the Jays have a recent track record of success when bringing up minor-league pitchers in the midst of a good run.
- bgMW,
I agree with you that Manny R would make a great addition to the Blue Jays. Am I wrong in thinking if this happens at all it will not be until after the season is over because a) Boston won’t give him up during a race for a playoff spot b) we would have to give up too much to get him now.
MW: Not necessarily on the first, yes to the second.
- George AWell I for one have been in AJ’s corner since day one of his arrival. It was only, a matter of time for him to arrive at some level of positive consistency and maturity.
In my opinion, the maturity part of his game, I believe, has come for the most part, since the arrival of Cito and his coaching staff - they have added some much needed confidence, a huge presence and a combined aggressive and patient approach to the Jays.
AJ keeping his cool after the botched call at 3rd and Overbays’ trouble, handling the ball, for a play at home - speaks volumes as to AJ’s present state of mind and maturity level. I still believe, AJ, is staying put and will be with the Jays for the remainder of his contract.
It’s a “no brainer” as to Richmond being a Jay Vs going to Beijing! There won’t be anyone on the Olympic team that doesn’t understand or support this move for Richmond. Sure, there will be dissapointment and he will be missed - but overall the Olympic team and anyone with any kind of baseball background understands and accepts it completely.
Hmm…..let’s see 2 weeks of Olympics or a shot at a carreer in MLB, as I said it’s a “no brainer”.
Richmond, is veteran like “hardened” allready - most definately. He is not coming in here “wet behind the ears”. Any player, who has kept his dream alive by going where ever and doing whatever it takes to get to MLB like he has, will no doubt, take full advantage now that the dream is beginning to be realized.
This move is not a loss for Canada at the Olympics as much as it is a gain for Canadians to have a Canuck pitching for what has been labled “Canada’s Team” - The Jays.
I still don’t see the Jays making the post season as being a miracle - it is more of a reality they will be in the post season. When you look at what has been happening for and around them over the last couple - three weeks in the AL east. As I said before the AL East is still wide open, as to any of the the top 4 teams claiming a division title or wild card. The teams above the Jays, right now, are starting show some cracks - just at the time the Jays are coming around “big time”. Vernon Wells is very likley just “chomping at the bit” for a chance to contribute - and we all know he will!
Thanks.
MW: I don’t think Richmond is a hardened veteran by any means, he’ll be as wide-eyed as any 22 year-old making his debut when he gets to the mound tomorrow. I’m afraid you’re really setting yourself up for disappointment if you believe that it’s a reality that the Jays will be in the post-season.
- Bob -Mike is it just me or is crazy that Adam Lind is the hottest hitter on the team right now and he has been batting 8th in the lineup of late.
is it a matter of putting too much pressure on him if he was to bat in the 3-hole?
i’m still a big cito fan either way,
MW: Cito certainly thinks that he’s taking the pressure off by keeping Lind in the lower portion of the line-up.
- Scott M.Apparently Ricciardi has been getting calls on Scott Downs (I’m not surprised!). That’s one guy I hope we keep. He’ll bring us a lot, but if Ryan goes down, he’s our closer. Other players attracting interest are the catchers, MacDonald and Eckstein. So maybe moves will be made after all!
As for last night’s game, Burnett pitched a blinder. Yes, he’s probably pitching for a big contract, but he is pitching fabulously well.
Unfortunately the Jays have left the front office in a fix. They aren’t too many games back and theoretically could still be in it at the end. But they’ve played unevenly all season, so past trends suggest they’ll go into a swoon and shortly. If they’d been consistently bad, management would have dumped players and gone into rebuilding mode. If they’d been consistently good, we’d be out there trolling for the piece that sends us over the top. But they are in baseball limbo. Not a good situation for the GM no matter how I feel about him because he’ll catch a ton of flak whatever he does. I guess he’ll try and stand pat because I don’t see any other way for him to go.
MW: It’s the same situation in which they seem to be every July 31st.
- reyesMike,
I think it’s time for MLB to go for instant replays in order to avoid blunders by umpires like the one at 3rd base yesterday. What a stupid call that was! So here’s my suggestion, each team will get 2 reviews/challenges per game. Simple! Let the game be as mistake-free as possible.
MW: A simple solution indeed. Unless they use up their challenges before the huge, game-changing mistake.
- Beburg aka The 88mph manMike,
Despite the number of people that call and complain about A.J., I think that most Jays fans know how good A.J. can be and are happy to have him. The problem might be that he has the talent to dominate and sometimes he doesnt put it together. Still, you have to love being able to put him on the mound every 5 days.
I understand that you don’t like seeing stairs and the captian in the 5-6 holes, but what are you really going to do without a legit number 4 hitter in the line-up? It ripples through the line-up.
MW: I don’t know that that’s the case. I think that you could have Lind up in one of those spots, regardless of who is hitting 4th.
- JWhey mike,
do you think there is any chance that jp will trade for teixeira? he’s got great numbers and he’s available.
MW: Nope. I don’t think the Angels are motivated to move him.
- jonathanMike,
First off from your Jays talk last night, I heard you mention something about how bad Minor League parks can be. Well I would just like to mention that Oldsmobile Park where Lansing plays is actually a quite attractive ballpark. I highly recommend anyone within a few hours of it to check it out. Especially with the number of quality prospects playing there right now. For the price I don’t think you can find a better value to watch quality ball.
Second, do you think there is any chance A.J. remains with the Jays after the season? By the comments he made last night, it sounds like he would definatly be interested in hanging around maybe even taking a hometown discount and picking up his final two years?
MW: A lot of minor-league parks are breathtakingly beautiful, but a lot of the infields are hard as rocks. I don’t think there’s any chance that A.J. stays beyond this year unless his contract is re-done.
- DennyCall me a crazy fan that just can’t quit on this year.
Man if AJ continues this perfornmance why wouldn’t you try to keep him another two years? I would take AJ over Sheets every day. AJ knows the league and actually may have been on the DL fewer days than Sheets over the last 3 years!
Looking for a sterling Doc performance ce soir!
BTW, just watch how MS plays SS and you know why he is starting over Eck. How he circles the ball vs playing it off to his side, his footwork, his arm strength. Geeze I just gave some of the reasons why Mac should regularily play SS. Let’s hope Mac is in there tonight w Doc and his groundballs going.
P.s. Listen to NESN and you start getting the strong feeling Manny’s fan club is down to no one.
MW: It’s not up to the Jays to decide whether or not to keep A.J. Nothing crazy about not being able to quit on the season. I have watched both Scutaro and Eckstein play short - sure, Scoot has a better arm, but he’s not a significantly better defender than Eck.
- Tony BusseriUntil instant replay gets going, why can’t MLB encourage the umpires to consult with each other on contentious plays? With four of them on the field you would think they could get the right call. If another umpire is not comfortable with making a decision, THEN let the original call stand. thoughts?
MW: I think it would be fantastic if every umpire who made a contentious call was forced to consult with the rest of the crew.
- Shmuel YitzchokDid Stairs HR really hit the restaurant or was that an over-embelishment comment?
MW: I’m not 100% sure, but I think it did.
- Shmuel YitzchokMike,
I would like your opinion on my conspiracy theory. I feel like JP is as honest with the fans and media as he can be. In fact, many times JP has eluded to what was going on behind closed doors, most recently with the question about Cito the day before he was hired on your show, saying that Cito would be a great fit on a Major League club somewhere.
Do you again think he is saying this when he talks about not trading Burnett and do you think he is maybe not allowed to deal him?
The reason I feel this is possible, is that with the additions of Cito, Queen, Leyva, etc. we are seeing an influx of people that are most likely not hand picked by JP, but in fact have some of the “behind the scenes” management of this team voicing their opinions and there could essentially be an internal audit going on, not allowing for JP to make major, if any changes.
cheers,
MW: Good conspiracy theory, I’ve heard it before. I can’t believe it’s even a little true. If Ricciardi isn’t allowed to make any major changes, or any changes at all, then the team is essentially operating in limbo for the next few months, which is insane.
- ChrisI hope you know that “anyways” is not a word. It’s “anyway.” This in reference to your response to comment 14 yesterday. As the son of a teacher, you should know that.
MW: Common colloquialisms are OK. Anyways, let’s change the subject.
- Alex BHello Mike,
Keep up the great work with this blog. It’s hard to get on Jays talk these day. This is more of a couple comments actually. It’s great for Burnett that he’s coming on strong & with a couple of wins, he’ll finally shake that “.500 pitcher’ everyone calls him, not that it matters. With McGowan out for the season, they need him if the Jays are going to get back into it. I am finally going to a game tomorrow, & excited as these games mean something which haven’t been a the case in a long time. I read your portion of the blog & I hope your miracle thinking of that run from now till the Rays(@ Tampa) will come true. Something close to that would definitely be exciting to watch.
- David F.But mainly, I just want to give credit to Cito so far on the job he has done. Not exactly sure if their hitting in terms of stats have improved since he took over but the vibe around the team continues to be different. It seems that their hitting has indeed improved since Cito & the new regime took over. They seem to be doing to small things correctly more often. Yes, the Jays are still leaving runners on third with less than 2 out, but it’s slowly improving & don’t happen as much as b4 as with the old regime. He’s not perfect, just like any manager in the league but how he has a quite confidence in his pitchers & hitters is great for the team & they are responding. I think a couple of games ago when he went to the mound & Purcey though he getting pulled & tried to hand Gaston the ball. Cito, said something like “Do you really want to come out??” Purcey said “No” & Cito replied “Then get this guy out”…Purcey did get the next batter but even if he didn’t, a move like that from any manager is something any pitcher can appreciate as Purcey mentioned & gave credit to Cito after the game. Cito has left pitchers in longer than Gibbons has & even though it has not worked out all the time, it’s the “quite confidence” that can have a positive effect with any pitcher in the future.
Cito & Tennese has also done an amazing job with Lind. He is the hottest hitter on the team & obviously they have influenced his hitting approach as he has mentioned. All in all, I just want to voice my opinion & give some credit to Cito & the crew for the good work so far. I don’t think he gets enough of it here & around the league. The fact that he hasn’t managed for this long is a crime in my view. A great players manager. It will take some time since so many Jays are having bad offensive years but their hitting is slowly improving. Anyways mike, hopefully I can get though to that ever-so-popular Jays talk one day & keep up the great work with the show & the blog.
Mike,
In your comments about the Mets and Cubs, you ignored the fact that the Mets have David Wright hitting 3rd and the Cubs have Alfonso Soriano (hitting 1st but putting up middle-of-the-order numbers).
Sorry, Mike but there’s a huge difference between the following top-of-the-lineups:
Mets: Reyes - Chavez - Wright - Delgado - Beltran;
the Cubs: Soriano - Theriot - Lee - Ramirez - Fukudome/Soto;
and the Jays: Inglett - Scutaro - Rios - Wells - Stairs
MW: There’s no need to apologize. You’re right, Wright is hitting 3rd, but it’s been Beltran-Delgado most of the season, has it not? And it’s interesting that you would point out the huge difference between the top 5 hitters of those three clubs when the discussion was only about the 3-4.
- mikeNice Glen Allen Hill reference there with the spider nightmare. Funny that I just heard him interviewed on the weekend broadcast. Do you recall another wierd Jay pitcher injury ? How about Mike Flanagan in the 80’s. Didn’t he miss a few starts with an eye injury from a showerhead ?
Regarding Canadian Olympic team - they shouldn’t be upset. The Jays made Ernie Witt available in time. The Jays also left Stubby Clapp alone. (sorry it’s just fun to type that name).
MW: Thankfully, the Astros let Stubby go. I don’t remember that Flanagan injury, though I remember Rickey Henderson getting frostbite.
- Ian CMike have the Jays ever had 2 Canucks on the big club at the same time before ?
MW: Yes, there have even been three at once.
- Ian CIs there some sort of unenforced baseball rule that teams must announce their starting pitchers as many days in advance as possible? If not, why wouldn’t the Jays wait until the last possible momement to say that Richmond is pitching? This would give the opposing team much less time to do its research on the new guy (granted it would only be from minor leaugue games anyways). I know they moved Parrish to the bullpen, but he wouldn’t likely pitch on Monday or Tuesday anyways.
MW: I don’t think there’s any such rule, written or otherwise.
- Shmuel YitzchokMike, your opening comments are funny, trying to put an “I was right, you were wrong” face on. My goodness you have be more wrong on so many baseball topics and predictions it is getting to the point of sillyness. I continue to listen to your show (when I can) and read your blog because there is some good information and commentary coming through the callers and the bloggers. I told you before you are a great journalist/reporter, but the information I seek is from those callers and bloggers that have a lot of interesting things to say.
All I have ever said all year (for years actually) is that Gibbons is a a below average manager and will not succeed with this team. You do not share that opinion which is fair, but I am a results/proof kind of guy, it was all we have to go on. You are a more shoulda woulda coulda kind of guy - which is tiresome. Look at the results under Cito and the injuries he has had to deal with. Incredible. You say “I knew the team would start to hit.” You knew Scutaro, Inglett, Lind, and Barajas were going to help the Jays win a ton of games? All guys playing everyday because of Cito? And don’t pick on Scutaro because I can’t point of 3 games in recent memory he won the game with a big hit.
I have always loved AJ, frustrated by his injuries yes, I have even arguments with friends that he (AJ) has better stuff than Roy, but Roy has many other attributes that makes him a better “complete” pitcher.
Also, AJ under Cito has been fantastic, and a 5 year old could see that Cito treats AJ differently than Gibby did - he leaves him in, makes him responsible for his won business even when he is struggling. I think AJ respects that approach and is responding to it well.
Gibbons and JP have nothing to do with Inglett and Lind every day, Barajas as the starter, Scutaro over Eckstien, Litsch going down in favor of Purcey pretty much the same order every day. Overbay being moved up in the order, Rolen being moved down. If Gibbons were still managing we would have a comletely different order, and different mentaltity, a cold Rios (see Rios comments on Cito). So get on the Cito bandwagon (we will forgive you for bashing him earlier in the season).
MW: It’s incredible that you (and so many people) think that J.P. has nothing to do with Inglett being here, with Litsch down for Purcey, with Lind. It’s also incredible that you think Barajas as the starter is a good thing - have you looked at his numbers? You’re right, though, with Gibby still here the batting order would look very different, but that’s all I’ll give you.
- MatthewHi Mike,
How old do you have to be to call on the show? My son once called and the radio man asked for his name and age and said he was too young. He is 12. I listened to what he had to say and it sounds pretty logical so why not?
MW: I trust the radio man.
- MikeyAngels have owned the Red Sox this year. I think they’ve taken the revenge for the last year’s playoff defeat. But I still think Red Sox is a better team than LA. Who do you like for a seven game series between these two teams?
MW: No clue. A seven-game series doesn’t tell you anything about which team is better.
- Beburg aka The 88mph manMike:
Don’t worry, I never got on and off the bandwagon this season. I thought they were out of in in April, May, June, and continue to think that in July. Now they’re entering the toughest part of the schedule and must play close to .600 baseball to get in contention. This is why winning early in the season is important because then these games in August don’t become must win games (I know not literally but they can’t go .500 in August now and expect to compete). While the Jays need to play .600, the teams ahead of them can play .500 to end up around the 90 win mark.
You stated in one of your answers that if the Jays win 2 out of 3 the rest of the season they’ll make the playoffs “easily”. That streak would give them 91 wins and I’m not sure how “easily” that would put them in the playoffs. Tampa just has to go 4 games over .500 to get to that total and Boston can get there going 5 games over. New York and Minnesota both need to play 9 games over .500 to reach 91 wins which is more difficult but if Boston and Tampa do it then it’s a moot point.
What happened to Parrish … I thought he was told that the starting job was his for the rest of the season and they were going to take a look at him? Suddenly here comes Scott Richmond out of nowhere (I’ve never really heard you, Jerry, Alan or any callers/ bloggers mention anything about him). I realize Parrish will go to the bullpen but isn’t the plan to have him be a starter in the future?
Lastly, I’ve never been a real big AJ backer but I admit that he’s been great the last 4 starts or so. Therefore, why do you feel that the Jays won’t even try and keep him here? Apparently starting pitching is so valuable in baseball and here is a guy that you’ve stated is playing fantastic and has the 3rd most wins in the league and you feel the Jays have no interest in trying to resign him. The Jays seemingly have enough money to make an offer. Is it the injury history? Is it that you think he’ll be asking too much?
MW: I think 91 wins will be enough to take the wild card, at least. Remember that if the Jays do manage that (an incredible longshot), a lot of those wins will come at the expense of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. I don’t think the Jays were ever looking at Parrish as a solution beyond being a stopgap this year but you’re right, Richmond has come completely out of nowhere. I don’t think the Jays have no interest in trying to resign A.J. - and the extent of the McGowan injury could change that - I just think it’s a combination of him being out of their price range and him never having had a healthy season unless he’s in a contract year.
- Peter B.Mike,
Last week I heard you on the radio “guarantee” that AJ wouldn’t be a Blue Jay after the trade deadline. Now JP has gone on record saying he isn’t going anywhere….I’m confused….you guys have to get your story straight…Either you or JP knows something that we “mere mortals” don’t. Please elaborate!
MW: Never in my life have I guarantee that A.J. wouldn’t be a Blue Jays after the trade deadline. I may have guaranteed that he will opt out at the end of the season, but not that he would be traded.
- BernardA miracle indeed. The road record needs to vastly improve to even dream of a shot. The pitching depth is really getting tested, and with the bullpen we have, we should be alright. Like you said “Miracle”
I agree with holding onto Burnett. Look at what he has done. He is going on a run like he did last year when Doc was hurt.
If Burnett stays to finish out his contract, I still think the Jays should make a run at Tex and Manny. The Yanks won’t be able to sign them both. Boston may just exercise Manny’s option to hold onto him and make sure he doesn’t end up in New York. You just never know, plus his tune will probably change 5 more times before the season is out.
At least with this latest run the Jays are making looking into August a little more exciting. The will really have to capitilize on these home games though.
Let’s hope the Doc gets a W over Garza at home in a reverse from their last outing. Keep up the good work!! Will big Frank be coming back with the A’s?
I’m going to check out the Chiefs in Buffalo this Saturday night, who should I keep my eyes on?
MW: Frank is definitely on his way back, there’s no way Burnett finishes out his contract with the Jays. Keep your eyes on Brian Jeroloman, for sure, and it’s Ricky Romero’s day to start, so that should be fun.
- Aaron Kerhey Mike, I saw that on bluejays.com it says A.j burnett is starting again, before shaun marcum. It this an error or are they trying to ride burnett while hes hot. Thanks
MW: Nope, it’s just mlb.com’s guess. The Jays haven’t announced anything yet.
- John couplandYou know, it is easy to quit on your team when things are rough… but it is another to stick with them and believe they have in them what it takes to make it, not just to the play offs but all the way. As long as they don’t quit on themselves… I don’t think genuine fans should quit on them either.
- Victor KovariHi Mike. Wow the first half hour of Jays Talk last night was the ‘Lets Fire J.P. show”. I sensed your frustration. What boggles my mind is the comparison with Gord Ash from callers. I don’t need to repeat it here, as you’ve talked about it so many times, the bad moves and signings by Gord Ash.
Does J.P deserve some criticism – sure, by no means has he been perfect. But to get fired, I’m not onboard with that just yet. One area that he constantly gets criticized is his draft record. For me the jury is still out on his draft record. We don’t know what his recent drafts will produce. Yes he selected Russ Adams and he was a bust as so many callers have alluded to, but I‘m not willing to concede that his drafting record is horrible either. He has made some solid picks especially in the later rounds….Shawn Marcum, Adam Lind, Jesse L.
It’s so easy for us as fans (that is what we do) to criticize J.P. for the Russ Adams pick in 2008. But let’s go back to 2002.
The Scouting Report on R. Adams in a nutshell was that he was compared to Brian Roberts of the O’s. (Yes it is laughable now). But he was. He gets criticized for not drafting Scott Kazmir. But even Scott Kazmir (you know Mike, the guy everyone who keeps telling you was selected after Russ Adams) dropped to number 15 in 2002. Why, because he was looking for at the time a big signing bonus, more than what MLB was recommending. And if he didn’t get it, he would go to college and re-enter the draft a couple of years later. So some teams simply stayed away fearing they would waste a draft pick. Lo and behold, who drafted him, a team with money, the Mets.
Remember, it was J.P.s first draft, and the money was tight that year. I can’t speak for J.P. on why he didn’t select Kazmir. Money might have had something to do with it, or simply R. Adams was his guy all along and therefore missed the boat with the other great prospects that year (Cole Hamels, Francouer, Matt Cain, Swisher). Fans criticism then is justified to a certain extent. So in hindsight, yes J.P. was wrong in selecting Adams. But so were a lot of other people wrong in baseball circles about Russ Adams ability.
I don’t like to do this but if someone is going to get nitpicky about J.P.’s drafting then let’s do the same for G. Ash. For all the credit that Gord Ash gets with his drafts (and in that respect I believe he did do a fine job) I don’t hear anybody calling in to your show (at least not that I have heard) about his first ever pick – Kevin Witt (who?). Or that he selected Felipe Lopez (8th) when he could have selected C.C. Sabathia who went 20th overall. As much as I’m a fan of Vernon Wells (6th overall), personally I’d prefer if he had picked Lance Berkman who went #16 to the Astros in ’97. Where does it stop? You said it many times, in baseball, more than any other sport, drafting is an inexact science. I don’t need to tell you where Albert Pujols and Mike Piazza were drafted.
I don’t have an issue with callers who are in the opinion that J.P. should be fired. That’s fine. After all, there are moves or lack of moves he can be criticized for. But please come to the table with a better argument than Gord Ash had an a 88 win season and J.P. hasn’t matched it. Or that Bob McCown and a columnist thinks he should.
Sorry for the long post. Keep up the great work.
MW: Long posts like this, I like.
- Joe VHey Mike,
Long time listener/reader and first time blog replier. First off, I love listening to your insights on Jays talk. You are a staple of my Blue Jays experience. Keep up the great work.
I have a couple of questions for you.
It’s pretty much assumed that Burnett is going to opt out of his contract, and if he doesn’t, his agent is an idiot, as you pointed out. Realistically, do you think the Jays stand a good chance in resigning him this off-season, considering the recent market-value for quality pitching?
One more question.. I’ve asked Richard Griffin of the star this but I’ve yet to get a reply, so hopefully you can answer this. I’ve noticed some blue jays pitchers wear a plastic-looking blue necklace. I’ve seen Burnett, Marcum and Litsch wear it as well as some pitchers on other teams (but in another colour). Any idea what purpose it serves?
MW: I don’t think the Jays stand a good chance of re-signing him in the off-season, the money will just be too much. As for the necklaces, they’re made by a company called Phiten. Something to do with harnessing the body’s positive energy or some such.
- JustinMike
I heard on last night’s post game show that Manny’s favourite team growing up was the Jays??? This is the first that I’ve heard of that. Do you think that Manny would be content on being a DH?
Fred in Ottawa
MW: Maybe. The Jays have a very nice clubhouse.
- Fred StoneHey Mike,
I feel the need to let all of those “JP Bashers” know that I feel JP has really done a good job and has made me excited about this team’s playoff hopes in each of the last 3 years and likely the next 2 years at the very least. It is true that we haven’t made the playoffs, but you have to like the team that we have. Halladay, Wells, Rios, Hill, Overbay, Ryan, Rolen, Downs, Marcum, McGowan are all locked up until 2010 and beyond. That is THE best core of players the Blue Jays have had since 1993. As a Blue Jays fan, I can’t help but be excited about this team!! Halladay and Burnett are 2 of the best starting pitchers in baseball, McGowan and Marcum are 2 of the best young starting pitchers in the majors, Ryan and Downs make up one of the best 8 and 9 inning combos in the majors, Wells is a gold glove Centre Fielder, we have an All-Star in right field in Alex Rios, a 7-time gold glover in Scott Rolen, the best defensive short-stop in the game in John McDonald (Who should be playing everyday), Overbay is a doubles machine, Lind and Hill are 25 and 26 years old and easily have all-star potential. The only thing this teem is seemingly missing is a guy who can hit 40 home runs and drive in 120 but unfortunately those guys don’t grow on trees, especially now in the post-Mitchell report era!
There is absolutely no way that ANYONE would have or could have predicted the Blue Jays offense to be as bad as they have been in 2007 and 2008 after the offensive juggernaught they had going in 2006 and I don’t think JP is to blame for this team not making the playoffs the last 2 years.
Sorry to ramble Mike, but I had to get that off of my chest! Love the Show!
- BrendanNightmares about spiders? Broken pinkie-toe on the way to the bathroom???? Can it get any more comical with Tallet. It’s refreshing for me to laugh as something else he did rather than just his horrible relief 90% of the time.
MW: The act is wearing thin, Vito. Look at the numbers, Tallet is having a very good year.
- Vito From Hamiltonmike what do you think about the jays giving A.J. an additional 2 million to stay with the jays?
MW: Great idea, but I don’t think it’ll work.
- DaveWilner,
I personally believe that A.J. is at his highest trade value and should definitley be unloaded. He reminds me of Darcy Tucker a few years ago, when he was having a very good season and there was debate at the trading deadline whether the Leafs should trade him. Instead the ‘great’ John Ferguson Jr signed him to a 3 year extension and offered him a no-trade to boot. Well we all know how that one turned out.
I would be surprised that there are no contending teams willing to offer the Jays much more than the two draft picks they will receive when Burnett leaves at the end of the season. I have never believed what J.P. says, so I’m not going to start now when he states ‘A.J. is not going anywhere’ (the man has a canny ability to provide half-truths).
Burnett has had a great season thus far, but pitching with the Jays for the rest of the season, won’t get the Jays anywhere, as they are destined to finish 4th this year. I don’t see any benefit in keeping a prized asset like Burnett for the rest of the season.
Your thoughts?
MW: I’m not sure any established major-leaguer is at the height of his trade value at the trade deadline. If I could do better than the draft picks, I would trade Burnett.
- BobbyHmmmm….A.J. is healthy, and is having a career season.
That wouldn’t have ANYTHING to do with his contract status, now would it ?
MW: Actually, he’s having a pretty bad season, relative to the rest of his career.
- FoxyPlease bring Manny to Toronto JP!
- CurtMike buddy,
Following the Manny situation… Just confused a little, Why has there been no talk as to the Bosox picking up the contract with every intention of trading him before he plays another game with the Sox?
I was taking a look at his contract and he has a weird clause “receives a no-trade clause if another Boston player receives one”. Varitek has a NTC, so im assuming this means Manny has one? Or does Manny have a NTC based on his ML service time? Barring a NTC, why wouldn’t Boston pick up the option and flip him in the off-season for the noah’s ark of talent that he is worth?
PS Hows the fantasy team doing?
MW: Manny doesn’t need a no-trade clause, he’s a 10-and-5 guy.
- Andrew (Guelph)Mike,
1. In your opinion, do the September call up’s vary depending on where the big club is in regards to contending? Who do you see coming up in Sept, should the Jays be out of it??
2. Could Russ Adams make it to the game with another team?
MW: 1 - Yes. I think we’ll see Buck Coats, Brian Wolfe, J.P. Arencibia, Jesse Litsch, Davis Romero, Curtis Thigpen, maybe Bill Murphy and Robinzon Diaz, though the Jays don’t usually call up THAT many players. 2 - You never know.
- JasonQuick notes: Your blog is the best thing since sliced oranges.
I found it interesting that you did a Glenallen Hill interview and then cited spider nightmares as a possible cause of Brian Tallet’s injury.
My respect for you increases as I see you are a big fan of empanadas. My concern for your public image increases due to your possible unwitting involvement in the obscene charade that is Kenny v. Spenny.
Looking forward to Scott Richmond’s debut tomorrow afternoon - commence the flag-waving.
Sincerely, Adrian 0T3
MW: Thanks, I think!
- Adrian, co-ALUMNUSHi Mike,
Just in response to your comment on the fickle-ness of the fans. I think it might not be the case that we are all such flip-floppers. Those of us who are more even-keeled Blue Jay fans just don’t feel the need to react after every game in a long season… even if it has been a very frustrating one.
I am sure you knew this though. But I don’t want you to think to lowly of us fans. Keep up the good work. I love listening to the show and reading the blog.
… and I think AJ is a really good pitcher and have thought so for years now. It is a lot of fun to watch him pitch when he is on his stuff, or even a little effectively wild.
Go jays!
Alex
MW: I know there’s a silent majority out there, but the reassurance is welcome.
- alexYes AJ is not longer a .500 pitcher (kidding) - he is 11 -9. Awesome! However now that JP says he won’t be traded we probably can expect a trade. I was reading in the National Post today about the Kenny vs. Spenny stunt - and you are going to be on that show? I hope they don’t say that the Blue Jays suck. What would Josh Hamilton say? What would Jesus do? Being offensive simply to be offensive - not that funny!
MW: A.J. is 12-9 now, actually. That’s the Kenny vs. Spenny show on which I will be. What would Josh Hamilton say?
- DanielCecil and Ricky Romero both in AAA, while Snider is still in AA.
Seems to me Wilner that Cecil will might even be up with the Jays in August. It’s already a given he will be up in September though…
MW: He might be, but not to throw a bunch of innings, they’re being very careful with him.
- ChrisJust saw Brett Cecil was promoted to AAA… a year after signing… Damn JP and his bad drafting :P.
Article link for those who care…
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1435
- Andrew (Guelph)Mike,
Just for fun, I went looking at the stats for the ‘89 Jays team. Most people know that team was 12-24 in May when Jimy Williams was fired and Gaston took over. What I didn’t realize was that they didn’t actually make above .500 to stay until August 15.
And then the Jays went 21-5 over their next 26 games and ended up winning the division.
All this with a shortstop that “hit” .250/.286/.370, (that’s AVG/OBP/SLG) and a *DH* that was even worse (.212/.298/.298).
What seems to have happened was that the pitching went absolutely nuts in August, posting an ERA of 2.75.
In other words, the ‘89 team had a weak offense, but terrific pitching. Sound familiar?
MW: Nicely researched.
- Scott ShepherdHello Mike,
Good win for the Jays. One question and comment about Ryan-In some of his starts he just seems a little shaky although he usually gets the job done. Do you think the Blue Jays have a better option or this is their default closer?(for the next couple of years?)
Thanks
MW: I think B.J. Ryan is a fine closer, who will likely be dominant again next year.
- CralMike unless you know 100% that Burnett will be back (isn’t it amazing he is having a good year in an opt out situation) then they must deal him. You can’t let him walk without getting something in return.It just makes good business sense. Their chances of making the playoffs are still a longshot at best and would require many things to bounce their way. They are not in control of their destiny nor will they be until there are teams chasing them.
MW: And yet, if they’re not offered back at least the equivalent of the two first-round picks they’ll receive in compensation when A.J. walks, it would be very bad business sense to trade him.
- mike glattMike, I gotta tell you.
Your style can be off-putting at times, but you’re rarely off-point.
True to form, you’re bang on once again. I recall you saying about 2 years ago that Burnett was going to finish the final year of his contract with 15 wins and he looks poised to do just that.
Not that you needed the pat on the back, but … speaking from experience, it’s always nice to know you’re not crazy.
MW: It is, indeed.
- AnthonyI like A.J. and always have but I’m not calling him very good until he gets to 15 wins once. Having said that I believe someone has finally gotten to him and he is pitching smarter. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was pitching around Hinske because Jason Bartlett was behind him. In his very good games this year many of his walks have been pitching around guys like Manny and Ortiz then relying on his stuff to get the next guys. There is a very good article on CNNSI today about players on the block.
There are a lot of pretty good hitters available. Any rumours about the Jays chasing after one?
MW: Nope.
- The ChadJesse Barfield = Jays hitting coach 2009!
Analyze that….
MW: You have a problem with Gene Tenace?
- The RatOff the topic question, did you ever do curling play by play in the offseason? I thought I heard your voice one Sat evening.
MW: For the last three years, I have!
- Shmuel YitzchokHey Mike,
Me again, I just listened to the radio show over lunch..
I was interested to hear your commentes around the Angels and Jays. The big difference you ask? Gibbons vs. Scosia (sp?). Cito is managing the Jays the were meant to be managed - the way Scosia manages the Angels. Bunting a lot, squeeze plays, stealing more bases. Hence JP and more likely Godfrey send Gibby packing to bring in Cito. These 2 teams are very similar but a bad manager can bungle that up as we saw with Gibbs.
Another thing on Cito outside of everything I keep harping on. The establishment of the 8/9 always Downs/Ryan to close a win now, never had that consistency with Gibbons and it let to A LOT of late game meltdowns. I could write a book on what Cito is doing differnet than Gibby which is leading to results I just dont have the time right now. If you are not seeing this, the completely different approach to managing a ballclub all I can say is wow.
MW: I haven’t seen a single squeeze under Cito, nor have I seen more bunting.
- MatthewHey Mike, I wanted to know who the Jays would be trading for. Like if they trade Eckstein to the O’s that would be great. Because they could get say 2 very good young players back in Radhames Liz and mabye a prospect like Eider Torres. But I would love to have a guy like Liz on the Jays. and its likely that Eckstein isn’t going to get much more playing time for the rest of the year because Cito just isn’t giving him it. I really like how Scutaro has been playing and even Inglett has been playing as well. I am going to the game tommorow and I think that the canadian Richmond can get a win.
Cheers
MW: It’ll be fun to watch Richmond tomorrow. The Jays couldn’t get either of Liz or Torres for Eckstein, I don’t think.
- DaveHey Mike do you have any inside knowledge on Team Canada? Just wondering if Scott Thorman will be the everday first baseman and slotted in the cleanup spot.
MW: I don’t know, but I’m going to see them all tomorrow, so I’ll try to find out.
- Jay MoraineHi Mike,
I was just listening to the Swirsky show, and the Swirsk had AJ’s agent on. He made mention to the fact that AJ feels the mindset of the entire team is different under Cito, and is a major contributing factor to their recent success. I remember hearing that the Jays are 8 or 9 games above .500 with Cito (including those initial 2 losses in Pittsburgh), are scoring a full run more/game, and the batting average with RISP has gone up 40 or so points. This seems (to me, at least) to be more than coincidence.
I know it’s just conjecture, but where do you think the Jays would be right now if Cito had have started the whole year? Do you think his influence could have brought them 4 or 5 more wins?
MW: I don’t. It’s a different feel because towards the end the vultures were circling, everyone was looking over his shoulder and Gibby knew that the axe was about to fall. Is there a different feeling in the clubhouse right now than there was in May? It’s very doubtful. The Jays are five games over .500 under Cito.
- Kevin A.So J.P. is not going to be a seller at this trade deadline because he once again thinks theres a shot at contentions. Isn’t this kinda what you critized Gord Ash for doing constantly? thinking he’s in contention when theres really not a hope in hell?
MW: Close, but not quite. J.P. doesn’t have that much to sell, and I don’t think that he’d shy away from trading any of Eckstein, Zaun or Burnett if the deal were right.
- AnothonyWho do you think the Jays should trade for.
MW: Jason Donald would be nice. Or one of those good Brewers’ prospects. Evan Longoria would be cool.
- DaveIm sold, most Strikeouts in the AL….and are you really surprised about the fan base? Do you ever pay attention to any leaf fans…we plan a parade about 4 times a year only to watch them miss the playoffs.
MW: Four times a year? The Leafs have more two-game win streaks than that.
- KDya know Mike, the first paragraph in that entry gets to the heart of the matter - unless you have a winning team every year, you are due to have your heart broken. Even the Bombers who win endlessly disappoint their fans constantly.
I developed a lot of my love of baseball reading Roger Angell in New Yorker. As you know, he s a student and writer on the human drama of baseball. His accounts of lifelong fans and their alternating soaring joy and crashing sadness tells me that maybe we fans in toronto are part of a long history. Not that I would mind some wins.
- John MorrisHey Mike,
I’m wondering if you have the inside scoop on how aggressively the jays persued a trade for Eric Bedard in the offseason? Although hindsight is 20/20, at the time it seemed like a perfect fit for the jays rotation which needed a left hander to throw out there every 5 days in between doc and aj. Were they not interested, was there offer not good enough or was it just a case of Baltimore refusing to trade Bedard within the division?
I believe that Bedard is a free agent at the end of the season as I recall Seattle only giving him one year. I think hes still a good fit for this rotation which could still use a power left handed arm notwithstanding him coming off a so-so
season.(albeit on a terrible team) Do you think the interest remains on the part of the Jays, or will they shy away because of the injuries?
MW: Bedard is a free agent at the end of next season, and personally, I would have great reservations about signing him given his injury history and prickly personality. But more his injury history and inability to consistently go deep into games. And what would have happened had the Jays traded for Bedard but seen him go down the tubes as he has this season? Even though it would have been hailed as a great acquisition at the time, it would now be another reason to fire J.P., right?
- alMike, I was at the game last night and it appeared that BJ Ryan had changed something in the way he was pitching. Did you notice anything different in his delivery or mechanics?
MW: Not even a little.
- JesseMaking a run now is what the Jays have to do - long term I think it’s an awful situation for the franchise. Being close is part of the problem - the rays futility allowed them to garner all that talent. I think the Jays need to start over - they have (in my opinion) the best pitcher in baseball in Roy H. - but with Burnett’s potential departure and Mcgowan and Marcum’s health I think they’re in trouble compared to the rest of their division. Sometimes getting close is the thing that can hold an organization back…but it’s also something you must give them credit for (not quitting)…I’m not sure there’s a question in here Mike - I just think they’re not built for the next 3-4 years and it might be time to tear down rather than stay afloat? The O’s did that for 12 years and have finally said enough with .500 - we need to start over.
MW: What’s wrong with Marcum’s health? And the Orioles didn’t say “enough with .500″, they haven’t had a winning record in 11 years. I think that the Jays are definitely built to succeed over the next 3-4 years, but then I thought they would succeed this year.
- GaryYou told me you believe that Teixeira will get a larger contract then Dunn in the offseason. Well, I disagree, Teixeira has a OPS of 902 this season and Dunn has a OPS of 941 and they’re about the same age.
MW: I know. I still think Teixeira will get a much larger contract than Dunn. The proof will be in the contractual pudding.
- andrewHere’s the scoop Mike - AJ and his agent went to JP and asked him not go through with any trade. Why? It’s simple, AJ wants to stay in T.O.!
So the deal is done - don’t trade AJ and he will stay for the full 5 years. Hey, the Jays may have to “up” the remaining two years of the contract by a couple of mil. It’s that simple.
Thanks.
MW: Oh, Bob.
- Bob -Mike,
I have never once said AJ was a bad pitcher, never once used that meaningless line “he’s a .500 pitcher.” However, I think it is complete and utter stupidity for J.P. to not do whatever he can to trade AJ. When I read this morning that he was talking AJ off the market it really frustrated me. I have always thought he was an exceptional pitcher that any team would love to have as their #2 (or depending on some rotations, their #1). It’s also pretty safe to say he will opt out at the end of this year unless the Jays make the playoffs (and even if they did, I still think he would opt out) right? That being said I’m really disappointed J.P. couldn’t manage to put anything together. Who knows, maybe the deals just weren’t there, but I find that extremely hard to believe given how he has pitched over the past month and how many teams need pitching. Whats your take on the situation? Did J.P. really do this because he believes the jays have a postseason shot, or do you know something I don’t about the offers he had for AJ.
MW: As far as I know, no one has offered enough.
- Bryan BI’m an AJ Burnett fan, so don’t get me wrong, but when the .500 pitcher crowd says, “He can’t put back to back starts together.” — they often mean he’s not “consistent”. Personally, I don’t know what “consistent” means so I looked at the standard deviation of his ER in each start. At 2.39 runs/start AJ is the worst of the Jays 5 who started the season in the rotation (Roy is at 1.8; McG at 1.98; Marcum 1.65; Litsch at 1.95). I’m not sure if it holds that he’s been the most variable Jays pitcher on the staff throughout his Jays tenure… but people who dislike him are probably responding to something that seems to be true - you never know which AJ is going to show up.
MW: Except that most of the time, you do. He just tends to blow up real good when he blows up.
- Christopher TaylorMike:
It was nice meeting you before Sunday’s game. Washburn did not get traded!
I love AJ Burnett, but I would love to see the Blue Jays trade and rebuild this team from the ground up. Get some players who are talented and we can control for a long time. Unless we can’t do better than the draft picks (which are always little dicey), I think Eckstein, Burnett, Zaun, Stairs, Barajas, MacDonald, Scutaro, Downs or any bullpen guy, should be traded if value comes back. I wouldn’t even oppose a Roy Halladay deal if it meant getting a super prospect like David Price. I will take five years of losing to rebuild to greatness rather than sub .500 clubs year after year with the hopes of getting lucky.
The organization is not getting any better with Tampa Bay having what they have coming for the next few years and Baltimore making great moves with their youth by aquiring guys like Adam Jones.
MW: I don’t think this team needs a tear-down and rebuild, and neither do you, judging from the names you’ve presented for trade. Not a single one of them, with the possible exception of Downs, is going to be a key piece of the club going forward. I wouldn’t do Halladay for Price, not even close.
- Jim BMike:
I just had an epiphany (don‘t worry, I‘ll clean it up before I go, errrr… leave).
It occurred when I was looking at Adam Dunn’s recent numbers–especially w/RISP. Of course, the Blue Jays can’t use that because Dunn isn’t the happy-camper type J.P. Ricciardi is looking for to add to the roster.
With the trade deadline imminent, I’ve been torturing myself with various scenarios so I’ll be denied a good night’s sleep until August 1.
Then it hit me!
He has a shadow cabinet of sorts–a secret inner-circle of advisors that he relies upon. Who are they? Well, if you’re wondering what ever happened to Barney and Baby-Bop … well wonder no more! They’re now working for J.P.? Can’t you just hear their conferences?
“I love you, you love me, who cares if you’re 0-for-3, with a big pop up and a ground ball to turn two, it’s not a lie when I know what’s true.”
Oh well.
If you’ll excuse me, I have to clean up that epiphany I left on the floor.
Sic’ em Roy–let’s win two!
Best Regards
John
MW: Yikes.
- John B.Mike
I’ts hard to blame the fans for riding in the rollercoaster that the Jays have built for them this year. A team with this much depth and talent on the pitching staff that can’t win on a consistent basis can only lead to a hope/frustration spin cycle.
I hope they go on a run too - but if recent history has taught us anything…more frustration and 3-2 losses are looming.
MW: How about 3-0?
- WarrenHi Mike was at the game yesterday and I was curious about Shield’s outing. He obviously pitched very well and had thrown very few pitches going into the 8th, but then lost that effectiveness. Every ball hit that inning was hit hard, even the outs. Was it a case of fatigue (even though he had only thrown 84(?)pitches) or possibly just lost his command or did the Jays hitters “figure him out” so to speak? I’m assuming its a combination. In any case, he pitched very well and probably deserved a better result.
MW: He only faced three hitters that inning, though they all did hit the ball very hard. It could have been fatigue, because even though he hadn’t thrown a ton of pitches, he hadn’t had any time in the game where he could let up even a bit. It goes with having no margin for error.
- Howey“I guess it’s part of being a fan, but it can get pretty frustrating on this end.”
Right, what with you being an expert and all…
I read as many columns and blogs as the workday allows for on The Fan, Sportsnet, TSN, SI, ESPN, and The Score websites, and no broadcaster or columnist out there is self involved enough to think that they’re actually an ‘expert’ in whatever sport they’re covering…except you…
your blog is awesome, which makes your countless shameless plugs for it forgiveable, but my goodness your ego (when dealing with callers and responding to posts) is becoming unbearable…
‘…frustrating on this end’. LOL, funny that you view yourself as anything more than just a fan with mic and a media pass…
MW: I do view myself as more than a fan with a mic and a media pass, and so does everyone else who sits up in this press box. We’re not allowed to be fans up here, and we have so much more access to the players and decision-makers, that’s what we’re here for - to fill you in on what’s going on. It’s not about ego at all.
- Jay BDoes the Jays recent sort-of revival of late make them less likely to deal with someone in their division like the Yankees?
Jorge has gone down for them, and I’m sure they’d like to have a veteran AL East catcher, ala Zaun, to replace him.
MW: We shall see. I don’t think they’d have any problem dealing Zaun to the Yankees if the Yankees would give something up for him.
- Jasonhey mike, take it easy on the ‘I told you so’ spiel — like who are you trying to show up here?
MW: I’m not trying to show up anybody.
- Paul OI just want them to be competitive, and at least make it close.Even if they don’t make the playoffs, they can have something positive to go into the off season & next season.
I listen to your radio & have heard you say, it would be a miracle for them to make it.I try not to get to optimistic,any time the Jays dwindle down the wildcard/division lead,they seem to fall right back quicker than they slightly improved.But of course this is sports & anything can happen,look at the Colorado Rockies last year.
Anyways here is to a good rest of the season, I know a lot of people ask you about next year & the managements future…but let’s see how the next few months go before we as fans & critics evaluate the year & how to improve.
I appreciate you posting your thoughts on here & love the radio show.
MW: Thanks!
- RyanWould the Brewers be intrested in trading Bill Hall, Manny Para & Prospects for Burnett, Rolen & Ryan? Rolen gives the Brewers more defense, Burnett another big arm & Ryan gives them a solid closer while the Jays get Hall who has more power(which the Jays need), Para another good young pitcher & hopefully one or two good prospects.
The reason I think of this might work is I saw the Brewers on TV recently & the announcers were saying Hall isn’t the best defensivley & nethier is Weeks so they might want more defense & Ryan provides a number 1 closer.
The best part is even if the Jays were to take Gagne the Jays would have alot more free cash to spend & there are alot of big name free agents this year.
MW: I”m sure the Brewers would be happy to do that, as much as I’m sure the Jays never would.
- DMills“I guess it’s part of being a fan, but it can get pretty frustrating on this end.”
Hi Mike - I enjoy your show / blog. Let’s not get frustrated, it’s baseball! As frustrations at work go - you don’t have it so bad!
- TravisMike just wondering if you caught the replay of Hinske’s homerun?? Table points out that on the replay you can see it hit on the facing above. Your thoughts?? Oh ya who is this kid Scott Richmond that is starting on thursday?? I think he turns 29 in Aug.
Take care.
MW: There’s no question that it hit the facing. When Rios went up for it, it was already coming down the other way. Who is Scott Richmond? Read the blog post on which you’re leaving a comment.
- TroyWas Jerry the first to call Inglett “Mighty Joe”?
MW: I don’t know if it was Jerry or Jordan Bastian.
- SimonHey Mike, look what I found on CBS Sportsline
“A.J. Burnett has pitched wonderfully in his past two starts, which means he’s due to stink it up against the Orioles on Wednesday, likely with 724 scouts watching his every wince … David Eckstein has finally and mercifully been benched, and that’s that … On the days when Roy Halladay isn’t on the hill, there’s no less interesting team in the game.”
Bit harsh don’t you think?
What about K.C., Cleveland, Seattle,and the other barf puke teams of the NL?
Oh wait, they live south of the border. My bad.
MW: That was a cbssportsline.com article? Are you sure it wasn’t a comment?
- Simon
Positive. It was the paragraph accompanying their power ranking. Bit of a surprise, huh?
- SimonI don’t think the officials should have changed the inside the park homer by Hinske. Here’s why. Supposing Inglet got to the ball and threw it to third where Hinske was tagged out. Changing the rule with this scenario would have created havoc!!! For one, the inning would not have been over???
Please comment on your program tonight
MW: Evidently, the first base ump was signaling “home run” the whole time.
- PatrickHi Mike,
I heard that Gregg Zaun would welcome a trade. Where do you think he’ll go? Which team would need him? I think he was a decent payer but Barajas is seemingly turning into our number one catcher.
MW: Barajas, despite the fact that he hasn’t hit at all for over a month, is indeed the number one catcher. I don’t know if Zaun helped his cause by going public, so far no one seems to be interested.
- WarrenMW: It’s the same situation in which they seem to be every July 31st.
Yes, Mike. Which is why I’d like to see a change of GM.
You talk in this blog post about the fickle fan base and how irritating it is for you to hear all the ‘they’re lousy!’ ‘no, they’re great!’ ‘no they’re lousy!’ comments from fans. But that is what you get with a team that has been consistently mediocre for years and years and years. They’re not always terrible but they are seldom good, and for us fans it’s like a slight but constant nagging toothache. It’s never bad enough to go to the dentist and have the tooth pulled, but all the filing and filling means that we’re never completely pain-free either, and it’s irritating beyond belief. That’s why we’re hot on the trigger. I’m sure you understand that.
As I write, we’re 1 down in the 7th, and both Rios and Rolen have hit into inning-ending double-plays. Are they bad players? No. I’ve been all over Rios, but I can’t say he’s a talentless player. I love Rolen’s heart and defense and previously he’s been terrific, but right now he isn’t. Should we deal ‘em? Last week I wanted rid of Rios in the worst way, but that was frustration talking. So we keep ‘em. But Rios does ground into a lot of double plays. Rolen isn’t hitting worth a damn. If the team was as bad as Seattle, we’d probably trade them and get something in return. But it isn’t, so we’re hanging on again. All this mediocrity is annoying the cr*p outta me!
- reyesHi Mike
I like Rios, but he’s gotta hustling down that line on the ball (7th inning). I can somewhat understand dogging it in a blowout, but it’s a 1-0 game. You don’t check to see if the ball goes foul, you run first. That’s frustating.
Alex H
MW: He definitely didn’t break hard out of the box.
- Alex HJust another hot streak by AJ. Come September when they really need him it’ll be interesting to see how’s he’s pitching. I hope he’s finally broken through but that’s been said by Jays fans and heck even Marlins fans for the past 5 years.
MW: They’re going to need him in September?
- PaulAh, Roy! How can you let Eric Hinske beat you? Halladay deserved a loss for that reason alone. To let Hinske take the charge in derailing the supposed hopes for a “miracle”, that’s about as frustrating as it gets, given the pantload did absolutely nothing but for one year in Toront. I hate Eric Hinske.
- Vito From HamiltonHow many times has Hinske singlehandedly KILLED the Jays this year, Mike?
MW: Twice.
- Vito From HamiltonMW: It’s incredible that you (and so many people) think that J.P. has nothing to do with Inglett being here, with Litsch down for Purcey, with Lind. It’s also incredible that you think Barajas as the starter is a good thing - have you looked at his numbers? You’re right, though, with Gibby still here the batting order would look very different, but that’s all I’ll give you.
..Mike you are missing my point - take off the JP goggles for a second, the point is if Gibbons were still the manager Inglett playing time would be scarce, Lind in the minors, Eckstein playing every day, Rolen hitting cleanup or 5th..this is the point and you know what I meant..If Gibbons were still manager we would be 5-7 games under .500 right now (if you are able to make wild no proof statements so am I).
Barajas has been awful? What about your “superior” catcher Zaun - go ahead cherry pick some Zaun stats to make it seem like he is having a killer season. I am sorry but the dude is plain garbage and produces less than a York U film student. JP missed the boat by letting Molina walk I nailed you with that at the beginning of last year and now you have to eat your Zaun “superior” to Molina statements. As I said when you look at last year in this, they are in a different galaxy in terms of production not obp PRODUCTION.
Cito has a very suspect team to work with right now and making them competitive. I have been at the last 2 games. Look at the lineup! Are you seeing this linuep?
MW: Eckstein should be playing everyday. Inglett was starting against righties at the end of Gibbons’ tenure, and there was no reason to believe that wouldn’t have continued. I don’t have to cherry-pick any Zaun stats, Barajas’ speak for themselves. .145/.155/.232 over the last month! I can’t believe you think he’s contributing.
- MatthewHi Mike,
I was reading the recap of todays game on the cnnsi site and noticed a comment made by Zaun that he would welcome a trade because he’s not happy with his playing time.
Interesting guy Zaun. We rescued him off the “scrap heap”, essentially resurrecting his career and he gave us some gutsy play and some good years. He very much portrayed the scrappy team player image and “stood up” to Shea Hillenbrand. Hmmmm, I wonder how legit he is. I remember there being some tit for tat with the Zaun-Hillebrand story.
The whole steroid implication with him sort of slid away and for such a team player, now he says this? Fair enough he wants to play, but I wonder how much of this image he’s portrayed is for real.
I know that you aren’t really in a position to comment on a players credibility but I just thought I’d put it out there.
But if he doesn’t want to be here, good riddance. Bring back Jason Phillips. I’m sure he’d be happy to be a part timer.
Also, interesting choice you made in Alan Ashby as catcher for your Blue Jay roster. He was my first “favourite” Jay mostly because I was 12 and thought his mo was cool. But really, how could you pick him over the untapped potential of Phil Roof?
MW: It’s true, I missed the boat on Roof. Zaun gave an honest answer to a legitimate question, he didn’t seek anyone out to say he wanted out. I’ll delve into it a bit more in the next post.
- Oz RobWhat do you think it would take to get Brian Roberts from the Orioles. He’s under contract through next year & the begining of the year I think he was rumoured to be available. He could hit leadoff & he is good defensivly.
Do you think he would be a good fit & what would it take to get him.
Also I’m wondering why is it on a foul tip caught by the catcher just a strike but when it’s a fouled up in the air it’s an out?
Thanks
MW: A foul tip caught by the catcher with two strikes is an out, I don’t know why the ball has to be a certain height in other counts. Roberts would be a great fit, but the price would be very high. The Cubs got close this spring, but the O’s wouldn’t pull the trigger.
- DMillsmike, you keep telling people not to call unless they make logical comments but you just keeping making ridiculously stupid comments. joe carter was an “ok hitter”?? the guy is 47th career home runs. most of the guys on that list were good hitters. and no mike you couldn’t drive in 100 runs even if it was tball.
rbis are the most important stat of all. name a player who drives in 100 runs who is consdered a bad hitter? it doesn’t happen. get your head out of the sand mike.
MW: The fact that you believe that the RBI is the most important stat of all means there’s nothing I can say to you.
- roccoBurnett is an injury prone slightly above average pitcher. A pitcher’s ERA must be consistently under 3.70 to be considered ‘very good’. Here are some of Bob Elliott’s thoughts on Ricciardi
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Columnists/Elliott_Bob/2008/06/22/5953126-sun.html
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/MLB/Toronto/2004/10/05/656776.html
MW: I think it’s fantastic that you make that first statement like it’s some generally accepted threshold when it’s really a number you just arbitrarily came up with.
- Dave NantaisBurnett is in a nice stretch right now but let us see if it continues for the remainder of the season. I wouldn’t call him a very good pitcher..yet. He has an amazingly gifted arm but his record is 32-25 with an ERA over 4 with the Bluejays. To be a very good pitcher you have to have the consistency.. aka Halliday. Burnett’s numbers at the end of the season will show his true colours.
Don’t get me wrong, I love his arm but he has prove it for an entire season.
Probably doesn’t matter, Burnett will be with the Cubs or Dodgers next season.
Double whammy for JP Riccardi. First he trades Orlando Hudson and Batista for Troy Glaus. Glaus was oft injured and a dissapointing third-sacker for the Bluejays. Then he unloads Glaus for Rolen. Wow! Two brutal trades involving the same guy. Have you seen Glaus’ numbers compared to Rolen this year? Glaus had only 1 HR until mid-May.. now he has 18 HR’s and 70 Rbi’s. No contest the winner on that deal.
Wouldn’t it have been great to still have Hudson’s outstanding glove and potent bat in the anemic Jays lineup?
Just one more example why Riccardi is a bust.
MW: Hudson has a potent bat? And yes, the Cards are the clear winners in the trade for July of 2008.
- Kelly PfeifferHuge whoops on my part Mike. I read your lead post after I posted my question. Sorry about that. I usually don’t do that. It sure is a nice story about Richmond. Hope he does relatively well tomorrow. Maybe he’s a late bloomer. You never know.
Take care Mike.
- Troy“MW: The fact that you believe that the RBI is the most important stat of all means there’s nothing I can say to you.”
that’s right there is nothing you can say because you simply don’t understand baseball. the best hitters in baseball are usually top rbi guys. it’s actually quite simple. if runners are on base and you get a hit, you get an rbi. if you don’t get a hit, you don’t get an rbi. joe carter career .270 hitter .467 slug with risp. superstar overbay .255 avg .417 slug.
MW: Really, that’s how the RBI works? So other people have a lot to do with whether someone gets one, then?
- roccomike, you made a comment that “I don’t know” when a caller asked about why tbay wins with similar stats. the answer is this. although tbay has more runs scored but not significant amount I would suspect that tbay scores their runs in winning games not losing games. we have seen the jays down a lot then score a bunch late against the other teams mop up guy to make the game close then lose anyways. my suspicions prove correct over the past 10 losses for both teams. jays scored 24 runs vs tbay 18 runs in last 10 losses. I would suspect that a higher percentage of tbays runs come in wins vs losses. the jays prob have a higher percentage of their runs in losses.
MW: I don’t understand baseball, so none of what you’re saying makes sense to me.
- roccoMW: I wouldn’t do Halladay for Price, not even close.
Not even close? That deal would never go down because it would be the Rays saying “no thanks, Blue Jays.” He could be just as good as Halladay but last longer in the bigs and be a lot cheaper. By the time the Rays even lose control of Price, Halladay will be long gone or not be the Halladay we know today.
MW: I don’t think this team needs a tear-down and rebuild, and neither do you, judging from the names you’ve presented for trade.
I mentioned those guys because you have long contracts with Rios, Wells, Overbay, etc and they do not have much value since they are not performing well (thus, their full value could not be realized on the trade market). Just have to wait it out with them and trade them when they reach their peak.
MW: You’re right, the Rays probably wouldn’t do Price for Halladay either, but that’s because of the insanity of overvaluing youth and potential. Price “could” wind up being as good as Halladay, sure, but what are the odds that he actually will be? And the odds that he will be while still tied to the Rays? Very, very low. I would trade Price for Halladay in a heartbeat.
- Jim BWhat do you think it would take for the Jays to trade Burnett, Rolen & Ryan to MIL. Para is 9-3 with a 3.72 ERA,92 SO & is only 26. Hall has more power then Rolen & it would free up money to go after free agents this winter. What else do you think the Brewers would need to throw in to make this trade or would the Jays want to much.
K-Rod is a free agent you could get to possibly replace Ryan with or you could go with Accardo who did a great job last year(in my opinion) & there are plenty of big name pitchers available to replace Burnett like Sheets, Penny, Sabathia, Garland….
Appreciate your intelligent responses, even if it shaters all my ideas.
MW: Very rarely do you see three players of that calibre get moved by one team in a single trade. I’m not a Bill Hall fan, he’s hardly a power hitter (only one season with more than 20 homers, and that one year he doubled his previous career high, hmmmmm), doesn’t get on base and doesn’t hit righties well. Parra could be good, sure, but the Brewers would have to pony up a whole lot more.
- DMillsYou’d make a great politician Mike. You see only what you want to see.
By the way, I’d say batting .304 with 8 HRs and 40 Rbi’s, OBP of .366 and hitting great in the clutch is pretty damned POTENT for a supposed defensive specialist in Orlando Hudson. Certainly would be very POTENT in this years Bluejay line-up. Wouldn’t you say?
And yes, let’s see who’s numbers are better at season’s end. Glaus or Rolen? No contest.
You know I’m right but of course… you are never wrong. Just like two years ago, when the Tigers “would never make the playoffs”… you said.
We will just see if the Rays fall out of the pennant race this season.. like you said they would. Doubt it.
MW: I love that people keep bringing up the fact that I said the Tigers wouldn’t make the playoffs in 2006. It’s kind of cool, actually, that you feel you have to go back two years to find something about which I was wrong - even though they did blow a 14 1/2 game lead in the division. That’s cool, I’ve been wrong on a ton of things. No one can see the future, and anyone who thinks that they can is either and idiot or magic. There’s no question that Orlando Hudson certainly would be very potent in this year’s Blue Jay line-up, but I think of potent bats as ones that can hit the ball into the seats on a regular basis, and he certainly doesn’t have one of those. Still, he’s become a much better hitter than I ever thought he’d be.
- Kelly PfeifferMike;
I understand that Barajas has had a bad month…but what about the rest of the season?
I get that OBP is important to you, but so is power. You know the reason why the Angels have the best record in baseball and we are one game over despite similar stats?
Home runs–which I notice you never mentioned.
If you take a look at the Angels even before Texeira you will see a much more consistant team of home run hitters who produce more rbis in a more convenient way (ie. a lot more of them at one time).
Now, in the recent playoffs, they have stumbled against superior pitching, as many high home run hitters tend to be high strikeout guys, and thus low OBP. The Yankees have this problem. They have too much power and often end up striking out or grounding out by pressing too much.
The poor OVERALL quality of the Yankee pitching doesn’t help them either.
The point is, however, that power gets them into the playoffs in the first place, especially in the American League.
Toronto has almost no CONSISTENT pop. Wells and Rios are close, sure, in a best case scenario, but beneath them nothing.
Hunter hits more consistently than Wells in terms of home runs.
Vlad does, too, despite his injury proneness. The Angels also have more speed, which makes getting guys on easier.
So does Matthews. So did Kochman and a few others. The Angels had a better offensive lineup than we had in terms of speed and power.
End of story. Barajas plays over Zaun because despite some limited incidents (when he had a bad back), Barajas has been no worse than Zaun at the defensive aspects than Zaun has, and clearly has a better arm and more power, which the team is screaming for.
I get you love Zaun for his commitment to the team, and hate Barajas for running last year, but what is done is done.
MW: I’ll give you speed, but I don’t think the Angels have a lot more power than the Jays. They have hit 24 more homers than the Jays, it’s true, but the teams’ slugging percentages are almost the same (LAA by 13 points). I don’t think that an extra homer every few games is the difference between the best record in baseball and .500. As for the Zaun/Barajas thing, my feelings have nothing to do with anything off the field. Barajas has been an enormous black hole in the middle of the line-up for a month (along with Stairs and Rolen).
- David MoroOk, I know you don’t like most of my trade ideas but do you think this team with the addition of a bat & maybe another big name pitcher or a 12-15 game winner this year like a Dempster or Garland, do you see this team being a contender next year or will they finish third or fourth depending on how the Rays do next year.
I’m not sold that this group of players plus a bat & another pitcher can seriously contend. I remember about five years ago Delgado came out & said Mondisi wasn’t a leader he was a leader & I’m just thinking they might not have the mentallity it takes to win when it counts & possibly just don’t have enough skill. Under Riccardi the Jays are 481-490 & have missed the division by 18 games & the wildcard by 15 games. Although in there best year, 2006, they finished 87-75, the Yankees were 97-65 & DET(95-67), CWS(90-72) & LAA(89-73) all finished ahead of them in the wildcard.
So either the Jays are never that good or just really unlucky.
Do you think they need an overhaul or a couple of tweeks.
MW: I’ve stated many times that I don’t think they need an overhaul. It’s interesting that you’d bring up Delgado and Mondesi to back up your idea that they might not have the mentality to win.
- DMillsThose who rave about Hudson’s bat inevitably fail to notice that it’s only potent in his home park.
MW: Hudson hasn’t been bad outside the desert this year, but certainly not potent at .295/.342/.391 with two homers in 207 AB.
- WillRainMy point is that the Jays middle infield is not weak. On the contrary, the Jays have a lot of depth in that area. They could play Eckstein, they could play McDonald. Whether you think Scutaro belongs as a starter doesn’t matter, since the team has been winning with him in the lineup. In fact, if you think the Jays are better off without him in the lineup, then you’re essentially admitting that the Jays could be an even better team than they have been. So it makes little sense to use Scutaro as an indicator that the Jays have little chance, unless you think that he shouldn’t be in the lineup, that Gaston is incompetent, and that Gaston won’t figure it out before it’s too late.
MW: Scutaro is one of the indicators that the Jays have little chance, without question. The Jays are deep in the middle infield, but have chosen to give the wrong guy the majority of the playing time. Does that mean that Cito is incompetent? Don’t be ridiculous.
- Shmuelm-dub
its easy to be patient when you’re getting paid to follow the team…you should try PAYING to follow the team, and see how things change.
MW: I don’t know that things would change much. The big picture remains the same.
- slobberfaceThis headline is great. Its exactly what AJ is doing right now, selling. Hes an amazing pitcher when his head in it. I cant wait to see what happens when hes “comfortable” again.
- slobberfaceHaha your right Mike, they might not need him then. Based on past performances they wouldn’t want him on the mound anyways. He doesn’t perform when they need him and then as soon as there too far back, that’s when he starts to pitch well again.
My feeling is they’ll do well enough to not be totally out of it, but not well enough to really be in it either come September.
On another note, any explanation for why the Jays have done so well without Wells in the lineup? It hasn’t just been this year either, they’ve been .500 or better without him the past 3 years and I think overall there 36-27 without him since then.
- PaulTrade Burnett and Barajas to the Yankees for Jaba Chamberlain.
MW: Then turn and send Litsch and Zaun to the Red Sox for Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz.
- jim129.
- slobberfaceLOL
“MW: I do view myself as more than a fan with a mic and a media pass, and so does everyone else who sits up in this press box. We’re not allowed to be fans up here, and we have so much more access to the players and decision-makers, that’s what we’re here for - to fill you in on what’s going on. It’s not about ego at all.”
fair enough…thanks for the level headed reply, but it’s equally frustrating when you lump all of us in ‘the fanbase’ together as if some of us aren’t more rational, and less fairweather natured than others…
a lot of us out there don’t feel the need to post about the jays slumps and surges, namely cause we understand that the sky isn’t falling, or because we know we aren’t WS material yet…so you’re not getting an accurate portrait of what the entire ‘fanbase’ feels…
MW: I enjoy hearing from the silent majority every once in a while. It helps.
- Jay BHey Mike. I listen to Jays talk when I need a good laugh. You kissing up to JP is funny. I thought you were a journalist. JP is a moron. He is trying so hard to be competitive ever since the 67 win season in 2004. The moves he has made in the last 2 years stink of desperation. Ohka, Thomson, and the other Zambrano last year keeping young guns Marcum and Mcgowan in the bullpen. What a genius. A real evaluator of young talent. Thats his job. A fat F for that. This year, Stewart, Mench, Wilkerson in left while Lind dies in triple A. More genius. Anybody who follows baseball statistics will tell you that age 26-27 are the players best years. The great players keep this going until 32-33. Then they decline. Which leads me to Rolen and Eckstein. Yikes. Lots of injuries over their careers takes its toll. I listen to JP you and some fans speak of their shock at the offence from the Blue Jays. The only disappointment is Rios. You can’t take a players best year and think it will happen in 2008 when its been since 2005 that they had a good year. Stairs is 40 and god love him he was never that good. Credit to him that he is still in the majors in some capacity, but he should really be a pinch hitter at best. Overbay. Milwaukee couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. Pop question. Name another major leaguer who had their first full season at 27 and had a long and productive career. i know there might be some, but very very rare. Boston hired Bill James, fantasy baseball guru, to be an adviser. He has definetly helped them. Back to JP and AJ Burnett, after questioning his heart, ability to handle pain, and calling him a 4th starter, how is it that the Jays can expect JP to resign this guy. If I were AJ, I’d laugh at him. The only hope the Jays have is to resign AJ, sign another pitcher and build on pitching and defence. Their hitting is a mess. Jp has had the best pitcher in the majors over the last 7 years, and nothing to show for it. That is a luxury that 20 of the 30 teams don’t have, yet the Jays haven’t even been in a playoff race in his tenure. Remarkable. In closing Mike, I heard you the other night say to a caller that Tampa has no guarantee of getting better next year. Longoria, Crawford, Upton, who by the way is 23, just to correct what you said on the air, Navarro, Shields, Garza, Kazmir and a good farm system. Alot not to like with that nucleus. Plus Boston and the Yankees. Looks really good on JP that he said to compete in that division, you need more payroll. 32 million for Tampa. Could anything more gone wrong for Jp this year, which is hopefully his last as the gm.
MW: Again - not worthy of a response.
- Dave B