10:45 PM Eastern
A holiday Monday Tour de Force by Roy Halladay, and the Blue Jays taking advantage of a struggling team – that’s exactly how things are supposed to go. If the Jays had been this opportunistic over the first 111 games of the schedule, we wouldn’t be talking about how they need a miracle to make the playoffs.
Tonight, they scored early and often, and did it in an unusual fashion. The first two Jays’ runs came on hit batsmen with the bases loaded, and the third scored on a passed ball. Not the sort of thing we’re used to in the land of bases-loaded strikeouts, pop-ups and double-play balls.
The Jays had five opportunities to score a runner from third with less than two out and cashed all five.
Halladay was at his dominant best, holding the league’s worst-hitting team to just four safeties over eight innings. Outside the Bobby Crosby homer in the 8th, he allowed a ground single up the middle, a bloop single that fell in front of a hard-charging (yes, hustling) Alex Rios, and a liner to deep left by Jack Cust that got over Adam Lind’s head. A better left fielder probably catches that ball, but Lind more that makes up with his bat for being an average to below-average defensive outfielder.
With Halladay operating the way he was, there was no need to pile on, but it would have been nice to see the Jays not shut down offensively in the middle part of the game. They didn’t score in four innings against the just-called-up Dan Meyer, although they did manage a hit in every inning – a far cry from last night in Texas. The A’s looked every bit the death-spiralling team that has lost 15 of its last 17.
Finally, I got a chance to have a good, long talk with Scott Richmond before the game, and he came across as a pretty run-of-the-mill, ordinary guy – and I say that in a good way. He talked about dreaming about playing pro ball, but he also wanted to take a year off after high school and wound up getting a job that paid well and decided to stick with that for a while. Of course, his story differs from a lot of ours because he was actually really, really good at throwing a baseball, and he eventually wound his way into the majors. Although he did say he wished he was in Beijing with the rest of the Canadian Olympic team, he also said that playing in the majors is his dream, and he couldn’t be happier to be in the bigs with the Blue Jays. You can hear the whole interview in the hot audio section of the website.
Look, every ballplayer’s dream is to compete at the highest level, and that’s the big leagues. If you’re not in the big leagues, then something like the Olympic team is a wonderful opportunity. Richmond wants to be here, with the Jays, and doesn’t believe that there should be any backlash against the Jays’ front office for calling him up when they did.
Here’s tonight’s episode of The JaysTalk – extendo and all – for your listening pleasure:
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Reasonable, rational comments are always encouraged!
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68 Responses to “That’s More Like It”
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Richmond seems to have a decent head on his shoulders, and that’s great. He’s very fortunate to be getting this opportunity to stick around for a while.
Personally, however, I’m NOT impressed with the comments made by JP regarding this whole situation, and any backlash he gets for his comments is well-deserved. For Richmond, it’s great that he’s getting this opportunity. But the other guys on the Canadian team shouldn’t be insulted for being proud to play for their country, and unfortunately, that’s how JP came across – as insulting, at least to me. I’m sure most of the guys on the team didn’t have the sole ambition of making it to the Olympics, but for most of them, playing for Team Canada is going to be the most exposure they’re going to get. Isn’t JP wonderful for letting this poor Canadian boy live the REAL dream. Please.
MW: You don’t like Ricciardi, and therefore no matter what he says, you’re going to interpret it as arrogant and insulting. The truth is that the major leagues is the pinnacle of success in baseball, not the national team. Ricciardi didn’t say anything insulting about being proud to play for one’s country.
- eHello Mike, that was a close call with a foul ball back into the FAN590 booth tonight…my question: I was at the game and couldn’t tell which one of the three of you it was that almost made the grab. Could you enlighten me? Thank you and keep up the great work.
MW: The ball was hit at me, but I wasn’t watching. No one almost made the grab, the ball almost caught us.
- ThomasHey Mike,
With Travis Snider the most talked about prospect in the Jays system, when he arrives (and assuming he succeeds) the Jays will have 4 outfielders that deserve to play every day. Do you think it would be worthwhile for the Jays to trade one of their outfielders, or just move one of them (Lind or Snider I’d imagine) to first-base?
If you think they’d be better off making a trade, which of the outfielders would you choose to go? Financially, Rios or Wells would probably make more sense, but depending on how well Lind and Snider do, who knows who would bring in the biggest return. If you think trading one of those outfielders is the best option, would you do it this off-season, or wait until Snider has proven himself as a major leaguer?
MW: You don’t have a surplus of major-league OFs until you know that they can all play in the bigs. That said, if Snider does wind up being a bust, then he has greater value now. I don’t have a problem with keeping all four of them, though.
- BretHi Mike.
Help me out. First off, if AJ opts out at the end of the year, the Jays will receive picks ranging from 31-50. is this correct? Secondly, JP says he had no takers for AJ that would be at least equal to that price. correct? Thirdly, If a team gave up those two players for AJ, would they then receive the two compensatory picks ranging from 31-50? Therefore in my books, a team would on average come out even with those picks and then therefore basically giving up nothing for AJ? Now, wouldn’t it then be prudent for the trading team to give up that third and fourth prospect (the players they would actually be losing in the trade). I don’t understand why teams like the Mets, D-backs, or even the Dodgers make the trade. Help me.
Bob in Guelph
MW: If A.J. opts out, the Jays likely get one pick between 16-30 and another between 31-45ish, depending on how big the sandwich round is. J.P. never said anything to that effect. Yes, whichever team A.J. opts out of his contract with would get the picks. You lost me after that.
- BobHey Mike, have you seen the movie The Dark Knight yet? I say Ted Rodgers helps produce a spinoff of the movie called The “Doc” Knight. Just think. You could get a guy like Manny Ramirez to play the Joker… or the Manny… Spoiler alert!!! In the end The Doc defeats the Manny and Jays fans go home happy. It might not work now cuz of Manny now a Dodger. Tell me who you would have as the villan. A-Rod???
MW: The Doc Knight?
- Matt from BCHow much is Scott Richmond going to be paid? In Beijing history will be made. Jesse Owens defying Hitler or Tommie Smith and John Carlos battling for civil rights. Personally I watch every Jays game and listen and read your comments devotedly but the rest of the 6,602,224,175 will be watching the Olympics. The Olympics in China are very very important – even if you’re not a sports fan.
MW: Politically, the Olympics very well could be extremely important – but not for Scott Richmond’s career.
- DanielYou have had some insane points on your Jays Talk but the Peavy being better then Levya may taken the cake . I actullay went stunned silent Marty Peavy made some of the worst decisons of all time at 3 rd . The Jays will sweep Oakland and win 2 on the weekend .
- Grant SteinerImagine if Roy Halladay ever pitched in New York or Boston..He would be hailed as the best pitcher of all time..He would make a heck of alot more money then he is making now..Hands down, he is the best pitcher in Baseball over the last 5 years..
Year after year this guy gives heart and soul to this team and what does he get in return?…Not much..He gets to play baseball in a city that is second fiddle to a pathetic hockey team..Barely any national coverage and a team that isn’t much better then .500 year after year..Why does he want to play here?..Is this guy not a in a league of his own or what?..I just can’t understand why this organization can’t put together a better outfit around him..He is stuck with a useless general manager and an owner who seems satisfied with a mediocre ball team..Why else wouldn’t the Jays front office have fired Riccardi by now?..Sure we could make some arguements that this team should be better but it isn’t..We can argue that Riccardi hasn’t done a horrible job but at the end of the day its about results and there hasn’t been any in 7 years..
Halladay has a few more seasons left here and thats about it..The only thing we can do now is enjoy it..
- gumpHi Mike :
Is there any reason for us having to put up with the commercials while waitng for the extendo? The person responsible should be sterilized, either that, or be made to eat a “gas station hot dog” or two.
Running as hot and cold as this team is, they are on track for 25 more wins….total of 81-81 for this year. Let’s see how close “Swami Jack” will be.
MW: Sterilized?
- JackHi Mike,
I think I read it on here that if a player goes on waivers and gets claimed, the team the player is currently on could try to make a trade with the team that tried to claim him.
Isn’t it possible to just get the team you are trying to make the trade with to claim the player off waivers and then work out a trade?
MW: Sure.
- WesleyDo you know if we have any Scott Boras clients on our team? Also, do you think Ted Rogers will open up his wallet and allow the blue jays to make a big splash through trades and free agency?
MW: I don’t think there are any Boras guys on team. The payroll has gone up from $50M to $70M to $100M in the last four years.
- andrewA big THANK YOU to Jerry Howarth for his pre-game interview with Ray Fosse. Ray was my favorite baseball player as a kid. I’m glad he still has a job in baseball as it allows me to keep track of how he’s doing these days. His last major league at-bat was a triple off Jerry Koosman of the Twins on the last day of the 1979 season. Oh, the memories.
The way they have gutted their team, one has to wonder why the A’s even bothered to sign Frank Thomas in the first place. It was common knowledge all season long that they were not finished overhauling their club.
I think the Reed Johnson apologist need to move on. I find people calling “Jay’s Talk” to express their angst over his release 5 months ago are becoming redundant. The Jays have commited to Rios and Wells long term and Adam Lind is the leftfielder of the future. While having Reed on the club this year would have been nice, the truth is there was no place for him next year except in a reserve role. Reed also could not have saved this year’s club. He could not have made Rolen, Rios and Overbay more productive. He could not have saved Dustin McGowan from injury, nor could he have saved Jesse Litsch from his prolonged slump. It will be interesting to see what Cubs management thinks of him. Will they re-sign him? Will he get anything better than a minor league deal? Time will tell. In the meantime, it’s pointless for people to continue to exhaust large portions of “Jay’s Talk” lamenting his departure. Reed’s gone, it’s time to move on.
MW: The A’s signed Thomas because he didn’t cost them anything, and they weren’t stealing DH at-bats from a developing player.
- Jim Branscomehi mike, just wondering if all the flack david eckstein is recieving is from the collision with hill as he had two hits yesterday one being a nice double, I think the jays should platoon him with stairs as matt can’t hit lefties very well. outstanding job by halladay, almost seems as if he feeds off a.j burnett’s performances but halladay still the ace of the staff, thnks keep up the good work!
MW: I don’t think that Eckstein is receiving any flack at all, and if he was, it certainly wouldn’t have anything to do with the collision with Hill – that was Hill’s fault.
- robert sGood morning Mike, hope you’re well. I’m sure I’m asking a question that you have been asked before, so I will apologize and if you don’t wish to answer now, would you please direct me to the rough area in which I could find it? I am crazy busy during the summer and haven’t had time lately to do more than lightly skim the comments, sorry.
There’s a lot of talk about moving Hill to shortstop next season and leaving Inglett at second. I know this is based on HIll coming up as a shortstop, but he’s (in my and many other’s opinions) a superior second baseman. Inglett is touted as a utility player, and while I’m super impressed with him this season, one of his hallmarks seems to be versatility. Why not try him out at short, instead of moving Hill from a position which seems to suit him right down to the gound? Or, as I would choose, why not keep Inglett as our utility guy and give Johnny Mac the shortstop job back (so long as the players who should be hitting are hitting) using Inglett as our first guy off the bench? What do you think Mike? Thanks.
MW: I certainly don’t mind having McDonald start at short and Hill at second next season, but I think the team needs more offense than that. The question is – how much more offense does Inglett provide over Johnny Mac, and it that worth the difference between having Joe at second and Hill at short relative to Hill and Mac up the middle? The answer is that Inglett probably doesn’t provide enough with the bat to make up that difference. Inglett isn’t an option at short.
- kitaHey Mike
I think this would be a pitching staff and line-up built too win next year.
Pitchers
1.Halladay
2.Marcum
3.Burnett(if he doesn’t opt out) or Dempster for 10 to 13 mil.
4.McGowan
5.Purcey
Line-up
1.Rios RF
2.Hill 2B
3.Lind LF
4.Wells CF
5.Manny Ramirez(if we can get him)if not then a platoon of either Griffey and Synder/Diaz or Giambi and Synder/Diaz.DH
6.Arencibia C
7.Overbay 1B
8.Rolen 3B
9.Scutaro SS
A bullpen anything near this years and a bench with experienced hitters.
WHATAYATHINK!!!
Anything you strongly disagree with?
MW: Snider is a left-handed hitter, so platooning him with Ken Griffey, Jr. or Giambi doesn’t really make sense. I have a hard time thinking that Manny Ramirez should hit 5th with Adam Lind and Vernon Wells as the 3-4. I don’t think Arencibia is going to be ready for a position of such prominence in a big-league line-up next year, I think Rolen and Overbay should hit much higher, and I don’t think Marco Scutaro is the everyday answer at short. Of course, I’m no big fan of Rios at the top, either.
- stewyHi, Mike:
I’ve just noticed in the New Hampshire stats a guy named Kyle Phillips, who it seems may have some potential.
He is a 24-year old LH hitter, who apparently is a DH/1B type (not sure if he also plays OF). Last year at Dunedin his numbers were .306/.360/.432, with 10 HR & 62 RBI in 104 games. So far this year at NH he is hitting .305/.361/.444 in 70 games, with 6 HR, but only 27 RBI.
The intriguing part is that he has improved pretty steadily this year — BA .247 in April, .327 in May, slight drop off to .286 in June, then .362 in July, and .375 so far in August (small sample size).
Do you know how he is ranked by the Jays’ management, Mike?
MW: Nope, but I’ll try to find out.
- NormMike,
Wondering if there have been any rumblings (Cito or higher up) about a permanent of Rios to CF and Wells to RF? Maybe to save Wells body a little bit.
I wasn’t able to make it to Buffalo on Saturday night because of long border wait and the rain that poured in the area for much of the afternoon and evening. Hoping to get over there some time.
Any chance that Halliday works the same charm on Burnett and he decides to stay through the current contract? If Burnett opts out, you let him go, but I would welcome him back. I think the expectations placed on him because of size of contract were a bit too high. I expect between 15-20 wins a season for the #2 starter (I lean closer to 15, but a couple of breaks in some games and that number increases). Thoughts?
MW: This is the first time Burnett has had over 10 wins in the course of his contract, so he’d be far below your expectations so far. Wins aren’t a big deal to me (for starting pitchers). I don’t think Burnett stays if he’s healthy, it’d just be a very bad business decision.
- Aaron KerHello Mr. Wilner,
I was wondering whether the games lost to injury for the Blue Jays in the last two seasons is low, league average, or higher than average. After trying to google info, I realized just how common it is for teams to lose players to injury – it seemingly happens to all teams in substantial numbers if you look at the number of internet articles.
Do you know of a source for season (2007) stats for players/games lost to injury and how the Jays might stack up against the league?
Thanks for any help you might be able to give.
MW: I actually don’t know of a good source for that info off the top of my head, though I’m sure it’s available somewhere. I would be stunned if the Jays weren’t well above-average the last two seasons.
Kenl
- kenlWell, here we are again. The excitement for the remainder of the season will be whether Roy will bulldog his way to another Cy Young. Subplot 1 : will AJ finally grow up under Cito’s benign leadership? Subplot 2: will Wells & Rios shed their ennui at bat and in the field?
- GerryHi Mike,
What stat is TBF and what does it mean? I saw it on a scorecard but I’ve never heard of the stat. Thanks for answering.
MW: Total Batters Faced
- MikeyHi Mike,
What stat is HB and what does it mean? Thanks for answering.
MW: Hit Batters
- MikeyHi Mike,
Just a quick question. What is a balk and why are they charged to pitchers?
MW: Balks are defined as deliberate attempts to deceive a baserunner, and pitchers are the ones who commit them. A catcher can balk, too, but that’s rarely seen. Once a pitcher comes set at the top of his stretch, he can’t move other than to deliver the pitch unless he steps off the rubber. It’s slightly different for lefties, or for righties throwing to third. Pitchers also have to come to a complete, discernable stop in coming to the stretch position.
- MikeyMW: Two big bats would definitely push this team to near the top of the heap.
couldn’t you say that about probally 25 teams in major league baseball?
MW: Probally?
- Dan MMike,
It is difficult to say that there is anyone way to win a world series or make the playoffs. So while your right that you dont need a 1st basemen to hit 30hrs to win, so do need a certain about of offense to win, which depends in part on how many runs you give up.
Now, it doesn’t matter if your runs are created by your 1st basemen or your 2nd basemen or your SS or etc. So your comparison of Youk to Overbay only holds water if all else is equal. Which it isn’t. Which means the slack has to be picked up by someone…overbay, is what i would think, is an obvious option.
2007 Soxs – 829 runs scored
2007 jays – 719 runs scored
MW: I’ll never argue that point. I’ll only argue the opinion that “the first baseman has to hit 30+ homers in order for a team to win a championship”.
- JWHey Mike pretty funny you really had no answer for my comments on Burnett last week.Its also comical how you get insulted when someone rips you but when you talk down to callers thats fine.You stated to a caller last week that he should do his homework before he calls.If only you did your homework the show would be a lot better.In the begining of the year you said Adam Dunn would be a great fit for this team. If you would of done your homework you would of known what everyone already knew about Adam Dunn.What j.P. said was well known around baseball.How about Barry Bonds you didnt understand why the Jays didnt pursue him, funny that no team in baseball has picked him up.IF ONLY YOU WOULD DO YOUR HOMEWORK
MW: I didn’t comment on your previous comment for the same reason I’m not addressing this one – neither are worthy of comment.
- SteveHey Mike,
We’re season ticket holders, and listen often on the way home from the game…great show.
Now that I’ve sucked up, I hope you can answer a question that one of our guests had the other day.
On a pitch hit for a ground ball in the dirt, the pitcher gets the ball back for the next batter.
On a pitch in the dirt, the umpire puts a fresh ball in play immediately.
Why is it okay to pitch with a ball that’s been in play, and presumably scuffed and dirty, and not with one that’s been pitched in the dirt?
TIA
John
MW: TIA? What’s that? As for the ball thing – no one will answer that question. It doesn’t make any sense at all.
- JohnMike, can you evaluate the prospects Billy Beane got for Rich Harden because Sean Gallenger just looked terible?
MW: One three-inning start is not a good thing upon which to base one’s opinion of a pitcher.
- andrewI think it was Warren who commented yesterday saying he couldn’t understand why people are upset over JP’s choice to let go Reed Johnson and pick up Shannon Stewart. Here’s my take as to why people are upset: Reed Johnson was/is a proven contributor when healthy! He was not given the chance to play out of the Jays lineup (cut before spring training ended) He was replaced by a 34 year old who hasn’t played in over 150 games since 2001. The team only saved around 1 million from the swap. Knowone should be surprised at how these two players have turned out this year.
MW: Except for everything about their careers prior to this year, excepting one half-season of Reed’s in 2006. But I think what Warren (if it was him) was saying was that people need to let it go already.
- AaronAnd one caller was questioning his contract, which makes no sense at all. He was worth every penny in 2006 then ran into injury trouble and has shown great resiliency in coming back from it. BJ was a quality signing without question. If there’s a GM who can prediction injuries for a guy without a history of them, that’s a helluva crystal ball.
No question, I gues… just wanted to share that website.
- djm
The thing is djm is there are a number of scouts/GM’s who said BJ was a Tommy John Surgery waiting to happen as his mechanics put so much strain on his elbow. I realize sometimes you need to take a risk/overpay for a player but it not like nobody saw Ryan getting hurt coming.
That being said the people who said that about Ryan have been saying the same thing about k-rod and that hasn’t happened yet but that doesn’t mean it wont.
PS. Mike do you have a slight suspicioun that Vito from Hamilton is a very knowledgable baseball fan just amusing himself with the non sence he puts on this blog. I lauph out loud at 90% of his posts and they usually get funnier as the day goes on
MW: Sometimes I wonder, it’s true. As far as the Ryan thing, I would wager that about half the pitchers who have Tommy John were seen as “Tommy John waiting to happen” types, and the other half were pitchers from whom no one saw it coming. There’s no way to know.
- Dan MMike,
What was up with that caller last night who couldn’t understand why someone who caught a foul ball would want to keep it? Doesn’t he know the meaning of intrinsic value? He said that it was just an object with no real monetary value, and he couldn’t seem to get it through his thick skull [no matter how much you tried] that it represents the memory, the moment, an actual piece of a major league game.If that isn’t enough reason, I don’t know what is. Some people need to seriously give their heads a shake. I caught a BJ Surhoff foul ball when the Atlanta Braves played the Jays several years back. I also have a Carlos Delgado ball as well.
P.S. Glad to hear you didn’t get bonked by that foul ball last night…I guess from now on you’ll have to pay attention and not write notes when there’s someone up to bat.
- Vinnie from HamiltonI don’t think we’re in the middle ground. I think we’re in it. When you look up and you’re under eight…within striking distance of the wild card and there’s still two months to play, I don’t we ever thought about us as, ‘Hey, we’re going to be sellers.’ We’ve taken on the thought process that if we continue to add without taking anything away from us going forward, that we would try to do that.”
—Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, on his team’s chances
Thankfully nothing got done for a rental like Ibanez, how J.P. could think this team is in is beyond me. out 7, 8 games with with a lineup that wouldn’t look good in the N.L. with injury’s to the pitching staff and chasing probally 3 that are in the top 5 in baseball.
Thankfully the Mariners backed out.
MW: How can you say thankfully when you have no idea what the Jays were offering?
- Dan MJust like with Francis and Morneau in 04, Canada gets stung again.
Neither of their teams were in a pennant race, and come to think of it, neither is Richmond’s.
This is the price you pay for a thin talent pool, I guess….hence the continued presence of Stubby Clapp.
MW: On July 16, 2004, the day Morneau got called up for good, the Twins were half a game out of first in the Central, 2 1/2 out of the wild card. Or, as you said, not in a pennant race.
- FoxyHi Mike,
Can you ask the powers that be to add an RSS feed for your blog? If it exists already, I am sorry, but I have yet to find it!
Thanks for your continued opinion and hard work for this team
MW: I don’t know what that is. I don’t work for the team, by the way.
- JamieI had to comment on your foul ball bad luck. I’m surprised you never managed to get one at the old park – it was not hard to get one on the walkway between the upper and lower sections on one of the many lean nights – especially on those chilly Sept games.
I’ve been lucky enought to get 5 in my years attending. My first game was in August 78. Years later Rick Dempsey hit to me down the 3rd base side – I still have the ball and play catch with my daughter. Apart from one I caught from Catalanatto few years ago (my 7 year old daughter was delighted to get a ball), I have to say the best one I caught was from Joe Carter the last year he played for Cleveland. Our season’s tickets back then were in row2 section 524. He fouled a ball up to the 5th deck which I caught cleanly, drawing the usual smattering of applause from the fans nearby. What made it memorable was seeing a small boy a few seats away looking at me with wide eyes. I promptly gave him the ball and man was he happy! I didn’t realize the exchange was on the jumbotron, and the next day a few people from the office told me they saw it. Remember in those 51K attendance per game years, being at the Skydome was the place to be.
So when you do get your foul ball, I don’t blame you for keeping it for your own kids. I will tell you though it’s a great feeling to give it to small kid and make his/her day.
MW: The second one I catch goes to a kid at the park, I promise.
- Ian CMike W.:
It was nice to finally meet you in person under the HBI college canopy. You should seriously consider taking that thing, stadium painting and all, on a camping trip when the children are of camping age.
I have no idea how I lucked into it, but my gratis ticket, four rows from the field was great.
The fireworks were great; Halladay was great; two HBP-RBIs?! were great.
Question: Does Inglett and his sore knee sit one more night with LHP Greg Smith on the mound? I noted some 2008 vs. LHP OPS stats show Inglett and Scutaro are virtually identical at .669 vs. .662 but Eckstein at a team-leading .911 (of course, these are varying and small sample sizes).
Finally, be warned! I will call you later this week on the decline of the player-manager!
MW: The decline of the player-manager? Wow, OK. It was nice to meet you, too.
- Adrian, co-alumnusMW:
Just had a chance to look back at your reply from my post on your blog from trade deadline day.
The Jays of 2008 are just like the Jays of 2005 except that the pitching is great and the bats are horrible. In ’05, the bats were great but the pitchnig was horrible.
This offseason could be where the Jays make a splash liek they did before ’06 when they got Ryan and Bernett. But this offseason will be attempting to land a few bats. I would be on the phone to the agents of Texiera and Ramirez at 12:00:01 am of the day free agents can be contacted and blow them away with offers. Either one would be a great upgrade at DH (unless ManRam thinks like George Bell in 1988 and wants to play OF), and if Texiera is a better defensive 1B than Overbay, make Overbay the DH.
Standing pat at the deadline could have been a case of those higher up than JP not allowing anything to be done because of front office uncertainty.
Do you think any of the prospects from AA are going to get September callups?
MW: It’s not hockey, there’s no day at midnight when teams are allowed to contact players. Every player has to file for free agency, and they can do it at several different times. I’m all for trying to blow Teixeira away with an offer, but Scott Boras is his agent. Regardless of the offer, he’s going to shop around.
- Aaron KerMike,
The security at the Rogers Centre is TERRIBLE. It’s so easy to buy a $9 ticket and watch the game from the 100 Level. That’s what I always do. And trust me I am not alone. I used to think it’s a “young guys” game but I was wrong. People in their 50s and 60s do the same. If the security doesn’t improve it won’t be long before people will pay 9 bucks and sit on those TD seats. lol
Not complaining, just a thought.
- Beburg aka The 88mph manMike:
Where do I find if a player cleared waivers? I thought the information was protected inside MLB, but reporters always seem to know.
MW: You find out by working the contacts and sources that you’ve developed in front offices through the years.
- Jim BHey Mike,
What about Prince Fielder? I heard that he has a one year contract. The Jays should try to sign him this offseason! I think that 6 yrs/$80 million might be appropriate for a young player like him.
Great blog!
MW: Prince Fielder will be eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.
- SGOn the subject of foul balls, which you were discussing in Jays Talk on Monday night . . .
I heard a guy (an American) interviewed (it was on CBC radio, I think it was) recently who’s written a book about how to catch a foul ball or a HR ball (where to sit in the stadium for each batter). He’s caught more than 3,000 of them, including some memorable HRs by Bonds and others. He figures out where to sit by keeping track of stats in his notebook computer. Seriously.
This guy has also written a book. I wish I could remember more of the details of his interview, but there you have hat I recall. I’m sure you can track down the foul ball guy if you’re interested.
- Ken from KingstonHi Mike,
Halladay is in Cy Young form for sure, but do you think he has a legitimate shot at winning?
I figure that Halladay has to get more votes than Cliff Lee and Fransisco Rodriquez to win the vote.
MW: You figure correctly, and don’t forget Joe Saunders. It’s too early to be definitive, obviously, but Halladay has a shot, for sure.
- IanHi Mike,
I have a question for you regarding your views on the “philosophy” of the closer position.
For quite some time, I have been of the opinion that the role of closer is by far the most overpaid and sensationalized position in the game. I hear commentators and GMs dogmatically assert that possessing a closer is unquestionably vital to a winning team, even though the player in question will pitch a mere 40-60 innings or so per year in an actual closing role. Despite this fact, according to my own rough estimate a good closer is paid about twice as much (per inning pitched) as a good starter.
Moreover, many of a closer’s outings are, in my opinion, unnecessary; for example, coming in to protect a three run lead because the manager sees that it is technically a “save situation,” when the starter or reliever could have easily finished off the game. Does a closer really have a much of statistically significant advantage over a decent middle or short reliever in holding a two or three run lead?
Third, don’t you ever wonder how the greatest closers, the Hoffmans, Riveras, etc. would have done as starters, where their potential would have been maximized? I understand that many closers (including Rivera) began their MLB careers as starters, and were later relegated to the bullpen when they underperformed. However, once in the prime of their career as closers, wouldn’t it be logical to try to get them in a position to pitch as many innings as possible, either as starters or middle relievers? It seems like a completely inefficient use of talent to limit an exceptional pitcher to tossing 75 innings per year.
Has is gotten to the point where the position of closer is so institutionalized that GMs can no longer conceive of not having one, despite the lack of underlying logic? Not knowing much about the history of the creation of the closer role, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.
Love the show.
Cheers,
Jay
MW: The major flaw in your logic is the belief that an elite closer would be an equally (or relatively equally) elite starting pitchers. Most closers are closers because they have a dominant pitch or two, but not a quality third pitch, which one needs to be an upper-tier starter. Mariano Rivera is basically a one-pitch pitcher, and that cut fastball wouldn’t be nearly as damaging if he threw it 105-120 times every 5th day. I agree with you, though, that the closer position has taken on an often overrated life of its own.
- Jay BahadurMike, with ten being the highest, rate out of ten what you think the odds are of the Jays landing ManRam in the off season. Thank you
MW: 5.12
- Jamie“…there is a legend that Mike Wilner, the third man in the Jays’ booth can actually close his eyes and identify the pitch by sound. We kid you not.”
-Richard Griffin
Mike,
please explain!?
MW: Read back, it’s been explained.
- Dennyhello mike
I’m actually a little shocked to see you write (a couple of blogs back…)re: Metcalf lying about the ball hitting his foot
MW: You would definitely see a player like Rolen do that. Everyone does it.
I guess I’m suprised at the vast generality of your statement. Obviously there are a large amount of players like Metcalf these days who “cheat”. There are, however, certain players, maybe just a handful, who hold themselves to a higher standard. Rolen plays the game the right way – with class. If you’ve followed his career closely you know that he never admires home runs, shows pitchers up, or would do something like yell “ha” as Howie Clark prepared to catch a pop-up. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying if he dove for an out and trapped it he would say “no, mr. umpire, I did not catch it”, but he definitely (I believe)would not go out of his way to lie and point to where a ball hit him (as Metcalf did) when replays showed it was not close….and I believe there’s a distinct difference there….I actually played with you at Sentinel park years ago and don’t believe you would have done that either…..
MW: I wouldn’t have put it past me, but you never know. However, I wasn’t being paid. I don’t think Rolen would do any of those things you mentioned, either, but if there’s a chance to buy a call to get on base, there’s no one in the bigs who would say “No, that didn’t hit me” if he thought the umpire might think it did.
- samHello Mike,
It was a really bizarre third inning with three hit batters(?) and a wild pitch, which wasn’t so much of an offense, but Halladay was fantastic and the Jays won.
Anyways, I’m not trying to start another J.P firing discussion, but it’s really frustrating that the Jays did nothing on the trade deadline. I mean cmon, they are in poor shape of contending, 7.5 games back, and they haven’t made it to the playoffs in the last several years, you have to make some sort of a move, at least.
What is your take on that?
Thanks.
MW: I don’t get the “move for the sake of a move” thing. If a trade makes you better, you do it. If it doesn’t, you don’t.
- CralA pitcher who wins substantially more games over his career than another pitcher, can and should, be considered the better pitcher.
agreed?
MW: In a vacuum? Absolutely not.
- JamieJ.P. could have left him on the Olympic team. It’s not like he hasn’t quit on this season. See trade deadline. Can’t wait to see J.P go back to Oakland where he belongs. You know where they quit on the season even earlier. That GM is in love with himself too … and is fading fast. By the time his prospects grow up, he’ll trade them like he always does. Genius? Nah. Overrated. If he was in a real division like ours he’d have been fired years ago.
- JoeI believe that Richmond if given the choice would be in Beijin, but doesn’t want to piss off the people signing the checks.
MW: Have you ever spoken to the man about it, or anyone in whom he would have confided?
- Peterseriously, how many absolute crush jobs can the jays hit off smith this game with nothing to show for them.
- sammy jalalzaiif one exhumed the body of any deceased former big league lefty..do you think that lefty…while remaining in its decayed state…could pick up a W vs the jays?
MW: Not if Huston Street is his closer.
- sammy jalalzaiMike,
Re: Ash train wreck analogy
They’re both bad GM’s so I think it makes little difference who is worse. But I think Ash left the Jays in better sape than JP will to his imminent successor.
Ash drafted and left behind two eventual Cy Young winners (Halladay and Carpenter) gold glove winners in Wells, Hudson and Izturis and All Star Alex Rios to name a few. These were cornerstones for a championship team. Where would JP be without these guys?
So I am modifying the analgoy, Ash as GM was like being in a train wreck. JP as GM was like surviving that wreck, going out to the road to get help and being run over by a speeding street-car.
By the way, I liked hearing about how you came up the broadcast ranks and I have a new found respect for you. I used to question your intelligence, I’m starting to think you’re very shrewd.
MW: I dig the newfound respect, but don’t think you’re right with your analogy. First of all, you said “to name a few” as though there were more great players left behind by Ash. Ricciardi didn’t get anything for Carpenter (not his fault) and Izturis (who went to an all-star game, but please). So he’s been left with Halladay, Wells, Rios, McGowan and – through Hudson – Rolen. There’s no GM who comes in to a new situation and pours gasoline all over everything, walks away and starts fresh.
- ProkopecMike, do you feel sorry when the jays beat a struggling team or a team that isnt usually doing well, like the A’s. I do by the way.
MW: I don’t.
- gregMike, that AB by Langoria tonight was one of the wildest I’ve ever seen. That’s just scary.
MW: I was watching the Blue Jays game.
- Vito From HamiltonMW: Ricciardi didnt get anything for….Izturis
(please read this part in a patronizing voice)
BUT remember Mike, when you look at that trade in a VACCUM, without the benefit of HINDSIGHT, which you HAVE to do, because nobody has a CRYSTAL BALL ….
I WIN!!!!!!
You LOVED the Izturis trade Mike!!!!
I left out future Hall of Famer Carlos Delgado, the aforementioned McGowan, Felipe Lopez, the incredibly talented Shannon Stewart, Kelvim Escobar. Ash is awesome at player development and delivering stars, he was just clueless otherwise.
And of course, the Carpenter fiasco and JP’s role in it is open to a number of interpretations from a number of sources some of whom are headed for Cooperstown.
And yeah, I love hearing stories about people who hustle to make their own breaks and you sound like you did, which is great. I’d love to know what going to the winter meetings as an intern was like. You should tell us sometime. You obviously have excellent survivalist instincts, in a professional sense I mean.
MW: You don’t win at all. You said where would J.P. be without all those guys, I’m telling you that his being left with Carpenter and Izturis (and Delgado and I think Escobar) didn’t help him at all, because he didn’t get anything for them. And don’t forget the stuff he was left that he had to dig out from under, like Alex Gonzalez, Homer Bush, Esteban Loaiza, Brad Fullmer, Raul Mondesi, Mike Sirotka, etc. The Carpenter “fiasco” is simple – he had a torn labrum, an injury from which (at the time) less than 10% of the pitchers who suffered it ever recovered to again be productive big-leaguers. He had a $50M payroll and Carpenter was demanding a major-league deal, even though he might never pitch again.
- ProkopecI didn’t go to the Winter Meetings as an intern, I went on my own looking for a job.
Barajas came through tonight, but I am really concerned that the Blue Jays (as an organization) think he is a far better player than Gregg Zaun. Barajas is a good platoon catcher, but he has a lifetime on base below .300. while Zaun is at .345 He may have a better arm, but I have seen some “stone hands” compared to Zaun when it comes to holding onto the ball with plays at the plate. The only thing I can’t evaluate or know is what the pitching staff think. Do they really prefer Barajas?
MW: I don’t know. They’ll never admit it if they do, but they loved Zaun the last four years, so I don’t know why that would have changed. It was interesting, though, that the first people up on the top step to greet Barajas when he got to the dugout in the 9th were Halladay, Burnett and Marcum.
- Jim BHalladay’s been so good this year because he’s striking guys out again. The two years where his K totals have been the lowest (’06 and 07) have been his worst.
Bottom line, if you don’t strike people out, you’re more than likely not going to be successful in the majors.
MW: Tell that to Jamie Moyer.
- AndyI have a problem with you defending JP moves “because it was the right move at the time.” Honestly, do you believe that there are GMs who make moves that they don’t believe are going to work?
Moves aren’t judged in hindsight, they’re judged in the result. The results show that Stewart-Johnson was a bad move. I thought it was right at the time. I was wrong. You were wrong. JP was wrong. It was a bad move plain and simple.
MW: All you can do is go with the information you have at the time you make a decision. There’s no way to know how something will work out ahead of time, and if you what is the right thing at the time at which you do it, you’ve done the right thing. I don’t believe that there are GMs who make moves they don’t believe are going to work, but there are certainly moves made that look like big mistakes at the time they’re being made.
- Jay MoneyRe #9:
“Sterilized?” Yes, Mike, perhaps the word escapes you. It means to render someone sterile. If you want further clarification, I will be more than happy to oblige. More important was the question that you chose to overlook. While waiting for the extendo we were “treated” to a few commercials, and I wanted to know why, but you tried to be cute instead.
I may get an answer, but it’s not my blog, so who knows?
MW: You’re angry with me for trying to get cute after you suggested that our audio editor be sterilized?
- JackHi Mike,
I don’t understand this fuss about the Olympics and baseball mostly because personally I don’t see that baseball should be an Olympic Sport. I think baseball would be much better off focussing on the World Baseball Classic as a fixture “world cup” event. Almost every other sport has something like this and it’s fantastic.
Meanhwile I am still worrying a LOT about next year. Assuming most of the cast stays the same and nobody actually does worse than this year, the Jays can only contend for a playoff spot if:
1) Wells bounces back and puts up 100 rbi’s
2) Overbay gets his power back and puts up 80-90 rbi’s
3) Rolen the same
4) Marcum to pitch a full year
5) McGowan to come back at some stage and be successful
6) at least another consistent starter for a full year (not including Roy)
7) better production from our catchers
8) a solid DH
9) a settled 2B/SS situation
That’s a lot of “if’s”. What do you think?
MW: I don’t know about the first three, I’m not sure they need another “consistent” starter outside Halladay, Marcum and McGowan, and I don’t think they need so much to settle the middle infield as to get Aaron Hill healthy and then figure out if Joe Inglett is going to play second or John McDonald or Marco Scutaro is going to play short. Hmmm, so maybe they have to settle the middle infield situation.
- Oz RobMW: I was watching the Blue Jays game.
So was I, Mike, but it’s not like they’re actually going anywhere this season.
- Vito From HamiltonHey Mike,
Thanks for the answer.
TIA = Thanks in advance.
Guess I’ve spent too many years in help forums.
MW: HTH
- JohnAlright Mike. I usually let people fight their own battles but I’m stepping in on this one to defend you. I don’t believe there is a better prepared, better briefed baseball talk show host than you. Anybody that says that you don’t do your homework is probably reliving painful memories of his grade 3 teacher chastising him for the same thing on a routine basis. You manage to run circles around people’s logic and around mine you can circle with the velocity of a fighter jet. You are anything but misinformed.
- Vito From HamiltonTIA = Thanks In Advance.
- JeffHello Mike,
Good win for the Jays. And especially for Kevin Mench; he hasn’t done much for the team and in this win he factors huge.
Anyways, I want to talk about the instant replay. In the Florida-Philadelphia game there was another blown home run call. Also, in that Blue Jay-Rangers game, Brad Wilkerson got an oscar for acting on a home run that bounced into his glove. It is just too hard for the umpires to make a call on these plays.
So what’s going on with the mlb instant replay, when are they going to put it in effect?
MW: It’s funny, they said they might put it into effect on August 1st. I think we’ll see it for the playoffs.
- CralSo by your logic Brian Sabean shouldn’t get ripped for the Pierzynski for Liriano/Nathan/Bonser deal. After all, the Giants needed a catcher and Sabean had no idea how Nathan, Liriano and Bonser would turn out. Right?
MW: Nope. That was a BAD idea at the time.
- Jay MoneyHow was that a bad idea? Nathan was a middle reliever and neither Liriano or Bonser were thought of as good prospects. The Giants needed a catcher and Pierzynski was, at this time, a career .300 hitter, coming off a season in which he posted a .824 OPS.
I don’t recall anyone saying this was a terrible deal for the Giants at the time. Sabean did not have a crystal ball – he acted on the information that he had at the time.
MW: Pierzynski was going into his free agent year, and had hit 11 homers in Minny going over to San Fran. Bonser was a first-rounder who was in AA at 21, Liriano was 19 and coming off an injury, but had dominated the South Atlantic League at 18, and Nathan was indeed a middle reliever, but he had just been moved to the bullpen, and in his only year there (while in the majors) allowed 51 hits in 79 innings with 83 strikeouts.
- Jay MoneyPierzynski was going into his arb years.
At the time of the deal, I thought it was a GREAT trade for San Francisco. They were a first place team that won 93 games, but Benito Santiago was 38 and not going to cut it. So they went out and got a catcher whose OPS+ had improved each of his first few years, 97-104-115. They were now going to be able to control him for 3 more years at reasonable prices. What did they give up? A 28 year old reliever who had his first dominant season, a first round pick with a frightening 4.9 BB rate, and an international signing that was very far away from the bigs and coming off an injured season. Liriano last had pitched 80 innings in low A.
Russell Martin’s OPS+ has been 101,113,110 his first 3 seasons. I think a Downs (Nathan) Purcey (Bonser) Fuenmayor (Liriano) offer would be great for the Jays, because I would look at Martin as a similar commodity to what Pierzysnki was back in 2003 (If Fuenmayor isn’t Liriano, toss in Tim Collins or any low prospect of the Jays currently tearing it up, there’s a few). If they ended up burning me, so be it – if you are a contending team, that’s a trade you make to pick up a young starting C.
Just my two cents.
MW: You’re right, he was going into his arb years, not free agency, and turned out to be such a good fit that the Giants non-tendered him after a year (hindsight alert!). Downs and Purcey are solid comparables, although Downs is 32 and Nathan was 29 when the deal was made. But Fuenmayor and Liriano aren’t. Liriano, though coming off an injury, had thrown 80 innings in the South Atlantic (A) League with a WHIP of 1.15 and over 9.5 K/9 as an 18 year-old. That’s very, very impressive. Balbino hasn’t done anything close to that. There’s also a difference between Martin, who is younger and is a 150-game-a-season catcher playing in a pitchers’ park and Pierzynski, who was a 135-game-a-season catcher who couldn’t hit lefties well and playing in a hitters’ park. Look, of course the deal didn’t look awful at the time, because we didn’t know who Liriano and Bonser were, but it was still a heck of a lot to give up for A.J.
- Ari