46 Responses to “Falling Short Again”

1. 1.
   August 9th, 2008 at 12:12 am
   

   I’m looking to buy tickets for a game when the Yankees and Red Sox come to town, and I like watching Roy pitch. Do you think Cito will keep him on his regular rest (with the upcoming day off) and let him go vs. NYY and BOS or is TB as formidable an opponent and Cito keeps everybody in order (and Roy misses BOS)?

   MW: I don’t know. They pushed Halladay back a day last time around.

   - Ari
2. 2.
   August 9th, 2008 at 12:14 am
   

   Michael of the Ballyard:

   What kind of student media were you involved with at U of T? How do you feel it benefited your professional development, both in terms of skill set and networking? Do you feel that people interested solely in print journalism should do some radio just for the experience of it, and vice versa?

   MW: I think you should do as much as you can to keep all your options open, regardless of what your sole interest is. With U of T I was only involved with the radio station, and later with the Department of Athletics and Recreation as a public address announcer and minor official. That was my first experience in radio, so I did a whole lot of my tooth-cutting there, and the contacts I made helped me to get a show on Rogers Community TV and later to get my foot in the door at the Fan.

   - JCL
3. 3.
   August 9th, 2008 at 12:17 am
   

   About Johnny Mac;

   You have to let him finish the season as a starter and see what he can do with the bat when given more consistent play. Last year, with a less then able hitting philosophy (according to Gaston and his crew), he hit .250. Gaston and Tenace must think they can help McDonald improve on that or even if they can’t improve it get him back to around that average when played consistently.

   Also, if we’re really obsessed with offense right now then I don’t think it should be Eckstein vs. McDonald, rather Scutaro vs. McDonald with Eckstein playing second or short depending on who wins out.

   MW: So you’re saying that offensively, Eckstein is first, then Scutaro, then Inglett?

   - Dave
4. 4.
   August 9th, 2008 at 12:41 am
   

   Mike,

   You had a caller say “Shake it up” before he hung up and you said you weren’t sure if it was a reference to a Toronto song. I am pretty sure I know what he was referencing.

   There is a sports radio host named Scott Ferrall in the US. He had a nationally syndicated show for a few years and now he is on the Howard Stern station “Howard 101″ on Sirius Satellite Radio M-F 8-midnight. One of his big catch phrases is Shake it up!, but he usually says it with much more enthusiasm than that guy did.

   Ferrall is probably best known for playing heavy metal music in the background as he talks, does interviews, or takes calls. I think of him as the Bizarro Jim Rome.

   MW: Thanks for the info!

   - Keith
5. 5.
   August 9th, 2008 at 1:12 am
   

   Hey Mike,

   I listen to your show occasionally and couldn’t help but notice the hate Scott Rolen has been getting what gives?

   The guy hurt his shoulder again around mid-late June and instead of shutting it down he tried to help his team any way he could playing hurt ala Vernon Wells.

   It just seems people are forgetting what healthy Rolen did. In May he hit .292/.372/.434 and June where he apparently hurt himself near the end of the month he hit .278/.381/.478

   I don’t understand what all the talk of him being done is, when healthy hes still a beast with tha bat, not as much homers as earlier in his career but a beast nevertheless.

   MW: Indeed. But the thing is – should he have played hurt as long as he did when the results very obviously weren’t there?

   - Corey
6. 6.
   August 9th, 2008 at 1:54 am
   

   Johnny Mac is a great defensive player but his hitting and OBP is a major problem..If he could just find a way to get on base more often it wouldn’t be so bad but he can’t even do that..The Blue Jays haven’t had a star short stop since Tony Fernandez retired in 2001..There have been too many short stops to name since Riccardi took over..I think if Riccardi was sold on Johnny Mac he wouldn’t have signed Eckstein..Belive it or not Alex Gonzalez is the all time SS HR leader for the Blue Jays with 17HR..I think the best short stops in the league are the ones that have the complete package..Guys that hit for average and can make solid plays in the field..We had one named Mickael Young but Mr Ash dumped him for some dud named Loaiza..Johnny Mac comes up short..He is a better backup then a starter..So who is next for the SS position?..Maybe Dick Schofield will come out of retirement and put his matchstick bat to work again..

   MW: Actually, Tony Batista has the Jays’ record for homers by a shortstop in a single season.

   - gump
7. 7.
   August 9th, 2008 at 2:07 am
   

   Mike, I’m surprised at your reluctance to get on the O-train.

   If the Jays are going to address their SS problem, signing, even overpaying Orlando for a couple of years so that Hill can become your SS seems like a viable solution unless JP can work out some sort of trade for a better option which seems like something he would have done already if he could.

   If the teams strength is young (cheap) pitching doesn’t that give you the flexibility to pay a little more to fill a gaping hole?

   Yeah the D-backs park is a good hitters park but the Rogers Centre ain’t so bad either.

   MW: My reluctance is based in part on wanting to keep Hill at second base, where I think he’s a better overall option than he is at short. But it’s also because the offensive upgrade from Inglett to Hudson isn’t huge.

   - Jason
8. 8.
   August 9th, 2008 at 5:09 am
   

   Mike, we can debate the J. Mac situation about starting/coming in off the bench..etc till the end of time. But what we cannot be debated is the fact that mac had no business batting in the 7th inning after Rolen lead off with a single. You are down 2 runs and in that situation, that late, the Jays do not have the luxury of not removing him for basically any available pinch hitter…and there were several. then inglett isnt pinch hit for vs. a lefty (this is not an automatic pinch hit situation but its close with scutaro on the bench) THEN Cito lets Wilkerson hit vs the lefty while Mench rides the pine. (wilkerson walked but why is mench on team if not for such a situation..and when Mench DOES pinch hit, the leverage of the situation was much lower as it was 5-1).

   It’s game management like this that really worries me about Cito. I know he’s a great teacher. I know he knows more about hitting than pretty much anyone in the organization..AND is an effective communicator to his players. However these are skills/traits that one associates with a coach…and are not necessarily indicative of one’s ability to MANAGE….two completely separate entities that the fans often get confused.

   your thoughts? i love cito and think he’s great at coaching…just not so sure of his managing skills..particularly on a team like this with so many interchangeable, smallish parts.

   MW: Like you, I would have pinch-hit for McDonald there, but with the Indians only having one lefty in the bullpen, I’d rather have let Inglett and Wilkerson go there than pinch-hit and have to have Scoot and Mench against the righty later.

   - sammy jalalzai
9. 9.
   August 9th, 2008 at 6:07 am
   

   Come on Mike I was hoping you could give J-Mac one of your “Wilnerised” nicknames instead of sticking with the “uninventiveness” of Johnny Mac. Why not something like “Mr Prestige”. Give me a YAY or NAY. I like the idea of D-EX (The Machinest… cuz he looks like a machine in the batters box) starting the game at short and haveing Mr Prestige taking over in maybe the 7th or so and act as a double platoon. You mentioned it once and I liked it.

   MW: Mr. Prestige? Doesn’t sound like something I’d say. The Drunks call him the Prime Minister of Defense, which I like a lot.

   - Matt from BC
10. 10.
    August 9th, 2008 at 7:36 am
    

    Hello Mike

    There were three ‘paculiar’ incidents with Overbay last night I found out of his character. In the second inning, he hit the ball to the left field and instead of running his heart out, he stood for a few seconds, then ran to first base. I thought he could have easily reached second base if he started sprinting right of the bat. The Jays would have scored if he ran to 2nd instead of 1st. The second incident was when he was defense – a foul ball was hit to his side and he lost it, the ball ended up dropping. It didn’t cost the jays anything. The third incident evolved around Rolen’s error. Rolen dropped the ball hit to him (was it the 4th?) and threw to first, bounced off the turf and sailed by Overbay. I thought that was a catchable ball but I am watching this at home and the TV angle looked like Overbay just plainly missed it.

    Did you have the same perception, watching the game at the stadium?

    MW: I was surprised that Lyle didn’t run hard from the get-go on that looper in the second. I think he thought it would be caught easily, but that shouldn’t matter. He overran the foul ball, which is definitely unusual for him, but you can’t blame him for not picking the Rolen short-hop.

    - francis
11. 11.
    August 9th, 2008 at 8:09 am
    

    Grady Sizemore is in town. Greek food festival going on on Danforth. Life just can’t get any better.

    - Beburg aka The 88mph man
12. 12.
    August 9th, 2008 at 8:11 am
    

    any comments on Inglett’s first two terrible at-bats?

    MW: First two terrible at-bats? I saw two line drives, I don’t know about you.

    - Beburg aka The 88mph man
13. 13.
    August 9th, 2008 at 9:36 am
    

    Hi Mike,

    Not specifically about the Jays, but looking at the past 100 years, how much better are the players today ? Which decades saw the biggest jumps in talent ? And has the overall skill level of pitchers and hitters developed at the same rate ?

    Jonathan
    - in Toronto

    MW: That’ll take too long to answer – I can’t take on big research projects in-season, I’m sorry.

    - Jonathan
14. 14.
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:18 am
    

    Hi Mike,

    A couple of non-game points.
    1. A couple of games ago Jerry and Alan interviewed Greg Zaun’s wife (I didn’t retain her name … Julie?)and it was brilliant. I got more insight into how baseball players really think and act than I have just about anywhere else. Of course it would be wrong to think they are really any different from the rest of us, but it was refreshing to hear that just the same. The highlights, she referred to Roy Halliday as “The Doctor” with her voice dripping with sarcasm. So we know who the real boss on the team is. Second she chatisied the media for giving Greg a hard time about his comments which I sort of agree with. Anyway if there were a way to hear more from her I would love to do that (nudge … have her on some night … Thursday nights with Mrs. Zaun, wait, that sounds a litte inappropriate, but you know what I mean.
    Second point, you should not feel disheartened about what Jays fans think about the team or JP Ricciardi. And you should not take it personally. I think FANS have a hard time with your objective take on the numbers and players performance.
    Finally, Go Cito. he has done a great job, his lineups are more creative than Gibbons’ ever were and he is getting so much out of a team that often starts 3 of Scutaro, Inglett, Wilkerson, MacDonald. All useful players in their own way but no way 3 of them shouls be starting in the same major league lineup.

    The Jays desperately need a true power hitting corner infielder.

    That’s all for now.
    RM

    MW: I think it would be great to have Jamie Zaun on, I just don’t know how much Gregg would enjoy it. Brandy Halladay did an interview with me last month, which I thought was great.

    - Ron Moreau
15. 15.
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:22 am
    

    Hey Mike,

    It sure seems that something has clicked with Ricky Romero. His second half of the season has been outstanding including striking out 10 last night.

    I know this is long-term but with Purcey (I see him as #4 guy), Cecil and now Romero it gives the Jays some great left-handed depth going forward. Even J.P’s biggest critics cannot dispute his draft record when it comes to pitching and as you said in Jays’ Talk it is far easier to flip arms to bats than vice versa.

    I’m excited going forward. Your thoughts on the pitching?

    MW: It seems to be pretty good, both now and for the next few years. The Jays are in very, very good shape on the mound.

    - Cameron
16. 16.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:02 am
    

    Isn’t it mind Boggling?

    Anyway their about to be swept by the Indians, this is a snapshot of there season. Once they get back in it they do something brutal like lose 3 to the lowly tribe!

    Poor Roy you can’t win throwing a shutout!

    Mike why this protection on your radio show of Overbay, you really don’t believe he is as good as you think?

    MW: I thought I asked for reasonable, rational comments.

    - tonyMM
17. 17.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
    

    Hi Mike,

    Because I find the injury excuse so irritatingly absurd I compiled the following:

    Summary of 2008 injuries derived from the official websites of four major league teams (methodology was not exact – i.e. Posada may not have officially been placed on the 60 day list, but he will definitely miss more than 60 days):

    Example:
    http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/injuries.jsp?c_id=nyy

    * = starting position player, starting pitcher, or “closer”

    Jays:

    Janssen – 60 days
    *Ryan – 15 days
    *Rolen – ”
    Wolfe – ”
    *Eckstein – ”
    McDonald – ”
    *Wells – “(x2)
    Accardo – 60
    Zaun – 15
    *Hill – 60
    Stewart – 60
    *McGowan -60
    *Marcum – 15
    Tallett – ”
    TOTAL: 15 day = 11
    60 day = 4

    Yankees:

    *Pavano – 60 day
    * Petite – 15
    Karstens – ”
    Sanchez – 60
    Betemit – 15 (x2)
    Bruney – 60
    *Posada – 60
    Arod – 15
    Henn – 15
    *Hughes – 60
    Abaladaadego – ”
    *Kennedy – 15
    Britton – 15
    *Wang – 60
    * Matsui – ”
    Damom – 15
    *Chamberlain – 15
    TOTAL: 15 day = 10
    60 day = 8

    Red Sox:

    *Schilling – 60 day
    *Beckett – 15 day
    Timlin – 15 (x2)
    *Lowell – 15
    Cora – ”
    Casey – ”
    Moss – ”
    *Bucholtz -”
    *Matzsusuka – ”
    * Ortiz -”
    *Colon – ”
    *Lugo – ”
    Aardsma – ”
    TOTAL: 15 day = 13
    60 day = 1

    Rays:
    *Kazmir – 15 day
    Zobrist – ”
    *Baldelli – 60 day
    Birkins – 15
    Orvello – 60
    *Navarro – 15
    *Garza – ”
    Floyd – ”
    *Aybar – ”
    Reyes – ”
    Glover – 15(x2)
    *Percivel – 15(x2)
    *Pena – ”
    *Barlett – ”
    TOTAL: 15 day = 14
    60 day = 2

    No attempt has been made to compare the relative qualities of the players injured; if it was I suspect the Jays injuries would be considered the least severe – oh yeah,I REALIZE the Jays lost two relief pitchers for the duration – but then isn’t the bullpen a strength?

    After all this effort would it PLEASE PLEASE be possible for injuries NOT to be cited as an excuse for where the Jays are in the standings. Could it POSSIBLY be considered that other teams HAVE BETTER PLAYERS????

    MW: As I said before, the extended time missed by players of importance counts for something. Nowhere on your well-researched list does it show the actual time missed by players.

    - Ken
18. 18.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:30 am
    

    What is it about this Tribe team that the Jays can’t figure out? The Blue Jays are now 9-21 against Cleveland in the last five years.

    Vernon Wells can’t get back quickly enough. It’s kind of a strange statistical oddity that Toronto’s record without him is actually better than their record with him (maybe some minor influence of Bill Simmons’ Ewing Theory?) but man, I never want to see Wilkerson/Mench in a lineup ever again.

    MW: Cleveland has been a very good team more often than not over the last five years, no?

    - Alex P
19. 19.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
    

    Mike-You are wrong about pulling Macdonald in that situation and putting Eckstein in and here’s the reason.

    Johnny Mac is a career .324 hitter with bases loaded and Eckstein is .227.

    The real problem,which you didnt address, was Rolen not ducking, getting hit and taking a walk in that situation and leaving the heavy hitting to Johnny Mac. Rolen could have easily got out of the way and didn’t. A hit from Rolen would have scored 1 run, maybe two, possibly rattled a young pitcher, made it easier for Johnny Mac to hit and cost the game.

    We don’t pay Rolen 11 million per year to get hit, we pay him that huge amount of money to drive in runs in critical situations like the one last night and hit home runs.

    It looks like his HR production is gone forever, but it’s damn disturbing to see a paltry .217 with risp. If he is still injured, we should medically examine him, and operate if necessary in order to get him ready for next year.

    The thought we’re committed to 2 more years of this at 11 mill per year does not excite me.

    MW: Sorry – that’s not a good reason. Last night was McDonald’s 37th career at-bat with the bases loaded. His .324 lifetime average doesn’t mean a thing in a career in which he’s had almost 1500 at-bats. As for Rolen, you contradict yourself by pointing out his crappy batting average with RISP and his injury – you should be thankful he made his way on base.

    - gerry
20. 20.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am
    

    Hi Mike,

    What’s “mind-bottling” is your continued defence of JP’s moves. Last night, with the Burnett contract: You said any team that would have signed him would have had to give him the crazy opt-out deal. How could you possibly know? Because JP told you? Because Burnett’s agent said so?
    We will never know if another team would have signed that one-sided deal. (If you believe what a player’s agent says, then I want to play poker with you). If the Cardinals were willing to offer that deal, that’s where Burnett would have gone – not Toronto.
    Not that it matters. Just because another team would have signed a bad deal, it doesn’t mean that the Jays were right to match it (match it, and then some, more likely).
    It was a sucker’s deal no matter what. If he pitches poorly through an injury-plagued three seasons, then he stays with the Jays for two more seasons. Good for Burnett; bad for Jays.
    If he pitches great, then he leaves. Great for Burnett; a little less great for Jays.
    If he pitches through three erratic, injury-affected season, then he leaves. Okay for him; bad for Jays.
    By the way: Many scouts will tell you that Burnett’s pitching motion predicts inconsistency and arm trouble.

    Evan White

    MW: Really? Have many scouts told you that? The Jays were willing to offer Burnett a 5th year, which is why he came to Toronto. St. Louis offered him 4 years and $44M, and I believe that they also offered him the opt-out.

    - Evan White
21. 21.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am
    

    You know what really bugs me, the fact that callers hardly ever call in to express their frustration over Rolen. Its okay to talk trash over Overbays performance but not rolens. Rolen, Rios, and Wilkerson made this guy look like a cy young award winner yesterday. Rios couldn’t touch a fastball, i believe that was on an 2-1 count and it was clocked like at 87 with no movement just like jerry anounced it. The same goes for Wilkerson. Wilkerson is alot worse, i would have loved to see inglett start in right field and scutero at second. I’m just really frustrated at Rolen, he just looks awful batting wise. he was behind on a couple of 85 miles an hour fastballs, which is really sad. its nothing new actually that the jays were able to make a 4th 5th starter look like a halladay. Maybe its just that they haven’t done that in a long time. Beats me?

    - JaysFan
22. 22.
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am
    

    Hey Mike, I was at the game on Thursday and I liked how the Jays got 4 runs when one was on with 2 outs. I really think that the Jays are playing well and I think that if they could win say 7 of there next 10 then hey will have a good shot at going haigher in the wild card. I know tht it is likely they won’t make the playoffs but who knows. Anything could happen and I really like how Scutaro has been playing. He has really came a long way and even Barajas. He should sign with the Jays this offseason for say 3 years or so. I really like him as starter

    MW: Scutaro really hasn’t been playing all that well. He’s ahead of only Brad Wilkerson and John McDonald in OPS, which is pretty awful.

    - David
23. 23.
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
    

    If you were to explain what “stuff” is to a non baseball fan, how would you describe it?

    MW: I guess I’d say it’s the way a pitcher pitches – what kinds of pitches he throws, how hard he throws, how much his pitches move.

    - Carlos
24. 24.
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
    

    Mike, the Jays’ record when John McDonald plays is irrelevant. It’s too much of a sample size to mean anything. If someone wants to say the Jays are better when McDonald plays, then I suppose they’re also worse when Wells plays, which is silly.

    Last year Boston won the WS with Julio Lugo at short, who was brutal at the plate, hitting to a .643 OPS. I think some people will look at that as proof that a light hitting SS can be part of a contender. But the difference is this:

    (2007 Stats)

    Manny Ramirez – .881 OPS
    David Ortiz – 1.066 OPS
    Mike Lowell – .879 OPS
    Dustin Pedroia – .822 OPS
    Kevin Youkilis – .843 OPS

    THIS is an offence that can support John McDonald. Even if the Jays hitters are at their career averages, they still can’t hit at this level and thus, can’t afford a black hole in the line-up. I think you would agree that McDonald’s career OBP of .278 is indeed a black hole.

    As I’ve said before, I love McDonald when he’s used right – a late inning defensive replacement, Halladay’s personal SS, etc. But he simply cannot contribute with the bat and nothing in his career has shown otherwise.

    Overall, I feel that you have already made the most convincing argument: the Jays have lost games because of their lack of offence. John McDonald does not help the team in this regard. At all.

    - Andy
25. 25.
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
    

    Are you kidding me? You aren’t even going to mention Rios’ poor excuse for an AB?

    Holy smokes! Talk about a lack of focus. That was disgusting. What is that young man’s deal? He better shape up…or ship out. No room for men going up to the plate in an important situation and not being totally focused on the task at hand. Does he think he’s in little league? What the hell was he thinking about up there? The crowd? After the game? Inexcusable and infuriating to watch!

    MW: How is it that you’re sure that focus was the issue?

    - Jamie
26. 26.
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
    

    Hey Mike
    Where do you see Mench and Wilkerson playing next year?

    MW: Not in Toronto.

    - Ryan
27. 27.
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
    

    Hey Mike,

    Looonnnggg time no post. This post is re: pitchers that Alan Ashby owned in his career and those that owned him, just to keep his head from getting too big. ;)

    His 3 Dream Matchups (min 25 PA):

    1) John “The Count” Montefusco:

    9/25, .360/.448/.720, 1.168 OPS, 3 HR 6 RBI

    2) “Dour” Doyle Alexander:

    14/40, .350/.381/.600, .981 OPS, 4 2B 2 HR 9 RBI

    3) Jim “Mr. Jockey” Palmer:

    12/32, .375/.462/.469, .931 OPS, 3 2B 0 HR 4 RBI

    His 3 Nightmare Matchups (min 25 PA):

    1) Fernando (mania) Valenzuela:

    4/44, .091/.167/.091, .258 OPS, 0 HR 1 RBI

    2) Bert “the Hook” Blyleven:

    2/29, .069/.206/.069, .275 OPS, 0 HR 1 RBI

    3) Mike “Bucky Frickin’ Dent” Torrez:

    3/27, .111/.172/.111, .283 OPS, 0 HR 0 RBI

    It’ll be interesting to know his reaction to the list. I got it from his Baseball-Reference page, which includes a page that breaks down his numbers against every pitcher he ever faced in his career. Hopefully, I’ll post a little more often from now on, but as Joaquin Andujar was fond of saying: “Youneverknow”.

    Take care,

    - Tom the Intern
28. 28.
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
    

    Mike you and some of the fans can debate who should play SS all you want. There is no debate in the eyes of Cito, the only person that really matters in this entire conversation.

    It is rather comical. People used to call in all the time to second guess Gibbons moves, decisions – and you would almost always defend Gibbons. You rmember Gibbons right? The guy that led this team to a dismal 4 games below .500 when he walked. Jays win today with Halladay on the mound and we are 7 games over .500 with Cito (with more injuries to contend with). Can we stop the debate and let the guy who knows more about baseball than you and every caller/blogger combined call the shots. Besides I can point out 2 games in the last week we would have lost had it not been for Johnny Mac – his glove and his bat.

    MW: So no decision can be discussed, no options can be kicked around? Makes my job a lot easier.

    - Matthew
29. 29.
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
    

    Hi Mike,
    Does AJ have to opt out the end of this year? If he does, why? Thanks for answering.

    MW: No, he doesn’t. That’s why they call it an “opt out”, it’s his option.

    - Mikey
30. 30.
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
    

    Hi Mike,

    In the 7th inning I was disgusted at alex Rios’ at bat. He takes the first pitch down the middle. And then he swings at two pitches that bounce in front of home and walks away nonchalantly. I think he should have a day off because he is not seeing the ball well. I’d put Lind at the three hole and Stairs at the four spot. Overbay and Rios should be placed lower in the order.

    I like how the Jays bats are finally hitting. Do you think they would’ve finally turned it around with Gibbons and Denbo? Because I didn’t think the manager had an affect on hitting, but since Cito has arrived they’ve started to hit again.

    MW: What has Stairs done to deserve to be moved up? I don’t think the manager had an effect on hitting, either.

    - Warren
31. 31.
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
    

    Mike

    What are your thoughts on how they determine the over-under number for baseball games, they always seem to be dead on or around the ballpark.

    MW: Them gamblers know what they’re doing.

    - Frank
32. 32.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
    

    Re DL stats:

    Mike:

    I hardly thought it necessary to prove the point, but you can go to the official team sites and figure out the actual number of days the players were unavailable. For example a “player of importance” – Kazmir – was inactive for over 15 days; and Matsui has been shelved for many more than 60 days.
    I honestly thought the essence of what was presented was more than obvious.

    MW: Nope.

    - Ken
33. 33.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
    

    MW: So no decision can be discussed, no options can be kicked around? Makes my job a lot easier.

    I guess if we think a defensive liability with a .271 avg. a 1 hr is going to turn the jays tide lets put him in..(tongue in cheek).

    Now you may say “I dont’ care about average” which would confuse me because we people call in to rag on Rios you always mention his .285 avg.

    I bet Cito walks into work everday, looks at his linuep card and says “what moron built this team” I am watching the game today seeing the lineup card myself and thinking what a disaster, it is almost laughable.

    MW: Your answer has nothing to do with my question.

    - Matthew
34. 34.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
    

    Hey Mike,

    seems the Jays are quite set in the bullpen, especially if Accardo and Janssen can come back from their injuries.

    Is there a team with strong hitters that is weak in their bullpen the Jays could potential trade with? Do scouts still drool over League’s arm, or has that time passed?

    Thanks very much!

    MW: It’s very difficult to deal relief pitching for power bats.

    - Rory
35. 35.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
    

    Re: 100 years …

    MW: That’ll take too long to answer – I can’t take on big research projects in-season, I’m sorry.

    No worries, Mike.

    If you feel like doing it sometime, it might be something interesting for you to do

    - Jonathan
36. 36.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
    

    Hey Mike,
    That was ugly. Jays now have a 5-10 record against the two worst teams in the AL, seems eerily similar to past years’ problems with the D-Rays.
    Great throw by Francisco, of course it didn’t help that Overbay has Molina-ish speed.
    Eckstein to the rescue tomorrow.
    Thanks Mike.

    MW: Overbay, by no means, has Molina-ish speed. Not even Rod Barajas has Molina-ish speed.

    - Jeff
37. 37.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
    

    Gosh this team needs a focussed #3 hitter in the worst way!

    - reyes
38. 38.
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
    

    Mike,

    Have you ever coinsidered getting “WILNER” tattooed in block letters along the back of your shoulders?

    MW: Not even a little.

    - Prokopec
39. 39.
    August 9th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
    

    Mike,

    The last time I’ll try to break through to you re the Jays/Yanks/Red Sox/Rays DL stats:

    If you examine them could you
    possibly reach these conclusions?

    A: The Jays have NOT had more more injuries – and if you go to the websites and add up the actual days missed there will not be a significant difference.

    B: The Jays have not had injuries to more significant
    players – in fact the opposite is true.

    This = injuries should not be used as an excuse for the Jays being where they are in the standings.

    I now give up…

    - Ken
40. 40.
    August 9th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
    

    Hey Mike,
    My plan for next year: deal Ryan for anybody to get rid of salary, move Downs to closer and then Accardo, Janssen and Carlson set up. That would leave $40M to sign Ramirez at DH, Burrell, Ibanez or Delgado at 1B, Dempster or Perez for the rotation and take a flier on Garciaparra to play some short, third, first and DH against tough lefties. Hill moves to short and Inglett is at 2B.
    It could happen.

    MW: I wouldn’t want Nomar here to play short or third, who needs another guy you can’t keep in the line-up anyway? I think you could get Ibanez, Delgado/Thome/Giambi and Perez for close to $30 million, but if you can get value back for B.J., I wouldn’t be opposed. I think Downs can probably handle the 9th.

    - Jeff
41. 41.
    August 9th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
    

    Hey Mike

    Pretty pathetic game today. If I were Cito I’d consider sitting Alex down for a day or two. He appears to be in another galaxy right now. My 2 cents.

    - Tim
42. 42.
    August 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
    

    Further to comment #16 — not only NOT “reasonable and rational”, but also atrocious misuse of “their” and “there”.

    Mike, have you given up hope of ever winning the “crusade for better English”?

    MW: I’m pretty close.

    - Norm
43. 43.
    August 9th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
    

    Tony Batista didn’t play the whole season in Toronto in 1999..He did play alongside of Fernandez that season and as I recall, there were some that questioned that move..I always thought he was a better DH because he was terrible in the field..But with 26Hr in 98 games, it makes him the leader from that position..I guess I always thought of him as a 3rd baseman..

    The real reason why the Jays can’t hit is that their roster consists of mostly bench players..Inglett, Stairs, Scutaro, Zaun, Barajas, Wilkerson , Mench are all bench players at this point in their careers for a reason..Some of them had their chance to be regulars and just weren’t good enough to stay there..Now we expect them to hit homeruns and drive in runs..Lets face it dude..The Jays just aren’t good enough..Its a tough pill to swallow but we tend to overrate players here because we want them to win so bad..

    MW: You’re right about all those guys being bench players, with the possible exception of Inglett who could wind up being a solid, if unspectacular, everyday player. But all those guys (except for one of the catchers) were supposed to actually be on the bench. Batista also has the club record for single-season homers by a third baseman.

    - gump
44. 44.
    August 9th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
    

    Re: About Johnny Mac

    No, I’m thinking Inglett in the outfield until Wells gets back. When I said “right now” I meant literally right now with the argument shifting with Wells in the lineup.

    MW: Oh. Gotcha. You no longer have to worry about that, because Wells is back.

    - Dave
45. 45.
    August 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
    

    I’m praying focus was the issue and he’s not actually that bad of ball player

    MW: Sheesh.

    - Jamie
46. 46.
    October 16th, 2008 at 7:48 am
    

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