12:30 AM Eastern
THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is how you sweep a series, rain-shortened or otherwise. You take a trip to visit the team with the best home record in all of major league baseball (yes, that was the Red Sox on Friday, even though the Cubs and Rays share that distinction now), and you thoroughly, utterly and completely dominate.
The Sox had just scored 37 runs in their three-game sweep of the Rangers, yet they managed just five against the Jays, while allowing 19. The Red Sox NEVER sent a batter to the plate in the series while ahead or even tied. They trailed from start to finish. Yesterday, it was Roy Halladay shoving it down their throats, today it was the offense.
Joe Inglett was already 0-for-3 in today’s game before Jason Varitek even came up to bat for the first time. The Jays simply crushed the pitcher who’s supposed to be the Sox’ ace, battering Josh Beckett for a six-run first and knocking him out in the 3rd with Beckett finishing up having allowed eight runs on eight hits - four of them for extra bases.
The Jays set a club record with 10 doubles in the game - four of them off the bat of Alex Rios - and tied a club record with 12 extra-base hits (add a Brad Wilkerson triple and an Adam Lind homer to the two-baggers). The 15 runs scored was a season-high and the 22 hits matched a season-high. Five different Blue Jays had at least three hits (Rios, Lind, Marco Scutaro, John McDonald and Lyle Overbay), five scored at least two runs and four drove in at least two. Every one had a hit but for Rod Barajas, who managed to score twice, and everybody scored but for Wilkerson, but he had an RBI triple.
I’m really enjoying this post-non-benching Alex Rios. Five hits today, including those club-record-tying four doubles (Damaso Garcia and Shannon Stewart), but that fifth hit should have been a double as well. Rios ripped it right down the third-base line, but there’s that little retaining wall that juts out about halfway between third base and the Monster, and it caromed off that wall into short left field. That carom prevented Scutaro, who had been on first, from daring to go to third, which is what made Rios stop at first. He was flying right out of the batter’s box, with every intention of getting two, which was great to see.
Since the non-benching, Rios is 7-for-10 with four doubles, a triple, a homer (1.600 SLG! 2.300 OPS!), four runs scored and four RBIs. At the very least, he seems to save his best for the Red Sox and Yankees, which is nice.
It was another great day for Lind, who missed the cycle by a triple and drove in four, and for McDonald, who contributed a pair of doubles to the record cause, including a backbreaking two-run job off Beckett with two out in the first. Johnny Mac also made another one of his patented phenomenal defensive plays in the 8th, starting a double play with a dive up the middle to snare a Jeff Bailey grounder. Assistant G.M. Alex Anthopoulos and I had a chat on The Blue Jays This Week tonight, which you can find on the front page of this very website, and Alex had some interesting things to say about both those guys. We discussed the timing of Lind’s latest call-up and the conventional wisdom that it was Cito Gaston’s decision, as well as the McDonald surge at the plate (hitting .360 over his last seven games). Anthopoulos, who helped put together the Greek Olympic team for Athens in 2004, also commented on the demotion of Scott Richmond.
Full marks to Shaun Marcum too. He must have looked at the scoreboard as he came out for the bottom of the first and wondered to what team he’d been traded. The guy who seemingly pitches into the 7th inning of more 0-0 games than anyone else had been given a six-spot before he even took the mound, and he did a fine job with it. Not his best work, but he got a couple of double-play grounders when he really needed them, and J.D. Drew helped him out with a brutal read of an Alex Cora liner to centre and was therefore meatcake at second on a nice throw by Vernon Wells. Marcum went five for his third straight win.
Next up, the Bronx Bombers, who scored 15 runs of their own today. A Jays’ sweep vaults them up and over the Yanks into third place.
Here’s today’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
Finally, a final softball update. Our season came to a close tonight with a 17-9 loss in a one-game elimination playoff. We were right in it until they scored seven in the 5th to get us down 15-4 and we couldn’t recover. We hit in a lot of bad luck, a lot of line drives right at people, but they made the plays they had to make. Personally, I was 3-for-5 with three singles and three RBIs. I played the outfield tonight, but didn’t have my best game defensively. No errors, but there was one sinking liner that I think I normally catch, I just couldn’t get to it tonight. It must have been big brother’s 40th birthday dinner. So now, no baseball for me until next May, which really sucks.
Enjoy the off-day. Reasonable, rational comments are always welcome!
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Mike,
I noticed a 92 and a ccouple 91’s on the radar gun when BJ was throwing. Faulty gun? (It was the NESN broadcast)
Pretty encouraging I’d say.
MW: You never know, different parks, different guns. I’ll wait and see what it shows at the Dome.
- simonRios, Wells and Lind look to be a pretty formidable three-four-five in this line-up. I know that’s easy to say after a 15 run outburst. But I truly believe that this team is not far off from being very good.
Adam Lind has really impressed me with his swing. He seems to generate a ton of bat speed quite effortlessly. That homer he hit the other night over the Monster was incredible. What’s funny is that he has a legitimate shot at leading the team in HR’s by the end of the year despite missing half the season.
MW: I would call that sad, rather than funny.
- ErnieWhat happened to Armando Benitez (sp?) after he was designated for assignment? Was he a failed experiment, or is he a possible emergency call-up?
MW: He was released in June.
- BrendanRe: Scott Richmond. Given the Jays-in-June caliber hitting performance the Canadian Olympic ball team is delivering, Richmond was probably glad to be in Toronto and getting a major league paycheque.
MW: It’s not like he’d have helped with those 1-0 losses.
- Alex PWould the jays take a flyer on Kenneth Lofton? We seem to need a lead off guy, Lofton still was putting up respectable OBPs last year, and would be an upgrade defensively in LF over Lind. The Jays could DH Lind the rest of the year. Matt Stairs maybe should be pinch-hitting at this point anyways.
It would be hard for Lofton not to make this offense better. At the very least he seems like he’d be a very useful player off the bench in September, especially if we are going to try and make a wild card run.
Unless there are some steroid links to him I’m not aware of, I’m kind of puzzled nobody (tampa bay just lost carl crawford) has signed him.
MW: T-Bay offered Lofton a contract in the off-season, but he turned it down because he wanted more money. After not playing for almost a year, it’d be tough to think that he would be able to add much at this point. I was all for the Jays going after Lofton in the off-season, though.
- JasonHey again Mike,
First off, can you just imagine if we had started the year off strong and our June actually came in August. If ya follow me… it would be hitting the Fan around here right now. Pun intended. I’m just glad to be watching good relevant baseball in August. Another week it could be irrelevant, or in a week it could be “meaningful” games we are seeing. I think they’d be bonkers to let JP go unless they have a very secure back-up plan. We have the best pitching staff in baseball. We’ve lost two key guys out of the bullpen, Janssen & Accardo, not to mention Wolfe, who I just did, and we are able to just plug guys in. The same goes for our rotation. I think we are stocked. I would love to add Sheets if the stars align. You can never have too much great pitching. That being said. The offense needs another bat. Yeah Manny would be great, Big Tex would cost a fortune in replacement baseballs alone, but I think Ibanez will be our “big bat” next year. I remember JP talking about him years ago. He likes him. I’m fine with that and a healthy Scott Rolen. I pray every night before I tuck into my BJ Bird bed sheets that the Jays seriously go after O-dog next year. Realign the web gems and we are good to go.
As for trading Halladay. The problem with that question for me is that it is hypothetical. My package starts with Lincecum and Longoria and no team can do that right now. Lincecum may pitch better next year, and Longoria could easily grab the MVP, but what Halladay brings to our pitching staff is proof in the pudding. You could plug Lincecum at the top of the rotation next year and, the team would prosper. But 2010-2011, when The Cecil’s and Romero’s (literally Romero’s) are coming up the impact would be felt.
One more thing, there is a chance Burnett doesn’t opt out of his clause. Hear me out Mike. His ‘out there” personality may try to prove a point to the fans. It would be the dumbest move ever, and would be talked about around here for ages, but it’s his decision and remember, as I’m sure you’ll never ever forget, going into this year, 50% of the time, A.J came out on the wrong end of a decision. Badum-Bing
I’m here all week.
MW: There’s not a chance that Burnett doesn’t opt out, which isn’t to say there’s no chance he’s not back with the Jays next year. And you mean literally the Romeros, not the Romero’s.
- SpiderSilvaHi Mike,
I listen to your comments on my drive home whenever I go to a Jays game. I sit at home now and just wonder what might have been had the Jays NOT made 2 off season moves. The moves in question are the acquisition of Shannon Stewart and David Ectstein. I just sit here and wonder how many more games might have been won with Reed Johnson and John Macdonald in the starting lineup most days. I just think that with the added spark both of these guys can provide we would have (could have) possibly had at least 5 more victories putting which would have put us 14 games over 500 and in the thick of the playoff race. I know hind sight is always great but I think it is one of those situations where you sometimes over manage the situation. Reed Johson was coming off aa off season where he had major back surgery and John Macdonald had just signed a new contract which I thought was going to give him a shot at a starting job. My feeling is that if the Jays had just given Johnson a shot at starting a new season after resting his back all winter and they had given Johnny Mac a chance to play every day (hoping he could bat in the 250 area) before they gave up on the two of them as starting players I truly feel we would be in the playoff hunt today and as a bonus the team would have had a few million dollars more to be looking for added pitching and /or an upgrade in their DH role.
Thanks for reading my comments.
Regards,
Ron Wood
MW: I appreciate the comments, it’s always good to hear from a rock’n'roll legend, but I don’t agree.
- Ron WoodThe next series will show whether the team has changed for the better or not. It was lovely to get that 2-game sweep of the Red Sox–who are probably still wondering around in a daze trying to work out what hit them. But for the last many years, with a couple of GMs, 4 or 5 managers and an entire turnover of players, our guys have gotten into a position to really make a run…and then crashed, only to re-emerge and play well when the whole thing’s over. I will believe in the Jays if they win this Yankee series.
MW: And they’ll believe in you, too.
- reyeshey Mike;
Just a response to the show yesterday when you stated that while Russ Adams is hitting almost .500 clip in triple A is is most likely finished with the team because he’s been surpassed by his peers, Lind, and Inglett and there is nowhare for him to play.
I would suggest that he is substantially better than both Mench and Wilkerson(better than average defensivley) and the question mark of Aaron Hill returning from his post concussion trauma. Hopefully Ricarrardi brings both Adams and buck Coates up for a look and some Ab’s.
great game from Rios,Lind and Johnny Mac and Marcum was spectacular as always, just a last thought on Richmond, as he pitched well and deserves the call up as well, he is better in my opinion than Wolfe, thanks for the great blog.
MW: You may be right that Adams is better than Mench and Wilkerson, but Mench is here to hit lefties and Wilkerson is a superior defensive player - Adams does neither of those things. Regardless, I doubt Mencherson is here next year. Also, I like Wolfe better than Richmond.
- robert sHi Mike,
You must have a great average. Every time I look at ur softball I see u going 2-6 or 3-5 or something. Speaking of good hitting… The Jays just made the Boston Red Sox look like the Seattle Mariners. Boston was one of the hottest teams in baseball and were hittign non stop until Halladay and Marcum shut them down this weekend. 7 games out puts us in a much better situation that we were in before. I don’t understand whyso many ppl phone to your show sayign to trade proven talkent and character for potential. Why would u trade, according to Derek Jeter, the leagues best pitcher and the pitcher with the most class. Tell me what you think. Thanks Mike.
MW: I’ve said many times that I’ll trade anyone if it improves the team, but there aren’t many trades involving Roy Halladay that improve the team. As for my average in softball, it’s all relative. A .400 hitter in my softball league isn’t a good hitter at all.
- WarrenWhat was up with the AL last night? 16-8, 15-4, 15-6, 11-8, 13-1… When the Jays decide to hit, it looks like everyone else does too.
- PatrickI saw the first inning of the game on Sunday and when I heard the final score 15-4 all I could think of was…
“and BOOM goes the dynamite!”
Bring on them Yankees!
Aneez
- AneezI have completely given up on Wilkerson at the plate. Clearly his best days are gone for good. Is there any way that Cito would take a chance at starting Eckstein at second and mighty Joe Inglett in left? Or even vice-versa?
MW: Certainly not vice-versa.
- Jim B26 - 12 to reach 90 wins. That would involve going on quite a tear to finish off the season.
Let’s hope Burnett can keep his win streak going and get that 1st game against the Yanks at home.
Do you get to partake in the golf tournament happening today? Does Rios have 30 SBs yet?
Taking 9 of the next 12 would sure make things interesting heading into September. Meaningful games this late in the season, what a nice change of pace.
MW: I wasn’t invited to play in the golf tournament, and as for Rios - don’t take this the wrong way, but do you really need me to tell you that? It would be pretty easy, since you’re already online and stuff, to find out how many bases Rios has stolen this year.
- Aaron KerRios is actually 7 for 10 since the benching.
Are there any moves you would make right now?
Why do we have to see Brad Wilkerson every day?
MW: He is actually 7 for 10, I’d better go fix that. I might move Wilkerson out for Coats or Lydon right now. You don’t have to see Wilkerson every day, he started twice on the road trip.
- ChrisYou had a great softball season, I am sure u hit around .550 for the season. Good luck next year.
You saw League touch 99 twice? Now that Tallet is back, do you think League will get fewer games as a result? Between Carlson, League and Tallet, who do you think will get more work?
MW: League will get the most work, or at least, the highest-leverage work. I actually hit over .600, or so I’m told.
- Beburg1) on the Richmond Olympic issue - from what I’ve seen so far it was the hitting that really hurt the Canadian team and not so much a lack of Richmond. I agree with the Jays giving him his shot.
2) I missed the Jays game (for once) as I took up a friends offer for a round of golf at King Valley. Go figure I pounded my driver like never before. Must have been my Jays cap.
3) Doc’s 8th complete game Saturday was huge. Even if his wins don’t top Lee’s, the CG’s will be an important Cy Young consideration. Mike do you agree ?
3) Downs ready for the Yankees series will be key. Is it possible for a pitcher to have his ankle taped for lateral support similar to a footbal player and have it not impede his pitching ability ?
MW: 1 - If pitching had been the Olympic team’s problem, would you then have not agreed with the Jays? 2 - Cool. 3 - No, I don’t. The CGs should, but they won’t. 3 - I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem to matter. Downs says he’s good to go.
- Ian CMike,
Do you really think there is a correlation between AJ Burnett’s free agent seasons and his winning records? I can’t help but think there is, but then again, it could be purely coincidental. Does this mean he’s going to sign for big money elsewhere and then return to his normal .500 - sub .500 form?
MW: Not the winning records, but the health, I think. It’s tough to argue otherwise.
- BernardAny thought of the Jays shortening the rotation the rest of the way? Even down to a 4 man rotation where Litsch and Purcey rotate in the #4 spot?
MW: Nope. But they’ll likely be skipping either Litsch or Purcey when they can.
- Aaron KerI was listening to the show and it infuriates me to hear when callers suggest that Doc should be traded; however you being a sociology major, if I recall correctly, you may have some insight to Torontonians being *** and/or having *** ideas.
Perhaps those individual would like to see him come the skydome in pinstripes because that would be awsome.
I met Doc Canada Day long weekend in LA after he beat Lackie and the Angles and though I had a million things I wanted say and ask of him, simply asked to shake his hand and said that from the bottom of my heart and everyone who I know that loves the Jays we are so very thankful that you are a Blue Jay. I wish people who call your show would feel the same way.
MW: I was actually a psych major, not a sociology major. I do hope you realize how incredibly inappropriate the words that I censored were. From the rest of your comment, you don’t seem to.
- Kristopher KrawiecIt was fun to watch the Jays pound out 22 hits and score 15 runs yesterday. So much fun, in fact, that I was parked in front of the TV the whole game rather than enjoying a rare sunny Sunday afternoon. Like you, I still think this team will play some meaningful games in September but I don’t get the Jekyll and Hyde routine. Sweep Oakland - get swept by Cleveland - almost sweep Detroit (didn’t hit a lick in that final game) - sweep the Boston mini-series. What’s next, get swept by the Yankees?
I’d love to see Manny Ramirez in a Jays uniform next season but I can’t see the organization shelling out the kind of money he’d command. It just hasn’t been their M.O. to date. If the team does open the vault and sign him, do you think he’d be willing to DH?
MW: I don’t know that I think they’ll play meaningful games in September. I do think that Manny will be willing to DH, but like you, I don’t think the Jays will shell out the cash necessary to make Scott Boras happy.
- Rob TheriaultI know that everyone is saying that AJ Burnett is gone after the season, but what do you think the possibility of the Blue Jays and Burnett reworking the deal to keep him here for a few more years. Do you think there is a chance of this happening or not? If not who do you see as a possible replacement on the free agent market or will they choose to go after a big bat instead and just fill his spot with someone in the organization?
MW: There’s a chance that the Jays and Burnett could rework the deal, but I don’t think the Jays would be willing to give A.J. the four or five years he’s likely to get on the open market. CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets would be the potential free agent replacements, but I don’t think the Jays will be in on either one.
- Lee CoatesHello Mike, I was listening to todays Jays talk & just want to make a comment on trading Halladay. I think the fans only want to trade Roy if it makes the team better. It’s not so much fans want to trade him because he is so good as you mentioned. It’s more fans want to trade him because his value is at the highest right now especially that he is locked up for 2 more years. I know that trading a player at or near his lowest value is not the right time, so listening to offers & if the Jays can make the team better, they should trade anyone, not just Halladay. Another point is that Cito/Tennese should also be given some credit for Macdonal’s hitting sucess right now at the plate. I hear Cito & Tennese are spending time with him & it’s making a difference. I don’t remember the last time Macdonald is hitting as good as now for any stretch in his career. Of course, hope Jonny Mac keeps it up. Thanks & keep up the good work Mike.
MW: I’m sure McDonald has had similar 25 at-bat stretches in his career, but Cito and Tenace (why is that so hard for everyone?) have made an impact, for sure. Johnny Mac is pulling the ball more now than he ever has in his career. I don’t think people want to trade Halladay to make the team better, I think they want to trade him because the team isn’t going to win this year and they think it won’t win in the foreseeable future, either. Or because they want to “be fair to Halladay and let him have a chance to play for a winner”, which is nuts.
- David F.“some pitchers i know have a tendency to get hit by line drives”
whoever that caller was….was priceless. You really should have asked the guy which pitchers he knows are in fact more prone to line drives.
On a baseball note, i am in favour of filling Burnett’s void by in house options. I wouldn’t mind Sheets but i think he will be too expensive and is a much bigger injury risk. I would look at stretching out Tallet and Wolfe and maybe try to piggback them in a SP role when one of Hall, Marcum, McGowan, Litsch, Purcey hits the DL or is ineffective.
Use the money on Man-Ram, or a big DH.
MW: He did go on to say something along the lines of those pitchers not being in good fielding position, or something along those lines, at least. I don’t know about going with solely in-house options, I wouldn’t mind seeing an Ohka/Zambrano/Thomson type or two, maybe Carl Pavano or some non-tender.
- PeeWeeMW: Nope. Thomas I’ll give you, but Koch and Ligtenberg were paid a pittance, and Ricciardi had no way of knowing that Hinske would eat himself out of what appeared to be a very promising career.
Mike I like J.P. I really do im 50/50 on weather her should lose his job or not but the way you defend him is just really really annoying. Saying theres no way he could of known Hinske is going to eat himself out of a promising carrer is true but there was no reason to sign him to a long term contract!!! why not wait another year or two before signing him long term surely a major league GM has to know the risks of signing a player so young with only one MLB season. Further more if you continue to give J.P. a free pass on things “theres no way he could of known” then please stop giving him credit for things like the Downs signing the Tallet signing the drafting of Litch because theres no way he could of known they would be this good right!
and the Wells signing Mike I would say Mr. Godfrey was in favour of the signing but thats making a big assumption. To say that signing was totally Pauls fault is making a big assumption and I don’t think its true at all. You honestly think that if after the 2006 season J.P. has Vernons value as is high as it will ever be and he’s not worth the money we would have to pay him to keep him I want to trade him, that Mr. godfrey is going to say “no sign him long term I want to send a message to the fans”
Please Mike J.P. has done enough good things you should have to say things like “theres no way he could of known that” “not his fault upper managements idea” to defend him.
MW: If I ever write that “theres no way he could of known” something, I should lose my job immediately.
- DaveI love how every one on this blog think the jays are going to add to Bats and all will be well in jays land next year.
What will really happen is the Yankees will add two pitchers and the Red sox will find a way to get better
and the jays will add one bat and once again need some luck to get in the playoffs
MW: It’s a very good point. Well, at least the point about the Yankees and Red Sox.
- DaveMike…thanks for the tip on when the ballpark opens, I’m taking a long drive to come see the Yankee series so I appreciate it. Mike, do you know where the Blue Jays enter/exit the park and if the visitors take the same route as well? I am collecting autographs to donate to the Special Olympics for 2009 and would appreciate a tip. Thanks!
MW: They go through the players’ parking lot. I doubt that’s a great place to get autographs.
- JamieHi Mike,
Sorry to hear that your softball season ended so abruptly. What are your plans in the offseason? Are you a hockey guy like Matt Stairs or do you prefer to just relax?
MW: Sadly, I can’t play hockey anymore.
- IanHey Mike
I am an avid reader of your blog, and I am well aware of the JP bashers of letting Reed Johnson go in favor of Shannon Stewart amongst many other decisions. It was easy to see why Reed was a fan favorite as he is a gritty type player…but that would often relate to injuries and missed playing time. This leads to Joe Inglett…it seems as if he is almost a carbon copy from the Reed Johnson mold…as I listened to the Ingletts first at bat yesterday it seemed as if he really set the table for that 6-0 first inning…I believe he saw 6-8 pitches, although he did strike out it did set the tone for a rare Blue Jays outburst.
I don’t know how you view Inglett, but his play this season has caught my eye and made me virtually forget about Reed Johnson.
Lastly, it was nice to see the Jays deliver the knockout punch when they had a team on the ropes. I can remember many times this season when the Jays had a team on the fritz but they couldn’t capitalize, so it was nice to see a break through.
Yes the Jays are 11.5 games out of the East and 7 out of the wildcard, but hopefully they can build off of yesterday’s outburst and give us something to watch down the stretch…they playoffs do seem out of reach but I think they can make things interesting.
MW: You’re not alone. Inglett has replaced Johnson in the hearts of a few Jays fans. Both short, scrappy, white and wear their socks high. The fact that Inglett can play the infield as well as the outfield and is a left-handed hitter makes him more of an asset than Reed, I think. And yes, he did see eight pitches in that first at-bat on Sunday.
- Brandon WagnerI want to make some comments regarding the growing sentiment that J.P. Ricciardi should be fired. I’ve also called for his ouster a few times this year but when I look at it rationally, he’s done a reasonable job with this team. Even during the cost-cutting years, the Jays were never lousy.
Having said that, I’d like to put forth some reasons why I think there is such a visceral dislike for the guy in some quarters.
1 - He comes across as arrogant. For a guy whose team has never finished better than third, it seems a immoderate. Yes, the Jays play in the AL East, which is a privilege and a curse. The team is doomed to play in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox. Those teams will always have much higher payrolls and as a result, better depth. But, so what? Both of those teams are vulnerable this year, and the team has (so far) failed to take advantage.
2 - He seems to get into an inordinate number of verbal dust-ups with players (i.e. Shea Hillenbrand, Adam Dunn, etc.), which only appears as self-serving.
3 - Until Cito Gaston, he has a penchant for hiring no-name managers. Anyone who has read Moneyball knows that Billy Beane has nothing but disdain for managers. I suspect Ricciardi is cut from the same cloth and so the guys he’s hired in the past never had a free hand.
4 - Other teams have made significant trades to make themselves better while Ricciardi stands pat again. We all know that he can make trades. I’m still amazed but what he got for Hillenbrand given the situation. Having said that, standing pat leaves the impression that the Jays are drifting toward another mediocre season.
My two cents worth…
MW: I’ll give you the first three as two why Ricciardi rubs a lot of people the wrong way (though I don’t know what you mean by “it seems a immoderate”), but not the last. But as you said, when you think about it rationally, he’s done a reasonable job. I think he’s done better than that.
- Rob TheriaultMike
Just got back late last night from Boston. We took in the Saturday night game and I wanted to leave a quick note to those who have never been to Fenway before. Definitely a must for any baseball fan (or sports fan) even if you have to pay 135 US per seat 21 rows deep in the right-centre bleachers! The atmosphere (even though the Red Sox were losing the entire game) was something you simply do not see in Toronto. In your opinion is there a better spot in the majors?
Ryan
Lindsay, ON
MW: I haven’t been to enough big-league ballparks to answer that properly. Yankee Stadium is pretty nice, so was Tiger Stadium and so, I hear, is Wrigley Field.
- Ryan McMillanMike,
I’m curious to know what you feel is the single most important statistic for hitters and pitchers, respectively.
That is to say, if you were doing a draft of all players in the MLB and you could only look at one statistic for each, which would you choose to ensure you got the best team?
My guess is that you’ll select OBP, OPS or OPS+ for hitters and perhaps WHIP or OAVG for pitchers.
MW: I guess if I could only look at one, I’d look at OPS+ for hitters and WHIP for pitchers. But every single stat is flawed, which is why you should never look at just one.
- ColeLove the South Park reference. Jays aint playing like cows that’s for sure.
- Jeff Hass1 - You said it amazes you that the anti-JP crowd never bothers to come out on Wednesdays. I told you this earlier in the season, and it hasn’t really changed - have you considered that it might be because you allow people to converse with you as opposed to JP, where it’s just question/comment and then he has his personal forum to respond? I for one am hesitant to call because it seems like you can’t really accomplish anything - he can’t answer any real questions truthfully, and any answers he can give I’m likely to be able to find at the tips of my fingers.
2 - I don’t see what the purpose in asking Anthopolous about Lind is. Did you really expect him to throw his boss under a bus and say that when Cito came he demanded Lind, and that the call-up had nothing to do with the GM’s staff? Even if that were true, he’d never say it on air. It’s questions like asking Anthopolous about Lind that make some people feel that the show is nothing but a chance for the Jays to self-promote, because you couldn’t possibly have uncovered any truth by doing it on The Blue Jays This Week. The same way you wouldn’t bother asking JP who he offered for Ibanez, you shouldn’t have bothered with the Lind/Cito angle with Alex.
MW: You seem to be implying there’s another way I could have “uncovered the truth” on the air.
- AriMike,
I know you must think I am a hater, but I really enjoy your show.
Now, on sundays show you said that if the Jays win 2 of 3 they will win 92 games. Later on you said if they win 2 of 3 they will win 25 and lose 13. Your math is suspect because 25 plus 64 = 89. Either way, as you know, I said I thought 2 of 3 would put them close and give them a chance (even if you obessed on my refference to each series being a mini playoff)
And as for Halladay, after next year, if you think you can’t sign him you likely have to move him. I worry about the pay day Halladay is going to command. He is likely worth every penny…..but that could break the jays bank.
MW: 25-13 is 89, I don’t know why I said 92. Maybe I got it confused with the 32-8 I was talking about earlier in the week, but that would make 94. I don’t know what the answer to that is. The Jays have puh-lenty in the bank. It can’t be broken.
- JWI’ve noticed that the Blue Jays didn’t wear those ugly alternate jerseys during the road trip. I only hope that this trend will continue. Of course, now that I mentioned it, they will probably wear them tomorrow against the Yankees. Keeping with the jerseys, I like what they have done with the new road jerseys; they actually look like a baseball uniform. However, I wish that they could have incorporated the traditional Blue Jays stylized numbers and letters.
Oh yeah, and who’s bright marketing idea was it to drop the Blue in Blue Jays and to simply refer to the team as “Jays”? Blue Jays forever!
MW: Whose
- ErnieHi Mike,
Great game by the Jays, it is always fun to see the offense firing on all cylinders. I have something of a scoring question that I havn’t been able to find an answer for, and I thought you or a fellow poster might know.
With regards to a pitcher’s pitch count, the number of balls and strikes are also recorded. I was curious to know if a hit by the batter counts as a ball or strike?
Cheers.
MW: I would assume it counts as a ball, since if it were a strike, the hitter wouldn’t be awarded first base.
- J.ClarkMike,
That game was probably the most fun I have had as A Blue Jays fan in the past few years. Watching it with some Sox fans was great.
I like the approach Mac is taking at the plate now. He seems to be going after teh pitcher alot more than he was earlier in the season. Hopefully he can keep it going and finish with an average above .250 or .260 which should be more than enough to silence those people who say he cant hit a beachball.
- Brandon FMike,
To the best of your knowledge, can you remember if “the great” Derek Sanderson Jeter has ever been ejected from a game? Do you agree [with respect to baseball] that he’s the ultimate team player and sportsman?
MW: I don’t know if Jeter has ever been ejected from a game, but my counterpart at WFAN New York, the great Sweeny Murti, can’t remember it ever happening, so that’s good enough for me. Of course I don’t agree that he’s the ultimate team player and sportsman - his handling of the Ken Huckaby and Alex Rodriguez situations show you that.
- BernardHi Mike.
Re. your reply to my post #93 in your ‘Slamming the Centerfielder’ blog entry:
“MW: Ryan always was in the shallow end of the payroll pool, that’s for sure, but 88 losses or more in five out of six seasons is pretty ugly regardless. As for the first point, among the young players drafted in the six years prior to Ryan taking over (remember, Halladay was a 1995 pick): Corey Koskie, A.J. Pierzynski, Todd Walker, Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins, Brad Radke, Matt Lawton, Pat Meares, Eddie Guardado, Chuck Knoblauch, Denny Neagle, Marty Cordova, Mike Trombley, Denny Hocking, Damian Miller and Javier Valentin. All of them were still in the Twins’ system when Ryan was hired.”
The fact that Halladay was a 1995 draft pick is irrelevant: Whether the prospect you inherit was drafted two years, five years, or eight year prior to you taking the job, the end result is you still inherit the young player / prospect if the player is still with the team or in your system when you take the job.
Concerning the list of Twins players you produced, a couple of comments:
1) Denny Neagle only played one MLB season for Minnesota (1991). He then went to the Pirates, so he wasn’t with the Twins when Ryan became GM in 1994.
2) The list of young players / prospects that JP Ricciardi inherited that I provided (Halladay, Carpenter, McGowan, Wells, Rios, Hudson) was obviously not an exhaustive list and simply focused on the cream of the talent JP found waiting for him in Toronto. For example, I did not include the likes of Kelvim Escobar in my list even though he has done quite well in the years since 2001. You seemed to have tried to produce a list that included anyone who was with the Twins upon Ryan’s arrival and was able to survive in the majors and went on to play a number of seasons with major league clubs. I think you’d agree that guys like Pat Meares, Denny Hocking, and Javier Valentin have not exactly gone on to have blue-chip careers in the majors, and if Ryan didn’t inherit them when he became Twins GM, he would have been able to easily find players of similar ability who could fill the role these players assumed…same as JP with the prospects he inherited that haven’t gone on to be impact players…
Comparison of the cream of your list with mine would, I think, provide food for thought (eg. Halladay, Carpenter, McGowan, Wells, Rios, Hudson vs. Radke, Guardado, Hunter, Pierzynski, Knoblauch, Koskie).
MW: You’re right about Neagle, I put up the list, then checked to see if they were still Twins when Ryan came in and must have forgotten to erase him. Remember, too, that Marty Cordova was rookie of the year and Matt Lawton and Todd Walker had some very good years. I’m glad to have provided food for thought.
- jamesJust looking back at some of your previous blog entries, this really hasn’t been a great year for you prediction-wise, has it?
MW: Is it ever really a great year for anyone, prediction-wise?
- Jay Moneymike,
who r we most likely to see as september call-ups
Do we have any chance of landing Sexon
Does J.P. have any intrest in Manny Ramirez or any other hitter in the upcoming free agent market
Is their any chance Russ Adams will get another chance with the jays
MW: 1 - Asked and answered, several times. 2 - It’s doubtful that there’s as much interest this time around, but you never know. 3 - Probably. 4 - Yes, but not a chance to play every day.
- JazzHi Mike - Enjoy all your inputs - you have passion and a superb knowledge base. My beef is about Manny Ramirez - I am really fed up about “Manny being Manny” - portrayed as a fun guy who does his own thing and is beloved by all. The real Manny - (this was taken from an article in the Boston Tribune 1 August)is far from the fun loving guy - 3 examples (from memory) - in spring training while almost the entire team went to visit with under 7 year old kids who had cancer Manny was the only one who didn’t 2) Red Sox players were asked to visit Iraq war veterns in hospital - Manny couldn’t be bothered and 3) Manny went to an inner city high school in New York - despite pleas for a few bucks so they could buy bats, gloves etc. Manny has not contributed a dime. And there are other Manny moments like pushing a 60 year employee when he couldn’t get his way. To me he is being given a free ride - yes he is a great player on the field(catching the ball excepted) but as a person he is self centered, selfish and bordering on being nasty. A better phrase might be “Manny being money’
MW: I would tell you of many other pro athletes who are self-centred, selfish, bordering on being nasty and concerned with money, but I would hate to spoil your illusion that it’s only Manny.
- John FultonAsh’s Corner for August the 18th. Today’s spotlight game comes from Ashby’s career year of 1987 in the Astrodome against Whitey Herzog’s jackrabbits (the Cardinals).
The pitching matchup featured a man who would become a key bullpen cog on the Jays’ 1993 World Series winner: RH Danny Cox (8-3, 3.66) against Mr. K himself: RH Nolan Ryan (4-13, 3.09). I’ve already beaten the unfairity of Ryan’s record to death in a previous post in this series. Suffice it to say that he was in the midst of one of the most incredible pitching seasons ever: and he wound up 8-16. This would be Cox’ last season in the 200 IP range, as he gradually moved to the bullpen due to injuries.
The Cardinals were not all jackrabbits. They had one slow-footed masher in the middle of the lineup named Jack Clark, who might possibly have a place on Wilner’s All-Time Team due to his prodigious power and fantastic on-baseiness. This team got to within one win of the World Series that year before the din of the Metrodome helped take back the momentum for the Twins. As for the jackrabbits, they had stolen 200, 207, 220, 314, and 262 bases in the previous 5 full seasons and were well on the way to another 200+ stolen base season, with 186 through the first 117 games. It would be a difficult challenge for Ash, particularly since Nolan Ryan had allowed 33/37 basestealers to be successful in his first 24 starts. But, you know what Wilner likes to say to those of you that want more speed at the top of the lineup, whatever the OBP: you can’t steal 1B. That would ring particularly true in this game.
This was the kind of regular season game that most catchers probably dream of: the Astros pitching was masterful and Ash was the hitting hero, but of course that’s what you expect from your cleanup hitter. Ashby ripped a 2-run HR off Cox to make it 2-0 in the 4th with nobody out and Bill Doran at 2B, following a leadoff double. A Craig Reynolds 1 out RBI single in the 7th scored Glenn Davis from 3rd and knocked Cox out of the game, giving the ‘Stros a 3-0 lead. Ash finished off the scoring in the 8th when he singled home Billy Hatcher from 3B off LH Steve Peters handing the Cardinals just their second shutout loss all season. I guess that’s the upside of team speed: it never takes a day off.
Ryan went 7 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and striking out 9, for win #5, while Dave Smith got the final six outs for his 20th save, leaving his ERA at a near-perfect 1.10. Smith walked one and K’d one (Jack Clark leading off the ninth), allowing his surname counterpart Ozzie to pilfer second base off him in the eighth. Remarkably, none of the speed demons were able to take advantage of the only weak part of Ryan’s game. Then again, the only Cards with that opportunity that day were Terry Pendleton (twice), Jose Oquendo (twice) and Tony Pena and they were not amongst the more speedy offenders on this team. You couldn’t have followed the game plan any better, and sometimes in baseball, that’s the way it goes,
MW: Unfairity. I love it.
- Tom the InternMike,
Unless I’m mistaken, Pat Burrell will be a free agent at the end of the season. He’s a 30HR guy who gets on base, and his splits suggest that he hits RHP and LHP equally. I haven’t heard you mention him as a possible off-season acquisition. Is this because you think he’d be too expensive, or because he’s a LF? I think the last two years of Overbay has been enough of a sample size to conclude that he can’t hit for power anymore, so I’d be inclined to move Lind over to first and put Burrell in LF. Your thoughts?
MW: I don’t think Burrell is an option because he’s going to want way too much money, and I don’t think he’s prepared to be a DH yet. He’s an awful defensive outfielder.
- keithHey Mike,
Was listening to the Jays Talk and you said Scott Campbell was an option for 3B. I highly doubt that, as the book on him is hes a defensive liability who struggles to make the routine plays at second.
MW: I hadn’t heard that he struggles to make the routine plays - in what book did you read that? I have never seen him play defense, but if he has the arm, I don’t see why you couldn’t give him a try at third. I had understood his defensive issues centred around turning the double play.
- CoreyMike,
I enjoy your pre & post game shows for the Jays. Last week there was a phone in concerning “Tommy Hunter”. You mentioned that he used had a TV show and used to come on before Hockey Night in Caanada. Sorry to burst your bubble buddy. But the Tommy Hunter show was on Friday nights. It was Don Messier Jubliee that was on Saturday before the hockey games. Just wanted to clear that little item up.
MW: Not when I was growing up it didn’t.
- RogerMike,
I have not read many Rays comments lately, so I thought I would chime in.
Do you, Mike Wilner, on August 18th, 2008 believe that the Rays will in fact, make the playoffs?
I was with you, Mike. I didn’t think they would do it, either. I know a collapse is still possible, but they would have to be pretty bad not to get in now.
So what is it going to be, yes or no?
MW: I can’t back down now, so I’m going to say no.
- KenMike,
We’re going to be at the game Tues. nite for the Yankees. I think this is a huge start for AJ. He’s on a roll and so is the team after the road trip. This could define the home stand with game #1. He’s saying all the right “team” things of late as weel and I’m looking for a powerful performance from him. It’s great to see him and Roy going start to start for the team lead in victories. Do you think both can hit the 20 victory mark this year?
MW: It’s certainly possible, but the team needs to hit behind them.
- RogerNo baseball until next May… Perhaps a reading of Giamatti’s “The Green Fields of the Mind” will salve the pain.
A speculative interjection about Alex Rios:
I know as fans, we often jump to conclusions about players who don’t seem to give maximum effort: “They don’t have heart or grit” or “they only care until they sign the big contract”, but seriously speaking, is there a possibility that Rios has a psychosomatic reason for his occasional lapses on the field.
I remember reading somewhere that today’s potential draft picks go through a huge battery of physical (obviously) and psychologic tests.
I think of Zach Greinke and what he went through the past few years and players whose skill at even throwing a ball straight (Steve Blass, Mackey Sasser, Chuck Knoblauch, Rick Ankiel) and I wonder if clinically proven psychologic, concentration or attention-deficit disorders are just as prevalent in MLB as in the general population.
I certainly hope it is NOT the case with Rios, but I’m just trying to offer up a possible alternative, though again, highly speculative opinion.
Respectfully, Adrian
MW: Highly speculative, indeed. I doubt very much that there’s a psychological element to Rios’ lack of focus.
- Adrian, co-alumnusMike,
We live in a city where people refer to managers as coaches, they think you can trade baseball draft picks, they they there are restricted free agents in baseball, and don’t get me started about the infamous “back catcher” position.
I can deal with all of that. What drives me nuts is that people constantly mispronounce Roy Halladay’s name as “Holiday”. I am sorry, this guy has been pitching here for a decade, there is NO excuse not to get his name right. We are priviliged to have to best pitcher in baseball to watch here in this city, so get his name right.
Mike, I don’t envy you at all. You have to deal with the most ignorant fans in the game.
MW: I don’t know about that.
- TomCITO! CITO! CITO!
By the way glad they put your blog back ahead of the horse racing. What was with that?
MW: No clue.
- PeterHi Mike,
A couple more questions:
1. Conventional wisdom has it that AJ Burnett will opt out at the end of this season (even Cito seems to think so). Why do you think this is? Maybe he’d make more money if he wins 18 games, but he’s already getting 12 million so why would more money be enticing? Surely how he likes the city, his team mates, management, etc would matter more?
2. How do they determine the ball/strike count when looking at a picher’s pitch count over a game. I.e. a batter hits a ball out of the strike zone for a base hit, does that count as a ball or strike towards the pitchers total pitch count?
That’s worded awkwardly I know, I hope you can figure it out.
MW: 1 - Why would more money be enticing? That’s funny. 2 - A ball in play is a strike, wherever it was.
- ChrisDo you think the Yankees have a shot at the postseason or do think it will be very hard for them to get back in the race? I went to Yankees Stadium over the weekend and I had a great time over there seeing it is the last year before the yankees move to another stadium and while I was there, people were wondering if Derek Jeter is in decline. I know you hate Jeter, but do you think Derek Jeter is in decline?
MW: Jeter is having a bad year, by his standards, but let’s see two in a row before we declare that he’s in decline. I think the Yanks have a shot at the post-season, and it’s Yankee Stadium.
- andrewHey Mike,
The Jays are doing amazing right now and I hope they keep it up. Since we are doing so well do you think it justifies the Jays going out and getting a big bat such as Aubrey Huff. There have been rumours that the Orioles have wanted a shortstop and we could part with Eckstein since he is mostly on the bench. IF we do get Huff and sign him to a long term contract I think it would be awesome because he would be a cheaper and lower risk signing, with most of the good DH’s available in 09 are going into their 40’s. Thanks for reading and keep up the great work on JaysTalk.
Kevin
MW: Huff is still under contract for another year, for one, and there’s no way the Orioles would trade him for Eckstein.
- KevinHere’s the part 2 of “What if they weren’t baseball players”. I missed a few players in the first edition.
Tallet - ambulance driver. Rios - model. Litsch - firefighter. Lind - cop. Mench - ice cream truck guy. A.J - guitarist. Purcey - landscape guy. Wilkerson - sous chef. Camp - real estate agent.
I am sure if you ask them, they’ll agree with my assessment.
- Beburg38 games left, 31 vs divisional rivals, should be interesting. I hope the Jays make it interesting and make a run for the wild card. Mike, who do you think gets called up in September? I would like to see Wayne Lydon, Buck Coats and Matt Watson?
LETS GO JAYS
MW: Coats is probably the only one of the three who gets the call.
- tom stewartMike, I really think that the Jays have played much better and they are showing why they are a great baseball team. I really like how Rios is playing. He really has torned it around and I also like how Lind has been playing. He is really having great success lately and has been killing the ball. That is what I like to see. Also I really like how the Jays pitching staff is doing. They know how to do well and we do have the best bullpen in baseball. No QUESTION
- DaveAlso Mike I have to add that the Jays have really been showing that they know how to hit the ball. I think that Wells has come around well and same with Litsch. Since both of them have came back they have really showed alot. And I am impressed with it. Also you can add that Barajas really is the Starting Catcher of this Jays Nation. I think that Zaun should be on his way out. I just can’t stand Zaun anymore and I want him to be happy somewhere else were he can have a regular starting role like some place like with the Astros. He would be a great starting catcher for them.
- DaveMike,
You say the Jays won’t have a problem luring big name free agents, You are absolutely convinced. I guess this is another part of your ridiculous , JP is the best GMin the world act.
My question to you is, how many big name players did JP sign outside the organization in his seven years that did not want out.
want out.
MW: How many players file for free agency if they don’t want out? want out?
- NeilTake it easy, Mike! Nice that they defeated the Red Sox but let’s see if the Blue Jays hitting shoes continue for, say, at least the next six games. Catching the Yankees is meaningless because the Yanks aren’t going anywhere this season.
Cross your fingers and hope Rios’s big day wasn’t a mirage.
MW: Take it easy?
- Kelly PfeifferMike,
One question/comment: there’s kind of a disconnect between barking at people for saying “how are you” on air like a friend would then sharing intimate details of your softball game, info that’s only marginally interesting to people you WOULD stop and say “how’s it going?” to.
I think it’d be better of you as a media personality to just let it go when people greet you on the phone the way they want to and not be bothered when people refer to the team as “we”. We’re all emotionally invested in this weird Blue Jay community to some extent, so let’s try to tolerate each other as much as possible.
Thanks Mike, you do a great job with the show and the blog. Keep up the good work.
MW: I don’t bark at people for asking how I am. I bark at people for asking how I am when the four people before them have asked the same question, or when they ask, then move onto their comment before waiting for an answer.
- craigHey Mike. Go get em next year!
MW: I’m not going to get anybody.
- Matt from BCHey Mike,
‘love the show and the blog. Do you think you could start posting a link to the MP3 of the post-game as well as the Flash? That way some of us iPod/iPhone listeners could enjoy it as well.
Thanks for your consideration,
MW: None of that stuff is up to me.
- ryanWho is a better pitcher? C.C. Sabathia or Roy Halladay?
MW: Roy Halladay.
- AdamHow about those pesky Tampa Bay Rays? They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games and went 7-3 on their 10 game western road trip that apparently no one ever wins on. Then, just so no one can say “well they didn’t face the Angels”, they came home without a day off and beat the Angels in game 1 of the series. The big collapse better start happening soon.
MW: How about them indeed.
- Peter B.I remember you defending the loss of Reed, and the understanding of taking on Shannon…Is Reed at his guaranteed BA of .265 yet? I think he might be going north of your projection..
MW: He certainly is. Reed’s doing a great job as a part-time player for the Cubs.
- ChrisWho do you think is the better Manager, Cito or Gibbons?
MW: They both have different strengths and weaknesses. Obviously, Cito has the track record.
- Cam
…Mike, did you mean to say “Obviously, Cito is the better manager, even if you only look at their track record, which includes two back to back World Series wins, and the fact that he turned this team around again this season with an 8, yes 8, games over .500 record, and the fact that Gibbons was 4 games under .500 and is no more than a minor league coach who got a shot at the big leagues because he is tight with JP…?”
In case you read Cam’s question wrong, seeing as it was a very convoluted sentence, I will re-word it:
Who do you think is the better manager, Cito or Gibbons?
Please, a one word answer will do. Your choices are Cito or Gibbons. Or if this is easier, pick A or B, where Cito is A and Gibbons is B.
For goodness sake, just answer the question that has quite the obvious answer. Mike, to put these guys in the same category essentially means that you either have no ability to assess managerial expertise, (thus revealing your overall lack of knowledge or regard for baseball) or you have no ability to swallow your pride and come clean about the error of your ways.
Thanks
MW: Again, I’m not answering the questions of people who talk to me like this. It’s not worth the time and effort.
- AEMike,
Just a comment in response to your response to a comment posted the other day about catching the game on radio while travelling to Ottawa. The station that carries the Jays broadcasts here in Ottawa is 1310 on your AM dial and not 1200. When I make the drive from Toronto to Ottawa, I can usually get the FAN from Toronto to just past Port Hope and then it gets fuzzy until I can pick up a Peterborough station for awhile and then I can usually get 1310 from about Kingston to Ottawa.
MW: Thanks for the clarification. Sadly, we’re not on in Peterborough anymore.
- DerekStill think 89 wins gets the wild card?
MW: Maybe.
- JaymeisterMike,
Going to the Saturday afternoon game, just wondering what time do the Jays usually have their Batting Practise at?
MW: They don’t always hit on Saturdays, but when they do it’s usually at 10:30-10:45.
- DennyDoes each win that Burnett gets for the rest of the year drive up his asking price over the off-season by $1 million?
He is a perfect fit for the Yankees pitching staff: highly paid and prone to injury.
MW: Obviously, it doesn’t. And he’s not that highly-paid, in relative terms.
- MikeI think I would have handled the “non benching” the same way Cito did. As frustrating as Rios can be when his brain is only working part time, this team is obviously a much better team when he is in the line up. I wouldn’t be surprised though if on of his team mates of talked to him, again, and pointed this out to him. I am so looking forward to this series. Can you tell me why they didn’t play a double header on Saturday at Fenway? With the way the team was hitting and pitching, I sure would have liked to take 3 while the getting was good.
MW: There was rain anticipated during the day on Saturday, hence no double-dip.
- dan from elmvaleMike, when you tell people that there is no such position as “back catcher” in baseball, why do we continually hear the term “captain”? As far as I know only Boston and the Yankees have a designated captain. Would you say that there is no such thing as a captain in baseball? Personally I cringe everytime I hear the term. I guess it’s just because I am not a particular fan of the only 2 teams to use one.
MW: The Royals and Reds have had a captain recently, and the Jays even called Carlos Delgado their captain once upon a time.
- dan from elmvale…not feeling the belief so far. We’re 1 run down in the 6th and seem bent on giving the Yankee pitcher 3-ball innings.
MW: Yup. The Jays will win, watch.
- reyesMike, they did so well against the Red Sox but are typically stinking the joint out in game 1 of a crucial series against the Yanks. Why does can’t this team ever do something special when they have the chance?
MW: I’ll bet you they win.
- Vito From HamiltonRasner has only thrown 68 pitches through 6 innings.
This is just freakin’ embarrassing.
- KrisI stand corrected, Mike. Thank-You Mr. Lind!
- Vito From HamiltonWho would be your pick for AL MVP?
MW: Probably Carlos Quentin, off the top of my head.
- andrewOkay, I won’t complain about Rios anymore. It could be worse. What was Johny Damon doing out there? On the first blunder Jamie Campbell said he heard footsteps from the left fielder. Not sure what J.C. was watching. I was surprised that Greg Zaun didn’t come in to pinch hit for Barahas in the bottom of the ninth. What do you think?
MW: Why would Zaun have pinch-hit for Barajas? As for the Rios-Damon comparison, Damon’s drops weren’t for lack of effort.
- dan from elmvaleOK, you are right and I was wrong. But who knew Damon would drop another catchable ball in the outfield?!
Anyway, I hope the callers lay off Overbay tonight. Because that throw-out of Schmuck-Rod in the 9th was a beauty play.
MW: Best throwing arm among first basemen in the game, and no longer the best-kept secret.
- reyesWhy would you ask me why Zaun would pinch hit for Barajas? The pitcher was right handed and the last time I checked Zaun is still on the roster and is a switch hitter.
MW: Barajas is starting every day behind the plate, regardless of which side the pitcher throws from. So if Cito thinks Zaun’s not good enough to start over Barajas against a righty, why would he pinch-hit him for Barajas against a righty?
- dan from elmvaleMike, what is our record against the Yankees the past few years because I think we have a winning record against them?
MW: We don’t, and neither do the Jays. The Jays are 34-49 against the Yanks since the beginning of the 2004 season, including tonight’s win.
- andrewMike, isn’t it exciting to see Lind put it all together? He had some of the best plate appearances on the team against the Yankees tonight.
A note on the Jays hitters’ approach at the plate: Manny Ramirez has been known to chant “go deep in the count” in the clubhouse - apparently it’s one of the keys to his success (and that of the Red Sox). Tonight the Jays seemed to be doing the opposite, hacking away early in the count for most of the game (Lind being a notable exception). I know Cito has been preaching “get a good pitch to hit, then swing away”, but this is ridiculous. Darrell Rasner, stopper?
I’ve been critical of JP at several points this year, but his attempt to trade for Raul Ibanez at the July deadline is looking pretty astute in retrospect (as is his decision to hang on to AJ). Are there any other potential veteran DHs (or 3Bs, for that matter) available via trade or waiver claim that JP could acquire to help the team over the next six weeks?
Keep up the good work.
MW: Gary Sheffield is out there, I think. Ibanez didn’t get through waivers, so it’s not him. I don’t think they’ll go after a third baseman, though. As for Lind, he did see a lot of pitches in his first at-bat, but he swung at ball four twice - fouling it off once, and striking out the second time.
- GeoffIs there a chance that CC Sabathia gets the most money ever for a SP surpassing Johan Santana contract the way he’s pitching?
MW: Absolutely.
- andrewMike, re Post #37 — I think you mis-read the question.
The poster asked about “a hit BY the batter” — your answer (”it is a ball”) would be correct if it was a hit OF the batter (hit by pitch), but for the question as asked, the answer would be that it is counted as a strike (as are any pitches that the batter swings at, even if the pitch is not in the strike zone).
MW: Ahh, yes. A hit is counted as a strike, indeed.
- NormHi Mike,
God Bless Johnny Damon! I havee a feeling he’s gonna be talked about on Yankee talk shows in a negative way. Just a thought ;). Big win tonight and if we can win the next two, I’m gonna go see the jays this weekend. Do you think AJ will be this good next year, or is this just a case of the pre free agency year? He is as good as ever and I think he must’ve impressed the Yankees with the last 2 starts hes had vs them. First that 8.1 inning gem before the all star break and now this 13 K performance. Unbelievable. What do you think his cotnract will look like in the off season? I guess: 3 yrs 60 million. what do u think? Oh and what happened that caused AJ to refuse to talk to you?
MW: I don’t know why A.J. doesn’t talk to me. A.J. won’t get $20 million a season, but I can see him signing a 5-year deal somewhere in the $70-$80 million neighbourhood. I wonder how he’ll perform over the life of that deal, health-wise. When he’s healthy, he’s terrific. You’re only coming to see the Jays this weekend if they sweep the Yankees?
- WarrenYou’re right! Literally Romeros. I triple check every post for spelling and grammar but you finally got me. And dude, I was kidding about AJ. I guess I need to step it up in the joke department as well.
- SpiderSilvaMike:
I didn’t mean to cause any sort of stir by asking who you thought was the better Manager, Cito or Gibbons. And just so you know, I wasn’t trying to prove you wrong in any way. I was just asking a question, hoping to get your thoughts. There was no other motives at play at all.
I see someone went on the offensive with you regarding your answer. Just want to make it clear, it wasn’t me.
Truthfully though, I was hoping for a more defined answer, but I can appreciate your reluctance to answer with one or the other.
How much of the resurgence is Cito related, in your opinion?
MW: I know it wasn’t you. The question itself is essentially impossible to answer. We have no idea what the manager does between games, what he says to his players, how he interacts with his coaching staff, etc. We look at results and judge who’s a good manager and who isn’t. Would John Gibbons have won the World Series with the 92 or 93 teams? No idea. Would Cito have won 83 games with last year’s broken-down bunch? No clue. In-game, Cito took a lot of heat for his strategic maneuvering, or lack thereof, during his first tenure here, and there were many (not including me) who believed that the Jays won in spite of him, or that anyone could have managed those teams to championships. I don’t believe that. As for this year, some of the resurgence is Cito-related, but not nearly as much of it as many seem to believe.
- CamReed Johnson is now batting .314, with an obp of .370 and an ops of .830.
In this offensively starved season, his release was a huge blunder.
Guess the fans knew better than BJ management in this case.
MW: I believe that you honestly think that last sentence is true.
- MMIn regard to #5, Kenny Lofton went unsigned because he wanted a two year deal and assurance he’d play every day. This according to Indians GM Mark Shapiro.
MW: I have heard the same.
- Jim in OhioMike:
Someone called tonight and suggested Casey Blake as a possibility. You said he didn’t hit enough, so I had to look it up:
His OPS is .824 (lifetime .783) this year and it hasn’t slowed down in Dodger Stadium. Besides Adam Lind, no Blue Jay has a higher OPS. While Blake is no Manny or “game changer” he is playing better than any other Blue Jay this year. He would be an improvement compared to other options we have.
MW: This year being the key.
- Jim BMike, do you think Jays Management will try to extend Halladay after this season and what kind of contract extention would the Jays offer him?
MW: I don’t know if they’ll try to do it after this season, but I know they’re talking about it. I don’t know if Halladay would be inclined to sign an extenSion after this season, or if he might want to wait and see what 2009 has in store for the Jays.
- andrewThat’s an interesting proposition a reader above mentioned. Say this was possible - would you trade Roy Halladay for Tim Lincecum & Evan Longoria?
MW: Of course.
- AriMW: I’ll give you the first three as two why Ricciardi rubs a lot of people the wrong way
“as two why”?
MW: Typo. It happens. I don’t proofread my answers to comments.
- JaybirdHi mike,
In response to comment 87:
I’m going to see the Sox if the Jays win the first four of five games this week or else I won’t be motivated to see them if they fall back a bit. Are the Jays a potential team Aj could end up with and have a whole new contract.
MW: It’s a shame that you’re not motivated to just go see a baseball game.
- WarrenTo all you Reed Johnson fans: I know hindsight is 20/20, but do you really think we would see the emergence of Adam Lind if Reed was still here? Be honest. With all the injuries and such, Johnson would have definetly been an upgrade over Mencherson, but why cry over spilt milk now?
(That will be the last cliche I use in this post. Honest to God. Okay, that’s it.)
- Jonah