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11:30 PM Eastern
After a day off spent watching over 20 screaming seven year-old girls at The Billie’s fabulous birthday party (a bowling party yet! I threw four strikes in five frames! The Billie got a dolphin Webkin, among other things!) it was great to head back to the ballpark for a nice, quiet evening. Not too much going on down on the field to disturb me.
Those of you who are frequent listeners to my fine radio programme are aware that I’m a big fan of the three men to whom I lovingly refer as the degenerate gamblers. “Inside The Lines” is one of my favourite shows on the Fan590. All three of those guys would have told you to bet the house on the Orioles tonight. The Jays were coming home off a road trip on which they played eight games in six days, playing a series against an also-ran for the first time in five weeks, had just (basically) been eliminated from playoff contention and were facing a rookie lefty. Not too many reasons for the Jays NOT to come out flat, and they did.
This was one of those games that they just plain and simple weren’t going to win, even though they were never really out of it. Chris Waters had them eating out of his left hand all night long. This would be the same Chris Waters that, outside his first major-league start, had allowed 50 hits and 18 walks in 36 innings (a WHIP of 1.89, ERA of 7.00) covering seven starts. But he had the Jays tied up in knots. This facing-a-lefty thing is something the Jays are really going to have to address over the off-season. They’re 17-23 this season against starting lefties, and they could really use a couple of lefty crushers – one to platoon with Lyle Overbay and another to DH, at the very least.
The bullpen was terrific again, with John Parrish giving up a solo shot to Luke Scott to lead off the fourth for the only blemish in six innings of ‘pen work. We had a Brian Wolfe sighting as well, he worked the 6th and 7th, allowing a hit and a walk and striking out a pair in his first appearance since his call-up back on September 2nd. I’d like to see him get a good shot to be part of the bullpen mix next season. I really think that he got the shaft this year, but part of that was because the Jays wanted to see if he could be a viable candidate to start. He’s proven amazingly proficient at getting right-handed hitters out in the big leagues.
The injury to Shaun Marcum is worrisome. He said that he felt fine for the first two innings, then felt some numbness in his right pinky finger when throwing a couple of change-ups in the 3rd. On The JaysTalk, I jumped to the worst-case scenario of some sort of neurological issue, and brought up guys like Jeremy Bonderman and Hank Blalock, who have had ribs removed to get rid of nerve impingements. That might just have been my osteocartilaginous bar talking – Marcum’s case might not be similar at all. He wants to make his last two starts this season, but I think the Jays would probably be better served shutting him down and making sure that he’s 100% going into Spring Training. They’ll already be opening camp without A.J. Burnett and likely with both Dustin McGowan and Casey Janssen behind (if not well behind) the rest of the pitchers – why take a needless chance on Marcum, too?
I thought Jose Bautista did a fine job at second base tonight, in his first foray at the position in a Jays uniform. He wasn’t seriously, seriously tested, but made a nice turn on a double play in the 6th, and made the right decision on a hit-and-run grounder hit to him in the 9th. No biggie, it’s just good to see that he’s versatile enough to put over there in a pinch.
Travis Snider, who’s likely going to play every day from here on out, got the Jays’ only extra-base hit – a double into the gap in left-centre. It was ANOTHER two-strike hit, after he’d extended the at-bat to an 8th pitch, and it was only his second hit against a lefty, though in only his 8th at-bat. Snider had a bit of an adventure in the outfield, though. He got turned around on a Brian Roberts fly ball over his head in the 3rd inning, though he almost recovered. He didn’t look good diving for the ball at the end of his run, but it’s almost impossible to recover well enough at that point to make anything look good. So far, his outfield play has been better than I thought it would be.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
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Mike, you say you got 4 strikes in 5 frames. I do hope that you are playing the Canadian game of 5 pin bowling. (I own a five pin bowling centre)
MW: Five pin indeed!
- dan from elmvaleHi Mike,
Funny how a week ago we were talking 90 wins as a possibility. Now I reckon we’ll struggle to get to 85. I think our hot streak patently illustrates what can be if we get decent, consistent hitting and the flip side if we don’t.
The thing about our hitting is that it seems liable to switch off at any time…we’ve been a very streaky team this year from the word go. I’d just like to see them play the young guys and do some experimenting from here on in.
You picked up on Downs struggling fairly early. Wonder what would’ve happened if Cito hadn’t kept going to him in the Boston series. Little things..little things.
MW: Why do you think that they’ll struggle to finish the season 5-6?
- Oz Robmike, you keep saying in defense of JP that he has assembled on the best pitching staffs in the league. well let me address that. first of all he is accountable for both the offense and the pitching not just one, so you cant then not give him credit for one of the worst offenses in the league as well. and if you want to blame the hitters well then give all the credit to the pitchers as well.
second point is that JP gets no credit for the best pitcher on the team, roy halladay, who basically carries the team and the pitching staff EVERY year. If you take his w/l record away the rest of the pitchers are 62-60. That is nothing to brag about. Also consider that AJ is 18-10 and if he leaves next year, that means his replacement must go 18-10 just for the jays to be even! who do you predict will have that kind of record on this team since nobody else is even close to 15 wins!
you see mike, next year could get a lot uglier since the pitching can’t get any better and you have the exact same hitters coming back next year. look at the last few hitters he brought in thomas, rolen, batista, barajas, scutaro. no great quality there. and the jury is still out on lind and snider. lind hasn’t homered in a month. we don’t know what kind of consistency we would get there.
MW: Why can’t Ricciardi take any credit for Halladay? He may not have drafted him, but he’s signed him to his last two contracts.
- roccoHi Mike.. I dont like the fact the JAYS are thinking of the two young kids as a D.H… Travis and Adam.. Just go out and get Manny or Jason G. and get the mystery out of the way..Lets get a proven power bat and put this thing to rest.. Whats your take on this Mike?
MW: I’d prefer they just went out and got Manny or Giambi, but it’s not always that easy.
- FLIPPERAnyway, here’s a question for you. Markakis or Rios, who do you like better and who is better?
Both have very similar skill sets but I think Markakis is better and he’s younger. That’s too bad because I really think Rios has the talent to be the better of the two.
MW: That’s the thing – Rios definitely has the talent to be better, but so far, it’s Markakis, easy.
- ShawnYou are right Mike… telling us that you have had past neurological issues.
Yes, it all makes sense now.
MW: I said neurological, not psychological.
- Kelly PfeifferHey Mike,
First off, while I enjoy debating your everything-is-roses-about- J.P. stance, we all appreciate your responses on this blog.
J.P. can take all the credit he wants for the pitching staff, but here is the reason the Jays are not contenders:
The Jays got rid of their cleanup (Thomas) and No. 5 (Glaus) hitters and essentially replaced those two heart-of-the-order bats by calling up Lind.
Buying out Thomas turned out to be the right move, even if there was no cleanup hitter to replace him, but the gamble on Rolen is a bust.
Rolen suffers from a bad shoulder and is a No. 8 hitter. Glaus came back from a bad shoulder tonight and hit his 24th homer. The pop-gun Jays offence sure could have used Glaus this season.
By the way, since you’re sure to wave the pom-poms about Rolen’s defence, go compare the fielding stats between Rolen and Glaus.
J.P. keeping his job is one thing, but if he wants to sustain any consumer confidence for next season, he’ll have to replace that middle-of-the-order bat.
MW: Rolen has been a bust so far, but he could very well go out and be a good hitter again next year. One hopes that once (if?) he gets his shoulder problems behind him, he’ll be a very capable 2 or 6 hitter. But that’s what happens with gambles, sometimes you lose. As for Glaus, he didn’t want to be here, he blamed the turf for his foot and leg problems, and there’s NO way to know if he’d have been able to produce the way he has since June 1st if he had stayed here. The reason, however, that the Jays aren’t contenders, is that guys like Rios, Hill, Overbay and Wells couldn’t drive in a run in April and June (not Hill in June).
- Ken PaganMichael of the Ballyard:
Look for me to email you a link to a recent column of mine very shortly — it should be in publication around the time that you’re answering comments, so I’ll send it over Thurday afternoon or something and you can take a look whenever.
Is wilner590@hotmail.com the appropriate address? I remember that was where you said to send questions back when you were doing mailbags in the winter.
MW: I don’t ever check that e-mail address anymore. The best place to get me is right here.
- JCLNo matter how you spin JP’s tenure in Toronto, he doesn’t deserve another year.
It is just like your bizarre statement that a manager (John Gibbons) should never be fired if his players perform below expectations. Please tell when a manager should be fired, then?
If you can never blame a manager for a team’s failure, Carlos Tosca, Buck Martinez and Jim Fergosi would still be managing the Jays’.
So it’s NOT JP’s fault that the team had injuries. But every team has injuries. That was last year’s excuse as well. When a team has injuries it is the job of the GM to fill those holes. He filled alright, with Mench’s, Wilkerson’s and Bautista’s. It’s called having depth. Riccardi started depleting his depth by letting Reed Johnson go and not replacing Frank Thomas’s slot at DH. It certainly was not his fault that his trades and free-agent pick-ups were a disaster. It’s not his fault that the offense was offensive to watch. Again that goes back to depth. Look at what the Rays have done when injuries to Langoria and Crawford came about. Guys like Aybar, Gross and Baldelli made great contributions to the Rays playoff push.
You claim that JP has built the best pitching in baseball. Let’s see, Halladay is not from JP’s regime, AJ is leaving, Marcum is now a question mark.. so is McGowan, Accardo and Janssen. Purcey and Litsch have potential but are not proven for an entire season.
Bob McCowan did offer a viable point about why JP should be fired. He said of all the GM’s employed back in 2001, when JP started, only JP hasn’t taken his team to the playoffs and still has a job with that team.
Rebuttal, Mr Wilner?
MW: How many of them worked in the A.L. East? Look, you can spin things any way you want, but I tell the truth. If you think that there’s some failing in J.P. because Willy Aybar and Gabe Gross filled in well and Shannon Stewart and Kevin Mench didn’t, then you simply believe that Andrew Friedman has a crystal ball.
- Kelly Pfeifferhey mike, 1 more win til D day!
MW: One more win for Boston plus one more loss for Toronto.
- roccoSpare a thought for some ex-Jays. Matt Stairs has only had about 9 at bats for the Phillies and poor old Eck has a lower batting average than Randy Johnson.
- Oz Robsorry mike, i would have written in earlier but i was too busy flying out to Markakis in right.
couple thoughts looking forward to next year. i think starting the season with thigpen is not a good idea. kid just cant hit at all..i dont think he’s anything special defensively. i think a perfect stopgap type of guy would be robinzon diaz..oh waite..we traded him for marco scutaro v.2 only slightly worse at everything save for power hitting. in all seriousness, the jays traded diaz, who ranked as a top 10-15 prospect (yes i know he was passed at his position..but still ranked relatively highly) to get bautista.
yet when they tradeed their veterans (eckstein and stairs) they received players that were not in the other organizations top 30. im not saying this to claim they should have gotten more for eck or stairs..clearly you arent gonna get much for them..what i am saying is that they gave up too much for diaz who would have been a perfect fit for the team as a cheap backup to barajas and placeholder till arencibia is ready. i know ecksteins contract is up after this year but stairs isnt. heck i dont think the fact that the jays retain bautistas rights after this year is a positive.
MW: You can take that up with J.P. then. Bautista has been a solid bat against lefties his whole career, and is under control for a while yet, which is why it took more to get him than the Jays got back for one month of Eckstein and a year and a month of Stairs. Stairs will be 41 next year, so his being under contract isn’t a selling point. If Diaz is what you says he is – a half-year placeholder back-up catcher until Arencibia is ready – I’d rather have Bautista. You can’t compare Bautista, value-wise, to Eckstein and Stairs, but I’d save your venom until you see what Diaz turns into. If he’s just another Guillermo Quiroz/Kevin Cash type, then the Jays did very well for themselves. If he becomes an all-star, then they got ripped.
- sammy jalalzaiOn Jaystalk tonight I think you misspoke twice.
You said that the AL west has four of the five best teams in baseball. In any one year I would say maybe two, never three, and as I said, clearly you misspoke when you said four.
Also, when talking about the streaking Marlins now being 4.5 games out of the wildcard you said “they are in a playoff race, something the Jays are no longer in” I never thought the Jays were in a playoff race, either this year or any JP year.
If your defination of being in a race to to be in a situation, albeit for 48 hours, that if you play 800 baseball over the last 20 games and the two teams ahead of you both play 300 baseball then that is NOT a playoff race.
MW: That’s not my defination, I don’t think. I mean, I’m not sure what a defination is. I actually said that the A.L. East could have four of the five best teams in baseball, and I stand by that. You seem to think that if your opinion disagrees with mine, then I am “misspeaking”. The truth is, I didn’t misspeak, we just disagree.
- wayneIs it an automatic that Arnsburg will be back next year?
I suspect Cito will be back, and although Arnsburg has done a great job, it’s not unusual to see a manager get his pick of assistant coaches.
MW: They’re not called assistant coaches in baseball, just coaches. It’s not automatic that Arnsberg will be back next season. The Jays would like to have him back, but he could write his own ticket, relatively, and might want to explore his options.
- JasonLast night was a joke. Waters was ordinary mostly and sometimes good but c’mon a shutout! Some terrible ABs by the Jays, there were so many flyouts and outs on first pitches that I lost count. Looked like they all wanted to get it done by 9pm and go home.
Mike, how do you think Rios is developing/progressing? I don’t think he grew a lot this year as a baseball player. Too many brain cramps in the field, numerous base-running mistakes and also a lot of immaturity when on the plate. For a talent like that it’s unacceptable. Don’t you think he took a little step backwards this year?
MW: Last night was rough, no question, but Waters did the same thing (even better, actually) against the Angels in his major-league debut. I think Rios has definitely taken a step back this season, but not an irreversible one.
- BeburgMike, is there any section at Rogers centre where pets are allowed? Uncle Sidney wanted to bring his new cat to the ballgame.
MW: Only on dog day, I think.
- BeburgYesterday was another affront to baseball common-sense. Cito had Marco Scutaro leading off (swinging at the first pitch each time) while he had the on base machine *snort* of Jose Bautista batting second.
I sat almost behind the plate yesterday and could not believe the border-line pitches that the Blue Jays were swining at compared to Baltimore who worked counts and got on base. It was first pich swinging Blue Jays all night. At least they took very few called strikes which must have made Cito and Rance Mullinicks on the TV very proud.
- Jim Bnot really a related comment but I always hear you talking about how the Jays need to upgrade at SS. I don’t really agree. A lot of teams win with a good defensive SS batting 9th. I think JM is hard to beat defensively and that makes up for his lower then average – BA. I hope they aren’t able to find a replacement and use JMac right out of the gate next year. New DH maybe a platoon guy at 1B/3B could be all they need to improve the hitting.
Cheers…and keep up the good work.
MW: I agree that McDonald has few, if any, peers as a defensive shortstop, but I’m not sure I agree that a lot of teams win with an all-glove shortstop batting 9th.
- ScottMike, in regards to your thought that the Jays need a “lefty masher” to platoon with Overbay, is Bautista an option?
I realize he hasn’t been that yet, but he did hit .253/.363/.547 against LHP in 48 games with Pitt., and he appeared to be at least “adequate” defensively in his appearances at first in the last couple of weeks.
If not, who might be available, either in FA or via trade?
MW: Bautista is an option, but he’d have to get more familiar with first base – he had some adventures there last time out. Still, he hasn’t achieved the level of mashicity that I’d like to see out of a potential platoon-mate for Overbay. Among the historical lefty-mashers available on the free agent market – Mark Ellis, Jeff Kent, Richie Sexson, Morgan Ensberg and Moises Alou. Not exactly a stellar cast.
- NormMW: ‘You like the team, they played wonderfully well, they gave you an exciting ride, and you think the guy who put the team together has to go.’
Yes.
Do I have to go over the reasons again?
He can’t stop meddling and he’s screwed-over at least two players I can think of: Zaun and McDonald. This must make the other players antsy and that’s not good for morale. You can argue that Barajas is a better option than Zaun. You’d be right. But the way it was handled was badly done. Ditto McDonald, who was told he’d be the starting s/s. Until… And then Johnson was given a nice contract and a week or so later told to get out of town. Some or all of these moves may have been necessary. But for God’s sake be careful how they’re handled. You think that stuff wasn’t noticed by the rest of the team, who just went on their merry way? There was a reason the team played so badly in April, and I think those events had a lot to do with it.
He can’t keep his mouth shut, and when he opens it he says dumb and embarrassing things. He has made too many enemies with that fat mouth and it hurts the team. Adam Dunn is a good player. He won’t be playing for us, will he? That’s just one. Delgado wasn’t fond of being called an albatross in public either. Is Cito Gaston going to come back or not? He said on your show that he was. I hope he does. But apparently JP spoke inadvisably again!
He does not have a particularly good trade/fa signing record when it comes to position players. He’s signed a couple of good ones. But then there are the duds. Thomas? Koskie? Stewart? he couldn’t have known that Stewart would collapse like he did. But good GMs do sometimes make crazy signings that work out. Ricciardi makes completely understandable signings that tank. Bad luck, whatever. We don’t need any more of it.
When he likes a player, he likes him. Never mind that the player in question’s last good year was 2005. He’ll sign that player anyway.
He fielded the wrong manager and kept him up there far too long. And by the way he hired the wrong hitting instructor as well. You and I disagree on this and we won’t be changing each other’s minds anytime soon. I put the resurgence down to Cito, Tenace, and a much, much calmer atmosphere in the late season, after, I’m sure, Ricciardi was told to butt out and leave Gaston alone to manage the team.
Ricciardi wasn’t the worst GM and he put together a much better team than Gord Ash did. But that’s not the point now. We need a GM who can field a contender, and Riccardi hasn’t managed to do that. He’s had quite a while to work his magic.
It hasn’t worked.
MW: That’s because he’s not magic.
- reyesMike, here’s an interesting quote from Larry Dobrow’s “Power Ranking” (LA Angels section) column today:
“Which pitcher would you rather have: the one who, in 64 innings, has surrendered 50 hits, issued 34 walks and fanned 74 batters (2.38 ERA) or the one who, in 70 innings, has put up a 54/27/57 line (1.78 ERA)? I can’t see much of a difference between the two and neither can you, so let’s split any stray Cy Young votes between the first fella (K-Rod) and the second (Toronto’s Scott Downs). Downs might be more deserving of award consideration, actually, in that he occasionally pitches more than a single inning in his appearances, which K-Rod hasn’t done once in 2008.”
Just another example of “skill + opportunity = success” (or something).
MW: Cool!
- NormI think there is going to be a bit of a logjam with some of the bats next season. If both Snider and Lind are here, and the Jays go looking for a platoon at 1B, and if they pick up a DH, how do you see the roster shaping out next season?
What defensive position would Ibanez play? Could he be a 1B?
Do you see any trades coming this offseason? The Jays seem loaded with bullpen arms. Who would get any kind of value? Would the Jays be able to replace that player internally as well?
MW: The Blue Jays have loads of options if they want to make deals in the bullpen, and plenty of internal replacements. I think Brandon League would bring back the most value. I don’t think that Ibanez will be here if the Jays plan to go with Snider. He can play first, though.
- Aaron KerMike buddy,
Imagine there was a position called Batcatcher, and his job was to catch stray bats that fly from the batters hand (a la Zaun) and if he catches the bat, its an OUT!!
Good idea eh?
MW: Sure – but I wouldn’t want to do it.
- Andrew (Guelph)Good day Mr. Wilner,
I’m wondering which of the following, in your opinion, best fit ownership’s attitude toward the Jays.
A. Mr. Rogers is highly motivated to achieve MBL’s pinnacle of achievement, a World Series Championship.
B. Mr. Rogers has been a baseball most of his life and is proud to be a franchise owner.
C. As long as profit targets are met, Mr. Rogers is content to have operations of the Jays be handled by the people hired to do those jobs.
D. Given an acceptable offer, Mr. Rogers would sell the Jays franchise, the stadium, and associated Jays media interests in a New York minute.
Do any of these come close to ownership’s attitude, or perhaps some combination?
Thanks for sharing an insider’s view.
MW: I would think that the closest one is C. I don’t think D is at all close to being true.
- kenl77MW: That’s the downside of the 4-headed outfield/DH beast that the Jays seem to want to try out. As for Wells, I think he would accede to Cito’s wishes, because Gaston commands that much respect.
that’s exactly what my beef was with this whole scenario. you don’t ‘try things out’ in what is, unquestionably, your biggest game of the season. you pencil in your best offensive AND defensive line up, and at that point, whatever happens, is the rightful outcome.
also, cito may command that much respect, but being an elite level MLB player, there should be a mutual respect between he and wells. there’s a way to be heard without being disrespectful. disagreements aren’t always a sign of insolence, but sometimes just passion. i would hope that wells had the passion to disagree with this managerial move.
MW: I don’t think Cito was “trying things out”, he had done that before, and I don’t think Vernon would have been vocal in his disagreement, but that’s all hypothetical. It’s “between him and Wells”, by the way.
- Jay BYou know it’s bad when you’ve reached the point where watching the Jays get shut down by a mediocre, soft-tossing lefty who’s been battered around by everyone else is entirely predictable. What is it about lefties that has this team totally voodooed?
It’s a problem, and I don’t know how you fix it. Mench has a 690 ops against lefties. Wilkerson is one of the few LHB who hit lefties as well as righties, problem is nowadays he sucks equally against both. For the regulars, only Wells is mashing against them.
What do you think about Josh Phelps as part of a DH platoon?
MW: I’d love to have him here to crush lefties, but the Cards seem to like him, too.
- Flaming MoeMike,
You were correct…Rickey Henderson has broken up no-hitters with a homerun more than anyone else. At least 81 one times where he led off a game with a homer. He possibly has done it more times, but i can’t see how anyone else could even be close to that.
I asked if you thought there was a young superstar that the Jays could and should goafter. You responded by saying there probably was but who would be available. Well, historically, teams like Oakland and Florida have rid themselves of players on the cusp of putting them out of their budget. With Florida having 4 young infielders with almost 30 homeruns each this year, could the Jays pry one away with a top pitching prospect? I’m not sure of their contract status. I can’t recollect how Detroit was able to acquire Miguel Cabrera, but I was just wondering if the Jays could do something like that, seeing that they have some money to spend next year.
Regards,
Dawson
MW: I thought you meant someone who hadn’t played in the big leagues yet, or had just a very small amount of playing time. I don’t think the Marlins would be inclined to move one of Hanley Ramirez or Dan Uggla – the reason they traded Cabrera and Willis was to get the salary down so that they could keep this next wave together for a bit. They’ll be available in a couple of years, after the Marlins win their next World Series.
- DawsonAt this date in 2006 the Blue Jays had almost the exact same record as they do now.
They caught fire in September
as well that year.
Problem is in 2007 they were out of the race by July.
So anybody who thinks this little run gaurantees success for next year are nothing more then shills for the Blue Jays. And for all Paul Godfrey’s crying about playing with the Yankees and Red Sox? He’s the guy who wanted to be in that division. And I’m sure he doesn’t complain when tens of thousands of fans comes up from the US? And about Travis Snyder being annointed a superstar based on 50 at bats Can you say Eric Hinske?
MW: It’s Snider, and I haven’t heard anyone anointing him a superstar, nor have I heard anyone saying that this two-month run guarantees success for next year.
- Rick GRaceMike,
The rumours are out there that Cito is going to get a contract for 2009 and beyond, which I think is great. However, many think that this is also a sign that JP will be back next year, which has cause me to do some reflection on his time here.
He has done some many good things, however, he has been here 7 years and has been given approximately a $100 million payroll, and has yet to bring in a single impact player, that wasn’t in the organization already when he took over. Sure guys like Glaus, Burnett, Ryan, etc. have shown flashes of brilliance, however, I would not classify them as impact players. An impact guy should be at least among the top 50 best players in the league, and I can’t make an solid argument for anyone JP has sign/traded for/drafted.
Also, the comment has been made that the Jays are finally showing the fruits of JP’s drafts with guys like Lind, Marcum, Snider, Purcey, etc. However, these guys have yet to prove anything in the major leagues, next season rather than having break-out seasons, there is a greater chance the following will happen:
Marcum – DL
Purcey – 6-10, 5.00 era
Lind – .260, 15 HR
Snider – AAA
Therefore the sum of my reflection has led me to believe that keeping JP can not be justified for anything other than monetary reasons. Generally I have been an optimist when it comes to the Jays, however I no longer feel good about this team going forward.
MW: You’ll have to lend me your crystal ball, since you’re so certain of the futures of those four players. You have a very high standard for impact players. The Jays only have one, by your definition, and no credit for J.P. for being able to keep him here, of course.
- Peter DMike I was saying how the Hinske contract wasn’t a good contract and you responded with.
MW: Only because it didn’t work out. Wells signed the same contract (actually, for a little less) and it turned out to be a steal. When you choose to invest early in your young talent, it’s not always going to work out, but I’d rather have a G.M. who takes those gambles than one who doesn’t.
lol that made me lauph though Mike of coarse it wasn’t a good contract because it didn’t work out! I would like a GM who’s desciouns turn out okay. I don’t think we need to go over how many of J.P’s contracts work out and how many don’t. I’m just pointing out that it was a bad contract (yes I have hindsight) I don’t think you need to defend him by saying “Wells signed the same one and it worked out”
Also the going back to Overbay being out at secound. If he would have slid in normal instead of doing an awful impression of a hook slide he would of been safe by five feet but I guess the point is mute because he was safe anyways.
I think its awesome what your doing for Tom, I just voted.
and to add to what you were blogging about with a gentlemen yesterday. I’m 23 I was 7 in 92 my Parents went to Port Dover to watch the final game and I was stuck at home with the baby sitter she made me go to bed but she actually woke me up when the game was over to tell me they won!!! in 93 I watched the game in my basement with my dad and my too brothers which was awesome.
I can remeber back 7-8 years ago none of my friends liked or played baseball and it was hard to find someone to have a Jays conversation with but in the last 3-4 years the interest level around the Jays seems to have really taken off in my small town anyways now just about all my friens will watch the games and talk about them. For some reason this spike in interest seems to correlate with J.P. take over the Jays but im not sure why that would have anything to do with it because my friends didn’t go out and read money ball or anything? So I don’t no what is with the spike in interest but there sure seems to be one.
Sorry about the grammer.
MW: It’s very easy to criticize in hindsight. The grammar wasn’t that bad, but the spelling……….
- Dan MDo you reckon this is Jason Frasor’s final year with the Jays? I am thinking he is hard pressed to make what looks like a deep bullpen next year. Also, do you think Russ Adams is finished as a Blue Jays?
MW: Yes to both, I reckon.
- JeremyHey Mike,
How are you?
You forgot the most exciting part of the game where the Oriole’s #3 batter got tossed out on a called strike 3! Just before he walked down the tunnel, he then tossed his strikeout bat towards home plate!
I would advise fellow players of the game not to copy this type of behaviour, but aside from the double by #45, there wasn’t much more bat related action to cheer about.
Aneez
PS – Brian Wolfe’s walk on music was a classic!
MW: Melvin Mora and Travis Snider are the players to whom you’re referring. And yes, Hungry Like The Wolf is indeed a classic – not my favourite Duran Duran tune, but certainly a good one.
- AneezMike, you do realize that the final caller was the notorious “Neil” and not “Roger” like he said, right?
MW: Actually, I didn’t. Was he? If so, that’s kind of sad.
- BrettHi Mike
Some media types who shall remain (deservedly) nameless are reporting JP will definitely be back next season. You buying it?
If so, what are going to be his priorities this off season.
Marcuspeaks
MW: I think J.P. will be back. His priorities will be (I hope) picking up at least one bat, adding to the rotation and seeing if he can use some of his surplus to make a trade or two to improve a position or two.
- marcOpps, In my previous comment I said the AL West, sorry. You said the AL East has four of the best five teams in baseball.
MW: I just thought you misspoke.
- wayneMike, I know that you’ve said lots of times that one man can’t turn a team around a full 180 degrees. But if Cito and his staff aren’t doing it then what is? I think that he and his coaching staff are making this team hit again and everything should be in place for 2009.
MW: I’ve said many times what I think is happening.
- gregAlso, have you checked out the schedule? The Jays have 2 off days in one week at the begging of august.
MW: That’s around the two-gamer with the Yankees, right? It’s not THAT unusual for a team to have a Monday and a Thursday off in the same week once or twice a season.
- greg…and it looks like you got what you wanted and Ricciardi will be back.
MW: Because Griff says so?
- reyesJays/Orioles games are always so lame. Even Melvin Mora’s bat toss was weak. They should play “Broken Wings” during the 7th inning stretch.
- slobberfaceIt has seemed to me that the team rarely wins after an off-day…Do you happen to know their record this season for games played after a day off (incl. scheduled days and rain outs)?
MW: No, I don’t. But I could look it up (though you could have, too). They’re now 7-9 following a day off, scheduled or otherwise.
- Clayanother what if scenario i was pondering while down at the game last night. (man that was alot of flyball outs that looked like potential long balls off the bat)
though you can never expect perfect health thru the entire course of the year, was wondering how things might have ended up this yr. (even with the poor-to mediocre hitting for most of this year) if janssen accardo mcgowan marcum we’re all good to go from start to finish and perhaps throw in ryan having returned to 100% form from day 1 on.
might have been a playoff team regardless of the hiting. just a thought of course.
worst case could have moved some of that excess pitching (starting in particular) and added the bat or 2 they needed all along.
and then my question to you before about finishing out of the playoffs entirely and having the best era in all mlb could have really been put to th etest. cause the teram era we would have had this yr. with total health might have been downright frightening indeed mr. mike.
and really think you should take mccowan out next time you get a chance )preferably on a round table discussion you periodically get invited on) with the notion he thinks j.p is should be axed for not putting a good enough team together and yet based on his personal theory of what the mlb playoff structure should be, the jays are in a pennant race virtually every yr. and a playoff team in some others.
can’t imagine how he could defend his opinion to the contrary. could you?
darrell from the dock in muskoka…
MW: He would say that one has nothing to do with the other, that Ricciardi has to make do with the cards he’s dealt, and that’d be a perfectly sensible argument.
- darrell bishopMike,
Went to the game last night…what a disappointment. Can you say “playing out the string”. Absolutely no emotion or effort at all. I’m paying money to see these guys and they put in an effort like that.
Needless to say, given the lack of action last night, gave me plenty of time to think about 2009.
Couple of questions:
1) Whats the latest on Aaron Hill? Should we be expecting anything from him in 2009?
2) Do you think the Jays will spend money on DH or pitcher to replace AJ. Or is it both, which means we get a mediocre pitcher and a mediocre DH. Throw me some names here Mike to.
3) Any thoughts of converting Travis Snider to 1st base and we trade Overbay? Or could we trade Lind to make room for Snider in the outfield. I just hate the idea of putting Snider at DH. Would rather get a big bomber for DH and find room for Snider somewhere else.
MW: When a team gets shut out, it always appears to be playing without emotion and effort. 1 – Hill is coming around, and is expected to be fine for Spring Training. 2 – I think both, and I’ve thrown plenty of names out. 3 – I think that if anyone moves to first, it’ll be Lind, but I don’t think Overbay is going anywhere.
- Manny Lee #1 FanJust a quick stat that I found strang and sort of funny – in 2004, Brad Wilkerson hit 32 home runs to go along with 39 doubles 112 runs and 100+ walks in 160 games – yet he had only 67 rbi! wow. Was he a leadoff hitter that year, or something?
MW: 492 of his 688 plate appearances were out of the leadoff spot.
- BrendanMike, please – STOP referring to the Jays pitching as “the best in baseball”…clearly if they were “the best” they would be playoff-bound, and we all know that’s not happening (15 years and counting!)
MW: And yet they are.
- ChrisFletcherJust thought I would say that I voted for Tom Cheek and only Tom Cheek!
Cheers
MW: Keep it up!
- NeilHi Mike,
I believe you’ve suggested that A.J. has his healthy seasons in a contract year. My question to you is, if A.J. had another year left do you believe that his finger injury earlier this year would have him placed on the 15 day ?
MW: No, that finger injury was no big deal at all.
- DilsonHey Mike
Im just wondering how they are going to set up the playoffs for the AL this year. Because im just wondering who the winner of the al east will have to play.
MW: It depends.
- JamesSpeaking of Hill, why would people be wondering if J.P. is going to go after a middle-infielder/leadoff hitter in the offseason?
The Jays already have:
Hill
Scutaro
Inglett
MacDonald
maybe Bautista?
No need, I think, for another middle infielder as much as a true cleanup hitter.
Getting another middle infielder would be similar to J.P.’s brilliant offseason of 2005-06, when he brought in two new corner infielders (Overbay and Glaus) while already having Hinske, Hillenbrand, Koskie and Hill (who played third as a rookie in 2005) under contract.
Jays already missed the boat on acquiring Bay and/or Dunn if they were available. The most pressing need is getting a big bat, not another David Eckstein.
MW: Bay and Dunn were both available, but Dunn wouldn’t have been a solution beyond this year and the price for Bay was too high. I don’t have a problem with the Jays getting a legit starting shortstop. That doesn’t mean that getting a DH also wouldn’t happen.
- Ken PaganMike buddy,
I was looking at the Blue Jays schedule for 2009 today, and noticed that there last series of the season is against Baltimore and concludes on OCTOBER 4th?!? Really??
Are playoffs gonna go into November possibly? Why the extra week of regular season?
-Andrew
MW: Seasons have ended in October before. There’s no extra week, the season starts April 5th as opposed to March 30th as it did this year.
- Andrew (Guelph)“Mike, you do realize that the final caller was the notorious “Neil” and not “Roger” like he said, right?
MW: Actually, I didn’t. Was he? If so, that’s kind of sad.”
I’m almost positive. I remember his voice and his hate-on for JP.
MW: If it was him, that’s pretty pathetic.
- BrettHi Mike,
The reason I suggested I wouldn’t be surprised if we only get 85 wins (which wouldn’t be bad) is because we are so unpredictable. I guess I still don’t have enough confidence in the consistency of our hitting (i.e. like tonight, after being shut out for 14 innings or so, we suddenly explode..drives me crazy!).
Speaking of which, it seems to me that while keeping his batting average steady, Adam Lind’s rbi production has declined noticeably since being moved up the order.
Have you noticed this? Any real reason for it or is it just one of the vagaries of the game?
MW: I’ve noticed that he hasn’t been as effective lately as he was earlier in the season. Since being moved to the 5-hole, on a pretty-much-permanent basis, on August 1st, Lind has hit .284/.322/.414, as opposed to .355/.377/.626 from his return to that point.
- Oz RobMike:
You never make comments about my posts. Can I make the assumption that you agree then?
MW: No. Some posts I don’t think require a reply. My guess is that you tend to just make statements rather than ask questions.
- Jim BMaybe the way the team came back tonight they can get on a bit of a “streak” again. I’m gald to see you go 5 pin bowling Mike.
- dan from elmvaleMike,
Why do you do a scoreboard recap before taking calls every night?
Anybody can go to one of a hundred websites to find game scores and it just seems like a waste of time to me. I’d much rather you took calls or even talked about the game.
MW: I do a scoreboard recap of the games involving teams in pennant races, and it takes about 45 seconds, sorry if that seems like a waste of time to you. As for the idea that people can just go do their own research, I think that a glance at this comments section shows pretty obviously that a lot of folks tend not to want to do that.
- GregJPHey Mike, I was listening to the round table earlier this week, on prime time. They were talking about some interesting things, one of which was that over JP’s seven year tenure, the Jays are MAYBE/probably not a playoff team at this point. As good as the pitching staff is at this point, is JP really the right guy to take this team to the next step? I believe somebody with much more experience, a proven track record, can take this team to the next step with what we already have. What trades to make, what to stay away from, who to consider trading out of the fruitful pitching staff, etc. Not saying JP should be fired, im just posing the question, if there is a GM with a proven track record available, should the Jays not pursue whomever it may be? For the above reasons i stated above. Also, you made some great points earlier today with Jack and Doug, about how the Jays would have been in the playoffs 10 out of 11 of the past years if the same amount of teams made the playoffs in the MLB, as they do in hockey.
MW: A guy with a proven track record like Terry Ryan?
- RockyYou probably hear this a lot, but I can’t read every comment so sorry for asking it again:
Don’t you think that if the Blue Jays, as you said they should, wait for Manny in free-agency all of the other prefered free-agents will be signed? And do you think that Toronto is a favorable destination among MLB players, why/why not?
thanks a lot Mike…I’m still trying to build up the courage to call into your show.
MW: It doesn’t take courage, just good dialing fingers. And if I have to read every comment, then so should you! I think the Jays would be well-served to wait until at least close to the end of the game of free-agent musical chairs. I don’t think Toronto is near the top of most pro athletes’ (hockey excepted) lists, we’re in a foreign country, the money looks strange and funny, they have to clear customs all the time, their wives can’t work (assuming they want to), family members need passports to come visit them, stuff like that.
- JakeHi Mike,
I was wondering if you have any insight on the Jays “AAA” affiliate situation for next year. I was really hoping they would move to Buffalo, with Cleveland moving on to greener pastures in Columbus, which would put the farm team as close as possible (can you say 3 game home stand in Buffalo next year!!). Similarly to the Bills expanding their brand in T.O., this could extend the Jays brand in Western NY to a market within driving distance of T.O. and be very accessible to the many Jays fans in Niagara.
However, I read today that the Mets will very likely be in Buffalo next year. Any insight into why the Jays won’t be in Buffalo, where they might be and how the decision gets made?
Thanks Mike.
MW: The Mets are going to Buffalo, they scooped it out from under the Jays. Now the Jays and Syracuse are both in rough shape. Syracuse can either take the Jays back, or hook up with the Nationals or Marlins. If the Jays don’t wind up back in The ‘Cuse, they’re going to have their AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, likely in Portland or Vegas, and they really don’t want that to happen.
- Chris FMW: A guy with a proven track record like Terry Ryan?
Sure, why not? But I was thinking someone who has been heavily involved in a World Series Championship. Does not have to be a big name, but maybe someone who has been in the shadows with past world series winners, im thinking an assistant GM of a very successful team. Someone who has been around tremendous success, who has been through the rebuilding process of a team, to the competitive stage of the team, someone who knows, and has been around a team that has made the transition from where the jays are now, to where we want to be.
MW: That would be a guy like J.P. Ricciardi, then.
- RockyMW: That’s because he’s not magic.
Damn’ straight he isn’t.
MW: You say that like you think he should be.
- reyesWow–one bad loss and it’s torches and pitchforks time eh?
Just a tiny quibble on something…
I think it’s safe to say that Alex Rios isn’t having an off year–he had a bad first half. Since Gaston was hired:
.316/.341/.566; 30 2B 6 3B 12 HR 49 RBI
From June 20-September 17, 2007: .301/.359/.472; 23 2B 4 3B 8 HR 41 RBI.
Rios struck 35 extra base hits over the same span (June 20-Sep 17) last year but has 48 this year. It has been his strongest second half to date.
Of note, he has three more extra base hits this year than he did in 2007 after 146 games played. For all intents and purposes his HR are down–what folks are losing sight of is that his in 2006 and 2007 his homerun power fell off in the second half; this year it’s gone up. He’s also hit into eight double plays over his last 320 at bats after hitting into 11 over his first 285 AB.
While he needs to be a little more attentive in the field and on the base paths I do think it’s a bit of an overstatement to say he’s had a sub par year–just a slow start.
While it’s obvious the Jays need another bat or two, I’ve seen enough in the second half to think that the offense will not start off as poorly as it did this year. The hitters will be working to their strengths and not trying to adapt to a style with which they’re uncomfortable. I expect league average or better to start 2009–not an offensive juggernaut to be sure, but also not one that requires copious amounts of Maalox to get through a game.
Best Regards
John
- John B.MW: You say that like you think he should be.
I say that like I think he should be fired.
I looked again at Griffin’s article and Godfrey’s comments. I may yet get lucky and watch this idiot get run out of town. I really don’t want to see another season ruined by bad trades and bad free-agent pick-ups and desperation. We’ve (finally) got an experienced field manager. Now, perhaps we can get a GM who has had experience at that level at another team.
You know, one who has learnt to keep his mouth shut and his eyes open rather than the other way round.
MW: Sigh.
- reyes“Someone who has been around tremendous success, who has been through the rebuilding process of a team, to the competitive stage of the team, someone who knows, and has been around a team that has made the transition from where the jays are now, to where we want to be.”
And you said ‘someone like JP, then?’
Are you kidding me?
He was in the Oakland organization, true. But that was 8 years ago. And they didn’t win the World Series. They never even played in the World Series. Ricciardi has been with the Jays for 7 years and we have had not one single whiff of a post-season berth. Not one. Yes, we play in the toughest division. But even very expensive teams falter and we’ve seen the Yankees take a dive this year. JP has an eye for a good pitcher, and that is a valuable skill.
It’s the only skill he has.
MW: Ricciardi was actually in the Oakland organization for the 1988-1990 World Series teams, as well as some of the playoff teams of the late ’90s/early oughts.
- reyesI’ve been voting for Tom Cheek every day so far, and I’ve gotten pretty fast with it. Here’s the trick: in Explorer (and I think it has to be Explorer), bookmark the page where you’ve already selected Cheek and now they want you to fill in your information. See, that page already knows that Cheek is who you want to vote for; it’s in the URL. So if you bookmark it you can skip that step every subsequent time.
Then, when typing out all your stuff, only pay attention to the starred fields (unless you *want* to tell the Hall of Fame all about yourself every time). Navigate through the fields with a tab key and do everything by typing; don’t use the mouse at all. You can clear the checkboxes with the space bar, and for the country, state/province and birthyear dropdowns you can get the right entry to come up just by typing it.
Voting for Tom Cheek takes me a lot less than a minute now.
MW: Good advice!
- Matthew EMike:
I love your work on the radio, because I love dry sarcasm, but on the blog it doesn’t always translate… maybe try putting the sarcasm in italics? people here seem to get the wrong impression that you are actually debating them (rather than mocking their idiocy(sp?))
on another note, I happen to agree with you on JP. in retrospect, his moves all look good when he makes them. Which is all you can ask for. NOBODY has a crystal ball, so hindsight is irrelevant.
JP is doing a fine job, and next year I expect the team to perform better in April and June and prove that.
Cheers.
MW: One can only hope. And you spelled idiocy just perfectly!
- Scotty DMike,
I really hope JP wasn’t serious last night when he hinted at the possibility of using Snider as the DH next year. Also, the Jays Talk was quite entertaining especially towards the ending both times…those guys were hilarious, but I think the second guy (who sounded a bit intoxicated) was slightly more entertaining!!
MW: I think he was serious, but I still think they’ll bring in a bat.
- Bernard“And if I have to read every comment, then so should you!”
Don’t you get paid for doing this?
Once in a while the average blogger would like to know what your talking about, but don’t have the luxury to read 100+ comments for 162 games!
I actually attempted to see why you call Barjas the “Captain”, back in your blog months ago, but its extremly not practicle to search that far back!
MW: It’s pretty easy, actually. And what makes you think I get paid for this?
- Shmuel YitzchokOK I found the Captain refrence. It wasn’t that hard, I guess originally when I looked for it I thought you had to keep on hitting previous posts. I don’t understand it, but I found it! For the sake of everyone else who’s interested, I have copied and pasted it here.
“(By the way, I’ve been calling Barajas The Captain for years. Because if you pronounce his name slightly differently, it could rhyme with “courageous”, and who doesn’t like Captain Courageous? Sorry, just a brief glimpse into my apparently-damaged psyche for you all.)”
MW: Told you it was pretty easy.
- Shmuel YitzchokMike love you show, i would like you to tell me why Mcgown and griffin have a negative feel’s toward JP. When there knowledge of what goes on with the jays. I think that they should try and do some home work and see how good of a job JP has done for this team.
Ps.–look @ the leafs.
MW: You’ll have to ask those guys why they feel the way they do.
- EdMW: Ricciardi was actually in the Oakland organization for the 1988-1990 World Series teams, as well as some of the playoff teams of the late ’90s/early oughts.
Mike, I enjoy the blog because it’s the only place in my life that I get to discuss baseball. I don’t want to alienate you by having this argument because there won’t be an end to it. You like him and think he’s talented. I dislike him and think he’s a dud. Let’s agree to disagree.
If he’s back next season and the team does great and makes the play-offs, I promise you I will admit my mistake. If he’s back and they don’t make the playoffs, will you entertain the idea that you may have been wrong?
MW: I thought we agreed to disagree a couple of weeks ago! As for the last, it can’t be just about making the playoffs. Of course that’s the goal, but there are all sorts of reasons why a team doesn’t make it – and why a GOOD team doesn’t make it. If a G.M. assembles a team that should make a run for the playoffs, he’s done a pretty good job.
- reyesMW: ‘As for the last, it can’t be just about making the playoffs. Of course that’s the goal, but there are all sorts of reasons why a team doesn’t make it – and why a GOOD team doesn’t make it.’
Mike, we haven’t had a really good team for a while. I’m sorry, but we haven’t. However what we did have for maybe half this season was a bunch of sleep-walkers. I sat behind home plate and watched them shamble around and hit into double-plays. I felt like a complete idiot for wasting my money supporting these guys and so did everyone around me. This is the team that JP built to win. The one that really had a chance to go to the playoffs. They perked up under Cito and for a month and a half turned into the team we were promised. Which only tells me that we had exactly the wrong manager and hitting coach before. And that manager was around for a while. And he was JP’s boy. Denbo was JP’s hire.
MW: Sigh.
- reyes