VOTE FOR TOM CHEEK! DETAILS AND LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST!!!
5:10 PM Eastern
I knew it was going to be a good day today when I woke up to find a real, live white-tailed deer hanging out on my front lawn, eating pears and crabapples that had fallen to the ground. That was an incredibly cool way to begin a day, and the day lived up to expectations. I had a nice conversation with Peter and Marie Kottaras, parents of the Red Sox’ George, who grew up in Markham, booked Jason Bay for a TBJTW inteview tomorrow, got to meet a few of the Jays’ Webster Award winners, and got to watch Roy Halladay pitch a nearly mistake-free six innings in beating the Red Sox. Good times.
Two of the Webster winners will be on the pre-pre-game show tomorrow, so tune in to the Fan590 or check in here at the website at noon Eastern to hear from Bobby Bell, who had a sick year at short-season Auburn and low-A Lansing, and from Marc Rzepczynski, a lefty who had a strong season for Lansing. When I say sick for Bobby Bell, though – sheesh. He threw 30 2/3 innings, allowing 15 hits and no walks while striking out 43. I just looked at those numbers again, and there are no typos there. And he doesn’t even throw hard. His out pitch is the change-up.
It was nice to see the Jays jump out to a big lead early against a lefty, especially one as good as Jon Lester. They had a 1-0 lead and the bases loaded with one out in the second having hit only one ball hard. Marco Scutaro changed that with a two-run double into the left-field corner, Jose Bautista followed with a ground single to left, and Alex Rios hit a grounder into the 5-6 hole. Alex Cora made a nice play to get it, but tried to nail Scutaro at the plate and threw it away, making the score 5-0 Jays, which was more than enough.
Halladay only made one mistake in throwing six innings to pick up his 19th win of the season – the home run to Jason Bay – and even that didn’t look as though it was going to get out off the bat. The three-run rally for Boston was the result of a ground ball just inside the line at first that went for a Dustin Pedroia double, another ground ball up the middle by David Ortiz for a single, and the homer. Outside that four-batter stretch (and it’s not like getting those grounders was a bad thing), Halladay allowed the Red Sox three hits over his six innings of work, walking three thanks to a tiny-strike-zoned home plate umpire, Jim Reynolds. That would be the same guy with whom the Jays had such a problem at first base last night.
Here’s today’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
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Remember, today and every day in the month of September, please vote for Tom Cheek and ONLY for Tom Cheek to be on the ballot for the Ford C. Frick Award to gain entry into the broadcasters’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. It’ll make more of an impact on the voters if Tom alone gets the overwhelming majority of the votes. Just click on this link:
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It’s a bit of a pain to fill out all the info, but it only takes two minutes at the most, and Tom Cheek was certainly worth your time. Thank you.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Mike
When can AJ officially opt out of his contract? After the World Series is over?
When are the winter meetings?
Any truth to the rumours that Pat Gillick could be the next President of the Blue Jays?
Thanks,
MW: After the World Series, second week of December, no.
- DavidHey Mike!
What role do you feel the Blue Jays medical/training staff have with respect to the serious injuries that our young pitchers seem to be having with their arms? First there was Casey Janssen, then Dustin McGowan and now Shaun Marcum. It doesn’t seem like the Jays have just been hit with a string of bad luck (These all occurred within a years time). What are your thoughts? There seems to be something going on here.
MW: It’s a lot more than those three guys, but I would have a hard time believing that it has anything to do with the doctors or the trainers. I think it’s more bad luck than anything, but if you’re trying to figure out what’s “going on”, I’d look more to stuff like mechanics and use than training staff.
- DanHey Mike!
With Marcum out for the 2009 season and with A.J. Burnett likely to opt out, do you see the Jays looking for a SP via trade?
I’m just wondering, what do you think it would take to get Jake Peavy, or Chris Young from San Diego?
Thanks!
MW: Far more than you’d be willing to give up.
- FrankyHey Mike
Were you as surprised as I was that Roy Halladay didn’t get as much as a “Fact: That was Doc’s 200th strikeout this season” on the ‘Tron after getting the K on Varitek? Given the fact that he’s only one of 3 Jays to have done this, I would’ve thought that alone deserved mentioning before the next advertisement….I was wrong. With the baseball world obsessed with Wins and K’s, wasn’t this lack of acknowledgment a little lame?
MW: I don’t think that 200 strikeouts is an achievement that’s worthy of a major announcement or anything like that, but yeah, since it was the end of an inning, it would have been nice to make sure everyone knew what had happened.
- Ryan S.Mike:
PERSONAL: James N. Reynolds IV…born in December 1968 in Massachusetts.
Just a coincidence? he was being pretty tough on jays at some points to though.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/bio.jsp?id=2876
MW: Just a coincidence.
- RandyHi Mike! Rational, reasonable comments? Where do you think you are Boston? That is not a trait most Jay fans exhibit commonly. I am sure after next week they will be calling for the firing of everyone but the ball boys.
Bad news about Markum, he will be missed next year for sure.
I hope we can keep Roy H. and A.J for the core of our pitching staff next year. Any word on how Aaron Hill is doing? I sure hope he will be back next year healthy.
Keep up the good work promoting Tom Cheek for “the Hall”. I plan to vote again after this is posted.
MW: Keep voting for Tom! Everyday! I have heard conflicting reports on Hill. One from Aaron himself, and the other from Jeff Blair via Reed Johnson. Hill told me that he was starting to feel better and was able to jog without symptoms. Boston for rational, reasonable comments? Really?
- mike dickieI must admit you have a good point..That Prokopek guy wasn’t around while the Jays went on that 10 game winning streak..But if ppl are listening to your show, writing on your blog, weather its good or bad, your gonna continue to get those big paychecks from the man..
If they sign Pavano and he flops ..What then?..Riccardi seems to be downplaying any big signings in 09′ but he is hardly a manager of his word..I can’t see a GM going into the final few years of his contract without a legit second or third staring pitcher..
If no pitcher of merit is signed then this team won’t have much of a chance to beat the Yankees and the Red Sox next year because me thinks the Bombers will make some heady changes for 09′..
This great run they made in September will mean squat if they don’t do something to address the pitching staff and a bat or two for 09′..The September run of 08′ will be as meaningful as the Septembers past..
If you think things can’t get worse, you lack imagination..
MW: Oh, things can get worse, most certainly, and if they don’t come up with some starting pitching in the off-season, they’re very likely to do so. If Pavano signs and he flops, then so what? He’ll cost less than a million dollars. And what makes you think I have ever gotten one big paycheque, let alone several?
- gumpMike,
Is there a reason there has been no attention focused on Ichiro. Has he been injured or just having a bad year? Also, how old is he and when is his contract up?
MW: He just picked up his 200th hit of the season. Isn’t he the only player ever to have at least 200 hits in his first eight seasons in the majors? He’s hitting .314/.365/.392 with 43 steals in 47 attempts. Man, your standards are way too high. He signed a five-year extension last season, and he’s 34.
- Mike
That was my comment/your response yesterday. Just pointing outthat I did not have igh sandards, no standards at all really. I was just wanting an update on Ichiro’s status since I hadn’t heard much about him.
Thanks
MW: Oh. Sorry about that. I thought you were asking me what was wrong with Ichiro.
- MikeComparing Burnett’s pitching abilities to Derek Lowe’s isn’t much of a comparison..Lowe was outstanding in 2004 ALCS..Game 7 against the Yanks: One Earned run and one hit in 6 innings..This was the biggest comeback in MLB history and Lowe was a big factor in that game..
Derek Lowe was the World Series winning pitcher in 2004 as well..7 innings pitched and no earned runs..So for you to say he isn’t good enough to pitch after Halladay is silly..Maybe his stats weren’t good that year but he sure made up for that in the postseason..Downplaying his stats because he played in the national league doesn’t make much sense because Burnett played in Florida and Lowe has much better National League stats then he did..
What has Burnett done?..Lost 7 in a row in a playoff race in 05′ and left in disgrace..A.J decides to pitch his best when his contract is up..Good riddance I say..
I’d take Lowe any day of the week and twice on Sunday..
MW: OK, but on this team, you have to pitch well in the regular season in order to get to the playoffs.
- gumpIn terms of Marcum’s injury is it possible he was injured before they sent him down? Or is it possible whatever they did to change his delivery in the minors put extra strain on his arm resulting in the injury?
Also John Gibbons regularly let him throw more than 100 pitches/game, is that a smart thing to do with a young guy entering his 2nd full season?
Thanks.
MW: It’s possible that he was injured before he was sent down, but Marcum didn’t think so. They didn’t change his delivery in the minors, they just slowed him down. Gibbons did use him for more than 100 pitches with regularity, but only twice did he go over 110 and never as many as 115. I don’t have a problem with that at all.
- JasonRios for M. Cain in the off-season?
MW: It’s possible, I think the Giants would have done that last winter.
- Joe N.The deer story was cool. I had a similar experience too and instead of calling 911 or animal control I kept looking at the deer until it disappeared into the woods. It was August of last year, so apparently late summer is the time when they roam around a lot.
Are the Rays tickets for free? How did that stadium fill up? All kidding aside, a great baseball story reached its climax this evening. It was fun to see their celebration. How do they matchup against the White Sox if it comes down to that?
MW: In a five-game series? It doesn’t matter.
- BeburgI didn’t get a chance to watch or listen to the game, so I don’t know what this is about. I saw a boxscore that listed Adam Lind as a pitcher? Is this true?
MW: Nope. Lind didn’t play yesterday.
- vjLind, Wolfe and Diaz/Thigpen for Magglio Ordonez or something similar in value, depending what the Tigers need. Your thoughts on that.
How about Gary Sheffield? I don’t know about his availability and contract etc. but do you think he could be helpful bat?
Also, the bullpen looks like this next year
Ryan
Janssen
Downs
Accardo
Carlsson
If they were to trade Ryan who would be their closer?
MW: Diaz was traded last month, but that’s an interesting offer to the Tigers. I’d rather they look for starting pitching, but Ordonez certainly would help. Don’t forget Brandon League in that bullpen. The closer would probably be Downs, but any of them could do it.
- TheSunkenZealotMike, for the first time in a while i can say that B.J. has got things goin’. His Slider’s back and now, people should stop the I hate B.J. comments. Also, if the jays don’t sign a new pitcher (which I hope to God that they do), what do you think would be the best starting rotation in ’09. By the way, when is Mcgowan coming back?
MW: People should be marveling at what Ryan has been able to accomplish this season given his injury. I can’t imagine they wouldn’t bring in at least one starting pitcher, but if they don’t, they’d likely break camp with a frightening rotation of Halladay, Litsch, Purcey and two of Richmond, Parrish, Downs, Janssen, Davis Romero, Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil. McGowan should be back by early to mid-May.
- gregHey Mike,
Recently a few people have mentioned Bob McCown blasting you on air.
I haven’t heard him do that, but the other day I did hear someone call in and blatantly try to bate Bob into ripping you. To paraphrase, Bob replied by saying something like: Mike is paid to have an opinion and that’s his opinion. I don’t think it would be right to blast another personality if he’s not here to defend himself. However, I do disagree with him.
So, what I heard, at least, was pretty respectful.
I was glad to hear Bob say that, because I think you two are the best hosts on the Fan!
MW: There’s no problem at all with Bob saying that.
- James HLet’s hope that Marc Rzepczynski never makes it to the Blue Jays without a good nickname because no one will be able to spell his name correctly. People have a hard enough time with Halladay, Overbay, Rolen, and Tenace. I can only imagine the creative spelling when this guy shows up. How do you pronounce that? Is the R silent? Would it be zep-chin-ski or zep-shin-ski?
MW: It’s zep-CHIN-ski.
- Peter B.1) I saw a few blogs ago you thought the Jays should try to pick up Carl Pavano in the offseason. Are you nuts? This is the perfect example of the JP philosophy that brought us Tomo Ohka and John Thomson, and brings results no better than 86-88 wins every year.
2) You’re sold on Travis Snider’s greatness? Fact is, it’s far too early for ahyone other than a homer like yourself to declare something special is at hand. Maybe he’ll be great, maybe he won’t be. He’s projected to have a great career, but no one knows.
3) No, you’re wrong about the use of apostrophes on s–”Gabe Gross’ error” is bad grammar. It’s Gross’s.
4) Scott Rolen is not a better third baseman than Adrian Beltre. I’d like to see you argue that one. That was a better argument in 2005.
MW: 1 – I’m not nuts. 2 – I never said I was sold on Travis Snider’s greatness. 3 – Both are acceptable. 4 – Yes he is.
- John from Victoria, BChey mike. i was thinking about it a little bit tonight, and i was wondering what you think of this trade. Rolen, Lind and Cecil for Prince fielder. We would be using money for Rolen to pay fielder instead, and Lind is the fourth man in our outfield. Losing Cecil would be bad, but with Mcgowan coming back, our starting pitching should be able to go through the loss of a prospect. Also, this leaves the option available for lyle to be traded for a prospect, or something. Knowing JP’s eye for pitching talent, he would probably be able to make up for trading Cecil. This is not preferable though, as then we still need a DH. Of course, this trade is only good if the Jays would retain control of Fielder at least through 2010.
Anyways, let me know what you think of my idea.
Cheers.
MW: Fielder is under control through 2011, so that’s not an issue. I wouldn’t trade Lind and Cecil for him, though, even with freeing up the Rolen money.
- dave JHey Mike
I go to alot of games to see the Jays and yes I like to give crap to the visiting bullpen but what I cant stand is people cant say nothing without getting the boot.. I believe thats what home field advantage is.. I mean you go to Boston or NY and thats what the Jays get.. I can understand the cussing part cause of the kids but when you a “suck” the boys in Yellow jump into action.. Its sad and it aint going to help fill up the Dome..
Anyways, great game and happy to see Halladay do well.. Couple of things I seen that I didnt like.. Thigpin’s D was not great.. Is he the future for the Jays as a catcher Mike? One more thing I didnt like is whats with Jesse Carlson? People yell and scream trying to say hi to him and he acts like your not there.. Pretty sad for a young pitcher.. Arnsberg too.. Shows no love to the fans at all.. Got to say JR Richmond is a stand up guy.. Very classy and hope to see alot of him next year in the bullpen and maybe fighting for a 5 position,,
MW: I don’t think that security should kick people out for saying that somebody sucks, but I don’t believe that getting on the opposition creates much of a home-field advantage. I didn’t have an issue with Thigpen’s defense. As for Carlson and Arnsberg, are you talking about before the game or during? During the game they have a job to do and shouldn’t be criticized for not interacting with the fans. I saw Carlson walk over to the stands before the game today to talk to some people. As for Scott Richmond (I assume that’s the guy you meant), he does seem like a very nice guy.
- EddieFinal note on the Scutaro/J-Mac fielding discussion… it looks like this has been a bit of an off-year for Johnny. Career SS Range factor is 4.71 for John, 4.33 for Scoot. I don’t know the significance of the difference… still, seems to me Scoot has earned his everday shot, especially given the pressing need for pricey starting pitching and that much discussed bat.
- djmHi Mike,
Your post description yesterday was the most negative you’ve ever done I reckon.
Pitching is such a fragile thing. I’ve been worrying about our rotation for next year ever since McGowan got hurt. We did ok without him and even managed without Marcum for a while, but the big loss is going to be Burnett. Not him personally, but a pitcher who can log 200+ innings and notch up wins.
At the very least for 2009 to be another winning, maybe even contending year, we need:
1. at least 1 of Purcey/Cecil/Romero to have a solid year (and the latter 2 are unknown quantities at this level)
2. we have to get a proven (if not spectacular) veteran starter in…by FA, trade or whatever. Then I think we could fill the 5th spot with smoke and mirrors.
3) The offence, which from the sounds of it is going to be the same for next year, just has to produce the way “we think they should”. All year, you’ve been saying they are not as bad as they’ve looked. They could very well do alright next year…who knows?
Of course, if Halladay gets hurt for any length of time and Litsch doesn’t come through, and the bullpen conks out…we’re history.
As you said though, I think 2010 might be the year if all the young guys come through.
I’d really like to see JP to work some clever trades and moves this off-season. This off season is going to be his biggest challenge yet. Let’s see what he can do.
MW: I didn’t think that post was negative, I thought it was realistic, just like all the other posts I’ve done. I don’t get this thing that people see me as overly positive or overly negative, I just talk about what I believe to be happening – the truth. There’s no slant. You’re right in that this will be Ricciardi’s most challenging off-season yet, and I’m interested in seeing what he does.
- Oz RobMW:”…your spelling and grammar IS atrocious”. Shouldn’t that be “ARE”?
You would be quick to point that out to US, Teach!
Right now, given all the pitching woes, we will be scratching for solid starting pitchers next year. It will be interesting to see what JP comes up with. This year has been a roller coaster ride.
VOTE FOR TOM CHEEK DAILY!!
MW: You’re right – my bad.
- JackMike, Steve Simmons just called you out in this article: http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2008/09/21/6829686-sun.html
How do you feel about that?
MW: As I said above, I tell the truth. But I’m sure Steve has a far greater knowledge of what’s going on with the Blue Jays than I do, having been to at least a game or two this year.
- andrewso sorry, I missed ONE day voting. father-in-law passed. Love the show and find it very hard to miss the blog.What a difference aweek makes! what now happens with this once great starting staff?
MW: That’s the big question that we’ll be asking most of the winter. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law.
- mizeHere is a Cheap 2nd thought, but is there anyone out there Like an A.J. for next year that needs to pitch for a contract?
MW: You know, those guys are probably the ones for whom to look.
- mizeNice caller! I,Being born in N.Y. it is not inportant to finish #1, it is the ONLY thing.thereis no 2nd in the states.
MW: What a load of crap that is.
- mizeHello Mike, It’s about that time of year that we should talk about who is the Jays MVP for this season exculding pitchers ’cause it’s obvious who that would be. I think Marco Scutarro should get alot of votes though I don’t think he’ll win simply because he numbers aren’t as good as the others. And it should be a player who hasn’t been injured for a good part of the year. Maybe Rios??…Wells wins it hands down if he played a full season. But back to Marco, even though his numbers aren’t that great, he is so versatile & plays almost any position in the infield. Some clutch hits at times especially in Aug-Sep. So I think he’s a good candidate but probally won’t get too many votes due to his stats. Mike, what is your opinion on who the Jays MVP should be this season??…Anyways, keep up the good work & can’t wait to hear your coverage on the playoffs.
MW: Of the non-pitchers? There’s no question in my mind that it’s Rios. He leads the Jays in most offensive categories, and if he’d hit five more homers, no one would have an issue with him at all (save for the few brain cramps). Scutaro has done a very good job and unexpectedly so, but let’s be serious – his OPS of .701 is the lowest among Blue Jays regulars.
- David FLet’s pretend that the best staff in the majors can’t win you a penent, screw the staff and go for 3 bats.
MW: We’ve seen very plainly that having the best pitching staff in the majors can’t win you a pennant – let alone a penent – but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the pitching.
- mizeHi Mike,
Great to see the jays win for halladay’s ninetenith win and make Boston really work to clinch.
In respect to marcum’s injury, we’ll get janssen and macgowen back may/june, and if I were Riccardi the most pressing need for the jays is now signing either Pavano,Sheets(injured?), byrd, or even offering Sabathia 3yrs/45million to entice him to toronto. I would try to trade downs/bj ryan for young prospects and to dump bj’s salary as carleson/leaugue/accardo/wolfe can close by commitee. AS much as I would like to see Manny ramierez in toronto, he won’t sign for less than 100 million and will probably go to the yankees. One thing that Riccardi should aviod is to get into the Burnett sweepstakes as he’s a great pitcher, but not worth 90 million/5yrs the yankees will probably impart on him, he’s only healthy contract time. I hope the jays win 88 games at least this year, thx for the blog.
MW: Janssen and McGowan might be back earlier than that, but I don’t know how much of a candidate to start Janssen is. CC Sabathia will laugh at a 3 year/$45 million deal. I’d take cheap fliers on Pavano and Byrd, but only really cheap. I don’t mind trading Ryan, but for immediate help, not young prospects.
- robert.sOn one of the TV broadcasts over the weekend, an announcer said that he mentioned the idea of Inglett at 2nd and Hill at short for 2009 to a few people, and the idea was shut down pretty fast. Any reason for this? It seems to be the most logical move for me, if Hill can regain his form at shortstop.
Inglett’s been a very solid addition to the team this year, and his .300 batting average at the top of the lineup, even without much power, has been a big plus, and it would be a shame to have him on the bench next year.
What do you think?
MW: I think it’s a fine option, if Hill is healthy.
- BretMike, given the pitching injuries the Jays have incurred for 2009 and the likely late starts for Casey, Dustin, etc..I think the prudent thing would be for 09 is to stay the course. by that i mean, sign a big bat and sign a low tier “lightning in a bottle” pitcher or pitchers.
this isnt going to be popular because the pitching will likely not be good enough to contend. Thing is..thats fine. the prudent thing is to write off 09, and come back a firing 2010. I dont think its smart to trade a young hitter like Lind for a pitcher that you theoretically really only need for that one year. the only reason you would to that is to compete next year, which is a long shot anyway.
the problem is, fans likely wont accept it and JP is already going to be on the seat. A losing or subpar season may be his demise but fans should really get a grip and understand the philosophy behind taking a step back 09 to not ruin the teams future for 10 and beyond.
the money wont be there to sign a higher tier pitcher and sign the big bat we need. if i were to choose one, go big bat…take your lumps one year by promoting from within..and in 10 you have the hitting and pitching required.
likely wont happen..but it is what should be done.
MW: The reason that it likely won’t be done is because, as you mention, J.P.’s job is on the line. I agree, that finding a couple of lightning-in-a-bottle guys on the mound is the right thing to do, but I don’t have a problem with going out and getting a guy like a Derek Lowe or even a Jon Garland if the price and term are right – I don’t think they will be, though.
- sammy jalalzaiTrue, they may have the best pitching in baseball, but having great pitching doesn’t mean squat when offensively, for the most part this season, this team couldn’t hit a beachball through a wet paper bag.
MW: I think it’d be pretty hard to hit a beachball through a wet paper bag.
- ChrisFletcherWhy are baseball players such slobs? Throw your friggen garbage in a trash can and stop spitting on the ground. Do you have an explanation for this?
MW: At least they don’t blow their noses at their feet like hockey players do.
- Jay MoneyMike:
Just to expand on yesterday’s conversation–since 2006, the Jays played 128 games against various second division (not a comprehensive list, they played some losing teams well) clubs that had an aggregate .433 winning percentage and won just 57 times.
I used complete season series.
In 2006, the Jays went 13-21 (.382) against the Indians, Royals, Rangers, Mariners, Rockies and Marlins that finished .465.
In 2007, the Blue Jays finished 27-27 (.500) against the Rays, White Sox, Royals, A’s, Rangers and Giants that finished .441.
This year, Toronto went 17-23 (.425) against the A’s, Rangers, Mariners, Indians, Pirates and Reds that finished .451.
It does seem the whole “Jays are cursed by playing in the AL East” is overblown. The last three seasons the problem has been fattening their record against second division teams. Could this be traced to John Gibbons? Toronto has no problem being up and ready for the big boys but struggle against teams they should be beating.
Poor preparation for those series? Taking too much for granted? Too lackadaisical going in? Had the Jays played up to their seasonal winning percentage in those series they’d be 88-67 right now and would have been 93-69 in 2006 (it wouldn‘t have made much difference last year).
Despite the pitching concerns, it will be interesting to see how Gaston handles things next season. Maybe playing better against second division teams will offset the regression in the rotation.
Don’t forget, the pitching in 2006 was nothing special but a better record against weaker teams might have netted the Jays 93 wins and I think the staff will be better (in 2009) than it was that year and probably not as bad as we fear right now. After all, we cannot assume pitching health for the Red Sox/Rays/Yankees next season either. The Rays were extraordinarily fortunate this year with their starting staff.
Thoughts?
Best Regards
John
P.S. Jacob Ellsbury is starting to become a Rickey-level nightmare for Toronto. I think I hate him–I’m also getting Carl Crawford flashbacks.
MW: My immediate thought is that one would think that Cito Gaston “wouldn’t let the Jays let down” against weaker opposition. We’ll see next year if that’s the case.
- John B.I’ve been following Miked Up for a while now, and really enjoy it. I’m always amazed at the breadth and depth of your knowledge, Mike. This oldie newbie is learning a lot!
Personally I would not be upset if you cut off a Jays’ Talk caller who is just venting his spleen. I can do without feeling myself drowning in someone else’s venom.
Has anyone else had problems submitting their votes for Tom Cheek? I always get “Server not responding, try again later” and then when I do try later I get something about only getting one vote per day. What’s with that? Is there access to a running total? Are we getting through?
Right now (Sunday) the Blue jays are down 3-0 to the Red Sox in the fifth. But the season has been a great ride since Cito came back. I say we cheer till October and worry about next year’s rotation later!
Lou
MW: That would certainly make this week a lot more enjoyable. As for the voting for Tom thing, make sure you’re using Internet Explorer.
- Louis van LammerenDo you think Joe England will be back next year?
MW: No, but I think Joe Inglett will.
- JojoMike, why do you feel JP Ricciardi deserves another year?
MW: He’s assembled the best pitching staff in the game, and a team that has been expected to be good enough to contend each of the last three years. He also has some very good young players on the way up.
- andrewMike,
I have heard you say a few times that the Jays should try and sign Ibanez to a one or two year deal. That made me laugh. Ibanez has been one of the most consistantly productive hitters in baseball over the past 7 seasons. He never gets hurt and he just puts up good numbers.
Why on earth do you think he would ever accept a one or two year deal? At the least, he will command a 3 year deal and I am pretty sure at least one team will offer him 4 years.
Unless the Jays offer big years and big dollars, he ain’t coming here.
MW: He’s going to be 37 years old for most of the 2009 season, and while everything you said about him is true, his age and the fact that he’s been an under-the-radar guy for so long means that he won’t command a long-term, big money deal.
- BradHey Mike,
You keep talking like it’s a forgone conclusion that Hill will be back next season. The truth is, you have no idea if he will be back or not. My father is a doctor and he says head trauma is a very touchy thing. Hill has not played in a very long time which means this is probably more serious that the Jays are letting on. My father has dealt with this kind of injury many times and he says there is a real possibility the Hill will never play again.
The Jays should plan accordingly.
MW: I have no idea whether or not Hill will be back next season, but I’m basing my opinion on what I’ve been told by the Jays, by their doctors and by Aaron Hill. I don’t actually just sit here and make stuff up. The Jays have their back-up plan in place already, though – they call it Joe Inglett.
- TonyMike:
Just so we’re clear–your suggestion of signing Carl Pavano is because:
(1) He’s effective when healthy.
(2) He’s dirt cheap.
(3) If he’s healthy and effective, the Jays picked up a solid starter dirt cheap.
(4) If he flops or gets hurt–no biggie, he didn’t cost much and the Jays simply cut him.
It’s a potentially low risk/high reward move but NOT intended to be a substitute for looking for a solid starter or two but rather someone to take a flyer on.
Not unlike any number of non-roster invitees that happen every spring to see if a player still has something in the tank. After all, he only costs a little money and no players and the team doesn’t have to give up a draft pick.
Another comparable situation was the Cardinals signing Chris Carpenter a few years back or the Padres inking Mark Prior this spring.
Does that sum up your take on why the Jays should sign Pavano?
Best Regards
John
MW: Bin-freakin’-go.
- John B.Mulliniks and the gang were again on Scutaro’s case for the team MVP. Give me a break here! Scutaro might be the Most Versatile Player as he has played at so many positions but MVP? Nah! Havent they heard of the guy who will win his 20th game on thursday and who also has 200 strike-outs and around 250IP? This is the 3rd time Rance Mulliniks has said that. You wanna put your 2 cents in here?
MW: I definitely like Scutaro for Most Versatile Player, but I can’t give the MVP to a guy who is ahead of only John McDonald and Brad Wilkerson in OPS.
- JojoHi Mike,
how is the Jays’ Latin American scouting these days? A number of years ago they were known for their abundance of Latin players. I think I remember something of a big signing of theirs earlier this year from that area. Who was that and how is he doing?
In a somewhat related question, is the reason the Jays aren’t involved in the Japanese player signings due to the money involved?
Thanks Mike!
MW: Yes. And it’s getting more expensive in the Caribbean, too. But Balbino Fuenmayor won an R. Howard Webster Award for the Jays this year.
- Rory“Does that sum up your take on why the Jays should sign Pavano?
Best Regards
John
MW: Bin-freakin’-go”
AHA! So it was that obvious! One can’t be too careful sometimes y’know!
One never knows when somebody may have taken leave of their senses so I felt it wise to double-check to see if that was where you coming from after all!
Believe it or not–there was a growing body of opinion that stated that you were suggesting that J.P. Ricciardi should respond to the injuries to Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan and the opt out of A.J. Burnett by throwing Kevin Brown money at Pavano before the Pirates swept in offering him a NRI thereby scuttling our playoff hopes in 2009!
I felt such a move to be an incredible gamble and outlandish suggestion–one completely out of line with your self-defecating persona and felt I should seek immediate clarification from the source lest I be guilty of drawing an errant conclusion.
My relief at knowing the truth is palpable–hopefully there is a collective sigh of relief among the good folks here that you weren’t suggesting such a thing. That crisis averted, we can move on to more serious matters: instead of non-tendering Jason Frasor, why don’t we package him along with Lyle Overbay and Scott Richmond and send them to St. Louis for Albert Pujols and Kyle Loseh, then put together a package of Brian Talent, John Perish, Brian Jerolman and Rusty Adams and send them to the Cubs for Geovany DeSoto and Rich Harder (is he related to Mel?). That gives us a rotation of:
Halladay
Loseh
Harder
Litsch
Purcey
A lineup of:
Ca. DeSoto (with B.A. Barajas backing him up)
1B Pujols
2B Hill (Joe Igloo plays if he‘s not recovered)
SS McDonald (Scutaroversuswade in the unitarian infielder)
3B Rolen
LF Lind
CF Wells
RF Rios
DH Schneider
Whaddaya think? Just imagine what Pujols and DeSoto could do with Cito and Tennyson’s tutelage–we could carry Johnny Mac’s glove and if anybody gets hurt in the rotation Carl Piano could step in until Magowan returns.
Best Regards
John
MW: There wasn’t actually a growing body of opinion on that Pavano thing, was there? And Scutarovswade? A tip of the cap for that one.
- John B.You deserve to be getting big paychecks considering you have to put up with all these insane baseball critics out here on this blog..
You never learn anything by doing it right.
So what gives?..Will this blog still be alive after the Jays season is over?..
Luckily for me, the Leafs season is starting and I will have lots to bitch about this year..They should provide plenty of incompetence to keep me going until next April..
Hopefully Pavano will be aboard along with another pitcher to keep this Jays team moving forward..I figure a few of Ibanez,Thome,Lowe,Pavano,Braden Looper, Bobby Abreu..I don’t think trading a releiver would fetch much because there are plenty of releivers on the free agent market..
I know you have answered these questions Ad Nauseum, but realistically, what players will this team take a run at?
MW: Thome’s not going to be a free agent, so he’s not in the discussion. I don’t expect a few of those guys, I think they might be able to land Ibanez, and maybe Lowe, depending on his demands. Pavano is a guy I’d love to see them go after. If you’re interested in me getting big paycheques for doing this blog, please forward your request to Nelson Millman.
- gumpisnt it funny? if at the beginning of the year someone said oh, the blue jays are gonna aquire a bat that will be second on the team in homers for the year. EVERYONE WOULD BE PARTYING. but jose bautista sucks and so do the jays. wheres our power? btw mike. what happened to CINCI winning the divison? tell me. and tampa falling off.. and orioles losing 100. and mike dont delete my posts cause you got nothing to say.
MW: This is why I’m not making any more predictions.
- ChubroccoliOne important question:
McCain or Obama?
MW: There’s no place for politics in a baseball blog.
- Devin PCould the Jays trade a bunch of players/prospects for Ichiro?
Say this for example
Wolfe
Thigpen
Lind
League
MW: I’m not sure why you’d want to trade for a 35 year-old corner outfielder who doesn’t hit for power.
- TheSunkenZealotMike, you never did explain why Simmons has it in for you? Are you two friends?
Also, I always wondered if ball players continue to expectorate [spit] off the field as well? Any ideas why this is a big habit for these guys?
Sorry about your comment re: ball players don’t clean their noses at their feet like hockey players because the TV cameras caught Zahn doing a great job of it just a week ago on the bench. I guess they don’t have facial tissue available.
Thanks Mike and still enjoy your show and sorry Jays Talk will be ending soon with the season.
MW: I’ll still be doing a call-in show after every playoff game on the Fan Radio Network, though! I don’t think Simmons has it in for me, it was just a throwaway line in his column. All outdoor athletes spit a lot, I’m not sure why.
- Michael James“During the game they have a job to do and shouldn’t be criticized for not interacting with the fans”
What kind of job does a relief pitcher have during the game if he’s not warming up?
MW: Watching the game.
- Shmuel YitzchokJim Thome is listed as a free agent if CWS doesn’t exercise its club option on him..It is listed as a guaranteed option if he has more then 600PA’s this year or 1100PA since 2007..He hasn’t hit that mark..Anyway,I don’t think Chicago would let him go..
Unitarian infielder?..Isn’t that some kind of religion?..
Did Riccardi really call out Tampa and Minnesota as teams that go with young pitchers and that the Jays could do the same?
The Jays don’t have a Matt Garza or a Kazmir on the farm..No way they compete with a staff including Percy and Cecil or whomever..These guys just aren’t ready ..The Rays starting pitching staff have been around the majors for a few seasons so none of them are rookies..Garza, Kazmir have been pitching for more then 3 seasons..These guys didn’t just come out of nowhere and they are pitching exactly the way everyone thought they could..
Amazingly, None of the Tampa Bays starting pitching staff were drafted by Tampa in the first round..Aside from Sonnanstine and Sheilds, the rest of the pitchers were aquired in trades and such..I think the Rays made some pretty one sided trades recently..They stole Kazmir and Garza..
I will be cheering for these guys..
MW: The Rays traded a first overall pick to get Garza, that’s kind of an important consideration when you’re making the argument about where pitchers were drafted. And who knows whether or not Cecil is ready – look at guys like Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins.
- gumpThey traded Delmon Young to get Garza..He hasn’t had the greatest year but a top starter like Garza is hard to find..Looks like Minnestoa hasn’t missed Garza at all ..
If Cecil is ready then where is he?..Shouldn’t they have brought him up for a look by now?
Minnestoa has some pretty good young pitchers but would they be this good if they were pitching against the Yanks and Sox ?..
The Twins are much more adapt at drafting and developing players..They have to do that to compete..Whereas, the Jays spend on free agents and develop players ..That is a big difference..
MW: Young was picked first overall, I don’t know what he’s doing this year has anything to do with that. Cecil being ready next season doesn’t mean he’d be ready now. I don’t really understand your last two points, they seem to contradict each other.
- gumpI guess what I am trying to say is that Minnesota doesn’t sign a lot of high priced free agents to fill out their roster like the Jays do..The Twins live and die on who they draft..They don’t have the luxury of spending 10 million bucks a season on guys like Burnett and Thomas..
What would the Jays have done over the last 17 years without being able to sign big name free agents?..Would they have won a world series without the highest payroll in 92′ and 93′?..
Up until recently, The Central Division teams were pretty much equal in payroll and played the same kind of game..The White Sox and Tigers have now begun to spend more because they’ve had some success..
The Jays are stuck with teams routinely spending 140 to 200+mil a season..It makes it tough to build teams through the draft unless you want to loose for 10 years in a row like Tampa..
MW: Your last point is a good one. At least it would be if you had spelled lose correctly, but I get the point.
- gump