12:46 AM Eastern
That, ladies and gentlemen, is about which that I am talking.
In the interests of full disclosure, I had a lot on the line tonight. Not gambling-wise, not at all, but about a month ago, in my infinite wisdom (read: complete and total lack of same), I booked a family trip for the end of this week. Tomorrow is my wife’s birthday, so I had planned on taking her and the kiddies to Boston for a few days, visit family, see a show (yes, it’s the “So You Think You Can Dance” tour – it’s her birthday and The Billie loves it, too – what could I do?), hours and hours of family fun. I checked the MLB post-season schedule, and figured – I have no idea how – that October 30th would be a good day to go. Once I noticed that October 30th was Game 7 of the World Series, I felt kinda sick. But that was nothing compared to how I felt Monday night, then yesterday, and then tonight.
As a result, I was more emotionally invested in the final third of this baseball game than I have been in any sporting event in probably 15 years. It was amazing to live and die with every pitch like that; it reminded me what it was to be a die-hard fan and I loved it. I miss that being in this job, but it’s a hell of a way to make a living.
So, I’m thrilled right now, but not because the Rays lost (which I’m sure many of you might have been thinking). Had the Rays been up three games to one, I’d have been cheering for them just as hard as I was cheering for the Phillies.
This was a lot of fun to watch, with the teams trading runs early in the late-going until the bullpens settled down very late. Even Brad Lidge couldn’t come through the 9th completely clean, giving up the broken-bat looper to Dioner Navarro and having to deal with the tying run at second and one out. But Lidge got lucky when Ben Zobrist hit his sharp line drive right at Jayson Werth, and he then struck out Eric Hinske on three pitches to complete his 48th save in as many opportunities this year. Hinske is now a career .333/.333/1.333 hitter in the World Series. That’s a home run and two strikeouts.
Cole Hamels was the World Series MVP. He started twice and threw 13 innings, allowing four runs on ten hits, walking three and striking out eight. He was the winning pitcher in Game 1 and the pitcher of record to win it when he left Game 5 because of the 46-hour rain delay. Had the Phillies’ pen held onto that 3-2 lead, Hamels would have become the first pitcher ever to win five starts in one post-season. Of course, you have to remember that there have only been 14 seasons with three rounds of playoffs, but still, first ever.
I was surprised off the top of the re-start when Joe Maddon didn’t go to David Price as soon as Geoff Jenkins came out to pinch-hit for Hamels to start the 6th, instead sticking with Grant Balfour. The Aussie gave up a lead-off double and later a one-out bloop RBI single to Jayson Werth. My guess is that Maddon either wanted to squeeze one inning out of Balfour, who was already in the game, didn’t want to have to worry about pinch-hitting for Price, who would have been due up 4th in the 7th barring a double-switch, or didn’t want to have to trust J.P. Howell or Dan Wheeler in the 9th or later if the Rays had taken the lead.
As it turned out, he sent the pitcher (Howell) up to hit in the 7th anyway, and Price didn’t wind up getting into the game until the Rays were behind.
The spotlight may shine brightly on Jason Bartlett, who was thrown out at the plate to end the top of the 7th with what would have been the go-ahead run. Bartlett was on second with two out when Akinori Iwamura hit a ground ball up the middle that Chase Utley flagged down well behind the bag at second. I don’t know if it was Utley’s feint to second, or the fact that Utley was moving so hard to his right that made Bartlett and third-base coach Tom Foley think the run was there for the taking, but Utley’s throw beat the runner by plenty, and despite the fact that it drove catcher Carlos Ruiz back, Bartlett couldn’t dive around the tag.
Of course, had Bartlett been running hard to third, he might have been able to score. That’s something that has been an issue for the Rays this series. A few times, Rays’ players have been caught not running hard, and this at a time when one would imagine there would be no greater incentive. Whether it was B.J. Upton, Rocco Baldelli or Bartlett, too many times a Tampa Bay player was caught not hustling.
Of course, Jayson Werth almost made up for that himself by the way he ran the bases in this series.
Massive congratulations to both the Phillies and the Rays.
To the Phillies for taking down the whole shebang, and for doing it without getting a big hit in a big situation until Game 4. Pedro Feliz was tonight’s hero, breaking the 3-3 tie with an RBI single in the 7th, and he’s probably the worst hitting non-pitcher in their line-up. I feel great for Pat Gillick, who wins his third World Series as a GM, with the fourth different team he’s taken to the post-season. I feel great for Matt Stairs, despite the fact that his entire contribution to this World Series was the same as Hinske’s contribution to the Red Sox’ win last season – one at-bat, a strikeout, in the 8th inning of a big win. That said, do the Phillies even get to this point without Stairs, who hit a game-winning two-run homer in Game 4 of the NLCS? If the Dodgers win that game, the series is tied at two and who knows what happens from there. I also feel great for Brad Lidge, who exorcised all his Pujolsian and Podsednikic post-season demons by dominating his way through a perfect post-season.
Yes, Lidge was 41-or-41 converting save opportunities in the regular season, but in the back of a lot of people’s minds, he still had plenty to prove once the playoffs came around. Lidge got seven save opportunities in the playoffs, and slammed the door with authoritah every time. He pitched 9 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, walking three and striking out 13. That is how one gets it done.
I’m also a big fan of Chase Utley’s and Ryan Howard’s.
And hey, how about the City of Brotherly Love itself? 25 years without a championship in any of the four major pro sports, and for the Phillies, only the second title in the history of a franchise that’s been around since the beginning of Major League Baseball. They’re now tied with the Blue Jays, and they had a 74-year head start.
As for the Tampa Bay Rays, yes, I’ve been picking against them all year, but I’m not going to revel in their demise. They earned their way to the big dance, without question, and were three wins away from having been the worst team ever to win the World Series the year after that worseness (or something – hopefully you get what I mean). It’s impossible not to admire players like James Shields, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Rocco Baldelli, and not to be amazed by what David Price has been able to accomplish. The sky certainly appears to be the limit for him. Despite the fact that they went down in five games, and that they won just two of their last eight playoff games, the Rays should be very, very proud of their season.
Will they be this good next year? I have my doubts, what with the bullpen’s performance, for starters, but it’ll be interesting to see what tweaks they make to improve. That rotation of Shields, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza and Price is going to be something to deal with, though.
We did manage to get some post-post-game talk in, and here it is, for your listening pleasure:
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The last one of the year. Sigh. I feel bad for the transplanted Philadelphian who I think REALLY wanted me to agree with him that the Phillies were the best team in baseball. I’m sorry, but they definitely were the best team this week.
So that’s it for season 1 of the bloggage. It’s been a labour, without question, but for the most part a labour of love. I never dreamed it would be this much work, but it’s only been like that because of the response I have gotten from you readers. I’ve been overwhelmed. We averaged close to, if not over, 100 comments a day during the season, and I made the mistake of answering them all early on, so I had to keep doing it all year. But hey, that’s what you very obviously wanted, so I was happy to oblige.
In the off-season, I’ll be back with weeklyish posts, and of course, more when the situation merits it. Keep checking in, because if a Jays story breaks, you’ll get reaction here right away. The thing I love most about this blog is that I can expand on the things with which I just don’t have time to deal in a 40-second report on the radio station. I’m hoping the higher-ups at the Fan590 decide to send me to the winter meetings, and if they do, you can expect the same kind of coverage that you got last year from Nashville, when the blog began.
The next post will probably be about the post-season awards, which will be handed out starting November 10th with the Evan Longoria….I mean, A.L. Rookie of the Year. I’ll continue to moderate comments throughout the off-season, though I don’t think I’ll respond to as many, but we’ll see how it goes as the winter goes along.
Before I go decompress for a while, I have to say thank you to everyone who came by to read this little corner of the interweb, whether you stopped by once, hated it and never came back (though you certainly wouldn’t be reading this now, would you?) or were a regular reader/commenter or were something in between. This thing is out here for you, and wouldn’t be nearly the monster into which it has grown without you. Thank you so much for reading, for listening and for loving the greatest game there is.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome. Have a terrific off-season!
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Pretty ironic that “team MVP” Bartlett ends up being the goat for doing a decidedly non-MVP thing like not running hard. This what Tampa gets for giving a top team award to a guy with a McDonald-esque OPS
It’s been a pleasure reading the blog all year Mike, and I’m looking forward to the winter’s posts!
- Alex PThank-you for the hours and hours of blogage gold, see you in March… in the listening sort of way
- AndrewGreat Job All Year Mike. Reading this blog and listening to the post games as i lay in bed to sleep has become a comforting routine for me. I certainly dont always agree with what you say but I do respect that you back up your opinions with fact and not the panacea of the day…”gut feelings”
as far as this one goes, Mad Joe may have finally done in his team. He’s done some weird stuff this year such as intentionally walking Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded and generally has gotten away with it. Tonight..not so much. I dont see how you can give up an out in the 7th inning of a tie game on the road by letting the pitcher hit even if it was a successful sacrifice. Man on first and 1 one? tie game? you HAVE top pinch hit unless there is some serious bullpen fatigue (which of course there was not given the off days) what made the move even more curious was the fact that Philly had right, switch, righty, righty due up the next inning AND Price was well rested in case you wanted to later go back to a lefty. i just dont get it.
MW: I didn’t get it either, I would have thought he’d have been prepared to give Price three or four innings – but that would have meant he’d have had to have let Price hit at some point, too.
- sammy jalalzaiThanks mike! Love your passion for baseball and the DJF hints that come through. Here’s hoping for a great reason for optimism next year!
Cheers,
Thomas
- Thomaskeep up the great posts Mike! hinske was and is never clutch. puttin’ him in for the last at bat was such a white flag move by the Rays. embarassing end to an embarassing WS IMHO. bring on next year!
- woodpeckHi, Mike:
Thanks for the season, Mike — your blog has been a regular part of my day.
Just a comment concerning apostrophes: You write “I am a big fan of Chase Utley’s and Ryan Howard’s”. In this construction, I don’t think the apostrophii (what IS the plural, anyway?) are appropriate. You are not a fan “possessed by” Utley and/or Howard, but rather are a fan “directed towards” each of them. Therefore (IMO) the correct construction is simply “…a big fan of Utley and Howard”. Yes???
Not a biggie, Mike, but I did want to get in one more comment for the 2008 season, but of course I’ll keep an eye on this space during the winter months, and you may hear from me again.
Thanks again
MW: I’m not sure about that apostrophization, I had thought that one would be a fan of someone’s, as opposed to of someone.
- NormThanks a lot for the blog Mike it’s been a great source of jays news and analysis all year. I’m moving to Gettysburg PA in a month so your blog and broadcasts will be my main source of Jays news so keep up the good work.
MW: Thanks!
- Nick“I could be a sandwich artist” made me laugh out loud.
Thank you Mike for your dedication to the team and Toronto Blue Jays community. As many have said many times before, often times through the bad stretches of the season your show and blog were more entertaining than the game itself.
Enjoy your off-season and hopefully you come back next season with more of the same. If I wasn’t before, I definitely became a huge Wilner fan this season.
MW: Why weren’t you before?
- ColeEnjoy Boston Mike! I was born & raised just outside the city and still live 30 minutes away.
Recommended eats near the BU arena are T Anthony’s Pizza on Comm Ave. Great simple Italian pizza joint with autographed sports pictures on the walls of players that stop in often. Cheap place in walking distance.
Other than that it’s Boston, so the list is not short on finding anyplace nice!
MW: We had a great trip, didn’t hit that pizza joint, though.
- JJBA recommedation for next season: I think your show should offer a podcast everyday to download. Your show is that good Mike so it deserves a podcast!
Anyways, thanks for a great season Mike. You did a fantastic job over the radio and with your blog. I’m looking very forward to next season!
- SilvioYes, congratulations to both the Phil’s & the Rays for accomplishments within their respective leagues.
I for one thought the AL would rule as to the WS – however the Phil’s were indeed the best MLB team over this past week or so.
Finally and most importantly, congratulations to you Mike Wilner – for a fantastic season of Jays coverage, post season MLB coverage, spelling and grammer classes and your amazing blog work! You did it all and more when it came to putting this all together.
Hard, long season work put the Phil’s on top as the last team standing. Hard, long season work has left you also Mr. Wilner on the top as to your job!
Many thanks for a job well done! You exceeded in my opinion, the ability as to not only putting this entertaining and informative blog together game after game. Your responding to comments is the part that is “over and above” as to your coverage for the 08 Jays and MLB season.
You’re “Jays Talk”, reporting and player interviews have been also better than “well done”. You’re a natural at this.
The Fan 590 has the right guy at the helm for this job. I just hope they realize and are as thankful for it as I and most ball fans are.
I hope during the MLB 09 season to hear a daily noon-hour show dedicated to MLB and the Jays – as hosted by the obvious and best – that being you!
I have been pushing this for a while with emails to the Fan and I really want to see them put it to some kind of “on-air” vote as to an MLB noon hour show during the season Vs Hockey talk year round!
Have a very well deserved restful off season and a safe enjoyable trip with your family Mike.
Positive feedback and accolades with respect to ones work are great to hear and read about.
Time with a young family is what we all should strive for and look back on when all is said and done. That spells out success more than career achievements.
You, have with great pride, mentioned your family more than once on this blog so it’s obvious “you get it”!That in my opinion, speaks volumes as to the “man”!
You’re the right guy for this job Mike! Keep it up. One day I will say – “hey I know that guy through his blog – yea, that guy Wlner, doing the full time color or broadcasting the Jays games”.
All the best to you and family, also from myself and on behalf of your fans “Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns” to your wife.
Thank you once again. Take care.
Bob, from Burlington
MW: Much appreciated! So much so that I’m not even going to correct your spelling and grammar – this time.
- -Bob-Thanks, Mike.
- Sam McLeansee that mike.
even when you seem to have gotten it wrong, worst case you still seem to be able to eke out partial victories.
(see.. tampa this yr. in the end didn’t win. couple yrs. ago with the tigers same exact thing not good enough to take it all.. pointing out that reed j. was certainly a very capable platooner out in lf but not really any more than that. and wasn’t even a platooner for the cubs when it counted the most in the playoffs.
even the call on our man burnett, that he’s a very good pitcher when as little as 1 yr. ago. unconditionally regarded as an under achieving pitcher never going to be worth the money… alas gonna have teams lining up to pay him more than the jays are. right again there too…..
have quite a few others but we get the point i’m sure..
just an observation is all…
db.
MW: I live to eke.
- darrell bishopHey Mike,
I just wanna say thanks for the great bloggage. It’s going to suck waking up every morning and not seeing a post but hey, once a week will do.
Looking forward to keeping in touch during the off-season.
Have a good one!
O.
- OwenHas anyone else noticed that Joe Maddon looks alot like Jean Hackman in the movie “Enermy of the state”
- Dan MIt’s now officially hockey season Mike. Enjoy your vacation with your little nose miners.
Dan
MW: Nose miners? I have girls.
- Dan from ElmvaleJust heard the Royals picked up Mike Jacobs from the Marlins to be their 1B. Apparently Dayton Moore is on the outs with Billy Butler. Butler hasn’t been terrific in his ML career yet, but he’s just 22 and raked in the minors. He’s also clobbered LHP in the big leagues, and that’s something the Jays certainly could improve on.
Just throwing that out there. Maybe a trade could be worked out whereby the Jays get BB and don’t have to surrender too much.
MW: I’d like to see that, and I’m sure they’re seeing if it works for them.
- Flaming MoeThanks Mike, for the great season of reportage, bloggage and commentary.
The steaming of the post game shows are great, as “Wednesday’s with JP” would often turn into “Thursday breakfast with JP”around here.
Your efforts are doubly appreciated in places outside of the big TO, where you help to unite Jays fans across the country.
Only 130 days till opening day!
- DavidHey Mike
I know its stupid not to have these new stadiums with retractable roofs but I think that the teams just dont want to play on turf. Now is it possible to have a retractable roof with grass? I think if MLB built stadiums like that then the teams would be more likely to get the roof.
Ok now a different question. Can a switch hitter bat on both sides of the plate during the same at bat?
Thanks Alot
MW: 1 – Every retractable-roof stadium save for Rogers Centre has a natural grass surface. 2 – Yes, but only if the pitcher changes.
- PaulWow, really? The Marlins really couldn’t afford 3 million for Jacobs so they threw him away for a reliever with an era of 3? The Jays really couldn’t top that offer by the Royals?
MW: The Jays weren’t as interested, I guess.
- BrendanYou’re welcome and see you next year!
- AneezDid Bartlett have to commit to the dive? Maybe if he stopped at the last minute, Ruiz wouldve dove into nothing, and then Bartlett couldve jumped over his back for the run.
I don’t know, but maybe you could look into Bartletts eyes. If he can see Ruiz commiting to the dive he could stop, and then go to the right side.
MW: Stuff happens pretty quickly down on that field.
- TheSunkenZealotThanks for a great season on the blerg Mike! I really enjoyed reading it daily, and I look forward to making it a part of my daily routine again once next season rolls around.
Enjoy a terrific off-season!
- CamThanks for all the work Mike!
- Jamie/WindsorEnjoy the down time Mike!
Best Regards
John
- John B.Hey Mike,
You’ll probably get a bunch of questions about this, but there was a report today about Milwaukee willing to hear offers for Prince Fielder, who would probably make for a solid DH to solve some of the Jays hitting woes. Do you think Fielder would take a DH role? What would you guess the Jays have to offer to bring him in?
MW: I don’t know if Fielder would take a DH role, but he can play defense. The Jays would have to offer something pretty tasty. I would think the Brewers would start by asking for Brett Cecil and Travis Snider.
- BretThanks for all your hard work over the year, Mike!
- PeterHey mike I called earlier in teh year and mentioned mike jacobs was being dangled for a releif pitcher and you shot me down and said the jays dont have anyone close to what the marlins would want in return. Do you think nunez is better than anyone in the jays pen? League, accardo, janssen, carlson, downs are all possible options. Bottom line jays need to trade bullpen pitching the mets are dying for it and the jays have 7th and 8th inning guys pitching 30-40 innings a year thats 3-4 games out of 162. Mike jacobs contributes out of 150 if hes healthy
MW: Well, Jacobs probably only contributes in about 50 of those 150, with his .299 obo and all. But you’re right, I shot you down and I was wrong, which is not to say that the Marlins would have taken Brian Tallet or Jason Frasor – they wouldn’t have.
- RyanHey Mike,
I understand the extra work/commitment it takes to moderate and /or respond on a daily basis.
What’s impressive is the quality of your own thoughts/writing each day.
Think about it — you produce more copy than a beat writer and you’re the radio guy.
Hope to hear from you in the offseason, hopefully we’ll see a quality bat come to Toronto.
MW: I do produce more copy than a beat writer – someone should tell my bosses!
- Ken PaganThanks for doing this blog Mike. I don’t always agree with your opinions, but I really appreciate the passion and respect that you have for the game and your listeners/blog fans…and there is a tremendousness to your writing style that is gravely absent from much sports writing…
Enjoy the decompressing, you’ve certainly earned it!
Some quick comments:
- TimGreat job getting the Jay’s in for the pregame show in the playoffs – hearing so many “down to earth” guys like Jesse Carlson and Scotty Downs was terrific, much appreciated.
If I was a Tampa fan I’d be mighty disappointed in their final showing; baserunning/hustle gaffes are tough for the fan to stomach – Mitch Wiliamsing a pitch to lose a series you can live with, but lollygagging around the bases, or out of the batter’s box, that’s tough to take into the offseason.
And kudo’s to JP for taking calls all year. Like him and his General Managing or not, he could easily blow off that extra task that he took on, but he showed up each week, and even more importantly, gave thoughtful insights all the time. Take care Mike, looking forward to the hot stove reports.
Thanks Mike for your dedication to the blog, your patience all year with the callers and excellent JaysTalk. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 20 years and a true Jays junkie. This season we took family trips to NY (caught my 1st Yankee Stadium game) and Orlando (during Rays/RedSox series) and your blog was my first read upon return so I could catch up Blue Jayically.
This will be a very interesting off-season with some important decisions to make. I like the thought of the Jays bidding for a good starter – Lowe/Sheets perhaps – after the Burnett/Sabathia sweepstakes end.
I’ll keep an eye on your blog this winter and an ear out in case you decide to try any obscure 80′s song trivia segments.
Have a great winter Mike. Now for me attention turns to my other favourite team – les Canadiens.
- Ian CThanks for all the work Mike. I love talking baseball and reading other folks opinions. Your blog is great for that and while i don’t agree with all your opinions, it is nice to read someone who is knowledgeable about the game. Keep it up. Hpe the jays land some good players this offseason. Who do you think they will be going after. Not who would you want them to go after but who will the realistically run at.
MW: Realistically? Raul Ibanez, Carl Pavano, Jason Jennings, Brad Penny, Paul Byrd, Adam Melhuse, Dave Ross, guys like that.
- KenMike,
Just a quick question. As unrealistic as it is, if AJ does not opt out of his contract, would we all have to go through this next year, or is the only window of opportunity for him to opt out? Thanks
MW: This was his only window to opt out.
- JustinMike,
I appreciate all the time you put into this blog. I did a Jays blog for two seasons and had to give it up as I simply didn’t have the time to post before or after every game so it was nice to be able to read your thoughts on a daily basis as well as the thoughts of all the readers. Can’t wait for next season. Thanks again.
- DerekHi Mike…
- SandyThanks for a great year of baseball coverage!! I read the majority of your blogs this year. Sometimes your comments made me want to pull my hair out, but hey, I’ve enjoyed reading them none the less. Great job, and I look forward to your comments over the off-season.
Thank you for a great season, Mike. I hope you and your family had a great vacation!
- JordieAnswering us is what keeps us reading, M-Dub.
- slobberfaceYoure the man (here).
Have a good offseason.
Bug you next year.
Hi Mike,
- robert casconeJust wanted to let you know that I enjoy your Baseball commentary all year. I am a Blue Jay season tic holder and a diehard. I agreed with you all year with respect to the Rays , not thinking they would last, but, to our surprise they did. I don’t think they will be there next season, lets hope the Jays take their place.
I hope that one day people realize how lucky we are to have a major league team.
UI support the team whether they win or lose as every true fan should.
Anyway, have a great off season and I look forward to next year.
Robert
hey mike;
Great job this year with the blog, htought picking up the option on Barajas was great as he can usher in joroloman and the other catching prospects, great ending to the world series, let’s see if bud selig has to dish out any money to Bonds and his lawyers et. all for the collusion scandal, thanks for the comments and updates, your the best moderator on the fan 590!
MW: Thanks!
- robert.sHad the old brain cramp huh Mike?
I’m curious though, I know when you join the media it kills your biasy in a sense, but even you who grew up a Jays fam (I think) and cover them intensively must still have some biasy left in you.
Don’t tell me if that were the Jays in the World Series your knuckles wouldn’t have been cringing more than usual.
MW: Brain cramp?
- CoreyMike,
Could the Jays sign O-Dog and move Hill to short? Also, who are the potential shortstop free agents next season. I’m curious because the Jays could keep Scutaro at SS for next season and then sign somebody else nest off-season.
Thanks
MW: Yes, they could. Free agent shortstops include Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera, Adam Everett, Juan Uribe and Cesar Izturis.
- MikeThank you Mike,for all your hard work,enjoy sometime off with your family,it’s well deserved.
- Manny FriasHave a good off-season Mike!
- Richard SpackmanThe Jays have 3 BIG HOLES to fill. With J.P. he’ll half-fill 1. If Beeston has his way he’ll fill 4.
It been a pleasure reading your blog. Good Luck RSS
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/10/loewen-released.html
do u no anything about these guys, could they help out the club in the future
MW: I posted about Loewen and Bullington when the signing/claim happened.
- JazzMike, I think the Jays should try and sign Henske this off season. A nice lefty off the bench to try replace what Stairsy brought.
MW: There’s no room for him with Snider there, and I’d much rather have Snider or Lind on the team than Hinske.
- toddHey Mike
Im sure youve already responded to this so I apoloise if im asking you to repeat yourself, but i am wondering if you think the Jays should inquire into signing Jim Edmonds for a power bat?
MW: Not for a power bat, no.
- Jamesthanks for a great year Mike. I hope to meet you one day.
MW: I’m really not that big a deal.
- WarrenChances will be that J.P. will have an excuse for not signing A.J. We will find a two-year (plus two earnable bonus years) contract extention at $16M per; plus $2.5M signing bonus X3 (now, 1 Apr.’09 and 1 Apr.’10); plus 8 more limo trips could keep A.J. We need a Pitcher who can pitch in the A.L. East like A.J. does, anything else is a bonus.
MW: So you’re saying A.J. can be had for a four-year package worth a total of $63.5 million? We shall see.
- Richard Spackmanhey mike,
I just realized the jays really arent facing a team with a good pitching staff until roughly mid may, meaning we may be able to scratch by with an average starting rotation until mid may and then hopefully get back mcgowan by then. We do face the raining cy young winners team a few times in april and early may, but that is really it.
MW: If they’re raining, then the Jays won’t have to face them.
- paoloWilner… great job all year, a new MUST-READ for me, great insight and some, SOME, funny moments…
MW: Awwww, Gibby. Swell of you to say.
- Gibbygreat season wilnuts
- mikeJust my two cents.
I would not pay A.J more that what the option is worth.
He had 1 decent year.He owes us for the other 2.Any over/under when he go on DL next year? My guess,April 19th.
I would go after Ryan Dempster and Moyer.
I remember J.P. when asked about Moyer 3 years ago,said he had nothing left.Well 200 plus innings a year says he had lots left.
One last thing I would do is to sign Doc to a contract that would have him retire a Jay.Right now he is underpaid,and he deserves more.
Thanks Mike,have a wonderful off season.
David
Etobicoke
MW: You’re worried about Burnett going on the D.L. but you want to sign Dempster? I’d like Moyer, too, but I don’t think he’ll leave Philly.
- DavidMike,
I’d like to thank you for the huge effort you put in on the blog this year. I can’t imagine what it takes. Be assured it did make the season even better. Your story about the possibility of missing Game 7 rang true w/ me. Several years ago the London Knights of the OHL were in the finals for the first time after years of horrible performance. Where was I for game seven? That’s right, attending Mamma Mia w/ my wife in Toronto. I violated every theatre cell phone law known trying to get updates. Glad you dodged the bullet. Enjoy the winter, and Boston.
Tim
MW: It was a hell of a bullet to dodge. I hope you enjoyed Mamma Mia, but there probably weren’t as many good, clean hits in it.
- TimMike…this should put to rest any delusions we have of Vernon Wells being a ‘great centrefielder’…the rankings were put together by a credible crew and there is no evidence of lack of exposure to toronto’s games (check out alex rios’ rankings over the past few years and jesse litch’s this year)…
http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/complete-votetally.asp
MW: That’s really interesting, but again, it’s just a vote, expert or not. Nate McLouth, who sits below Wells in those rankings, just won a Gold Glove, which is also a vote by alleged experts.
- KelvimWhat’s with JP and all these weird signings? Jimenez? Sanchez? Even Rotoworld.com says these are brutal players to add to any team. John Parrish is the only guy I’ve noticed who’s had success since joining the Blue Jays in a scenario like this. What’s your take on it Mike.
MW: The Jays have had success with a few of these minor signings and waiver claims. But even if they don’t amount to anything, they’re no-risk propositions, so why not?
- Jeffmike 1 more for you…
griffey jr.& now c. floyd available.
what do you think. would either be an upgrade to the jays dh spot next yr?
obviously giambi,ibanez and manny or dunn (if either would ever consider coming in) or some of the other usual suspects bandied about, are the better choices but as possible 2nd tier additions, do those 2 make any sense to you?
curious what you think on that…
MW: Griffey, Jr. will never come here, and I’d rather give Travis Snider a shot at DH than give it to Floyd.
- darrell bishophe..he…he….So…
AJ Burnett hasn’t opted out yet. I’m surprised. Maybe he finally realized that Toronto is too awesome to leave! Aw…but I was looking forward to Ryan Dempster or Brad Penny in a Blue Jays uniform, but…oh well…Oh and I think it’s a sure thing now, Milton Bradley to the Jays. As much as I hate it, JP is the only GM who will give him 2+ years. Hope it works out.
MW: A.J. has opted out (by the time I got to this comment). As for Bradley, I’m starting to come around on him. He’d be cheap, and I think Cito Gaston might be the guy who could keep him on the right path.
- Jakehey mike;
Just read that burnett has opted out of his remaining contract and quite frankly the jays shouldn’t go after him, if sabathia gets 130 million, then burnett will probably get 85 million which is paying for him twice over! Burnett hasn’t won 20 games ever and is often injured. Why not try to go after pavano, byrd, pedro martinez or lowe, or sheilds and resign parrish and let the richmonds and others pitch as the jays are out of the peavy sweepstakes-peavy isn’t worth lind and or snider- would make a pitch of overbay/bj ryan and a prospect- thx for the blog.
MW: Shields? And Peavy is absolutely worth Lind or Snider.
- robert.sSo now this season is over, if we manage to get a decent dh, do you think the Jays will finally allow Rios to be their everday lead-off hitter? I know they want him to hit for power, but he’s only had one season where he really managed to do that. He worked my last nerve this year, but he can hit for average and extra bases, and he can run like hell. Natural lead-off in my opinion.
MW: Natural lead-off, except that he doesn’t really get on base that much.
- reyesHey Mike
A lot of commentators say that the team’s ‘window to contend’ is within the next couple of years.
To be honest, I don’t really understand that. McGowan, Marcum, Wells, Rios, Hill, Snider and Lind are all here past 2010. If the Jays resign Burnett or ink a new #2 starter, he’d be here past 2010. And there seems to be a good crop of prospects on the horizon that should hit Toronto around 09/10/11.
Is this theory that the Jays window to contend evaporates in 2010 purely due to the fact that Halladay’s contract expires after that year? I don’t really get it.
MW: People probably say that the Jays’ window goes to 2010 because that’s when Halladay, Ryan, Overbay and Rolen’s contracts all expire, and when Burnett’s “did”, and because J.P. has said that the team was built to contend from 2007-2010.
- James Hmike,
burnett situation starting to unravel as you always suspected.
but you always reiterated it was just normal business practice under the circumstances so no surprise there.
spilled milk i know but just can’t help but think of where the jays would be coming up next season with a totally healthy threesome of janssen, mcgowan & marcum.
very frustrating indeed.
as good a pitcher as burnett is, with those 3 healthy and never missing anytime thus far, who knows the organization might be happy with the early exit of our man a.j. and take the 2 1st rd. picks. but probably not i’m thinking……
MW: If McGowan, Marcum and Janssen were healthy and ready to go in 2009 with a full season each as starters under their belts, the Jays would be thrilled to let Burnett walk.
- darrell bishopHey Mike, I was wondering if Randy Wells made it back to the majors this year after the Jays released him. He really impressed me in Spring Training, and I was really surprised they let him go so easily.
MW: He did get back, making three appearances for the Cubs as a September call-up. They didn’t release him, though, they returned him.
- Nathanmike,
- darrell bishopplease set the record straight if you could.
a reliable source from within the fan 590 station told me just recently that the “fan 590 girl’s of the day” on the website are mostly ex-girlfriends of yours.
is this true?
i thought you were married but apparently not.
if so, you da man mike wilner. good going….
darrell.
also might explain why you’re so damn tired every morning…..
MW: Dare I say it? “Yup, these are my readers.”
- darrell bishopInterested in your take on this article Mike…
http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/MLB/ContentPosting_ChinMusic?newsitemid=8dcf7d4e-6e59-4037-8910-2c9eab0bb513&feedname=Chin_Music&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True
MW: There is very little doubt in my mind that Barry Bonds was kept out of MLB this past season for reasons other than his on-field performance, and I have never understood why every other productive player in my lifetime has been able to continue his career for the right price, regardless of on- or off-field behaviour. I wouldn’t single out J.P. Ricciardi and the Blue Jays in particular, because everyone was in on it, but as I said back in March, and then several times throughout the season, if I was in charge of the Jays, I would have done my best to put Bonds in a Toronto uniform. That said, if I was in charge, I might not have been able to do it even if I had wanted to, if there was indeed a secret edict handed down by Bud Selig.
- KeithSeems like some severe pessimism surrounds the Jays 09 season or at least that’s the general tone I’ve gathered from reading various, articles, blogs and forums. I’m curios if you have read Robert Macleod’s latest article in the globe and mail?
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081105.wspt_jays06/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home
Macleod theorizes the Jays should completely retool, including trading Halladay, and feels that their lack of interest (meaning an actual offer I think) with Burnett so far may indicate they are leaning to some sort of a rebuild or youth movement.
Personally I think it’s time for such a movement, any thoughts on this Mike? Sell extremely high on Halladay, dump Well’s crazy contract and look towards 2011.
Also just curious if you’ve heard the Overbay rumors, and that the Jay’s will be going all out to move him this winter, selling low and eating part of his contract looks like a mistake to me.
MW: As for the MacLeod article, I don’t agree with him. I don’t think the Jays ever had a chance of signing Burnett before he opted out, and I don’t think breaking the bank to keep him is a good idea. I don’t believe that the fact that they didn’t go public with their discussions with A.J.’s agent, Darek Braunecker, is a sign that they’re not interested in competing this year. As for trading Halladay, I have always said that I’d make any trade that improves the team – but it’d have to be an incredible return to make it worth trading Halladay. And I’m not sure how anyone could propose the Jays “dump Well’s (sic) crazy contract”. I’m not sure there’s a team out there that would take Wells without the Jays eating a big part of the $117 million that’s left on it. And as far as Overbay goes, I’m not a fan of selling low on anyone, but if the Jays feel they could be better without Lyle and can get something back, then that’s fine.
- ClintHey Mike,
Thanks again for all the work this season.
Curious if you have read the following and wondering what you think?
Overbay to Seattle?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2008351938_stone050.html
Could make say for Lind at First and Snider in Left.
Also read (no link thou) that the Jays are talking to SD about Khalil Greene. Also to FA Rafael Furcal, both as long term Short Stop answers.
What do you think about the Addition of Greene? He seemed to really struggle last season. If the Jays get 2007 Greene then thats a good pick up.
MW: See above for my thoughts on dealing Overbay. I’m wary about Greene, given the year he just had (anyone whose power disappears with no explanation has to be looked at as a high-risk acquisition), but I would take a low-risk flier on him.
- SeanMike, do you think Manny Ramirez stays in LA now that the dodgers offered him a 2-3 year deal worth 50-75 million?
MW: Not necessarily.
- andrewMW: Realistically? Raul Ibanez, Carl Pavano, Jason Jennings, Brad Penny, Paul Byrd, Adam Melhuse, Dave Ross, guys like that.
Mike if those are the guys the Jays are actually going to go after why not just fire J.P. and start rebuilding? Theres no way the Jays can complete next year by going after Dave Ross and Paul Byrd.
MW: Complete what? And there remains a trade market, as well.
- Dan MReferring to my last post, by brain cramp I meant planning a trip during the world series, but anywho thanks for the blog and the baseball insight.
Until next year.
- CoreyThanks, Mike. This was fun (especially since I’m not the one creating content).
MW: It’s over?
- JoeMike..Glad you’re back. Nice to know there’s some baseball savvy waiting after a daily white knuckle Brampton to Toronto commute….Knowing how you feel about the term “momentum” I wonder if you’re a fan of ex-Oriole manager Earl Weaver who deadpanned: “Momentum is tomorrow’s starting pitcher.” Maybe fan is a strong term…Can’t picture you in a # 4 Oriole’s jersey, a foot shorter with silver hair, turning your cap around to deliver closer f-bombs to the umpires and chain-smoking in the dugout…Thanks Mike
MW: How can one not be a fan of Earl Weaver?
- chris m.Mike….Thanks for taking a lot of your time to answer us bloggers and I personally consider it a privilege to converse with you..Along with Jerry, Alan and the late great Tom Cheek, you Mike, are the voice of baseball in Ontario and Canada, and that’s worthy of top recognition… Kudos to an excellent job.
- chris m.Mike,
Who are some free agent shortstops available after the upcoming season?
MW: After 2009? It’s subject to change, but the big names will be Miguel Tejada, Edgar Renteria and Jack Wilson.
- MikeMW: Natural lead-off, except that he doesn’t really get on base that much.
You’re talking about walks? I agree. But he does hit the ball a lot, and can fly. If he bats leadoff, then there isn’t the pressure to hit for power and that might relax him enough to (maybe) keep his head in the game. When he’s paying attention, no one can run the bases faster…
MW: We’re talking about Rios, right? I’m not talking about walks, per se, I’m talking about getting on-base. For his career, he gets on base less than 34% of the time, which is pretty bad for a lead-off man. Ideally, you’d like a lead-off guy to have at least a .380 on-base percentage.
- isabella reyesBy the way ‘A fan of Chase Utley’s…’ is nothing but wrong, honey. Because the ‘of’ already suggests possession, so you don’t need anything else to do that kind of work in a sentence. The apostrophe is overkill. I’m really surprised you made that mistake!
MW: But isn’t it correct to say “fan of his” rather than “fan of him”?
- isabella reyesMike, I don’t know if you have read the article on the Blue Jays website: “Creativity Key for Jays in Offseason.” The last sentence in the article is ridiculous but there are so many people who actually think the Tampa Bay method of building a team is the best way. This is why I didn’t want them making the playoffs.
The URL is http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081107&content_id=3670027&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor
MW: There aren’t many people who think that the Tampa Bay method of team-building (be embarrassingly awful for 10 years, draft extraordinarily high and always trade your assets for future help at the deadline) is the best way, and Jordan Bastian isn’t one of them. But what he wrote has truth to it – the fact is that a lot of observers don’t take context into account, and that can include ownership, which can say “hey, they won with no money, why can’t you?”. Remember, too, how many people have written here or called in to The JaysTalk to say that they’d be happy if the Jays stunk for 10 years if it resulted in a trip to the Series? Thing is, to go that route now means 25 years on the outside looking in, and likely means no more Blue Jays in Toronto.
- RossRe #76, the apostrophe issue — glad to see someone else agreeing with me!
Specifically, saying “fan of his” = he is the one who is the fan, and the object of his admiration is “you”;
Whereas “fan of him” = you are the one who is the fan, and your “fandom” is directed to “him”.
So unless you were claiming to have Utley and Howard as your secret admirers, you did not use the apostrophe correctly.
MW: You’re taking me out of context. I said “I am a fan of his”, not simply “fan of his”, which negates your first point entirely.
- NormMW: We’re talking about Rios, right? I’m not talking about walks, per se, I’m talking about getting on-base. For his career, he gets on base less than 34% of the time, which is pretty bad for a lead-off man. Ideally, you’d like a lead-off guy to have at least a .380 on-base percentage.
Is that all he gets on base? I’m amazed! I thought he did better than that. In that case you’re right.
As for ‘fan of his’ vs ‘fan of him’, it’s true, people do say ‘I’m a fan of his’. But they can’t say that in a vacuum. They have to refer to someone. That sentence would have to read something like ‘you know Chase Utley? I’m a great fan of his.’ It’s grammatically incorrect but it’s colloquial usage and it’s ok.
Where the apostrophe would be correct would be in a sentence like ‘I’m one of Chase Utley’s greatest fans.’ So that the ‘of’ belongs to the group–in this case the fans. And the apostrophe belongs to Utley. The two possessives refer to different things. If it’s just ‘I’m a fan of Chase Utley’s’ then there are two possessives doing the job of one, which is a grammatical no-no.
MW: Well put.
- reyesMike, I think that whether Tampa went to the world series or not the fact of the matter is they drafted well and plugged holes well. The Yankees in their winning ways were still drafting well, bringing up Game Breakers such as Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Posada and Petite. Some Gm’s can translate losing seasons into a division championship and a world series appearance in ten years some cannot and some GM’s like Brian Cashman and Pat Gillick, Dave Dombrowski etc. can continue to draft well although they are winning.
MW: Very interesting examples you use. Let’s look at those five Yankees you mention. Posada was drafted in 1990, Jeter in ’92 – when the Yankees sucked. Pettitte was signed as an undrafted free agent by G.M. Gene Michael in ’91. Williams and Rivera were both free-agent signees, ineligible for the draft, and signed in ’85 and ’90, respectively. What’s the point you’re trying to make again? Tampa did draft well, but it helps to be at the top of every round every year, and they did plug their holes well – but it’s easier to do that when you’re 30 games out at the deadline every year.
- RonJP will be in the caegory of his own the category of gm’s who cannot translate
winning or losing seasons in his tenure to a playoff appearance.
MW: Yup. He’s going to be the only G.M. in history not to have taken his team to the playoffs.
- RonI heard your conversation with Mike Hogan last week. You were predictably dismissive of Andre Dawson’s credentials for Cooperstown—”he just got out too much!”
For his career and assuming , for the sake of argument, that Dawson made 700 plate appearances a year–he produced 197 runs per year, either scored or driven in. George Brett 194.
On base percentage is an important stat, but they still decide games on runs scored. For want of an Andre Dawson, the Jays might have won some of those games where nobody could drive anybody home. For Dawson, this , his exceptional extra base totals, and all those Gold Gloves, he ought to be in.
You were also dismissive of Tony Fernandez’ candidacy for the Hall. A no-brainer for you–you just assume he does not belong. I am not sure you have ever looked at his record. For the stat you so love, OB+SA, Fernandez at 746 , Ozzie Smith at 665. Fernandez had 600 extra base hits in his career and Ozzie 499 though Smith had almost 1800 more at bats! Clearly Fernandez a much better offensive player. Ozzie had the mystique for his glove and I will not argue was the better shortstop. That said, much of defensive measurement is subjective with way too many variables involved. Fernandez was an excellent shortstop and, on a defensive variable that is measurable had a better career fielding percentage than Ozzie. Both guys ought to be either in or out.
Happy New Year. I hope you work as hard to promote Tony (one of ours, after all) as you have for Tom Cheek, who will get in this year.
J.C.
Mississauga
MW: There’s no need to promote Tony Fernandez, since he’s not on the ballot. As for your Dawson-Brett argument: First off, you’re comparing apples to passion fruit because one is a third baseman and one is an outfielder. There are far more great offensive outfielders than third baseman. BUT your argument is flawed regardless. For his career, Brett averaged 6.6 runs created per game, Dawson 5.4. Brett also made 52 more outs in his career than Dawson – in 855 more plate appearances. Dawson was a terrific defensive player, but Gold Gloves can’t be used in an argument, the voting for them is ridiculous. As for Fernandez vs. Ozzie – Smith was the best defensive shortstop in the history of the game by (literally) leaps and bounds. Fernandez is a solid candidate, to be sure, but Ozzie was a slam-dunk.
- jchenry