9:40 PM Eastern
We’re in the early days of the off-season free agent frenzy, and there hasn’t been much more about which to talk besides who is offering what to whom. We have yet to see a high-profile, big-money signing, and a lot of people are getting restless.
Personally, I like the fact that baseball doesn’t have that 12:01 AM spendfest that hockey does when free agency begins. The NHL’s system, I think, is a massive joke. Decisions of this magnitude - on the part of the player more than the team, but on the team side, too - require careful, sober thought, time, the opportunity to play the market and/or to play one suitor against another, and if you want to believe that all that can happen in one minute, then fine. The NBA tried to do it that way, too, but it got out of hand and now they have a waiting period in between the allowed start of free agent negotiations and the date on which players can begin to sign free agent contracts. That’s a good way to do it, but baseball does it right. It’s a long off-season, use the time to see what’s happening out there, and to pick your direction.
Right now, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez are all still out there, with no clear indication as to where any of them will sign, and so are over 150 other free agents, who will be joined by even more at next month’s non-tenderfest. A.J. Burnett’s still out there, too.
Which brings me to one of the things I don’t get. Why is it that the Blue Jays have come out and said that they’re willing to sign Burnett to a long-term, big-money contract, but other than that they’re not going to be too involved in free agency, if at all? I don’t get it. I’ve said many times that I don’t think Burnett is a good risk on a long-term deal, what with his history of injury (two healthy seasons over an eight-year career). There’s no reason to believe that the A.J. Burnett of 2009-2013 is going to be the A.J. Burnett of 2008. I mean, it COULD happen, but it sure isn’t the way to bet. And yet, here are the Blue Jays claiming that he’s their top off-season priority.
It makes sense in that he’s got the same incredible stuff that he had when they signed him three years ago, and that he’s pitched very, very well when he’s been healthy. They know him and he’s comfortable here, so why shouldn’t he be their top priority? Probably because with the current economic global downturn, there’s not much hope for a bump in the Jays’ payroll for the near future. Can they afford to have so much salary locked up in a guy who may only be able to answer the bell half the time? The 21st Century Blue Jays have (almost) never been a team that’s been able to throw cash at their problems, and an unhealthy Burnett would be a big, big problem. Not to mention the fact that by 2010 they could have an embarrassment of starting pitching riches if Dustin McGowan, Casey Janssen and Shaum Marcum all recover well from their injuries.
Offering A.J. a guaranteed five-year deal is more than likely the only way the Jays will be able to bring him back, since he’ll be able to haul in bigger money from a number of teams who are happy to offer four years (his agent says he’s looking at half a dozen), and I can’t see anyone in the front office thinking that signing up for five years of Burnett is a good thing.
That said, I also don’t get why they’re saying that if they fail to sign Burnett, they’re not going to spend the money earmarked for him on other guys. I mean, I understand that there may not be any starting pitchers in that price range who interest them (Jon Garland, Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets each have their red flags - but then, so does Burnett), but why say that if A.J. doesn’t take their money, they’re going to sit it out?
Doesn’t make any sense to me, which is why I don’t believe it. This isn’t the first time that the Blue Jays have said they wouldn’t be busy in the off-season, though. But things come up. A Bengie Molina or David Eckstein becomes available, a G.M calls and offers a Troy Glaus, or a Scott Rolen for that Glaus. Unexpected things pop up all the time, and there’s no reason something can’t happen this year in late December or January.
Something that will definitely happen around that time this year is that the game of musical chairs will stop and somebody will be left standing. Whether it’s a DH-type left looking for a contract when every team has the position filled or a team left looking for a closer once all the top guys have signed, there’s going to be someone out there - likely more than one someone - with whom the Jays will have a fit, and something will get done.
I also don’t get the fan reaction to Ricciardi’s comments to Fine Reporter (TM) Jordan Bastian of mlb.com about not getting involved with any free agents beyond Burnett. A lot of fans, it seems, don’t believe a word that J.P. says unless it’s something that they don’t like. In which case, they think, why would he lie? Truth is, you can’t have it both ways. You have to take EVERYTHING that EVERY general manager says with a very large grain of salt. It’s not fair to pick and choose what you want to believe, regardless of whether it’s stuff that makes you happy or stuff that makes you mad. What’s in it for Ricciardi to come clean to the media and reveal his off-season plans? There’s absolutely nothing to be gained. I know everyone wants to know what’s going to happen before it happens, but we all have to just wait and see.
As an example, let me (ugh) point to the Toronto Maple Leafs. There’s no more blanketed sports franchise in this country. There may even be regular updates on Matt Stajan’s bowel habits, for all I know. We have more hockey experts, insiders, analysts and pundits working in Toronto than taxi drivers, it seems, all of whom have great breadth of insight and contacts. How many of them had the Leafs and Blues making a big trade on Monday more than an hour before it came down? Right.
Another thing I don’t get is why so many people seem to think a B.J. Ryan/J.J. Hardy trade with Milwaukee is such a perfect fit. Forty percent of the Brewers’ starting rotation is on the open market right now, and far more than likely not coming back. They’ll still have Yovani Gallardo and Dave Bush, as well as Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, but do the Brewers imagine themselves a contender in 2009? Do they imagine themselves a closer away from being a contender, as they did last year when they spent a foolish $10 million on Eric Gagne? And Alcides Escobar or otherwise, do they think that moving a shortstop who has hit 50 home runs the last two years is the way to go? Could be, but I don’t think Jays fans should be pinning their hopes on it.
I also don’t get Yellow Submarine. My daughters (7 and 3 1/2) have gotten VERY into The Beatles lately. I’m thrilled with that, I wanted to introduce them to good music and so I got them listening and they got hooked. Then I figured that Yellow Submarine would be the perfect thing to show them, since I remembered that it was a cartoon with a good message (love takes down Blue Meanies) with lots of great music (”Only A Northern Song” excepted). Turns out, though, that it’s pretty much an 85-minute acid trip. Cool enough, but seriously. I get the movie, I guess, but what I don’t get is that my daughters can’t get enough of it. The Gillian must have watched it 10-11 times in a week. She’s 3, and now she knows all the words to “When I’m Sixty-Four”, which is cool, but wow is that movie something else. I don’t recommend watching it sober, and I’m not sure that watching it blitzed would be a good thing, either. I’m sure, though, that the Drunks can let us know.
I also don’t get why ABC would cancel Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies.
If nothing newsworthy happens between now and Saturday, there won’t be another post from me for a week and a half. The girlies and I are shoving off on a cruise this weekend and we’re really looking forward to it. It’s leaving from Puerto Rico, so I’ll try to run into Alex Rios while I’m down there to gain some insight into the Jays’ off-season plans. I wish that I could tell you that I’ll be checking in from the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, but the current climate of belt-tightening has unfortunately caused that business trip to be cancelled. If anything does go down at the Meetings, though, be sure to check in here to find out what I think and, of course, for the best baseball discussion, comment-sectionally, on the interwebs.
To that end, rational, reasonable comments are always welcome.
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Hi Mike,
This lack of off season news is really killing me! I can see why everyone involved in baseball really enjoys the off time, but for fans it seems like April 6th is years away. I’m looking forward to the ‘09 season, and hope you have a restful off season. Cheers!
- IanIs Willie Bloomquist availiable…he’s a stud!! Thought of you and wanted to say hi!
MW: I don’t think there’s ever been a time during which Willie Bloomquist was NOT available.
- RevGood morning Mike, hope you’re well. I’ve been here all along, I just haven’t had anything to say, and despite the opinions of some who know me, I try not to speak just to hear myself!
But my question: Who do you feel are among the better low tier free agents this year? I’m talking the guys who are lower money and lower risk, who’d likely sign for a year or maybe two;ask for middle range money and probably offer solid, if unspectacular performance. Kind of like Marco Scutaro has been. I would lean towards Paul Byrd, and maybe Rocco Baldelli in a limited role like DH that would fit his health needs. I’m not thinking just for the Jays, though I’m curious to know if there are any of those type of guys you’d recommend for the Jays. Thanks Mike, and I hope you have a great cruise!
MW: Remember that Scutaro was acquired in trade, not free agency? But the better lower-tier guys? I don’t think either Byrd or Baldelli are in the lower tier, but if you’re going that route, I wouldn’t go anywhere near Baldelli. The last thing the Jays need is another guy about whom they’d need to keep their fingers crossed, health-wise. Alphabetically, the lower-tier guys who jump out at me are Tony Armas, Jr., Paul Bako, Russ Branyan, Dave Ross, Javier Valentin and Daryle Ward and then the injury-risk guys like Bartolo Colon, Scott Elarton, Freddy Garcia, Mike Hampton, Jason Jennings, Pedro Martinez, Mark Mulder, Brad Penny and Mark Prior.
- kitaA big media guy told me that he expects no Toronto pressence at the Winter Meetings.
Even stranger about this is that a Toronto affliate is hosting it!
The Blue Jays should be smart about this and agree to pay for the hotel and accomadations of a few media outlets like the Globe, Rogers, Sun, Fan 590, City, (invite the Star only if Griffen is fired). In baseball money, those costs are nothing but you have Blue Jays related content in the news with the related publicity. I can’t believe that a Rogers affliate would not at least cover it.
MW: I don’t know what media members will be going to Vegas from Toronto, other than that I won’t and Jordan Bastian will, but I would expect that the Sun will send Bob Elliott and the Star will send Richard Griffin, at least. TSN and Sportsnet are usually there, too, as is the Globe. Having the Blue Jays pay for the media’s travel and accommodations would be a conflict of interest for the media, and the reporters would probably refuse.
- Jim BOK let’s say Rogers really is abstaining from raising the payroll because of the economy. Well then why can’t they just reallocate based on the current and expected future situation? We know this team just needs a couple more pieces to be a serious contender for the next 2-3 years. We also know/expect that after that window of contention, they’ll have a bunch of young, cheap, controllable talent with which they can be cheap.
So why not reallocate the payroll structure for the next 5-6 years to make it “backloaded” for the next 2-3 years?
2009 - 125 million
2010 - 125
2011 - 125
2012 - 85
2013 - 85
2014 - 85
This is just a rough breakdown but it averages out to 100 million per season over the next 6 seasons. That’s actually less than what the payroll would be with normal payroll inflation.
With that 125 million, they can get Manny for 3 years, re-sign Doc, pick up a pitcher/SS, trade Ryan/Overbay for another piece, whatever. Then after that, Wells could possibly opt out in 2011, Manny’s contract will be done with, Rolen/Ryan/Overbay contracts will be expired, and they’ll be left with a core of Doc, Rios, Hill, Snider, McGowan, Marcum, and Litsch having the biggest contracts which would easily come under 85 million.
This makes way too much sense. Maybe too much for it to actually happen.
MW: It actually averages out to $110 million per season over the next six seasons, and Rogers isn’t going to go there. What may be likelier to happen is that they stay at about $80 million this year (2009) and go to $110 million in 2010.
- ShawnHi Mike,
Looking at the free agent market for starting pitching this offseason, it seems like the best bet for the Blue Jays to acquire a starting pitcher is via trade. I would love to see the Blue Jays go after Zack Grienke from Kansas City. I know the Jays would have to give up a lot to acquire him, but I think the Jays have the players to make a deal and it would be a better option then handing out a 5 year contract to Burnett. Which players do you think the Blue Jays would have to trade to the Royals?
Overall, I think Grienke would be a great #2 starter behind Roy Halladay, and he has the potential to put together a Cy Young type season.
MW: I would love to see Grienke in a Blue Jays uniform, and I frankly can’t believe that the Royals are talking about dealing him for Jeff Francouer. I would trade Adam Lind for Grienke in a heartbeat.
- SilvioWhat I don’t get is that the Blue Jays were 4th in run differential in the majors and second only to Boston in the AL. I don’t recall a lot of blown saves. How do you reconcile this stat with their record?
MW: They didn’t score enough runs, despite the run differential, and a lot of games became wars of attrition late. Because the Jays couldn’t muster any offense, the opposition basically just waited them out. That’s why despite being baseball’s best bullpen, the Jays’ relief corps had a won-lost record of 15-23.
- timgrafthey have no intention of signing Burnett. the contract offer is only to mollify the fans.
MW: They have every intention of signing Burnett at the terms they’ve offered, they just know that there’s no way he’ll accept them.
- johnI have a theory to run by you because I’m wondering if you think this could be true or not. Now I’m definitly not an expert on how the inner works of a sports franchise works, but do you think it might be possible that the only reason that JP said he was only pursuing AJ and that he won’t necessarily sign anyone with that money if AJ doesn’t sign is a directly related to Doc? I mean he did mention at the deadline how he’d rather AJ stay and that AJ is an essential component to the Jays chances to make the playoffs. So isn’t possible that the ONLY significant reason JP wants to sign AJ is to appease Doc and convince him to stay with the Jays? Can Doc’s feelings majorly influence JP’s decisions to that extent?
MW: Not in this case.
- DeanIf the Blue Jays strike out on A.J Burnett, who would the Blue Jays target?
MW: The lesser lights.
- andrewMike…The Beatles are very contagious..My 16 yr. old daughter saw “Across The Universe” and now she’s listening to Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper’s more than me..Even took her to see “The Musical Box” a fantastic cover band of early-Peter Gabriel Genesis. She knows all the words from all the years of me playing Genesis tunes, my favourite band…Mike..Do you think I could get her to memorize all 9 innings of Ken Burns’ Baseball like her old man?
MW: Why not?
- chris m.Hey Mike,
Here’s my two cents for what it is worth.
By saying that A.J.’s their guy they are telling the fans that they’re in the free agency feeding pool. If he doesn’t sign with the Jays, and I’m like you in thinking five years is a long time for an oft-injured pitcher, then they come back and say well we tried.
If they actually came out and said they’re not interested in anyone then we’d be all up in arms, screaming and hollering.
My gut tells me that the budget will not increase and may in fact take a header south and maybe ‘09 will be an unofficial “regrouping year”. I refuse to say rebuild.
As I said just my two cents.
Enjoy the cruise and thanks for the “off season” blog.
MW: Thanks. Since you posted your comment, the Jays have come out and basically said “we’re not going to be in on anyone”, but have since changed it to “we’ll wait and see who’s left in January” - which is what I told you they’d do back in September.
- CameronPushing Daisies was cancelled? I guess I’ll have to get my Kristin Chenoweth fix elsewhere. She’s hot eh.
- NickHi Mike. Thanks for blogging every so often during the off-season. I had a relly radical trade,and I’m wondering what you think. Vernon Wells for Phil Hughs and R. Cano. The Yankees desperately need a big name center fielder and they would have no problem taking on his contract. Meanwhile it would free up some money for the blue jays not to mention they would be getting two good young players.
MW: I don’t think Vernon is worth Hughes and Cano at this point.
- Steve from NJdo you think this team is better off from having resigned vernon wells rather than having traded him to the highest bidder?
I find myself wondering where this team could be if it had made some trade deadline deals. Specifically i’m thinking of lilly, burnett and wells.
MW: It’s a valid thing about which to wonder. Look how well the Rays did for themselves by dealing quality (and sometimes even not so much quality) for future at the deadline. Unfortunately, the Jays have been “just close enough” at the deadline to make it a difficult decision to run up the white flag.
- jeremyMike, I agree with half of your blog, yes there are WAY too many Hockey no talent insiders and Yellow Submarine is a great for kids, but Eli Stone come on that show is pukey as the thought of another season of J.P. Ricciardi as our GM!
MW: I didn’t say that Yellow Submarine was great for kids.
- toseHey Mike. I’ve read your blogs for almost as long as you have been writing them and it appears as though you seem to question JP’s moves more frequently when there are no regular season ballgames going on. I remember you mentioned how you thought it was a bad move for JP to sign Barajas after be had balked on an offer JP had tried to make the previous offseason and JP had said “I’m going to take the high road” in regards to not having a player who really doesn’t want to be in Toronto. In this blog you pointed out that JP said he would try to sign AJ but not dip to far into the FA market whie asking the question “Why is it that the Blue Jays have come out and said that they’re willing to sign Burnett to a long-term, big-money contract, but other than that they’re not going to be too involved in free agency, if at all?” Although I agree with both critique, I guess I’m wondering if you hold back from certain judgments against JP during the regular season?… or maybe he isn’t the best offseason GM.
MW: It’s funny, because a major criticism of J.P. is that he’s a far better off-season G.M. than he is a regular season one, failing to react to the changes over the course of the season that have submarined his teams the last three years. As far as my opinions go, I don’t hold anything back at anytime. I see what happens, and tell you what I think.
- Matt from BCMike:
For some people the best time of the year is Baseball’s off-season. The speculation, out-G.M.ing the G.M., evaluating potention, working the numbers, dreaming the dream, is just part of it’s allure. The frustration sets in when we, as fans, are treated like crap by people who should know better.
J.P. is incapable of seeing the “big” picture. The Jays need a Quality #2 Starter (sign or trade), a Big Scary Bat (sign or trade) and a Quality Shortstop (sign or trade) - IN THAT ORDER - to challenge in the post-season. The team has enough pieces, if this order is followed, to do this. We can almost guarantee J.P. screws it up, that’s why we write, to anyone who’ll listen.
Thank You.
MW: So many fantastic scenarios are dreamed up by those of us who are outside the inner circle, and they all seem to make so much sense, and none of them ever happen. Makes you wonder, huh?
- Richard SpackmanWith my summer tan nothing more than a rumour now, I find myself much earlier than normal anticipating the crack of the bat and the smell of fresh spring grass that bring on the hope of a new season. Maybe when we get a bit more snow and I’m out on the snowmobile I will be more appreciative of the off season. John Lalonde’s nephew bowls in my Youth Bowling League, and John has brought his nephew in a couple of times. It is so cool talking Jays with someone like him. He can only tell you so much but he obviously gives you a great idea on the young players to keep an eye on. Enjoy your cruise Mike.
- Dan from ElmvaleBecause Dancing With the Stars is a whole lot cheaper?
MW: No kidding. And now Leno is getting a nightly 10 p.m. show? Is there no limit to the cheapitude of U.S. network execs?
- JoeHey Mike,
Have you heard anything about a guy named Chris Emanuele in the Jays system? He was playing for Dunedin in single A last i saw. I grew up playing against him and wondered what the chance of him actually making it to the show is.
MW: I have no idea what his chances are, but his production has slipped with each promotion that he’s gotten and he was a 24 year-old in the Florida State League, so I’d say that at the very least the odds are not good that he’ll wind up a productive every day player in the bigs.
- BrandonI wouldn’t have any problems with this. They’ll sit and wait and see who isn’t signed at the end of the winter meetings etc, and then they’ll see if they can get a bargain. I’d rather we got a low-cost possibility than a high-cost millstone like Frank Thomas.
As for Burnett, I hope and pray we do not resign him. Electric? Yes. Headcase? Unfortunately also yes. And he’s got a glass arm.
I think a lot of the free agents out there might be mightily disappointed with what they are going to be offered. The recession isn’t just hitting Toronto.
- isabella reyeshey michael,
thought you were done for the yr. a few bloga ago but you’re still going strong i see….
just picked up some great seats to this world baseball classic coming up in the spring and got to thinking about the cdn. squad that will be fielded.
so wanted to ask you your opinion, best case scenario everybody’s healthy, able & willing to play for our country….. who’s your starting line-up?
is it all mlb players are do any of the players from the national program grab any spots at all.
so your starting position players (and batting order if your so inclined) as well, who’s your starting 3 pitchers (order of rotation if you wish) and 3-4 bullpenners (and who’s the closer & set up guy)
no dh’s in this thing correct?
oh ya, and do me have manager named yet, can’t recall that either.
you know both leagues very well, curious who you think are the guys………..
MW: I’ll talk more about that as we get closer to the Festival, but there will be national program guys (not that there’s a set program anymore like the one Corey Koskie played for). There is a DH, and it’ll more than likely be Matt Stairs, and the manager will be Ernie Whitt. I’m sure you’ll see guys like Russ Martin, Justin Morneau, Joey Votto, Pete Orr, Mark Teahen, Jason Bay, Adam Stern, Pete LaForest and pitchers like Jeff Francis, Ryan Dempster, maybe even Rich Harden and Shawn Hill, among others, including guys you’ve never heard of like Chris Barnwell, R.J. Swindle and Emmanuel Garcia.
- darrell bishopHi Mike,
Quick one: if strategic deception is part of the GM’s responsibilities, wouldn’t just not saying anything at all be pretty effective? I know journos like yourself would hate it, but it feels like the cloak and dagger stuff from JP is doing more to alienate the fan base than anything else.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t John Schuerholz notoriously tight-lipped with the press?
JW
MW: I never really dealt with Schuerholz, but he’s very well-regarded, so if he was tight-lipped, he was at least nice about it. I don’t think that there’s any real cloak-and-dagger stuff coming from J.P., but honestly I’m not sure which is better - trying to say all you can say without giving away too much, or not saying anything at all.
- johnny washttp://riveraveblues.com/2008/11/the-free-agent-starter-debate-sheets-vs-burnett-6041/
Great article comparing burnett and sheets.
- jeremyI’m interested in seeing who gets cut loose at the non tender deadline. Do you foresee anyone of interest being cast loose?
MW: I haven’t even thought about that yet.
- IainHey Mike,
I am sitting here reading all about the Jays trying to sign Burnett, and I agree with you 100%. I have been against the Jays putting all their eggs in that basket from the beginning. It seems like a catch 22 with the Burnett thing anyway. If they spent on him, they will have to rely on the hitting improving without adding a significant bat. On the other hand, if they let Burnett walk, the pitching staff looks a little thin and maybe or maybe not a bat is added. My opinion is that the Jays look for a solid leadoff hitter with great basestealing ability. Sure the Jays have guys that can steal a base, but not since Stewart was in his first couple of years did the Jays have a guy that you feared on the basepaths. The other thing is that if the Jays shed money by trading Ryan, what kind of ripple affect would that have on the rest of the bullpen? That was the one of the best in all of baseball last year, and it just makes you wonder what happens if they trade BJ. I would really like to see the Jays let Burnett walk, sign a leadoff hitter and try guys like Prior, Hampton, and/or Penny. The more options the better. Thank you Mike.
MW: Remember, the bullpen was also one of the best in baseball the year before, and that was without B.J. I have been very surprised to hear J.P. Ricciardi say recently how tough it would be to fill the hole if he was to trade Ryan, because I see four ready replacements sitting there waiting in the bullpen, making a combined salary of less than half what Ryan makes.
- JustinWould Ryan, Rolen and Accardo be enough to get David Wright? I believe he is only 2 years from FreeAgency.
MW: No.
- NeilHi Mike - safe up-coming trip and return for you and family.
You had me chuckling to myself with your paragraph on the Leafs and the “blanketed coverage” with no-one coming up with the recent trade with the Blues until it happened - I never quite thought of that but you are right, what a joke.
Hey give these Leaf coverage pundits credit they were all over that huge breaking news of the (hate to say it) Burke signing. Only been going on for over a year and I am sure even the most rabid cricket fans were even aware of this before it happened!
The hockey coverage in Toronto is pathetic - you’d swear this team was a perennial play-off team with numerous recent championships under their belt.
More laughs when I think of those complaining about JP with everything he does or doesn’t do. If they think it’s that bad, just wait till they get a load of the ego maniac heading this way to babysit MLSE’s NHL team.
I also like the way baseball allows the time as to signings of free agents etc. The NHL is indeed a joke when it comes to their structure and timing on this. For whatever reason they think it stops all the presses througout the NHL cities at this time.
At least with MLB we pretty much have news breaking on this and that signing or whatever deal during the off season. As much as I am chomping at the bit to see who goes where, the wait is well worth it.
I agree with you as to AJ - crazy to have him re-signed with a 5 year deal - not going to happen here. He needs the bait of free agency, a final contract year to give him incentive. Not to bash AJ as I liked what he did here - however it has looked factual as to his final year here and prior to this.
Have a safe trip Mike - you lucky dog! Economic tough times have depleted and suspended the contracts I have had with customers for so long that my vacation plans are all on hold for now!
Finally - can’t stand the thought of Burke coming to Toronto and it really bugs me seeing someone paid so much for so very little. How does that happen? I guess he has proven he can “talk the talk” so we will see if he can, well you know what! Take care.
Thanks.
- Bob from BurlingtonMike - the previous post was long enough. Just wanted to add here with respect to your comments on your girls and Yellow Submarine.
Great blog by the way - plenty of musings coming out from you on this one. Really great blog nonetheless!
Both my children (boy and girl) way back when were also introduced to 60’s & 70’s music in their youth (80’s)by me . Both enjoyed the Beatles - my daughter more so and still does very much. Especially Yellow Submarine back then.
After reading everything I could, written by and about John Lennon I am convinced the intent was for children to enjoy this song as a childrens’ story and the movies’ intent was the same. I am convinced it was not at all written as to any drug culture or reference to same from that time as many have said or inferred. I do agree with you however as to it seeming like an “85 minute acid trip”!
I would imagine anyone on acid from the day may have gotten a lot more out of that movie than kids do - then again how would we know unless we were able to view it through the eyes and minds of kids.
John Lennon wrote a song on the White Album - “Glass Onion” and its’ intent was to explain or rather question why(hillariously) everyone has to see this song and others as anything other than what it is. I say - “Why else would they have Ringo sing it”!
“Sky of blue and Sea of Green” was thought of as all kinds of crazy things when in fact it was supposed to mean happy trouble free days (blue skies) with lots of money (sea of green)! That according to “Donavan” who added these lines to the song while it was being written (he was a co-writer on that one).
Anyway just wanted to add that as your mention of it brought back some great memories for me as to listening to the song over and over and over again thanks to my daughter. The movie and song are once again in my head - thanks for that Mike - yikes!
Once again safe trip and return - (by “trip” I mean travel nothing else - ha ha).
Thanks.
- Bob from Burlington“then the injury-risk guys like Bartolo Colon, Scott Elarton, Freddy Garcia, Mike Hampton, Jason Jennings, Pedro Martinez, Mark Mulder, Brad Penny and Mark Prior.”
I wouldn’t characterize Hampton as an injury risk as much as a health risk. He is always injured but runs the risk of having occasional bouts of health.
Nothing more relevant, witty or insightful to add (plus ca change), just a little mindless comment as my way of saying hi.
I hope the down time is going well.
Best Regards
John
P.S. You have to admit, right now “He’s a real nowhere man, Sitting in his nowhere land, Making all his nowhere plans. For nobody…” kinda sounds like J.P. this offseason doesn’t it? ;-)
MW: Cute line about Hampton, and you’re right. As for the Nowhere Man thing, I think that’s kinda harsh. The plans Ricciardi’s making are for a purpose, but it’s doubtful he’ll be able to do much of anything he wants to this winter.
- John B.Baseball does it right?
The same rules apply in hockey, there is no negotiating window prior to the free agency period. Maybe the baseball AGENTS are doing at right by not having clients jump at the first offer and playing bids off one another.
Why would people think JJ Hardy is going to be a middle-infield savious? There is already Scutaro-Inglett-Hill-MacDonald. Adding a fifth middle infielder who might fit right in the pack with those four is unnecessary. Might as well bring back Eckstein or Royce Clayton.
Jays need a bat for the middle of the order, something that was never replaced when Thomas left. Vernon is not a true cleanup hitter. If Ibanez isn’t the solution, Addam Dunn would be a good option. (in a dream world).
Russell Branyan? Has he ever hit a pitch that wasn’t a straight fastball?
MW: Branyan may never have hit anything but a straight fastball, but he found 12 of them that he could hit out of the park in just 132 at-bats last season. And the .813 career OPS ain’t too shabby, either. By the way, to honestly believe that there is no negotiating going on prior to the free agency period in hockey is either a joke or a show of incredible naivete.
- Ken PaganWhat kind of haul could the Jays pull in for Roy Halladay? Depending on how many years left on his contract, two blue-chip prospects and a major leaguer seems about right. At least more than the Sabathia or Santana returns, right?
MW: You would think more than Sabathia or Santana got back, yes.
- KaiHey Mike,
I was reading stories on the MLB website about the Mets, and their two biggest holes being a closer and a left fielder, which happen to be positions that the Jays have options at.
What do you think the Jays would be able to take back if they offered up BJ Ryan and Adam Lind? The Mets do have a strong pitching staff, so I was wondering if there was any possibility of the Jays finding pitching help there, perhaps someone like Michael Pelfrey?
MW: I would want much more than Pelfrey back for Ryan and Lind.
- BretHi Mike,
Two things:
First, there is no way AJ Burnett is resigning with the Jays so lets get that one out there right now.
Secondly, as for the Jays rotation, they definitely are going ot have to take a flyer on 1 or 2 arms that they will take one year deals. Thye will be inexpensive / rebound type of pitchers. I think a year deal on a Colon or Garcia type of pitcher is what the Jays will be in the market for. What do you think? Also will the Jays offer Burnett arbitration Monday, I would think they would. Wouldn’t it be great for the Jays in 09 if he took it?
MW: I have been talking about the Colon/Garcia type of pitcher for three months, so yes, I agree with you. And there was no way Burnett was going to accept arbitration.
- Jeff G.I’m tired of you baseball and basketball whiners crying becuase your favorite sports get such little coverage.
Face facts here pal.
This is hockey season. Hockey is OUR favorite sport. Not baseball. Not basketball. Not NFL. Thats THEIR favorite sports.
You people want to read about baseball and basketball during the hockeys season, watch American news. Or else move there.
But don’t expect our media to quit covering Canada’s favorite sports in favor of America’s favorite sports.
Quit the whining and be happy there’s still a team in Tranna.
MW: Why are you reading a baseball blog during the hockey season?
- Rick GRaceMichael of the Ballyard:
Honestly, what is your beef with people posting on your blog when they’re baked? As I remember it, my posts were, if less than succinct, gramatically immaculate and any spelling mistakes were sincerely attributed to the fact that I was in the pitch black beside a lake using a laptop I wasn’t familar with, rather than any brain-eating loss of motor skill. Why you hatin’, boy?
MW: Go back and re-read the posts. Note the quantity and the combined number of points made per post.
- JCLHey Mike -
You’re an ‘insider’… How true to life is this?
http://www.ghostrunneronfirst.com/2008/11/day-in-life-existence-of-roy-halladay.html
??
Kevin
MW: I think it’s pretty bang-on.
- Kevin A.Hey Mike,
Hope you have a good cruise.
Who is more valuable for the Jays Travis Snider or Adam Lind.
MW: Travis Snider.
- Justin JaysYour three year old knows all the words to When I’m Sixty Four? That may be the greatest thing I’ve ever read on this blog, and I LOVE this blog. I only hope that my kids will someday be the Beatles fanatics that I already am. Cheers to you Mike. And have a nice cruise!
MW: She even tries to roll the “R” in “greetings”. Comes out “birthday gleetings” - it’s hilarious.
- Matt McLeanHi Mike,
Geez, I think I’m in trouble. Sent a comment into Richard Griffins mailbag and he put it up and it makes it look as if I’m slagging you because I said you were dismissive. The Drunks jumped on it too.
With your blog, the Drunks, and Griffin, it sure is entertaining following the Blue Jays all of a sudden.
Anyway, just wanted to say that I am addicted to this blog (and it is frustrating because I spend way too much time reading it) because it is that good and yes, you can be dismissive in your comments, but that is a good thing as well. It’s impossible to take the time to have large replies to every poster, particularly the inane ones. Make no mistake, I am a huge fan of your efforts and your opinions.
Hope the winter over there isn’t too bad. I just got out of the surf.
Cricket season here too…still think JP should be revolutionary and tap into the cricketers for DH’s. Australia could be the next Dominican Republic..somebody should ask Scott Campbell what he thinks.
MW: But Scott Campbell is a New Zealander. I don’t get why Griff continues to take shots at me, he’s so nice to me when we’re talking face to face.
- Oz RobMike:
I see Pedro was not offered arbitration by New York. I would like to see the Jays take a chance. Also, I read on-line that Toronto was not interested in Giambi nor Bradley. Does acquiring Ibanez still seem likely for a LF/DH role?
Finally, did you ever get to speak to Mr. Rogers personally? As a fan, I will remember him as the man who stepped in to buy the team in 2000 and who raised them up out of economic torpor.
The team isn’t perfect now from a business or baseball sense, but I gather financially, the club isn’t bleeding money the way it was in the early part of the decade.
MW: I’d love to see them take a shot at Pedro, and I think Bradley and Ibanez may both be out of the picture now because they were offered arbitration, which leaves Giambi (who may be going back to Oakland). I never spoke to Mr. Rogers personally more than a “hello” in the hallway once or twice.
- Adrian, co-alumnusi luv ur blog mike =DDD
- TheSunkenZealotHey MIke
I found this article and it talks about the decline of power hitting shortstops. SO the Jays should really stop looking for a power hitting ss and have Johnny Mac play every day. Here is the link.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/12/02/verducci.shortstops/index.html?eref=T1
MW: It’s a long slide from “lack of power-hitting shortstops” to Johnny Mac.
- PaulAny news on your candidacy for the job as Toronto’s president?
If they seriously asked you to interview for the job, would you do it?
MW: If they asked me to interview, of course I would. They won’t, though.
- ColeI am still voting to sign Garland. He pitches amazingly well at the Rogers center and is a lock to give you 200 innings. No second tier guy can do that while utilizing the biggest strength the Jays have: Defense. And he’s a B so we keep our draft picks.
Hope you have a good vacation Mike. And yah, i was sad to see Pushing Daisies go to.
MW: Unfortunately, the signing of free agents is not a democratic process.
- DaveI also don’t want to see Byrd. All those fist pumps before he throws each pitch will start to wear on us after a while. But, i prob could have said the same thing about Dempsters glove wiggling while he pitches.
Joking aside. What did you think of the Vazquez trade ?
MW: Honestly, I haven’t looked at it deeply enough. The only one of the Braves’ prospects who went to Chicago with whom I’m familiar is Lillibridge. I’ll comment when the room stops spinning.
- DaveHey Mike,
what do you think the odds might be of the Jays trying to acquire Moyer if/when the Burnett talks fall through? Moyer would command far less in salary and seems to have numbers at least comparable to Burnett’s with less risk of injury.
MW: Except that he’s 45. I’m quite surprised that Moyer and the Phillies haven’t been able to work something out, given his age, the fact that he’s from the area and that they just won the World Series. Given the fact that money has been the issue preventing Moyer from signing with the Phils, I don’t think he’s coming here.
- FabioMike,
I haven’t been follow the news much but did Tom Cheek make the bailot for the hall of fame?
MW: He made the ballot, but Tony Kubek won the award.
- ChristopherMike,
I fear that after this season, which probably won’t be very pretty, Riccardi will be fired, a new guy will be brought in, and the payroll will be slashed dramatically. This is based on the lack of spending this offseason, the potential for the dollar to go down more, as well as the fact that if the team stinks up the joint in 09, the new guy will feel like he has to blow it up. As you, and others have mentioned, the 2010 team looks like it can be very good, it’d be a shame if it all got blown up. Do you think this fear is justified?
P.S. I know this is looking way ahead, but in terms of chances of winning, it doesn’t really look like it’s gonna happen in 09.
MW: I don’t think the fear of the blow-up is justified. The others are. I think that if Ricciardi is fired, the new guy will take a look around and love what he sees for 2010.
- TerryHey Mike I know this may seem a little crazy but if the jays can swing it as a temp fix until Marcum and McGowan and fully recover from their injuries why not try and sign John Smoltz, I mean I know hes old but maybe sign him to a 2 year deal(making the second year a vesting option based on innings pitched) hes a free agent now and if the jays can’t get burnett and he does not return to Atlanta why not sign him? What do you think of him or would they be better off going after someone else?
MW: I don’t think the Jays need to sign another pitcher who will make them hold their breath every time he throws the ball, unless they can get him really, really cheap.
- RoyceMike just wondering if you agree or disagree with Joe Sheenan article here.
What we might call the Roy Halladay/Vernon Wells Blue Jays peaked last season. They did so without anyone noticing, without ever being relevant to either the AL East or wild-card races, and perhaps without having the kind of year that would get them off of a difficult treadmill.
Nevertheless, this was a fantastic baseball team in 2008, the best run-prevention team in baseball thanks to a strong rotation, deep bullpen and excellent defense. Despite playing in the loaded AL East, the Jays led the majors by allowing just 610 runs, and they also led if you use Adjusted Equivalent Runs Allowed. They had the third-best Defensive Efficiency and ranked seventh in PADE in the majors. Their pitchers were second in the AL in strikeouts and first in fewest home runs allowed.
So why did they go 86-76? Competition is clearly a factor. Per the Adjusted Standings, the Jays had a third-order record of 92-70, the fourth-best mark in the game. Unfortunately, two of the three teams better than them in 2008 were the AL East’s division winner and the AL’s wild-card team, shutting the Jays out of the postseason even had they played to their mark. Toronto’s run prevention was so good that it carried a mediocre offense to that feat of ranking as the fourth-best team in baseball last season.
MW: You posted the whole article, which requires a subscription to view (that’s a big no-no), so I cut it down to only the part that was available to the general public for free. Joe makes some good points, as he always does, but also makes a few with which I disagree, like his later comments about the minor-league system and such. I don’t think the Jays peaked last season, though they were a lot better than most believe. I think that 2010 has a good chance to be a lot of fun for Jays watchers.
- Even BradshawI interpreted your response re my query about the lack of a corelation between the Jays run differential and win-loss record to suggest that the Jays offence in latter innings accounted for the bullpen won-loss record and thus their overall won-loss record.
I then checked their OPS overall and found the Jays were 22nd. From innings 7 through 9 they were 29th, which accords your theory.
MW: Thanks!
- timgraf