3:20 PM Eastern
Since J.P. Ricciardi’s first Winter Meetings as the Jays’ Grand Poobah, back in 2001 in Boston, he has never completed an entire Meetings without making a move. It appeared as though that trend would change this year, but he had one signing up his sleeve before he hit McCarran airport, and it’s another back to the future move, signing Matt Clement to a minor-league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Ricciardi has never been shy about going back and getting players on whom he’s had an eye in the past, and Clement fits that bill entirely. He was the belle of the ball in the off-season of 2004-2005, and the Jays and Red Sox went head-to-head for his services, with Boston coming out the winner (or so it seemed at the time). Clement had an OK ’05 season for Boston (13-6, 4.57, 99 ERA+, 1.36 WHIP) during which he was hit in the head by a Carl Crawford line drive, then pitched hurt (and terribly) for one-third of 2006 before having shoulder surgery. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since June of ’06.
At 33, Clement is exactly the kind of guy I’ve been saying the Blue Jays should be picking up. It’s a no-risk investment, with a front office source telling me that Clement will be paid a nominal salary if he makes the team. If he’s healthy, and he says he is (note – the Cardinals also thought he was healthy going into this past season), he steps in and gives the Jays a solid, middle-of-the-rotation pitcher with something to prove, one last big contract for which to shoot.
He has a history with Brad Arnsberg, having pitched for him in Florida in 2001, but Clement blossomed when he went to the Cubs in ’02, posting three straight years with a WHIP under 1.3 and averaging almost a strikeout per inning while making a total of 92 starts.
If the Jays can collect another two or three of this type of guy (Pedro, Pavano, Penny, Freddy Garcia, etc.) and one or two of them works out, then 2009 looks a lot brighter.
By the way, the reason that the Clement signing wasn’t announced until this afternoon was because of this morning’s Rule 5 draft, in the major-league phase of which the Blue Jays didn’t participate (no Randy Wells, Corey Thurman or Willie Canate this spring, folks). Had Clement been signed ahead of the draft, he’d have been eligible to be drafted by another team.
Before I go, I want to call your attention to a comment in the Tony Kubek thread that some of you may have missed, since I know you don’t all read all the comments all the time (you should):
“Hi Mike,
Please allow me to thank everyone who voted for Tom again this year. I know that Tom would say that Tony Kubek deserved this award before him ….but, I also think that Tom has all the credentials required to receive this award…maybe next year….thanks to all for taking the time to vote daily and hopefully next year you will take the time to once again get Tom on the final ballot.
Sincerely,
Shirley Cheek”
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome.
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Mike,
I remember trying to vote for Tom in September numerous times, and my browser always timed out. I tried different locations (IP Addresses) and different computers (MAC Addresses) but the result was always the same.
Did you hear anything about what happened there? I was definitely concerned my votes weren’t being counted and so I stopped trying after a day or so – I’m not sure if this was a widespread problem, but I remember at least one person saying they had similar issues.
There is no question in my mind that Tom Cheek deserves this award – and I hope we can help him get the recognition he deserves next year as well.
MW: Many people had issues, and most of them had to do with people attempting to vote using a browser other than Internet Explorer. The problems were discussed here and on other websites, and people who just used IE didn’t seem to have an issue at all.
- ytMichael of the Ballyard:
I’ve re-read several other of my baked comments and my conclusions largely remain in tact. The posts were deceptively long because of paragraph gaps to separate multiple thoughts/subjects; they were of a much higher calibre of writing than most other comments; and, in all likelihood (I can do the math if it’ll satisfy you) were not much longer in actual word count than the average post. You consistently were happy to reply to much longer, less decipherable posts than my baked ones with longer replies than those given to mine.
I think it’s time that you drop the War on Drugs Republican platform plank from your blog’s social policy and adopt a much less hawkish position on baked posters.
MW: I’m really tired of arguing about this.
- JCLMichael of the Ballyard:
I’m going to fuel your anti-baked posting ideology by going ahead and brazenly doing what I claimed that I never did — make two consecutive posts with the second one introducing a new idea altogether.
Let’s say this year goes largely as expected — the Jays have run of the mill injuries, a few nasty and pleasant surprises etc — and on the balance they largely play with a roster Ricciardi deems acceptable to him. Then, let’s say that despite that, they miss the playoffs, winning somewhere in the mid-80′s.
Are you willing to speculate on what should happen at that point?
MW: Sure. No front office changes for 2010.
- JCLHello!
MW: Hi.
- Joe N.Mike…Speaking of that time Matt Clement got hit with the line drive, do you remember a few years back when that Red Sox reliever (I think his name was Bryce Florie) got hit with a similiar line drive? That was gruesome to watch along the lines of the Sabres’ goalie Clint Malarchuk’s near fatal neck severing. If you remember the incident Mike, do you recall if Florie was the same after or at least returned and pitched effectively?
MW: I remember Florie getting drilled in the face, though I think Malarchuk getting his jugular vein severed was much more gruesome. Florie did return after the injury, but was never close to the same.
- chris m.Hi Mike…how are you?
(just thought id get it out of the way)
So starts the Clement experiment which I support completely. I work in the Athlete representation business so naturally, I do not see anything wrong with signing guys who have had some recent injury but were prior All-Star caliber athletes. If the blue jays are going to go this way, I would like to see the Jays sign Mark Prior and take a shot Brad Penny before the other gentlemen you mentioned in the blog…Thoughts?
I know you hate these kinds of questions but im going to ask it anyways. If I were GM of the Jays, I would pick up the phone, call te Padres and offer in a trade a combination of Purcey and Romero or Jesse Litsch along with Brandon League and Travis Snider for Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez. Of course Peavy would have to accept and Lyle Overbay would become expendable. I think the Padres would consider…Thoughts?
I enjoy your blogs very much…keep it up!
MW: I did mention Penny, and I’m a big fan of Prior as well, so that’s fine by me. As for Peavy, I think the Padres would be looking for more.
- Max L.Hey Mike
Have you seen the mlb’s Top 50 Prospects List
Just wondering if you think Cecil should be on the list
Here are some minor league totals from The Southpaw Blog
Brett Cecil – 118 1/3 IP, 2.41 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 9.90 K:9
David Price – 109 2/3 IP, 2.31 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 8.98 K:9
Also what about Arencibia he hit .298 with 27 HR last season
Just looking for your opinion
MW: I haven’t really looked at the list yet, but it’s all just a matter of opinion. We’ll see the truth when they’ve been in the majors for a while.
- SteveMike, I fear the Blue Jays will lose Roy Halladay in 2010. You look at what CC Sabathia got from the Yankees and you see what A.J. Burnett is going to get. We might have to pay him A-Rod type money to keep him. How concerned should I be.
MW: As concerned as you want. If you want to spend the next two years worrying about Halladay leaving, that’s your prerogative. If you want to spend it watching him pitch and enjoying over 320 Jays games, that’s cool, too.
- andrewMike, I noticed that the D-Backs signed Felipe Lopez. Is Orlando Hudson still under contract? If he is, he would obviously be expendable. If he is not under contract, would it be in the best interest of the Blue Jays to try and bring him back? Can never have enough defense. Hudson would be great, back here in Toronto. With the look of the rotation, the Jays will definitely need as much defense as they can get. Oh yeah, I also understand that the pitching is top priority, we need to take care of that first and foremost, wouldn’t hurt looking at Hudson though. Thanks
MW: Hudson is a free agent, and the Jays don’t seem to be in a financial position to bring him back.
- RockyBrad Penny- If you take his last 3 seasons and Burnett’s last 3 seasons, then flip them (so that 06 is the most recent season for both players, 08 is furthest), Penny get’s more money than Burnett this offseason. My point is, I think Brad Penny will be a discounted signing, almost a steal. What is stopping JP from pursuing hard???
Also, what is your guess on what Penny will sign for? I think 2 years. 10 million ish…
MW: I don’t know if Penny even gets that much.
- Ryan McCallenyo dude cy young for clement wilner
were gonna win it all
u see this is called sarcasm because we actually suck big time
MW: Sarcasm? No kidding!
- DanielThis was the first year I voted (for Tom obviously) and I will make it a point to vote again next year because my gretest memories of the Jays all involve Tom Cheek. He deserves to be in…
- GaryDo you think Roberto Alomar a first ballot hall of famer and why?
MW: The argument could be made that Alomar was the greatest all-around second baseman of all-time, so yes, I think he’s a first-ballot guy.
- andrewAny way Prior leaves sunny California to play up North? He fits the reclamation-project bill to a t, though it would seem he’d like to stay on the West coast.
If the Jays go into the season with a rotation of Doc, Litsch, Penny, and any combination of Pavano, Purcey, Clement, Romero, Janssenn, or maybe even Cecil or Mills I’d say the offseason was a mild success in light of what has transpired. I know it’s insane to say this in December of 2008, but I’m excited to see these guys in 2010.
MW: I’m excited about 2010, too, as should all Jays fans be, even if they have to put up with a crappy 2009. As for Prior, there’s a chance, sure, but he’s not going to get big money from anyone, so chances are he stays where he’s comfortable.
- Nik KMike,
I agree with you in saying that the Jays get a couple more of those Clement type pitchers. They are indeed low-risk, high reward whereas Burnett in high risk, high reward and the Jays can’t afford to have him miss significant amount of time and still hope to contend. I read on MLB.com that the brass has given Riccardi free reigns to sign Furcal and shed salary later if need be. That would be good if Furcal stays healthy. I have commented that the Jays need a leadoff hitter with the threat to steal at any time.
On the topic of Kubek, I can’t say that I know much about him, but he must have done some good things to win the award and to gain the praise from yourself and Mrs. Cheek. I hope that next year Tom will win the award and justifiable so. Thank you
MW: Furcal is an injury risk, which scares me, and he’s not always that good at getting on-base, which scares me, too.
- JustinHey Mike,
MW: “a solid, middle-of-the-rotation pitcher with something to prove . . . If the Jays can collect another two or three of this type of guy (Pedro, Pavano, Penny, Freddy Garcia, etc.) and one or two of them works out, then 2009 looks a lot brighter.”
Ricciardi certainly has the track record for this sort of thing.
John Thomson? Tomo Ohka? Victor Zambrano?
Is Fernando Valenzuela still in the Mexican winter league?
How’s Mike Sirotka’s shoulder these days? Speaking of line drives, where’s Bryce Florie at?
At least J.P.’s due.
MW: He’s definitely due. The rest of your post really isn’t worth a comment.
- Ken PaganHow considerate was that having Tom Cheeks’ wife add to the comments on the Kubeck blog. Very nice.
I like the Clement signing – like you said here and before Mike – nothing to lose, the incentive is there for Clement to do well and the price is right for the Jays.
Heard your report on the Fan 590 a couple of times yesterday Mike – wow, sounds like your still fighting that sinus thing. Painful!
Thanks
MW: Jeez, I didn’t think I sounded that bad.
- Bob from Burlingtonwill be voting everyday next year, and continue to support this cause to get Tom in the Hall where he belongs!!!!
Hope everyone keeps pushing for this till rest of the world takes note.
- stephenwShirley,
I will surely do my best to make sure he’s voted in next year!!
Hey guys, if u have a blog, then let’s link to the HOF site as soon as public voting begins next year!
kk
- karim kanjiMatt Clement? Good Lord JP picking up injured players off the scrap heap really worked well last time. Wow teams get the CC’s and the AJ’s we get this.
MW: Ummm, the Jays got the A.J. last time.
- Jimmichael,
needles to say, it’s very difficult to project at this point what the jays starting rotation will exactly look like for 09.
based on rookies that may or may not make the team (cecil,romero) certain pitchers coming back from injuries (mcgowan, janssen, accardo) additional matt clement type signings and of course any possible trades for quality starters..
but we know at this point the team’s bullpen should continue to be one of the very best in mlb (as it has been unquestionably for the last 2 yrs) lots of quality & depth from both sides no doubt.
but re: the hitting for next yr. (and barring any foreseeable trades of course) it says here it will be improved based on wells, hill & rolen most probably having better health, lind & snider improving simply based on getting better as they become more experienced (as good young hitters normally do) and don’t think it’s really a great stretch to envision rios, overbay & barajas to have improved seasons at the plate from last season as they’re still at relatively young ages & not certainly moving into the twilight yrs. of their careers respectively.
and of course if the gm is able to address their hitting and/or at the dh & ss spots (which might be the case) then maybe we’ll really might have something then.
not a total team to challenge for a division title this we know, but certainly a team that will compete quite well & more importantly definitely worth watching.
(and let’s throw in the possible improvement that gaston & tenace can provide as they continue the process with this group of hitters)
perhaps sounds a little like wishful thinking but i’m thinking most of that’s happening in 09, what do you think of that observation ?
MW: I think most of that is happening in ’09 as well, but saying that gets me labeled a homer and an apologist. I think the 2009 team has a chance to be a lot better than most people believe it will be.
- darrell bishopHow do you know that it really was Shirley that posted that comment?
MW: I have ways. And how do you know Mrs. C. well enough to be on a first-name basis with her?
- Shmuel YitzchokThe time that the comments are posted is 1 hour fast. I guess this site is set for daylight baseball savings time.
MW: I guess so.
- Shmuel YitzchokHi Mike
I read Shirley’s post but didnt see her name. How nice of her! Big effort by all of us next year.
I am now running scared as Buster Olney linked to Richard G’s article calling for JP to trade Doc. Surely that wont happen. It would be like Yankees trading Jeter.
Do you think Doc will be traded??
MW: Only if the Jays are blown away by an offer. Halladay certainly won’t be shopped.
- Richard from AR09 is going to stink unless some of our young pitchers like Purcey and Cecil have a major impact and I can’t see that happening for another year or two.
What is going to be so different in 2010 than it will be in 09? Sure we get Marcum back (at what level we won’t know) and some of our young pitchers should be ready. Besides these two things the only other bright spot is Arencibia and maybe the further developement of Snider. But from where I am sitting 2010 looks very similar to this year. No leadoff man or short stop, no 3B or an even further declining Rolen (not sure if he can go any lower) and no 1B with power, unless Cooper flies through the system. Oh and probably no more money to spend either.
MW: What’s different from 2008 to 2009? No Burnett and no Marcum, and a full year of Lind and (maybe) Snider. And in 2008, the Jays were one of the best teams in the major leagues. In 2010, Marcum is back, McGowan has another four months under his belt, Janssen is another year recovered, Snider is ready (maybe Arencibia is, too), Lind has another year to his credit and Overbay, Rolen and Ryan are all playing for contracts.
- RyanMike…Were you surprised to see Tampa trade Edwin Jackson? He was considered to be a candidate for the Rays’ closer role I thought, if Percival is done. Or maybe they will give it to the Price kid. Mike..any reports on Joyce, the guy they got in exchange from the Tigers?…Don’t know too much about him…Thanks.
MW: I wasn’t surprised to see Jackson traded, though I agree with you, I thought he had a shot at the closer’s job with David Price moving into the rotation. As for Joyce, he made a one-level climb through the Tigers’ system per year before this one. He seems to be a left-handed hitter whose power has arrived, and he enabled the Rays to non-tender Gabe Gross and say goodbye to Eric Hinske.
- chris m.So ESPN says A.J is almost a Yankee. 82 mil/5 years. His agent has got to be one of the best in history. By the time his contract ends with N.Y, he’d have earned 115million bucks in 8 years. He certainly doesn’t deserve that kind of money.
So Mike, what would be N.Y’s starting rotation next year. C.C, A.J and Wang are pretty much pencilled in. Who do you think will be 4 and 5? Joba back to the bullpen perhaps?
MW: I think that Joba would be terrific as the set-up man, and he may well wind up there, but I’d rather have him in the rotation, which is where the Yankees say right now they’d like to keep him. They still have an eye on Andy Pettitte to be their 5th starter, but if he doesn’t take the $6 million pay cut the Yanks are offering, they’ll throw some money at Ben Sheets or Derek Lowe, or give the job to Phil Hughes.
- BeburgGood evening.
“Ricciardi has never been shy about going back and getting players on whom he’s had an eye in the past…”
For some reason, this reminded me vividly of a “Wednesdays with J.P.” from either ’07 or ’08 when he remarked (and I paraphrase), “(Chad) Gaudin was someone that slipped off our radar…” He seemed to intimate that he wished he could have him back.
I glossed over his stats and he appeared okay in 2006 to 2008 despite egregiously high walk totals… Do you have any guesses as to why J.P. liked Gaudin?
MW: I think he liked the arm. The fact that Gaudin was so young when the Jays let him go indicates that his control issues may have come around while they still had control over him.
- Adrian, co-alumnusI like the Clement signing because before the last season and a half he did not have any injury problems or at least not as many as Burnett and the yanks just spent 82.5 million for 2 injury free seasons in the last 10 so they can have him,I would like to see them sign maybe both Pedro and Penny(in a perfect world they would) but either would be worth the risk,what do you think the chances of either landing in Toronto?
MW: I think the chances of Penny winding up here are higher than those of Pedro, but I don’t think the chances of either are better than 50-50.
- RoyceHey Mike, hope you are not unwell. If the Jays are not able to sign Furcal, then who do you think has the inside track for shortstop in ’09? Take care and have a Happy Hanukkah?
Peter, St.Catharines
MW: Scutaro.
- PeterMike….Do you happen to know if they hype/promote the consensus high draft picks for baseball in the U.S. like the way in Canada we seem to know everything about Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos or John Tavares before they play one NHL game?
MW: They do it more than they used to, but it’s still nothing like stud prospect hype for hockey here or basketball and football there.
- chris m.dude we stink and we will always stink until we get jp out of here cuz he is awful, and his signings r bad, 121 million 4 WELLS, wells is so bad, and not worth the money, overbay is terrible. Halladay is the only good player on this team, and maybe hill, but he has concussions so u dont really know how good he is, snider maybe, and thats it
MW: Really no need for me to comment, unless it’s just to give you more rope.
- DanielUnlike some of the people who will post on this blog, I won’t diss A. J. Burnett for taking the Yankees money and leaving. If I were in his shoes I’d take the 58 and one-half million extra bucks and cry all the way to the bank too. Speaking of crying, I seem to recall he and his wife were a bit thin skinned in regard to criticism from the Toronto fans and media last year. They’ll need a thick hide to survive New York, especially if A.J. gets hurt again.
I wonder if the difficulty the Padres are having moving Jake Peavy is a harbinger of things the Jays may face should they elect to move Halladay down the road. San Diego seems to be having trouble getting what they want, even when they had multiple suitors in the mix. I’m not one to advocate trading Doc,but the road the club seems to be on at the present does not bode well for the immediate future.
MW: I’m very, very interested to see how A.J. fares in the NYC spotlight. He only took an extra $28.5 million (and one extra year) to go, though.
- Jim in OhioHey Mike,
Speaking of retreads like Matt Clement, Tomo Ohka, John Thomson and Victor Zambrano who J.P. has tried to spin about still being major league calibre . . .
Why on earth is Russ Adams still on the 40-man roster if he’s two years out of the majors?
MW: I don’t have an answer for that one. I can’t figure it out, either. But for your initial statement, anyone who believes that Clement falls into the same category as Ohka, Thomson and Zambrano needs to do a little research.
- Ken PaganLooks like the Jays missed out on Raul Ibanez.
You’ve been asked this before, but why (whether it’s your opinion or whether Burrell has stated so) would Pat Burrell not be a good fit in Toronto?
MW: Burrell is a terrible outfielder, and I don’t think that he’s ready to accept being a full-time DH yet (he’s only 32). Those were my original reasons for saying he’s a poor fit here, and now, of course, they can’t afford him.
- Ken PaganHey Mike. Like many current Jays fans I have been concerned with the large obsticles that the Jays would have to overcome if they want to play meaningful games in September such as the Yankees being able to sign players to monsterous contracts and the fact that the canadian dollar is crapping out. On the other hand it might not be all that bad if we consider the other side of the coin. If the ecomony crashes and the Yankees are stuck playing contracts so huge that no other team is willing to touch, does that give the Jays and other teams for that matter an edge if the bottom falls out? Is it even possible that the economy could even effect the payrolls on ballclubs such as the Yankees who have invested so much money and years on players like Rodriguez, Sabathia, Burnett, and so on? Could they be digging themselfs into a hole??? Lets hope so! Tell me what you think.
MW: It’s not as though the Yankees are going to go bankrupt, so the only downside for the Yanks is that they might not be able to outspend their mistakes as much as they have in the past if the economy crashes on them. If their expensive players continue to produce, there’s no downside to being stuck with them.
- Matt from BCI like the Clement signing and really hope they get PEDRO- that guy can flat out pitch. Location, location, location.
I also think the JAYS could help solve their leadoff issues and also solidify their team toughness with a move for REED JOHNSON. What do you think about bringing him back. As a backup we could also consider Shannon Stewart as I think last year was just an anamoly and he could hit .290 with 20 HR and 80 RBI and 20 SB. Go JP Go (right out of town)!
MW: Tell me you’re kidding.
- BobbyGoing – going – gone! AJ is a Yankee! I guess he will be the #2 guy behind CC. As long as there is run support from all those Yankee bats AJ will do well as to the wins column. He will need them since he no longer has the “contract season incentive”!
I read somewhere the Yankees have yet to sell out all the corporate luxury boxes at the new digs at $600k/season (those are the cheaper ones. Of course they have sold out the 44 others with prices ranging from $650.k – $850k! No wonder they can throw around large money like it grows in the outfield.
Imagine contracts worth almost a quarter of a billion dollars wrapped up in the #1 & #2 spots on your rotation – insane!
For the fun of it – a 1/4of a billion dollars in crisp $1,000.00 dollar bills, stacked on top of each other, would reach about 16 miles high! That’s over twice as high as a commercial jet flies!
Or how about if you started counting up to a quarter of a billion – counting continously for every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! It would take you almost 24 years to complete it! Whoopee!
Thanks.
- Bob from BurlingtonMW: Ummm, the Jays got the A.J. last time.
And look how well he turned out!
I’m underwhelmed by the Clement deal, but I don’t think we could have done anything differently. Burnett will either rise to the occasion and pitch his head off for NY, or he could let the pressure of it all get to him and fail miserably. I don’t blame Ricciardi for bringing him over here. But I don’t see the point of throwing a ton of money at him to keep him.
The Globe reports the team will be quietly on sale next year. I find this hard to believe. As far as I know, the Evil Empire isn’t hurting for cash, and selling a ball team during a recession would make for some bargain basement prices. Bad business, in my opinion, to sell off now.
MW: Rogers is the Evil Empire? When did that happen?
- isabella reyesMike….Imagine this scenario…You’re walking down a street in N.Y. with the family and you look down and discover $5000 on the ground..You decide you want to sit in the front row at the new Yankee Stadium. Even with that windfall, you can only take one your girls, or the wife and you can go and you have to dig into your own pocket for babysitters….. $2500 per seat…Mike..Are they forced to do this to pay the salaries (that now include C.C and A.J) or Yankee fans rich and dedicated?
MW: Rich, dedicated and stupid.
- chris m.Hey Mike
Im just wondering why the Jays are going after Furcal. Do they really need a guy that expensive that will hit probably .320 with 8 or 9 HR. Why arent they using the minimal money that they are trying to free up for Furcalto sign a power bat of the likes of someone like Giambi or equivalent.
MW: They’re not trying to get him to play a power position, for starters, and a guy like Giambi likely won’t cost nearly as much. They’re going after him because he’s the best shortstop available, though I believe that he won’t live up to whatever contract he gets (from a team other than the Jays). What do you mean minimal money, though?
- JamesHi Mike,
My question for you is “Why the Yankees?” I’ve just come back from a holiday in NZ (where there is a lot of excitement about Scott Campbell believe it or not) and find that CC and AJ have both gone for pinstripes.
The Yanks seem to do this all the time with the marquee free agents. What makes these guys choose to play in New York? Money is the obvious factor, but often other teams are offering similar dollars.
So what is it? The city lifestyle, the Yankee tradition…what? I just don’t see the modern player being all that motivated by Yankee tradition. Is it because they think it’s a ticket to a World Series ring or is it all ego driven?
Are they at all worried about under performing and becoming a whipping boy of an entire city? I guess if the money’s good, it’s easy to be thick skinned.
Should be fun seeing how AJ handles the scrutiny of the Big Apple.
If you could offer your opinion on the lure of NY, I’d appreciate it because I don’t get it.
MW: No one was offering CC Sabathia similar money, nor Alex Rodriguez, and it was close with Burnett, but the Yanks were the high bidder. It’s a combination, I think, of the cash and the fact that the Yankees are always willing to spend whatever it takes to put a championship contender on the field. I don’t know that players see the Yankees as a ticket to a ring, but they know if they play there, they’ll always be in the mix.
- Oz Robwell it is what it is, I suppose. We are due for some luck with a scrap-heap pick up.
Something that bothers me is people talking about the option of using Jannsen as part of the rotation. Shoulder surgery is not like TJ, you don’t just come back and start hucking balls. It will be a huge accomplishment if Casey can make it back to the majors even middle relief role I’m sure. Even in the most wild dream, you can’t hope that Casey would be able to break spring training camp with the club.
MW: Sure you can.
- Paul OHey Mike, happy economic to recession to you and yours as well…haha kidding. Couple of questions 1) The Yankees signed two type-A free agents. What compensation would the Brewers and Jays receive (pretty much how do they determine who gets the Yankees first round pick) 2) Do you think they’ll sign Sheets/Dunn/Saito as well?
MW: The Brewers get the Yankees’ first-rounder, the Jays get the second-rounder. I think it’s because Sabathia is the higher-ranked player. I don’t think the Yankees will sign all three of those guys, but I wouldn’t put it past them, either. They still have a lot of money to play with.
- Phil C.Hey Mike
Im just wondering why the Red Sox were so quiet at Las Vegas meetings
MW: They lost out on Burnett, but they’re still working on guys like Derek Lowe and Mark Teixeira, guys who aren’t yet ready to sign.
- JamesHey Mike:
first-time, long-time.
Big baseball fan, in my early 40s. I have gotten into fitness & working out. Run marathons & have a 6 pack abs. Curious why some ball players can’t find their way to the gym. Just thinking it might help prolong some careers…see frank thomas. I can remember when he was the MAN…now he can barely run to 1st base. I think Matt Stairs is another one. I heard he doesn’t even pick up a bat in the off season…just thinkin’…and trying to stay warm waitin’ for spring training!
s
MW: I don’t think one can get Frank Thomas big without hitting the gym on a regular basis. He can barely run to first base because of his multiple ankle surgeries. As for Stairs, he doesn’t pick up a bat in the off-season, but that doesn’t mean he’s not working out. I don’t think there’s much concern about the vast majority of big leaguers not working out enough.
- SamHello again Mike
I’m just wondering what you think of the Jays trying a trade that would send Overbay and a couple up and coming pitching prospects to Colorado for Jeff Francis. Though Francis did not performe that well in 08 going 4 10 with a 5.01 ERA he will probably bounce back. Im just wondering if Overbay and a couple prospects would be enough to land him?
MW: The Rockies have a guy named Todd Helton. There’s no reason they’d be interested in Overbay at all.
- Jamessign daniel cabrera, just released by baltimore. yes he is horrible but he will cost nothing and he really is a decent pitcher for what the jays need if they can’t find anything better. his era is high but one of the most underrated stats is IP. 2007 he pitched 200 and 2008 he pitched 180, not bad. what the jays need is simply a pitcher who can soak up some innings. considering how high is era is he actually was above .500 for most of the season. up until his last five starts when everyone gave up he had pitched less than 6ip only 5 times in 25 starts which is good. only 8 starts did he give up more than 4 runs. aj 6 times. his career he is only about 10 games below .500. put him on a team with a better clubhouse and better defense and his numbers will improve. low risk move here.
MW: Low risk, depending on how much it’ll cost to sign him. He’s a guy for whom the sky is the limit if he ever learns to throw strikes. I’d be all for the Jays taking a cheap flier on him, but not for the reasons you’re giving.
- roccois anyone afraid of the yanks? not me. mussina went 20-9, if cc just repeats that the yanks are even. so that leaves aj as the difference maker. thank god jp was saved from himself. aj’s era the past 3 years has been close to 4, that with the best defense in the league. and his era this year was close to 5 in july. he only pitched well down the stretch when he knew his opt out was on the line. now he has no halladay to mentor him and I’m sure the yankee fans will be very consoling to him after a bad start. aj’s 2 best years inningwise were his contract years. when he is not playing for a contract he gets injured. I am shocked he chose the yanks. why not go the nl where it is much easier to pitch? aj is a mercenary and chose the highest bidder. I’m sure aj’s modest ego will blend in nicely with other modest types like arod and jeter.
- roccoWith economic down turn in the world, this is the best way to look at the the Jay’s situation going into next year. Play the young guy’s,give them mlb experience and see what happen’s.We all might be surprizes. Merry Xmas Mike.
- EdWho do you think gonna get Teixeira. The Nats are offering 8 years at $160-180 million, the O’s are offering 7 years at $140-150 million and the Angels and Red Sox are offering close to what the Nats and O’s are offering. Let’s say that the Red Sox are offering 8 years at $176 million and the Nats are offering 8 years at $180 million. Do you think Teixeira would give up $4 million to go to a winning team like Boston or will sign with a losing team like Washington who is offering top dollar?
MW: I think that when the money is at that level, four million dollars is pretty insignificant. Eight years is quite a commitment, so Teixeira has to think about how long it’ll take for the Nats or Orioles to get good, assuming he cares about that. He’s from the Baltimore area, so those two teams offer him the “close to home” incentive. Remember, too, you’re only dealing in rumour, and I haven’t heard anything over $160 million for eight years.
- andrewMike,
What happened to the 30 million this offseason? Im very disappointed by this business move, one that questions my personal buying power. If the Jays are not willing to invest in their product, i do not think that i should either.
Sorry, just had to get that off of my chest.
Happy holidays to all.
MW: The Blue Jays cutting payroll questions your personal buying power? You’re going to have to explain that.
- SeanMike, not too fond of signing Clement, but someone has to be in the rotation right. If Cecil is ready and Purcey makes it, it looks like 1 halladay 2 litsch (yikes) 3 McGowan (late May) 4 Janssen 5 Clement/purcey/cecil. Is there any way the Jays are even competitive in 09?? I like Inglett, but if Hill can/won’t move to short…where does he play in 09. Lind/Snider in left and Hill at second leaves me wondering what happens to Inglett/ He is the only thing close to a leadoff hitter the Jays have. Could we move Lind for a middle of the rotation guy? I like Lind but you have to give up something to get something right? Just a thought.
MW: I’m in favour of moving Lind for starting pitching, but I don’t know if the market is out there. The Jays were without McGowan for almost half of last season, without Marcum for a quarter of it. A.J. Burnett is gone, but his WHIP of 1.342 wasn’t much better than David Purcey’s 1.353 (once he was up for good). There are lots of ways that the Jays are even competitive in ’09. As for the Clement signing – what’s the downside? He’s no good and they cut him, losing a minimal amount of money. Nothing not to like about it.
- Blair MartinMike,
If the Jays are not going to compete this year, as Cito Gaston has proclaimed, then it is time to move contracts. The two I look at are Scott Rolen and B.J. Ryan. Ryan, 32, is a tradable asset. Now, I do not think that you will get much in return for him, but, the salary is moveble. Rolen, 33, has a couple years left on his deal and I could not see many teams, if any, showing interest in him. Perhaps, the best option with regards to Rolen would be to attempt to trade him for an overpriced, but expiring contract, like Gary Sheffield, in order to shed payroll for 2010. Sheffield makes $2 million more, but that could easily be cleared. What is your opinion on the matter?
MW: Aside from the fact that the Tigers don’t need a third baseman? It’s not a bad idea to move a Rolen for a Sheffield to clear money for 2010, but I don’t get the leap to move contracts if it doesn’t look like you’re going to win now. This isn’t fantasy sports, you don’t “tank it” one year to win a championship the next. The Jays look to be a very good team in 2010, just like they were a very good team in 2008.
- Jake RothMike…I can now relate to Supertramps’song “Dreamer” When I’m out slipping and sliding on the ice in the driveway, I’m out of salt and the wipers are seized to the windshield. I then thought of warm summer nights sitting in the bleachers at the Ex for a buck watching Dave (Tomorrow I’ll Be Perfect) Stieb tossing one of his “under 2 hour” shutouts. Mike…Do you remember those Stieb gems?..Too bad the dog started barking and snapped me back into 2008, I was enjoying it..And he expects a bone under the tree on Christmas.
- chris m.Just wanted to get your thoughts on Garciaparra. I think he could still be a productive hitter. What do you he’ll get in FA? Any chance the the Jays go after him for a short term contract?
MW: When he’s healthy enough to be in the line-up, Nomar is an asset. But he’s three years removed from his last healthy, productive season, and that was his only one since 2003. If you can sign him to a one-year deal for nothing, Clement-style, then why not? But if there’s any kind of real cash involved, I’m not interested.
- ReneHey Mike,
Hope you’re enjoy your off season.
Speak of Vegas, I think I saw rapper 50 Cent sporting a Blue Jays cap at the last Pay-Per-View UFC Event (Lesner VS Coutoure).
What are the chances of getting him on your show in the near future?
Also, how is the order decided for the sandwich picks?
Thanks
MW: Don’t hold your breath on 50 Cent coming on the show. I don’t know how the order for the sandwich picks is chosen, likely by player rank, but I’ll try to find out.
- James from MississaugaForget Burnett, maybe this shoe throwing Iraqi is available. al-Zaidi has an excellent four seamer and good arm action. JP?
- marcMr Wilner,
Who ranks the free agent players with respect to draft selections?
MW: The Elias Sports Bureau.
- Shmuel YitzchokHello Mike,
I would also love to see the Jays go after Brad Penny. He would be my first choice among the reclamation projects. He was always a horse out there and a real strong innings eater. if he were to return to form, he would be an absolute steal
- IanI , too, would love to see the jays tahe a flier on Daniel Cabrera. If someone is able to help him harness his terrific stuff, he could be a front of the rotation guy. He is too young for someone not to take a chance on him. Pick up Cabrera , Penny to go with Clement and it could be a better season than most think if the stars are aligned right
- IanMike:
We are about to lose out on Furcal to OAKLAND of all teams. Surely we could have outbid them.
I know you are not a fan, but to say that he does not get on base is absurd. According to Keith Law (who ranks him the 6th best free agent):
“As a legitimate shortstop who gets on base, Furcal looks to be one of the prizes of the free-agent market this winter.”
I don’t mind losing AJ Burnett, if we replaced him with Furcal and another bat. I presume that JP is waiting for one of these bats to become a bargain (Burrell, Bradley, Giambi, Abreu). The only one that makes sense is Bradley, and we might lose that battle to Tampa Bay.
MW: Actually, the Jays lost out on Furcal to Atlanta, not Oakland, but my opinion hasn’t changed. He’s a guy who is a big risk to be worth $10 million a year for the next four years. I don’t believe I ever said Furcal “doesn’t get on base”. That would, in fact, be absurd. What I said was that he doesn’t get on base enough to be a great lead-off man, which is true. Discounting his amazing, but 36-game, season in 2008, Furcal has had an obp of .350 or higher only twice since 2001. Sorry, that’s not good enough to install as the solution at the top of the line-up.
- JimWhat do you think the Jays will do with Rolen this year?
I know when the Jays won, Rolen OPS’ed .900 and in loses .600. Obviously most players should do better in wins, but thats a pretty large gap.
I hope to see him healthy and god forbid we’re in a penneant race, still effective by the end of the year. What do you think they will do, play him 5 out of every 7, 4 out of every 6?
MW: That’s way too much crystal-ball gazing for me. If he’s healthy, he’ll play every day. If he isn’t, he won’t.
- CoreyMike I just don’t understand Blue Jays management. They were willing to give money out to AJ, even though JP said a year ago that signing him was a mistake, yet they won’t dish out significantly less money for Brad Penny and Jon Garland. Both have inferior stuff to AJ, but are alot more consistant
(although Penny’s been hurt most of 08). The Jays could even dish out money for Lowe, who demands less than Burnett and is arguably a better pitcher.
MW: J.P. never said that signing A.J. was a mistake. What he said was that had he been aware of how McGowan, Marcum and Litsch were going to progress, he wouldn’t have signed Burnett. Now that McGowan and Marcum are in limbo, he felt that bring Burnett back was a good idea. Realistically, though, everyone knew the Jays didn’t have a legit chance of signing him, so Ricciardi was free to say anything he wanted. And who’s to say they won’t get in on Penny or Garland>
- JesseSheesh..I feel better now..We have added yet another cronically injured player to our potential roster..
You can bet Clement will get every chance to make this team..J.P will make sure of that..Matt Clement had one good season and I’m not talking about his 13-6 season in Boston..I’m talking about his 2002 season in Chicago..His best year and he went 12-11..
Wouldn’t the Jays be better served using a younger pitcher while they have the chance?..Shawn Marcum may never have gotten the chance he did if it wasn’t for injuries..Maybe Clement has a decent season but so what..The Jays chances to make the postseason next year are diddly squat..
Why not go into this year with some young pitchers to see what they have..Maybe they get a breakthrough season from one of their young pitchers and with Marcum back next year, maybe they compete in 2010..
Hallady, Mcgowan, Marcum, Litch and a Brett Cecil or a David Purcey or who knows may not look so bad for 2010..
Better then a oft injured 30 something yr old (insert name here)and baggage…
MW: Clement was pretty good in 2003 and 2004, too. I have no problem at all with taking a low-risk flier on a veteran trying to come back from an injury.
- GumpHey Mike
I think id rather have Wang in the 2 position before Burnett.
MW: That’s your business.
- JamesHey Mike
Now that the Jays have lost out on Burnett and Furcal are they not going to sign any free agents at all.
MW: They signed Clement, they will probably sign a few others.
- JamesMike you keep forgetting to respond to my posts. I am beginning to think you don’t particularly like me
MW: There’s no forgetting. The last comments you had didn’t require a response from me, I didn’t think.
- IanI don’t want to linger on this point, but Furcal’s .350 OBP is a lot higher than anyone that the Blue Jays have run out at the top of the lineup in years and will this year. Who is the leadoff man this year? Scutaro, Rios, Johnny Mac?
The shortstop problem, I guess, will not be addressed this year and there is no minor league help (Justin Jackson maybe if he learns how to hit) anytime soon.
No problem, but let’s rebuild and do it the right way by trading Halladay next year for a King’s ransom. I would presume that Tampa Bay would be a perfect spot. I would ask for Beckham, Wade Davis, and Desmond Jennings. I think that talks about David Price should not be out of the question. I don’t know why the Rays just don’t go for it and be aggressive. Why not talk to the Yankees about Rios or Wells for Phil Hughes? He is not going to get the shot and the Yanks want a CF.
MW: There’s no need to linger on the Furcal thing, but I think our lines may be getting crossed. Here’s the thing – while a .350 obp (which Furcal has accomplished exactly twice in healthy seasons this century) is higher than what the Jays have been running out in the leadoff spot, it still doesn’t make him a great leadoff hitter. Trading Halladay for a king’s ransom (no capital – it’s “a” king, not “the” king) is very unrealistic. Look at what Johan Santana got in return last year and look at how the Padres have been unable to move Jake Peavy. I would talk to the Yankees about Wells for Hughes, but I don’t think they’ll go that route.
- JimMW: The Blue Jays cutting payroll questions your personal buying power? You’re going to have to explain that.
Sorry Mike maybe i should rephrase. The Blue Jays cutting payroll has greatly effected how I spend my money. In the past my Company would buy 5-10 season tickets as a corporate gift to our clients and employees. With the decisions that the Jays are making, its making my decisions pretty easy. I’ve walked away from them, and these tickets due to the decisions that they have made. As have many of our peers in the industry. Its not that we can not afford it, but if the Jays have chosen to not compete financially, then I chose not to invest.
Hope that comes across better.
Again Happy Holidays.
MW: Gotcha. That makes a lot more sense now. Poor argument, but it makes more sense.
- SeanHey Mike,
How do you have hope in the 2010 team? They will be basically a poor mans version of the 08 team. The 2010 team looks to have the same problems with no power at the corners. Also, I dont think the pitching can be any better than the past season. I am personally think the Jays will be able to contend in 2011.
MW: What’s going to happen in 2011?
- MarkMike why do you think the market is moving so slowly this year as opposed to others? Could this be the start of smarter spending on middle of the road players? Or is this simply a case of who will blink first before handing out massive contracts? As well, I read alot off of Bluejays.com, and their spin writers aren’t even discussing the possabilities of Garland, Penny or Cabrera, usaully when there’s interest from the Jays hints are being given out in these articles.
That’s why I a long time believer in the plan of JP am starting to question his decision making
MW: Bluejays.com has “spin writers”? You might want to take that up with Jordan Bastian, I’m sure he’ll have plenty to say on the subject. The fact that names like Penny, Garland and (ugh) Cabrera (assuming you mean Orlando) aren’t being mentioned doesn’t mean the Jays are looking at all the possibilities. Chances are, as I’ve been saying for months, they’re waiting to see who’s left standing when the music stops. The market is moving more slowly, partially because of the economy and partially because CC Sabathia took and Mark Teixeira is taking so long to make up their minds.
- JesseI realize it won’t cost much this year for Clement but why bother..These things rarely work out..We all know the history..
The Jays haven’t had any real “direction” in many years…Sometimes when you sign these guys you take away a roster spot for a younger player..So he has a good year and wins 13 games..Maybe they put a young guy in there and he wins say 10 games..What have you gained?..If Clement is 28 or so then I can see this working out..But he will be 34..
MW: Whether he’s 28 or 33 doesn’t make a difference, they only have him for the one year. We all know the history? There have been reclamation projects other than Tomo Ohka, John Thomson and Victor Zambrano.
- GumpMike…When you get a player who dominates like Halladay, who’s gone 113-49 since his 2001 demotion, do you think one tends to expect greatness every start, whether that’s being just or unjust? For example, Mike, since you’ve been doing Jays-Talk and your blog posts, I wonder how many times you uttered or wrote the words,”Doc didn’t have it tonite.”? And would you not agree that the 49 losses is more impressive than his 113 wins, because of the team’s mediocrity? When he does have a bad outing, it’s a jaw dropper because of its rarity. Like when you’re giving your great post-game league wrap-ups, and you tell us the Yanks or Red Sox lost. Like any Jay fan, a smile comes across my face. But when you continue on Mike and tell us that Rivera or Papelbon blew the save in the ninth, the smile is still there but it is also causes the jaw to drop, because that’s not supposed to happen. Do you agree Mike that it’s sometimes easier to remember the bad outings of superstars because of their infrequency?
MW: Of course – the rarer the event, the greater the impression it leaves.
- chris m.Mike,
I know this is a bit off topic and outdated, but I’m been meaning to ask this earlier.
Around a month into the NHL season, the Leafs pulled Toskola and put in Cujo during the shootout. Although Cujo ended up playing poorly, I thought this was a potential idea.
What are you thoughts on a “pinch goalie” come in. Any comparisons to a pinch hitter in baseball? Since something like 30% of all hockey games go to a shootout, shouldn’t teams be finding shootout specialized goalies to increase their chances of getting an extra point?
Thanks
MW: This is a baseball blog.
- James from Mississauga“I think id rather have Wang in the 2 position before Burnett.
MW: That’s your business”
hahah…wilner, you funny funny man
- jpHello Mike,
Just had to weigh in on your “…Robbie Alomar is the greatest all-around 2B of all-time.” I’m surprised that this comes from you, a man who insists on cold, hard objective analysis over impassioned subjective blurtings. I’ll certainly put him in the top 10, but the problem with these greatest of all-time arguments is that they naturally slant towards the players that the list compiler has viewed the most. I would at least put Rogers Hornsby, Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Joe Morgan, and even Rod Carew (1,000+ games at 2B and 1B) ahead of him and perhaps Lou Whitaker on an even footing with him. Craig Biggio might even get in before Robbie due to his 3,000 hits (blasphemy yes, but we’re talking about the BBWAA here). We’ve seen how much of a struggle Whitaker has had getting in. What makes you so sure Robbie won’t face the same uphill climb?
As for whether or not Hornsby et al had Robbie’s fielding chops, we’ll never know. One thing is certain, his defensive brilliance would have been compromised by the kleenex-box gloves that the old timers (Hornsby, Lajoie, and Collins) had to make do with. Happy holidays to you and your family,
MW: I have to say I’m surprised that you came out of hibernation to take something I said out of context, of all things. Read it again. I didn’t say that Alomar was the best second-baseman ever, I said the argument could be made – and it could.
- Tom the InternI know Mike, I was kind of ribbing you. Anyhow, have you heard anything on how Aaron Hill is doing? Has he fully recovered? Also, I keep hearing how the jays need a shortstop. I still feel that since John McDonald is so stellar defensively, his lack of offense can be overlooked. of course, that depends on Wells, Rolen, Overbay, Rios, and a healthy Hill hitting to their capabilities and if Adam Lind and/or Travis Snyder continue to improve. If all of these players hit well, then McDonald’s lack of hitting can be overlooked. However, is it ever that easy for the Jays?
MW: It never is. And Hill, according to the man himself, is fine.
- IanBy the way Mike, your blog has become what a morning cup of coffee is to many people. It is something I need to start and survive my day! You just gotta love my sucking up, eh Mike?:)
- IanDo you really think the Bosox are interested in Tex or are just trying to drive up the price for their buddy Boras to play the Yanks and Angels? It makes no sense because they have Youk, Lowell, and Ortiz. PLUS your their prospect is Lars Anderson a first baseman who may turn out as good as Texiera. It would be also really tough to move Lowell as well. It makes no sense for them to make that type of financial commitment for Texiera.
MW: Except that he’s better than either Lowell or Youkilis. I think they’re really interested.
- JimHi Mike…
Just curious… with all of this ridiculous Halladay trade talk, does he have 10-and-5 rights? He came to the Jays in ’98, so that would put him at ’10 years’, all 10 with the Jays… unless its calculated some other way.
Thanks,
Kevin
MW: It’s 10 years of service. Halladay debuted in 1998, but hasn’t been in the big leagues the whole time since then. He’ll gain 10-and-5 rights late in the 2010 season.
- Kevin AllisonOn a scale of 1-10, with 10 being extremely boring, how would you rate this offseason in Major League Baseball?
I’m giving it about an 8.5 right now. Not much going on. It ranks about a 9.5 for the Blue Jays.
MW: Are you kidding? CC Sabathia signs the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher after Brian Cashman leaves the winter meetings to go convince CC’s wife, and then Rafael Furcal pulls the old bait-and-switch on the Braves? Fun times.
- Camwow it’s nice to hear tbay is after giambi. so now we are bottom feeders to tampa? there’s giambi and abreu both putting up good numbers and can be had on short term deals yet you never hear the jays name on any free agent. only furcal I heard god knows why. thanks JP for blowing all the payroll on rolen, wells, rios, overbay leaving us with no money left even for a hot dog. what’s next the jays have an account with madoff?
MW: It’s funny that you equate hearing the Jays name on a free agent with them being interested.
- roccomike, have you ever thought that the jays brass are not impressed with the way JP has blown money on guys like thomas, koskie, rolen and said hey we are not going to let you sign any more long term contracts so make do with what you have.
MW: Nope.
- roccoHey Mike
Me and a friend have been having a little arguement about who is the best pitcher ever in MLB history. My friend says Nolan Ryan but I keep saying Sandy Koufax. I just wanted your insight on who you think is better?
MW: It’s not Ryan, who was awesome but also issued more walks than any pitcher ever did. Koufax was incredible, but his period of dominance was short, due to him finding his control late and his later injuries. Given the era in which he pitched and the competition he faced, I might say it’s Pedro.
- JamesMike…In your dealings with Roy Halladay, does he have a laid-back demeanour or good sense of humour? The reason I ask is because his nickname Doc is obviously referring to the renegade,gun-carrying dentist at the Gunfight at the OK Corral,who assisted the Earps against the Clantons in Tombstone, Arizona….Not everybody’s favourite character from history.
MW: He only has the nickname because his last name is Halladay, which many people mispronounce as Holliday. It’s has nothing to do with the historical figure. Also, I don’t think being laid-back and having a good sense of humour are mutually exclusive.
- chris m.Mike, you keep saying that the ’08 version of the Jays was a very good team. However I have to say that’s not my recollection. They had amazing pitching. And that’s it. And you can get a long way with amazing pitching. If you have the offense that can back that up. We didn’t. We had at least two horrendous months when we lost and lost and lost. We lost so much we lost the manager.
Yes, we had an amazing win streak, but that’s all we had. In fact all I remember on Jays’ Talk was people venting their incredible frustration. I did the same on this blog. Ricciardi did the same on Wednesdays with JP. Last year’s team was not a good team, Mike. It was a frustrating, tantalizing nightmare and I don’t want to go through another season like that one. I’d prefer they just sucked from the get-go. It’s easier on the blood pressure. If they had been a ‘good team’ they would have finished second in the division. But they didn’t.
Signing Clement isn’t a bad move. And 2010 might be good to shoot for. But Wells etc are going to have to learn to hit the f%$^&ing ball for us to have any chance of success. And they couldn’t last year. When, with that rotation and that bullpen, they had the best chance of making the playoffs in years. So what does that say about our chances going forward?
MW: It says they were incredibly unlucky the first three months of the season. Your recollection of the Jays being a frustrating group of hitters propped up by their incredible pitching is correct, but they were a very,very good team. They finished fourth in the majors in run differential, which shows you that. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you.
- isabella reyesMike,
I admire your loyalty, but the numbers (the objective analysis) which you usually use to settle these things say otherwise.
Career OPS+
Hornsby: 175
Lajoie: 150
Alomar: 116
I’m sorry, but it’s a landslide Mike.
MW: Yeah, Rogers was some kind of hitter, wasn’t he? I wish I had his baseball card.
- Tom JacksonMike,
Ah! My cover’s been blown, please restore my anonymous intern status or you’ll place me in grave danger. That is, if that is what pleases you, O great Oracle. ;) Stupid auto-fill programs.
MW: Huh?
- Tom the InternMore random fun with career OPS+ numbers:
There are only 4 hitters in the history of the Major Leagues of Baseball ahead of “Rajah” in this stat: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, and Lou Gehrig. All of those guys batted left, while “Rajah” batted right therefore you could say: Rogers Hornsby. Greatest. Right Handed. Hitter. Ever. He might soon have starboard company to balance out all the portsiders and the one switch hitter (Mantle) in the all-time top 10. Don’t look now, but the amazing Albert Pujols is waiting in the wings at 170.
Not to rub it in, because I had no idea he was a top 5 all-time hitter prior to this,
but:
Rogers Hornsby is to Robbie Alomar as Robbie Alomar is to a typical banjo hitter with a 77 OPS+, meaning Rogers’ 175 is to Robbie’s 116 as Robbie’s 116 is to a player at 77. There are some guys you just wish you had a personal time machine, so you could see them play live. “Rajah” is definitely one of them.
Finally, if you had “Rajah”‘s card you wouldn’t need to work – but you would. ;)
- Tom the InternPedro? The guy from Napoleon Dynamite?
Surely you were not referring to Pedro Martinez. I can name 5 pitchers since 1990 that I’d rather have on my “all-time fantasy roster.”
btw, I’ve always been a Matt Clemente fan. I think he just might be a pleasent surprise.
MW: You mean Clement. The only pitchers since 1990 that comes close to Pedro on a consistent basis are Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson.
- JamieSorry MIke,
But i invest my money with companies they are willing to put money into themselves, not cut away and run. I don’t like rewarding the Jays when they already have thrown in the towel for 2009. If you think thats poor judgement so be it. Thats my opinion and the opinion of many of my peers. Hopefully the Jays will see that in 2010, and they wont suffer to many season ticket losses this season. Still a fan, but very disappointed.
MW: Why are you apologizing to me?
- SeanName one staring pitcher that missed 1-2 seasons with injury, signed by Riccardi, that had any impact with the Jays…
Scott Rolen makes 11 mil a season and bats in the lower half of the lineup and you guessed it, coming off an injury..Frank Thomas was paid countless millions to get lost and he had one season injury free after missing most of 04 and 05..Even Troy Glaus came here after an injury..Mind you, Glaus had one good season.. But I’m not the swiftest person in the world, but I think they wanted more then that considering they traded Hudson and Batista for him..
One more question..Why didn’t anyone else take a flyer out on Clement?..
Maybe most other GM’s are too smart for that..
He may have all the pitching he needs sitting in the minors…He needs to forget about picking through the MLB pitching waste and build something here or get lost..
MW: Build something? As in the best pitching staff in the major leagues?
- Gump