10:25 PM Eastern
First of all, thanks to everyone for the dozens upon dozens of questions you all sent in! I managed to pull 40 or 50 out that I’ll use during the world-famous “10 questions” segment on The Blue Jays This Week this season. I didn’t pick ones that will garner obvious answers or questions like “where do you like to hang out” that they wouldn’t answer because of potential stalkage issues, but there were plenty of good ones. Well done, folks.
I have to say, though, I’m a little disappointed that only two commenters got the “Shark Sandwich” thing. I guess I have to update my references. Less Tap and more Simpsons/Sandler/Ferrell, huh? What can I tell you, I’m almost 40.
Onto today and the first Blue Jay game that I saw in a week and a half. The board inside the Jays’ clubhouse said Cecil – 5, Purcey – 4, which meant that Brad Arnsberg figured he could get a whole game out of just two pitchers, and he almost did. Brett Cecil had a hard time with his pitch count, throwing 74 over just 3 2/3 innings, including 27 in the third inning alone. The young lefty was despondent after the game – he almost seemed on the verge of tears over his one-hit, shutout performance, the one hit being a soft liner just over the infield to the last batter he faced. Thing is, he walked four. Cecil’s sinker betrayed him, and even though the final line looked terrific (outside the walks), it didn’t seem as though he was pitching that well, and he agreed.
Cecil said after his performance that he’d rather give up four home runs than four walks. He said that some people think that walking a guy indicates that a pitcher is afraid to pitch to a particular hitter, and that he isn’t afraid to pitch to anyone. When he told me that last part, he sounded like he was telling himself that moreso than he was telling me, but it didn’t seem as though he was trying to convince himself that he’s not afraid to pitch to anyone. Almost like it was a kind of mantra for him. Michael Barrett thought Cecil had phenomenal stuff, and Cito Gaston said that despite the walks, he thought Cecil pitched very well.
David Purcey did manage to throw the four innings expected of him, and though he gave up four times as many hits as Cecil, he was more impressive. Purcey threw strikes and worked quickly – maybe it’s the Rays that bring this out in him – while picking up the save in the Jays’ 3-1 win.
I spoke to Adam Lind, who went 2-for-3 with a couple of singles, and he said that he’d had a rough time early in the spring getting his swing going while everyone around him was hitting bombs. He got frustrated, but told me that “they” came over to give him some encouragement (Cito? Gene Tenace? J.P.? I probably should have asked), and that he’s been feeling better since. Gaston, after the game, said that Lind is one hitter about whom he’s absolutely not worried.
I also caught up with Scott Richmond, who pitched two innings in a Jays vs. Jays minor-league game that featured a lot of the pitchers who will be coming north with the team (including Jesse Litsch and Brandon League, maybe Jesse Carlson, too, I’m not sure, first day back and all). I asked Richmond what he felt he had to do the rest of the way in order to make the team or at least leave enough of an impression so that he’s the first call when they need somebody from Vegas, and he was very firm in saying that his plan is to go north with the team. I think he’s up against it a bit, especially given how well Brad Mills and Cecil are pitching. I can’t wait to see Mills pitch – everyone here is raving about the kid – though I don’t think he’d be served too poorly by spending some time in AAA. Janssen, to me, also makes sense in the rotation if he’s healthy, and he’s scheduled to throw three innings in Lakeland tomorrow.
I’m looking forward to getting back on the air with Jerry and Alan tomorrow, and of course, looking forward to Birthday Waffle House before the game (mmmmmmmm………………….smothered and covered) and the third annual Birthday Chang’s post-game.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Mike,
Do you know when Jeremy Accardo’s new smoother delivery came about? Was he adjusted because of the arm issues he was having last year? It sure looks a whole lot better.
MW: I have only seen him pitch once, and didn’t notice a big difference.
- Chris BMike, if it does shape up with lefties Purcey, Cecil, and Mills in the rotation, is that a good fit with all the games with the Yankees, Sox, Rays (and Orioles)?
MW: I doubt very much that all three of them will make the rotation, but if they do they’re there on merit.
- MontyHey, Mike! Just thought I’d drop a line. Love your coverage of ‘My Jays’. I think this team-if it can stay healthy- is goin to show some people a thing or two. Overbay needs to get back to 17 to 23 homers, 45 plus dubs and Rios and Wells need to put up at least 25 homers a piece to have a chance to compete with the other high-powered offenses of The East. A healthy Hill, solid defense and more production from Rolen, consistent hitting from Lind and some good power numbers from rookie Snider, that, along with some amazin pitching could propel this team to within a game or two of a wild card birth…just a guess, mind you….anything can happen in this crazy game called Baseball. Whaddya think? Have a great day, my friend. Talk to ya again. Take care.
- Karl R. ThomsonMike:
The development of Dustin McGowan appears to be slowed; pushing his developement back another month or more to late July and beyond. Does he pitch in 2009 or wait for 2010?
MW: I think he’ll likely pitch at some point in 2009.
- Richard S. SpackmanSpeaking of lefties, Mike, I haven’t seen much (if anything) concerning Davis Romero this spring.
I see he is still on their 40-man roster, but I’m not even sure he has pitched in a game situation. (One recent game story mentioned him, but I’m pretty sure it was an incorrect reference, that should have been Ricky).
What is his status — injured, forgotten, or ???
MW: Good question, I’ll investigate. I’ve seen him around, but I haven’t seen him pitch yet. Of course, I’ve been in and out a lot.
- NormMike, what do you see being the Jays’ “make-up” for opening day:
Pitchers — 11, 12 or 13?
Catchers — 2
Infielders — 6 (or 7)?
Outfielders/DH — 4 (or 5)?
It looks to me like if they were to go with only 11 pitchers (unlikely), BOTH Kevin Millar and Jason Lane could be retained (11+2+7+5 = 25).
However, the more likely scenario is 12 pitchers, 2 catchers, 6 infielders (incl. both Millar & Bautista), 4 outfielders (excluding Lane), with Inglett being the “swing man” backing up both I/F and O/F.
If 13 pitchers, then one of Bautista or Millar would not make it.
What do you think will happen?
MW: 12 pitchers, 2 catchers, 7 infielders, 4 outfielders. One of Bautista, Inglett and McDonald doesn’t make the team.
- NormMichael of the Ballyard:
MW: I continue to think that you’re putting far too much emphasis on what a manager can accomplish. I don’t think his impact is broader than a single player’s.
You’re missing the point. You havesaid numerous times that physical errors are a part of the game, but mental errors are inexcusable. A manager does not have any physical tasks to perform — his job is entirely mental, and where there is substantive reason to question him judgment, as there CLEARLY is re: Whitt’s handling of the Italy game, that becomes a much bigger problem than other types of underperformance.
I don’t put too much emphasis on what a manager can accomplish — I am emphasizing what he failed to do, which is create ANY kind of offense. Yes, the hitters need to hit — absolutely. But when they’re not producing, a manager’s job is to try to find ways to squeeze runs out of his team. I doubt you’ll find anyone down in Florida who disputes that.
And my point is, in the Italy game, Whitt did NOTHING to kick-start the offense. Don’t quote me on this, but weren’t there something like 8 walks in that game (by Italy), and Whitt didn’t start a single one of them? I’d go back and check that stat but the thought of looking at anything related to that game physically pains me.
Regardless, 8 walks or less, how do you even BEGIN to defend not starting a SINGLE ONE of them? You’re about to be eliminated by the Italians at home in the world friggin’ championship, and you don’t do ANYTHING to help the offense? You put on a hit and run or astraight steal, and suddenly the inexperienced Italian middle infild is more hesitant to cover 2nd on future straight steals in case the hitter pokes the ball through the hole. You show you’re willing to run, and, even if you’re not capable of actually pulling off a lot of steals, Italy’s pitchers get nervous against an aggressive big league team and start serving up meatballs. There were MANY things Whitt could have tried, and he didn’t try a single one.
Seriously, Mike. It is beyond preposterous to suggest that Whitt shouldn’t have done anything to try to kick-start the offense, and, if you believe he should have, it is equally preposterous to suggest that his failure to do so is something less than a complete failure on his part. It’s true, a manager’s sphere of influence is limited, but Whitt failed to exert what little influence he did have in a situation where it could have made a big, big difference. Entirely inexcusable,and, given it was all he really had to/could do, it renders his term of manager a total failure.
To go back to the Koskie/Orr/Barnwell thing, yes, anyone can go 0 for 7 over two games, but once you’re getting into the late innings of the second game and you’re FACING ELIMINATION IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT HOME, you CANNOT just hope those 0 for 7 guys break out of it especially when there’s NO reason to beleive they will. They weren’t even, say, 0 for 5 with 2 tough luck outs. They were hideous. You can’t hope they just snap out of it on that stage. You have to get Koskie in the game and give him a chance to do something. I’m sitting in Pearson waiting for a flight to join you in Florida on a laptop so I’m not sure I can put this down to an exact scienctific explanation right now, but I will tell you it is beyond stupid, ridiculous, insane, incredulous and any other related adjective you can think of to suggest that hoping a couple guys having 0-for’s over the tournament are going to magically break out of their slumps when it matters the most is a good strategy when you have a weapon like Koskie on your bench, who, given the VERY low probability of Barnwell/Orr having broken out of it in those critical last few innings, had a much better chance of doing something productive.
Inasfar as Whitt had any influence over the Italy game, he asserted it contemptibly, incompetently and in away that renders him as responsible as he can possibly be for the loss (regardless of how you feel about the overall impact of a manager), which is absolutely unacceptable.
- JCLHi Mike
“looking forward to Birthday Waffle House before the game ” Does this mean it’s your birthday? If so Happy birthday.
I have not heard much about Matt Clement lately. He seemed to be having a good spring. Is he likely to make the trip North?
MW: Thanks! Clement has been OK, but not terrific. With the way Janssen and Mills have been pitching, as well as Cecil and Richmond, I’m doubting he’ll make the team.
- Richard from ARHey Mike. It’s great to hear you back on the air with Jerry and Alan this afternoon. At this point what do you think the batting order will look like on April 6 at Rogers Centre vs. Detroit? On the note, if there’s a comeback team in the AL this season are the Tigers potentially that team to bounce back, although I think the AL Central is a Twins-White Sox race. Have a good broadcast today?
Peter, St.Catharines
MW: I think the Opening Day batting order will be Scutaro/Hill/Rios/Wells/Lind/Rolen/Overbay/Snider/Barajas.
- PeterMike,
With all this talk about young pitching being so expensive. Maybe the Jays should sell some this spring. If they could get a big young bat (Kyle Blanks SD) for a young pitcher like Casey Janssen, it could make a huge impact. I know JP likes to have all the depth, but with the Jays looking towards 2009 and Marcums return, i think now might be the time to trade young pitching for young hitting, we could really use a
big basher like Kyle Blanks who would be cheap for a lot of years, then if Cooper pans out one of them could DH or you could use one as a trading chip.
MW: I’m pretty reticent to trade young, proven big-league talent for unproven prospecty potential.
- Pee WeeHi Mike,
I would say David Purcey is a lock for a spot in the rotation. He was inconsistent in his stint with the jays last season but he did show some good things during that stint as well. That major league experience will serve him well in making the rotation this season to go with Halladay and Litsch. I agree with you that Janssen should also have a spot, provided that his arm hold up. This leaves Brett Cecil. If Matt Clement is healthy, do you go with him and give Cecil some more AAA seasoning? Given the usual number of off days in April, it may make sense to start the younger Cecil at AAA to get his innings insince a 5th starter is not really always necessary in April. You could spot Clement to ease him in (again, provided his troublesome arm holds up).
I would love to see Jason Lane make the club as a backup outfielder. He has hit well in the past with Houston and his experience would be valuable.
On to Russ Adams, is there aspot for him? He has hit well this spring and is versatile. Of course, the jays have other versatile utility men like Jose Bautista and Joe Inglett so Russ may be the odd man out.
Finally, I would say I would like to see Michael Barrett back up Rod Barajas and give the kids some more seasoning. I still think Barrett will hit metter than his numbers of last season suggest.
Ah yes, waffles. I like mine smoothered and saturated in butter and syrup! Go crazy Mike!
MW: I don’t think there’s room on the team for Lane or Adams, and I think Raul Chavez has the big edge over Barrett for the back-up catcher’s job so far. Your rotation math doesn’t just leave Cecil and Clement – it leaves Richmond and Mills, too. It seems that everyone here is in love with Mills.
- IanHi Mike,
I absolutely loved the signing of Kevin Millar. Is the plan to platoon him at first base with Lyle Overbay? I think that might be a good idea since Overbay is still not up to speed after his hernia issues. Also, Millar is good insurance in case Lyle does not return to form with the bat. Millar is pretty much always a lock for 20 homers with enought at bats. He is also good insurance for Scott Rolen should his shoulder issues flare up again. The Jays have a strong bench with players that can fill in admirably in case of injuries which have hammered the jays in recent years.
MW: Millar’s batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage have each declined each of the last three years, and that’s kind of scary. I do think he’ll start the year in a de facto platoon with Overbay, though.
- IanWhat are the chances that Russ Adams is gonna be with the jays going into the regular season.
thanks
MW: Just about zero.
- TrentMike,
What do you think of the battle for the backup catcher job so far? Nobody is really standing out, I don’t think.
Personally, I think I would like to see Jeroloman be given a shot. From what I hear, his defense is ready for MLB, and his OBP seems to indicate that he is pretty mature as a hitter. If he and Arencibia are the catchers of the future, why not start him out now, under Barajas’s wings and bring Arencibia in later? That’d leave Arencibia as the lone catcher in AAA.
Think this might happen, or is destined to be Chavez (or maybe Barrett) in Toronto to start out this year?
MW: At the moment, Chavez has the edge in the battle.
- RMIs it possible that Millar can start at First base.. Please can that be true. Overbay can back him up. I have been following the pre season, seems overbay can get the ball out of the infield. Millar has hit couple of homers and a bunch of doubles.
MW: It’s Spring Training.
- broomHi Mike,
Speaking of lefties -didn’t realize “Lefty” Maroth was in the mix today – otherwise wouldn’t have placed a bet that the Jays would win ( the redoubtable Mike coughed up a three run lead). It won’t happen again…
MW: There’s never a reason – ever – to wager on the outcome of a Spring Training game. Seriously, you might want to look into 12-step action.
- KenWhat’s with the BOW-tista? Never heard it pronounced like that.
MW: That’s the way he wants it pronounced.
- AriHey Mike,
It seems you are warming up to Mills/Cecil as possible rotation candidates. Is this due to your return to ST and some inside info, maybe from Cito and the coaches? Is the buzz about these two warranted, in your opinion?
Is Accardo really in a competition for the final spot in the pen, against Camp? If so, what happened to the dominant Accardo of 2007?
MW: I’m warming up to Mills just from hearing what everyone has been saying about him, but I’m really looking forward to seeing him pitch tomorrow. Cecil I have always loved. And yes, Accardo really seems to be in a fight for a spot.
- Andy McMike…Who is Brett Cecil similiar to while on the mound in terms of delivery or pitching style? I’m too impatient to wait and see for myself.
MW: I don’t like to make those kinds of comparisons, it’s unfair.
- chris m.Hey Mike, I was thinking about the battle for the 4th and 5th spots. Based on what I’ve read and the box scores I’ve seen, here’s what I’m thinking. Mills gets the 4th spot. I’d then give the 5th spot to Richmond. He looked like a decent 5th starter last year. If Janssen still isn’t quite ready for a rotation spot (since he’s coming back from injury), he could pitch as the long man out of the pen to start the year and enter the rotation in case someone gets injured or struggles. Since Cecil pitched only 118 innings last year I think he’d be better suited to start in the minors. What do you think?
MW: I think that Janssen will be the 4th starter, and the 5th spot will go to one of Richmond, Clement or Mills. If I had to bet, I’d say Richmond, so that Mills can get some more seasoning.
- PramitMike…I didn’t expect you, nor would I want you to say Brett Cecil is the next Randy Johnson or Steve Carlton…You wouldn’t set yourself up for that..Just wondering how he looks on the mound…Kind of like if someone asked me 23 yrs ago how this guy Eichhorn throws, I would say similiar to Quisenberry or Tekulve.
MW: He doesn’t have many quirks to his delivery, though. I’m not good at that.
- chris m.Mike, re your response to #2 — you missed a great teaching opportunity! You could have said “they’re there on their merit”, correctly using all three in one
sentence.
MW: I could have, but it would have been a bit redundant.
- NormIt doesn’t matter how Clement pitches in spring training..My bet is: no matter how good or bad he does he will get a spot in the rotation just like Tomo Okho did..
Litch pitched pretty good in spring training that year but they still gave the job to Ohka..
So far, Mills, Cecil, Janssen and Purcey have out pitched Clement..Mind you, he has only pitched 6 innings and hasn’t picked up a ball for a few years but Riccardi likes him so he gets the job..
I don’t think Clement will be an effective pitcher this year and injuries will catch up with him sooner or later..
Why not give all 3 of these spots to either Janssen, Cecil, Purcey or Mills?..This season is another supposed “wait till next year, year” so give these spots to them and start Clement in the minors..
The fans and the media aren’t expecting much from the Jays this year so the pressure is off and lets see if these guys have what it takes to be MLB starters..
Riccardi’s 2010 “year of champions” will remain in tact and if a few these guys work out, he can use them to keep his job for yet another year in his 9 er 5 year plan..Oh yea, he has these pressing family issues and if the Jays blow arse and these young guns look like Tomo Okha he can pull the “family card”..Either way, its a win win situation for him..
I just don’t see the point of putting in a guy like Clement who won’t likely be around next year anyway..
MW: First of all, Litsch didn’t pitch at all in the spring training the year Ohka made the team and, aside from his last start, Ohka actually had a great spring. I think Janssen will get a spot, but I don’t see anything wrong with having Clement or Richmond start the season in the bigs while Mills and Cecil get some AAA time. Cecil has already been sent out, but Mills has never seen AAA. A month there couldn’t hurt.
- ray brewerTo #19 — I think Cecil is a cross between Ted Lilly and Andy Petite.
I can’t believe some people think that Kevin Millar is a better player than Lyle Overbay. Overbay is the only person on the team who walks and should be at the top of the order (#1 or #2). His doubles power makes up for his inability to steal bases (he will be in scoring position often).
MW: Well, not OFTEN, but I agree with you. He’d be my leadoff man or two-hole hitter.
- Jim BMike. Just curious, but when the season starts, when there is a Jays/Raptors conflict, will the Jays move to CKTB and the Raptors remain on FAN 590 as has been the case the last few years now? By the way, your former co-worker Pete Morena is on Giant 91.7 FM’s morning show, doing news, weather and sports.
Peter, St.Catharines
MW: I don’t know what’s going to happen with Raptor conflicts this year.
- PeterHey Mike.
Is that the proper onto that you used in the third paragraph?
If the “on” is part of an expression like “moving on” it can’t be shoved together with a “to” that just happens to follow it. At least I think.
As a fellow grammar fanatic, I am sure that you appreciate this.
MW: You’re probably right.
- Mark SA couple of weeks ago I picked Mills as my rotation ‘dark horse’, to which you replied ‘almost zero chance’. It sounds like they’ve maybe increased a bit. They did, after all, bring Litsch from AA a couple of years back. J.P. likes strike throwers. (Although I think Mills walked four today.)
MW: You said that a month ago, just as pitchers and catchers reported, and good on you for doing so. At the time, tehre was no reason to believe Mills would be able to make the team, and now there’s more reason, definitely.
- peteHave you heard any word on the two cuban defectors that the Jays worked out earlier this month?
How’s Cecil feel about going back to the minors?
Have you had a chance to watch Robert Ray this spring? He’s sounded fairly solid the few games I’ve listened to that he’s played.
Lastly, has Matt Bush pitched at all this spring? I’m rather intrigued by his upside.
MW: Nope. Don’t know, though I can’t assume he’s happy. Not really, he has usually pitched when I’m in the clubhouse. Bush is scheduled to pitch in a B game on Tuesday, I think.
- ClintYea bang on Mike..In 2007 Litch did pitch in spring training but it was for the Fisher Cats…Thats why you make the big bucks..
I wouldn’t say Tomo Ohka had a great spring training but he had an adequate one..He was pretty much given the job because Thomson was dreadful and eventually ended up on the disabled list..
This years Jays are a mystery..They have 4 players earning more then 9 mil a season (Rolen, Ryan, Halladay, Rios) and one player owed more then 100 million (Wells) and have 4 of their stating pitchers earning less then 500,000..Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me..
Riccardi did with Wells as Ash did with Delgado..
MW: Or – Godfrey did with Wells as Godfrey did with Delgado.
- ray brewerWow..you think Godfrey signed these guys?..Is that why the big bucks don’t kick in until both of them are gone?..It can’t just be a coincidence that Wells starts getting paid 20+ million a season after Riccardi’s contract expires..
MW: The big bucks don’t kick in until both of who are gone?
- ray brewer