11:00 PM Eastern
That’s all that really was the difference between the Blue Jays winning and losing tonight – those few inches by which Adam Lind’s double in the 3rd inning skipped over the centre-field wall at the Trop, forcing Aaron Hill to stop at third with what would have been the first run of the game.
The few inches by which Brandon League walked Ben Zobrist ahead of the booming, walk-off homer by Pat Burrell.
But inches are what they are, and the Jays have now lost eight out of their last ten games, and are once again just a game over the .500 mark.
When you have out-hit your opposition 10-2 and you’re going into extra innings, it doesn’t augur well.
At least Marc Rzepczynski acquitted himself beautifully in his major-league debut. He was brilliant over his first three and last two innings, allowing the Tampas just one hit, walking only one and striking out seven, but he hit a speed bump in the 4th, walking Jason Bartlett and Gabe Gross back-to-back with two on and two out, costing him his first and only (so far) major-league run allowed.
The kid looked terrific in the overall, which was awfully nice to see given the emergency airlift starts we’d seen this season from Brad Mills and Brian Burres – those were four starts of unadulterated yuck. This one was terrific, but still didn’t result in a win.
Brandon League appeared as though he was going to beat back that second-inning-of-work bugaboo, but he made one bad pitch after walking Zobrist, and Pat the Bat made him pay. And how about Shawn Camp? He’s become the long reliever par excellence all of a sudden. I was scratching my head when he came out for a third inning of work – in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game with a lefty and a switch-hitter due up, no less – but there he was throwing three hitless innings.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
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Tomorrow, tune in to Roger Lajoie on Baseball Today at noon Eastern- I’ve got somewhere I’ve gotta be -I’m sure he’ll probably talk about the big Roy Halladay story of today. I’ve already told you I don’t believe a Halladay trade is imminent, but the spin is certainly different this time. Halladay held a news conference before the game – you can check out all the quotes in Jordan Bastian’s story on bluejays.com (and while you’re there, vote for Adam Lind!) and he didn’t seem all that strong in his desire to either stay or go.
I’ll say this – the chances that Roy Halladay will be traded are now higher than they have ever been during his tenure with the Jays. But it’ll still take an overwhelming offer to get the Blue Jays to pull the trigger. And this may be heresy, but trading Halladay might not be that bad. If Halladay comes back on a five-year deal, that means he’s here through age 38. Without the artifical enhancements of the recent past, pitchers haven’t been lasting that long at a high level so much recently.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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When Hill got thrown out at the plate, for an instant I thought “I wonder why he didn’t take out the catcher” and then Aaron’s concussion problem came to my mind. I know he is a b*** out player, but did you have the same consideration?
MW: No, I didn’t. I don’t think Hill even thinks about the concussion anymore.
- dan from elmvaleFrankly, its time to start rebuilding. There will undoubtedly be a bidding war for Halladay and while he has been a great soldier and citizen, let’s do the right thing for this team (and for him) and maximize his value while it is at its all time high.
MW: I don’t understand this idea to do the right thing for Halladay, the Jays don’t owe him a trade to a contender by any means. Why does this team to rebuild with so much good, young talent under control?
- bgI dont think it makes any sense to trade halladay because 2010 is supposed to be the year they compeat. Every day a new starter gets injured so even though there are a lot of starting options there aren’t many sure things.
Unless they can get back a starter of the caliber of Billingsley (Rosenthal’s name drop) it doesn’t make sense to me.
MW: It depends on the package, but I doubt Billingsley would be in any trade.
- ScottMike,
What do you think of the all-star game being meaningful when the starters are voted in by the fans? Definitely doesn’t make sense to me.
Also, what do you think of having the all star game being held after the season, like the pro bowl in the NFL? Pitchers don’t get to pitch to their full potential, and you don’t have to risk players skipping due to injuries, etc.
Thanks
MW: Players would skip for other reasons. I agree with you, though, if they want the all-star game to count, for its result to be meaningful, fans shouldn’t be allowed to vote players in, starters or otherwise.
- James from MississaugaMike I am glad you pointed out Adams double.. If that ball bounces 2 ft. closer to the wall, that ball bounces off the wall high and Hill can score with him running with 2 out from first.. I personally think he would have crossed the plate standing up.. The thing that I liked about that play was when Adam slapped is hands together in a bad way, knowing full well the ground rule double cost the TEAM a run.. Ya win some, Ya loose some.. The kid pitched awesome today.. I like is poise and the captain called a great game.. On another note.. The deal with Doc is no different then it has always been.. If J.P. can better the club ,then you make the trade. Mike, I love Doc, as all Jay fans do.. But if thier is a trade it obviously wont be a straight up Ace for Ace type of deal because it is not around and it wouldn’t make sence.. Doc and J.P. are keeping thier cards hidden’ on this.. Mike, my hole take on this thier will be a deal done.. You said, and I agree that the Jays would back up the Brinks truck for him and I agree, the problem is everybody else will too and it ultimately comes up to the Doctor .. Whats your take??
MW: I gave my take in the post on which you’re commenting. You make some good points, but please try to clean up the spelling. It really takes away from your comments.
- FLIPPERYesterday Joe Girardi said what I’ve been saying since April that Ricky Romero is very similar to Johan Santana in his pitching style. Mike I hope you do remember me saying that a couple of times in this blog. I am really the first guy who has said that and a guy like Girardi also saw similarities between the two pitchers. So are there any scouting jobs available?;)
MW: After Romero’s first start, there were a couple of Detroit Tigers who compared his change-up to Santana’s. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.
- BeburgNumbers don’t lie — at least not W-L records. So when you go 15 – 27 you are liable to be toast. Jays are rated #19 in this week’s TSN rankings. Sounds about right. Nevertheless, it is disappointing to hear JP (just use the initials so you don’t have to look up the spelling) talk about trading him. It is understandable, but it is still disappointing. Does it depend on the deal, or should they just say no to a trade?
MW: The answer – at least my answer – is in the post to which you’re commenting. If when you go 15-27 you’re liable to be toast, then what does it mean when you go 27-14?
- JCAny updates on Snider? Sample size be damned Delucci’s been flat out awful, and to be honest, unlike a guy like Mench when he was brought in, there isn’t much that Delucci’s done in the past year or two that would suggest he can turn it around and be a real productive bat. Any idea if the front office’s plan is to hold their collective breath and push through with Delucci while Snider gets that confidence going or if they’re willing to bring him back up soon and have him use the rest of this campaign to continue to adapt to big league pitching?
MW: Snider’s playing in Vegas. I can’t imagine he’s going to be down there much longer.
- karimMike,
You said recently in this blog that the team is good enough and we need no changes. For a moment I thought that was JP talking! The team needs many changes. There is no speed at the top (or bottom) of the order and that showed tonight when Hill couldn’t score from second on a ground ball base hit up the middle. The team has stolen only 41 bases so far (with Rios and Wells having 13 each) and the #1 and #2 guys going 7-4 and 3-1. Contrast this with Upton and Crawford over 70 between them, Ellesbury from Boston leading off with 35, Gardner(#9), Jeter(#1) and Damon(#2) with 17-2, 17-2 and 8-0 respectively.
We do not have a clean-up hitter (I don’t think Lind can handle the job and we have yet to see Hill in that role). Then who is gonna platoon with Overbay, and is Delucci the big left handed bat we have been waiting for?
Our 2 main offensive assets are Hill and Lind (whom I like a lot. Reminds me of Olerud) but do they compare with Teixeira and A-Rod?
Also a few switch hitters would help.
Now with all the young arms we have been parading all year, only Romero has impressed me.
And who are all these wannabe closers? How does any of them compare with Papelbon and Rivera.
And do you plan to continue with the same training staff?
I am hoping you will have time from your busy schedule to address these concerns.
MW: The speed issue isn’t a major concern for me. I don’t think you need burners at the top of the line-up to succeed, and the single on which Hill couldn’t score yesterday was most certainly not a ground ball. I think Upton got it on its second or third hop. The fact that you don’t think that Lind can handle the clean-up job doesn’t mean that the Jays can’t find a clean-up hitter in one of Lind and Snider. Some more left-handed bats would help, absolutely. I’m sorry that none of the young arms have impressed you outside Romero, but when you consider that Cecil, Mills and Rzepczynski are 2007 draft picks pressed into too-early action in the bigs, just how impressive did you think they were going to be? Developing pitchers takes time. Papelbon and Rivera might be the two best closers in the game – one of them is the best-ever – so you’re setting the bar kind of high. That said, Scott Downs has been one of the best relievers in the game the last three years.
- Cito ManBack in 2004, Theo Epstein and the RedSox were faced with a tough decision regarding what to do with Pedro Martinez. Pedro was the face of the franchise, had given Boston multiple dominating seasons and even a world series championship. Martinez also had extensive mileage built up on his prized right wing, and was looking for a 4 year deal. Theo Epstein, who may likely be the best GM in baseball, made a gutsy decision and decided not to throw another 50 to 60 million at Pedro as it was unlikely he could continue to dominate into is mid to late 30s.
The Jays are in a similar position with Doc. The team has got way more than full value with Halladay over the years, and he has been the best pitcher in club history. But i also think they have rode him like a rented mule, and considering his age and the innings he has logged, it is unlikely they would continue to get full value if they opted to sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal.
Doc is may favorite player to watch on my favorite team, but putting emotions aside, this is the perfect time to move him provided a solid deal is available. Letting him walk in a year and a half for a couple of draft picks because they don’t have the resources to sign him or because he wants to play for a team they actually has a chance to get in the post season would be a huge mistake. If the club could even grab 3 top prospects for Doc, its time to pull the trigger. I just hope they trade him out of the division, or at the very least, if he goes to Boston or New York, make them overpay. As i stated months ago, i still think Texas could be a good destination, and if they could get back a package like Neftali Feliz, Martin Perez and a catcher (Salty or Teagarden), i’d jump at that in a second.
I’d hate to see Doc leave, but at this point it may be the best way to improve the club. I don’t see them contending in 2010 anyhow, so if they can bring in some young kids that they can control on the cheap for a half dozen years, it probably would be in the best interest of the franchise.
MW: I think that the best time to trade Halladay would actually be this off-season, because a team usually can’t get any roster players off a contender in a deadline deal. And really, I’d like to think the Jays could get some players who have had some success at the big-league level if they deal Doc. The Pedro analogy isn’t a bad one – Pedro was actually about six months younger when his contract expired than Halladay will be. They’re built kind of differently, though.
- rickLF has been a black hole all season. What do you think about signing Jim Edmonds?
MW: I don’t really think there’s a point to doing that. In the time it takes for Edmonds to get into game shape, Snider will be back.
- PeteWith the ASG coming up the Jays are going have a chance to reorder their rotation. With Boston in town right after the break, what do see the the rotation looking like?
MW: It depends on whether or not Halladay works in the all-star game. Actually, it doesn’t, because even if he throws an inning or two, he should be good to go Friday on two days’ rest. Maybe they’ll give him another day, though. I’ll say out of the break, it’ll be Romero/Halladay/Tallet/Cecil/Rzepczynski, with Richmond and Marcum coming back within two or three weeks.
- KevinHalladay trade seems like a foregone conclusion. Hopefully, JP is get a boatload for him.
And instead of the slogan “Lind Your Vote”… how about “Adam to the Team”.
MW: Why does it seem like a foregone conclusion?
- Kelly PfeifferMike,
if Halladay is traded, how likely is it that a)JP will try to offload another contract; b) a team would take-on a contract, like Ryan for example, just to get Halladay for a season-and-a-half before he becomes a free agent?
thanks,
scott
MW: Well, not Ryan. I doubt that another contract would be attached to Halladay’s, because that would lower the return significantly. Although, the Marlins made Boston take Mike Lowell in the Josh Beckett deal, and they still got Hanley Ramirez.
- scottIt never ceases to amaze me how many NL players come the AL and completely suck. I give you pat burrell. the guy hits 30 hr in the NL and now cant hit a beachball. his slug is .305 with 3 hr. is that even possible?
MW: It’s weird, huh? But he has four homers now. And Miguel Cabrera switched leagues last year and led the A.L. in homers.
- pabloHey Mike, great blog as always. I’m out in LA this week so I haven’t been able to catch any of the games — kind of glad about that.
Anyway, I went to the Halos game tonight and was thinking to myself about the ways that the the Angels converted their runs tonight… lots of speed on the bases, and key hitting when they needed it (though they lost the game to Texas).
The Jays look great when you look at batting averages and starting pitching, amazing when you consider the rotation and the injuries they’ve been forced to deal with. But the Jays have a problem in connecting the hits together to score runs. They can’t keep the bullpen together to put together a win over time.
When they win, they win in a spectacular fashion, tying together alot of runs quickly. But when they lose, sigh…
I hope that Halladay stays with the team.
- TimHello Mike,
time to do what they said they were going to do before the year started – get experience for the young guys. Not only is that normally a good thing in and of itself, but I actually think the Jays would improve by doing that! I think specifically of having Snider in left and Millar replaced with Ruiz. Younger, better.
Do you know anything about Arrencibia or Jeroloman? I heard Arrencibia was doing poorly, so I guess there’s no talk of bringing either up before September? The Captain is doing pretty well, for what he is.
I am no too surprised at Camp. The guy has been a pretty good pitcher in the past for the Jays. I have never really been sure why people hate him so much.
No mention in the blog of the resurgence of Vernon Wells. He now has a higher average than Rios! (who is on pace for roughly 20HRs and 30SBs. That’s not too bad, but his OBP could really be a lot better).
Thanks Mike!
PS This Halladay trade talk? Why even listen? Have they given up on their “2010 as the year we shine” idea? I still think that has merit! They’re even better this year than they thought they would be, so why wouldn’t they be better next year than they thought they would be? OK, I know it doesn’t quite work that way, but still…
(sorry for the long one this time, I know you are busy)
MW: Ruiz is over 30, so while he’s younger than Millar, he’s not young. Still, I’d like to see him get a shot. Jeroloman is doing fine at AA, Arencibia has been struggling at AAA and is now on the DL with a strained quad. As for the Halladay trade talk, you should always listen.
- RoryGood Day Michael
By my calculation there are 17 games remaining between now and the deadline and anything less than 12-5 will see the end of Roy Halladay in Toronto.
JP is a smart man, and he is shrewd enough to know the comments he made, though innocuous on the surface would be interpreted as a giant “HEY THE BEST PITCHER IN BASEBALL IS AVAILABLE, MAKE YOUR BEST OFFER!!!”
It’s unfortunate that even though moving forward trading Doc now might be in the best interest of this team JP will be tying the noose around his own neck as the fan backlash will be intense. Personally I think JP has done a decent job.
Correct me if I’m wrong but it’s looking like July 22 will be Doc’s last home start before the deadline and I for one will be there and will deliver a long standing ovation when he leaves the field.
Let’s say the Mets offer a package that you like, a deal that you would make but the Yankees somehow offer you a better deal. Which deal would you do? Simply put how big of a deal is it to keep him out of the AL East?
Seems like there was a lack of rational and reasonable comments yesterday. You should demand 590 give you an intern who reads all the comments and filters out the irrational for you.
Thank you sir, keep up the excellent work.
Chris
ps Just got MLB TV, it’s amazing.
MW: You just got MLB TV? Where do you live? If the Jays are to trade Halladay, the package coming back in return should be the only thing that matters, not the team to which he is dealt. I don’t think whether the Jays go 12-5 or 5-12 the rest of July will have anything to do with whether or not they deal Doc.
- Chris ThompsonHi Mike
as in most times, you are right about your comment – it is a matter of inches and the Jays were a little unlucky with Lind’s hit.
I am impressed with the rookie tonight (I won’t even attempt to spell his name). Throw strikes and get ahead – hopefully Cecil was watching and learned from it. The prospect of having threee very good young lefties (Romero, Cecil and Marc R) is definitely promising.
Again, it is a matter of not being able to hit when it counted. Overbay and Delucci sure have not contributed offensively in the last 5 games (I know, Delucci only played in 4) but Delucci still has not had a hit yet, worse, he came up at least three times with RISP and didn’t deliver.
How is Snider doing? I looked the Vegas team but the stats have not been updated
Francis
MW: Snider is 2-for-14 with a homer, four walks and five strikeouts since coming off the DL.
- francisMike,
Why do you keep saying this is what you expected from the jays or worse . I don’t get it, Your expectation was based on the pitching staff being a bust this season which totally has not happend. The pitchong staff of Romaro, Tallet, and Richmond and at times mills has far exceeded expectation. The starting pitching has done a good job keeping us in games. After a hot april we have gone way too many games with no offense to pick up the pitching, especially from the 3 and 4 spot. I think fans have a right to be disappointed, mainly with the lack of production that came out of the 3 and 4 and with and the inconsistancy of in hitting with RISP. So when you keep saying you told fans this is what to expect you definitely said if the jays fail it will be because of pitching, however our hitting has failed us after april. You can say I told you so but we all know you were referring to the starting pitching which has been decent enough to keep us in the race.
MW: I’m not sitting here saying I told you so (even though I did), but what I said at the beginning of the season is that the starting pitching will be a little worse but the hitting will be a little better and as a result the Jays will likely be an 82-85 win team. That’s exactly what is happening. Rolen, Lind, Hill and Overbay are all having much better years than last year, and the failings of Wells and Rios have balanced that out. I certainly didn’t anticipate Snider spending most of the season in AAA, nor did I expect B.J. Ryan to completely implode or for the whole starting rotation to wind up on the DL, but then I didn’t anticipate the successes of Romero and Tallet, either.
- ThomasWhen is Cito going to realize that B. League cant do two innings without getting rocked in that second inning? I even told my wife that he will blow it in the 11th if they bring him out, and lone behold, Burrell hits his 2nd off the jays this season! Cito, manage your bullpen better dude!
MW: League hardly got rocked, just one bad pitch. He actually looked better than he had in most of his second innings so far this year. And did you really say “lone behold”?
- Dave BrantfordIf the Jays get a sweet offer for Doc, they gotta take it. First off, JP says pitching is most important…its easy to get a bat. Well if thats the case, why does our offence suck to a certain degree? I know they’re middle of the pack in off. stats, but thats more or less due to an awesome start. They need some offence and a solid pitching prospect as the very least and by offence, I mean a big bat and someone else as well. Theyre 4th right now with Roy and probably will finish that way. Last year they had Roy and also finsihed 4th. Its just not going to happen with Roy there and he knows hes gotta go if he wants to win. Unfortunately its the same for the Jays.
- Dave BrantfordI agree. This is not heresy. The David Cone trade was a good one too…he was going to leave and the Jays were beginning the move of no longer being a Big League team (allowing Alomar et al to leave would be in their future)…for him. The Clemens trade was also a good one…for him. Oh what the heck, time to rebuild…see you in five years. Other teams instead will compete.
MW: The Jays got an awful return for Cone in ’95, and a decent return for Clemens when they dealt him to the Yankees.
- Joe S,Hey Mike,
Congrats on the new show. I am excited that your getting some more air time and also that we finally get to talk baseball for a few months instead of Leafs and hockey talk.
The kid looked great. Hopefully, he will get a second look on Sunday cause I think he earned it. Last year I remember on a Jaystalk with JP that a caller was asking about prospects in the minors and they mentioned a young pitcher who was being compared to Lincecum in stature and delivery. He was racking up the strike out and he was pitching lights out. JP sounded pretty high on the kid but also said he was a few years away from the bigs. I can’t remember the name of him but I was wondering last night it was Rzepczynski? Looking at his quick rise through the minors it could have been. Do you think it’s possible to figure out who this player was and let us know?
As well can we talk all the fans of the window ledge with all this crap about trading Halladay. Seriously JP wouldn’t be doing his job if he wasn’t listening to offers. Everyone can get traded. Just look at Gretzky he was traded twice and he was the best player in the game. It happens but I have a feeling Doc isn’t going anywhere soon.
MW: I’m pretty sure that pitcher you’re thinking of is Tim Collins.
- JeffTo quote you from your blog Mike…..”If Halladay comes back on a five-year deal, that means he’s here through age 38. Without the artifical enhancements of the recent past, pitchers haven’t been lasting that long at a high level so much recently”!
I could understand you stating that about a lot of other pitchers in MLB. However Roy Halladay is an enigma amongst his peers, we are not comparing “apples to apples” here within the pitching realm!
We have witnessed he is most definately a “freak of nature” when it comes to returning early from past injuries and there is nothing at all in his career thus far that would come close for me to even entertsaining thoughts of him not being just as effective through the age of 38!
Thanks.
MW: You could have said the exact same about Pedro Martinez.
- Bob from BurlingtonMike, I see that in order to add Marc Alphabet (or Marc Eyechart, as Pat Tabler called him), the Jays had to “outright” Michael Barrett to Las Vegas.
Presumably he started the year with a Major League contract — does this contract continue in effect, or has he been (effectively) released? Did he have to clear waivers?
I appreciate any clarification you can give me.
MW: Aaaahhhhh, Eyechart. Nothing like recycling an old nickname, but a good one. Barrett himself wasn’t actually outrighted to Vegas, his contract was. So he retains the same contract and yes, he had to clear waivers.
- Normhey Mike,
Is it safe to say Rzepczynski will keep number 34 throughout his career?
Because i think it is time for me to take my Burnett Jersey out of the scrap heap and get his name unstiched and replaced with Rzepczynski. Do you know of any places that do unstitching?
MW: I don’t. Just patch over it.
- paoloLet me first say I don’t want to the Jays to trade Halladay.
But just as an idea, do you think we could trade him to a rich club (Yankees most likely on the condition that they have to take Vernon Wells too? (I’m not sure how it works in baseball, if salaries have to match like the NBA)
If it’s allowed, the Yanks will probably do it because they have money to pay Wells, and the $20 million cap space times four years is worth more to me than 2-3 prospects who may or may not be future players. (Plus Arnsberg will destroy any arm so we’d probably only get like 1 prospect all things considered)
MW: There’s no cap, so there’s no cap space, but I get what you’re saying. Getting the Wells contract off the books may well be worth more than 2-3 prospects who may or may not be able to play, but if the Jays can only get 2-3 prospects who may or may not be able to play for Halladay, then they haven’t done their job.
- ShaneMike,
Although I’m not always a fan of your comments you’ve made a few good points over the past week;
1. I’m not sure why everyone is making such a big deal about the home runs in yankee stadium. Teams coming into the new stadium have the same opportunity and can take advantage of the “jet stream” or whatever it is just as the Yankees do.
2. I too struggle to see
Halladay being traded. Although I’m sure there are many teams that would love to have him, who’s willing to give up a young franchise player plus bonified prospects for a middle aged pitcher (I know he is probably the best in the game but for how long?)
My final question to you, and not so much on the Blue Jay front as I am a fan of another AL East team, why do you hate on Jeter so much? You say he’s over rated, however a career BA of well over .300, on his way to over 3,000 hits ( i don’t know too many “overrated” players with 3,000 + hits) And not to mention he is a stand up guy that, who plays the game with passion and respect.
MW: I don’t hate Derek Jeter, I hate the Cult of Derek Jeter, that group of fans for whom it isn’t enough that he’s a great hitter, but who have to build him up into some sort of baseball demi-god. And he’s a stand up guy? You might want to ask Ken Huckaby about that. Or Alex Rodriguez.
- JasonWhere to begin….
To be honest I think the onfield performance is a reflection of the Jays manager. I have never been a big fan of Cito Gaston managing style or lack there of.
League, why does Cito keep running this guy out there, especially when everybody points out he’s not effective after an inning of work.
That siad I wouldn’t even bother with League, reminds me a lot of Vinnie Chulk, garbage!
Russ Adams, thank god he’s left the organization. Another great move by Cito playing a no power, no average and not even an outfielder by trade to boot.
One more thing, Wells and Rios, if you want to change up the batting order fine, no problem, but why have them hitting back to back. What’s the big difference in 3-4 opposed to 6-7 in the order?
I remember a time during his first tenure when Ed Sprague was having a terrible game he was 0-4 with 3 strike outs and a foul out and a fielding error. He comes up in the 9th with runners at 1st and 3rd down by 1 run. Obviously a bad day for Sprague, why not pinch hit for him? Instead he grounds into a double play game over. I’ll never forget that game, that a boy Cito.
We need a manager to manage on the feeling of the game.
No doubt he can be a good hitting instructor.
MW: I don’t think there’s anything I can say that’ll make a difference.
- scottWhile thoroughly enjoying Mr. Rzepczynski’s debut last night, I was fondly reminded of what was (in my opinion) the best sign I have ever seen a fan display. It was at Rogers Center in the Skydome days. Out in right field, two guys were hanging a sign over the 200-level railing:
“Hey, Hrbek, buy a vowel!”
- James (from the Church of the Double Steal)Hey Mike,
Great to see a fine and confident start from Marc R! He looked like a seasoned major leaguer out there and was seemingly floating through the innings. Almost makes one wonder if he was so soaked in adrenaline that he can make the same statement next time out. Let’s hope so. One of the really great stories these past seasons is the amazing performance of the young BJ’s pitching staff. Now if we can just get timely hitting and start scoring more runs like the first part of the season, we’d be back in the race. Without that, it’s going to be another second half where we watch our beloved Blue Jays slowly fade further and further back and out of contention. Some days it’s almost too hard to take. Thanks for your great work.
MW: Please don’t expect Rzepczynski to throw six innings of two-hitter the next time out.
- Peter Bodnar RodMike,
I must say I’ve lost my patience with Brandon League. When he first came on the scene, he was projected to be the closer of the future. However he’s proven time and again that he is just too unreliable for a closer role.
I’m still stinging from the loss so my comment may not be as reasonable and rationale as it could be but if I was Cito, I would be hesitant to use League in a late inning situation.
The problem with League is that he looks so good when he keeps his pitches down and can locate his fastball and forkball. Once he leaves a pitch up it gets pounded and he has a tendancy to leave a lot of pitches up.
Maybe it’s just a question of only using League for one inning and not bringing him out for a second.
The loss shouldn’t be pinned on League of course. The bats didn’t come through when needed. Given his struggles this year, I almost had to laugh when Vernon came through with that clutch hit in the eighth only to have Hill thrown out at home. Some how some “fans” will blame Vernon for hitting the ball too hard on that play!
Keep up the good work Mike!
MW: I think it may just be a matter of not having League come out for a second inning. There are so many good relievers around the league whose managers would almost never even think of bringing out for a second inning of work.
- DerekRegarding the potential trading of Roy Halladay, I’d like to see the Jays hang on to him until at least the Trade deadline in 2010.
I’m a little surprised at the sudden trade talk for Doc, as no one expected the Jays to be a contender this year anyway.
However, many, including the Jays themselves, feel like 2010 is their best shot at being a contender, so why not keep our Ace until at least the deadline next year to see where the team is at?
I guess my point is if JP is suddenly willing to listen to offers because the Jays are 1 game over .500, isn’t that the way it was supposed to go this season, never mind all of the injuries to the rotation?
MW: It was actually supposed to be much worse, which does make the situation confusing.
- CamHey Mike!
I’d hate to trade Halladay though if the Jays received an unbelievable offer that makes your team better, you would have to consider.
I was thinking of a possible suitor for Halladay and the Colorado Rockies came to mind. The Rockies have some great young pieces that are Major League ready in my opinion. Also, Halladay is from Denver and the Rockies look to be a contending team this season. Just speculating, what do you think the Rockies would have to give up to land Halladay?
Players that interest me from the Rockies are 3B Ian Stewart, CF Dexter Fowler, SP Franklin Morales, 2B Eric Young Jr. and SP Jhoulys Chacin. What do you think of those players?
MW: I like Chacin a lot, everybody does, and Young seems like the kind of on-base guy/burner the Jays could use at the top of the line-up, but I don’t know anything about him defensively, and whether he could move off second. I’d like to see Morales walk fewer people, and I’m not sure the Rockies would move Fowler or Stewart.
- SilvioTrading Halladay will make all the difference in the world to this franchise. However Richard Griffin does not think it’ll happen now because Ricciardi’s overall record on trades is horrible*. I’d agree with that and say that probably Ricciardi will not be back next year given the extreme unlikelihood of his contract being renewed after 2010.
However I very much doubt Ricciardi will be overly involved in this trade. He may be the face of it, but Paul Beeston will be driving it with some back-seat help from Cito Gaston. So I do think Halladay will be gone from the team shortly. And I also think, given what we could get in exchange, the team will end up much better without him.
*I’m not going to argue about his eye for great pitching.
MW: I haven’t read the Griffin article, but honestly, I can’t think of a single trade that Ricciardi has “lost”.
- isabella reyesHi Mike,
Whenever Jays fans dream of acquiring a big name player, other team would always name Marcum and McGowan a couple years back. Now they would probably name Snider, Cecil and Romero,
but how about:
Halladay
for
Billingsley, Kershaw, Broxton, ONE of Loney, Ethier, Kemp and maybe a DeWitt
This trade would give toronto a closer, an extra young arm and possibly a 1B and maybe a 3B. But I’d rather have Halladay.
MW: That proposal would result in hysterical laughter and then a click on the Dodger end of the phone line.
- ShakeelMW “Ricciardi made such a mess of the organization that the Jays had the best pitching in the American League in 2007 and 2008 and they’re fourth in the league in WHIP right now despite having five starters on the disabled list. You’re blaming the Yankees $200 million payroll on Ricciardi? The fact that the Rays drafted in the top five 10 years in a row? Yeah, he’s done a terrible job.”
Best pitching in the AL in 2007 = third place behind NY and Boston
Best pitching in the Al in 2008 = fourth place behind TB, Boston and NY.
Best WHIP in league right now = fourth place behind NY, Boston and TB
Once again Mike your right. Now that I look at it again, the organisation is in GREAT shape thanks to J.P.
The Yankees payroll is no excuse anymore. Boston and TB have both succeeded under the same circumstance.
TB drafting so high for so long. No excuse. We spent about $54 million dollars more than they did. Besides that, it’s not like we don’t get first round picks. Is there really THAT much difference between the best amateur player and the 6th or 7th. We just haven’t drafted well period. Every first round pick we’ve had (up until ’06, and time will tell on ’07 and ’08….not impressed with ’09) there are guys picked after that we’d be better off with. Even Romero (6th overall) who’s doing a great job was followed by the likes of Troy Tulowitzki (7th), Andrew McCutchen (11th oops he’s a high school guy), Jay Bruce (12th, oops he’s a high school guy), John Mayberry JR (19th apparently to big, fast and athletic… pedigree?), Jacoby Ellsburry (23rd oops steals to many bases) Matt Garza (25th must not have liked his goatee) We’ve already discussed Russ Adams instead of Scott Kasmir and/or Cole Hamels and/or Matt Cain.. TB’s drafting position is no excuse. Besides was TB’s drafting all that great? In ’02 they took Upton 2nd (J.P. wouldn’t have…he’s a HS guy) the first pick overall that year is now in our organisation anyway. ’03 TB took Delmon Young (HS guy…wouldn’t have taken him. Traded for Garza who we could have already had) ’04 they took Jeff Niemann (ok i guess) We took Purcey instead of Phil Hughes. ’05 we drafted ahead of them. ’06 they took Longoria (fair enough). I don’t see anything there that gives us an excuse to be losing to them.
Boston may be outspending us by $40 million or so. $8 million of that is on Daisuke who’s been a non factor. $13 million is on Big Papi who’s also not contributed much to their success this year.
So Mike….why are we in 4th place? Why did we finish 4th last year? Why are we really the 4th best team in the division with Juan Pedro doing such a great job? I KNOW you’re not going to say it’s Cito’s fault.
Well when we’re watching Scott Kasmir tonight maybe Russ Adams might hit a home run off him and I’ll have to eat my words….oops he’s in Las Vegas.
MW: Sigh.
- RealityCheckwhy is the chances for trading halladay is higher than ever? and why does a team with 86 past season has to rebuild?
MW: I just feel that the chances of the Jays trading Halladay ARE higher than ever. I don’t think the Jays do have to rebuild.
- nikolasOK. First of all, Halladay is arguably the best pitcher of the decade, and arguably the best pitcher in the game today.
If the Blue Jays trade Roy Halladay, they would probably, in truth, make a team OVERPAY for his services. For instance, if we got four or five quality young players for Halladay, I think it would outweigh the astonishing contributions Roy will make for any team over the next few years.
Personally, I’d like to see the Blue Jays dump B.J. Ryan. If a team like the Angels were to accept Ryan AND Halladay for four quality players, I think JP would be tempted to pull the trigger.
How does this deal sound? Brandon Wood, Jordan Walden, Jered Weaver, Howie Kendrick for Roy Halladay and B.J. Ryan?
MW: Too late!
- NathanRe. the Halladay trade – which I’m sure is now the major topic in Bird Land, I’m not exactly against it either.
I mean, for the next year or two, Doc will for sure continue to be dominant… but for how much longer? The Jays need to take a page from the Rays or the Marlins and foster young talent. If the Jays can get 125% of Roy’s value… which it looks like they can by the list of suitors, it’s not such a bad deal.
Here’s my question Mike – do you think there is any chance they’ll be able to use Halladay as a pawn to also offload either Ryan or Wells at their full sticker price? It would certainly open up the door to a drastic change to the team, bring in some big bats and hope that the breakthrough arms that are now in the system can realize their potential. Guys like Marcum and Romero have the ability to lead the staff. And I think McGowan has ‘Ace’ stuff, if he ever recovers to pich in the bigs again.
So, even though losing Doc seems like a nightmare, is this one circumstance where the Jays can actually be a little creative and sell high?
(Reminds me of how upset I was when the traded Fred McGriff & Co. for some national leaguers I had never heard of….. how did that work out?!?!?!)
MW: See above.
- BardsOn another note, did you see the play that Zobrist made on Vernon Wells in the 4th? Here’s the video from MLB.com
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5451081
Notice where he is on the field when he comes up with the ball?
Here’s Ian Kinsler in similar situations. In the first one there’s 2 out and 2 runners in scoring position. The next two there’s nobody on. Notice where he is when he makes these plays.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5387163
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=2694389
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5005729
Runner on 2nd, 2 out, one run game. Look where Hill lands when this ball gets by him (he should be back on the grass even more so than Kinsler and Zobrist on their plays).
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5114395
I see this happen to Hill all the time (you know I do because I talk about it almost once every three days) but it’s hard to get video of it because it’s usually resulting in the ball getting by him instead of resulting in a highlight reel play.
I believe that it’s because of his mechanical flaws (only throwing over the top and always having to stand straight up to throw). This means he has less time and therefore has to play shallow to make plays.
Thank goodness he’s hit so well (to this point).
MW: I’m amazed. There are so many amazing defensive plays you could have pulled up from Hill, and obviously you pick the one that you believe proves your point. Of course, no need to mention that Zobrist was playing Wells almost right up the middle when he made that play, or that Hill has made all those plays you’ve clipped off Kinsler’s resume.
- RealityCheckSo far this season the Jays have tried to address their need for a LH bat by calling up Joe Inglett,Russ Adams and David Dellucci in succession,with very little to show for it.Meanwhile,in Las Vegas,they have Randy Ruiz,who,as of this writing,is batting .332,,with 17 HR’s and 75(!)RBI,and 36(!) doubles.OBP of .394,SA of.594,OPS of.988.Ah, but he’s a RH hitter,you say.Well,against righties he’s hitting .345 with 15 HR and 61 RBI.Bring this guy up now,J.P..
MW: J.P.’s not reading this.
- Rob WilkinsEveryone vote for Adam Lind for the All-Star Game. Do it now! 100 times! go!
- scottHi Mike:
Do you have any idea why the major sports media outlets treat Jays’ highlights as though they were just any other team? Very few player interviews, and/or in-depth reports. I know that hockey dominates the headlines, but this is the summertime.
Tks
MW: Nope.
- BoutilierMike,
- DennyIts about this time every year where I start looking to the minor leagues to see who might be able to help the Jays soon. My new favourite prospect…Moises Sierra, I watched him play in Lansing last year, he has an absolute cannon for an arm. He would put Alex Rios to shame. Didn’t really seem like he had much of a bat, but he looks to have figured something out. He is now hitting .336 (.500!! over his last 10 games)as a 20 year old in A+. Keep an eye on him.
How done is David Dellucci? How done were Shannon Stewart, Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench? Does Travis Snider not badly outclass Russ Adams and Joe Inglett? Can J.P. not evaluate talent: that is young talented ball players ready for the Majors, and guys(the Wilkersons, Menches, and Delluccis) who he seemed to value when they were productive and continues to value when their careers are near over? This organization needs some urgency about winning and an identity. Either acquire bankable veterans or make a movement to stick with youth and build around Hill, Lind,Snider and the young pitchers. It seems that J.P. is unwilling to impose a vision for this team and simply has no idea how to go about winning in this market.
MW: Dellucci has played four games. Snider is still recovering from an injury and not hitting well in Vegas.
- Will, OshawaTwo callers in a row last night mentioning trading draft picks.
Two callers in a row calling our best player who has been here for a decade “Holiday”
And how can we forget our GM J.P. “Pichardi”
Canadians know nothing about baseball.
Shout out to all the back catchers!
MW: There are plenty of Americans who make the same mistakes on a regular basis. Casual fans are casual fans, no matter where you go. At least they’re invested enough to call in.
- JasonWell this has been quite a season. We hard a wonderful record, the first month or so. A few weeks ago you were remarking that we were as likely as anyone to be in the wild card race.
We need pitching. WE have to spend money to get it.
I don’t get the feeling they want to spend to help the side.
And now they want to trade Halladay.
One needs to ask the question: is this an organisation that is serious or is this someone’s hobby. ?
The owners I am referring to.
MW: It’s certainly not a hobby for the owners, they’re not hands-on at all.
- BarbWhy is everyone going so crazy over hearing that JP is willing to listen to offers for Roy? I think JP should be fired if he weren’t listening to offers.
But, I am one who may agree to trading Doc. Giving up one piece (albeit a big one in one of the games deepest rotations already) doesn’t really seem to be like a terrible thing. The depth the Jays have (as long as they are healthy) at the SP position will be fine without Doc. Marcum, Litsch, Cecil, Mills, Romero, Richmond, Rzepczynski, McGowan, Tallet. You should be able to form a decent 5 man rotation from those arms. Plus, trading Halladay for future prospects can only boost the organizations depth.
If JP wants to trade Roy Halladay, I am 100% behind him.
- DarylYesterday when I heard about Riccardi’s willingness to entertain offers for Halladay got me thinking. But then I read Richard Griffen’s article today, and didn’t realize how bad Riccardi’s track record is at trading established players for prospects. Maybe it’s best we keep Halladay for now :)
MW: I just read Griff’s article, and if you’re going to base your opinion of Ricciardi’s ability to trade established players for prospects on the returns he got for Hinske, Schoeneweis, Batista and Eckstein, then you deserve each other.
- dave_12When do you think the Jays will play any meaningful games come September? The G.M. has been here 8 years and I see no vision here for this ballclub and good for Doc for giving the green light to be traded. It is about time he goes to a club that will be contention for a playoff berth
MW: There’s no vision whatsoever. It’s easy to see when you look at the pitching staff and the defense.
- CoreyHi Mike!
I am one of those unlucky folk who have to work during your new daily show at noon and am not able to turn it on at my desk. Any chance you can put it on the blog so I can listen later in the day?
Keep up the great work!
Dave
MW: You can subscribe to the podcast!
- Daveas much as i can’t stand the fact that league is strictly a one inning guy, and can’t be relied upon yet to pitch a 2nd, i’m starting to feel bad for how he keeps getting put in situations where he’s unlikely to succeed…
this wasn’t even one of his 8 pitch innings that he was working off of, either…he threw a fair number of pitches after being tagged into the gap, and being handed an unproductive out by navarro (which he should’ve turned into 2, btw, but that’s probably on overbay, rolen, or barajas to tell him that navarro hadn’t even left the box)…(by the way, i can only picture the ear to ear grin that came across your mug when the sac didn’t work)…
also, you said he wasn’t ‘wild’, which is somewhat debatable…he bounced his fair share of balls for 2 innings of work…
either way, just let him be the shut down one inning guy he is right now, and stop hanging him out to dry for the 2nd…
and for god’s sake brandon, figure it out…
- Jay BHi Mike:
I live and die with the Jays, thought the young pitcher was squeezed on the pitch that walked in the run.
One more, what is wrong with Jansen, and when is he due back? Would he be better in the pen rather than a starter?
MW: Janssen is out with shoulder soreness, there’s no word on when he’s due back. When he does come back, though, it’ll be as a reliever.
- KeithHi Mike, apparently the latest being reported by Sportsnet is that Halladay has given the directive that he would like JP to start fielding offers. I will say this I think its different this time.
Take care.
MW: I haven’t seen that being reported anywhere.
- TroyHey Mike,
I saw that the Blue Jays have $82 Million devoted to 8 guys next year. That would have to mean that unless they shed a big contract they would be pretty close to 100 million after arbitration, etc… Therefore, I wonder if JP’s not being forced into moving the only contract that he could actually get something in return for. The team is not doing well at the gate and with the economy the way it is I have a feeling that the concern is having money for 2010 not 2011 and beyond.
The other thing I wanted to ask is if you think Roy feels alienated or disappointed by JP coming to him about this. A guy who has given so much to the community and team, and who actually wants to be in TO is being told they’re considering trading him. They said all along that 2010 is the year to contend so why trade away your best player on a team desperately in need of healthy arms?
I think something is going on. Either there’s no money or they don’t feel they can contend next year, or they don’t think Roy will re-sign with the team.
Thanks
MW: There’s a lot of validity to every one of your three theories.
- Jeff (from Germany)I think a G.M. should never say a player is “untouchable.” What if a team comes to you with a deal that just blows you away?! Always keep that option open. Scotty Rolen needs to re-up with the Jays for at least two more years. I think the same can be said about JP. Look at our pitching depth!
On a lighter note…I came across this classic video of Kevin Millar on youtube. Simply amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heZQLXC3wxk
MW: Rolen should sign up for two more years when his contract isn’t up until after 2010?
- Canadian MikeI believe that after the many years of fantastic pitching Leroy has provided for us as baseball fans in Toronto, we owe it to him a chance to make a long playoff run. I’m not suggesting that means Jays management trade him, after all 2010 was the year projected by management and perhaps even players at the beginning of spring training to be a year of realistic contention. If they trade Halladay then management relinquishes the possibility of being contenders next year.
There are a couple of important things to weigh in making the right decision concerning Halladay’s tenure for the Blue Jays. Consider that Marcum is already throwing innings in A-ball. This is great news but its difficult what should be done him. Even though the arm looks good I’d prefer he took the year to focus on recovery and rehab to ensure a healthy and effective start next season. That said, if he does overcome the early return and regain his form, we have potentially an outstanding pitching staff next season including Marcum and Romero. Consider that there are a number of candidates who can fight for the final two spots (jeeze what a bind)who all possess a great deal of talent and potential.
Also consider that it is almost unthinkable that both Vernon Wells and Alex Rios could potentially start next season as poorly or worse than this year, I’m not saying its impossible, it just isn’t very likely.
So, if our pitching looks fantastic heading into next year, it is imperative that we either
a) lock-up scutaro for three years since he has been remarkable, secure a real middle of the order, but more importantly clutch, hitter to lift this offence to a new level (and bat in hardworking hill and scutaro)and begin to allow Adam Lind to split time between DH and first base with Overbay. (I’m not after Lyle’s head, I just think that if Lind plays first he won’t lose his defense so early in his career and could possibly turn into a more valuable asset than he currently is.) And finally, our number three hitter of the future Travis Snider needs to play every single day, no matter who is pitching.
or
b) we trade halladay at this years deadline foreseeing difficulty acquiring that clutch hitter (such as he is too expensive or does not exist in this off-seasons free agency class) and hanging on to Scutaro.
In return however we MUST acquire
1. a major league ready, or very nearly ready, young shortstop.
2. an existing major-league pitcher, young of course
3. one or potentially two major league pitching prospects.
AND we still move Lind into some time at first and allow Snider to hit every single day, no matter who is pitching.
J.P. and his scouting staff seem to have an eye for young pitching talent and I believe that if a Bortolo Colon type blockbuster trade were to take place then the Jays may actually end up with talented pitching for the future to go along with our outstanding young arms.
So if Doc stays, fantastic, the team owes it to him to put the final touches on a winning ballclub. If he goes, well, we may just end up with the pieces we need for a REAL contender two to three years down the road.
Hope that was as clear and concise as a three by four inch comment box will allow.
Oh, and let Snider play every single day, no matter who is pitching.
MW: Good thoughts, except for the clutch hitter thing.
- patmichael,
as far as i can see this current scenario (with the possibility of halladay moving on to another organization) is nothing but a very positive situation for the blue jays organization as it stands. (at least based on all the information readily available from both the team & halladay himself on the subject)
it seems to me that halladay isn’t demanding a trade & therefore not holding a gun to their heads to expedite the possible move which usually is never a good thing going forward for the team involved in terms of getting the best possible deal. it also seems reasonable to believe that the organization isn’t being forced to make this move based on any severe financial constraints. (it’s a healthy business organization that owns the this team)
so they are able to listen to any offers proposed from all interested parties and will evidently have at least some sort of a bidding war created to the benefit of themselves.
and they have enough good baseball minds within the organization to know when an offer’s been made that is just too great to refuse & must act upon for the betterment of the team.
and if no such offer is presented then they hang on to their well paid but totally value appropriate salaried franchise pitcher based on his current remuneration for the remaining of this yr. & next.
and if not by this trade deadline then try it again in the winter if you must or next season perhaps but only when you get the offer that you know you can’t turn away from.
the only truly sad thing that comes from this (and i agree with rosenthal on this)is that once you invite this process to start it typically gets finished.
but i repeat in this case only for the better overall picture for the organization based on a deal you just can’t refuse.
but sad because it’s doc that we’ll be losing in the process even if we do become much better overall going forward…
MW: Yes, it is, but you can’t allow sentiment to overall what’s best for the team. You’re right – the Jays are in as pure a position of strength as any team could be in trade talks.
- darrell bishopHalladay is the best player in any Toronto sports organization in a very long time and he seems to like being here. I think there is a very distinct possibility that Halladay gets traded to fill the other holes that need to be filled by everyday players (SS, C). Goes somewhere and wins, then returns as a free agent after 2010.
Halladay’s desire to win I think would prevent a trade with the Marlins which would involve Hanley Ramirez. That would be sweet though. I don’t think Halladay wants to play in the Bronx either with the short porches where fly balls become HR’s.
I firmly believe that no player should be above trading. Oilers traded Gretzky and won another Stanley Cup. I also hear from various baseball people, that if they had the choice between a great young pitcher (Grienke, Lincecum) or a great young position player (Longoria, Hamilton) that you take the position player because they are on the field every day.
I would think that the Jays would need to net a young MLB ready SS and C and at least a top 3B and 1B prospect (Rolen and Overbay also become free agents after 2010) for Halladay to pull the trigger. What do you think?
Or JP could just call the Twins and see if they are ready to send Morneau and Mauer this way?
MW: There’s no chance that the Jays even get one of Morneau and Mauer, nor is there a chance they wind up with Hanley Ramirez.
- Aaron Kermichael,
btw, in reading the globe & mail article today on this subject i found it interesting that beeston was asked for a comment & apparently declined.
and i don’t mean interesting in a suspicious way just in the true sense of the word. interesting.
it’s obviously a well thought out & calculated decision on his part to not say anything at this time on this pandora’s box of a subject but if you had to guess, what do you think is his reasoning for a “no comment”
cause’ as you know he’s always been very forthright & open on mostly all subjects involved with this organization.
transparency has always been his strong suit it seems to me.
MW: I don’t think Beeston wins no matter what he says. Too many people already believe that he won’t let JP do anything.
- darrell bishopI was looking at the jays payroll after 2010 and their is a lot coming off the books so I think the Jays would be able to keep Halladay for maybe a Hometown discount(not that much of a discount of course) but I think if JP does not trade Halladay at the deadline they should get an extention done before the start of the 2010 season, I am thinking somewhere between 6-8 years at 20 million per season with a full no-trade clause because he had earned to keep that right with any contract he signs,do you think Halladay would take that or is that only a starting point for negotiation?
MW: The Jays would be ill-advised to offer Halladay a six to eight year deal.
- RoyceI would think the Jays would get alot more for Halladay this year then to wait until they can’t resign him. Halladay will probably get Santana type of contract, which seems the jays will not be able to do unless they deal Wells which won’t happen.
- jason c wHey Mike,
I was ‘half-ly’ correct about B.J leaving the Jays when Scott Downs come back, but I suggested sending him down to the minors to work stuff out, not releasing him!
MW: Half-ly, indeed.
- ShakeelSo basically the Jays can’t afford to sign Halladay after next year because of a guy they just released, Vernon Wells and Alex Rios. Disgusting.
MW: Says who?
- RenegadeI don’t think the Jays will end up trading Halladay, but I was wondering if a trade were to happen would there be the possibility of Halladay resigning with the Jays after 2010.
Although it is unlikely the Jays will make a deal with the Yankees, how about this for a trade; Halladay and Wells (the Yankees could use a Center Fielder and they could take on the contract no problem), for Cano, Hughs and Austin Jackson (an outfield prospect). I don’t know if that would be enough to do it though. It would be great if Joba C. would be part of the deal but that would probably be asking to much. Hill would then move to short and Hughs would compete for a rotation spot. Jackson would eventually fill the void in center or move to right with Rios taking over in Center. What do you think?
MW: I guess if the Yankees take Wells’ contract in full, then that’s an OK deal. But if I’m trading Halladay, I want to do much better than OK.
- Steve from NJBye Bye BJ,
Thanks for your effort. Here’s $47 million. Enjoy.
It will be interesting to see the spin J.P. Ricciardi puts on when he shuns responsibility for making Ryan the highest-paid reliever in history . . .
MW: He was only the highest-paid reliever in history for a couple of minutes, but obviously it was a big gamble that didn’t pay off.
- Ken PaganHey Mike,
Just wondering what you think the possibility of the Jays using the Halladay situation as an opportunity to rid it self of the burden of either well’s or rios’s contract? do you think by doing so it would lessen what the jays would get in return for him? I would have to think if a situation were to arrise where 2 teams were in a “bidding war” of sorts, that one of them may be willing to take on one of the donkeys if it ment getting the good doctor. -they may even squeze an extra prospect out of them? (or is no one that dumb?)
MW: See above.
- seanHi Mike,
If you could, would you do Halladay, Scutaro and Rolen to the Mets for Wright and Reyes ?
MW: Probably not.
- DilsonHey Mike,
You should get a twitter account.
That is all.
MW: Don’t hold your breath.
- EricHow are we still on the hook for Ryan’s salary next year??
I agree if we still owe remainder of this season but for next season too??? Why release him when we still have to pay him? Granted to open up a roster spot but thats a big contract to swallow even if it is only 1 year!
MW: The contract is guaranteed, therefore all of it must be paid.
- Jason LeeMike
I’m not sure that Cito changing the lineup has been a good thing. Having a static lineup is what gave them early success. And, if I am not mistaken, they were still 5-6 games above .500 when Cito started moving guys around.
I don’t know if the expression “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” really applies here, but it seems to be getting that way.
Either way, Cito made the wrong decision by changing the lineup. If you set a certain routine for a while and suddenly change it, guys are not going to react well.
Do you think Cito caved to the media/fan pressure?
Also..Jerry was on JaysTalk last week and he was adamant that losing Travis Snider was the central reason for the Blue Jays’ struggles. He said they don’t have enough left-handed bats to do well and thus they are getting beaten up by righties. Do you see losing Snider as a major reason for their slide? I haven’t heard you mention him, and I’m wondering if you concur with Jerry.
Finally Mike, I think it would be interesting if you had a stat showing what Vernon Wells hits with the roof closed vs. open. Because he’s hitting I think .274 in day games and .254 in night games.
Cheers
MW: I don’t see how you can blame the shifting of the line-up on the Jays’ recent struggles. It wasn’t working the way it was, and hadn’t been for a long time. Something needed to be done. I don’t believe at all that losing Snider is a major reason for the Jays’ drop-off. Really, since that two-homer game in Minnesota, Snider spent a month not hitting at all, and the Jays kept winning. I don’t know what Wells’ roof splits are.
- HowardWell last night was terrible a young rookie comes up pitches lights oiut for 7 innings and the bats again are cold…one good thing is wells is hitting..rios is killing the jays this year…his bats are highly unproductive and he is off mechanically..give him time off to get his head right…anyone can go 0-5 …start inglett …anyone..just not rios…
MW: Rzepczynski only pitched lights out for five innings, not seven, but the bats didn’t do him any favours. Rios did go 0-for-5, but only came up with a runner on twice, and both those times the runner was at first. He hardly killed the Jays last night, and in the overall, he’s not that far off his career norms.
- Paul BurryWell, let the rebuilding official begin once Halladay is off to bigger and better. I hope him all the best!!! He was great figure for a city in desperate need of good role models.
- ChrisAny chance the team that gets Halladay will take Rios and Wells.
FINALLY, B.J Ryan is GONE!!!!!!!
But, Mike do you think it was the right move when so, many pitchers are getting injured?
MW: I would have held on to Ryan and tried to ditch him in August waivers, but obviously the Jays couldn’t wait any longer. The injuries don’t matter, Ryan couldn’t get anybody out.
- Jays FanHi Mike
well i understand why the jays wouldnt want Ryan pitching for them but what exactly was the point of releasing him. They still have to pay his salary but get exactly nothing for him. Could they not have sent him to the minors or something and hoped he turned it around?
MW: They couldn’t send him to the minors without his permission.
- ScottyOIf the plan all along was to win in 2010 how does trading Halladay make any sense? The team will not be competitive without him and will be stuck in mediocrity for years to come. I really dont know why Ricciardi is still the GM. Also, you said on many occasions the team will pay Halladay as much as he wants within reason. Would you like to explain Ricciardi’s comment saying hes not sure the team has the resources to keep Halladay post 2010.
- aviMichael,
We here many mentions of Tom Cheek on the show, as we should, but I wondered if you ever crossed paths with John Joseph Cerutti and what he was like?
MW: I crossed paths with Cerutti a whole bunch of times – the first time outside the players’ parking lot at the Ex when he was one of the only players to stop and sign an autograph for me to take to my cousin, who was in hospital at the time. Unfortunately, our relationship as broadcasters never went beyond the “hi, how are you” – the TV guys are on a different schedule than us, and neither of us ever sought each other out. I regret that.
- Uncle BenMike, does it not seem to you that the Jays have an inordinate number of inconsistent offensive players on the current roster? We all know about the inconsistency of both Rios and Wells, but even players like Hill and Lind seem very streaky to me. Overbay is really streaky also for some reason and Hill’s plate discipline is just terrible, despite all the nice hits and homers.
I think that this roster full of inconsistent offensive players is the real problem with this team here, not the pitching, which overall has been pretty good. This problem will still exist in 2010 when the Jays get some of their injured pitchers back.
The core of this team existed back in `06 too, when they led the majors in slugging during the first half and then dropped off the map in the second half. Now this year, during the first quarter of the season, the Jays had the best run scoring offense in the AL, which now stinks again. Last year, they couldn’t buy a hit with runners on base in the first half at all. What gives with these players, Mike?
The players on this roster just seem much more streaky as a group than those of the other teams in the division and it is costing them in the standings every year it seems.
Here is my assessment of the consistency/inconsistency of the current offensive core group of players:
Scutaro – consistent
Hill – inconsistent
Lind – somewhat streaky
Rolen – consistent (when healthy)
Overbay – very inconsistent
Wells – extremely inconsistent
Rios – inconsistent
The rest of the roster is basically made up of mediocre role players, but the core group since `06 are not definitely not consistent in my opinion, especially relative to the other key AL East competitors.
The Jays are going to need some better and more consistent players than this for 2010, Mike, or it will just be more of the same.
MW: You have to put Scutaro in that inconsistent category, too – he’s had an 0-for-17 and a 2-for-23 this year, I believe. I think you think that there are a lot of .300 hitters out there who actually get nine hits in every 30 at-bats. It’s just not so.
- McLovin“Over eight years, just three of the 20 players he (riccardi) received in return are still in the organization – Scott Rolen, Jeremy Accardo and Brian Wolfe”
I don’t know what other trades you want to look at, the 17 trades he made we’re all for salary consideration as will Halladay.
MW: It’s not exactly fair to lump all his trades in together – you’re right, plenty of them were made just to get rid of bad contracts, like Gonzalez, Quantrill, Mondesi, etc.
- dave_12Mike, my point is that this lot of players are more streaky as a group or collectively than other teams in the division. Granted those teams have better players in general but it seems that the Jays have a very streaky group and that is why in `06 they had a dominant offense at the start of the year (and again this year) but it doesn’t hold-up for an entire season.
MW: I think that if you looked at the production of the other players you find not to be “streaky”, you’ll be surprised.
- McLovinDid I hear you say Bartlett is the best SS in baseball in last night’s postgame? I was talking to somebody else and kinda missed that. Then you said Jeter got more votes simply because he’s Jeter or something like that.
I think you completely forgot a couple of other gr8 SSs but more importantly the best in the game, Hanley Ramirez.
MW: You’re free to think that, had that been what I actually said. I believe what I said was that Bartlett has had the best year of any American League shortstop this season.
- BeburgFantasy trade: Halladay to Tampa for Pena and Kazmir. Yes or no if you are the Jays?
MW: No.
- BeburgTo #48. Wait till you read “Jean Tennis” here. I think it’s the funniest of the lot. I am a Canadian but I am sick and tired of hockey, hockey and hockey. Basketball is no.1 and baseball is no.2 for me.
- BeburgMW: He was only the highest-paid reliever in history for a couple of minutes, but obviously it was a big gamble that didn’t pay off.
Another gamble that didn’t pay off. There have been too many of them. AJ, Thomas, Wells and now Ryan. Ricciardi would do well to stay away from Atlantic City.
MW: Wells is 30 and still has five years left on his contract. That’s not a gamble that hasn’t paid off yet, and it really wasn’t a gamble, it was giving a player market value. I wouldn’t say Burnett was a complete waste, either, when he was healthy he pitched very, very well.
- isabella reyeswe need speed like Tampa. Almost every guy can steal a base. Who do we have Rios as a speed threat? Lets trade Halladay and get a good pitcher and some speedy outfielder that actually shows some effort unlike Rios and Wells.
MW: Yeah, that’s the ticket.
- dave_12JP has dropped the H-Bomb on the team for real this time, and the rebuild is on. The worst part of all this is the message he send the team and the fans – we are out of it again for 2009, and who are we kidding about a 2010 sans-Doc?
- Andy FrankCorrect me if I’m wrong but you said the Jays have money if they ask Rogers yet why then did Riccardi tell Sherman earlier today that they were pretty sure they wouldn’t be able to sign Halladay at the end of next year?
MW: It’s interesting – in that Joel Sherman article in the New York Post, he quotes Ricciardi as saying that he doesn’t think the Jays have the resources to keep Halladay from free agency a third time, but he also quotes him as saying that the decision to listen to offers on Halladay is not financially motivated.
- RenegadeMike,
Maybe a crazy thought, but this Halladay “dangling” seems a bit like the Beckett/Lowell to Boston deal. Some team will be willing to take on the Wells contract to get Halladay and in turn will give up some blue chip prospects. I only see maybe 4 teams in the league being able to make such a deal, but I also think those are the teams that JP wants to deal with.
Crazy?
MW: There’s a big difference between the $18 million that was left on Lowell’s contract and the $107 million left on Wells’.
- Ryan McCallenMichael,
Never mind the Jay’s woes. What is the deal with Billy Beane’s A’s?
They seem to have been rebuilding for awhile now. The Angels are a decent team but you would have thought Beane would have gotten his team contending by now. Is the shine of the Golden GM?
MW: Is the shine of the Golden GM what? The A’s are having their third straight bad year – let’s see what they do with Matt Holliday and maybe Jason Giambi at the end of this month. The A’s have had some big injury issues, but they have some terrific young pitching in Cahill, Mazzaro, Anderson and Gonzalez.
- Uncle BenI would have loved to have seen your face when you heard that Ryan had been released. I wrote to you on this blog about 3 weeks ago and I asked you specifically if you thought the Jays would release Ryan before the end of his contract and you said, and I quote, “Not this year”.
MW: I was very surprised.
- JasonRegarding the Jays rotation out of the break:
If Doc starts either of the first two games out of the break, and then pitches every fifth day (except when it falls on an off-day) he will get 16 starts, 6 of which will be against the big three in the East.
If he starts the third game out of the break, on the same rotation, 11 of those 16 starts would be against Boston, NY, or TB.
Not that I’ve ever gotten the impression the Jays look ahead like that.
On another note, it looks to me like Tallet is running out of gas. His ERA since June 1 is 5.68 I note that coming out of the break the Jays only need a #5 once in July – that’s on June 25. And that should be Tallet’s next and last start. He did honorable work but the Jays need room for Marcum when he gets back and they need to turn their attention to the kids.
With Doc, Rick-Ro, and Richmond, there are only two spots in play after August 1 and presumably Marcum is entitled to one of them if/as/when. IF in fact there is validity to the notion of seeing what they have with Cecil, Mills, and Zep…then running Tallet into the ground makes no sense.
In fact, it would be worth investigating to see if he still has any trade value to a team hungry for a starter.
- WillRainMike, re comment #21 (lone behold).
I have a theory that a good part of the reason for some of these hilarious “mis-spellings” (for want of a better term) is that nobody READS any more. At least, nobody reads any real literature, or anything other than the sports pages. As a result, a lot of folks have never seen some of these common sayings “down on paper”, so just go by what they sound like.
For another example, I give you “pre-Madonna” (from at least two long-ago posts).
Any comment?
MW: It’s a fair point. I loved pre-Madonna, though. That’s one of the best ever.
- NormHey Paolo (Post #27) — if you want to do “unstitching”, you need to find a lady who does sewing (I’m sure there are still a few around, besides my good wife). She will have a little “gadget” (not sure what it’s called, maybe “thread remover”?) which will cut through the threads and allow them to be pulled out easily. To remove the name “Burnett” shouldn’t take more than five minutes.
- NormTo renegade (#66) — just to point out that the $10 MM for Ryan in 2010 was already committed, whether or not he stayed on the roster. And with BJ having now been released, it now becomes “available” to be included in a possible extension for Roy (along with, again in theory, the $11 MM or so saved when Burnett walked).
MW: That money isn’t now available.
- NormMW: Is the shine of the Golden GM what?
Sorry, meant “off” the Golden GM.
- Uncle Ben