1:00 AM Eastern
Brett Cecil seemed to have a little extra spring in his step tonight - Lyle Overbay even mentioned after the game that the few Oriole baserunners mentioned that he was throwing harder than they expected - and maybe that’s to be expected pitching in front of his hometown crowd. Cecil continued to look terrific in starts not taking place at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, and the Blue Jays picked up a shutout.
Dig the bullpen, too - with Scott Downs back off the DL and closing, they set up nicely in the 7th, 8th and 9th, with Shawn Camp struggling, then passing it over to a perfect Jesse Carlson and Jason Frasor. As things progress we’ll likely see more Brandon League in the role played by Camp tonight.
And what do you know? Dave Dellucci drove in the game-winning run (albeit with a ground out, Alex Rios hit two doubles and Lyle Overbay reached base three times. I’m still not confident that I’ll actually ever get to meet Looch. After all, they called him up at the beginning of what’s been a 2-6 road trip so far, he doesn’t have a hit yet, and Travis Snider is back healthy and playing in Vegas. I expect Snider to be in and Dellucci to be out after the all-star break. Looch hasn’t exactly hit the ground running.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure. Tons of first-timers tonight!
Remember to tune in for a rare Saturday night game, we’re on the air with the pre-game at 6:30 PM Eastern. Ricky Romero will take on fellow lefty Rich Hill (Kevin Millar alert!), who will be th eonly starting pitcher in this entire series who isn’t a rookie.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Can’t believe the Wakefield knuckler thing came up again. Haven’t heard this much about a knuckleballer messing with hitters’ timing since the Jays started Candiotti in Game 1 of the 91 ALCS.
Keep up the good work.
MW: Thanks. It’s a shame Candiotti hardly threw the knuckler that day.
- geoffrohHey Mike
Someone posted the Baseball America recent top 50 ranked prospects, none of which were Jays. Your response was “talk to me about those guys in 6 years”. Thats an easy way out of the debate but i wouldn’t dismiss Baseball America’s rankings so quickly, have a look back 6 years and the following guys are included in the top 50 :
Mark Teixiera, Rocco Baldelli, Jose Reyes, Joe Mauer, Jesse Foppert, Jose Contrares, Brandon Phillips, Hideki Matsui, Gavin Floyd, K-Rod, Kazmir, Miguel Cabrera, Kotchman, Morneau, Jason Stokes, Victor Martinez, Michael Cuddyer, Adam Wainwright, Hanley Ramirez, BJ Upton, Hee Sop Choi, Bonderman, VanBenshoten, Rafeal Soriano, Sean Burnett, Scott Hairston, Joe Bochard, Rich Harden, Cliff Lee, Adrian Gonzalez, Colby Lewis, Josh Hamilton, James Loney, Johnathan Figueroa, Dustin McGowen, Michael Restovich, Jose Lopez, Chris Snelling, Andy Marte, Aaron Cook, Franklin German, Dontrelle Willis, Xavier Nady, Aaron Heilman, Travis Hafner, Angel Guzman, Jeff Mathis, Wilson Betemit, Jerome Williams,
MW: So out of their top 50 six years ago you wind up with 12 stars, 14 guys who completely missed and a lot of decent stuff in-between. How many guys have become stars over the last six years who weren’t on that list?
- rickMike, since you put JaysTalk on the web for download, why not your noon baseball show?
MW: It’s the other way around, and I don’t know why it’s like that.
- Adam GHey Mike,
Used the word “mentioned” and “expected” twice each in the opening sentence . . .
It would be nice to have Snider back healthy and in left field . . . maybe he’ll bring back that “feeling” from the 27-14 start
Maybe things can turn around if Cecil keeps it up, and Alphabet builds on his strong first start at least until Richmond returns.
Lots of positives with Hill, Rolen, Lind and Halladay, so there’s still a window of opportunity if Wells and Rios hit like they can.
But at 44-44, the Jays would have to go about 48-26 to have a sniff of the playoffs. I just don’ think it’s possible.
MW: Let’s not get into “they have to do x……” because we had just as many people back in May saying that they only had to play .500 the rest of the way, and no one could see that not happening. Sorry about the poor choices of words on the post - it was 1:00 AM on a double-duty workday.
- Ken PaganJust finished watching the Angels and Yankees and it got me thinking. Socia brought in his closer in the 9th with two out after Speier walked a batter to make it a save situation. The closer came in and go his 25th save.
This just got me thinking about how little I should be trusting a closers abilities on the number of saves they have. The number of saves has just as much to do with which team they play on and how their manager wants to use them.
It doesn’t seem right compare closers on their number of saves. I was thinking of possibly introducing a save percentage, in which we take the number of saves and the number of opportunities and find a percentage.
Example: Brian Fuentes has 25 saves but has blown 3 which gives him a percentage of .892, Scott Downs is 9 for ten in save opportunities which would give him a percentage of .900.
For the sake of interest, Papelbon is at .920 and Rivera is at.958.
I think it makes more sense to keep track of this more than saves. We look at batting average before we look at number of hits why shouldn’t we look at save percentage before number of saves?
What do you think?
MW: I don’t see how that methodology gets rid of the bias that you point out above. Fuentes still got a save last night even though he was only brought in for one out after the save situation was created by Speier, so he’d still have been 100% as far as save percentage goes. Why not look at WHIP and K rate?
- KevinHey Mike,
One requirement must be met whenever Halladay get traded: TAKE VERNON AND HIS CONTRACT WITH YOU.
Nitin
MW: Don’t hold your breath.
- NitinMike,
1. Some guy asked why Carl Crawford always seems to be scoring the winning run against us, and you didn’t answer. Do you have trouble splling the word “SPEED”?
2. When you make remarks like “We didn’t move Hill from short to 2nd, the Blue Jays did.” I used to think you were trying to be funny. Now I am not so sure… Could you ask Butterfield why Hill is playing so shallow?
3. When I commented on Rolen’s great play and you sighed I hope you didn’t think I was giving JP any kudos. Remember Rolen was brought here to replace Glaus, who was brought here to replace Delgado. In that regard it is still a bad deal.
4. The few Riciardi’s successes you point to only confirm the ststistical reality that it is virtually impossible to be wrong all the time.
MW: 1 - I didn’t answer because it’s not true. 2 - I’m not trying to be funny. 3 - I didn’t sigh because of your Rolen comment. 4 - Sigh.
- Cito Man12 different starting pitchers have a combined won-loss record of 34-28, which isn’t bad at all.
Take away Roy Halladay’s numbers and the remaining 11 pitchers (most of whom were not on the radar at the start of the season) are a combined 24-25.
8 rookie starters and a half-dozen major league pitching debuts in the first half of the season.
Nice effort by the kids!
Good for them!
I’ve been searching for some positives lately and to me, this is it.
If you would have asked me at the start of the season, “Which Blue Jay pitcher will lead the team in starts at the all-star break?”
-I wouldn’t have guessed it would have been Brian Tallet.
Good for him too!
- Andrew ShoneHey Mike. Have you ever heard of a pitch called the Vulcan Changeup? The pitch got it’s name from star trek because the ball is between the middle and ring finger much like the V hand gesture seen in star trek. It is like a changeup with arm side run or a screwball like break. Eric Gagne threw a beauty in his prime!
MW: Never heard of it referred to like that.
- Matt from BCOK Mike - it’s a long one (apologies in advance, but they are thoughts that have been with me for a few days now). My comments don’t specifically tie back into this blog entry, but consider them a “JaysTalk” call in (I suppose). I should mention I live out-of-town, but still manage to drive in for about 15 games a year, because like it or not, it’s still good (sometimes great) entertainment for a couple of hours, and I still believe.
Now don’t get me wrong. I certainly do not think they are good enough to win the WS this year. However, like you, I do not think the Jays are as bad as the “jumping off the bandwagon fans” claim.
But I believe they could win it (this year with a ton of luck but more likely) next year, but they have to be able to make some moves.
First off, they should give JP an extension of a year (and put it out there PR-wise that the organization and JP (didn’t he already say “baseball is not the end-all, be-all in his life?)) are interested in the one-year-after-one-year type of extensions moving forward. OK - maybe give the guy a two year deal max.
I think half of your readers just threw their computer out the window, but I think they need to give this guy a chance to win next year. That also lets players and other GMs feel that he is not a “lame duck” GM, so he has the opportunity to make the required moves with confidence.
Besides, if they can eat a BJ Ryan sized contract, they can eat a GM’s contract if they need to.
I think Rogers needs to stipulate that Roy Halladay stays in the organization, and that means paying him what he wants. And I’m not talking money (although I would call Brinks immediately), because that’s not his priority (or so we hear as fans). We need to build a winner around him immediately.
That means surrounding him with the right players. Let’s start with the OF.
If Snider is going to be the real deal next year (as everyone believes), put him in RF. (hey look - I did tie it back to this instalment of the blog!)
Keep either Wells or Rios in CF, but trade the other to give a bit of payroll flexibility. SO in this scenario, Rios gets traded as Wells’ deal is impossible to move. Trade him for a major-league ready SS (as I assume Scutaro will not be here beyond this year) and maybe a back-of-the-rotation type pitcher if possible. The idea here is to get a SS, and salary relief though, so I do not expect a lot in return.
The Rios trade works on a variety of fronts. It gives him a different opportunity with a new team, allows him to play CF (I assume the best value you get back will be from teams who are looking for him at that position), and appeases the fan base as (although I disagree) many believe him to be lazy. Listen – his head isn’t in the game sometimes (base running issues for example), but it looks like the guy does play hard, it just doesn’t have that impression sometimes.
Back to Wells… you ask him to renegotiate his contract. I’m not suggesting that they slash the amount – the total dollars must be the same. I’m suggesting that they defer some of his money after his contract expires to help the team get additional funds now. I’m sure he wants to win as back as Doc… and would consider this as an option. Take a few million a year, and let the man collect for 10 years after his current contract expires. It’s kinda like a Powerball lottery… it keeps on paying. And he has to get better, doesn’t he???
Maybe with the departure of Rios and the salary save from Wells, it allows you to get a LF with pop. Oh, I dunno, maybe Jason Bay. Forget the fact that he’s Canadian (only a plus), he’s good. And if he can play in Boston… he can play here. If not Bay, then how about Jermaine Dye? Or Matt Holiday? OK – maybe Lind would do, but then you need a DH… Beltre?
Moving to the IF… Hill is a lock, and one would like to see a SS come back in the Rios trade (only because I don’t think Scutaro can sustain, and he’ll be too pricey next year anyways). On the corners… you have to keep Rolen, for his defence, if nothing else. And the fact he is owed a hefty sum. But I think that is a good thing, ‘cause I love this guy.
Overbay I also like, but if you keep Rolen, you need to either get a big bat at 1B, or use this position as additional salary relief. I dunno who though, because the FA class is pretty weak, and we don’t have someone primed and ready to go yet. SO you need to work out a deal to get someone, which might mean looking at dealing some pitching with Overbay to get him. Or not. Keep Overbay – we could certainly do worse.
At C, see if you can get Barajas back with one of the other kids backing him up. I like Barajas because of how he manages the pitching staff. That’s key to success right there.
So what about pitching?
You keep Doc. Romero is pitching well. Marcum looks like he’s on the rebound based on one start at AA. That means you need to find 2 more out of Richmond, Tallet, Cecil, Rzepczynsky, Mills, (maybe) McGowan, and the other guy you hopefully get back with the Rios trade. And if you are truly committed to winning… how about a few extra bucks to land a pretty good starter? Lackey? Davis? Jennings? Pineiro (granted, it’s only one really good recent year)? How about the next tier… Penny-like? Heck – I’d even take a flyer on Harden - I mean, if we’re going to the next tier, we’re talking about a 4 or 5 guy here, someone who can keep us in the game. OK – forget the next tier. Make the spash, or go with the kids.
Bullpen? This is JP’s specialty. Picking up no-names and getting them to work, which is great, because we just extended him.
Don’t get me wrong. It would mean spending a bit, but I think we have the base to make this thing work. By adding a big bat, a quality SS, a ready-for-prime-time Snider and a good back-of-the-rotation FA, I think we’ve got what it takes. We start winning, more people go to the games. More people at the games = increased revenue to help offset the extra spend next year.
But of course… all this is moot if they trade Halladay.
- DanielMike,
Is Luke “The Apostle” Scott Dave Stieb’s son. Sure looks like him.
- steveFine pitching performance. However, only two runs. Oh, well, they did win.
I have been reading that the Jays are “shopping” Scott Rolen, with Cincinnati showing a lot of interest.
I can understand Wells and Rios being in the news regarding a trade of some sort but Scott Rolen? The best third baseman the Jays have ever had AND he can actually hit!
A mistake to let Rolen go as he is one of the few Jays with some passion about baseball.
It would appear the Jays are in a mess with little idea of where they are going,what they are going to do other then the old re-tooling ploy.
I thought, when Rogers purchased the team, times were going to get better for the Jays. Obviously not…..
MW: Rolen is expensive, he’s on the wrong side of 30, and despite his successes this season, he’s an injury risk. I don’t think they should trade him for Edwin Encarnacion or anything, but I think they’re wise to dangle him now - he’s likely never to have more value. The Jays have had one of the top 5-8 teams in the majors the last three years.
- DougListened to your show Sat morning. I disagree with Stats man and rejection of Clutch stats in the playoffs-here’s why-in the playoffs those that are successful are doing so against better pitchers on better teams and in a series, the same teams meet 4-6 games in a row and their opponents can concentrate their preparations and share information first hand. A-Rod is not a clutch player
MW: It’s true that successful hitters in the playoffs are generally performing against better pitchers, and that’s the only argument I might have about hitters who sustain their numbers in the playoffs having that be an absolute improvement. A-Rod was a clutch player when he was with Texas and Seattle, and in his first playoff year with the Yankees.
- Joe S,Mike, I note that Snyder did not play last night, even though the opposition starter was Right-handed.
I can only assume/guess that his back must be acting up again.
Maybe you will still get the chance to meet Delucci.
On another subject, I’ve read where the Jays may consider using Cecil in relief, since that was his role in college.
If that should be the case, I’m thinking he would need to improve on his control while pitching from the stretch, as he sure looked like two different guys out there last night, depending on whether or not he had runners on base.
MW: See above for Snider. Cecil didn’t look any different to me when he had runners on in the 3rd, 4th and 5th.
- NormTold you. You don’t give players a day off when they are hitting so well. Cito knows best.
MW: Cito believes that Rolen is hitting so well because he gets consistent days off.
- Robert SpencerMike,
At this point what is Shaun Marcum’s status, it wasn’t too long ago that I recall that he was placed on the 60 day DL. What are the Blue Jays plans with Marcum and have you personally spoke with him at any time and asked him how he’s been feeling? Thanks.
joe, toronto
MW: Marcum’s not on the 60-day DL - he was going to go on when the Jays thought they were calling up Kyle Phillips, but it wouldn’t have mattered. Since he’s been out all year, he’d be eligible to come off the 60-day right now anyway. I haven’t personally spokeN with him, but everything I hear says he’s doing great and the Jays hope to have him back the first week of August, if all continues to go well.
- joe, torontoI seem to recall Cito saying before the season that the Jays would be around a .500 team this year - and here we are. And for all the anti-JP whiners - I’m not sure what he’s supposed to do with Wells, Rios, et al. I think signing them at that time was the right thing to do, as you can’t predict the future. Surely if he didn’t, they would have signed elsewhere and everyone would be attacking him for letting them go. I guess such is life for fickle fans.
MW: Such is life, indeed. Cito didn’t expect the Jays would be a .500 team in his pre-season evaluations.
- BrentHey Mike. If all the Jays pitchers are healthy for next year what do you predict the opening starting rotation to be?
MW: Assuming no trades or major free agent signings, I’ll say it’ll be Halladay/Marcum/Romero/McGowan/Cecil.
- JonathanMike…Not a hockey comparison per se, but I hope for the life of me that the Halladay talks don’t become the Sundin soap opera Part 2. If the Jays really flatline, there will be those saying that Roy should willingly go to get players back and so on and so on ad nauseaum.
MW: I really hope there won’t.
- chris m.Just catching up on baseball today. Loved the interview with spencer fordin. It would be very cool to get the MLB beat writer from all the teams. At least from the AL east. Both to learn about their teams and get their perspectives on the jays.
Great work and congrats on the new show.
MW: Thanks!
- jeremyMike,
I have said it before and will say it again, if this year is about playing the youngsters and “seeing what we have” which all involved with the club have stated, then why are we watching “Mallucci” every night? I do not understand how that can be considered “seeing what we have” when they will not be here for the long run, and they have suitable younger replacements.
Its frustrating to watch the double speak.
MW: Milluccitista is playing so much because Cito likes Millar and the Jays think Bautista may be a part of their future, but mostly because Snider has been hurt. I don’t know that I’d be more excited to see Buck Coats.
- SeanI heard my second B.T. yesterday, first with you - very well done! I couldn’t believe that was a whole hour.
It’s obviously a good thing for ball nuts, like yourself, but also for a puckhead like me. Baseball is great, but I find it hard to follow all of the majors too closely when it takes at least a few hours, almost every day, for about six months, to follow just one team. That said, I would still like to have more knowledge of what’s going on with the rest of the teams than I do. (Apparently there are some teams outside of Canada.) Being a Mike Wilner fan (we exist!), I’m sure to make an effort to hear the new show whenever possible, so I look forward to embiggened baseball sense.
So now, I’ll bring up something the show reminded me of, that has nothing to do with baseball…
My first concert (not including Sharon, Lois & Bram when I was three) was a Monsters Of Rock show at the Ex. Judas Priest was on the card and the band started into their first song. Singer Rob Halford was to make his exciting entrance on a motorcycle through an upward opening door below the drummer. We could hear him revving the engine and the crowd was going crazy with anticipation as the door slowly began to open, revealing his smoke-surrounded silhouette and… He gunned it a little early, smacked his noggin on the door, wiped out and laid unconscious on the stage. He was dragged off and the band just kept on with the same riff for about five minutes, until their singer returned and the show must went on. I’m not a Priest fan, but whenever I hear them now, I can’t help but laugh from the memory of that “Doink!” It really was hilarious. Motorhead never showed up, but Alice was good.
I like that you brought up the “if you listen to the fans” adage. It seems to me, the contracts that the fans now hate the most, are the ones we “needed” so badly at the time. When B.J. was signed (ok, so I was concerned with the length and money even then) how many Jays fans were begging for an established, shut-down closer after years of Koch, Batista, whoever…? And how many of us fans “just knew” that future all-stars Wells and Rios would leave the team like Delgado and Green did, because the Blue Jays wouldn’t commit the big-money, long-term type of deals it would require to keep them? We got what we wanted, now let’s complain about it.
Sure, I’m an apologist, but I prefer to call it loyalty. ;-)
Sorry for novelling
Thanks
MW: It’s OK. Great Priest story!
- Dilly in DundasI’ve heard SF may be the only team willing to take Rios with Halladay, but what would they trade that JP will accept ?
They’re not going to give up Lineceum or Cain or “No hit” Sanchez, are they ?
If JP able to cut payroll down to 50M and still contend, will he be given an extension or bump up to president ?
MW: JP doesn’t decide what the payroll is.
- paulMichael,
Given the Jays spate of pitcher injuries I thought you might find this interesting:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=akleeE0T8R5Q
MW: Interesting. It doesn’t really tell us that much, but it’s interesting.
- Uncle BenHey Mike,
Cecil indeed looked great last night… I know this isn’t football, but I always hear the NFL coaches saying “you can’t lose your spot due to injury”, but I think I prefer Cecil in the rotation next year over Jesse… Halladay (he won’t get traded), Romero, Marcum (in at 3 to break up the righties), Cecil and Richmond could be as solid as a rotation as we’ve seen from the Jays in recent years, so long as they stay healthy (and in Romero’s case, don’t sneeze).
Aside: Any news on McGowan recently? I would hate to see the guys career end after really seeming to “get it” in the majors after struggles starting out…
MW: There’s no new news on McGowan other than that he won’t pitch this year.
- Luke (Halifax)Mike,
What exactly do people mean when they say that “JP has no plan”. Is it to be expected that a GM has a blue print for exactly what he’s going to do that accounts for all possible permutations? The plan for any GM is to build a winning team and that is what JP has done.
It’s been said so often by fans and media alike I feel I must be missing something here.
MW: Some people believe that J.P. should have a set-in-stone plan to build the Jays into a perennial contender, and should be unwavering in that plan’s execution.
- BlixHi, Mike. Great blog again.
What do you think about Wells hitting .300 on the road? Is he viable for a trade?
I really don’t want to see Halladay go.
I am really looking forward to seeing Snyder back but I would have liked to see some success in Delucci.
MW: You didn’t. Wells is one of the best hitters in the big leagues in road games this year, which is baffling, but that can’t be a selling point in trade.
- TimMike,
If J.P. was to trade Doc, I think he should look at what Baltimore got for Bedard and not so much the Colon deal way back when. To think if Seattle traded away Jones, J.P. should get something equivalent if not better. No way Bedard is better than Doc.
MW: I’d rather get the Colon haul than the Bedard haul, but the Orioles did very, very well in that deal - and Jones may not wind up being the best of what they got from Seattle.
- J.LeeMELVIN MOIRA = ALEX RIOS
If only we could combine these 2 great minds we might have something.
- aparaha mike right hander cory Lidle from philadelphia , the yanks needed piching phillies said ther was a catch Bobby Abreu who was earning 13 million in 06 15 07,16 08 was coming along to and the phillies still got 4 players back . and mike look in the sun and see how much money the blue jays have eaten under jp regime u add it up and its 20 millions to 25 million now i can see y my cable bill keeps going up.
MW: What’s with the “ha mike”? Yes, it’s true - the Phillies insisted that the Yankees take Bobby Abreu and his huge contract (that only had 2 years and 2 months left on it), and they still got four players. Those players are C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios, Jesus Sanchez and Matt Smith. Three years later, how are those guys doing? Not exactly helping the “add Vernon to Halladay” argument, that’s how.
- jeffha mike u think McGowan well be in the rotation next year
MW: I hope so, but I wouldn’t put my mortgage on it.
- jeffHey Mike
This message is really for all Jays Fans and media.
To all saying to blow up the team and trade Roy Halladay because theyre playing at .500
What did you guys really expect going into the season?
Did you guys honestly think that they’d be in the race somehow? Probably not. All experts and media said they wont contend and they’ll be grateful to be .500. So if you guys knew that why not blowup the team before the season seeing how they want to blow up the team now that theyre play at .500.
I mean really. why not trade roy halladay at the beginning of the season? WERE PLAYING JUST LIKE EVERYONE EXPECTED US TO. its sad this pathetic media and fans. i dont think people realized how much it would bug them to see them play at .500.
well whatever mike
you still rock.
peace
Han Solo
- Han SoloMW: The Jays have had one of the top 5-8 teams in the majors the last three years.
Big deal. The Blue Jays haven’t been to the playoffs since 1993. That makes us one of an elite group of 4 teams doesn’t it?
I guess my opinion of Ricciardi makes me an ‘anti-JP whiner’. I think I’ll get that put on a t-shirt and wear it to the stadium.
MW: Good idea.
- isabella reyesWilner,
Next time you complain about Cito not pinch-hitting for Lyle Overbay, can you remember this game and that great at-bat he had in the 11th.
MW: Cito wasn’t managing last night. Yes, Lyle Overbay struck out and looked bad doing it in the 11th inning last night. He’s also hitting .264/.394/.489 against righties this season. I want him up in that situation as often as possible.
- BobbyHi Mike
Any word on how Casey Jansen is coming along since he went on the d/l?
thanks,
David
MW: Nope.
- DavidMike…Whenever the topic of the Jays being in the toughest division comes up, the usual “rubber-stamp, party-line” answer from Cito, Ricciardi (or even Gibbons and Tosca) is that to be the best, you have to beat the best..I know there’s a fear of giving bulletin board statements, but I’d love just once for someone to say that they’d love to play the Indians, Royals or White Sox 18 times and win a division with 80-something wins. I’ll go out on a limb Mike and say the 2006 Cardinals never apologized for entering the post-season with 83 wins then winning it all.
MW: No, they certainly didn’t.
- chris m.I am so sick and tired of seeing our #5 batter (Vernon), highest paid hitter on the club, constantly getting up in important situations and DOING NOTHING!. His average looks OK, but that includes numerous infield hits when no one is on base. He is almost always a sure out in key situations. He ruins any continuity for comebackjs or extra inning wins!
MW: Vernon only hits once out of every nine batters, and you’re kidding yourself if you believe that he has the magical ability to choose when he does and doesn’t get his hits.
- Lex MackenzieAm I the only one who believes that Jays are way better than what their record shows? Call me crazy, but I think they are the 5th best team in A.L. Also, they are nine games above .500
if we eliminate the games played against A.L. East teams. As far as the A.L. team rakings, this is what I think:
1. Boston
2. New York
3. L.A.
4. Tampa
5. Toronto
I wish we were in central division.
MW: The west wouldn’t be so bad, either.
- JayMike says if trading Halladay will make us a better team….
This team has lots of trouble but we have a contract with one of the best pitchers in baseball.
We could trade: Millar,
the skipper,
spend money on a left handed hitter, help Snider get back here. All of those things might make us better.
And why would anyone trade Halladay in the middle of the schedule unless you are conceding the entire season.
You Mike are simply thinking like a business man - and not like a fan.
Bottom line_ the fans like Halladay.
MW: Yes, they do. But the bottom line is that the fans would fire the manager every other week, would have traded Scott Rolen for a bag of balls last year, would have released Ricky Romero a couple of years ago, would never have brought Marco Scutaro here and would have given Reed Johnson a lifetime contract, among other things. You can’t run a team based on what the fans like. And they can’t trade Millar - what would a team possibly give up for him?
- BarbQuestion for you Mike. I’ve heard some callers and commenters (is that a word?) suggest the idea that Wakefield may have messed up the hitters the first time they faced him at Fenway. Am I the only one who thinks the entire notion is ridiculous?
People seem to forget that
a)They beat Wakefield the next week at Rogers Centre and looked fine against him.
b) These are professionals and for the most part these are veterans that are in the line up and most faced him plenty of times before (besides Lind).
c) Why would the Blue Jays hitters get messed up but every other team is just fine after hitting against him?
The Jays started losing because of many factors which pitching injuries, hitting with RISP getting worse, certain players coming back down to earth after fast starts. Not because Wakefield ‘messed up’ their swings.
MW: My answer is always that the Jays got 25 hits in the two games they played after facing Wakefield that first time.
- PramitHi Mike,
I noticed that Marco Scutaro’s left thumb pokes out of his batting glove (Yay HD). Is that a functional thing or is that a Duane Ward holey t-shirt thing - which means he’s going to keep wearing it ’til it disintegrate from his body?
MW: I’ll bet it just wear and tear, and he likes it so he’s not going to change until it disintegrates.
- JohnHow many games has a team lost while having its pitcher throw a no-hitter?
MW: There have been two games in which a team has not allowed a hit over nine innings and lost. There have been four other games in which a team has allowed no hits and lost, but the winning team did not bat in the bottom of the ninth, so those games aren’t officially recognized as no-hitters.
- BeburgHey Cito Man
- VernonThe best defensive team in the league and you gotta question Hill’s placement? Voted as the best 2nd baseman in the AL by the managers, coaches and peers and you want to point out a negative? Hill has been nothing short of fabulous and you can actually say that about the entire infield. Kudo’s to ALL of them. Do it Butter!
MW: I don’t think Wells is very tradeable right now, for sure, nor would I trade him right now.
Mike this is a dumb thing too say, why would you not trade Wells right now, why would you not trade any body.
MW: I wouldn’t trade Wells right now because you’d be trading him for pennies on the dollar. He’s at probably the ultimate valley of his value right now, the absolute wrong time to trade him. You believe in buy high, sell low, huh?
- DustinHi Mike. Just a couple of comments. First, I was getting excited to finally see a young hitter coming up in Randy Ruiz, and I see he’s almost as old as Dellucci. Second, long term contracts have always been linked to lack of performance. There was a time when we would give 3 years max contracts. Takes away incentive for the player. There are only a handful of players I believe that warrant long term contracts. When AJ was in his third year, everyone on this blog figured he would pitch effectively because he was playing for contract. So with that thinking in mind, Wells and Rios in 2014 should be monsters. Lastly, the baseball draft is vastly overrated. Sure, some of these high first round picks have become stars, but a lot of players in the majors are low picks and some even never drafted. The baseball draft is definetly not like the other pro sports, not by a longshot. The best way to success in building a team is to trade for players already in a and aa, so you can actually see them play at these levels. The baseball draft looks more like a crap shoot. JP’s record in the draft looks shaky, until you compare it to the other teams in the last 8 years, and see that he is actually no worse than 27 other teams out there. There are 2 or 3 teams that have done decent through the draft, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay and Boston. My point being, if you are looking to build your team solely through the draft, good luck.
MW: No one looks to build their team solely through the draft, it’s impossible to sign a highly sought-after free agent if you don’t offer more than three years, and I’m sorry you didn’t know Ruiz was 31.
- daveTampa has really come on to surpass the Blue Bays. Judging by what happen last year with Tampa and their world series run and this year how they started off poorley and began working their way back into the race to now sit 5.5 game up on the Blue Jays with medioocore pitching, Im confident now that this team is for real. They have definitely taken advantage of trade opportunities moving Delmon young in a package for Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza two big Contributors and also throug a trade obtaining a power bat in Willie Aybar. They Drafted Well with Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford, Not to mention waiver pickups in Carlos Pena sho tuned out two be a major power bat. Mike you can complain all you want about a balanced schedule and the division but the Tampa Bay Organization has found a way to make their team competitive from year to year and play meaniful games in September all with a limited payroll. JP in his ninth season has not figured it out yet.
MW: First off, Tampa Bay was a laughingstock for 10 years, which gave them a big advantage in building a team, allowing them high draft picks like Delmon Young (though that was a great trade) and Evan Longoria, both of whom were chosen in the top 3 (B.J. Upton was, too). It’s far, far too early to say that Tampa Bay has been competitive year to year, since they’ve only actually been competitive for 1 1/2 years of the existence of the entire franchise, and only once have they played meaningful games ion even August, let alone September.
- ThomasHey Mike, love the show and the blog, and I’m a big fan of the new show - I’m an itunes subscriber. I was a big Dave Collins fan as a kid and I was devastated to see him moved in the Bill Caudill trade, and even more so when Caudill didn’t amount to much. I can’t even imagine a Blue Jay stealing 60 bases nowadays.
Tough loss for the Jays last night, to lose on a cheap homerun (there’s no way that I would have thought that the ball was going to leave the park when it left the bat). A few things about last night’s game:
Another solid start by Romero - he’s been one of the many nice surprises this season.
When League came in from the dugout for his second inning of work and gave up the double, I thought, “Here we go again”. Great double play by Rolen to erase the threat and end the inning - League owes him a beer. Or maybe in Rolen’s case, a fresh tube of Bengay. :)
I know that a bunt is never a gimmie but when lead off man Rolen reaches in the 11th, Wells should drop one down to move him over, no? And if you’re not comfortable with Wells laying one down, pitch hit for him - desperate times call for desperate measures, and you can’t expect a different result from repeated behavior.
When Barajas hit the ground ball later the same inning, the camera (I was watching on TV - sorry :)) followed the ball to where the Orioles fielder flubbed the play. I thought “Excellent!”, only to be shocked to see him still manage to throw Barajas out by several steps. Did he walk to first base??!! I know that Barajas has a hamstring issue but if this is what we can expect from him on the basepaths, then maybe Chavez is a better option?
Again, love the show(s) Mike!
MW: For whatever reason, Wells is one of the best hitters in the league on the road, and he’s having a terrific trip (.368/.400/.605 over the first nine games) - so by hoping for a similar result from repeated behaviour, there’s no way you bunt Wells there. As for Barajas, yes, the hamstring issue is so bad that he simply cannot run. It’s just something they have to live with.
- Terry BradleyI am puzzled by the claim that the Jays have been between the 5th and 8th best team in baseball over the past 3 years. As I do not subscribe to Baseball America, I am at somewhat of a disadvantage.
Are we including this year? When I checked this morning, there were 17 teams with better records than the Jays, 9 in the AL.
As I pointed out in the past, the Jays were tied for the 12th best winning percentage in MLB in 2008.
Much is made of the fact that the Jays play in the tough AL East. This ignores the fact that, until recently, this meant the Jays could fatten up on both Tampa and Baltimore.
In 2007, there were 6 teams with better records than the Jays in the AL and 7 in the NL. As a whole, the AL East was only 6 games above .500.
In 2006, the Jays best year, the AL East as a whole was 8 games below .500. Only New York emerged from the AL East. 6 teams posted better records in the AL and 3 in the NL.
5th to 8th best in the AL perhaps. Not MLB.
MW: When people say that the Blue Jays are among the best teams in baseball, they’re not talking about win-loss record, obviously. They’re talking about how good a team they have, how good their pitching is, their run differential, taking into account injuries and luck as factors, as well. The easy argument could be made that the four best teams in baseball last year played in the AL East.
- tim grafLast year I believe we had the second best defense in baseball. This year the defense continues excellent. Is that defense a draw for a free-agent pitcher? The defense can make a reasonably good pitcher look very good.
MW: It is for a smart free-agent pitcher.
- isabella reyesWhy is David Delucci on this team? Is he even going to get a hit before he gets released?
MW: He might not.
- Renegade25 million dollars in wasted salary in a span of 3 years, and this isn’t the first time he’s ate contracts (Lightenberg, Hentgen, possibly others) that’s got to be close to 10% of there entire budget over the course of the 3 years.
8 years of no playoffs, and has still failed to surpass a win total his predecessor had in a season,
Numerous media blunders, signing Wells to one of the worst contracts in all of baseball instead of trading him when his value was high,
Paying other teams to take his mistakes in trades(Koskie, Hinske to name a couple),
Getting very little return in his initial firesale(Mondesi, Quantrill, Lopez, Izturis, Gonzalez, Fullmer, Borbon),
Crippling the team financially with his back loaded contracts,
And a long list of “gambles” that didn’t pay off. Ryan, Thomas and Prokopec that had already been mentioned, and then add to that the cheaper ones that he apparently wins more often than not and right away I can think of guys like Zambrano, Thomson, Ohka, Clement, Maroth, Takahashi, and Geremi Gonzalez. I’m sure there’s more too.
No wonder attendance is down big time this year. There just going to keep spinning there wheels as long as JP is in charge and the fans know it.
I wonder if they regret not going with Dave Dombrowski, you know the guy that took a 119 loss team to the World Series in just 3 years.
It is just insane JP still has a job.
MW: Your spelling is atrocious, and it takes away from your arguments. You can’t throw guys like Ohka, Zambrano, etc. out as marks against Ricciardi, because every team brings in a bunch of guys like that every year, and rarely do they work out. Your mind is already made up.
- PaulMillar just needs to go. Jerry and Alan said his best contribution to this team is that he is friends with Rolen and keeps him happy. Big whoop! Hire him as the jester of the clubhouse instead of batting him 4th! Also.. is Snyder/Snider the new Halladay/Holliday?
MW: The Snyder thing in print is what the Holiday thing is in speech. We’re stuck with it, I fear.
- RenegadeHello Mike
Jamie Campbell brought out one interesting fact during the game today. Baltimore, despite having 130 or so less at bats than the Jays, only drive in 5 less runs than the Jays.
How do you explain that - they consistently hit and drive in runs when it counts,as opposed to the Jays
Francis
MW: That’s a very interesting point - and completely incorrect, you may have heard wrong. Going into Sunday’s game, the Orioles had scored 31 fewer runs than the Blue Jays in 172 fewer at-bats. The Jays have scored .137 runs per at-bat, as opposed to the Orioles’ .135. They most certainly aren’t better at scoring runs than the Jays - nice try, though.
- francisHi Mike,
Since Brad Arnsberg is acting as manager and also the pitching coach, can he make more than two trips to the mound in one inning and not take the pitcher out ?
MW: No. There are only two trips per inning per pitcher allowed from the dugout, it doesn’t matter who makes them. Also, Brian Butterfield was the acting manager in Cito Gaston’s absence, not Arnsberg.
- kimHey Mike,
Who names replacement for the All-Star game, I understand naming Pena for Pedroia, as he was in the crop of 5 player for the final vote, but it would make sense to name Kinsler as he plays the position. In addition, Hunter is now on the DL, but Nelson Cruz is his replacement. It is more reasonable for Adam Lind to get the chance. He has better numbers, a left handed bat AND he was in his the final 5 list!!!
MW: Word was that Nelson Cruz was picked to replace Hunter because was the highest finisher on the players’ ballot who hadn’t made the all-star game. Evidently, Joe Maddon chose Pena to replace Pedroia.
- Shakeelsorry mike another halladay question: with the latest jp comments, do you think the jays are less inclined to re-sign halladay in 2010? is it possible for a team to have young pitching and old offense and do you think it will cause any effects?
MW: It’s possible to have young pitching and old offense, just as it’s possible to have a young second baseman and an old left fielder. It doesn’t matter as much whether it’s young or old as it matters whether it’s good. I don’t know if the Jays are less inclined to re-sign Halladay, but they may believe their chances of being able to do so have fallen.
- nikolasPlease please please tell me Dellucci will be released immediately following this game. Inglett is absolutely tearing it up in AAA.
MW: I don’t know if it’ll come immediately following the game, but I expect it to happen before Friday’s game against the Red Sox.
- ChrisThis offense is a snooze fest lately.
You think they would try and stir things up with some guys from AAA.
MW: No, I don’t. There’s a reason a lot of those guys are in AAA.
- ChrisOops ! I knew that Butterfield was the acting manager, not sure how I got that mixed up. Thanks for the answer anyway, now I know in case that scenario comes up.
- kimMike…I think the point that Pat Tabler brought up on the broadcast (and it caught my ears for sure also) is that in 130 or more opportunities with RISP than the Orioles, the Jays have only 5 more RBI’S…I believe I heard it correctly.
MW: This is true. And it’s because going into Sunday’s game, the Orioles were hitting .301/.376/.470 with RISP, while the Blue Jays were hitting .261/.350/.387 in the same situation. The Orioles actually lead the league in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS with RISP. And they’re in last place.
- chris m.when the team said that this year is a bridge year it was ased on the injured pitching but its not so how will they assess this offence?
MW: Good question.
- nikolasmike why would they believe that chances of resigning halladay have dropped since this was a bridge year anyways?
MW: Maybe they know more about future budgets now.
- nikolasFrancis had it wrong.
Baltimore has driven in 5 fewer runs with RISP despite having 130 fewer at bats with RISP than toronto.
- ChrisPlease tell me Dellucci`s double won`t allow him to stay up here longer.
MW: Dellucci’s double won’t allow him to stay up any longer than he otherwise would have.
- ChrisJust to show you how pathetic this jays offense is. No other team has scored less than 8 runs in a 3 game series against the woeful orioles, but your toronto blue jays have managed to accomplish this feat. And I think they’ve scored 2 runs or less in 4/5 games against the orioles. If you can’t beat the orioles you are in big trouble.
MW: My Toronto Blue Jays?
- jacobyyou mentioned how rios and wells couldnt struggle more than they did in 2007 i think but certainly they are now, so will it ever be good or have they both plateaued?
MW: Wells is having a better year than he had in 2007, and that was Rios’ best year to this point. I never said that.
- bobyou have to fire JP this season. He is a lame duck GM. how can he make long term decisions if he isn’t here long term? he is married to these players. how can he trade rolen for prospects when he wont be here long term? he’s in a no win situation. If he trades these players for prospects then the team will be worse next year and he’s guaranteed a ticket back to boston. you either have to give him an extension so he can make long term decisions or you have to fire him and go with another gm who you plan to have long term.
MW: So you can’t ever have a general manager with less than two years left on his contract?
- jacobyIn Chapter 2.3 of Baseball Between the Numbers, Keith Woolner discusses KC’s attempted four-man rotation in 1995. Tom Gordon and Kevin Appier were allowed too many 100+ pitch games and Appier’s ERA was 5.79 from July 1 to the end of the season and Gordon’s was 5.03 through August & September.
Woolner argues that a four-man rotation should be worth about 1.5-2 extra wins, but that pitch counts need to be monitored. In the chapter, he demonstrates that pitchers throwing on 3 days rest do as well, if not slightly better on three days rest compared to four.
MW: Cool. I’d love to see someone brave enough to try a four-man rotation again.
Just went back and re-read that chapter. The most important finding described in the chapter and substantiated in three separate studies by Keith Woolner, Craig Wright, and Rany Jazayerli is that “Throwing is not dangerous to a pitcher’s arm. Throwing while tired is dangerous to a pitcher’s arm.” They also demonstrated that the danger is much more severe for young pitchers than pitchers aged 26 or higher. Dustin McGowan says hi!!
The Royals 1995 experiment with a four man rotation worked exceedingly well until July 1st. Then the wheels fell off….for all four pitchers, Kevin Appier, Mark Gubicza, Tom Gordon, and Chris Haney. So who knows. Perhaps if these guys were actually brought up pitching on three days rest, they would not have the second half collapse.
MW: Who knows? It would be great to see a team go from rookie ball up with its starters going on three days’ rest.
- the stat ladyWhat a terrible road trip. I understand losing series to the likes of New York and Tampa Bay, but Baltimore? I know the Orioles have good, young talent, but to not even take two out of three games just makes me question my devotion to this year’s Toronto side. Sad to say, but now the O’s are only three games in arrears of the Jays, and closing.
- JonahMW: It’s far, far too early to say that Tampa Bay has been competitive year to year, since they’ve only actually been competitive for 1 1/2 years of the existence of the entire franchise, and only once have they played meaningful games ion even August, let alone September.
—————————–
MW - The easy argument could be made that the four best teams in baseball last year played in the AL East.
The best team in baseball last season was the Chicago Cubs, so that makes the argument a little more difficult.
Hey dude, are you for real !!
The Rays rock and roll. The Jays snooze and lose (with twice the payroll to boot).
MW: The Cubs were the best team in baseball last year? Based on what?
- alexMW: So you can’t ever have a general manager with less than two years left on his contract?
The issue is someone who is a General Manager in sports is responsible for the future as well as the present. With one single year left on a contract, how can one build for the future with a job on the line. Look at the Leafs, where JFJ made trades for one year when he was trying to acquire a long term contract. It is human Natural. Im all for JP coming back, but the decision has to come this off season, not the 2010 off season.
MW: I get where you’re coming from, but then why ever sign anyone to a contract that expires?
- SeanLast year I believe we had the second best defense in baseball. This year the defense continues excellent. Is that defense a draw for a free-agent pitcher? The defense can make a reasonably good pitcher look very good.
MW: It is for a smart free-agent pitcher.
Guess we’ll see how smart a free-agent pitcher the Doc turns out to be. A good deal of his mystique is due to the great glove work behind him.
____________________________
MW: Your spelling is atrocious, and it takes away from your arguments.
Agree on the spelling, but the arguments are very valid. You should attempt to diffuse them if you want to continue to support JP’s stewardship.
MW: I think you mean defuse, and I spoke to some of his arguments. I disagree with you on Halladay.
- alexMW: So you can’t ever have a general manager with less than two years left on his contract?
not if you are asking the gm to rebuild. the problem with the jays is they dont know if they are competing or rebuilding. If the decision has been made that the payroll will be 80 mil then you have to accept that this team will not compete for a playoff next year so you have to start dumping contracts and get propects in return. fans are fed up of watching this same tired lineup every year. we need to make a fresh start and bring in some new blood.
- jacobyHi Mike
You brought up an interesting point that the Jays are ”in the middle ‘ team. They are not really bad, but they are not really good - thus begs the question why they should try to do anything at all either during the all star break or at the end of the season.
I guess it comes down to what the owner wants to do, within financial constraints of course.
If the owners are satisfied with the status quo, then we can expect the same next year. An over 500 team finishing 3rd or 4th at the end of the year.
I really think this team is not that far off being a serious contender.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again - pitching, despite injuries, is not the Jays problem. It is situational hitting. Looking at their current roster, they need two bats with power. If Snider works out, there is one bat. They need another bat, probably first base. Rolen is hitting for average and is very consistent. That leaves Overbay. His numbers have diminished in the last three years. THis year, he is not hitting for average or power, bad combination. A Giambi or Huff would fit nicely. I would go with Huff.
What are their chances of landing Huff?
Francis
MW: Overbay is having a much better year than Huff.
- francisI understand that Wells is hitting the ball better, but it seems he’s still mostly hitting singles with the odd double, and these hits never seem to be with RISP. No doubt the Jays would love to get rid of him but (thanks Mr Ricciardi for letting all of us as well as Mr Wells himself know) there are no takers whatsoever.
So what can we do moving forward? Wells has not really had a good season since 2006 and he isn’t going anywhere. Is there anything that could be done with him? Do we just hope he improves next year? Do we keep him further down in the lineup?
He does hit, just not with runners in scoring position and not with much power. Could he hit second and switch places with Aaron Hill who hits for power as well as average and is much more reliable at the plate? It’s certainly possible that he could regain some of his earlier abilities.
I think too much of the time we see Wells and Rios as WellsandRios. We group them together as underachieving power hitters, but I suspect that (1) neither of them are real power hitters and (2) They should never hit together. And then there’s (3) Ol’ Captain Potential* could easily be traded and take his 5 tools elsewhere. So for me, I’d like the team to pay more attention to Wells as a reclamation project and trade Rios, preferably to an NL team so that he doesn’t come back and haunt us too much if and when he discovers a head and a heart to go with the arms and the legs.
*TM someone brilliant in an earlier post.
MW: Wells had a good year last year. It’s interesting you bring up Aaron Hill, because look at their numbers since the end of May. Hill: .233/.281/.440. Wells: .259/.299/.415. Both pretty awful.
- isabella reyesRandy Ruiz: 2 more homeruns today.
What does a guy honestly have to do in AAA to make this team. It seems like pitchers can put up an 8+ ERA and get promoted, while randy ruiz’s .320+ batting average, 20 homeruns, and 80 RBI’s so far doesn’t quite cut it.
So frustrating to not see management try and put forth the best possible team at the big league level.
MW: You have to wonder why no one has ever given this guy a shot in the big leagues, and you have to hope that since the Jays seem to want to leave Travis Snider down in AAA for a while, that Ruiz will be up to be the DH starting on Friday.
- ChrisHey Mike!
Seems like you’re busy, no blog entries these days? Sad series loss to BAL. Anyways, I have a few noobish questions about baseball, nothing to do with the Jays. Hope you can answer them! And thanks for all your hard work!
1. Can a rookie pitcher win a Cy Young Award?
2. Can a relief pitcher win a Cy Young Award?
3. Why argue with the umpire when all you might get is an ejection, and no change to gameplay?
4. What’s DER (fielding)? How do they calculate it?
5. What’s 3.1 plate appearances? I know it’s the minimum for something, but what’s the 0.1? I know in innings, it’s a third, but what is it in this situation?
Thanks. Looking forward to your reply. xD
MW: 1 - Yes. 2 - Yes. 3 - Good point. 4 - Defensive Efficiency Rating. According to Baseball Prospectus, the formula to calculate it is: 1 - ((H + Reached On Error - HR) / (PA - BB - SO - HBP - HR)). 5 - In this situation it’s actually what it’s supposed to be - one-tenth.
- PeterNorm Rumack is gone? Was this downsizing or
should I ask? He seemed ok.
MW: I’m not the one to ask about that.
- BarbWow another 3 hits for inglett today.
The guy is a machine.
- ChrisIn the twenty years I have been a jays fan,the last two years have been the most frustrating. The excuses why the team is losing, the wait until next year, the bad contracts, all have left a bad taste in my mouth. If this team is not supposed to contend in the near future then start dumping players. Trade Barjas, Overbay, Rolen, Rios, Scutaro, Macdonald, and try to get Wells off the team to. Clean house including JP, and rebuild around Hill, Lind, Snider and the young pitchers. And no more excuses, if a guy stinks he stinks, and Rios is no longer that good or Wells or Overbay.
MW: Rios is having a poor year and Wells is having a very poor one. Overbay is having a terrific season. When a player struggles, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s “no longer that good”. It could mean he’s having a bad year.
- jason c wMichael,
I think Barajas should have gone on the DL with that hamstring injury. He looks really gimpy out there. Also, he’s just not very good to begin with.
His backup Chavez is also superior defensively and basically the same offensive performer.
Do you think the Jays will see this as a major area to address in the off-season or will they be content with mediocre production out of the C spot?
MW: I would hope it’s something they would address and you’re right, Barajas should have gone on the DL. They thought that J.P. Arencibia would be ready to take the reins by late this year, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.
- Uncle BenMike,
Should the Jays drift behind Baltimore in the 2nd half of this season barring trade or no trade re Halladay or Rolen is it safe to say “so long” to JP?
MW: I wouldn’t say safe, I’d say it could happen. Remember what this team was supposed to do this season.
- Mark25 million dollars in wasted salary in a span of 3 years, and this isn’t the first time he’s ate contracts (Lightenberg, Hentgen, possibly others) that’s got to be close to 10% of there entire budget over the course of the 3 years.
8 years of no playoffs, and has still failed to surpass a win total his predecessor had in a season,
Numerous media blunders, signing Wells to one of the worst contracts in all of baseball instead of trading him when his value was high,
Paying other teams to take his mistakes in trades (Koskie, Hinske to name a couple).
Getting very little return in his initial firesale(Mondesi, Quantrill, Lopez, Izturis, Gonzalez, Fullmer, Borbon),
Crippling the team financially with his back loaded contracts,
And a long list of “gambles” that didn’t pay off. Ryan, Thomas and Prokopec that had already been mentioned.
No wonder attendance is down big time this year. There just going to keep spinning there wheels as long as JP is in charge and the fans know it.
I wonder if they regret not going with Dave Dombrowski, you know the guy that took a 119 loss team to the World Series in just 3 years.
It is just insane JP still has a job.
MW: Your spelling is atrocious, and it takes away from your arguments. You can’t throw guys like Ohka, Zambrano, etc. out as marks against Ricciardi, because every team brings in a bunch of guys like that every year, and rarely do they work out. Your mind is already made up.
MW: I spoke to some of his arguments.
Right.
MW: OK, let me rephrase that. I’ve spoken to all of his arguments dozens of times in this space - if not hundreds. Go back and read.
- alexHey Mike, in checking the boxscores, when they list the relievers, sometimes there is an H4, H7 or H8, what does this stand for?
MW: Holds. Didn’t I answer that last week?
- Gary OHalladay’s trade value slipped a bit after tonight’s all star performance
MW: Wait, are you guys serious?
- dave_12My spelling is atrocius? Hardly… Punctuation? possibly, but not spelling.
Unless your talking about the very common there/their mistake that billions of people make that I could care less about fixing since I wasn’t aware I was in grammar class.
MW: You know what? I’ll give you the spelling thing. That you don’t know the difference between there, their and they’re is as much a grammatical error as a spelling one. So congrats on being one of “billions” who can’t be bothered to properly use the language in which they’re communicating. You don’t seem to know the difference between your and you’re, either. I deleted the rest of your post because you were insulting. Ironic, I know.
- Paul