- « Tour De Force
- Duck! »
11:40 PM Eastern
Well, that was no fun, and I’m sure it will provide a ton of ammunition for all the Overbay-haters who seem to frequent this space so much.
Lyle Overbay made a bad throw at the wrong time, and Scott Downs threw a bad pitch at a worse time, and the Blue Jays fell to 42-2 this season in games they have led after eight innings.
The sad part is that they couldn’t muster any offense (beyond a Scott Rolen solo shot) against a guy who came into the game letting righties touch him up at a .309/.358/.430 rate, with eight righties in the line-up.
Brett Cecil ducked, dived, dodged and any other “d” word you can think of (not you, Drunk Jays Fans) through the first four innings, and then righted himself and was very strong in winding up going seven shutout frames. The strikeout was a massive weapon for him, he had a career-high nine. Four of those Ks came with a runner on third. This kid is going to be very, very good, and together with Roy Halladay (or whoever they get for him) Ricky Romero and Shaun Marcum, the Jays appear to have the building blocks of a terrific rotation for a long time.
J.P. Ricciardi spoke to the media before the game – we came to him, not vice-versa – and said that he believes that the chances of a Halladay deal are “unlikely” prior to J.P.’s self-imposed trade deadline of July 28th. He said he didn’t want Halladay going into his start in Seattle on the 29th unsure of his fate, hence the deadline, but I don’t buy it. He wants to deal Halladay early, if he trades him, because a Halladay trade opens the door to deals of guys like Rolen, Downs and Overbay. The door is currently open to trades of guys like Scutaro and Barajas, who will be free agents at the end of this year.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The series continues tomorrow with Ricky Romero taking on Carl Pavano – we’re on the air at 7:00 PM Eastern for a 7:07 first pitch, but of course you can also hear me at noon Eastern both here on the website and on the Fan590 with Baseball Today. We don’t have any guests scheduled yet, but I’m going to try to get a couple of people on to talk about the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this weekend – Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice will be induced. Maybe I’ll also try to get Russ Langer, who’s the play-by-play voice of the Las Vegas 51s.
I was planning to do the Hall of Fame stuff on Friday, since the ceremony is on the weekend, but today I went up to Ricky Romero and asked him if he’d like to come into the studio on Friday for Baseball Today for the whole hour to take calls, and he seemed both amenable and actually a little excited to do it. He said he’d let me know for sure on Thursday (since he’s pitching tomorrow), but just in case he says yes, I wanted to make sure the hour was clear.
Rational, reasonable, unrepetitive comments by people who aren’t spoiling for a fight are always welcome!
Click here to subscribe to Wilner's blog
Nobody wanted to score runs tonight. I’m actually just glad we didn’t burn through the bullpen in another extra inning game. I’d rather know the result in nine, thanks.
If this team wants to contend next year, and I’m confused as all heck if they do or not, should they not try to keep Marco Scutaro (for a reasonable price) as he has the OBP and baserunning savvy that a leadoff hitter needs. And be trying to deal Barajas like crazy? Also, the Dodgers are looking for bullpen help, what about Camp and/or Carlson for a bat? No, not Manny or Martin. I dunno, I’m just tired of every trade having to be about Leroy.
MW: Every trade does have to be about Halladay until the Jays decide whether or not they’ll deal him. Then all the other stuff can happen.
- Greg WI wish they secure Holiday but get rid of the over-priced hitters (Wells&Reos)
No offense can’t win games
MW: Other teams would rather take your great stuff than your overpriced under-achievers, though.
- David Gilbertyou deleted my posts again, that is not nice. it seems if you criticize JP you get deleted.
MW: Nope, people are welcome to criticize JP rationally. When you’re rude and/or insulting, your posts get deleted.
- jacoby“Brett Cecil ducked, dived, dodged and any other “d” word you can think of (not you, Drunk Jays Fans) ”
hahaha nice.
do you feel anyone will actually put up a good offer for Halladay? I’m starting to think a trade in the off-season is much more likely.
also, were you a little worried when that Mets-Jays rumour came out? I was scared that JP was asking for way, way too little.
MW: I wasn’t worried about the Mets rumour at all. In fact, I’d already had it debunked before I even saw it. I’m not sure anyone will pony up what the Jays want.
- Brendanoverbay hits 205 with an ops of 664 vs lefties
lind hits 295 with an ops of 780 vs lefties.
lind didnt play. i dont get it.
hes the best hitter on the team and has been “rested” 6 of the past nine days.
inefficient use of the lineup costs the jays again.
MW: We don’t know that it cost the Jays anything, though they’d have had a better shot with Lind, for sure.
- General Zodmike, you keep saying that the jays would have made the playoffs if they weren’t in the AL east if there was just one big AL. If you take last year and just take the jays record against the AL central and west and interleague the jays were 49-41. that was worse than all the other AL playoff teams so they wouldn’t have made the playoffs last year by that analysis. It has nothing to do with the AL east. the jays just are not a good enough team. the AL east is just an excuse. just because you keep repeating it doesn’t make it true.
MW: Just because you continue not to be willing to see the truth doesn’t make you right.
- jacobyI would call this “the one that got away”.
Overbay’s throw to second – horrendous, but it does happen, I guess. And the double down the line – it happens. I thought he would make up for it in the bottom of the 9th but the foul pop on the 1st pitch was very disappointing. Lee was very much on his game and was pitching in his Cy Young mode of last year.
It was sad to see Cecil get the no decision, but if he had won I would say he was very lucky given how he did in the first four innings. And he was pitching against a club who is very much struggling to hit. But he was great in the middle frames, going after the hitters and letting the defence make the plays. Undoubtably this will help his confidence and hopefully he can build on this start. I guess he goes again Sunday against the Rays.
Anyway, my question is what was Cito thinking putting Wells back at third in the lineup? He’s hitting well under .200 at home and was just coming off the flu not having seen the ball in over a week. So, not a surprise to see him go 0 for 4 given his condition and to perhaps miss a couple of catches in the outfield that he might have gotten.
I blame Cito for his decision to put him in an important place in the lineup. Do you think that Cito had some numbers indicating that he could hit against Lee at that part in the lineup?
I was very sad to hear the booing after Wells’ AB in the 9th. I go to alot of games and despite the fact that I don’t necessarily like alot of the team’s performances, I never boo the Jays.
Almost every single comment is on Halladay, and it is coming clear to me that if Halladay has to go, he will go in a package with someone like Overbay / Rolen / Scutaro to bring back a set of future superstars.
MW: I don’t know why that’s becoming clear to you, it’s never been really discussed even with all the rumours flying around. I’m not sure why Cito would have hit Wells third. Probably because Lind wasn’t playing and he didn’t want to hit Millar (Lind’s replacement) there.
- TimHey Mike. I went to the game tonight and had a lot of fun even though they lost! I saw you chatting with Sam Constanteno(forgive the spelling). I called your name out just before you left. I’m going to tomorrows game so maybe you could sign a program for me next to the fan 590 add.
MW: I was in the dugout before the game, chatting with Sam Cosentino, Larry Millson and Pat Hentgen. Didn’t hear anyone call my name, though – sorry about that.
- Matt visiting TOIf JP isn’t going to trade Roy, why would he put him under that media attention. Only reason I can think of is that he slipped his tongue to his American media and once again sucks at his job.
MW: Go back and look at what Ricciardi said when this whole thing got started.
- andrewHalladay
Marcum
Romero
Mcgowan
Cecil
If these guys could all ever stay healthy at the same time, would that be the best rotation in baseball?
MW: Could be. Remember, though, that Halladay’s the only one of the five who has ever pitched a full season in a big-league rotation.
- Hulk Hoganin only 15 ab’s eric hinske has 40% of the home runs that alex rios has for the whole season. yet he makes 15% of the salary. and JP paid him 5 mil not to play here. well done.
- jacobyHey Mike,
Fact: The reason Halladay gets moved, if he does, is because he doesn’t believe the Jays are going to be a winner in 2010 on.
Say an Adrian Gonzalez (or someone like him) does become available, why not make a push for him for some of our young pitching NOW instead of sell. A-Gon is signed through 2010 with a 2011 club option… Send the Padres a package of Mills, Rzep, Castro type prospect, Rios. Even if one of those pitchers has to be Romero instead. Seems like that would be more convincing of being a competing team then selling guys away.
MW: It’s an interesting idea to just ramp up for next year, and it would be fun to see them try to do it. That’s way too much to give up for Gonzalez, though.
- AlexHi Mike. Kinda’ cheesie what J.P. is doing with this so-called deadline.. Its Adam Dunnish.. If a team comes up with a beauty on the 29th, I dont think J,P, is going to say, I am sorry, I said the deadline was the 28th.. Give me a break.. Another thing Mike, Doc wants to go to a contender, yet he is not a lime light guy and he can pick a team that him and Brandy would like to go too.. Its a catch 22.. Doc is staying put, money is not an issue, and the irony of the situation is that the Jays might actually be the team that will make inroads in the next few years with all the young arms and great upside with the rest of the team which as already been proven.. Whats you take??
MW: Haven’t you been reading my take on this for the last week and change?
- FLIPPERHey Mike,
On the record, do you support an extension of JP’s contract? Or do you think his time has come to an end in Toronto after his contract ends or sooner?
MW: On the record? He’s not the best General Manager in the major leagues (have fun with that one, everybody!), so if they can find someone better after his contract expires, they should go for it. I don’t think, though, that he deserves to be fired.
- NitinMike, with the Halladay trade…. I want to know what happened to this year building the bridge to 2010. Why is JP giving up on next year by trading Halladay now? Why is he willing to write off 2010? Why not go for it in 2010 and trade him next July if we are out of it then? What is with this trade happening now?
MW: I don’t know, but I’ve posted my theories here on the ol’ blogaroo.
- Mac OutlawHey Mike,
Just wondering what is worse for you on a day like today: watching a heartbreaker like this one get away, or knowing that you’re going to get nothing but awful (and awfully uninformed) callers after the game?
I was actually relieved on your behalf when the show was over today.
Just for the record, Overbay is actually the worst offensive AND defensive firstbaseman in the league. I would also like to blame tonight’s loss on Vernon Wells…Vince Carter too.
MW: But not Josh Towers? I just can’t people how many people think Scott Rolen is a poor baserunner. Give your heads a shake, folks!
- BrandenI love the way you destroyed that caller tonight…
Caller: “Scott Rolen is a slow base runner”
MW: “Wrong, Scott Rolen is a very fast base runner”
Caller: “Vernon Wells is in a horrible slump”
MW: “Vernon Wells has been on fire for the past 10 games”
Caller: “Lyle Overbay has made 2 errors and both have cost us the game”
MW: “The other error that Overbay committed was in the first inning”
Great stuff, Mike. Keep it up.
MW: Sometimes it’s too easy.
- TexI think I’m one of those guys who see a loss like that and think of all the other ONe or two run losses and thinks, “Man, this team is right there, just a little more.”
I completely believe this team is better than their record indicates and am excited to see what happens both during and after the trade deadline.
What do you think Mike?
MW: Your record is your record, so you are what that record indicates, but I don’t think there’s any question that the Jays SHOULD have a better record, based on the games that they’ve actually played. They were right there last year, and pretty closer the year before, and they could certainly be right there again next year if things fall right. Things don’t ever seem to fall right around these parts, though. At least not this century.
- T.J.You have answered that question already: here it is.
It’s confusing, but I really think that the perceived change in the front office is because of the failures of B.J. Ryan and Vernon Wells and the lack of progression of Alex Rios and Travis Snider. Had those four players performed to expectations this season, then the Jays would have thought of themselves as contenders next year with this line-up and a healthy Marcum. McGowan’s problems rehabbing have something to do with it, too. If I’m right, it’s pretty shortsighted, because I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that this is the new benchmark for Wells and Rios, or that Snider won’t come up the last two months and be very good, and be very good again next year.
I don’t buy it. I don’t buy this “short-sighted” excuse of yours. I am going to suggest something more sinister.
Let me start by asking: How can the fan base have faith in the GM- or the team – if the GM himself admits they cannot contend? The team he put together – after 8 seasons of trying – cannot contend? JP is in a position where he has to dangle Roy Halladay-his best player – because of his inability to field a competitive team behind that player. In short, I fail to see why he is he still employed as GM. In fact, I would go so far to say that part of his willingness to deal Roy is out of his instinct for self-preservation. Maybe a blockbuster deal saves him his job. A blockbuster deal puts more time on his clock, gives him a longer leash. Meanwhile if he were to do what he should do – go all in in 2010 which is what the so-called “plan” was anyway, then we will all know next year what the result is, if he succeeds or fails. But dealing Roy now would put that off , what, another 2, 3, 4 years?
Your thoughts? Because I got to tell you, I’m not buying this short-sighted excuse of yours. Something else is going on.
MW: I don’t see how a blockbuster deal helps to save his job. Trading Halladay pretty much ensures that the Jays won’t be competitive for a playoff spot in the last year of Ricciardi’s contract. I don’t think he can sell “let me keep my job to see how these kids develop”.
- Mac OutlawMike, I always enjoy reading your comments, and listening to you. I never call in as I tend to agree with everything you have to say. I had one question with respect to yesterday’s blog. Why would they want to move Scott Downs? I’m sure he would be an attractive asset for most teams, but wondered why we needed to move him? Contract status? Free agent status?
MW: Yep. His contract expires after 2010, just like Halladay, Rolen and Overbay.
- JeffMW: You can’t rip the guy for lying to the press and then rip him for answering a question honestly.
I’m ripping the guy for talking to the media at all right now. He can’t avoid scrums. But he can avoid answering his phone. Maybe he could screen his calls or get his assistant to run interference. That way he doesn’t have to answer any awkward questions. Or at least he minimizes his chances of having to answer same.
Even in scrums he could manage situations a whole lot better.
Case #1:
What’s wrong with BJ Ryan JP?
Our doctors are evaluating him. Could be an oblique strain, we’re not sure.
Case #2:
Are you gonna trade Roy Halladay now that the season’s come apart for you?
C’mon guys. There’s a lot of season left to play.
If he answers that way in Case #2, there will be articles written about how he didn’t deny he was gonna trade Halladay. And that would bring GMs to his door in droves. Once this happens, he can ‘no comment’ the press to death and they can work their sources for the story. But he isn’t on record as confirming or denying anything. You might suggest that he can’t win if he does that because he’ll look shifty. I would counter with the fact that the story would be out, but it would be a bit less of a forest fire if he doesn’t add verbal gas to the flames every chance he gets to talk to the US media. (Oh and he might try to avoid statements like ‘this might cause a storm in places where such news causes a storm. Like NY, Chicago, LA, Boston…’ or whatever he said. I know TO is Hockey Central, but there are quite a few baseball fans here as well. He might prefer to think we don’t care. But we do. We have enough hilarious stuff written about our cute l’il Canadian baseball club in the US papers. We don’t need our GM to come out with this crap.)
And one more thing. Why are we dealing Downs? Don’t we need a decent closer? He had a rough outing yesterday, but in general he’s been solid.
MW: They’d deal Downs for the same reason they’d trade Halladay. And I fear that no matter what he does, Ricciardi can’t win with you. That’s the case with a lot of Jays fans. I didn’t see the “this may cause a storm…..” comment, but it’s not unfair. Baseball is a sixth-class citizen in Toronto, with the first four or five classes being hockey.
- isabella reyesHello Mike,
I’ve heard you say that “batting average doesn’t tell me anything” when a caller mentions a player’s average. You prefer more advanced metrics, I understand that.
Yet, to a couple of Vernon-bashers last night you were quick with the “Vernon is batting .370 [or whatever it was]in his last 10 games.”
You know your baseball, Mike, but you’re prone to cherry-picking the stats you use to support your points.
Including last night’s game, Wells has driven in one run (a solo home run)in his last ten. So, of all the runners on base during Wells’s at bats in the last 10 games, he’s driven in exactly none of them.
That’s not much production.
MW: It’s not much production, RBI-wise, but he did score seven runs in those 10 games, which is outstanding production. Who’s cherry-picking now? Truth is, in the time-frame of the post-game show, I don’t have a ton of time to get through all the slash stats and advanced metrics. And as well, most of the listeners aren’t that into the advanced metrics. Next time, though, I’ll say that Wells was hitting .372 with a .981 OPS over the last 10 games. How’s that? And by the way, telling me a guy is a .280 or a .300 hitter doesn’t tell me anything. But if a guy is hitting .370, even if it’s .370/.370/.370, that’s impressive.
- Evan WhiteMike. The answer to the second part of the question is Kevin Witt, who homered in the 8th inning of that second near no-no, Doc pitched 10 innings and the Jays won it in the 10th. That was in 2003, the Cy Young year.
I saw that Pat Hentgen was in town and was on the TSN telecast and I must say he looks really good. He looks like he could still pitch. I would have loved to see him and Halladay in the same rotation, both in their prime. I believe they were briefly teammates in Pat’s 2nd tenure with the club.
- PeterYou’re right, facing the Yankees and Red Sox every year is a reality. It’s also a reality that the Jays current approach to competing with them isn’t working. With their payroll,the Jays need to get younger and better. They already have this in pitching, but lack in significant hitting prospects outside of Snider who, for some unknown reason, they refuse to develop at the major league level. A Halladay trade could net them significant hitting prospects, though they now seem reluctant to do this, either for PR considerations or a conservative organizational approach that continues to make them an average team. The Jays won’t be able to compete with the rest in the division without an offensive upgrade, and because of payroll limitations, I don’t see how this can be done without acquiring younger talent and developing the youth they have. The same unfortunate story seems the same for the Jays: the only time younger players get a chance to stick with the Jays is due to injuries to lesser players at the major league level.
- Will, Oshawa“…opens the door to deals of guys like Rolen, Downs and Overbay”
Are these guys going some where? I’m under the impression that they are all solid players who make a pretty strong contribution here…
I’ve heard a lot of people mention recently “well they’re shipping off Doc they must be rebuilding.” At least from my point of view the Jays aren’t too far off. Am I wrong? Are the Jays entering some sort of rebuilding phase?
MW: I don’t think it’s so much rebuilding, but if they trade Halladay then what’s the point of having productive veterans (Rolen, Downs, Overbay) whose contracts expire after next season?
- ChrisHey Mike–I saw that Baseball Prospectus argument you cited a couple of weeks ago about how the Jays were the “8th best team in the majors.” Okay. If that’s true (debatable), then the question becomes, “what were they when Ash left them?” And bear in mind Ricciardi’s record is similar to Ash’s.
Baseball Prospectus also said: “in 2008, we argued the Blue Jays needed a change in leadership after six (now seven) years of mediocrity and lack of direction under Ricciardi”…then it goes on to talk about the passing of Ted Rogers.
With that said, the guy has made some good moves, but in the AL East there is no margin for error. Tampa Bay is once again a better team than the Jays, with a much smaller payroll. Results are results, especially when ownership has increased his payroll 40% over four years with nothing to show for it. Nothing.
MW: Nothing except two years with baseball’s best pitching and defense, which are supposed to be the foundation of championship teams. It didn’t work out. It tends not to work out. Ask Cubs fans.
- John from Victoria, BCOK, I’m not a Blue Jay Fan however a die hard baseball fan (truly doesn’t matter the team I cheer for),that being said I live in Toronto and am very well aware of the Blue Jays situation.
One thing that I can not understand is how JP Riccardi is still the GM of this team. Most of his “big signings” are very questionable and for the most part have not panned out. But looking past the signings, this guy seems to have a lack of respect for Toronto, Blue Jays fans/media and is arrogant to the point that, myself at least, can’t stand to listen/watch him.
For me this is even more evident when you have class acts like Pat Gillick and Gord Ash on the radio, you wonder why these guys are, for the most part, successful wherever they go, and it comes down to class, something that JP simply does not have.
Getting rid of Halladay is a good move, get a couple young guys that will hopefully be MLB starters within the next three years (one of which being a star hopefully) and firm up the great young talent that you already have in for the future. If all works out and with intelligent moves, you’ll be able to compete in 2 or 3 years.
MW: I continue to be stunned that people believe that being humble and nice are prerequisites for being a good general manager. The perception of the public of Ricciardi’s character is simply that. I’d wager that well over 95% of his critics here, on the air, and elsewhere on the blogosphere have never met the man.
- JasonMike,
Assuming that Doc is not traded, is it reasonable to think that he might be soured going into negotiations with the Jays for an extension? I know it’s largely just a business decision for both parties, but after all the hoopla about trading him it would seem kind of disingenuous to say to Doc in the offseason: “We love you here, sign an extension”. What are your thoughts on that?
MW: None of the hoopla has been generated by the Blue Jays.
- RBThe Jays are having trouble scoring runs. Randy Ruiz hit two home runs last night for Vegas. He is now leading the PCL in RBI. Last year, we had Wilkerson and Mensch. This year, it’s Delucci and Millar. Very sad state of affairs. Assuming that Snider’s back is better, shouldn’t they cut DD and Millar loose and promote Snider and Ruiz? If Snider is not ready yet, then how about Ruiz and Phillips (who is also hitting a ton in the PCL)?
MW: I don’t know about Phillips, but I’m with you on Snider and Ruiz.
- timbo44Hi Mike
I was at the game last night and as you described – an ugly loss.
The bad – The Overbay throw, the right play but poorly executed. Downs didn’t look sharp either. Falling behind the count, then the double to finish the Jays off.
The good – Cecil showed he has the ability to get himself out of jams. He struggled but was able to deliver those key pitches when he needed to. As you said, he will be a very good one.
I am also encourage with Rios, he had a hit going the other way, something he had not done in this year too often.
A question for you. While Boston and NY seem to have many hitters in their line up who pecks away and make pitchers earn their outs, traditionally, the jays don’t seem to have players to do so, even in their glory days with the exception of Molitor and Olerud. Is my observation correct or am I just imagining it?
Francis
MW: You’re not imaging it, the Red Sox and Yankees are among the most patient teams in the game. The Jays have Scutaro, Overbay and Lind, though, who tend to go pretty deep into counts on a regular basis. Downs was ahead 0-2 when Martinez hit the double, by the way.
- francisTough one for Lyle, however it should never have come down to a one run game at that time anyway. Throwing errors happen to the best of em and he did make the right play at that time.
I am trying here to be rational and reasonable! In a previous post I put the blame on Cito as to a few losses. Last night, and for the life of me I could not understand the logic behind Vernon hitting in the 3 spot and Lind warming the pines (regardless of a leftie on the mound).
I can’t say those two moves or non-moves were to blame for the loss. I can say, in my book Cito did not give the team the best chance to win. Especially, when it turned out to be a one run game. Adam Lind needed a day off like we all need a second head. Other than he himself not feeling well, he should have been playing. I just don’t get it!
I think as to Romero being in the studio on Friday for Baseball Today it will depend on his outing on Thursday night. Likley just me being a bit cynical here but I think Romero may be a tough interview as time goes on.
Nothing beats confidence in whatever we apply our trade at, however my gut tells me Romero has to tone it down a bit as to getting too over confident. Just based on what I have seen and heard from him of late, nothing more. His actions on the mound however do speak for themselves. He is gonna be dynamite for the Jays!
Wow – no kidding Mike, if Doc stays and Cecil, Marcum and Romero keep on doing what their capable of doing the Jays will have a powerful starting rotation in the immediate future. Cecil has one powerful arm doesn’t he! That sinking fast ball is wicked to say the least.
This Toronto Sun poll with regard to J.P. is ridiculous to say the least. No matter what anyone says J.P. has done a fantastic job with what he has put on the field for the Jays organization over the last 3 years or so. Not to mention the minor league talent he has stored away. Jays fans will have plenty to cheer about for some years to come. If some of the Jays hitters had been doing their jobs (risp in particular) J.P. would have been the “toast of the town” over the last couple of seasons. The GM can’t win games, or swing the bat he can only supply the tools required. JP has done that very well and better than most.
Red Sox – yikes, 4 in a row into the loss column and those “damn Yankees” have taken over the AL East lead. Imagine that Blue Jay fans, even the best can go on a losing streak!
Take care Mike and keep up the great work you do.
Thank you.
- Bob from BurlingtonMike,
Thanks for the info about how the broadcasts work. When I am driving for work I have enjoyed the baseball show at noon.
I saw the 9th inning. It’s tough to have guys on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and the ball hasn’t left the infield because it was hit there. Overbay made the right decision on the throw because the ball got to him quick, he’s lefthanded which makes the play easier, and he has a cannon for an arm. The ball just sailed on him. I would think that there would be more issues if the play was a mental blunder, not a physical one.
The Halladay stuff is getting beaten to death, so I am more interested in what you think the Jays are looking for when looking to deal the likes of Rolen, Overbay, Downs? Is Downs a free agent, or is he tradeable because of value? If we have him for the next couple of years I wouldn’t think of moving him. I think Barajas would draw some interest, although picking up a catcher as a rental for a contender probably wouldn’t happen if teams look at how games are called and dealing with pitchers.
MW: I think they’d be looking for salary relief in trading Rolen and Overbay, and maybe a helpful piece, and they’d be looking for value if they deal Downs, who is a free agent after next season. Scutaro and Barajas should be dealt, as well.
- Aaron KerQuestion about back ups for the catching postion. How is the injury progressing for the backup catcher who injured his shoulder earlier in the year. Thanks
MW: Michael Barrett is back playing as the back-up in Las Vegas. He’s healthy enough to be in the majors, but the Jays are happy with the job that Raul Chavez has been doing and don’t want to lose him on waivers.
- JimWHY trade downs?
MW: Same reason you trade Halladay, kind of.
- mikeHi Mike
It appears to me that for the Jays to seriously contend next year(which would go a long way to convincing Roy Halladay to stay beyond next year assuming he isn’t traded this year) three things have to happen:
1) starting pitching has to be healthier and if it is healthier it will be better. That’s not to say it hasn’t been surprisingly good this year. It has! However, clearly one more healthy arm(probably Marcum) together with Romano, Doc, and Cecil, as you said in your blog would be quite a strong starting staff.
2) The Wells Rios dilemma has to be addressed and this is a tough one. Clearly, together with the d.h. problem(#3 below), this failure to produce even close to expectations is costing the Jays several wins(lots and lots of one run and extra inning losses). With the Jays having, you would think, as good a group of hitting instructors as there is(including Cito), the availability of video of all prior at bats in the last several years, good and bad and what I would assume is the players’ commitment to improving, it is very worrisome that both players, especially Wells continue to stuggle. It is hard to imagine any other contending teams having less production in home runs, rbi, slugging etc collectively from what should be their top two run producers.(not to mention Albert Pujols alone is miles ahead of them as a tandem).
3) The first two issues cannot be blamed on management and re pitching J.P. has done a great job of getting so many good pitchers of m.l. calibre. The third problem, the d.h. problem I believe is his major failing.
Clearly, in the A.L. a reasobly good, middle of the road d.h. is critical, especially to a team that does get into so many close games. I realize Travis Snyder(or Lind) was supposed to be the d.h. and if Snyder had not slumped and gotten injured, the problem may not have been there. However, once he was no longer here, the Blue Jays, I would suggest have had one of the worst collection of d.h.’s in baseball and certainly among the teams striving for post season play. You must admit that the production from the left handed hitting group of Inglet, then Adams, then Delucci has produced almost nothing. The right handed d.h. has been not much better.
Since I would suggest that a decent d.h.( not necessarily the best, i.e. one who would produce over the season 35 h.r. and 120 or so rbi.s but simply one who could get you 15 to 20 h.r. and 85 to 90 rbi’s), would normally be responsible for 15 to 20% of run production(the expected average of all hitters 1-9 in the lineup being 11%), the fact that our d.h.’s have produced almost nothing, clearly has cost the Jays several wins(keeping in mind all the close games). I can’t imagine why when it became obvious that d.h. was a problem, J.P. couldn’t have put together a reasonable package and obtain a middle of the road d.h.!
Assuming we get that d.h. for next year(hopefully Snyder/Lind) and assuming Wells/Rios improve somewhat(even if their production was half way between what it is now and what would be expected, it would still be a huge improvement)and assuming the pitching is on schedule(see #1 above), their is no reason to trade Doc since with him and with all the above improvements the Jays should clearly contend and maybe even get in the playoff.
What do you think?
Thanks.
MW: I think you make some valid points, but it all depends on what the Blue Jays are able to get back in a Halladay deal.
- LorrieMichael,
What are your thoughts on signing Rolen to an extension?
I know he is 34 but even if his range declines he’s still one of the best defensive third baseman in baseball.
Also, I wonder if the way he’s changed his approach at the plate might not help him decline slower than other hitters might. It at least suggests that his brain is larger than his ego.
MW: I don’t think signing Rolen to an extension is a good idea. It’s unlikely that he’ll provide value close to what his salary would be beyond the age of 35.
- Uncle BenHey, Mike, speaking of Rickey, please do me a favour and propose to him that his official nickname be “RR Cool Jay.”
Reasons:
1) He looks a little like LL Cool Jay.
2) He’s cool (witness his strut off the field after an out.)
3) He’s a cool Jay.
4) If he doesn’t accept the name, he’ll be doomed to be known as “Romey.” (i.e. Hillsy, Wellsy, Lindsy, etc.)
Go Jays Go!
MW: This isn’t a hockey team – there’s no one on the Jays who is referred to as Hillsy, Wellsy or Lindsy.
- Colinmichael,
if you were asked to rank as of today (the jay non pitchers) for mvp status thus far for complete & overall contributions. what’s your order from the obvious candidates…
hill, rolen, lind, scutaro (don’t think i’m missing anyone) no consideration for perhaps barajas or rios correct?
MW: Rolen, Lind, Scutaro, Hill.
- darrell bishopHi Mike,
I see Ruiz whacked two more homers yesterday for Vegas.How much longer can the Jay’s weak offense go without giving this guy a chance?Even Dopirak would be worth a try compared to what we are getting from the present lineup.
MW: So might you be, though.
- PaulMike,
Why are the Jays still searching for a future power hitting impact first and third basemen?
Didn’t they draft Ahrens and Cooper for those purposes?
Why did the Jays decide to sign Kevin Millar and Dave Delluci when they had equally great players in Wilkerson and Mench?
And isin’t wonderful to be BJ Ryan, Frank Thomas, Billy Koch, Erik Hinske and Corey Koskie right now? Money is free at the Rogers Centre!
MW: It’s not so wonderful to be Corey Koskie, and Eric Hinske isn’t scandanavian. I would have thought that you would have more insight into the baseball draft.
- Jordanhey mike
long time reader, first time commenter/question asker.
I’ve been wondering these past few years why the jays did away with post-homerun fireworks. A homerun horn just doesn’t do it for me.
When they switched to the field turf a few years ago, I was told that fireworks were bad for the turf. But, like many, I was at RR cool J’s Canada Day start and I couldn’t help but notice the rather extravagant fireworks display after the game.
I already emailed the blue jays directly about this a couple of weeks ago receiving no reply. I just wanted to know what you thought.
Thanks
MW: I really have no thoughts about it, other than the Canada Day fireworks shot upwards and the old home run fireworks went sideways and sort of down. That might have something to do with it. I don’t like the foghorn.
- mattIF ROY GETS TRADED AND LETS SAY HE WINS 2 RINGS, DO YOU THINK HE WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE HOF AS A BLUE JAY?
MW: Why are you yelling at me? If he wins those two rings with the same team and is there for more than just the rest of this year and next (and he goes into the Hall) then he probably gets inducted with that other team.
- mikeWho do you think will be better long term, Romero or Cecil? Also what (if any) Jays do you expect to get a September call up this year?
MW: First question about September call-ups! Mazel tov. I haven’t even started to think about that yet. I think long-term that Cecil will be better, but Romero is starting to really grow on me.
- MikeWhy deal Downs? Why trade the best lefty in pen? Who’s gonna close.. Fraser?
thanks
“He wants to deal Halladay early, if he trades him, because a Halladay trade opens the door to deals of guys like Rolen, Downs and Overbay”
MW: See above.
- DeeMike,
I feel as if Kevin Millar’s time as a Blue Jay is almost up. Sure he is a great clubhouse guy, but his production on the field stinks. I believe Randy Ruiz could do a better job in his position, and his numbers in AAA seem to be increasing everyday. How long do you think it’ll take before a change is made?
MW: I’ll wager it happens around the end of the month.
- DarylHi Mike,
A 42-2 record for games in which the Jays have the lead after the 8th inning is not entirely reflective of what happened last night (that’s when people attack you for being apologetic and stick to the rosy part of the story)…
Instead, last night was a 1-run game… The record on 1-run games for Toronto is 11-16 – the worst record in the AL east!!! They simply can’t win close games for lack of clutch hitting and fielding …
MW: Lack of clutch fielding? Are you serious?
- AxlIt would be nice to add McGowan to that long term jays core rotation in addition to Doc (or whoever they get for him), Romero, Cecil and Marcum. Somehow I get the feeling he will be back at some point in 2010. Or perhaps i’m an optimist!
MW: I certainly hope he’ll be back, but it’s not something on which anyone can count.
- Anthony Lhey mike, I thought you said tampa was just lucky and they would falter this year. oops guess what they are on track for 90 wins. how do you explain that. I thought you cant compete with the yanks and sox on a low payroll. tampa doesnt make excuses they just win.
MW: Yeah, that’s it. They also did lose at least 92 games for 10 straight seasons.
- mikeyHi Mike,
I think the Jays should’ve strung the mets along for awhile longer even if jp was never going to take what the mets were offering. (i know there are denials about what was offered but where there’s smoke…) make the phils think doc was about to be shipped to ny and force gillick’s hand a bit. JP should be playing the same game with the yanks and bosox, rangers and angels. time to get serious about getting the best possible deal for doc now and that means sparking a bidding war. remember, the only worse than not getting doc is seeing your rival get him. we should be gaming this a bit better methinks.
MW: Where there’s smoke, there’s often a steaming pile of crap, which is what that Mets story was. How do you know how the Jays are playing this at all?
- marcHi Mike.
Two points:
1) Given recent events, I think it would be very difficult not to trade Roy Halladay before the trade deadline at the end of this month. Apparently, JP Ricciardi publically stated to members of the American media a while back that he is willing to listen to offers for Halladay. While this is in reality the position of all general managers concerning almost any player, when a GM states it publically to the media (especially a superstar like Halladay), it becomes an instant media frenzy and you can’t put the genie back in the bottle. While JP may have done this to try and get fans in other cities demading that their teams pay whatever price it takes to bring Halladay to their club, it also has the effect of signalling to Halladay, his teammates, Jays fans, etc. that Halladay may be on the way out. Also, given Halladay’s recent statements indicating while he likes/loves Toronto, he also wants to ‘win’ (meaning playoffs / world series), I don’t think it’s a stretch to see that he already has one foot out the door…..how can Toronto simultaenously be trying to win now while at the same time be willing to consider trading away their ace starter and best player for younger players and/or prospects? If Halladay is not traded before the trade deadline, I think the ongoing relationship between Halladay and the Jays will be very awkward moving forward for as long as Roy remains with the team with Ricciardi as GM.
2) I hear this argument that the reason why the Rays were able to leapfrog the Jays and win the American League East Division and League Championship titles last year was because they had a lot of high draft picks and drafted ahead of the Jays. Well, how does one explain why teams like the Boston Red Sox (who draft much lower than the Jays in the draft order each year) have a better crop of good to great young players on their major league roster than the Jays do right now who were drafted in the years after JP assumed duties as Jays GM in November of 2001 (Buchholz, Lester, Papelbon, Bard, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Masterson, etc….)?
MW: 1 – Halladay loves JP. 2 – Some of the Red Sox draft picks were made because they were able to go after players with signability issues, but some were just terrific picks that worked out really, really well. You didn’t even mention Youkilis in the 8th round.
- jimHi Mike,
What do you think of Brian Dopirak and Randy Ruiz? Do those guys actually have a future with this club?
Thanks!
MW: Dopirak might, Ruiz doesn’t.
- BradMike…I have heard mixed things…is there a market out there if the Jays wish to unload Rios?…also if Hallayday goes do you expect to see alot of other Jay trades as well?
MW: There’s definitely a market for Rios, and if Halladay goes I don’t know if I expect to see a lot of other trades, but I expect them to try to make a few other ones.
- StratMike…Thanks for your “Black Monday” story . That was awesome. I heard it called Blue Monday, but that might be me confusing it with a New Order dance tune from the ’80′s…I think both our memories/stories of that day speak volumes from a different era, you at the dentist and me at school making up stomach cramps, but still trying to hear the game being the bottom line. Back in those days, you just made sure you were around a t.v. or radio at any cost. And it wasn’t even the Jays playing.. they were still trying to find themselves and the Expos were a wonderful team. Still wished Jim Fanning had brought in Jeff Reardon, instead of Steve Rogers, but hindsight is always 20/20…Expos/Yankees would’ve been interesting if it was meant to be.
- chris m.Mike
If Jays trade Doc at the date suggested and also traded some of the vets suggested (say Downs, Rolen et al) what is next for them? I mean can you rebuild (that is what may happen) with Wells (untradeable) and Rios (difficult to trade)? There is a future but is there enough? I am worried about the future.
MW: You’re not alone. But I think with Marcum, Romero, Cecil, maybe McGowan, Lind, Hill, Rios, Snider and whatever the return for Halladay is, the future looks pretty good even if they trade Halladay.
- Joe S,MW,
What are the Jays doing putting Vernon Wells in the # 3 spot in batting order? To me, this is robbing Rolen and the team of an RBI opportunity. How many 260 hitters with his home run total are hitting 3# in the AL?
To my question: Have you noticed that when Well’s gets a pitch on the inside half of the plate he ‘wings’ his elbows upwards as if the pitch was going to hit him and many times it gets called a strike? To me, he takes himself out of the play when he does this because he has no hope of swinging from this position. I have been watching this all season and the opposing pitchers are onto him now. They throw there to set him up and then give him the sweeping outside pitch which inevitably he swings at.
He may have had some luck with this pitch a couple of years ago but he it’s one the things that is killing the team now and the fans are getting on him for it. The boos were pretty loud last night.
MW: That they were. Derek Jeter does the same thing on strikes on the inside black, by the way. Way worse than Vernon.
- GeorgeUgh, David Delucci in the starting lineup again? Forget the horrendous last dozens of games the Jays have played. Seeing Millar or Delucci in the lineup everyday over Ruiz is really inexcusable.
MW: There are concerns about Ruiz’ ability to hit big-league pitching, but I think they have nothing to lose by giving him a shot.
- HalyconLet all those without blame cast the first stone, it ain’t gonna be me. I was at the game last Friday night and though it’s difficult to see from behind home plate, Lyle’s swing seems to be more fluid now. I’m back Aug. 4 and I’ll be in my usual seats on first base side, so will check things out then. Mike the reason for this next observation is you have access to the players and I don’t. For a long time I’ve thought Johnny Mac should be the starting ss, but, of course, he can’t hit a lick. At 5’9″ and 160 Nellie Fox was about the same build, but he knew what kind of hitter he was and was quite successful as a singles hitter. JMac needs to reinvent himself, maybe experiment with the bottle bat (35 inches, 42 ounces) that Nellie used. One thing for sure, whatever Mac has tried in the past isn’t working for him. So what’s to lose.
MW: McDonald is actually hitting .294 (TINY sample size alert) this season. Nellie Fox was a Hall of Famer, you can’t compare the two.
- Richard HennesseyMW: Has Halladay said that he doesn’t think the Jays can win?
Well, he has said that he wants to play on a winning team. And he has told the Jays that he is not signing an extension with them. And he has said that he really loves playing in Toronto. So you can pretty much conclude that he doesn’t think there is gonna be much winning going on in Toronto. You know being in the AL East and all and Rogers not wanting to open the vault too wide.
—————————-
MW: Overbay didn’t make a mistake, he made a bad throw. Downs made a mistake. The pitch very obviously wasn’t where it should have been.
Say what. Downs’ throw was not where it was supposed to be, and it’s a mistake. Overbay’s throw was not where it was supposed to be and it’s not a mistake !! ???
Please
MW: Halladay hasn’t told the Jays that he won’t sign an extension with them. I’m not sure where you think you heard that. I was thinking about the Downs/Overbay thing pretty much as soon as I typed it, but it’s not the same thing. Downs was trying to throw the ball to a specific spot, Overbay to a general area. That’s the difference. The equivalent for Downs would have been a pitch that the catcher had no chance to grab.
- kitYo mike 2 questions
who do u think is going 2 end up taking over 4 Beeston
and when JP is fired after this season who will replace him, or is that up 2 the new president who will replace JP
MW: 1 – No idea. 2 – What makes you think JP will be fired after this season?
- DanielInteresting, how AJ Burnett (9-4) is no longer a .500 pitcher, now that he’s a Yankee. Yea, it’s funny how that works.
MW: Funny, indeed. He was 18-10 last year, as a Blue Jay.
- alexDear Mike, you seemed to have a vast baseball knowledge. Please enlighten me regarding my comment.
In last night’s Blue Jays game against Cleveland, with the at-bat of Sizemore that resulted in the Overbay error.
Sizemore, when he squared to bunt, he clearly steps out of the batter’s box. His left foot is entirely behind the plate which should have resulted in an automatic out and the play being dead. I’ve noticed this in other games and as usual no call.
I was a Level 3 umpire for years for Baseball Canada where most rulse are the same as Major League Ball.
This non-call may have cost them the game.
Any comments.
Thanks
Larry, Sunderland, Ontario
MW: It’s different in the big leagues. You’re allowed to do that, you’re out if the ball beats you, whether you get tagged or not, you’re allowed to run inside the line to first and you don’t always have to touch second to turn a double play.
- Larry NichollsJuly 21st game,nineth inning,bunt by Cleveland was it legal? Batter’s left foot was behind home plate before contact with the ball. Thought both feet had to be in the batters box.
MW: See above.
- hugh rutledgeHey Mike
If Halladay is dealt, it will guarantee that 2010 will be another rebuilding year. The deal will have a domino effect, and the team will likely move other players as well if possible (ie Scutaro, Rolen, Overbay, Downs, etc, etc). If Doc is dealt, we finish last in the AL East in 2010, and i actually think this is the best plan for the team. This scenario also determines JPs fate, as a last place finish would surely lead to his dismissal, or at least they won’t re-sign him.
Do you think its possible JP will decide to keep Halliday, knowing that by moving him he will be out of a job in 2011? The more i think about it, i don’t see a deal getting done….
MW: I don’t think Ricciardi would keep Halladay in order to save his job.
- ricka perfect example of why late round picks aren’t necessarily bad is matt laporta. He was originally drafted by the red sox (surprise surprise) in the 14th round but didn’t sign. the following year was drafted 7th overall. obviously the sox saw some potential in him. all you need is a couple of these flyers to turn into stars. I doubt the sox just randomly pick.
MW: There are a lot of guys who get drafted in the 10th round and much later out of high school, don’t sign, and wind up being top-3 round picks. They’re often wasted picks, since the team knows there’s a very high probability that the player won’t sign.
- mikeyHey Mike,
Do you think the Jays should bunt more? I think that if there is a man on second and nobody out you should bunt them over to third. That way a ground ball or a sac fly will score a run.
Now I know most people don’t like to trade an out for a run let alone two outs for a run but I think that with the Jays pitching they don’t tend to allow a lot of runs so the Jays should play for the one run.
The Jays have had the best pitching and defense the last few years, their only problem has been scoring runs. A lot of fans feel that the Jays need a big homerun guy but I don’t think so. They just have to do the little things to score.
Last nights game was a perfect example. Twice they had a lead off double and both times they failed to even bring the guy to third. If they bunt the runner over then a sac fly could have brought home a run. If they get both those runs they probably would have won.
Now i have a real quick question?
If you reach on an error does your OBP go up?
Thanks
MW: I don’t think the Jays should bunt more. If you reach on an error, your OBP goes down, just like your batting average, since it counts as an out.
- Paul B.Mike,
Please thank Jerry for playing that wonderful clip from 20 years ago today. As the both of them collapsed into giggles like little school kids, I was laughing so hard I was crying right along with them. That’s the beauty of the fact that he worked in radio. Anytime you guys want to, you can break out a tape, not just of the signature calls, but of the many priceless regular season calls. There he’ll be with that big booming baritone voice that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I never knew the man personally, but I miss him a ton. I can’t imagine how the people that interacted with him on a daily basis for 7 (and you always hoped for 8) months of the year dealt with it.
While Tom can never ever be replaced, it helps to have a man of Alan’s wit, abilities and perspective to carry forward the tradition of excellence in the Jays radio booth. Jerry and Alan work really well together and love to have a great time in the booth along with Tom Young (engineer [spelling?]) and yourself. Your pre and post-game contributions add greatly to the broadcasts along with your bonus noon hour show. You have incredible restraint is all I will so about the post game and baseball show phone-in stuff. ;)
It’s been very gloomy in Blue Jay land for the last little while. Whatever happens with all the potential changes (my own personal opinion is that it’s time to build around Hill, Lind, Snider, Romero, Cecil and whatever other young, controllable assets come back in trades, but I can empathize with those who don’t feel that way) on the horizon, we can be sure that the radio broadcasts will be in excellent hands, hopefully for many years to come. In fact I’ll go one step further and paraphrase Mark Twain by saying: (thanks in part to you guys) the reports of baseball’s demise in the city of Toronto have been greatly exaggerated. Thanks for all the hard work you guys do to keep us entertained and informed.
Finally, what is with all the people who keep saying this team is in a constant state of re-building and that we’re the same as the Marlins, Twins, A’s etc etc blah blah blah. JP’s purge began in 2002 and now re-building is needed again in 2009. That sounds like a reasonable cycle for a team whose ownership is not prepared to spend with the big boys of the AL East. They never keep their own players??? 1)Re-signed Wells, which admittedly doesn’t look good at all right now, but ownership stepped up extremely large 2) Re-signed Halladay twice to avoid free agency 3) Signed Rios and Hill to long term deals, and there may be more that I’m not thinking of right now. Point me to one of those “constantly re-building” teams that is able to consistently avoid free agency once their players reach that part of their career…What’s that? Silence…I thought so. You cannot have it both ways. You can’t complain about players leaving for free agency, while at the same time whining about the long term contracts to lock up products from our system, so that they don’t leave. I’m sorry, but you can’t. Period.
Also, can you tell Jerry to feel free to haul out the Tom Cheek clips anytime he feels so inspired. It never gets old. Thankyou all,
- Tom the InternMW: Just because you continue not to be willing to see the truth doesn’t make you right.
what exactly is truth? you never give any specifics or examples just generalizations like the jays cant win in the al east. I proved that the jays wouldnt have made the playoffs last year. I actually spent time researching your point of view to see if it was true and it wasn’t. if it makes you feel good to delude yourself that’s fine, but I want a winner not a feel good story.
MW: How did you prove the Jays wouldn’t have made the playoffs last year?
- jacobyMW: On the record? He’s not the best General Manager in the major leagues (have fun with that one, everybody!), so if they can find someone better after his contract expires, they should go for it. I don’t think, though, that he deserves to be fired.
why do you have to wait till his contract expires? if you can find somebody now then why not make the move now?
MW: Obviously, they’re either not willing to do that or they haven’t found anyone who is better and available.
- jacobytampa doesnt make excuses they just win.
MW: Yeah, that’s it. They also did lose at least 92 games for 10 straight seasons.
You’re interpretation of the Rays’ recent success continues to astound. In terms of run differential they have been the best AL team for 260 games now, have won the AL East, and have gone to the World Series. And yet you continue to denigrate them. I think it’s time to dust off your favourite phrase, “as it turns out” Tampa Bay is actually pretty good….and I goofed. And we can all move on. The idea that the Rays are terrible and lucky was cute for a while but it has clearly run it’s course by now.
MW: I have never said that the Rays were terrible. Not once (since the end of 2007, that is, when they of course were, and had been for the entirety of their franchise history). The Red Sox have a better run differential than they do since the beginning of last season (which I assume is your starting point), and by 44 runs. There’s no question that Tampa Bay is a good team, none whatsoever. And I haven’t really argued that for about a year now. But are they this huge, non-stop juggernaut collection of incredible young players who will be contenders for years? Nope. But that’s cool, go ahead and hear what you want to hear.
- the stat ladyre post 27
the perception of JP is caused by noone other than JP himself. and this perception is also reinforced by people who actually have met the man. let’s ask buck martinez, ernie whitt, keith law, adam dunn. there are a lot of people besides fans who dont like JP.
MW: Yep, like three guys he’s fired (ok, two he’s fired and one with whom he “mutually parted ways”) and a guy he insulted on the greatest radio show ever. Consider the sources.
- jacobyMW: How did you prove the Jays wouldn’t have made the playoffs last year?
I am not going to repost it again. go back and read it.
mike, have you noticed that in almost all your responses to any post you take an opposing view no matter what the post is? it seems like you just enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing. like the other day when I said the jays were 3-12 and you said no they were 4-11 and I had to post again until you finally admitted you were wrong.
MW: No, I read it. The question still stands. Go back and read every single one of the comments or yours that I have allowed to be posted, and ask again who enjoys arguing for the sake of arguing.
- jacobyMW: And I fear that no matter what he does, Ricciardi can’t win with you.
No, you’re wrong about that. I’ve said many times on this blog that I think he has an excellent eye for young pitching. The depth of the pitching staff is a credit to him. Go back and check. You’ll find those posts. If he really does pull off a blockbuster trade which helps this team move towards contention and away from mediocrity I will praise him to the skies.
However, it’s true, the media-whore aspect of his character rubs me the wrong way. And this team isn’t rich enough to absorb the amount of money Ricciardi has tossed down the drain in the past few years. I read an interesting article recently that suggested JP is an excellent GM for a team with a restricted payroll. But, the article said, he ran into trouble when he was given money to spend. I think that’s a legitimate assessment of his skills.
To me, the important question is this: will he leave the Jays in better shape than he found them. I guess we’ll discover the answer to that at some point fairly shortly.
MW: I don’t think we will. I think that if Ricciardi leaves after this season or next, we won’t likely know the answer to that question until four or five years hence.
- isabella reyesMW: Yep, like three guys he’s fired (ok, two he’s fired and one with whom he “mutually parted ways”) and a guy he insulted on the greatest radio show ever. Consider the sources.
forgot bart given as well. can you name even 1 person who dislikes gord ash?
MW: I can name a few. Have you ever met Gord?
- jacobyre post 69
you always have to take things to the extreme. nobody said tbay was a juggernaut. but you did bash them last year when you said they wouldn’t win 90 games when it was clear they would. and then you said their bullpen was a fluke. and then you said this year they would falter and I clearly remember you saying early in the season when they were struggling that “they won’t be back in the playoffs for a long time”. It’s almost as if you want them to fail to justify your belief that the al east is just too hard. so you’ve finally acknowledged the rays are good. OK we can move on.
MW: We can move on? Does that mean you won’t be posting six angry, snarky comments a night anymore?
- jacobyyo mike i asked why u think that he will not be fired
ummmmm lets c
how many years has he been here……
how many years does he need 2 work out his plan
the problem this year has largely been hitting, and injuries are not 2 blame for that
he has assembled a team that cant hit thats it
no power, i love hill, and scutaro has been doingfine but who signed wells, and rios (and ryan) 2 those ridiculous contracts
and dont say “well bj got injured” because that doesnt cut it, unless its like rivera, no way he should be signed 4 that much money
MW: Ryan turned out to be a horrible signing, no question about it. But you’re saying Ricciardi should be fired because he doesn’t have a crystal ball.
- Danielk wilner cmon
stop defending JP
he is pretty much in the bottom tier of MLB GMs plz just admit that
how can the rays compete
alot of there top players are not the product of drafting in the top 5 in the draft they have gotten better by making a few good trades, and thats bout it, but granted they did get good drafting spots but Kazmir, Garza, Pena, etc… so dont say well cuz they suked for 10 years its why they are soo good
plz admit that because i think that more people agree that JP sucks than disagree
and i agree with jacoby 100%, they are not good enough for the playoffs
MW: Kazmir came out of a trade deadline deal that the Rays were able to do because they sucked. Garza came in a trade with the Twins in which the Rays gave up Delmon Young, who they were able to draft because they sucked. Pena was pure, unadulterated 100% luck, and that can’t be argued.
- Danielmichael,
i saw your team mvp ranking order from my post yesterday.
rolen 1st. nice call there fella. you know your stuff indeed.
and hill last in the order of 4 after scutaro. interesting i must say. boy, i guess it would be fair to say that you’ve really come around on scutaro as a ball player in the last yr. or so?
yes?
MW: It’s not that I have come around – he has.
- darrell bishophow was kazmir because they sucked
and plz just admit already that JP is a terrible GM, just admit it no more excuses
and also u didnt respond to the fact the vernon and (maybe less so) rios were terrible signings as well
MW: Kazmir came over in a trade deadline deal – the Devil Rays were major sellers because they sucked. J.P.’s not a terrible GM, there’s no rational argument to be made that he is. Rios wasn’t a terrible signing at all, and so far Vernon has been, for sure, but I think that came from Paul Godfrey, not JP. Remember as well that all the same talk about how horrible for the fans and the city a Halladay trade would be was coming out in reference to allowing Wells to leave as a free agent.
- Danielalso JP has been below-average at best in drafting
MW: Not even remotely true.
- DanielHi Mike…..I’m okay with most things JP’s done over the years and would rather see him finish this then fire him….my main concern here is when JP was brought to replace Gord Ash his main purpose was to dump his high priced players…mainly Delgado (18 mil a season). I feel that if JP is fired then his replacement will be asked….to get rid of JP’s high priced players…those being Halladay, Wells, Rios, Rolen and the soon to cash in free agent Scutaro…..wouldn’t it be worth a try and sign all these young guys (Cecil, Lind, Romero, Listch, Marcum) to reasonable long term contracts before they peak. If they continue improve year after year and let them play themselves like we did with Rios…(a series of one year contracts) to the point where when we needed to sign them to long term deals we’re to afraid to let them leave because they may actually turn out to be the star we thought they were? Thanks Mark
MW: But he did that with Hinske! And it didn’t work! And he had to pay $5 million for Hinske to play for the Red Sox! I don’t think that if a new guy comes in, his job will be to dump J.P.’s high-priced players, because beyond next year, the only one is Wells.
- Mark FeeleyMike, re #71 and others.
The suggestion to “go back and read (previous posts)” prompts me to wonder whether or not your “techie” guys could arrange an archive of posts “by author”?
For anyone who might be interested in checking out the dialogue with a particular poster (or on a certain subject), such an archive would be a big help, as opposed to having to scroll through 100+ posts per day for several days.
Any chance to “make it so, Scotty”?
MW: I doubt that very much. And you’re mixing your Star Treks.
- NormRe #81, Star Trek — how am I “mixing” them? Are you saying you never heard Kirk say “Make it so, Scotty”?
I know my memory is old and bad, but that is one of which I’m sure (or at least “pretty sure”)!
MW: No, Kirk never said “Make it so, Scotty”. “Make it so” was a Picard thing.
- Norm