10:40 AM Eastern
How amazing it is that Alex Rios finally made his debut with the White Sox Wednesday night, and they played 14 innings without scoring? Rios went 1-for-6 with a single, hitting third and playing right field, and the Sox lost 1-0 to the Mariners in the extra-inning thriller. They went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Could he possibly have taken it with him? If so, the Jays got back a whole lot more than “financial flexibility” when they let the White Sox take him on waivers.
Even though it’s probably up on the podcast, here’s Wednesday’s edition of The Pre-Game JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
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Tonight, it’s Roy Halladay in St. Pete against the Rays, in what won’t be his last start as a Blue Jay. It’s also the Jays’ first chance to test if the bad mojo did indeed leave town with Rios (remember, he hadn’t actually gotten into a game with Chicago until the Jays finished their series with the Yankees. It’s a stretch, I’ll grant you, but that’s how mojo works).
We’re on the air at 7:00 PM Eastern for a 7:38 first pitch, but make sure you tune in to Baseball Today at noon as well. We’ve got a terrific interview with Jays bench coach Brian Butterfield about infield instruction, teaching defense, etc. Also, we’ll have Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus, and we’ll talk about run differential and why it seems to be a predictor of results for everyone but the Blue Jays. Are they a real outlier or does it just seem that way?
Also, a softball update – in my final regular season game (but not the team’s), I went 2-for-4 with a single, a double and two runs scored in a 15-8 loss. The great Shi Davidi’s brother-in-law, Jason Wang, was on the hill for the opposition, and we actually had a nice little duel in my second at-bat, with me fouling off three or four two-strike pitches before flying out to centre.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome.
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Hi Mike, again, great show, you are keeping things interesting for us Jays fans who really care about this team. I’m going to ring in on the Rios fiasco and give you my reasons why I think this was a straight salary dump. I realize we won’t know for sure for sometime yet but I think my argument has some merits.
Although ownership and JP have not officially admitted the “compete in 2010″ plan is toast I feel that the actions of this team speak volumes about where the direction of the team is heading. Many things did not go well this season for the Jays which I feel have caused ownership and JP to re-evaluate the competitiveness of this team in 2010. BJ Ryan falling apart, Wells horrendous season, the ineffectiveness of Rios to mature to the next level and the non development of Snider have all set this team back. Money can overcome many of these obstacles but ownership has shown they are not willing to spend with the large market teams at this point so those obstacles are insurmountable.
If we had Doc signed through 2 or 3 more seasons I think you would have seen the Jays hang on to Rios and give it a shot in 2010-2011. The fact is, Doc is gone at some point next season. In the unlikely event the Jays are in a race come end of Aug 2010 they will still have no choice but to get something for him while they can. When Doc stated he was going to test FA after 2010 the Jays plans were re-written and this latest move is step one in moving to a rebuilding process.
This finally bring me to my point about why this was a salary dump. Clearly this move was not based on clearing salary for just 1 year. It was done to clear salary for next year and beyond. This move along with the Rolen deal “saves” the Jays about 17 million dollars next year. This does not mean they have an extra 17 million dollars to spend on upgrading the team. The Jays have an 80 million dollar payroll this season and before these moves had 80 million allocated towards 8 players for 2010. They now have about 65 million allocated to 7 players for 2010 with a conservative estimate total payroll of 75 million for 2010 BEFORE they sign any free agents. Add Rios’ contract to that number and they are up to 85 million with no dependable LF (Snider is not dependable yet…), no SS or backup MI, no C and the weakest, thinnest bench in the majors.
My final point to all this rambling is that the Jays did not free up 17 million dollars to spend this off season. They simply dumped salary to allow them to eat V. Wells salary along with BJ Ryan’s’ salary in 2010 and give the illusion that they can spend in the off season to replace Rios. The Jays had the 6th highest payroll obligation in the entire league going into 2010. They needed to dump more salary just to show the illusion that they will be able to spend this off season to maintain their current payroll.
What does that tell you Mike about their prospects for 2010 and beyond? Competetive team in 2010? Maybe…if Wells rebounds, Snider can develop into an every day major leaguer (which I think he will), they can sign a starting C, SS, DH and possibly a 3rd baseman and backups (no more retreds, please!) for $5 million dollars? Obviously that is not possible which is why they decided to cut bait on Rios when they did and will begin to refocus on 2011 and beyond.
I’ll still be there cheering for them through the rough seasons so it is that much sweeter when they do get back to the top. Thanks for you time Mike.
MW: It will all depend on where the payroll sits next season.
- GeeBy now, I suspect you’ve seen the comments that Jayson Stark on ESPN.com has from former teammates who slag Rios’ work ethic. Cito sounded a similar, if more diplomatic, note on FAN590 the other day. What do you make of these kinds of comments, even if those making them aren’t willing to put a name to them? Is Rios’ laziness overblown, and if not, is it something you can see improving in Chicago? The way his overall stat line has been progressing might back up the contention that he’s not entirely dedicated to continually improving himself.
MW: There always seem to be those who will rip guys after they’re gone. The proof will be, as they say, in the pudding. Rios has five years to change the way those people see him.
- mike from ottawaHey Mike,
I’ve never said thankyou for these podcasts ! There great, and allow me to not have to sit in my car drinking coffee late at night listening to the show.
Just wondering though, whats your opinion on keeping Scutaro next year ? Keeping with the idea that we are not going to compete next year, unless, certain guys step up and some savy signings are made of course – i think it would be exciting to get the extra two draft picks since Scutaro will be a type A free agent.
What a coup for Riccardi if some team signs Scutaro and we reap the benefit of two high draft picks. I think this would totally soften the blow of ( in my opinion ) us holding on to Halladay and letting him walk for nothing (cept those two picks!)at the end of the season.
Or, i could see us signing him for the next two years at some team friendly rate. But, i believe you’ve said many times on the show that a guy who has one good year with 8 other mediocre years shouldn’t be regarded as the guy who had that good year, but rather the guy who he has been throughout his career.
In my opinion, Scutaro is not worth the (8 million?) for two years and the loss of those valuable draft picks. Though, if this draft is any indication, it does’nt look like we’d even sign those extra draft picks even if we did get them: Come on Marsinick sign already !
- DaveHey Mike,
So ideally, you’d like Figgins at 3rd next year? Who do you like as a bopper? There’s not many sure things out there this off season, and let’s face it: that’s what this team really needs.
Guerrero? Abreu (no longer a bopper, but still a solid hitter)? Dye? Ordonez?
And thus, here’s the thing about the ‘Rios savings’ argument: who are you gonna get for less/the same money who’s a better player with more upside? No one.
MW: With more upside? You’re right – no one. But someone with less upside who performs as well or better than Rios has the last two years? There are lots of those. I like Travis Snider as a bopper, which would give the Jays Snider, Lind, Hill, Wells and Encarnacion as 20+ homer guys, which is good.
- peteThe Blue Jay curse is spreading like the disease it is. Now all the Jays have to do is trade almost everyone on the roster to every team in the AL and it will usher in the second deadball era which the Jays will dominate for years to come.
Now what is the likelihood of seeing Brian Dopirak playing for the Jays next year at 1st base? Are they going to stick with Overbay for next year or try and trade him? I have been able to watch some las vegas 51 games lately and two guys really stuck out: Snider and Dopirak. In fact i saw the game where Dopirak got 7 RBIs. Thats the kind of production the Jays could use at 1st base next year. Your thoughts? And what about Ruiz at DH for next year? He has a very nice swing and can hit the long ball as he has demonstrated. Should the Jays go with him or go to FA market? I would rather see the team spend money on trying to sign Figgins at 3rd, re sign Scoot, and see what catchers are out there. DH is a position that someone from Vegas could play like Ruiz or Brett Harper. Spending big money on DH I think is a big risk, unless we were to get a good DH in a possible trade for Overbay. But if not I like Ruiz there for next year. What do you think?
MW: I’d like to see more of Ruiz before answering. I’ve seen some great swings, I’ve seen some ugly ones. I’m sure Dopirak stood out to you if you saw him drive in seven runs! He’s bound to get a shot, maybe even this September so the Jays don’t risk losing him as a minor-league free agent.
- RichieMichael,
Is Adam Loewen playing 1B or LF in the minors?
Also, do you know anything about his defense?
MW: He’s been playing mostly right field, I believe, and I don’t know much about his defense.
- Uncle BenMike. Do you think Ruiz will have a role on the Jays next year?
MW: See above.
- JonathanI guess at this point in the season, it is too late for this to make a real difference, but I hope next year Aaron Hill is put in the 3 or 4 spot so his home run stroke doesn’t go to waste.
Some numbers:
Of Aaron’s 27 HR’s this year, only 2 of 27 (7%) were with 2 or more runners on base. Compare to the AL East’s current cleanup hitters:
Jason Bay – 5 of 24 HR’s (21%) with 2 or more ROB
Ben Zobrist – 6 of 19 HR’s (32%) with 2 or more ROB
Aubrey Huff – 3 of 13 (23%) with 2 or more ROB
A-Rod – 1 of 21 (5%) with 2 or more ROB (A-Rod’s ’09 season appears to be an outlier – his career rate is 77/574 HR’s – 13%)
Even within the Jays, Adam Lind, who has been in the 3/4/5/6 spot this year, has hit 6 of 19 HR’s (32%) with 2 or more ROB.
Even looking at Aaron’s 13 2-run shots this year, only in one instance was the runner on base NOT Marco Scutaro.
Now, how many more runs could really be scored with Hill in the 3 or 4 spot I don’t know, but with the number of one-run losses the Jays have suffered, it’s a question worth asking, no?
MW: Assuming he would have had the same production hitting fourth. Cito’s not sure.
- J.M.Do the jays make a run for Delgado in the off season?
I’m thinking 1-2 year 4 mil. a year isn’t unreasonable for both sides seeing as he is coming off the big injury but was mashing bfore that.
MW: I think he’s too big a risk, I doubt he’d get that big a guarantee.
- SimonMike,
A couple months ago you disagreed with me on this blog about Vernon being a below avg CF defensively. Have you changed your mind? Perhaps this will help, courtesy of battersbox.ca.
Worst Fielders in Baseball
Fielder UZR 150
Vernon Wells -24.4
Chipper Jones -20.7
Yuniesky Betancourt -18.8
Dexter Fowler -18.3
Andre Ethier -18.1
Brad Hawpe -17.2
Jermaine Dye -17.1
Mike Lowell -16.1
Not only is he a below avg CF, he is the worst fielder at his respective position in all of baseball.
MW: According to UZR.
- RichardMike,
I find all this talk about the division the Jays are in a bit tiring. Every year teams will make the playoffs with worse records than teams that do not, it happens in every sport. Unbalanced schedules happen in other sports as well. Granted a balanced schedule is the fairest method, but the Rogers Corp doesn’t seem to be fighting for it; they seem to like the extra dates withthe Yanks/Sox. Yet this is constantly touted as a reason. I think it is an excuse and anyone, professional or not, will take advantage of an excuse if it is given to them. I wish the organization, media and fans would just accept that it is the way it is, stop fixating on it and start to examine just how to overcome this obstacle, just as you have to do with injuries. Every team has them, some years worse than others, but they are not limited to a single team only. I personally think that to compete it is a very simple formula. If they cannot outspend them (and even that does not guarantee competing), they have to be smarter than them. 1 – We have to be better with the money alloted to the payroll. With approxiamtely $35 million of payroll wasted over the last few years, it doesn’t seem like we are taking advantage of the money we have. 2 – They have to be creative with trades. Such as being both buyers and sellers at trade deadline as opposed to the relatively little action we have seen other than this year. 3 – Draft well. We seem to be doing this one well with the constant stream of pitchers coming along and Hill, Lind and Snider if he actually fulfills his potential. I would like to see a few more positions players coming along in the next few years though. 4 – Scout well at the major league, minor league, amateur and international levels. Don’t know what the scouting staff situation is now, but I remember the staff taking quite the hit at the beginning of the JP reign. I would be happy to see some of the Rios cash invested in the scouting department. Let’s get the best scouts available. 5 – (And this goes back to #1) Never, ever overpay someone to play for you regardless of who that player is. The Jays money is as green as any other team’s. If a player wants more to play here, move on. We overpaid, by JP’s own admission for AJ and BJ to make this a destination. That didn’t work, winning makes Toronto a destination, not overpaying free agents.
All this said, how would you rank the 5 GM’s of the AL East: Cashman- NYY, Ricciardi-TOR, Friedman-TB, McPhail-BAL and Epstein-BOS
Hope it was reasonable and rational and devoid of spelling and grammatical errors:)
MW: It was pretty solid, but to dismiss the fact that the Jays play one of the three toughest schedules in all of MLB every single season as an “excuse” isn’t really fair. As far as how to rank the GMs? Good question. I guess I’d go Epstein/Friedman/Ricciardi/Cashman/MacPhail right now, but Friedman and MacPhail haven’t had that much time in their current jobs yet.
- TomaHey Mike,
That’s not a bad theory and based on my own understanding of the “Mojo Effect” you just might be on to something there.
Some people wonder why Accardo hasn’t been called up but there’s a much more reliable arm in the minors that we could use. Tiny Tim Collins? No! Jason Lane! Dude’s been lights out! Hasn’t allowed a baserunner all season and strikes out a batter per inning. I don’t know his FIP ratios offhand but I’m sure they’re phenomenal. Bring this guy up!
Go Jays.
MW: Jason Lane?
- KPWhat style of pitching is used in your softball league? We use an underhand-teardrop style in our Beaches co-ed league.
FA 2009-10: I agree with your opinion that Nick Johnson would be a nice add (lifetime .400 OBP!) – Where would he play on defense, though if Overbay stays?
Also, do you see Miguel Tejada being a candidate for SS next year? Or would he be likely out of Toronto’s price range? I ask this because I originally never thought we had a chance at Furcal last winter, but it seems the Jays made a competitive offer until all that “craziness” went down between LAD and Atl.
MW: It’s underhand, no arc but no windmill. I would DH Nick the Stick if he and Overbay were both here. I don’t see Tejada as a candidate for shortstop, he just hasn’t hit enough in the past few seasons prior to this one.
- Adrian, co-alumnusmike, why do you put so much importance on what carl crawford did when he was 20?
MW: I don’t. Didn’t you see the breakdown of the 2005-forward numbers?
- mannyHi Mike
Given the choice of signing Guerrero, Huff, Matsui or Abreu for the DH spot, who would do you think the Jays should, or is there someone else you have in mind ?
MW: Given those four, I’d go with Abreu.
- Alex HHello Mr.Wilner,
I was just wondering if you heard anything about Boston trying to acquire Marco Scutero at before the trade deadline? They really need solid contribution at that position. If they hadn’t tried to make a move to get Scutero then it’s a shame on the Redsox management.
Who knows, maybe they tried but couldn’t make a deal?
He’d be a great fit on that team.
Thank-you.
MW: Was Jed Lowrie already back on the DL by then?
- UltimateBLUEJAYSfanI read that Cito is thinking of not re-signing as manager of the Jays after 2010. Do you know of any prospective out-of-work or in-the-wings type guys who could fill in off hand? If so who would you like to see take over for Cito? Just wondering. Great show, keep up the good work.
JOE in T.O.
MW: It depends who is available in the winter of 2010/11, but I’d love to see Brian Butterfield get a shot.
- JOEThat is how mojo, and karma, and every other force in this universe works, although Jose Cruz Jr. didn;t really take it with hime. Let’s hope you are right.
OK Blue Jays…Let’s play major league ball!
- T.J.Hi Mike,
Why is it your last regular season game? Please tell me you weren’t designated for assignment!
Mike, I was watching the Yankees/Mariners game last night and I have to say, the Yankees are a juggernaut. It was like shooting fish in a barrel against Ian Snell, although he did pitch into the 7th inning surrendering 8 runs. These guys are a force. The only weakness I felt they had was in the bullpen, but they seemed to have found the right mix. Phil Hughes has been outstanding and Coke and David Robertson have pitched well to bridge the gap to the Great Mariano Rivera. CC Sabathia fanned 10 over 8 innings and Burnett has been good as has Pettite. Joba Chamberlain has been much better in the second half but I see him as a reliever in the post season. They are scary good, but they should be with that kind of payroll. I am not a Yankee fan at all, but I must admit, baseball isn’t baseball without the Yankees being the best and everyone hating them because of it. The 80s were weird because for most of that decade, the Yankees had some bad bad teams. I prefer it this way. Its like in hockey, something is wrong when the Habs aren’t a powerhouse.
MW: It’s my last regular season game because I can’t make the next one – I’ll be working.
- Ian from WhitbyDorpirak has been consistent all year in AAA
what is your take on Dopirak? what do you believe is the jays’s take on Dopirak?
if Rogers don’t put money back in the jays, is there any chance Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie will buy the jays and move them to Hamilton????
MW: Dopirak hasn’t even been in AAA for a month. I’d like to see him get a shot, because if he doesn’t, he’ll walk as a minor-league free agent. No.
- eddyHi Mike, with Scutaro being projected to be a Type A free-agent, will it not hurt his chances of another team signing him to a free-agent contract. The way I see it, other teams will be as reluctant as the blue jays are to offer a 33 yr old with one very good season under his belt a long term contract. To have to surrender a first round pic and risk going long term , I dont see it. If the Blue Jays offer Scutaro arbitration, I think he be wise to go that route if he cant work out a longer term. Do you agree??
MW: It depends on how the market is shaking down early on, but you make a very good point.
- douglas mccallumOn today’s pregame show Jerry Howarth had some pretty strong things to say about the lack of work ethic of Alex Rios. This is not the first time Jerry has made critical comments about a player after he left town.
Wouldn’t the criticism mean more if he said it while Rios was still here??
MW: You’ll have to ask Jerry that, I guess.
- Mike Show about jerry tearing rios a new one? Ive never heard Mr. howarth like that…perhaps those stories written by Jayson Stark were true…on the other hand, “who gives a @#$%?”
- jphey mike
i’m sure this is just a silly rumor but my friend said he heard the jays are in talks for a new stadium is there any merit to this or just something that i shouldn’t bother listening to, i tried to look online but found nothing.
MW: I haven’t heard anything serious.
- joe from new jerseyMike, why Joe Inglett? The guy is 31 and has 1 years worth of ab’s in the majors for his career. Is there really nothing better at this stage of the season in rf? The whole organization has no of prospects? Ruiz, Inglett and Bautista really? This is helping the organization? I don’t understand please explain?
MW: Obviously Travis Snider is ahead of all those guys, but the Jays are waiting until it’s safe to bring him up. Ruiz deserves to be here, as does Bautista, and Inglett is a fine bottom-of-the-roster guy.
- ScottI just saw that Accardo was sent down to Las Vegas and that Janssen was called back up to take his place. Has Accardo really fallen off the radar, bullpen-wise, for this team to have Hayhurst (whom I assume is still on the roster), Janssen (will he be starting or in the ‘pen?) and Carlson (whom I know is a lefty and is used as a situational arm out of the ‘pen, but has been pretty ineffective most of the year)? Does he have more options left than the rest of the lot I’ve just mentioned?
MW: Yes, except for Hayhurst, who is already in Vegas.
- Jonah“What happened to Michael Barrett?
MW: He came off the DL and is playing in Las Vegas. He’ll likely be back in September.”
He hasn’t played since July 3, and his name isn’t even listed on the 51′s roster.
MW: Hmmmm, this bears further investigation.
- BrettThis might be a bit odd but I came across it while playing a baseball video game so bare with me.
A guy was running home and there was a teammate almost directly behind him , there were also less than two outs.
The first guy runs into the catcher and the catcher goes flying but holds onto the ball and he is out. However the other teammate takes advantage of the incapacitated catcher and scores a run.
First thought that came across my mind was “how legal is this?”, the next was “why don’t teams try this late in the game down by a run/tied or in a walkoff situation”.
Is this something that is too ethically wrong to even think about trying? Or is it just to rare a situation to even try it?
I was also wondering how the run would be scored if this situation took place.
Thanks
MW: It’s a very rare situation, indeed, but so long as umpires continue to allow catchers to block the plate (which really is against the rules), it could come up. It’s not something a team could plan for though, I don’t think, and I’ll keep my clothes on, thanks.
- KevinIf the Jays re-sign Scutaro is it possible to have him play 3rd if the Jays can find a shortstop to replace him?
MW: Why wouldn’t you keep him at short?
- SteveMichael,
Just an idea for your noon hour baseball show, how about an interview with Adam Loewen?
I’d be interested to hear what he thinks has helped him turn around his hitting.
MW: I don’t think he’s turned it around, he’s just kept on improving, but having him on is a good idea.
- Uncle BenMW: You’re the first of many to post a link to this article, and I have to say I’m disappointed in Posnanski.
I guess this means you don’t agree with him. Too bad.
MW – for reasons only he knows, doesn’t consider the terrible contract signed by Michael Young.
What is wrong with Michael Young’s contract.
__________________________
MW: Did I say that? If I misspoke, that sucks. Sorry about that. They were only 83-79 in 1983, though.
The Jays were 89-73 in 1983, just as the original poster said. You could look it up. That was the Tippy Martinez picking off three Blue Jay base runners in one extra inning season.
MW: What is wrong with Michael Young’s contract? Nothing if he continues to perform as he has this year (but there’s no reason to expect he will, given his age and his performance the last three seasons prior to this one). Correction taken on the ’83 Jays – weird what memory will do. Sorry to the original commenter.
- alexMichael,
Do you think if the Jays were to sign Figgins they would let him run as much as he does in LAnehiem?
If the Jays can’t get Figgins in the off-season what would you think about Beltre?
He’s younger than Figgins, is a better hitter (on the road a career .829 OPS), better defender at 3B, and is younger. Plus, I imagine he’d be a whole lot cheaper.
MW: Beltre is a more powerful hitter than Figgins, no doubt, but he’s another one of those right-handed hitters who absolutely refuses to take a walk, and the Jays just got rid of one of those. I would hope that if Figgins were to come here, they’d let him run.
- Uncle BenI’ve had two weeks to digest the trade of Scott Rolen and the better part of a week to cook on the Rios departure and I suppose I’ve changed my tune to some degree. Here in Ohio where I live, I have access to three different daily newspapers that cover the Cincinnati Reds (The Cincinnati Enquirer, the Dayton Daily News and the Columbus Dispatch). The opinion of all three beat writers is that the Rolen trade is a terrible trade for the Reds and they cannot understand what the Reds management is thinking trading two promising arms for Rolen when the Reds will be lucky if they are in the race next year. On top of all of this is the fact the Reds are probably going to try and get rid of Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo because they are too expensive given the teams current financial state. Taking on Rolens contract seems to make little or no sense.
In regard to Alex Rios, I guess the thing that baffles me is how a guy can be worth Matt Cain just 20 months ago (and nearly worth Tim Lincecum) and now all he is is a salary dump. Either way this looks bad for J.P. because he could have gotten a top of the line pitching prospect for Rios and failed to do so, or he signed his third ill advised contract in three years with Frank Thomas and B.J. Ryan being the other two. You have stated many times the Vernon Wells contract is the fault of Paul Godfrey so I’ll take your word for it. Riccardi is establishing a track record of bad signings no GM would want. Seeing Rios leave is something I suppose I can live with if the club re-invest the money. According to ESPNs Jayson Stark, since signing his long term contract 16 months ago, Alex Rios had become just another player. Rios major league ranks since the beginning of last year are as follows:
Slugging-110th
Home Runs- 99th
Average- 105th
On Base %-169th
To be fair, I wish Stark had also included Rios numbers from the season and one half before he signed the contract.
MW: The reasons for the change in Rios’ value are that back then he hadn’t signed the big contract yet (and no one has ever said the Giants would have traded Cain) and the last season and a half of production, as you illustrate. The Ryan contract was signed almost five years ago.
- Jim in OhioMike, you had to foul off 3 or 4 pitches before you actually made solid contact with a softball?
Please tell me it’s fast pitch and not slo pitch.
MW: See above.
- PaulHey Mike, I never really understood Hill in the two spot, as one of the previous posters has mentioned. Sure he’s putting up great numbers but one could only imagine what his numbers would be batting clean-up. I don’t understand Cito’s decisions. Lyle Overbay is an ideal guy to be batting after Scutaro. Doesn’t anyone in the organization (JP) bring this to cito’s attention.
In September I would like to see this line-up, although I highly doubt it
Scutaro
Overbay
Lind
Hill
Snider
Wells
Ruiz/Dopirak
Chavez/Barajas
Inglett/Bautista
One last thing, how much do you think Nick Johnson and Chone Figgins will go for in free agency. I’m thinking 5-6 year contracts at about 10-12 million a year? Am I close? Sure would be nice seeing them in T.O. next year.
MW: You’re not close – neither of them would command a contract in that neighbourhood, that’s way too lengthy and too rich. I’d love to see them both here, too.
- DimitriosOne of the very bright spots this year has been the catching.
Throwing runners out — unbelievable last night. The combination of the pitcher holding the runner on and the effectiveness of the catcher.
This is the BEST catching we have ever had on this team— from inception.
I certainly hope the Jays will at least [the very least] bring back Chavez in 2010.
And not to mention the effectiveness of the pitching staff has been in large measure due to the calling of the catchers and the way they have handled the young pitchers.
MW: Gregg Zaun deserves as much credit for the way he called games and handled young pitchers the last few years. I think theyll try to bring back one of Barajas and Chavez, or both, but I’d love to see some offense there, too.
- Gary RHi Mike….just woke up and started to watch the highlights and I see Rios just dropped another routine flyball in centre field. Sox were up 6 to 1 and Oakland came back to tie the score 7 to 7. Fortunately for Ozzie they did win it in extras. JP must have been smiling as much as me. It just goes to show you no matter how much talent a guy has, he still needs to perform on the field, and not go through the motions. Rios’s downfall will always be the edge he brings to the game and unfortunately for us Blue Jay fans we lost a guy who could have had it all if not for his make-up. We are a better team without him once we bring in his replacement…unfortunately Joe Inglett isn’t the replacement. Until then let’s hope Snider comes sooner then later.
- Mark FeeleyWhat is the latest on Marcum and McGowan? I heard Marcum may finish the season in the minors due to his back and it set him back a bit but have not heard anything on McGowan, is he getting more strength back in the shoulder or is their no progress?
MW: I think we might see Marcum in late September for a start or two, McGowan is done for the season after having knee surgery in July.
- RoyceHi,
i like Jerry Howarth a lot (though I cringed when he went on about how signing John McDonald was the Jays second priority after Scutaro!!!), but I also remember how he ripped up Carlos Tosca after he was fired – after, of course, having nothing but good things to say about him BEFORE he was cashiered.
Re Figgins: Not sure what all the excitement is about. First of all – why (beyond a lot more money) would he want to leave his current ideal situation in California for a team that’s floundering and has a history of going nowhere? (the knowledge that “Cy” Marcum might be back shouldn’t be enough to influence his decision!).
They’d have to offer him A LOT more money than most other teams (I won’t hold my breath), and what would they get? A cog on a winning team for sure, but one who will be 32 next year, around the point where his chief asset – his speed – will probably start to diminish significantly… I read in your blog that he wants to play for Cito – but how long is Cito going to be around, and when was the last time a player actually changed teams because he wanted to play for a certain manager, or coach? Can’t think of an example..
Anyway, after another wasted season, I think this will be the off-season where we’ll see J.P. finally dispatched, a new president, Doc traded (regrettably), and some sort of new strategy for competing spouted by the freshly hired GM.. it might not result in much, but at least it will provide a spark of hope…
- KenHey Mike,
Just so you know, Mike, it’s okay for two people to have different opinions. It’s also okay to be wrong once in a while. I didn’t write anything bad or vulgar or rude, i was just trying to make a point.
Thanks Mike
MW: I wish I could remember the comment of yours that I deleted. It must have been rude, insulting or smarmy, because those are the ones with which I just don’t want to deal, and enough of which I have long since had.
- quinnerHi Mike,
I’m afraid I missed Jerry’s comments about Alex Rios on Friday. I searched the FAN590 website but couldn’t find a download or a transcript. Do you have any ideas where I could locate Jerry’s comments?
Thanks Mike.
MW: I think they’re lost into the ether. They might be in the archives in mlb.com audio, though.
- LindaMichael,
Millar is hitting clean up again?!?
What kind of message does that send to your starting pitcher? “We’re going to put a .236 hitter with no power in the cleanup spot so you better not give up any runs because we don’t plan on scoring any.” Is this Cito’s devious plan?
MW: I doubt it.
- Uncle BenIf the Jays re-sign Scutaro is it possible to have him play 3rd if the Jays can find a shortstop to replace him?
MW: Why wouldn’t you keep him at short?
Didn’t J.P. say he was looking for a shortstop and catcher in the off season (or did that include a possible resigning of Scutaro) Anyway at some point the Jays have to think about finding a younger guy at short with a better range. And besides right now we have nobody at 3rd who can hit.
MW: Man, people are awfully hard on Encarnacion. He has a better offensive track record than Scutaro does.
- SteveHey Mike,
I’m going to be camping for a few days at Algonquin Park and I don’t want to miss any of the Jays’ games! Do you know what radio station the game is on in the Algonquin area? Thanks!
MW: Try CKAT 600 in North Bay.
- Justin from ArdtreaMW: Jason Wang, was on the hill for the opposition, and we actually had a nice little duel in my second at-bat, with me fouling off three or four two-strike pitches before flying out to centre.”
JW: It appears that Mike had trouble catching up to my fastball in underhand modified softball (that means not fast pitch/windmill).
I think I can K him if we meet in the playoffs. Stay tuned for further updates.
MW: I doubt that will happen. Interesting that you didn’t mention the two ropes I hit off you after that at-bat.
- Jason Wang