Comments on: One Pound Of Flesh, Just For You http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/ Covering the MLB with a focus on the Toronto Blue Jays Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:15:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Prokopec http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41891 Prokopec Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:35:59 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41891 OK Mike since you are being a bit more reasonable I have to make a confession. I have turned on Cito. It started with a game in July I think. I don't remember all the details but he pinch hit for Chavez with Barajas and then bunted Barajas to second as if he forgot he couldn't pinch run for Barajas. Then his refusal to play Ruiz and justifying it by saying theres a reason he's spent all that time in the minors. Not starting Wells when he had a 10 game hit streak. Not starting Rolen when he had a 20 odd game hit streak. Anyway I used to love Cito, but he is completely done. I'd like to see the Jays get young and hire Bob Melvin next year. OK Mike since you are being a bit more reasonable I have to make a confession.

I have turned on Cito.

It started with a game in July I think. I don’t remember all the details but he pinch hit for Chavez with Barajas and then bunted Barajas to second as if he forgot he couldn’t pinch run for Barajas.

Then his refusal to play Ruiz and justifying it by saying theres a reason he’s spent all that time in the minors.

Not starting Wells when he had a 10 game hit streak. Not starting Rolen when he had a 20 odd game hit streak.

Anyway I used to love Cito, but he is completely done.

I’d like to see the Jays get young and hire Bob Melvin next year.

]]> By: cURTIS http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41886 cURTIS Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:13:38 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41886 If the Jays do decide to up the payroll and try to play with the big boys in the division, what do you think of the Jays giving Jim Thome a one year deal to DH? I don't have an issue with an outfield of Lind, Wells, Snider with Bautista as #4. That would give them the feared bat for the middle of the order. MW: I like Thome a lot. If the Jays do decide to up the payroll and try to play with the big boys in the division, what do you think of the Jays giving Jim Thome a one year deal to DH? I don’t have an issue with an outfield of Lind, Wells, Snider with Bautista as #4. That would give them the feared bat for the middle of the order.

MW: I like Thome a lot.

]]> By: Nick http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41849 Nick Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:53:22 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41849 In response to comment 125, they look at last years record to break a tie. The team with the lowest record from the previous year will get the earlier pick. Mike, Do you have any insight into what kind of GM AA will be? Will he more of a stats guy, or stats guy, or a combination of the two? Thanks in advance, and thanks for a great year! MW: A combination of a stats guy and a stats guy? I think Alex will use all the information at his disposal, scouting, stats, everything. In response to comment 125, they look at last years record to break a tie. The team with the lowest record from the previous year will get the earlier pick.

Mike,

Do you have any insight into what kind of GM AA will be? Will he more of a stats guy, or stats guy, or a combination of the two?

Thanks in advance, and thanks for a great year!

MW: A combination of a stats guy and a stats guy? I think Alex will use all the information at his disposal, scouting, stats, everything.

]]> By: Rick Keffer http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41843 Rick Keffer Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:04:44 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41843 The firing of JP was long overdo although I do believe he has done a lot of positive things I think his time had passed. I think the end of last season would have been the best time as he had done too much damage last year, Stewart, Thomas. It was the time then to bring in a proven guy to finish the job, I only hoped that it is not too late now. There are a couple of great pieces in Lind and Hill, and some capable guys around them, Scutaro, Barajas, Wells a hopefully improving Snider. Fill in a few wholes and try to take a run with a healthy pitching staff. Jansen in the pen and hopefully McGowan, Litch, Purcey and Marcum in the rotation, or go out and sign a capable #2 to make Roy feel better and share the his load. Great job this year, Mike. MW: Stewart? The firing of JP was long overdo although I do believe he has done a lot of positive things I think his time had passed. I think the end of last season would have been the best time as he had done too much damage last year, Stewart, Thomas. It was the time then to bring in a proven guy to finish the job, I only hoped that it is not too late now. There are a couple of great pieces in Lind and Hill, and some capable guys around them, Scutaro, Barajas, Wells a hopefully improving Snider. Fill in a few wholes and try to take a run with a healthy pitching staff. Jansen in the pen and hopefully McGowan, Litch, Purcey and Marcum in the rotation, or go out and sign a capable #2 to make Roy feel better and share the his load. Great job this year, Mike.

MW: Stewart?

]]> By: Shelly F. http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41842 Shelly F. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:59:58 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41842 Interim President & CEO Paul Beeston's decision to appoint the 32-year-old Alex Anthopoulos the team's new General Manager could be a brilliant choice. I think that Alex's first move will be to appoint the New Senior Advisor to the GM... and his name is Pat Gillick Finally, Mr. Beeston will be true to his word and I expect that he will announce within the next 60 days his successor and the 'new President & CEO' of the Jays... and his name is... Paul Beeston! MW: That wouldn't be Beeston being true to his word. He's said at every opportunity that he has no interest in the full-time gig. Interim President & CEO Paul Beeston’s decision to appoint the 32-year-old Alex Anthopoulos the team’s new General Manager could be a brilliant choice. I think that Alex’s first move will be to appoint the New Senior Advisor to the GM… and his name is Pat Gillick Finally, Mr. Beeston will be true to his word and I expect that he will announce within the next 60 days his successor and the ‘new President & CEO’ of the Jays… and his name is… Paul Beeston!

MW: That wouldn’t be Beeston being true to his word. He’s said at every opportunity that he has no interest in the full-time gig.

]]> By: Raps Fan http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41835 Raps Fan Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:14:21 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41835 Hey, Mike WOW, J.P is gone! do you think this was the right move? Also in hiring Alex.A? What do you think is his first move? And do you think Cito will be back now ? for next year? Mike Wilner for CEO of the Blue Jays! MW: All your questions are answered above. Hey, Mike

WOW, J.P is gone! do you think this was the right move? Also in hiring Alex.A? What do you think is his first move? And do you think Cito will be back now ? for next year?

Mike Wilner for CEO of the Blue Jays!

MW: All your questions are answered above.

]]> By: isabella reyes http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41833 isabella reyes Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:05:02 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41833 MW: How did this “Wells had a poor 2008″ myth get perpetuated? You’re not the first who has said this as though it’s a fact. Vernon Wells batted .300 last year and was the team leader in home runs, if I recall correctly. He had 20. But even so, his power output was way down from earlier years--2007 wasn't great either. I remember discussions about his apparent power outage, so that might be the source of the 'Wells had a bad year last year' stuff. Also, there have been a bunch of references here by you and others along the lines of '2008 was a great year for the Jays'. And it was a winning year. But the team was playing very frustrating baseball in the spring that year and sporadically throughout the early summer. They were bad enough to get their manager fired in mid-season, and the fans were grumbling like crazy. Their record improved dramatically when Cito Gaston came aboard. So whatever he's perceived to have done wrong this season, he did a lot of right last season. MW: You're giving the "Vernon had a bad 2008" crowd WAY too much credit. The 20 homers came in exactly 2/3 of a season, and his .496 slugging percentage was the third-best of his career. Gaston didn't do a lot of right last season, he just provided a different voice for an underachieving team and came along at the right time. Remember, the team went 20-10 last May. MW: How did this “Wells had a poor 2008″ myth get perpetuated? You’re not the first who has said this as though it’s a fact.

Vernon Wells batted .300 last year and was the team leader in home runs, if I recall correctly. He had 20. But even so, his power output was way down from earlier years–2007 wasn’t great either. I remember discussions about his apparent power outage, so that might be the source of the ‘Wells had a bad year last year’ stuff.

Also, there have been a bunch of references here by you and others along the lines of ’2008 was a great year for the Jays’. And it was a winning year. But the team was playing very frustrating baseball in the spring that year and sporadically throughout the early summer. They were bad enough to get their manager fired in mid-season, and the fans were grumbling like crazy. Their record improved dramatically when Cito Gaston came aboard. So whatever he’s perceived to have done wrong this season, he did a lot of right last season.

MW: You’re giving the “Vernon had a bad 2008″ crowd WAY too much credit. The 20 homers came in exactly 2/3 of a season, and his .496 slugging percentage was the third-best of his career. Gaston didn’t do a lot of right last season, he just provided a different voice for an underachieving team and came along at the right time. Remember, the team went 20-10 last May.

]]> By: Terry McDonald http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41830 Terry McDonald Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:20:15 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41830 What could simpler. It's black or white. Either they win or they don't.I'm tired of you making all the excuses of the positioning of draft picks etc. that will mean great things for the future You're either delusional or unwilling to accept the fact that the J's are not a good baseball team.Ricchiardi was a FAILURE and nothing you can say will change that. MW: Sigh. What could simpler. It’s black or white. Either they win or they don’t.I’m tired of you making all the excuses of the positioning of draft picks etc. that will mean great things for the future You’re either delusional or unwilling to accept the fact that the J’s are not a good baseball team.Ricchiardi was a FAILURE and nothing you can say will change that.

MW: Sigh.

]]> By: Evan White http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41823 Evan White Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:43:29 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41823 Great piece. MW: Thanks. Great piece.

MW: Thanks.

]]> By: Terry Bradley http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41806 Terry Bradley Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:06:55 +0000 http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/mikewilner/2009/10/03/one-pound-of-flesh-just-for-you/#comment-41806 "MW: ...what do you feel J.P.’s worst move was, without the benefit of hindsight?" Frank Thomas, no question, and without the benefit of hindsight. Even if Thomas hit .320 with 40 HRs, the move didn't make any sense - to spend 10% of the payroll on an aged bat for a team well outside of arms' reach of contention baffles me. And that Thomas underperformed and became a clubhouse malcontent was simply salt in the wound. MW: I would have gladly taken .320 with 40 homers. “MW: …what do you feel J.P.’s worst move was, without the benefit of hindsight?”

Frank Thomas, no question, and without the benefit of hindsight. Even if Thomas hit .320 with 40 HRs, the move didn’t make any sense – to spend 10% of the payroll on an aged bat for a team well outside of arms’ reach of contention baffles me. And that Thomas underperformed and became a clubhouse malcontent was simply salt in the wound.

MW: I would have gladly taken .320 with 40 homers.

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