Comments on: We Did It!

By: scott

scott — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:00:54 +0000

I don’t think the Jays being from Canada help Chapman get around the bonus scenario because in 2010 he would still be playing in the US (all Blue Jays minor league teams are based in the US).

MW: They wouldn’t have helped him get around the bonus scenario after Dec. 31st, but they’re all on the same footing now.

By: isabella reyes

isabella reyes — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:24:19 +0000

Why would Hill and Lind be gone in 2015? They’d be in their early 30s and I’m pretty sure should still be able to play. They might command a great deal of money if they’re successful. But Rogers is a very wealthy organization. I can’t believe they’d withhold money if the team was winning. I’m not suggesting that $$$$$ should be thrown around right now. But apparently Rogers is either the richest or one of the richest owners in the leagues. They can certainly afford to pay for high-priced talent if the situation warranted.

MW: Sure they can, but that high-priced talent has to want to stay, too. It’s not up to the Jays whether Hill and/or Lind will be here then.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:34:51 +0000

Signing Chapman may also take some of the short-term focus off of Drabek. Which may be a good thing. Being the guy who got traded for Doc will most certainly bring much scrutiny, no?

MW: Probably – and unfairly so.

By: Wyatt Bailey

Wyatt Bailey — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:13:13 +0000

“MW: Chapman is very different from Matsuzaka, who was an established star in a high-level league. Also, Chapman is only 6′3″, maybe 6′4″. But I agree with you, wanting to sign him is a no-brainer.”

For some reason I could’ve swore I saw/heard 6’10″ somewhere. I think I heard it on an reputable ESPN online clip, because that fact stuck with me the most of all (both lefty and RJ height).

He certainly looks more than 6’4″, but cameras can be deceiving, do you have a source on that?

Anyways, I find it really odd that teams like NYY/BOS are dropping out when his asking price supposedely is only 5/20. Is there something I’m missing here? He seems completely studly to me (21 or 25 years of age) and seems well worth an investment of quite a bit more, especially to big market clubs.

And as for Daisuke, I see the clear difference – what I meant was I’m not usually a proponent of going for unknown, unproven foreign talent.

By: Siguy

Siguy — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:52:50 +0000

Hey Mike,

Great news about Tom Cheek. Let’s hope he makes it this year.

Also nice to hear the Chapman rumour heating up. Apparently it’s between the Angels and Jays now. I agree with you that it would make for a smart (and exciting) signing.

It was a bummer that Alomar didn’t make the Cooperstown cut this year though. Do you think it was the spitting incident that kept him 8 votes away?

I was also pretty surprised to see Richard Griffin calling (and singling) you out in his blog:

http://thestar.blogs.com/baseball/2010/01/halloffame-dawson-in-alomar-must-wait.html

You seem to be pretty diplomatic when others are criticizing him. It seems kind of strange he sorta came after you.

Belated happy NY,

MW: I seem to be a favourite target of Griff’s in his blog and column, although he’s always very nice to me to my face. I guess he heard my segment with Doug Farraway on the Fan right after the Hall of Fame announcement came out and took umbrage to some of the things that were said. Of course, it didn’t seem to matter to him whether I said them or Doug did.

By: ben

ben — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:15:22 +0000

I can’t believe you didn’t mentain barry larkin as a hall of famer on your theortical hall of fame ballot.

MW: I’m sorry. Larkin is a guy on whom I’ve gone back-and-forth a LOT. I need more time to figure him out.

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:11:53 +0000

Congratulations to Tom Cheek (and you) for this well deserved pre-honour.

You’re a little early on the “next to Alomar” comment.

Robbie deserves to be there but I’m glad he’s not first ballot anyway. Is that wrong
:0)

And I like the fact that you aren’t shy about throwing out your opinion as to what the Jays should attempt with Chapman. At least make the effort @ 20M or so and show the fans you’re serious. If you don’t land him, so be it.

Again, much congratulations to you, Tom and his family.

MW: Thanks, but there’s nothing for which to congratulate me. And yes, it is wrong to be glad that Alomar didn’t make it on the first ballot if you think he belongs.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:08:48 +0000

The Hawk made it, Robbie didn’t. I think he got jobbed.

MW: Me, too.

By: Greg W

Greg W — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:07:02 +0000

Hall of fame voting makes very little sense to me. Either Alomar is good enough to be there, or he’s not. Does the BBWAA have to make political points about a player by denying him induction by one year?

MW: Evidently, they do.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:02:23 +0000

Real glad to see some baseball news- especially Blue Jays news out here in western Canada, tough time getting updates ect. through our local sports station in Calgary. Looking forward to seeing how the youngsters can come along this season for the Jays. Great comments Mike, hope to read alot more this season and see if you can try to get the Fan 960 in Calgary to carry more games as well as the call in show after games as well. Thanks!

MW: The only ones who can do that are you and your fellow Calgarians.