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Just a few days of spring training left. The starters seem to be in place now. The battle will be for the final couple bullpen spots.


It appears that Ohka and Towers have locked up starting spots. At this point the only other consideration is Victor Zambrano, but I'm not sure that he's ready to start - he tired in the 4th inning against the Yanks on Saturday and still is coming of TJ surgery.


Player ERA IP H K BB HR
Halladay 2.40 15.0 11 5 1 1
Burnett 4.36 10.1 6 9 5 1
Chacin 5.93 13.2 16 6 6 2
Towers 3.20
19.2 15 18 3 2
Ohka 2.84 19.0 17 8 2 1

Chacin is still considered the 3rd starter. Towers and Ohka could go in any order, and really it doesn't matter all that much. Personally, I'd have Towers 4th and Ohka 5th.

The interesting thing to me so far is Towers' strikeouts. He's always been right around 5 Ks/9 innings so to see him at 8.4 K/9 is surprising.


The decisions that the Jays will have to make with the roster are in the bullpen. Ryan, Frasor, and Downs appear to be locks. The talk out of camp seems to make it sound like Marcum is a lock as well.

If the Jays intent to come out of spring training with the '12 best pitchers' on the major league team it would seem that both Casey Janssen and Zambrano would make the team.

Player ERA IP H K BB HR
Ryan 9.00 3.0 5 2 0 0
Frasor 3.52 7.2 6 7 3 0
Downs 3.38 8.0 8 6 0 2
Marcum 4.85
13.0 10 16 4 2







Zambrano 1.98 13.2 14 10 6 0
Janssen 2.31 11.2 11 14 1 1


In that case the Jays would be down to one spot remaining in the bullpen and a few candidates.

Player ERA IP H K BB HR
Accardo 6.76 6.2 8 10 1 1
Rosario 3.86 7.0 5 8 6 1
Gonzalez 4.50 6.0 7 6 1 0
Tallet 7.50 6.0 8 6 2 2

Personally, I'd go with Accardo, but I suspect that the Jays will go with Rosario or Tallet instead of risking losing them for nothing. There's also been chatter that the Jays are looking to trade Rosario.
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Mike Green - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#164792) #
Leaving aside the question of 6 vs. 7 man pens, I'd recommend Ryan, Frasor, Downs, Marcum, Janssen, Accardo and Rosario for this year's pen to start the season. With luck, Marcum and Janssen will be in the rotation by mid-June and mid-July respectively. 
China fan - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 10:35 AM EDT (#164798) #

     I think the numbers cited above by Pistol need to be updated to include last night's game.  Towers has now cut his spring ERA to 3.20, and he added another five strikeouts, against only one walk.  Marcum has cut his ERA to 4.85.  Of course they weren't facing a great lineup last night.

   

  

 

Greg - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 11:25 AM EDT (#164799) #

Is there any possibility of a late addition of Todd Walker to this team?

Seems like a 1B/3B guy is just what the Jays need
As well as the ocassional 2B spot with Hill at SS
Or is it too late now and the roster has been more or less set?

jgadfly - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 11:26 AM EDT (#164800) #
Mike, I agree as I cross my fingers that "With luck, Marcum and Janssen will be in the rotation by mid-June and mid-July respectively."...Where would Zambrano fit in the mix?  Ohka on the bubble?  Towers still starting?  Chacin with his success with runners on base going to  the bullpen?  Who do you see replacing Marcum and Janssen in the pen? Houston?  RRomero with luck?  Purcey with even more luck? 
dan gordon - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 11:31 AM EDT (#164801) #

A few of the pitchers' numbers seem incorrect.  Checked on USA Today, and found that, for instance, your numbers for Towers include all of his strikeouts, but his total innings are actually 19 2/3 - it looks like you are missing his innings from his last start.  Towers' ERA is 3.20, with 18 K's in those innings for a K/9 of 8.2.  Marcum also looks wrong - his innings total is 13, and his ERA is 4.85.  Haven't checked them all.

The rotation is looking pretty solid, with Towers looking like he may be able to rebound, and Ohka looking good.  Marcum, Janssen and Zambrano all ready to step in, in case of injury or when/if Towers/Chacin/ Ohka falter.  Unfortunately, I think we are going to lose Rosario.  Always liked his arm, but he may need more AAA time and we can't give it to him. 

Pistol - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 11:50 AM EDT (#164803) #
The numbers should be correct now.  I took a mix of MLB.com stats and ESPN.com stats when I intially wrote the thread.  The ESPN stats were easier to format, but weren't up to date (and didn't have K, BB, and HR numbers).

I'd be in favor of picking up Todd Walker.  I think he'd be a big upgrade on John McDonald.  It'd also give the Jays another LH option and a little better insurance for Glaus at 3B.  It's reasonable to expect Walker to hit .270/.350/.400.  That's a lot better than .250/.290/.330.

Smith can cover SS occasionally (I think) and Hill could always slide over to short if Clayton was hurt (or they could always call up Olmedo).  I just don't see the need for McDonald on this team.
Leigh - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#164804) #
Why not sign Walker as the everyday second baseman and slide Hill over to short stop?
Mike Green - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 12:11 PM EDT (#164805) #
Walker still can hit, although, with league adjustment, his projected OBP would probably be in the .330-.335 range.  He is by reputation, observation and statistical markers a poor fielder wherever he plays in the infield.  He'd be a very nice 25th man on a club with a 6 man pen. 

The way the club is currently constructed, McDonald still has a role.  You're going to want to pinch-hit for Clayton a lot and early, and you want to have a shortstop who can field the position passably behind him.  Moving Hill to short and playing Walker (or Smith) at second for 3 innings is asking for trouble.  Not that the current construction is optimal....

Ryan Day - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 12:15 PM EDT (#164806) #

He's a pretty horrible second baseman, isn't he? He hasn't played more than 100 games at the position since 2003.

Still, he'd make a nice role player and bat off the bench. More useful than John McDonald, who's pretty redundant if you've got Clayton & Smith around.

Mark - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 12:23 PM EDT (#164807) #
One of the things JP stressed when he acquired Accardo was the fact he had options (as opposed to Chulk who went the other way).  In this case I think it makes sense to use that option and give the 7th spot to Rosario. If(when) he falters then Accardo would be there and perhaps Rosario's struggles might help him clear on the way down.  I also like the fact that five potential bullpen arms (Marcum, Jannsen, Zambrano, Rosario and Downs) have all started within the last year. I would like to see this utilized by letting them throw two or even three innings at a time. It would be a nice bridge from Ohka or Towers' five inning to Ryan for the  9th. 


China fan - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 12:31 PM EDT (#164808) #

  The spring numbers by Josh Towers are quite astounding:  18 K and only 3 BB.   A ratio like that will take you a long way in this league.  Of course he should still be kept on a tight leash, especially with Janssen and Zambrano available.  But his spring success seems to be another confirmation of what we always suspected:  he pitches best when he is in mortal fear of losing his job.   No more two-year guaranteed contracts for this guy.

    Chacin is the guy that I'm most worried about now.    This is just speculation, but he seems rattled by the drunk-driving charge.  He's never apologized for it, and he refuses to utter a word about it with any media person who asks about it.  In his sole appearance since the charge, he had a terrible first inning, although he did settle down later.   If this criminal charge is playing on his mind, he's going to forget all the reminders from the coaches about speeding up his pitching and maintaining his concentration.

Ryan Day - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 12:45 PM EDT (#164811) #

This is just speculation, but he seems rattled by the drunk-driving charge.  He's never apologized for it, and he refuses to utter a word about it with any media person who asks about it.

 That's just common sense, under the circumstances. Any competent lawyer is going to tell him not to make any public comments until the legal issues are resolved.

  He has struggled in his past few starts, though who knows why. He should have another start left - hopefully he can turn it around. He tends to live on the edge of effectiveness, so it could be any number of reasons. Does he have options left? I suppose it's conceivable that if he gets shelled again, someone could take his place in the rotation, if not the roster.

Pistol - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 01:19 PM EDT (#164813) #
I'm no more worried about Chacin now than I was 2 weeks ago.  If he's bad this year I don't think any legal problems are going to play a part in it (although there's no way to know one way or another).

Back in 2005 Chacin was horrible in spring training (8.55 ERA in 5 starts) and ended up having a great year.
Mylegacy - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 01:29 PM EDT (#164814) #

A note on Towers:

2006: 62 innings, 93 hits, 17 bb, 35 strikeouts

2007: 19 innings, 18 hits,  3bb, 18 strikeouts.  It looks like a winter of working out with health ubber-nut Johnson is paying off.

ALSO, unlike 06, Towers is not essential this year; we need three of Chacin, Ohka, Towers, Zambrano, Janssen and Marcum to come forward by late April early May. ALSO (also) Purcey has been lights out in minor league camp, according to scout.com he spent the winter working on "control," seems to be working. ALSO (also) (also) McGowan has been hot since he's been down as well.

Even with the "League Lament" and no "Teddy the Tease," our pitching this year looks HUGELY better than 06. We stay healthy and we will contend.

Ron - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 03:15 PM EDT (#164815) #
When the Jays construct their bullpen, they must have 2 long guys in the pen. There will be a lot of nights where Chacin, Okha, and Towers won't even be able to go 5 innings. With all this talk about keeping Towers on a short leash, the same should apply for Chacin. He pitched poorly last season and has been awful this Spring. Chacin's numbers really go up the 2nd/3rd time he faces the batting order. He is better off as a reliever.

One player that has been ignored by the media and fans this Spring is AJ Burnett. AJ says he's %100 healthy right now. Is this the year AJ finally lives up to his potential/terrific stuff and contends for the CY Young?




China fan - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 03:24 PM EDT (#164816) #
  Just to complicate matters further, Geremi Gonzalez pitched a solid three innings today, allowing only one hit and no runs.  He lowered his spring ERA to 3.00.  In nine innings this spring, he has 7 strikeouts and only issued one walk.   Is he possibly a candidate to replace Tallet or Accardo in the bullpen?   If he is sent to Syracuse, would he pitch as a starter or a reliever?
Newton - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 03:35 PM EDT (#164817) #

Walker bats left-handed, hits well enough to cover either corner infield slot in a crunch, and can play 2nd base.  He could provide us with some of the versatility we lost when Hinske was dealt.  Sign him up. 

Long term Hill has far more value to the Jays as a Shortstop (witness the market value of starting SS's versus the market value of starting 2nd baseman) and I'd love to see them name him our definitive everyday SS at some point in the very near future.  

Perhaps the real value would come if we move Hill to SS after we sign him to a long term deal as our ostensible 2nd baseman before making the shift...

paulf - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 04:32 PM EDT (#164820) #
Geremi Gonzalez pitched a solid three innings today, allowing only one hit and no runs.

He had the only strikeout of the game today. Rosario, Downs, Frasor, Janssen, Wolfe and Kemp pitched an inning each. Not a single Devil Ray punch-out amoung them. On the plus side: only 2 walks (Wolfe, Kemp).
Jonny German - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 04:43 PM EDT (#164821) #

 Chacin's numbers really go up the 2nd/3rd time he faces the batting order.

They really factually do, or you just really think they do? For his career, per ESPN:

  AB AVG OBP SLG OPS
Pitches 1-15 151 .278 .339 .477 .816
Pitches 16-30 186 .231 .322 .403 .726
Pitches 31-45 198 .237 .280 .328 .609
Pitches 46-60 190 .295 .351 .537 .888
Pitches 61-75 182 .286 .343 .407 .750
Pitches 76-90 148 .270 .337 .486 .824
Pitches 91-105 90 .267 .364 .433 .798
Pitches 106-120 17 .412 .524 .647 1.171

 

R Billie - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 05:06 PM EDT (#164824) #

I think if Janssen and Marcum are seen as long term options for the pitching staff, they should be in the bullpen as middle/long relievers.  They're good enough to step in for struggling starters and hang around for a few innings.

Janssen has probably made a decent case for being one of the five starters.  I'm not convinced that either Chacin, Towers, or Ohka would be better in the long run assuming the new splitter allows Janssen to carry his spring K-rate forward.

But even if he isn't you want both him and Marcum in the pen, getting major league exposure and ready to stretch out immediately when you need help (and they will at some point).

IMO, Accardo has the best stuff of anyone not named Ryan.  Watching him throw 95 and then finish hitters off with an effective splitter was quite impressive.  He's having the same problems Janssen and Towers were last year in that an inordinately high number of his pitches seem to spin into the dead red zone over the plate and get killed.  But he's full value for those 10 K in 8 innings.

Gonzalez seems ok...much like Vinnie Chulk, a serviceable arm who doesn't kill you for the most part.

R Billie - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 05:09 PM EDT (#164825) #
Anyone know how Ricky Romero is looking in minor league camp?  I heard he had a very positive outing a couple of weeks ago but I can't seem to find much more news than that.
ramone - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 05:29 PM EDT (#164828) #
R Billie: I was listening to the Jays game today and I too thought that Janssen had added a splitter but the announcers, (from the Fan590) said that what everyone thought was a splitter was actually his slider.  Apparently he has made the rotation on his slider tighter and it has caused a sharper breaking action and the hitters were walking away thinking they got out on a splitter.  Anyway the results a positive one.
Ron - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 05:50 PM EDT (#164830) #
Jonny, I remember reading a blurb about how Chacin struggles the 2nd and 3rd time he goes through a batting order. But the stats on ESPN don't agree.
Even with that said, I still believe Chacin should be considered for the bullpen if he gets off to a slow start this season. While his funky delivery might have fooled a lot of hitters in his rookie season, it sure didn't fool too many batters last season.

Ryan Day - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 06:04 PM EDT (#164833) #

The problem with Chacin is that he throws too many pitches, and he's lucky to make it out of the sixth inning.

 I don't think there's any real evidence that hitters are "getting wise" to his delivery. He made 4 starts against Boston last year and still put up an ERA of 3.43. In his career, he's pitched effectively in multiple starts against Anaheim, Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, and Tampa. (He's also been beaten senseless by the Yankees on several occasions)

R Billie - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 06:14 PM EDT (#164834) #

Yes, Chacin's problems tend to stem from his strike to ball ratio and the resulting pitches per inning.  He's been relatively decent at preventing homeruns but if that part of his game ever slips he's going to have a lot of problems.  I'm not sold on Tallet as a second lefty and Chacin does tend to be effective against lefties.  Not so much last year, but career wise there is a significant split.

That said, despite the fact that Chacin struggles to pitch even 6 innings, he does tend to keep his team in the game and wins more than you would expect.  Whether or not that's good fortune, this is going to colour the Jays' view of him until they observe differently.

If Gus could just spend FAR less time pitching behind in the count, a lot of his downsides would be addressed.  But maybe being so unpredictable in the K-zone helps him with his less than stellar stuff.

Dave Rutt - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 06:36 PM EDT (#164835) #
Walker has a career 811 OPS against LHP, and Clayton 722 against RHP. Unfortunately, neither has played a single game at the other's position, but I suppose the Jays could work a convoluted platoon with Hill switching positions depending on the handedness of the pitcher. That might not be great for Hill, but I guess he's used to it by now...
Ryan Day - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 07:49 PM EDT (#164837) #
Gus wasn't even that bad in 2006. He was decent enough in April (4.70 ERA), then got pumelled in three starts in May and went on the DL. A couple starts in June and August went quite poorly, but he finished strong in September (3.38 ERA). As long as he's healthy, I don't see any reason why he can't be an around-average starting pitcher. 

I wouldn't sign him to a five-year deal or anything, but Chacin is still a fairly valuable commodity. (He has some pretty interesting splits with runners on/bases empty, too; take that for what you will)
Mylegacy - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 08:34 PM EDT (#164841) #

On Janssen's new pitch... I saw somewhere the other day that his new pitch is a "four seam" fastball.

Is it just me or does the pitching seem better everywhere this spring?

By May 1st, Roy and AJ will be pitching with Janssen, Zambrano and the winner of Ohka/Towers/Marcum/Chacin... I think Towers.

Chuck - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 08:37 PM EDT (#164842) #

Is it just me or does the pitching seem better everywhere this spring?

Could be all those AAA batters.

BigTimeRoyalsFan - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 08:39 PM EDT (#164843) #
jonny german,

how does the info you provided shed light on the discussion? those pitches can be thrown at any time of the game, to any batter, in any inning. when i look at his 2006 splits on baseball reference, to me it seems clear that everyone's assumptions on chacin are correct. he usually has a tough time in the first, then settles down in the 2nd-5th, and gets hit again in the 6th and 7th. have a look.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=chacigu01&year=2006


Magpie - Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#164847) #
those pitches can be thrown at any time of the game

Well not quite - the first 15 pitches aren't thrown in his 4th inning of work, and his 70th or 80th pitches aren't thrown in his second.

If nothing else, it's real information, not a vague impression. If I had a nickel for every vague impression I ever had about baseball that turned out to have no real basis in fact... I could sleep in tomorrow.
krose - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 12:12 AM EDT (#164852) #
Phils are scouting Rosario.

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/index
MrElbertBuffin - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 04:18 AM EDT (#164853) #
He usually has a tough time in the first, settles down in the 2nd-5th, and then gets hit again in the 6th and 7th.

That he gets hit harder at the end of his outings doesn't seem all that surprising - that's why they take him out.  If he wasn't getting hit hard in the sixth and seventh innings, then he'd have eighth and nineth inning statistics.  The thing is that since he doesn't trot out there and throw complete games, that means that he's always going to get hit at the end of his outing, whether it be in the second, fourth, or sixth inning.  Furthermore, since he didn't make it past the seventh inning during any of his starts last season, there are no instances of games where he really cruised through that seventh inning, so the small sample size that we're left with is filled with the hits he gave up while the 'pen was warming up.  This isn't saying that he didn't get hit in the sixth and seventh:  what I'm saying is that on his best days he'd get hit in the sixth and seventh, and on his off days he wouldn't make it there.
Magpie - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 07:10 AM EDT (#164854) #
that he gets hit harder at the end of his outings doesn't seem all that surprising

Because in truth almost every pitcher's numbers show a similar pattern. Still, the central point being made about Chacin really is valid, because it is happening to him about one inning earlier than it happens to other pitchers. (Well, Lilly's had some years that look like Gus). I would think it's more a matter of not being very efficient than a question of stamina.
timpinder - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 08:12 AM EDT (#164855) #

Sports Ilustrated has Chacin's splits based on how he performs each time through the lineup.  In 2006 his ERA climbed each time from under 4.00 his 1st time through, to just under 5.00 his 2nd time through, and it ballooned to over 9.00 his 3rd time through.  His K9 rate also decreased steadily from over 6 K9 his 1st time through to around 3 K9 his 3rd time through.  HOWEVER, opposition batting avg. the 1st time through was .274 but the second time through the order Chacin got better, .247 if I remember correctly, before giving up an opposition batting avg. of over .300 the 3rd time through.

 

Paul D - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 09:52 AM EDT (#164859) #

Joe Sheenan at BP previews his fantasy team today (the article is free).

He includes the following comment:

P: Dustin McGowan, $1. He’ll be back. He’s the Jays’ third- or fourth-best starter, and he’ll make 20-25 starts at above-league-average performance.

That strikes me as extremely unlikely (that McGowan will make 20-25 starts), but who knows.

 

Jonny German - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 10:27 AM EDT (#164861) #

 In 2006 his ERA climbed each time from under 4.00 his 1st time through, to just under 5.00 his 2nd time through, and it ballooned to over 9.00 his 3rd time through.

What does this mean? If the leadoff hitter hits a 3-run homer in his second at-bat, do you count 2 runs againt the "1st time throught" and 1 run against the "2nd time through"? Or do all 3 runs get counted as 2nd time through?

westcoast dude - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 12:55 PM EDT (#164871) #

Accardo has mastered his split-fingered changeup just in time. The bullpen looks solid, but it's there'll be holes in the lineup.

The Detroit series will be a mini-playoff right out of the gate. If they're tied after 9 innings, Victor could serve up 3 or 4 donuts on request; making him the de facto overtime starter.  

Chuck - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 02:49 PM EDT (#164874) #
For those looking to fritter away some time between now and opening day, Tangotiger has a community forecast project going.
Mike Forbes - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 06:10 PM EDT (#164876) #

Wayne Lydon is a Jay/Skychief once again.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/197023

SheldonL - Wednesday, March 28 2007 @ 11:04 PM EDT (#164885) #

I caught my first preseason game of the spring on Sportsnet and I was curious about some of the late inning replacements. I was surprised to see Lee Gronckiewicz(I hope I spelled that right!) and Vermilyea(again!) pitch in the game. I would have thought that Gibby would have sent Tallet out there(to redeem himself) or someone like Downs or Rosario who've had relatively light loads.
Also, I would have expected to see Fasano relieve Phillips or Thigpen, Adams or Santos come in for Hill and Clayton, maybe even Hattig, Ford-Griffin and Stairs come into the game. I know some of them have been sent to minor league camp.
I guess my question is: why were there so many no-name prospects(no offence intended...although I was glad to see Chip Cannon) when there are fringe guys who could have had ateast an opportunity to get their "foot in the door". From a managerial standpoint, I would take this opportunity just to see them in action with the rest of the big league hopefuls!

Btw, I was very pleased with Cannon; I expected to see a lumberjack with a pot-belly (kinda like Stairs or Big Papi) but instead he's rather slim (showed some quickness with an excellent diving stab at a grounder) and he's not all that big in the upper-torso area. Some more muscle and Frank Thomas may have some competition for the DH role next spring!

Maldoff - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 10:12 AM EDT (#164887) #
Anyone know when the minor league rosters are going to be finalized? There are definitely a few interesting placements to be made (especially with Triple A pitching).
Pistol - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 10:55 AM EDT (#164889) #
The Jays are apparently finalizing their roster today (one paper said this morning) so once that happens things will probably filter down accordingly.
ayjackson - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 11:58 AM EDT (#164894) #

Josh Towers will be added to the 40-man roster, which may mean someone is exposed to waivers (Santos?). 

Would moving Davis Romero to the 60-day DL free up a spot on the 40-man roster?

China fan - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 12:21 PM EDT (#164895) #

     So far today, the only Jays announcement is that Ohka is definitely the 4th starter, while the 5th starter will be Towers or Zambrano.      http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070329.wsptohka29/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home

    Not sure if there will be further announcements today.  As for the final spot in the bullpen, Jeff Blair's analysis is that Accardo is improving and seems to have the edge over Tallet, but that's not official yet.    And the Sun says that Frasor is definitely annointed as the set-up man.

Maldoff - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 12:39 PM EDT (#164897) #
I saw a headline that the Jays had cut 11 minor league players, but couldn't find the information on who they actually were. Can anyone shed some light?
Ryan Day - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 12:50 PM EDT (#164898) #
Suddenly, the Jays' shortstop situation doesn't look so bad.
ayjackson - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 01:33 PM EDT (#164903) #

Brian Tallet is currently on waivers.

JP has three offers for Rosario in hand and is lukewarm on all three.  If he accepts one, Accardo comes north.

The Globe.

Chuck - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 02:45 PM EDT (#164909) #

Suddenly, the Jays' shortstop situation doesn't look so bad.

Oooh, St. Rey. What a coup for Bavasi. Must've caught Littlefield napping.

ayjackson - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 05:33 PM EDT (#164917) #
Tallet has cleared waivers and is understandably upset.  He must decide whether to report to AAA or become a free agent.
Pistol - Thursday, March 29 2007 @ 10:49 PM EDT (#164926) #
Accardo or Rosario for the last spot in the bullpen.  Blair says the Jays have three trade offers for Rosario.  If that's the case I suspect chances are good he'll be traded.

And other assorted goodies in the Globe Blog.
China fan - Friday, March 30 2007 @ 01:17 AM EDT (#164929) #

    The Jays have an intriguing choice between Accardo and Rosario.    If they keep Accardo, they lose Rosario.  They're not going to get much for him in a trade.   Accardo, on the other hand, is not out of options, so he can be sent down to Syracuse without any problems.  They can keep both of these guys if they send Accardo to the minors.   It's a little strange that they are looking at trying to trade Rosario.  They must figure that Accardo is a big upgrade over Rosario in the bullpen.  The spring numbers don't really indicate that, and Accardo looked a bit shaky last season.  The Jays must be very impressed by his improvement in the past week or two.  To consider giving up on Rosario forever in order to keep Accardo -- he must be looking very good, or else it's a poor decision.

     The other intriguing choice is between Towers and Zambrano.   If they decide that Zambrano is their 5th starter -- which is apparently a definite option now -- then Towers would have to be shifted to the bullpen or sent to Syracuse.  But I don't think his psychological makeup and his experience are suited for the bullpen.  He's been a starter for almost his full career. 

VBF - Friday, March 30 2007 @ 02:19 AM EDT (#164930) #
Well there's certainly no harm in giving Towers a three game trial until bringing in Zambrano. Zambrano gets the extra conditioning he needs in warm Florida and Towers gets a chance to prove himself once more. If Towers does well, I'm certain one of Ohka or Chacin won't. And if everybody is doing well, we could always use a setup man until someone gets injured, which will happen. If two of Ohka, Chacin or Towers get hurt or stink, Janssen and Marcum are ready to do more than adequate jobs. This team will rely on their depth and the depth will come through.

Looking at the absurdness  of what teams will pay for average starters, come the trade deadline, one arm could surely be sent off for some adequate bullpen or middle infield help.



rtcaino - Friday, March 30 2007 @ 09:31 AM EDT (#164936) #

I really do not feel comfortable with the whole “bring the best pitchers north” philosophy. That seems like a terribly simplistic approach to the situation. Case in point is the Rosario/ Accardo decision. There are more things to consider than simply who is pitching better at the moment!

Why not hide Rosario in the back of the pen for a short period? Maybe then you can reach a more beneficial deal, rather than loosing him for pennies on the dollar. I’m not saying that doing so is necessarily the clear cut best decision, but the possibility should at least be given due consideration.

I can only give JP the benefit of the doubt in this regard, and assume that this seemingly candid explanation of his approach is at least somewhat removed from his actual thought process. 

Marc Hulet - Friday, March 30 2007 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#164947) #
The Jays' minor league rosters are being set today. I can tell you that Chip Cannon, David Purcey and Ricky Romero are all expected to begin the season in New Hampshire.

Players who have been released this spring include: infielders Scott Dragicevich, Trevor Lawhorn, pitchers Dennis Bigley, Josh Sowers, Casey McKenzie, Hector Delgadillo, Randy Dicken, third baseman Eric Arnold, catcher Josh Lex and outfielder Zach Kalter. None of those should be a surprise.

Three players who retired after last season include pitcher Danny Hill and first basemans David Hicks and Luke Hopkins. Hopkins, the team's 2006 fifth round pick is a huge surprise as he was a solid prospect. No reason was given for his decision.

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