Jays Roundup - On We Sweep With Threshing Oar

Friday, July 30 2004 @ 08:30 AM EDT

Contributed by: Pepper Moffatt

Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now you’d better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day

An off-day can sure interrupt your daily baseball watching routine. What are we going to do with ourselves during the off-season?

  1. An absolute must-read for those who follow the minor leaguers: Spencer Fordin's "Jays prospects learn how to win". Don't expect to see too many guys go from AA to AAA during the remaining few weeks of the season:

      "The Triple-A team's not going anywhere and the Double-A Team has a chance to win," Ricciardi said. "I think it's important that our guys play with some winning teams. We like to see our teams get in the playoffs because we don't want our guys getting up here and then having to learn how to win."

    Also don't expect to see too many more kids come up to the big club this year:

      It doesn't happen overnight and it won't happen next month. The Blue Jays aren't likely to have too many September call-ups, if only because the roster is already pretty young. This season, Toronto has found four call-ups that could be long-term keepers: Dave Bush and Alex Rios, Jason Frasor and Vinnie Chulk. Riccciardi said if they can do that again next year, they'll be in solid shape.

    There's a lot more in this article, so I recommend reading throught it. After you do so, please give us your thoughts.

  2. If that wasn't enough minor league goodness for you, then read Shi Davidi's "Youngsters give Jays hope". JP is hopeful that Kevin Frederick can claim a spot in the Toronto pen:

      "He was a guy we claimed on waivers last year because we liked the arm," says Ricciardi. "Arnsberg's done a great job of cleaning him up and getting his delivery together. If he's a guy that can pitch the sixth or seventh inning for us next year, that's really important."

    Also it doesn't look like the Jays will be moving Cat:

      The one player the Blue Jays have received some calls about is outfielder Frank Catalanotto. But they're not keen on moving him because they'd like to bring him back next season, possibly as Delgado's replacement at first base.

    Sounds like what a lot of us having been saying on the Box over the last few weeks.

  3. Allan Ryan's "Ricciardi stays on course despite nasty trade winds" also indicates the Jays probably won't be moving any players before the deadline. Or more specifically:

      "We moved the guy we thought we could move (reliever Terry Adams to the Red Sox Saturday), but we've got nothing (else) going on," said Ricciardi. "Nothing's happening."

    I guess if we want to see deadline deals we'll have to follow the Expos.

  4. Today's 7:15PM EST game in Tampa isn't exactly a clash of the pitching titans, which is good news for all of you geting sick of these pitching duels. The Jays are sending the 5-3 Josh Towers to the hill, while the Rays counter with 5-4 lefty John Halama. In Spencer Fordin's game preview he indicates that Jose Cruz Jr. has owned Towers during their previous matchups, so it's something we'll want to watch for at home.

  5. A lot of us have been considering the possible lineup for 2005, including Mike Rutsey and his article "Bullpen not a concern: Jays will be looking to add a little pop at the plate for next season". I don't think I'm spoiling the article by giving away the ending:

      So the question is how many bats do they need and how many can they afford?

      "Maybe two," Ricciardi said.

      The season may be a disappointment but an interesting winter looms.

    A new shortstop and first-baseman anyone?

  6. It's been great to hear Tom Cheek on the radio for the last few days. "Cheek belongs among best" by Dave Perkins indicates that it's something we can get used to:

      The best news for Blue Jays fans these days isn't necessarily on the field but above it. Starting with Monday's game against Cleveland, Tom Cheek is scheduled to be back in his usual spot on the radio broadcasts.

    Excellent news. Welcome back Tom!

  7. In Mike Rutsey's "Blue Jays Watch" we're told that the Jays are hoping Justin Miller can start on August 6th against the Yankees.


Much more news than I expected on the morning after an off-day. Your thoughts?

73 comments


https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040730083037999