It's official ... B.J. Ryan is on the 15-Day DL. Jason Frasor will close, for now. Jamie Vermilyea is back in the bigs.
So. wise old Bauxites ... what does this mean for Toronto '07?
Well, it's not good. But it might not be catastrophic.
The bullpen, and Jason Frasor in particular, has been very strong. If this is only short-term, say for a month, the bullpen will be fine; they can probably even survive the entire season, if it comes to that.
The problem, of course, is the starting rotation: If Towers or Ohka needs to be replaced, taking Janssen, Marcum, or even Zambrano out of the bullpen could hurt.
Unless this really is the year Dustin McGowan puts it all together, but I don't know how much money I'd bet on that. It would be interesting to see what the Astros want for Lidge, but I'm sure they've had plenty of buy-low offers - they're not going to give him away.
We shall see. But it's not as bad as if it had happened last year. I thought the League injury was pretty bad news, but I'm not sure the Jays have really missed him. Ricciardi has done a good job of adding depth to the organization.
The bullpen, and Jason Frasor in particular, has been very strong. If this is only short-term, say for a month, the bullpen will be fine; they can probably even survive the entire season, if it comes to that.
The problem, of course, is the starting rotation: If Towers or Ohka needs to be replaced, taking Janssen, Marcum, or even Zambrano out of the bullpen could hurt.
Unless this really is the year Dustin McGowan puts it all together, but I don't know how much money I'd bet on that. It would be interesting to see what the Astros want for Lidge, but I'm sure they've had plenty of buy-low offers - they're not going to give him away.
We shall see. But it's not as bad as if it had happened last year. I thought the League injury was pretty bad news, but I'm not sure the Jays have really missed him. Ricciardi has done a good job of adding depth to the organization.
Maybe this will give Janssen a chance to be the closer for a while...
It means gloom and doom!!! Jump off a bridge!!! It's over!!!!
I think we're jumping ahead a little. If this is 15 days, and BJ is back to his old self, then it's just 15 days that we need leads bigger than 3. Let's hear the results from the MRI before jumping to any conclusions.
JP says that Johnson has a "decision to make". I'm not sure what that would be besides having surgery to fix the problem or rehab and hope that works. Either way it sounds like a it's going to be well over 15 days.
Josh 1 Me 0
That was mighty impressive, and against a bonafide big league lineup at that.
I'm glad the defense was there to back him up today, and another class move by him tipping his hat after the standing 'o' when some might feel he was within his right not to acknowledge the cheers. The fact that he holds no grudges, and understands that it isn't personal is a testament to his maturity which should bode well for him in the mental aspect of the game going forward. Way to go Josh.
That was mighty impressive, and against a bonafide big league lineup at that.
I'm glad the defense was there to back him up today, and another class move by him tipping his hat after the standing 'o' when some might feel he was within his right not to acknowledge the cheers. The fact that he holds no grudges, and understands that it isn't personal is a testament to his maturity which should bode well for him in the mental aspect of the game going forward. Way to go Josh.
I can't remember Towers ever throwing such a tight, nasty slider, even back in 2005.
The Jays are going to need a lot more of that if Dr. James Andrews decides to operate...
The Jays are going to need a lot more of that if Dr. James Andrews decides to operate...
Hey, I figure if you take the 2006 Blue Jays
Subtract BJ Ryan
Add the Good version of Josh Towers
We're actually in better shape. So if Josh keeps this up..fingers crossed...and MarFrasSen can hold down the fort in the bullpen, we'll be just fine.
I haven't heard much about League other than when Gibbons said he looked good while the Jays were in Tampa Bay. That was about a week ago, so has anyone heard anything since then?
League was placed on the 15-day DL on April 13th, retroactive to the end of March.
The Ryan injury means that the jury is still out on the $110-million spent by the Jays on two free agents last year. Worst case scenario: if Ryan fails to return to form, and if Burnett continues his inconsistent ways, the massive investment on their two long-term contracts might have been a failed gamble.
Best-case scenario: the young arms in the bullpen could make Ryan seem almost expendable.
The Jays are still tied for first place with a 7-5 record today, despite two blown saves. And this team will be even better if Thomas and Wells and Burnett begin to live up to their huge contracts.....
ESPN reports that the walking medical chart Carl Pavano as well as Mike Mussina are going onto the DL. Philip Hughes has not been called up yet.
Relax, we're not the only team injured right now.
Vermilyea was primarily a starter for Syracuse last year (17 starts in 25 outings), but he's in the bullpen this year. Do we know why he was switched to a relief role? Is he another pitcher who could be converted back to a starter role if the Jays need it? On his current call-up, he is apparently being seen as a long-relief specialist for the Jays. Does he also give them some greater depth as a potential starter at some point?
As mentioned Vermilyea is a sinker, slider pitcher. Unless you have pinpoint control hitters can adjust the second or third time they see the pitcher. Although Vermilyea started a lot last season he was initially a reliever and came into the rotation to cover for injuries. Vermilyea will be a reliever initially but could be a starter if he has great success as a reliever. Essentially the same story as Casey Janssen and perhaps Shaun Marcum.
I wonder if the rosario trade was a bad idea ... I'd rather have him than vermylea
The Jays have 11 errors this year (10 + Towers' today), if my math is correct, which gives them the third-worst total in baseball. However, at least our starting shortstop didn't make his 6th error of the year earlier this afternoon. [Insert your own Gold Glove joke here.]
However, at least our starting shortstop didn't make his 6th error of the year earlier this afternoon.
And the game's not over yet... Yanks just tied it up on a two run double by Posada. Harden is out, Kennedy is in.
And the game's not over yet... Yanks just tied it up on a two run double by Posada. Harden is out, Kennedy is in.
Shaun Marcum was a closer in college; this might work out OK. Casey Janssen, incidentally, has been a starter throughout.
Sometimes unfortunate injuries, like the ones to Johnson and Ryan, lead to opportunities for young players which ultimately benefit the ballclub. I agree that the organization has responded appropriately and quickly to the injuries. Now, it does look like they need a backup outfielder.
Sometimes unfortunate injuries, like the ones to Johnson and Ryan, lead to opportunities for young players which ultimately benefit the ballclub. I agree that the organization has responded appropriately and quickly to the injuries. Now, it does look like they need a backup outfielder.
Wow. Just wow.
Two out, a two run lead, no one on base, the greatest closer of all time on the mound...
Shocking.
Two out, a two run lead, no one on base, the greatest closer of all time on the mound...
Shocking.
Wow, Rivera just imploded in the bottom of the ninth.
He came in with a 4-2 lead, retired the first two then allowed a single, a walk to Kendall who fouled off three straight two strike pitches, and then a 3-run homer to Marco Scutaro (!), on an 0-2 pitch no less.
See, things aren't so bad....
Nice to see Mariano go all BJ and flub one. Wasn't it this time last year that he was doing the same thing and people were starting to write him off?
V-Dub's HR off Mo last season was better. Still lovin' it though.
I was reading Marc's "Scouting Report" on Jamie Vermilyea on Blue Jay Way and I noticed the 6'4" 195 pound BigV has a 2.22 GO/AO ratio. I always likened him as Janssen-Lite. A little less fastball (but with "good bite" as Marc reports) and a good slider.
Because he was Rule 5'd to the Red Sox he has sort of dropped off the prospects lists, but I think he'll be a good guy to have up.
As to the rest of the pitching...with Ryan and League having fallen on their swords...Janssen, Marcum, Accardo, Zambrano etal are going to have to produce...fortunately...I think they can.
Offensively, our future is Rios, Lind, Hill and the future looks exceptionally rosy! However, JohnnyMac, Clayton and Smith are all going to come much closer to earth than they've been flying of late. Hopefully, Wells, Thomas and Overbay can step forward.
China fan, I must disagree strongly with your comment re: the jury is still out on whether that $102 million was spent wisely. A strong #2 starter and a fabulous closer were there for the taking and the Blue Jays stepped up and beat all comers and how did those two do in 2006? Pretty darn good I'd have to say. You cannot sign only players and pitchers who are guaranteed to not get injured because guess what: you'd never sign anybody and then you're a team in constant re-building mode, with your attendance dwindling and those that do show up wearing paper bags over their heads. Yuck! Kind of reminds you of that hockey team down the street from the Rogers Centre don't it? Only they never re-build, despite desperately needing to. At some point you have to take some chances and spend some money, especially if you want to compete in this division. The Jays recognized this and took advantage of a down year in the market. How much do you think it would have cost to sign those two this off-season? I'd say at least 5 years and $65-70 million for Burnett (maybe even an additional year or two) and maybe 5 years for $50-55 million for Ryan. Don't believe me? Look what Meche, Lilly, and Zito got. I might even be low balling Burnett. I'm very glad to have both of them whatever happens over the next 2 or 4 years (Burnett's opt out clause can take effect after 2008) and I'm glad my team took some chances instead of being happy with 3rd place or lower. Their signings also impact future signings and maybe the word gets out that Toronto actually a pretty good place to play. It's all good.
As for Thomas, Wells, and Burnett, I am not worried about Wells at all. He was spectacular in the field today and his bat was there at the start and will be there again. Do you remember Burnett's performance down the stretch last year? Yes the Jays were out of the playoffs, but he's going to be there. The main thing is he's healthy...for now. I'm not worried about big Frank either. I still think worst case scenario he finishes at .250/.360/.500 ish with 30 HR and 100 RBI and that's quite an improvement from Sulky Shea and Co. of 2006. Questions for you: You see Frank Thomas hitting .190 prior to today's game. Do you really think that his season's going to continue this way? What about seeing that glorious .405 batting average under Aaron Hill's name? On the first weekend of October, do you really think both of these players will still be hitting what they are now? Just sit back, relax, and enjoy watching or listening to the deepest and best team we've rooted for in years. My only concern is the depth of the position players, but look at how the team did against the AL Champions in the first 6 meetings and you can see the quality is there. Kind of tough to declare a winner in that series of six games, isn't it?
Just to reinforce Joaquin Andujar's famous saying quoted today by Bauxite Gerry. As I've been writing this Mariano Rivera has been struggling with the A's a bit in the bottom of the ninth. With two out, two men on and a 1-2 count to Marco freakin' Scutaro of all people, who was batting a "lusty" (as Tom Cheek, may he rest in peace, used to say) .050 on the season, coming into the at bat. Game over right. Uh, yes but not how you might think. Marco's now batting .095 because he just pulled Mo's pitch down the left field line and off the foul pole to win the game for the A's and more importantly to lose the game for the Yankee$. That's why they play the games, because "youneverknow". Baseball is the greatest game in the world. Do you think the Yankees will throw one of the greatest, if not the greatest, closers ever under the bus for this disgraceful, painful blown save? Um, no. Do you think Marco Scutaro just won a starting job over Ellis, Crosby, or Chavez? Um, no. Anything can happen in a single plate appearance or 100 or so for that matter. But approach 600 plate appearances and things will start to even out. We are 12 games into the season, let's not draw any conclusions, one way or another. We just don't have enough data. To the Bauxite who said it's looking like "The Season From Hell Part 2", let's just take a deep breath and see how it all unfolds before we blindly jump to dire conclusions. Same with the "we're going all the way" crap, which was the popular theme today on Jays Talk. It's 12 games. Let's at least get to the 40 game mark and even then forecasting is stupid. Relax.
As for Thomas, Wells, and Burnett, I am not worried about Wells at all. He was spectacular in the field today and his bat was there at the start and will be there again. Do you remember Burnett's performance down the stretch last year? Yes the Jays were out of the playoffs, but he's going to be there. The main thing is he's healthy...for now. I'm not worried about big Frank either. I still think worst case scenario he finishes at .250/.360/.500 ish with 30 HR and 100 RBI and that's quite an improvement from Sulky Shea and Co. of 2006. Questions for you: You see Frank Thomas hitting .190 prior to today's game. Do you really think that his season's going to continue this way? What about seeing that glorious .405 batting average under Aaron Hill's name? On the first weekend of October, do you really think both of these players will still be hitting what they are now? Just sit back, relax, and enjoy watching or listening to the deepest and best team we've rooted for in years. My only concern is the depth of the position players, but look at how the team did against the AL Champions in the first 6 meetings and you can see the quality is there. Kind of tough to declare a winner in that series of six games, isn't it?
Just to reinforce Joaquin Andujar's famous saying quoted today by Bauxite Gerry. As I've been writing this Mariano Rivera has been struggling with the A's a bit in the bottom of the ninth. With two out, two men on and a 1-2 count to Marco freakin' Scutaro of all people, who was batting a "lusty" (as Tom Cheek, may he rest in peace, used to say) .050 on the season, coming into the at bat. Game over right. Uh, yes but not how you might think. Marco's now batting .095 because he just pulled Mo's pitch down the left field line and off the foul pole to win the game for the A's and more importantly to lose the game for the Yankee$. That's why they play the games, because "youneverknow". Baseball is the greatest game in the world. Do you think the Yankees will throw one of the greatest, if not the greatest, closers ever under the bus for this disgraceful, painful blown save? Um, no. Do you think Marco Scutaro just won a starting job over Ellis, Crosby, or Chavez? Um, no. Anything can happen in a single plate appearance or 100 or so for that matter. But approach 600 plate appearances and things will start to even out. We are 12 games into the season, let's not draw any conclusions, one way or another. We just don't have enough data. To the Bauxite who said it's looking like "The Season From Hell Part 2", let's just take a deep breath and see how it all unfolds before we blindly jump to dire conclusions. Same with the "we're going all the way" crap, which was the popular theme today on Jays Talk. It's 12 games. Let's at least get to the 40 game mark and even then forecasting is stupid. Relax.
BP has an interesting Q+A with Tim Wilken
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6102
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6102
DL: You signed Roy Halladay. While he obviously had great potential, did you have any concerns about him?
TW: I did have a few with how his delivery played, and I wasn’t crazy about the fact that he threw a spike-curve, which he had at the time. I’m not a gimmick guy; I’m a lot more meat and potatoes. But I obviously liked his athleticism, and he had tremendous stamina. Roy was a cross-country runner, which a lot of people probably don’t know. And he certainly had good arm speed.
The good news is since the Red Sox rained out today we now get Julian Tavarez on the last game of the upcoming series. The bad news is we miss a Halladay/Schilling match up.
How much do Bauxites think J.P. would have to add to Jason Smith to get Hinske back? Maybe he can convince Theo that Smith's hot start is genuine improvement... maybe not.
I'm quite sure that neither Ricciardi (with pitching) nor Epstein (with Hinske) are going to be in a big hurry to help each other out.
I still think the Yankees will win 95+ games, but--I love it when they lose. Especially when they're behind us in the standings. I want the Jays to out-compete them (and the Red Sox).
Oddly, though, I don't feel much schadenfreude about Rivera's blowing a save. A loss is a loss.
Oddly, though, I don't feel much schadenfreude about Rivera's blowing a save. A loss is a loss.
I was a little relieved about the BJ DL thing. Not that I want him injured, but it's a relief that his inability to throw a strike yesterday had a specific, knowable cause and also that he was wise enough to speak up about it.
And yay! Josh Towers. Now build on it.
Do you know what an awesome idea is for a 1 inning guy like BJ Ryan? Have him throw 35 + pitches. No wonder he's on the DL. I said it before and I'll say it again, management is the weakness of the Blue Jays.
Didn't see the game, but it looks like Towers pitched well. That's great news. I think Frasor has closer stuff in the meantime if he will throw strikes. I also find he has a tough time getting the borderline pitches called.
I know I am new around here, but my wife (and I) had a baby today. One more Maritimer for you lads in Toronto to feed (j/k, we don't all sit on our asses all day long).
Congrats ahitsahit, but I disagree that Ryan is a one-inning guy. He had a lot of 1+ inning stints last year and did fine.
Sometimes injuries can just be flukes, but Ryan hasn't been healthy since the start of training camp, so I'm thinking there is probably some relation to that fact and this current setback.
Sometimes injuries can just be flukes, but Ryan hasn't been healthy since the start of training camp, so I'm thinking there is probably some relation to that fact and this current setback.
From what they were saying on the radio broadcast today, he's had "tenderness" in the elbow since the start of the season. Where management falls down for me is why was he pitching at all? They should've DLed him from the start. But they kept it hush-hush and let him try to pitch through it. I know he's 6'6" 260 lbs., but an elbow is an elbow no matter how big you are. In fact, I'm no physics major, but wouldn't there be more torque on his elbow because of his size? I think the arms are there to get the team through it, but we'll see. From my point of view Frasor and Marcum are equals in the closer role, but Frasor will probably take the lead because of his major league closing experience. Both seem very adept with the strikeout, although Marcum has yet to do so for a long period of time in the majors. Janssen and Marcum split the Frasor role and Accardo moves up to where Janssen and Marcum were and Zambrano and Vermilyea function as the long relievers. Hopefully, Gibby is going to stretch out Downs soon. Not what everyone expected at the start of Spring Training, but really nothing ever is. I think we'll be OK there. Congratulations ahitisahit!
Did anyone else smack themselves on the forehead during today's broadcast when Jamie Campbell said Craig Monroe and Marcus Thames "look so similar, they practically could be brothers". Look at those pictures. Excuse me while I continue to cringe and shake my head. Happy Jackie Robinson Day, folks!
Best-case scenario: the young arms in the bullpen could make Ryan seem almost expendable.
This is either a joke or just not well thought out. That would akin to choosing two or three quick pick lottery tickets over the millions in the wheel barrel ready to roll out.
Yeah, I've been saying for a while now, that Hinske would be a perfect bench player for this club... can backup Glaus, both corner OF spots, Overbay, and also provide good at-bats against tough right-handers. Plus all indications were that he was a good team guy...
Are we still paying part of his salary? Hope the answer's no... but I'd welcome him back.... Frank Catalanotto as well to an only slightly lesser degree..
I think Clayton has less than a 50% chance of finishing the year with the Jays, and Stairs less than 30%....
Are we still paying part of his salary? Hope the answer's no... but I'd welcome him back.... Frank Catalanotto as well to an only slightly lesser degree..
I think Clayton has less than a 50% chance of finishing the year with the Jays, and Stairs less than 30%....
Sub, we pay half of his salary this season... Sorry.
Do you think Marco Scutaro just won a starting job over Ellis, Crosby, or Chavez?
Wouldn't be too sure where Crosby is concerned. He seems like a shadow of his former self and I wouldn't be surprised if he followed Ben Grieve's footsteps (and yes I know Grieve was an outfielder).
Wouldn't be too sure where Crosby is concerned. He seems like a shadow of his former self and I wouldn't be surprised if he followed Ben Grieve's footsteps (and yes I know Grieve was an outfielder).
actionjackson, I think you misunderstood my previous post, although perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I completely agree with you that Ricciardi was right to sign Ryan and Burnett. It was a good move, but there's always a risk in these kinds of signings and that risk is still there -- and perhaps increasing now. If Ryan blew out his elbow -- and I really hope that isn't true, of course, but there is some possibility of it being true -- then he might never return to his 2006 form. That's always a risk with long-term contracts, of course, and I don't blame Ricciardi for taking a chance on giving him a five-year deal. I'm just saying that the jury is still out on Ryan's five years -- because of the injury fates, not because of a management miscalculation. As for Burnett, I think a little skepticism is still warranted. He had a good stretch run last year, but he's inconsistent again this year. Yes, you can't judge him after three starts, but even Towers has managed one stellar start this year. I'm just asking: how much longer do we have to wait for Burnett to put it together over a full season? People have been waiting many years for him to live up to his potential. I'm an optimist and I'd love to see him do it this year -- but I find it a little frustrating when he continues to be so unpredictable from start to start. If he continues to be inconsistent this year and next year and then leaves town after the 3rd year of his contract, it might have been a miscalculation by the Jays to sign him. I admit that three starts is too early to say much about his 2007 season, but it does fit a pattern.
After Arnsberg visited BJ on the mound upon walking the bases loaded, I was concerned that there was something wrong with his health. But then either the first or second pitch to the next hitter and I couldn't believe how he followed through on the pitch because of the torque on his arm. It looked to me like he should be writhing in pain after what I saw his arm do, but he showed no sign of discomfort and the pitch zipped in with perfect location and break. He had soon had two strikes on Marcus Thames and it seemed all was well with him.
But then Thames shattered his bat into a double and BJ didn't catch a break and all those walks came around to score along with Thames. It was disappointing but looked like a characteristic BJ downfall. Control failed him, then some hitters made some lucky contact on his nasty stuff.
And while Mariano Rivera had not given up a run until today, he continues to wait to get his first save of the season. It will be interesting to see how he is handled by Torre, if he is pressed into more duty than he can handle because of the gaping wounds in the pitching staff, if he catches the injury bug that is sweeping through there, or if the Yankees trade him and start the inevitable, slow, rebuilding process [snicker, snicker].
But then Thames shattered his bat into a double and BJ didn't catch a break and all those walks came around to score along with Thames. It was disappointing but looked like a characteristic BJ downfall. Control failed him, then some hitters made some lucky contact on his nasty stuff.
And while Mariano Rivera had not given up a run until today, he continues to wait to get his first save of the season. It will be interesting to see how he is handled by Torre, if he is pressed into more duty than he can handle because of the gaping wounds in the pitching staff, if he catches the injury bug that is sweeping through there, or if the Yankees trade him and start the inevitable, slow, rebuilding process [snicker, snicker].
According to Rotoworld, Reed is debating whether to have surgery that could sideline him for two months. (Two months seems like a pretty short recovery time for back surgery, but what do I know?)
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_MLB.aspx
If surgery is the best long-term option, then I think he should do it. Lind can hold down the fort for May and June.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_MLB.aspx
If surgery is the best long-term option, then I think he should do it. Lind can hold down the fort for May and June.
look so similar, they practically could be brothers
Sorry, but they kind of do look similar. :)
Sorry, but they kind of do look similar. :)
Congratulations to Josh Towers, the new team leader in ERA.
According to Rotoworld, Reed is debating whether to have surgery that could sideline him for two months
It's unclear on Rotoworld, but I wonder if 2 months is the time that it will take him to be healthy enough to start playing again (i.e. he'd start a rehab assignment in 2 months) or else if 2 months is the time until he's back on the major league roster. I imagine it's the former (I have no knowledge at all about back surgery, but like you I think 2 months sounds short) in which case I could see the layoff closer to 2 and a half months, unless they rush him back like they did with Rios last year.
It's unclear on Rotoworld, but I wonder if 2 months is the time that it will take him to be healthy enough to start playing again (i.e. he'd start a rehab assignment in 2 months) or else if 2 months is the time until he's back on the major league roster. I imagine it's the former (I have no knowledge at all about back surgery, but like you I think 2 months sounds short) in which case I could see the layoff closer to 2 and a half months, unless they rush him back like they did with Rios last year.
China fan, that's the market. I wish we could live by Pat Gillick's sensible no deals beyond three years for pitchers, but we can't. Of course, even Gillick broke that one for Dave Stieb when he signed him to a 10 year deal in 1985. To live by Pat Gillick's credo today is to pass up on the (relatively) young solid first time free agent starting pitchers and I don't want to see my favourite team do that. Free agency is an important part of building a winner. Yes, there are big financial risks, but you've got to pay if you want to play, especially now with so many teams swimming in cash. Pitchers just are not available via the trade route these days, unless you're willing to give up half the team. It's draft and develop, search for bargain free agents, and pay for the big ticket items.
Look at the current pitching staff: the bullpen is entirely made up of J.P.'s draft picks and acquisitions and in the starting staff, only Gus Chacin and Roy Halladay were here pre-J.P. and Halladay has re-signed twice since J.P. got here, so you might as well count him too. Pretty good record, considering all the bashers out there.
I will however continue to hound him (not in the stalking sense) until he addresses the pathetic depth of the position players. He just needs to take the same obsessive, maniacal, hell-bent approach that he used to build up the depth of the pitching staff and apply it to getting multi-positional players in here to replace some of the redundancies with badly needed help in the areas that are somewhat lacking: back-up OF, left side of the infield, backup middle infield etc. It just needs to be re-jigged a bit and a current weakness can become if not a strength, then a non-liability. Surely, this type of player is easier to acquire than a pitcher. If he's not going to go with a six man bullpen, and he never has, then a super utility type becomes quite important, or just a couple of solid back-up players. I love Matt Stairs, but barring injuries to the only two positions he is capable of defending (one of which does not require defending), I don't see the fit, except as a pinch hitter, which requires the 6 man bullpen, which is not going to happen. McDonald is a great guy too, but redundant. Unless there's someone in the system that I don't know about, something has to be done to address that bench, but then again that was discussed here all winter. It is frustrating to see that underbelly exposed so quickly, but I remain optimistic, particularly about the pitching. What kind of backups might be available that could help?
Look at the current pitching staff: the bullpen is entirely made up of J.P.'s draft picks and acquisitions and in the starting staff, only Gus Chacin and Roy Halladay were here pre-J.P. and Halladay has re-signed twice since J.P. got here, so you might as well count him too. Pretty good record, considering all the bashers out there.
I will however continue to hound him (not in the stalking sense) until he addresses the pathetic depth of the position players. He just needs to take the same obsessive, maniacal, hell-bent approach that he used to build up the depth of the pitching staff and apply it to getting multi-positional players in here to replace some of the redundancies with badly needed help in the areas that are somewhat lacking: back-up OF, left side of the infield, backup middle infield etc. It just needs to be re-jigged a bit and a current weakness can become if not a strength, then a non-liability. Surely, this type of player is easier to acquire than a pitcher. If he's not going to go with a six man bullpen, and he never has, then a super utility type becomes quite important, or just a couple of solid back-up players. I love Matt Stairs, but barring injuries to the only two positions he is capable of defending (one of which does not require defending), I don't see the fit, except as a pinch hitter, which requires the 6 man bullpen, which is not going to happen. McDonald is a great guy too, but redundant. Unless there's someone in the system that I don't know about, something has to be done to address that bench, but then again that was discussed here all winter. It is frustrating to see that underbelly exposed so quickly, but I remain optimistic, particularly about the pitching. What kind of backups might be available that could help?
Ruben Sierra is still around (I kid)
A couple of free agent OF's that I never heard of them signing who still might be available are:
Terrence Long - He's not good at all offensively, but I think he's a better fit given our make-up than John MacDonald (same type of player, but we need OF's, not IF's).
Todd Hollandsworth - he's versatile and not too bad with the bat.
If they are healthy, and even if they did sign, I think both could probably be had for one of those Johnny Mac to Cleveland type deals that we did where the deal is essentially for cash - I don't think either is playing in the bigs right now.
A couple of free agent OF's that I never heard of them signing who still might be available are:
Terrence Long - He's not good at all offensively, but I think he's a better fit given our make-up than John MacDonald (same type of player, but we need OF's, not IF's).
Todd Hollandsworth - he's versatile and not too bad with the bat.
If they are healthy, and even if they did sign, I think both could probably be had for one of those Johnny Mac to Cleveland type deals that we did where the deal is essentially for cash - I don't think either is playing in the bigs right now.
Even if the worst-case scenario happens and B.J. does need season-ending surgery, it's still to early to evaluate the wisdom of signing him: He could be back on the field by the All-Star game next year, and conceivably give the Jays 3.5 good seasons in 5 years.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves...
Hollandsworth and Long ... ick.
Long has been terrible for a while and if I recall right didn't even hack it at Columbus (AAA NYY) last year. Hollandsworth is consistently a 75 OPS+ guy and has a career mark shy of 100 that's only that high because of all his time in Coors and, to a lesser extent, Wrigley.
And either would command a seven-figure (or high six-figure anyway) "veteran's" salary. They would have made nice fourtha and fifth outfielders around 1999-2002 ... maybe. You might actually get more (offensively) out of Sierra, and no, I am not suggesting that be an option.
However, at least our starting shortstop didn't make his 6th error of the year earlier this afternoon.
However, your starting shortstop is Royce Clayton.
However, your starting shortstop is Royce Clayton.
Even if the worst-case scenario happens and B.J. does need season-ending surgery, it's still to early to evaluate the wisdom of signing him: He could be back on the field by the All-Star game next year, and conceivably give the Jays 3.5 good seasons in 5 years.
Not only that, but even if his arm became detached from his body today, it would still have been a good signing at the time. He is a young, bonafide, shut down closer, and one of the best at it. He had no prior history of arm trouble. This was proven in his first year and minus the injury would have continued/continues this year and very likely years into the future. If we signed players because they might get injured, there wouldn't be 25 players on the roster.