Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

14 August 2008

Purcey had been alternating decent starts with terrible starts for the big club this year, and yesterday he was due a bad one. Instead he was lights out, he threw six shoutout frames and allowed just five baserunners - comfortably his best Major League start of the year.

After a rain delay at the end of the sixth, Frasor eased through a couple of Innings and then Downs had a short and ultimately painful spell in the ninth. He left with a twisted ankle after not pitching too well. League took over with 2 out and none on, and although it was a bit of a struggle (thanks to a Rios dropped catch) he ended things with a strong strikeout of Inge. The evening's offence was nicely handled by Wells with a grand slam in the third after a walk and a couple of infield hits had loaded the bases.

Raul Ibanez, who was a subject of Jays interest at the trade deadline, was apparently claimed off waivers yesterday and the rumour at BTF is that the Rays had the successful claim, meaning of course that the Jays took a pass. If this is the case it will be interesting to see what Tampa is prepared to give up for him - with Crawford and Longoria on the DL they could use the bat. It's hard to see them being prepared to offer anything to the Mariners that will be more valuable than the two picks Ibanez will yield in the off-season.

WWJP roundup:
* Downs doesn't have a fracture, they'll have a look at him in a couple of days.
* Talking about Moneyball 'Not a lot of good came out of that book...', obviously doesn't like it that he's seen in some quarters as relying solely on stats when he sees himself as an evaluator.
* Jansen should be 100% by Spring Training
* Syracuse lease is up at the end of the year, would not comment on the AAA team moving to Buffalo.
* Cecil > Ricky Romero > Davis Romero
* Sounded quite frustated with Rios when asked 'Where's his head'

Things get serious for the Jays after one more game in Detroit today. The next 15 games are all against Boston, New York and Tampa. If the Jays are still 'in it', as J.P seems to believe, now is the time to show it.

Game Day: Litsch faces Galarraga in the afternoon delight as the Jays go for the sweep. 1PM (No regular TV)

Posted by Gwyn on Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 12:01 AM EDT.

14 August 2008 | 27 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Ron - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 12:20 AM EDT (#190631) #

Looks like we had another Alexis being Alexis moment tonight. I'm aware a lot of the stats point towards Rios being a good fielder, but it seems like he's good for at least one brain camp every 2 weeks or so. There is no way a major league outfielder should drop a fly ball like that. There's enough evidence to indicate Rios is lazy or just plain disinterested out in the field this season. Rios has already been benched this season (he was also benched last season) so it just looks like the message is going in one ear and going out the other.

On a positive note, some of League's pitches had a lot of movement tonight. After a terrible start to the season, he's pitched really well since the middle of July.

TamRa - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 02:11 AM EDT (#190632) #

If the Jays passed on Ibanez then you can disregard any further noise about a dar horse run. Making the claim was the definition of a no-risk move and I'm kind of stunned if they didn't make it, even if they though we had no hope there's no downside to making the claim.

As for Purcey, for what it's worth, if you subtract that 8 run disaster, his season ERA in the majors is 3.95.

I can live with that. :)

92-93 - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 02:20 AM EDT (#190633) #

It would indeed be mystifying if JP passed on Ibanez. Even if you think you can't get a deal done, you have to be willing to risk taking on 1.4m for a guy you were to trade for 2 weeks ago. Especially since you don't want him going to one of the 3 teams ahead of you.

christaylor - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 04:15 AM EDT (#190634) #

I'll officially move myself into the "fire JP" camp if Tampa claimed Ibanez on waivers. No risk... at worst it comes down to paying money for picks (not a bad thing). Or no deal, then he's blocked and stopped from making our longshot chances even more of a longshot.

China fan - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 05:29 AM EDT (#190635) #

I'm not sure how the waiver rules work at this time of year, but isn't it possible that the Jays did indeed put in a claim for Ibanez, perhaps some days ago, but were unable to work out a trade for him? If they couldn't work out a deal, Ibanez could have been put back on waivers and eventually the Rays could have put in a claim for him. Maybe the Rays were willing to offer a better deal.

Gwyn - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 08:00 AM EDT (#190641) #

Rogers got approval from the CRTC yesterday for a new TV channel - Baseball TV. "Rogers proposed to broadcast live Major League Baseball (MLB) games comprising a maximum of 10% of its programming schedule...". I wiuld guess we're going to see some Jays games going to this new channel (like some Leafs games are on Leafs TV), but interestingly the 10% minimum only applies to MLB, meaning they could show live minor league games - "According to Rogers, the ability to carry live non-MLB games would broaden the scope and diversity of programming available on Baseball TV and further satisfy the needs of Canadian baseball fans".

Gwyn - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 08:02 AM EDT (#190642) #

I can't get the link to the CRTC work - it's: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2008/db2008-171.htm

John Northey - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 08:20 AM EDT (#190643) #

Now that would be tempting. I figure they'd have been broadcasting Team Canada games a lot coming into the Olympics (but obviously not during). Some winter league, some Japanese leagues, some independent league (such as Winnipeg) would also be there too I'm sure. Hopefully they'd mix in women's softball & baseball (there is a women's baseball world championship) as I found the US/Canada Olympic tune up game that one of the sports channels showed recently quite entertaining to watch.

Make it $2 a month and I'll sign up.

ayjackson - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 08:37 AM EDT (#190644) #

I think China Fan's right. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Jays called the M's to see if their Litsch/League (eg) offer would get it done and were told no, so didn't bother with the claim. I'm wondering how many Jays were placed on, and cleared, them.

China fan - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 08:39 AM EDT (#190645) #

Well, I really hope the Jays were not offering Litsch and/or League for a couple months of Ibanez! I'd have to think that the Jays were offering a lot less than that.

FisherCat - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 10:26 AM EDT (#190646) #

I think the way the waiver wire works this time of year is, that the player goes thru the entire system and is "claimed" numerous times. After all 30 teams get a crack, then they collect the teams that put in the "claim" and start with the lowest record team and either a deal is struck or he's pulled back at that point...then that's it! The player stays and he's no longer available to anyone.

MatO - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 10:36 AM EDT (#190647) #

My understanding of these waivers is that they are recallable. Each team typically puts a host of players on recallable waivers in August. If a player clears (ie. no one puts in a claim) then he can be traded. If a team puts in a claim then the team recalls the waivers and the player cannot be traded. In other words the claiming team has blocked the trading of that player. You would do this if you didn't want a player to go to a rival but you had to be careful since it could then happen to you in the future. I don't know why Tampa would do this since they seem to be a candidate for Ibanez's services. I may be wrong but this is how I recall these waivers working.

Pistol - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 11:00 AM EDT (#190648) #

tart with the lowest record team and either a deal is struck or he's pulled back at that point...then that's it!

This is correct. The team with the winning claim has the opportunity to work out a trade (or the team that put him on waivers can just let him go for nothing). If a trade is not worked out that's it.

That's why teams with worse records can block trades in August. The Rays would have an easier time trading for someone if NY and especially Boston weren't behind them in the standings.

If the Blue Jays didn't make a claim on Ibanez I would imagine it's because they knew they wouldn't be able to make a deal with Seattle. It's not like the Jays are any closer now that they'd meet the Mariners asking price. And the Mariners aren't going to let him go for free.

James W - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 11:25 AM EDT (#190649) #

In other words the claiming team has blocked the trading of that player. You would do this if you didn't want a player to go to a rival but you had to be careful since it could then happen to you in the future.

The other downside of course is if the team doesn't recall the waiver, and then the claiming team is "stuck" with the player. (Think Randy Myers going to the Padres.)

Ryan Day - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 12:21 PM EDT (#190650) #

Speaking of waivers, Bob Elliot claims Wells and McDonald were both placed on waivers. While I suspect Wells is just a "go ahead and take his contract if you want" sort of thing, I wouldn't be surprised if a few teams wanted a glove man like McDonald. Though I'm also surprised they'd want to move him, since Cito seems to have appointed him The Man.

FisherCat - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#190651) #

Speaking of waivers, Bob Elliot claims Wells and McDonald were both placed on waivers. While I suspect Wells is just a "go ahead and take his contract if you want" sort of thing, I wouldn't be surprised if a few teams wanted a glove man like McDonald. Though I'm also surprised they'd want to move him, since Cito seems to have appointed him The Man.

I heard it said in the past and Ken Rosenthal reiterated it again recently that its common practice for just about every player on every team to be passed thru waivers during this time of year. Because if a claim is put on someone like A-Rod, the Yanks would just withdraw him and that's it. Also with someone like Wells, the Jays may find a desperate buyer for him that was willing to put together a SUBSTANTIAL package, which they wouldn't have otherwise discovered.

Moe - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 01:09 PM EDT (#190652) #

If the Blue Jays didn't make a claim on Ibanez I would imagine it's because they knew they wouldn't be able to make a deal with Seattle. It's not like the Jays are any closer now that they'd meet the Mariners asking price. And the Mariners aren't going to let him go for free.

As others have said above, if they thought they are still in it, they would have at least blocked the Rays (and BOS/NYY). This shows that they know they are out of it. However, I would liked them to put in the claim regardless. Weaken your opponents and maybe get 2 picks for $1-2mill.

Speaking of waivers, Bob Elliot claims Wells and McDonald were both placed on waivers. While I suspect Wells is just a "go ahead and take his contract if you want" sort of thing, I wouldn't be surprised if a few teams wanted a glove man like McDonald. Though I'm also surprised they'd want to move him, since Cito seems to have appointed him The Man.

If someone claims McDonald, they can try to work out a trade. If they get a good return, they do it, if not you pull him back. Make sense to me.

StephenT - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 01:10 PM EDT (#190653) #

I'd be happier if they would just let broadcasting of the ESPN channels become legal in Canada. There's lots of ESPN programming that's not simulcast on a Canadian channel, e.g. Baseball Tonight show.

whiterasta80 - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 01:31 PM EDT (#190655) #

If anyone claims Vernon Wells off Waivers I'll be calling them with "interesting real estate opportunities in Florida"

whiterasta80 - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 02:02 PM EDT (#190656) #

Not sure exactly where to post this, but apparently- despite all our talk- we as fans are pretty loyal to the Jays.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/07/baseball-fans-loyal-forbeslife-cx_mw_0807sport2_slide_6.html?thisSpeed=15000

That came as something of a suprise to me, I always thought we did a good job of voicing when we're unhappy with our team.

Geoff - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 05:46 PM EDT (#190674) #

They don't mean loyal to management's handling of the team. They mean loyal to giving the team attention and attendance. The fan who voices dissent is far more valuable in loyalty than the fan who doesn't care what the team is doing.

#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 06:39 PM EDT (#190678) #

This just in, Brad Ziegler is human. B.J. Upton drove in a run against the A's reliever in the ninth. That stops his MLB record of scoreless innings to start a career at 39 1/3. Oakland should demote him now. :)

TamRa - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 06:49 PM EDT (#190680) #

China Fan:

If they couldn't work out a deal, Ibanez could have been put back on waivers and eventually the Rays could have put in a claim for him. Maybe the Rays were willing to offer a better deal.

No. Once a players is pulled back he cannot be traded the rest of the season.

ayjackson

I think China Fan's right. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Jays called the M's to see if their Litsch/League (eg) offer would get it done and were told no, so didn't bother with the claim. I'm wondering how many Jays were placed on, and cleared, them.

The Mariners would be insane to turn that down.

Pistol

If the Blue Jays didn't make a claim on Ibanez I would imagine it's because they knew they wouldn't be able to make a deal with Seattle. It's not like the Jays are any closer now that they'd meet the Mariners asking price. And the Mariners aren't going to let him go for free.

Exactly my point - if they entertain any illusions they don't want him going to TB or even Boston.

James W

The other downside of course is if the team doesn't recall the waiver, and then the claiming team is "stuck" with the player. (Think Randy Myers going to the Padres.)

Thing is though, that still works for us because then we would spend $1.25 million (roughly) for 6 weeks of Ibanez AND 2 high draft picks. That's a good buy.

------------------------------------
Per Rotoworld:

Waiver claims made on Raul Ibanez and Jarrod Washburn both expired Thursday without a deal being made.
Both players will stick with the team for the rest of the season. The Tigers were the team that put in a claim on Ibanez,

http://rotoworld.com/Content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=2277

So the Jays never had the chance.

scottt - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 09:32 PM EDT (#190689) #

I was surprised to see Frasor come in the 8th after he pitched 2 innings yesterday. I guess he was the new setup guy.

Magpie - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 10:53 PM EDT (#190693) #

I guess [Frasor] was the new setup guy.

Nah, he was the next-to-last guy standing. Downs and League weren't available. Richmond was unlikely to get his first relief assignment in that particular situation. Carlson had just given up a 415 drive to a LH batter, not an encouraging sign, and a slew of righties were coming up. Which is also why you would hesitate to bring in Ryan for the final five outs. Frasor and Camp were all that was left. Gaston had successfully used Frasor on back-to-back days several times before - and on one of those occasions he'd faced 5 batters on the first game (he'd faced 6 on Wednesday), and pitched two good innings the next day - and Frasor had been pitching better lately than Camp.

Gaston, of course, is still finding what his players can and can not do. If he'd asked me, I certainly could have told him you don't want Jason Frasor anywhere near a close ball game.

#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 11:35 PM EDT (#190694) #

Despite giving up the deep bomb to centre and the fact some righties were coming up, why wasn't Carlson left in longer? It wasn't like he's had a huge workload lately as his last appearance was in the Cleveland series where he worked a whopping 1/3 of an inning.

Frasor's had a nice year statistically and he fares better against righties than Carlson in the OPS department but I had a sinking feeling he would blow it. I've never been Frasor's biggest fan. He makes me bitter, not Doug Creek or Jeff Tam bitter, but bitter nonetheless. I've never forgiven him for blowing Pat Hentgen's last good start as a Jay and blowing Dustin McGowan's MLB debut.

scottt - Friday, August 15 2008 @ 07:28 AM EDT (#190697) #

"I just didn't have the guys ready in the bullpen to do the job," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. "I thought that Frasor would be my best bet, but he couldn't get the job done."

"We didn't have the usual guys out there," manager Cito Gaston said. "Frasor was perfect Wednesday, and today was different."

It's going to be dicey until Downs come back. If Doc has a small lead today, he'll be in there the whole game.

14 August 2008 | 27 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.