Attempted humour alert!

And on behalf of bball12 let me say that this move continues to show the Jays lack of respect for Mastroianni.  He was the last one listed among the promoted players; and the Jays didn't think enough of him to immediately put him on the 25 man roster.  They obviously haven't updated the 40 man roster on the website just so they don't have to put his name on there.  He obviously has no future in the organization.

Attempted humour over.

Just kidding bball12 but how does this move reconcile with the Jays lack of respect for Mastroianni?

 

Excellent.  Good choices all around.

Gerry,

Actually - I dont think it means much of anything to Maestro - other than more time in the minor leagues.

From the Jays perspective - It would have been quite a waste if they didnt put him on the 40-man - as I think he has some real value to other teams and would have went in the Rule 5 draft.

And AA is certainly astute enough to know that.

Assuming the Jays had some room to maneuver with the 40 man - why let him Maestro go for $50,000 (I believe that is the comp they would get if he went Rule 5.)

He could be a useful throw-in for a trade down the road.

Bottom line - Davis is in - and the Maestro is out.

That being said - I do think Maestro has advantages over Davis - including 5 years of age/batting eye and OBP potential/arm strength/ and defensive instincts.

However - The pattern I see developing - and it may be a pretty darn good one - is that AA wants to win sooner than anyone thinks.

Get young potential superstars and MLB experienced players. 25 year olds without MLB experience isnt going to cut it with AA.

It is an interesting strategy - IMO - and I expect at least one "blockbuster trade" before it is all done.

The current projected lineup at this moment will not be able to compete effectively in the AL East.

I think AA has a big one coming that will surprise us all - and make the Jays a much better - more balanced team and more competitive team.

Based on the moves he has made so far - I think AA is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does this mean Emaus didn't need to be added, has yet to be added or is on his way to Arizona?

Emaus will apparently be available in Rule 5. Obviously, the BJ's do not regard him as a major league prospect. That is likely a correct call.

Blair has stated as much earlier this year.  Though Blair is barely relevant in Jays-land these days.

Depends on what you mean by "prospect"

Prospectively Jeff Keppinger (for instance)? I think so.

Potentially a first division starter? likely not.

Still, i would not be remotely surprised if he gets drafted because a versitle player with his batting eye is as much a lock as you can get to not be a waste of a bench spot - particularly in the NL.

I'm disappointed he wasn't protected even if we were not going to use him.

On another note, were my calculations incorrect that Henderson Alvarez is eligible as well?

Anybody feel like posting players at risk of being selected from the Jays? I also wouldn't be suprised if someone scooped Emaus up and he turned into Dan Uggla lite, of course thats just the fear talking.

TamRa you are joking about H Alvarez, right? I checked he is not eligible. 2007-10 is 4 years he is young enough for a 5 year minor league career.

I hope I am right and you are wrong, please don't scare me like this again. Also since I am no expert we still need a better source to confirm the security of our furure ACE IMO.

Gerry ... Three Questions for you ...   Can you confirm whether Adam Loewen is available in the Rule 5 Draft or does he still have that same contract where if he is on a MLB 25 man roster his salary is $1million plus ?       Also, Moises Sierra has been in only one DWL game for only one at bat ( a strikeout) which happened back on November 4th ... an injury, back stateside in instructional, told to back off ?     Also, could Dustin McGowan retire and open up a spot on the list for somebody else, much like the Yankee$ do every year with Andy Petitte ?

I'm not Gerry but I can answer two of the three questions:

Can you confirm whether Adam Loewen is available in the Rule 5 Draft or does he still have that same contract where if he is on a MLB 25 man roster his salary is $1million plus ?

Loewen is eligible for the Rule 5 draft, but I'm doubtful he'd be selected.  He's a 27 year-old still learning to hit, and if there had been a team willing to give him a major league job this offseason, he probably would have signed elsewhere rather than re-sign with the Jays on a minor league contract.

Also, could Dustin McGowan retire and open up a spot on the list for somebody else, much like the Yankee$ do every year with Andy Petitte ?

Pettitte files for free agency when his contract is up -- I don't believe he's ever formally retired.  McGowan isn't yet eligible for free agency, so the two situations aren't really similar.

I'm not sure how easy it would be for McGowan to retire and then unretire after the draft, but I imagine the Commissioner's office would frown upon such shenanigans.

Agree that Loewen is available.

McGowan could retire but teams don't go to agents and suggest they do something to get around the rules.  Why would McGowan do it?  The Jays could drop him from the 40 man roster but they must believe there is still a chance he comes back to keep him on there.  Baseball is not a charity and if the Jays thought McGowan was finished they would drop him.  Players get extra benefits from being on the 40 man so there would be a financial hit to McGowan for "retiring".

I haven't heard anything about Sierra.

As other posters have noted, there are a few players on the 40 man who seem to be less valuable than a couple who were left unprotected.  No huge deals though.

Does anyone else think that being a right handed batter may not bode well for the Maestro/Emaus?

His speed is valuable, but with Wells, J-Bats, Davis all right handed batters in the outfield, and Hill, Escobar, and JPA in the infield. In the scenario where Man-Ram is signed, that leaves only Lind and Snider as left-handed bats.

Do you think the team would look to get a left-handed bat on the bench? Maybe Freddie Lewis?

McGowan could retire but teams don't go to agents and suggest they do something to get around the rules.

And if a team tried to get around the rules for the Rule 5 draft in this manner, the rules would be changed pretty quickly to prevent it from ever happening again.  When the Pirates drafted Brian Smith from the Blue Jays in 1999, they released him and then immediately re-signed him to a minor league contract.  As a result, the Pirates didn't have to keep Smith on the 25-man roster for the entire year or offer him back to the Blue Jays.  That loophole was closed the following year.

TamRa you are joking about H Alvarez, right? I checked he is not eligible. 2007-10 is 4 years he is young enough for a 5 year minor league career.

I hope I am right and you are wrong, please don't scare me like this again. Also since I am no expert we still need a better source to confirm the security of our furure ACE IMO.

I don't want to be right either BUT

According to MiLB, Alvarez signed in August of 2006.

the same methodology which requires that we count 2009 against Marisnick and Jenkins despite there not having played in 2009 would seem to require that we count 2006 against Alvarez.

Thus

'06 - '07 - '08 - '09 - '10 = 5 years.

Let me see if i can get an answer via John Lott - but it looks that way to me.

Even if McGowan "retired" and opened a spot, the Jays cannot fill that spot (until after the draft) with a minor leaguer after midnight tonight. only via a trade or FA signing.

The Moises Sierra protection is just flat out weird, there's no way a team is going to keep him on their 25 man for the time needed.

Disappointed that Emaus was not added.  There are 4 or 5 on the roster that I would gladly release to make room for him.  The guy's only 24, has hit for a good average, draws a lot of walks and has some pop.  Could develop into a pretty useful player.  I have no doubt somebody will take him.  I hope the Giants grab him.

The team I follow in the NL the most (albeit only losely) is the Cardinals - I'd love to see them give him a turn at 2B next year if in fact he does get drafted.

not that I expect an All-Star but it's a team which has an opening for a player to go wherever his skills can take him - that's what I hope is that he gets a chance, an open door, not just 70 at bats of the bench all year.

Though i admit that's an emotional thught process - in reality if he leaves the Jays it shouldn't matter to me what happens next (I suppose i should hope he gets offered back)
Ditto for Loewen - I wouldn't be surprised if he's drafted, but if he is he probably gets offered back to us so I'm not too worried there.

If Alvarez is indeed eligible for the rule-5 draft, and was indeed left available, could that mean that he might be leaving via trade very soon?

Mike Hinckley was signed. The guy can keep the ball in the park which is a good thing. I guess a promise of a spring invite? Who knows who will end up being 6th and 7th guys out in the bullpen. bref

H Alvarez... i don't know what to think.

Below is from Cot's.  It seems to indicate that though Alvarez signed August 2006, his first professional season was 2007.  A team has five years to evaluate (language according to Cot's) a signee who is under 18 when signed.  His first year of evaluation must be 2007 (Alvarez didn't turn 17 until the following April).

They may sign with any of the 30 Major League clubs during the international signing period, which begins July 2. To be eligible to sign a contract, a player must be 16 years old at the time of signing and turn 17 years old by either 1) September 1 or 2) the end of his first professional season, whichever is later.

 

Even if Alvarez is eligible for the Rule 5 draft, I wonder what are the odds that anyone would take him after his previous season which was not particularly strong. If he were a blue-chip, can't miss prospect that dominated the FSL then I would be worried. As it is, unless someone really believes he is the next Santana I can't imagine someone trying to hide him in the bullpen for a year.

On the other hand, he has huge upside, has two plus pitches right now and can easily be hid in a ML bullpen for a year - especially given the trend toward 7-man pens.

Alvarez is not eligible; he signed a 2007 contact in August of '06.

There was no point in adding Loewen, as he is out of options so the Jays would have to put him through waivers if they didn't keep him in the Majors for all of 2011, at which point it would be easier for a team to claim him (no requirement to keep him in the Majors as long as he once again clears waivers).

I don't like the decision to leave Emaus off of the roster, but the club does not think he can play defense and second and his bat is weak for third or first base. He's not the type of player that teams typical take in the Rule 5 (they tend to go for young, power arms and athletes) but you never know...

I'm not particularly enamored by Emaus but you'd think he has more value to the Blue Jays than Luis Perez or Rommie Lewis. However, it's like the loss of Magnuson & Farquhar to acquire Rajai - these things are way too inconsequential to quibble over. If any of the scrap pieces you give away over the years turns into something like Scott Downs or Marco Scutaro did for Toronto it's the cost of doing business and it all balances out.

Unfortunately, blockbuster trade rumours can only occupy us for 36-48 hrs and then we have to get back to quibbling over the likes of Farquar and Emaus.

quibble quibble quibble

The BTF Blue Jays 2011 ZiPS Projections are out.

Alvarez is not eligible; he signed a 2007 contact in August of '06.

Marc, I'm not arguing with you here - nd I'm very glad to be wrong as it pertains to Alvarez but...

How in the h-e- doublehockysticks  are we supposed to sort these things ut when Jankins signing in 2009 means 2009 counts and alvarez signing in 2006 means 2006 desn't count?

Would it be SO bleedin' hard for someone to give us a resource so we know once and for all?

Even the publicly available rules don't ake it really obvious whether Jenkin's 2009 ought to count or not count - we're just told that's how they are SUPPOSEd to be read.

What's the upside in keeping us guessing when they know their most dedicated fans obsess over this sort of stuff.

to be clear - I think it's good that 2006 doesn't count. What I object to is 2009 counting against Jenkins and Marisnick and 2010 counting against McGuire.

AYJ thanks for the definition on Intl FAs. Obviously players that young are going to change based on various factors, physical growth, mental and talent improvements... Raw stuff. Eg B Fuenmayor unless he improves could be a 6 year minor league FA in 2 years at a still young age.
One of my favorites J Guzman was acquired in a minor deal as was J Bautista. As we all know.

My thoughts on Mastro is that he is our 2nd fourth OF. I hope he plays in LV next year.

Please correct me if I am wrong about LV and the PCL concerning:-

1) GBs rocket through the IF for hits due to the hard dry IF surface.
2)FBs go for more Hrs due to the air benefiting them.

So then would it be harder to bunt successfully?

Back to Mastro, he should be able to get more hits via GBs and maybe a few more HRs as well, maybe 10. So if he is on base more then he has the opportunity to steal more thereby improving one of his most valuable skills.

Would a pitcher's FB be faster in these conditions. OF & C throws would also be faster. J Morris always wanted the dome closed (or was it open) because it helped the pitcher, again due to atmosphere.
How does the atmosphere affect the other pitches and their movement. Are the pitches straighter?

bpoz, if you are interested in this type of thing, you should read The Physics Of Baseball by Robert Adair.  One of the most interesting books I've ever read.  From that book, I can tell you that a pitcher's fastball at Coors Field in Denver will get to the plate roughly 6 inches ahead of a fastball thrown at sea level.  Not sure of the elevation at Vegas.  Denver is about 5,000 feet, Vegas might be 2,000 or so.  At Denver a curve will break about 25% less.  Interestingly, a batted ball not only travels farther at altitude, but it also travels faster.  This helps bouncers to get through the infield and fly balls to fall in the gaps, so it's not just the hard infield that leads to more hits.  A fly ball hit 300 feet will get there 3/10 of a second faster in Denver than at sea level.  Temperature also is an important factor.  For every extra 10 degrees F, a long fly ball travels about 4 feet farther, and of course it is very hot in Vegas.  The Rockies have mitigated these effects somewhat by storing the baseballs in a humidified room.  Not sure what the humidity is in the "humidor" but a ball stored at 100% humidity will lose about 30 feet of distance on a 400 foot fly.

Thank You Dan Gordon. Those facts will help me a lot in 2011.

I understood the pitching performances of some guys some what.


So I expect Mastro to thrive in LV, taking the extra base and stealing bases.
Now a very good SS/2B will get more errors because his range will allow him to get to more difficult balls to handle, I would think. A Heck who is signed for 3 more years should get to LV in 2011 and be busy as a +defender.
D Coopers defense at 1st will be a big challenge to him. Thames also has good speed I believe, so he and Mastro will have lots of opportunity to work on their defense, communicating and backing up each other. Too bad Thames has a weak/below average arm though.

Hey bpoz, don't forget what Dan Gordon actually said.

A fastball will go 6 inches further (in Denver) than at sea level. Let's say LV (due to heat, etc) is only 4 inches. Then add another 6 inches back from the catcher->2B throw (it's further, and I'm guessing catchers with good arms throw 80-90 mph too). That means the ball goes 10 inches further in the same amount of time from pitcher->catcher->2B/SS on a steal attempt (or some fraction of a second faster, if you want to talk time). Often, the difference between stealing a base or not is 1-2 feet. The Maestro may actually steal LESS successfully in LV due to the ball traveling faster, and him not being able to outrun it as easily...