Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Mike Green - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:04 PM EDT (#288107) #

Good timing, Mr. Magpie.

greenfrog - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:05 PM EDT (#288109) #

Looks like the Jays just magpied a win.

Lots of twin killings tonight, too.

uglyone - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:17 PM EDT (#288110) #

What a fail by the defensive replacements to blow the lead....nice to see one of them get some redemption with pillar getting the oppo bloop walkoff single.

Would have been a tough one to lose, and a 3gm streak would have had jays fabs in a tizzy and baseball media bringing out some early itoldyasos.

That being said, that's four games in a row now with lacklustre offense against mediocre pitching. The offense may be legit cooling down for a bit, which was expected.

greenfrog - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:35 PM EDT (#288112) #

The Jays should be in a good position to upgrade at the deadline. A quality SP would be a great start. A second baseman or utility player might also be a good idea. The team should be able to find a reliever or two as well. A couple of judicious moves could go a long way toward sending the team to the off-season.

A #2/3 starter (ideally someone controllable through 2015) would be my top priority.

greenfrog - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:36 PM EDT (#288113) #

To the post-season!

Richard S.S. - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:38 PM EDT (#288114) #

The balance of the year will be interesting, as sometime Wednesday the one millionth fan goes to the game. There are, from tomorrow on, 9 more home games this month. The month ends 83 games and 43 home games into the Season.

Richard S.S. - Monday, June 09 2014 @ 10:47 PM EDT (#288116) #

Offense was alright, 10 hits, 5BB, nothing to sneeze at.

christaylor - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 06:34 AM EDT (#288123) #

I thought there was a quote out there (not that it means anything) of AA saying he'd prefer a true rental pitcher. I'd really like to see Price on the team, but not for Stroman/Sanchez. In 2015 the core is another year older and Rasmus or Melky are gone -- I am not a true believer in championship windows, but this year seems to be it.

Maybe that means sell the farm for Price; the truism is correct, flags do fly forever.

Chuck - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 08:28 AM EDT (#288125) #

Just seeing last night's highlights now. Someone needs to explain to Pillar what "no doubles" means.

Super Bluto - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 11:42 AM EDT (#288129) #

I don't understand comments suggesting that 'it'd be good to have Player X, but not at the price of Y or Z'. We've been waiting 20 years for a playoff team. Twenty years! The only teams who've been waiting longer are Kansas City and...wait, nope...just Kansas City! With where the team is now, this might be the best chance of seeing October baseball for the next 20 years. I would happily trade 20 years of future futility (afterall, I've just endured that) for one glorious chance to cheer for the Jays in the playoffs. For a front of the line starting pitcher, I'd give up Sanchez, Stroman and much more. Gut the system. Get me playoff ball.

grjas - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 11:50 AM EDT (#288130) #

Get me playoff ball.

Yup. We gave up a hall of famer to get Cone. Does anyone care?

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 12:06 PM EDT (#288131) #

Agreed grjas, there is so much value in the Jays making the playoffs after a 20+ year gap that it might even be worth sacrificing a couple of years to do so. This is clearly the year to go for it.

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#288132) #

I'm all in too...but that doesn't mean we shouldn't play hardball anyways.

By the time trade deadline comes, i imagine the idea of trading hutch or stroman for a rental will look pretty silly.

But we do have four other big arms now in sanchez, norris, hoffman, and osuna......and i could be convinced to include any two of them in a deal, plus some lesser prospects.

bpoz - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 12:23 PM EDT (#288133) #

As the trade deadline approaches, I would like to know:
1) Do we have a lead and how comfortable is it?
2) We are still in it and fighting with others for the AL E and a WC.
This determines how much I give up.

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 12:28 PM EDT (#288134) #

Price was discussed in another thread and I'd probably be prepared to give up something along the lines of Sanchez, Nolin, Barreto, Smith Jr. I don't know how much steeper than that things could get.

Unfortunately we will likely have to start thinking about 2B before too long. The Francisco/Tolleson platoon seems to have turned into a pumpkin lately.

Lylemcr - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 12:45 PM EDT (#288136) #

I usually say when the window opens, you have to go for it. Stroman\Sanchez could be good, but the window could be closed 4 years from now when EE and Bautista start to decline. We do not have any position players in the system

The only problem I have with Price is that he is in the AL East. The thought of seeing Sanchez\Stroman coming to Toronto a 100 times in thier career, just does not sit well with me.

I also wonder if Tampa is not looking for a position player and an arm. They do have lots of arms right now in the system.

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#288138) #

There's a bunch of guys at the premium positions that i imagine would pique their interest to varying levels:

CF Gose, Pompey, Davis
SS Lugo, Barreto, Urena
C Jimenez, Pentacost, Nessy

greenfrog - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 01:04 PM EDT (#288142) #

It's early days on the trade front. Look for the trade discussions to really get underway around mid-July.

Utley is another interesting name, although Philly may be disinclined to move him even during a rebuild. Also, his contract might make the Jays nervous about the total financial commitment involved, especially given his age and injury history.

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 01:11 PM EDT (#288143) #

If we are adding Price (or an equivalent) and we are paying full value then I'd like to see us add him early (ala Milwaukee/Sabathia a few years back). Actually it is a very similar situation where they had missed the playoffs forever and didn't want to blow a good start.

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 01:51 PM EDT (#288148) #

I have to keep reminding myself that price isn't a rental. He's under control next year too.

Sanchez, Norris, Lugo, Jimenez.

Does that do it?

Lylemcr - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#288151) #

Good news is that next year, if things blow up, we can trade him and get a little something back (or be going for our second World series).. :)

PeterG - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 02:22 PM EDT (#288153) #

I would never watch the Jays again if they ever did this..........but they won't so no worries.

I would have a hard time trading even one of the first 3 even up. yes I. know they are unproven prospects but.....Price has an ERA over 4......how do we know he will do any better....we have 4 pitchers at Buffalo, any one of whom might accomplish that.......

so we trade 3 of our best prospects and lose the first series or worse the sudden death game........then how will everyone feel?

I would much rather have a team that is a sustainable contender than take a one shot flyer at an elusive championship.....I am aware that some feel differently but that's my two cents.

Kelekin - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 02:47 PM EDT (#288155) #

I can't believe how narrow the argument against Price is. Might as well state his W/L record too. His HR/9 is the highest of his career, but if you look at every other statistic, it shows that he is pitching just as well as he always does. Plus a sweet 11 K/BB rate. He has almost won the Cy Young twice, despite perpetually having some of the lowest run support in the league. I can't even fathom the idea that some of you wouldn't want him, when he'd be our best pitcher by a long shot.

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:00 PM EDT (#288158) #

Agreed, Kelekin, with one caveat...price's velo is down from ~95 to ~93, which is significant, and could be why his babip and hr rates are up. But even theh, he's still awesome.

And pete, his era us now below 4, at 3.97, and dropping with every start, as expected.

mathesond - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:01 PM EDT (#288159) #

I can't even fathom the idea that some of you wouldn't want him, when he'd be our best pitcher by a long shot.

Better the devil you don't know than the one you do, I guess?

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:24 PM EDT (#288163) #

I wonder if Morrow and his possibly affordable team option next year would be an attractive part of a package for TB or any other team with an ace to sell (seattle?).

PeterG - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:30 PM EDT (#288164) #

I would be wiling to revisit this in 5 weeks when we will see how he does in the meantime?

But Ugly, r u not concerned that giving up 3/4 top prospects could hurt us badly down the road.

I don't see this happening anyway so don't want to get too hyped about it.........

I think, if he does anything and he may not, AA is more likely to give up secondary prospects for a rental.....

and too, we have Hendriks, Nolin, McGuire and Liz at Buffalo........one of them might come through.

if McGuire keeps dealing, I would open up a spot start for him to see what happens...as he is already on 40. should be easily done.....will be interesting to see how he does tonight....

John Northey - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:39 PM EDT (#288167) #

For super-rental (ie: could be gone as a free agent at the end of the season) the list is at http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/league-info/potential-free-agents-for-2015/

Prime targets right now though would be players on horrid teams, ideally in a different division or league.
Arizona is way out of it - Brandon McCarthy is interesting - a free agent after 2014, 3.80 FIP but a 5.13 ERA due to a 1.4 HR/9 rate which is drastically higher than his career and a high H/9. His BB/9 of 1.6 and 8.2 K/9 suggest he is a solid guy.
Cubs are out of it - Jeff Samardzija is someone the Jays really wanted and is doing well 151 ERA+ with a year more of control but he would cost. Jason Hammel on the other hand is a free agent post 2014 having a good year (152 ERA+ FIP under 3 as well)
Phillies are falling down and should rebuild - Cliff Lee solid again but very expensive ($25 mil next, $27 in 2016 or $12.5 mil buyout) but boy would he fit the bill as an ace for this team.

So a few thoughts there.

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:41 PM EDT (#288169) #

The thing i ask myself, pete, is whether any of those kids will ever turn into a player as good as price?

And the answer is most likely no, and probably not close.

Even if you take those four prospects i mentioned last, odds are maybe one becomes an above average player, one an average player, and two bust out completely. There's even a solid chance that all four bust to some extent, and the chances of any of them turning into a star like price are slim.

The other thing to note is that the jays kind of have a crapload of big arms in the system right now. They can afford to lose a couple, even if they're amongst the better ones.

We have a veteran team here with a 2-3 yr window, and price would be under control for two of those years at least. Having price would also make the team more attractive to free agents, especially our own (melky/colby).

And if we win with him, then maybe we can re-sign price for his 29-35yrs, just as the aging buehrle and dickey's contracts expire.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:52 PM EDT (#288170) #

A quick technical note on Price. His BABIP is .332, much higher than his career .285. This is unusual because his K rate is at a career best, his HR/FB rate is at a career high (which presumably means fewer balls off the wall), his IFFB and LD rates are at career norms. The big item seems to be his IF hit rate which is 11% instead of 6% career. This makes it seem like his major issue is lack of infield defensive support. Yunel Escobar is at -14 so far according to DRS and -7.6 according to UZR, and subjectively has not looked as good as a few years ago. That might be a big deal for Price.

Checking a little deeper. Price's BABIP on ground balls this year is .331 (career .239) ; on fly balls it is .059 (career .116) and on line drives it is .729 (career .664). Conclusion: reduced velocity might play a role, but ground ball defence seems to be a bigger part of it.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 03:58 PM EDT (#288171) #

RIP Bob Welch.

85bluejay - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 04:13 PM EDT (#288175) #

lots of fans on the trade bandwagon - I hope people remember that most teams that swing the big trade don't win it all - some of the same fans urging the jays to swing for the fences are going to be leading the parade of complaints if depleting the farm leads to another long stay in the basement in the coming years.Given that most teams will likely remain in the wild-card race, I'm expecting the prices to go up for quality.

PeterG - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 04:20 PM EDT (#288176) #

well said 85BJ....many deadline acquisitions don't work out.....often keeping together the team u have is the better option.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 04:38 PM EDT (#288177) #

I suspect that the Rays might be more willing to trade Zobrist than Price within the division. Zobrist is 33 and his line drive rate and IsoP are falling. He still controls the strike zone well and plays a decent second base. He would be a nice fit here. He's got a team option for $7.5m in 2015 and that might not be worth a huge amount to Tampa.

uglyone - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 04:40 PM EDT (#288179) #

Midseason gets for WS Champs:

BOS '13: J.Peavy
SFG '12: H.Pence, M.Scutaro
STL '11: E.Jackson, R.Furcal, O.Dotel, M.Rzepcynski, C.Patterson
SFG '10: J.Lopez, R.Ramirez, C.Ross, M.Fontenot, J.Guillen
NYY '09: J.Hairston, C.Gaudin
PHI '08: J.Blanton, S.Eyre
BOS '07: E.Gagne
STL '06: R.Belliard, J.Sosa
CHX '05: G.Blum
BOS '04: O.Cabrera, D.Roberts, D.Mientkiewiscz, M.Myers
FLA '03: U.Urbina, J.Conine
LAA '02: A.Ochoa
ARZ '01: A.Lopez
NYY '00: D.Justice, G.Hill
FLA '97: C.Counsell
NYY '96: C.Fielder
TOR '93: R.Henderson
TOR '92: D.Cone

Best i could piece together quickly.

grjas - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 05:04 PM EDT (#288181) #

..many deadline acquisitions don't work out.....often keeping together the team u have is the better option.

After 20 years of disillusionment, including never even playing a meaningful game in September....hell yeah, I'd roll the dice. The Sox and Yankees will continue outspending us for decades no matter who owns us and yes money matters (how many years have the Yanks missed the playoffs since the mid 90s?). Strike while you can.

scottt - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 05:41 PM EDT (#288184) #

I remember the Yankees not wanting to trade Joba and Hughes which turned out to be a big mistake.

I really don't think Tampa will trade Price in the division, unless someone massively overpays. It's going to be a buyer's market anyway.

scottt - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 05:52 PM EDT (#288185) #

The platoons were working well, but then the Jays stopped seeing southpaws and both sides of the platoons have gotten cold. I'd consider giving Gose and Francisco a day of rest against a tough pitcher or one with a reverse split. Heck, even Lind could use a day.

ComebyDeanChance - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 06:47 PM EDT (#288186) #

And pete, his era is now below 4, at 3.97, and dropping with every start, as expected.

His ERA+ is worse than that of every pitcher on the staff save for Delabar and Morrow. He almost certainly won't sign an extension. I'd pass.

ComebyDeanChance - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 07:02 PM EDT (#288187) #

RIP Bob Welch.

Was the WS more exciting in the '70s than now? Or is it the same experience now for the young as it was when Welch came in and got Munson to fly out before striking out Reggie? I remember that much more than his later career.

Magpie - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 07:06 PM EDT (#288188) #

Was the WS more exciting in the '70s than now?

When Reggie Jackson was hitting... yes. It was more exciting.

Magpie - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 07:12 PM EDT (#288189) #

Only 5 games for Manny Machado? He didn't throw his helmet. He threw his bat. (Come to think of it, he did throw his helmet, back on Friday.) I think the Orioles just got really lucky.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 07:19 PM EDT (#288190) #

The '75 World Series wasn't chopped liver either, and I thought so at the time.

I'd put it down to youth, but I didn't fully appreciate the best pop music of the time as it was being released (Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Springsteen and Bob Marley). At the time, I felt like I was living through a less fertile time musically.

greenfrog - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 07:26 PM EDT (#288191) #

Looks like the Jays need to get back to their previous approach of swinging at pitches in the strike zone. Right now they're chasing a bit.

soupman - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 07:49 PM EDT (#288192) #

i think they;re doing fine as long as they keep it close. correia has already thrown 42 pitches. get into that twins bullpen again and do some damage. hopefully score some on the way.

grjas - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 08:30 PM EDT (#288193) #

i think they;re doing fine as long as they keep it close. correia has already thrown 42 pitches. get into that twins bullpen again and do some damage.

shouldn't need to. This starter had a 6.11 ERA.

May be their arms are sore from all the etra base hits in the last month.

Gerry - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 08:52 PM EDT (#288194) #

Sergio Santos pitched for New Hampshire tonight. In one inning he was hit around for three runs, three hits and a walk. He did have two strikeouts.

Gerry - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 09:03 PM EDT (#288195) #

Bob Lipman, the New Hampshire broadcaster, says one of the hits off Santos, a three run double with two outs, was a misplayed fly ball.

TangledUpInBlue - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 09:38 PM EDT (#288196) #

His ERA+ is worse than that of every pitcher on the staff ...

You're aware of his peripheral stats, right? Not to mention his track record. No one in the Jays rotation comes close to Price.

He almost certainly won't sign an extension.

Because...? Here's a tweet from Ken rodent gal (actually, Rosenthal, but the auto-correct is too good to delete) from last December:

"Asked McKinnis if Price would consider extensions with other teams. Said yes. Asked which clubs. He declined to answer."

TangledUpInBlue - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 09:40 PM EDT (#288197) #

McKinnis, I should've mentioned, is Price's agent.

grjas - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 10:22 PM EDT (#288199) #

Hmmm. Shut out 3 times in 4 days by mediocre teams. This will be a very interesting stretch of games for the Jays. They have 10 games against the yanks and the orioles coming, and are arguably playing at the worst all year. None of the starters, batters or fielders are going well and the relief has been uneven over the last few games.

Now we will find out if the team is for real.

scottt - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 10:23 PM EDT (#288200) #

ESPN's preview showed Brian Wolfe listed as day-to-day. Looked him up and he's playing in Japan.

TangledUpInBlue - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 10:34 PM EDT (#288202) #

None of the starters ... are going well

Really? Stroman? Buehrle?

greenfrog - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 11:24 PM EDT (#288204) #

I thought a key PA in tonight's game came in the bottom of the second. The Jays were applying pressure to Correia and had loaded the bases and turned the lineup over. Correia's control had been iffy up to that point and his pitch count was rising (despite some hacking at non-strikes by the Jays in the first inning). Reyes, the next batter, swung at a very high 0-1 pitch from Correia, fouling it off and putting himself in an 0-2 hole. On the next pitch, he grounded back to the pitcher, who threw home for the force out. Cabrera then grounded out to first to close out the inning.

Correia then retired the next 11 batters in a row. As often happens, a team has a good opportunity or two to get to the opposing starter early on, but it then gets harder to break through. I thought the Reyes PA was a potential turning point in the game.

Richard S.S. - Tuesday, June 10 2014 @ 11:52 PM EDT (#288206) #

Trying to hit too much, yet going against normal hitting behaviors developed this season from the new Hitting Coach or from earlier traits from prior times. These hitter never do well when they press.

Richard S.S. - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 12:05 AM EDT (#288208) #

Either that or they like looking stupid.

uglyone - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 12:40 AM EDT (#288209) #

Offense starting to ice over. Would be nice to get colby back right about now.

Doesn't help when your SPs are giving up multi run 1st innings, either. Hopefully Maestro can put a stop to that tommorrow and give us a series win.

Richard S.S. - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 01:10 AM EDT (#288210) #

Blue Jays lost no ground in the Standings, still +5.5 games.

grjas - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 08:31 AM EDT (#288213) #

None of the starters ... are going well. Really? Stroman? Buehrle?

Sorry, poor wording after a frustrating loss. My point is that over the last 4 games all aspects of the team have been floundering somewhat unlike early in the season where it was primarily relief pitching...hence the argument its been the roughest patch to date. Timing isn't great with the main competitors coming up, so now we'll see what they're made of. And at least as Richard says, they haven't lost ground.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 08:39 AM EDT (#288214) #

On the next pitch, he grounded back to the pitcher, who threw home for the force out.

That is the short account. For the benefit of those who weren't watching, Reyes' ground ball was stroked reasonably well and slightly to the third base side of the mound. Correia's follow-through took him to the first base side of the bag. He blindly stuck his glove down behind his back and caught the ball as it was going by. The shortstop was not playing Reyes to pull, and it would likely have been a run-scoring single (Navarro was on second and even with a big lead and 2 outs, he might have been held).

christaylor - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 08:41 AM EDT (#288215) #

"I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats."

greenfrog - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 08:55 AM EDT (#288216) #

Disagree with Mike's opinion on the Reyes PA. The Minnesota middle infielders were playing up the middle and were in position to field Reyes's grounder had the pitcher not snagged it (Buck Martinez's rosy assessment of the potential for a hit notwithstanding). It would likely have been a DP, even with Reyes's speed.

The larger point is that Reyes could have worked that PA differently by being more selective, thereby putting himself in a better position to have a productive PA (instead of having to swing defensively at an 0-2 pitch).

Gerry - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 09:01 AM EDT (#288217) #

Kratz has been behind the plate for Happ's last few starts and it seemed that they had developed a good relationship. Gibbons doesn't like the idea of personal catchers and so he put Navarro behind the plate last night. Happ did not have a good start. Coincidence? It will be interesting to see who catches Happ next time out.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 09:03 AM EDT (#288218) #

Right. There was one out. From one angle, it looked like the shortstop wouldn't have had a play, but it wasn't the best angle to make a judgment. Nonetheless, the play by the pitcher was, um, not very likely to work.

On the larger point, I agree. The club is swinging at more pitches than it ought to. Reyes' home run on Monday night was on a pitch that he is better to lay off. Bautista's at-bat against Shelby Miller with runners on 2nd and 3rd was perhaps the first of the most recent trend. He is usually good at avoiding going up the ladder, but in front of the big crowd, he did (I rush to add that since then Bautista has not been swinging at pitches outside the zone, at least that I have seen).

Jonny German - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 09:16 AM EDT (#288220) #

Just watched the replay with the At Bat app. Best I can guess from freezing the frame at different points is that the shortstop would have fielded the ball, but I think he'd likely only get the out at first. He would not have been in position to tag Gose running to second.

Jonny German - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 09:26 AM EDT (#288221) #

If Kratz isn't Happ's personal catcher one really has to question what he's doing on the roster. His 236 / 263 / 400 batting line is positively Arencibian, and very much in line with his career rates.

jerjapan - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 09:57 AM EDT (#288225) #

"I remember the Yankees not wanting to trade Joba and Hughes which turned out to be a big mistake"

Absolutely. But given the weeping and gnashing of teeth that lasted for months round here when we traded our 3rd string catcher and he had a good season, I'm terrified of trading for Price and having one of the prospects we give up emerge as a star.

Ryan Day - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 10:03 AM EDT (#288226) #

Kratz has a somewhat better Arencibian line of 226/250/516 with 3 homers vs LHP, so there's that. But then, using him as a personal catcher often negates that platoon benefit.

It's the same problem with Thole, who probably shouldn't be facing lefties but does anyway because he always catches Dickey. And despite hitting quite well this season, Thole only seems to be playing once a week.

Having three catchers on the roster could be advantageous - particularly with a switch hitter, a RH, and a LH - but I'm not sure two personal catchers is the way to go.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 10:26 AM EDT (#288232) #

Navarro is now 30, and whenever he runs, I am happy that there is a licenced paramedic with a defibrillator in the house. He has never caught 120 games in a season, and there is no reason for him to start now. If he catches Buehrle, Stroman and Hutchison, that would be 97 starts per season as a catcher. He's already DHed 10 times, and figuring on another 15 times, that would be 122 games, 97 at catcher. Given his age and history, that seems like a good target. He has not played in more than 55 games in any of the last 3 years.

Gerry - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 10:38 AM EDT (#288233) #

Kevin Pillar has been dispatched to the minors. Bobby Korecky has been called up. Is the bullpen short? Is this Stroman insurance? I was surprised by the move.

Gerry - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#288234) #

Gibbons has told reporters that Korecky is likely up just for the day. There will be another move after the game.

Lylemcr - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 10:57 AM EDT (#288235) #

http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/6/7/5789514/2014-draft-signing-table

Nick Wells signed and so did Reid Foley. They just have to get thier first rounders lined up and it would be considered a successful draft IMO.

I really want Zack Zehner and Zachery Pop. Those are awesome baseball names.

Happ is so hot and cold. It makes me just ill, but he is an alright #5. We have been shut out 3 out of the 4 last games. That is more concerning to me

Pillar was probably sent down to get at bats because they are proabably going to give Gose all the at bats (for his defense).

Gerry - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 10:59 AM EDT (#288236) #

Gibbons said the Jays are about to face 5 righties in a row so at-bats for Pillar would be hard to find.

Jonny German - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 11:07 AM EDT (#288239) #

Fair enough, but it also means at-bats for Kratz will be hard to find. And without Pillar the team is back to pretending that Tolleson is a suitable fourth outfielder.

Maybe Mastroianni is about to get a shot?

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 11:19 AM EDT (#288241) #

Mastroianni would make sense. He's also more useful as a pinch-runner because of his base-stealing ability.

ogator - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 11:24 AM EDT (#288245) #

This is a team with three catchers and three outfielders. At first, I wondered what would happen if Bautista hits one off his foot or Melky pulls a hammy. Who would go out to the outfield even for a day? And then I realized that if Lawrie takes about one and a half steps closer to the wall, he's been playing right field for three weeks.

Magpie - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 01:43 PM EDT (#288256) #

This is a team with three catchers and three outfielders.

Luxury. I remember a time (mid-June 1989) when the Jays were carrying three outfielders (one of whom was hurting and couldn't actually play the outfield at the time) and four catchers. It was as if Gillick was issuing Cito Gaston a challenge - "let's see you deal with this!"

MatO - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 02:43 PM EDT (#288262) #

Amazing. Within a span of 5 games the Jays turn the Rogers Centre from the second coming of Coors Field into the second coming of the Astrodome.

uglyone - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 02:44 PM EDT (#288264) #

Hmm. This is upsetting. Are we about to be shutout for the fourth time in five days?

uglyone - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#288265) #

So we keep 3 catchers, send down an OF, then have to pinch hit for our cf, sending bautista over to cf and tolleson into rf.

This was not well thought out.

Gerry - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 03:49 PM EDT (#288267) #

Mastroianni has been recalled, Korecky down.

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#288268) #

Sometimes you just gotta leave home.

scottt - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 05:36 PM EDT (#288274) #

Doesn't help when your SPs are giving up multi run 1st innings, either.

I smell a jinx.

greenfrog - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 05:56 PM EDT (#288275) #

Can't stand the prosperity, Blue Jays? Missing the good old days of .500-ish baseball?

scottt - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 05:58 PM EDT (#288276) #

Makes sense to swat the 4th outfielder.

They haven't face a lefty starter in June and if things stay as they are they might not face one at all.
Meanwhile Pillar has only 1 hit in his last 10 games--which he might not have had he played better defense.
It will be best for him to get regular playing time in Buffalo.

They gambled that they could do without the 4th outfielder for one day to make sure the pen was rested for the series against Baltimore. But down 6-0 Gibby couldn't resist pinch hitting for Gose with 2 runners on and 1 out.
Francisco went 0-2 anyway.

Though day for Korecky, 2 infield hits, one walk and he had the bases loaded with none out leading to 3 earned runs. Hopefully he rebounds from there.

Rasmus should be back next week and they can make a decision then who should be the 4th outfielder.

scottt - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 06:00 PM EDT (#288277) #

Swap not swat.

scottt - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 06:03 PM EDT (#288278) #

Today I finally got curious and looked into why Minnesota's cap insignias have a C on them.

They had stopped wearing those hats for a while...

Richard S.S. - Wednesday, June 11 2014 @ 07:35 PM EDT (#288284) #

Baltimore and New York are tied as 5.5 GBL. Baltimore plays Boston and lead 2-0 early. And New York is in Seattle, not starting for a while.

Gerry - Thursday, June 12 2014 @ 02:05 PM EDT (#288321) #

Colby Rasmus joins Buffalo tonight on rehab.