Blue Jays 2009

[Kilgore Trout]

Interesting article by Jeff Blair in Globe today re. Skydome at 20 years of age.
He thinks Skydome should reduce number of seats in stadium to create seat scarcity and thereby help to drive up demand and prices.

Quote:
"Beeston says there are ways of physically altering the Rogers Centre to create ticket scarcity for baseball – think slightly wider seats and larger concourses and aisles – and it is nuts-and-bolts issues like that with which Beeston’s replacement will need to deal."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/time-for-rogers-centre-to-start-giving-back/article1169690/


To me that's a great idea. They should reduce seating to about 42,000 by making the seats wider and aisles a bit wider. Most of the newer baseball stadiums going up are deliberately keeping number of seats available at lower levels because seat scarcity helps to create a buzz around the team.

Anyway with Rogers Centre seats 42,000 to 50,000 typically get sold for a very low rent on rare occasions when they are sold.

New York Mets decided in favour of seat scarcity for their new stadium. Going with about 45,000 for new Citi Field as opposed to the 57,000 that Shea was good for.

 

[salsamarc]

what a great game!!!! (unless you are A. Hill) I got to the Skydome early and managed to get a baseball and a Jays shirt autographed by Tony Fernandez and Kelly Gruber.......

Fernandez is a class act, I ran into him at the hard rock cafe and we chatted for close to 10 minutes (it would have been more but the assistants there kept telling him that he was needed elsewhere) first we were talking in spanish but as more people kept coming to say hello he ASKED me if it was ok to switch to English, what a guy a class act all the way....

 

[The Oracle]

Fernandez is a class act, I ran into him at the hard rock cafe and we chatted for close to 10 minutes (it would have been more but the assistants there kept telling him that he was needed elsewhere) first we were talking in spanish but as more people kept coming to say hello he ASKED me if it was ok to switch to English, what a guy a class act all the way....[/QUOTE]

Nice to hear a positive story about an athlete for once.

 

[lawyerman]

what a great game!!!! (unless you are A. Hill) I got to the Skydome early and managed to get a baseball and a Jays shirt autographed by Tony Fernandez and Kelly Gruber.......

Fernandez is a class act, I ran into him at the hard rock cafe and we chatted for close to 10 minutes (it would have been more but the assistants there kept telling him that he was needed elsewhere) first we were talking in spanish but as more people kept coming to say hello he ASKED me if it was ok to switch to English, what a guy a class act all the way....

I have met him as well and can honestly say he is heck of a nice guy.

 

[mandrill]

Off topic:

For the Sox fans on the board, when will the Sox axe Big Papi. It's 1/3 of the way thru the season. He is 50 points below the Mendoza line with only 1 dinger. How much more rope is he going to be given?

 

[blueline]

Off topic:

For the Sox fans on the board, when will the Sox axe Big Papi. It's 1/3 of the way thru the season. He is 50 points below the Mendoza line with only 1 dinger. How much more rope is he going to be given?

Ortiz is not 50 points below the ML, he is at .188. Still not good but pretty far from being that low. Red Sox are not going to dump him and eat $22 million in salary (to end of 2010), so they are pretty much stuck with him for now.

Right now, they have two holes to fill and the most pressing need is at SS. Lugo pretty much had a hand in all five runs last night in the Rangers 5-1 win. They have the worst fielding SS's in baseball and are desperately awaiting the return of Jed Lowrie, who may only be a couple weeks away from his return from wrist surgery. Then one of either Nick Green (who is not much better) or Lugo will be sent packing. Lugo is owed $9 million/season til the end of 2010 but it wouldn't be the first time a team has had to eat a contract. By far their worst signing in recent years. ShortStop JJ Hardy of the Brewers is the latest player rumoured to go to Boston. Johnny Mac's name has even come up, on discussion boards as well as in a recent article in the Boston Globe.

They are also less than two weeks away from the return of John Smoltz, which will make Brad Penny the odd -man out. There are several teams expressing an interest and last night, was his best outing of the season for four innings. After Lugo let a roller get past him, which could have been the 3rd out of the inning, the flood gates opened. Penny seem to lose all focus after that and Ian Kinsler smacked a 3-run bomb the next AB. The old Brad Penny would have choked the little SOB, the guy has to keep that ball from getting past him. My estimate is that his poor fielding has cost the Sox 3-4 games since his return. Interesting statistic here. With Nick Green at SS, Sox are 22-9. With Lugo, they are 10-12.

Sox are in hot pursuit of a hitter and lots of names have been swirling around. Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Johnson, Victor Martinez as well as Mark DeRosa who can play just about anywhere in the infield and outfield. Cleveland is abuot ready to throw in the towel on the season and a fire sale isn't too far off. They just sent Carmona all the way back to 'A' ball and have injury woes (Sizemore on the DL, Haefner just came back). Matt Holliday would also okay a trade out of Oakland (free agent after 2009 season) so he could end up on the move at the trade deadline.

Papi will be in and out of the lineup for now, but Sox will pick someone up. Brad Penny for Jeff Francoeur of the Braves, is the latest hot rumour. He has been moved out of the 3-hole but still continues to leave men on base and swing and miss on 89 mph fastballs. Occassionally he will have a good swing like the other night in Detroit when he popped one about 410 ft away (the wall is 420 in CF) then he took one to the wall last week in Toronto. I have actually caught a few games recently and in BP he usually puts on a show. Unfortunately, it is only BP and I think a lot of us look pretty good in those 25 cent batting cages.

So to answer your question, he will still be on the team, but Sox have another option available now with Mark Kotsay back. He can play 1B, Youkilis can play 3rd and Lowell will get some AB's as DH. Sox are going to pick up some players, I do not doubt that for a second. They were kind of expecting this anyways, either Lowell or Papi not producing and they were confident that some teams would be having fire sales by the all-star break. They didn't spend much money in the off season so there is money available. I just can't see Papi going anywhere, one because of his contract and two, because what team would take him now? He will have to stay in the AL because he is not a good fielder for NL clubs. Sox don't have many options with him. Their first order of business is to either get Lowrie back at SS or make a deal - soon. Phillies and Sox were rumoured to be talking a Penny for Phils SS prospect Jason Donald, who is a very good fielder, not so much of a hitter. Playing behind Jimmy Rollins, he isn't going to get much of an opportunity. Something is going to happen very soon. Once Smoltz returns, there will be some movement. Penny has become a very valuable chip. Inter-League play comes up again in a couple weeks and Sox have a lot of games in NL parks, so they won't need to use Papi much.

 

[mandrill]

$22,000,000. Ouch. Isn't that the Royals entire payroll for the decade?

I always took the Mendoza Line to be .240. I suspect it is a "loosely defined term" however. At .188, Big P may actually be a better fielder than hitter at this point in his career. Maybe you should try him at ss?

 

[blueline]

$22,000,000. Ouch. Isn't that the Royals entire payroll for the decade?

I always took the Mendoza Line to be .240. I suspect it is a "loosely defined term" however. At .188, Big P may actually be a better fielder than hitter at this point in his career. Maybe you should try him at ss?

All is forgiven. He singled in his first AB tonight.

EDIT: Stop the trade talks. Papi goes yard.

 

[lawyerman]

All is forgiven. He singled in his first AB tonight.

EDIT: Stop the trade talks. Papi goes yard.

Does this mean he had his eyes checked?

I have always liked Big Papi and I hope he comes out of this ok. Glad to see he had a good game last night.

 

[blueline]

Does this mean he had his eyes checked?

I have always liked Big Papi and I hope he comes out of this ok. Glad to see he had a good game last night.

The eye exam is scheduled for Monday. I am sure the media will be all over this. I remember when Dice-K came over, people were following his flight path on the internet, anytime the guy moved or spoke, it was reported. LOL.

The thing about Papi though, is that all along, the Fenway fans have stood behind him and they cheer him on like there is no tomorrow. Tito had to pull him out of the dugout for a curtain call, the fans were going beserk last night. I am not so sure he would get treated the same way in Yankee Stadium if he went 150 AB's without a HR. A-Rod was booed regularly when he was not playing well.

I don't watch a lot of Jays games nor do I go to very many, other than when Boston is in. How do the fans react to Vernon Wells when he has a bad night? Are there loud boos heard throughout the Rogers Center?

 

[lawyerman]

The eye exam is scheduled for Monday. I am sure the media will be all over this. I remember when Dice-K came over, people were following his flight path on the internet, anytime the guy moved or spoke, it was reported. LOL.

The thing about Papi though, is that all along, the Fenway fans have stood behind him and they cheer him on like there is no tomorrow. Tito had to pull him out of the dugout for a curtain call, the fans were going beserk last night. I am not so sure he would get treated the same way in Yankee Stadium if he went 150 AB's without a HR. A-Rod was booed regularly when he was not playing well.

I don't watch a lot of Jays games nor do I go to very many, other than when Boston is in. How do the fans react to Vernon Wells when he has a bad night? Are there loud boos heard throughout the Rogers Center?

At least Papi has given them 2 World Series victories and A-Rod hasn't done shit for the Yankees.

That's the great thing about certain fans. For example, the Leafs have been losing for many years and although there were a couple of times that they came close, they still didn't win. Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark are almost god-like in this city because they gave the city hope and they worked their tails off.

I have said before that I haven't seen many hitters outside of Oritz that put the fear into pitchers like he can. He is a likeable guy and although he had his fair shar of injuries last year and his average wasn't great, he belted home runs and was an RBI producer and I have real difficulties understanding how his production has plummeted the way it has. It doesn't make sense and that's why Red Sox fans are optimisitic and so am I.

As for Vernon Wells, he is in the prime of his career but he doesn't look right out there. The hitting coach really needs to help him out with his swing. I think there are mental issues as well and he is chasing a lot of bad pitches. As for boo birds at the Rogers Centre, my question is: Are there still fans at the Rogers Centre? Let's put it this way, I have heard a library or a church louder than the fans at the Rogers Centre. It's absolutely brutal.

 

[blueline]

At least Papi has given them 2 World Series victories and A-Rod hasn't done shit for the Yankees.

That's the great thing about certain fans. For example, the Leafs have been losing for many years and although there were a couple of times that they came close, they still didn't win. Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark are almost god-like in this city because they gave the city hope and they worked their tails off.

I have said before that I haven't seen many hitters outside of Oritz that put the fear into pitchers like he can. He is a likeable guy and although he had his fair shar of injuries last year and his average wasn't great, he belted home runs and was an RBI producer and I have real difficulties understanding how his production has plummeted the way it has. It doesn't make sense and that's why Red Sox fans are optimisitic and so am I.

As for Vernon Wells, he is in the prime of his career but he doesn't look right out there. The hitting coach really needs to help him out with his swing. I think there are mental issues as well and he is chasing a lot of bad pitches. As for boo birds at the Rogers Centre, my question is: Are there still fans at the Rogers Centre? Let's put it this way, I have heard a library or a church louder than the fans at the Rogers Centre. It's absolutely brutal.

I made it down to two Red Sox games last week at Rogers, one win and one loss. Saw the Lester game on Sunday. Getting off topic here but wow was he dominating last night, for those who didn't see it. 6.1 innings of perfect ball, he retired the first 19 batters and had 10 strikeouts on less than 70 pitches or so. What a masterpiece. That is the second very well pitched game in less than one week by Sox starters. Beckett had a no-no into the 7th v. Detroit last week. Looks like both Beckett and Lester have turned the corner and are hitting their stride. Good news for the Sox, bad news for the rest of the league. I think I read where their starting pitching has climbed from worst to the top 5-6 now. It is about time.

As for your point that Wells may have mental issues, funny you should say that. There is an article in today's Boston Globe that says the very same thing about Ortiz, that a lot of it may be in his head. I am sure that you develop a mindset when things are not going well for such a long period of time. He says he is healthy, physically anyways. I don't really buy this eye problem, he had dry eyes the other night in Detroit and it is being made out like he is going blind. Geez people, get him some visine and get over it.

Wells is a mystery. He surely has the ability to be one of the top players in the game, both offensively and defensively.

 

[lawyerman]

I made it down to two Red Sox games last week at Rogers, one win and one loss. Saw the Lester game on Sunday. Getting off topic here but wow was he dominating last night, for those who didn't see it. 6.1 innings of perfect ball, he retired the first 19 batters and had 10 strikeouts on less than 70 pitches or so. What a masterpiece. That is the second very well pitched game in less than one week by Sox starters. Beckett had a no-no into the 7th v. Detroit last week. Looks like both Beckett and Lester have turned the corner and are hitting their stride. Good news for the Sox, bad news for the rest of the league. I think I read where their starting pitching has climbed from worst to the top 5-6 now. It is about time.

As for your point that Wells may have mental issues, funny you should say that. There is an article in today's Boston Globe that says the very same thing about Ortiz, that a lot of it may be in his head. I am sure that you develop a mindset when things are not going well for such a long period of time. He says he is healthy, physically anyways. I don't really buy this eye problem, he had dry eyes the other night in Detroit and it is being made out like he is going blind. Geez people, get him some visine and get over it.

Wells is a mystery. He surely has the ability to be one of the top players in the game, both offensively and defensively.

I've always liked Lester and Beckett so I will not put them down. Sure they have their moments but more god than bad and I will take that any day. I saw the highlights of the Red Sox game and Lester looked awesome out there. He sure has great stuff when hs is on his game.

I really think that Oritz is going to improve. He might not get up to the numbers of previous years or even last year's but I really believe he will turn it around. It's funny how a batting stance can be affected if you change in the slightest way. His eyes might have something to wo with it so you never know. Optimum vision is imperative and essential for a pro athlete and even if he is a bit off, it could make a world of difference. They are athletes and even they don't have perfect vision...lol.

It's the same thing with Wells. He can produce and he does have a great glove and he seems almost effortless out in the field but he has never been that so-called feared hitter and for the kind of money that he is making, he should be making some changes...quickly. I almost forgot, he already signed his big contract.

I actually just looked at a stat for Vernon and in the past he has been a star when he hits left handed pitching. In 56 at bats against lefties, he is hitting .214 with no home runs and 2 RBI's. That is huge.

 

[shack]

What is the Magic Number

Go Jays Go

108!

 

[ieggi]

Decent outing by Janssen.... great hitting by Lind... lets go for the 4 game sweep!

 

[mandrill]

Litsch suddenly scheduled for Tommy John surgery. A big surprise. What a disastrous year, health-wise for BJ pitching.

http://mlbastian.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/06/litsch_to_have_tommy_john.html

 

[Frank Fingers]

Decent outing by Janssen.... great hitting by Lind... lets go for the 4 game sweep!

A 4 game sweep in Texas might be pushing it, but 3 of 4 is do-able and still very good. Texas is one of the better teams in the majors, and they do extremely well at home.

And how about that Jesse Litsch? He's now up for Tommy John surgery and he's done for the year. At least we just got back Casey Janssen, Dustin McGowan is coming back sometime this year and theres a chance that Shaun Marcum might be as well.

I haven't seen such a banged-up pitching staff as the Jay's had the past few seasons.

 

[Rockslinger]

Litsch suddenly scheduled for Tommy John surgery.

Tommy John surgery used to be the domain of pitchers in their 30's. Jesse is still in his mid-20's. What is going on here?

 

[tribunus]

I'm glad Litsch is done. I think he sucks - no velocity, its basically curveball or bust. And he looks like he's 12 years old. I'd much rather see them bring back Cecil and have him learn the ropes up here since he'll be a big part of the future.

For those that are curious, the Jays seem to have done pretty good in the draft today. With the 20th they took a college righty that could've easily gone in the top 10. With their supplementary 1st (thanks AJ) they took a lefty that has dynamite stuff but slipped due being a Boras client.

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=954039

 

[Rockslinger]

Watching Wells so far this year, it is obvious that he has only "warning track" power. Sometimes, he gets lucky and jerks one over the wall but that is few and far between. It is awful watching a former almost Tier 1 player deteriorate in front of an audience. Very sad.