Maybe someone should pull the thorn out of his paw. Brandon Lyon, damaged goods.
As every Jays fan knows, there is now historical precedent for what happens next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are about to be told "caveat emptor".
I forget exactly, but weren't the Jays somehow at fault for either not giving Sirotka a phyiscal or missing that there was a problem?
It'll be the kiss of death for Little Theo. He was already facing a credibility problem (so it seemed to me). The Sox may actually have to do something.
The Bucs should grab Kevin Youkilis. I hear he's good.
In other injured ex-Jays news, Felipe Lopez is having surgery for a dislocated ankle. There are few injuries as gruesome looking as a dislocated ankle.
Here's an odd injury: Jeff Cirillo was placed on the DL with a "subluxated right shoulder." I'm pretty sure that means, literally, "Really awful hitter."
Jeff Cirillo gets my vote for the Carlos Baerga Award, given every so often to recognize the steepest and most inexplicable decline of a solid major-league player. I thought he'd be fine when he got out of Denver, but it's only gotten worse. Can two extreme ballparks (Coors & Safeco) really get into your head that much?
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Jeff Cirillo gets my vote for the Carlos Baerga Award, given every so often to recognize the steepest and most inexplicable decline of a solid major-league player. I thought he'd be fine when he got out of Denver, but it's only gotten worse. Can two extreme ballparks (Coors & Safeco) really get into your head that much?
No.. Here's what happened.
One day I found an old lamp in my attic. I rubbed the lamp and a genie popped out and granted me one wish. He was a really nasty old genie, so I didn't get 3. My wish was "I wanted to be as good a hitter as a major leaguer". Cirillo's never been the same since then. :)
Mike
Jeff Cirillo gets my vote for the Carlos Baerga Award, given every so often to recognize the steepest and most inexplicable decline of a solid major-league player. I thought he'd be fine when he got out of Denver, but it's only gotten worse. Can two extreme ballparks (Coors & Safeco) really get into your head that much?
No.. Here's what happened.
One day I found an old lamp in my attic. I rubbed the lamp and a genie popped out and granted me one wish. He was a really nasty old genie, so I didn't get 3. My wish was "I wanted to be as good a hitter as a major leaguer". Cirillo's never been the same since then. :)
Mike
Actually, I would have given the "Carlos Baerga Award" to Robbie Alomar given how quickly he went so quickly from near MVP caliber to mediocre to crap in a Mets uniform. However, given his age I guess you couldn't call the decline completely unexpected, just surprising, I guess.
Cirillo is still one of my favorite players. I was unduly harsh in pronouncing him a "really awful hitter," even if it's true. Jeff is a very cerebral guy -- he's got a degree, his mom's a psychiatrist, etc. -- so maybe it has all gone to his head.
At any rate, soon I will no longer to claim that I've pitched batting practice to a major leaguer -- is Damon Buford still around?
At any rate, soon I will no longer to claim that I've pitched batting practice to a major leaguer -- is Damon Buford still around?
BB regular Shane pointed out this Boston Herald report, with an update on the Red Sox' "ethical obligation" (yeah, right) in Lyongate. The story also floats an interesting trade rumour:
The Red Sox have refused to swap right fielder Trot Nixon to Toronto for Kelvim Escobar, but they are now pushing another name: left-hander Casey Fossum.
The deal, according to baseball sources, would be one-for-one, but the Blue Jays are believed to be looking for more from the Red Sox, with that extra bit possibly being a minor leaguer.
Unless the minor leaguer is Euclis, Greek god of walks, this sounds like wishful thinking on Boston's part. If the Jays really were after Nixon, I'm sure it was to flip him somewhere else for pitching.
The Red Sox have refused to swap right fielder Trot Nixon to Toronto for Kelvim Escobar, but they are now pushing another name: left-hander Casey Fossum.
The deal, according to baseball sources, would be one-for-one, but the Blue Jays are believed to be looking for more from the Red Sox, with that extra bit possibly being a minor leaguer.
Unless the minor leaguer is Euclis, Greek god of walks, this sounds like wishful thinking on Boston's part. If the Jays really were after Nixon, I'm sure it was to flip him somewhere else for pitching.
The Red Sox have refused to swap right fielder Trot Nixon to Toronto for Kelvim Escobar, but they are now pushing another name: left-hander Casey Fossum.
I liked Fossum a lot coming into this season. Despite a high ERA his K rate has been pretty good this year. His BBs and HRs are a little high this year however.
I remember that he was one of the players the Expos were trying to get in return for Colon (or Vazquez) and the Red Sox wouldn't put him in the deal. Perhaps that has played a part in his season. He's also had shoulder tendinitis.
I'd much rather have Fossum than Lilly and Blanton. Fossum is 25 and in the majors. Blanton is 23 and in low A and Lilly can't keep the ball in the park (although did get a big win last night).
I liked Fossum a lot coming into this season. Despite a high ERA his K rate has been pretty good this year. His BBs and HRs are a little high this year however.
I remember that he was one of the players the Expos were trying to get in return for Colon (or Vazquez) and the Red Sox wouldn't put him in the deal. Perhaps that has played a part in his season. He's also had shoulder tendinitis.
I'd much rather have Fossum than Lilly and Blanton. Fossum is 25 and in the majors. Blanton is 23 and in low A and Lilly can't keep the ball in the park (although did get a big win last night).
Thinking about it more I really like the possibility of trading for Fossum.
He has the potential to be a strong middle of the rotation pitcher, his K rate is high, he's in the majors now, he's cheap for a few more seasons, and he's left handed.
He has the potential to be a strong middle of the rotation pitcher, his K rate is high, he's in the majors now, he's cheap for a few more seasons, and he's left handed.
Go Aggies! Fossum is awesome. (Say that out loud to yourself right now.) He's had it rough this year but it's no surprise...he essentially skipped AAA.
JP doesn't seem to want to trade to teams within the AL East for fear of strengthening them but I say do it. This trade would actually weaken the Sox for 2005. Escobar is a rental...he's likely to sign elsewhere next season. And if he does sign to stay in Boston, he likely would have regardless of where John Paul trades him this week. Plus, it obviously strengthens the Jays, not necessarily for this year but for when they really need the pitching.
JP doesn't seem to want to trade to teams within the AL East for fear of strengthening them but I say do it. This trade would actually weaken the Sox for 2005. Escobar is a rental...he's likely to sign elsewhere next season. And if he does sign to stay in Boston, he likely would have regardless of where John Paul trades him this week. Plus, it obviously strengthens the Jays, not necessarily for this year but for when they really need the pitching.
My main concern with a trade for Fossum is that Boston would be so willing to trade him. Maybe he has a frayed ligament.
I suppose they must really think that Escobar could make that much of a difference.
I suppose they must really think that Escobar could make that much of a difference.
I'll throw my voice into this chorus -- if Fossum isn't hurt, it's a good deal, much better than Lilly and Blanton.