So would it be wrong for me to assume that Douglass will be Toronto's 6th starter and pitch in Syracuse until an injury hits a starter?

California Uber Alles!

http://economics.about.com
So would it be wrong for me to assume that Douglass will be Toronto's 6th starter and pitch in Syracuse until an injury hits a starter?

If the Jays want him in Syracuse, I believe he'd have to clear waivers again. Not 100% sure.

Cheers,

Mike

A Dead Kennedy's reference - California Uber Alles! I feel like I'm in grade 8 again. I had the haircut that was shaved on the sides with the top long so it hung over.

I grabbed Ligtenberg for my fantasy team ("Gance Mulliniorg") after JPs interview the other day. I like his chances so far, especially with Speier or Lopez setting him up - you have to figure that he's the early fave with those springtime numbers.

Several times, Tosca has said that he doesn't want to judge anyone based solely on Spring Training. He said there are way too many variables involved, not to mention somewhat fluky performances.

Sorry Zosky - Speier will get the job.
Your Ligtenberg pickup was foolish!
I'm taking you down in Week 1!

http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=35425
COMN for an article about one of the Jays new pitchers, Derek Lee.

From the story.....

Lee owns a fastball that only reaches the low- to mid-80s.

“I’m not overpowering whatsoever,” Lee said. “I just try to get the ball to move a little bit and work on throwing balls to a certain spot, just keeping a hitter off-balance that way.”

Also the Jays will announce their minor league assignments today.

JP was on the Fan590 this morning and laid out the bullpen as it currently stands. Douglass will be long relief, Adams and Lopez will take care of the 6th and 7th innings with Kershner mixed in. Speir will be set-up with Kerry the closer. He doesn't sound too impressed with VDLS, relegating him to mop-up.

Speir will be set-up with Kerry the closer.

Booyah!!

I think JP forgot to throw on "APIL FOOLS" at the end of that interview. Speier rules.

Of course, that would be APRIL.

Is it amusing or sad that the Jays keep picking up Baltimore's reject pitchers? Towers, Hentgen, Douglass ... yuch. Meanwhile, REAL talent (Ainsworth, Riley, Bedard) is moving into the Oriole rotation.

The 2004 "surprise" team will be the Jays. Duh.

We can wish at least: The Blue Jays will make the playoffs at Yahoo: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=fanball-boldpredictions&prov=fanball&type=fantasy

Maybe there's a reason why this thing was posted on April 1!

http://www.globeandmail.com/sports
From Globe's web site:

Righthanded pitcher Justin Miller has cleared waivers and was assigned outright Thursday to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Triple A Syracuse roster.

The article I listed (sorry about the link), does mention one thing. The Red Sox and yankees are going into the season with injuries - the Red Sox being hit by the injury bug oin key players. Between the Jays early season easy schedule and the Red Sox injury struggles, there's something to look forward to!

Righthanded pitcher Justin Miller has cleared waivers

Another strike for the chosen one! J.P. picks up Douglass without losing Miller.

With Miller waived, that leaves two spots open on the 40-man roster. And if we're to believe JP's comments (although it's April 1) Douglass is #25, meaning Hermansen didn't the team. How'd you like that... Simon Pond is the 4th outfielder!

http://economics.about.com
Where do you see Miller had cleared waivers? I can't see that anywhere.

Cheers,

Mike

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040401.wmill1/BNStory/Sports/
COMN for the link on Miller.

It is on the Globe and Mail website--on their news ticker. Very strange that he made it through waivers. I would think Miller is better than half of the pitchers on Detroit's staff alone.

http://economics.about.com
Thanks... I must have been blind not to find it.

I'm a little surprised he cleared, but I guess teams are having enough problems figuring out who to keep on the 25 man roster.

Cheers,

Mike

JP's now the longest-standing GM in Toronto!
----
Wilner reports that Delgado and Hudson are back in the lineup today, facing Brett Myers.

Is having the extra pitcher going to be a long-term thing? I'm really hoping that the 'pen will be effective early on so we can see if Tosca's desire to get everyone in the game was just a product of poor on-hand talent or is an actual quirk. Seems like having a defensively adequate spare OF on hand is a good idea, especially one with some pop like Hermansen.

With Miller waived, that leaves two spots open on the 40-man roster. And if we're to believe JP's comments (although it's April 1) Douglass is #25, meaning Hermansen didn't the team. How'd you like that... Simon Pond is the 4th outfielder!

I'm leaning toward the 12 pitchers now. Hentgen is starting to scare me. Is anyone else getting a little nutty waiting for the season to start? I need something decisive to talk about rather than this endless speculation. How about this, it's due to our miopic focus on the Jays that we're surprised about Miller clearing waivers. Perhaps he's just an average pitcher with a history on injuries? I've really got to pull my head out and start other hobbies.

JP's now the longest-standing GM in Toronto!

What?
Did Grunwald get fired?

searches internet....
Oh. WOW!

http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Is anyone else getting a little nutty waiting for the season to start? I need something decisive to talk about rather than this endless speculation.

Amen to that. It's only a few days away now, don't worry.

Who in Toronto is up for a Good Friday Beer Club meet for the Red Sox game? Coach said before that he was up for it, and I'm up for it. Anyone else interested?

It's 11:30am on Thursday.
Exactly 4 days from now, I'll be sipping my first beer of the day, sitting in section 510, row 2, and watching some BP.

THAT'S what I think about to keep myself going.

Pond as the 4th OF, and 12 pitchers. Bad move. With the off-days in April, there's not enough to work to keep the pitchers all busy without doing the reliever revolving door routine that Tosca practised so unsuccessfully last spring. Not to mention that if Cat's back gets twingy, and he has to miss a day or two, Simon will be an adventure out there.

Who in Toronto is up for a Good Friday Beer Club meet for the Red Sox game? Coach said before that he was up for it, and I'm up for it. Anyone else interested?

Interested, yes. Available, no; I have family commitments that weekend.

I'm disappointed about this whole fourth-outfielder thing. I don't object to Douglass's presence in the organization, but I can't see how carrying him as the seventh guy out of the bullpen while Pond sets up under a fly ball in left is preferable to having Hermansen (or, for that matter, Werth) on the team.

Doug Pappas's Weblog has a new look.

Kudos to Doug for the best site of April 1. Anyone else got some good April Fool sites?

Very nice news about Miller. It's probably a pretty lateral move choosing between Douglass and Miller but potentially having both of them is certainly a good thing.

There's a nice article at BA about broken hamate bones, the same injury that Hinske had. In short, it takes about a year to get back to full strength and get some power back in the swing. (COMN) There's also an article about shoulder surgeries there too if you're interested.

I don't really worry about Pond having to fill in for Catalanotto; I think the trouble could happen if something happens to Johnson or Wells for a game or two. A Pond-Johnson-Cat outfield just screams "triples". (not to mention "first-to-third" and possibly even "inside-the-park home run")

But, at the same time, having Hentgen implode and nobody there to cover for him could be ugly, too, particularly given that Lily won't be at full strength early on.

http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040330.gtsolitaireApril1/BNStory/AtPlay/
Anyone else got some good April Fool sites?

I found this in the Globe Tech section a laugh. COMN

I'm a long time reader of this board and would like the chance to meet for beers to start the season, but am living abroad. I'm taking the plunge and moving to Toronto later this summer so hopefully you guys have beers a few times over the course of the season. Let's get this season underway already!

Anyone else got some good April Fool sites?

No sites, but check out the 'mock' BMW ads in the Globe & Mail and National Post today. Pretty funny tongue-in-cheek stuff.

I just read that Milton Bradley left the Indians camp after being pulled from a game for not hustling.

I guess he took his game and went home...he may no longer be on board...hahaha!

http://www.bmw.ca/microsites/aprilfools/
The BMW ads are available in full colour on the BMW website. Some excellent work on their part. COMN

For perhaps the first time in the history of the game, a single player is leading the major leagues in home runs (total) AND in both home runs from the left side of the plate and from the right side of the plate.

Take that, Mickey Mantle. Haha!, Reggie Smith. Pooh on you, Frankie Frisch. Meet the greatness that is JORGE POSADA.

Jes' F'n Y'alls I.

David Pinto provides multiple doses of baseball hilarity today

http://homestarrunner.com/
Homestarrunner.com is a riot today. COMN.

I think the reason they are keeping Douglass is that without him the bullpen really has no long man. The only other alternative is Kershner and its pretty obvious that he's the only lefty the organization has confidence in right now so if you give him 3-4 innings one day the bullpen is without lefties for a few games. I'm not sure its a bad move given the situation with Hentgen, Lilly and "hardhat" Towers (as in the bleacher creatures may need hardhats on the days he pitches). It's entirely possible that Douglass may get a lot of work early. If the starters all perform well then there will be too many arms in the pen but that's a problem I'm sure JP would love to have. What I'm not sure about is whether Douglass or Miller was the right choice for this role but they got Miller through waivers so the Jays get to keep both. All's well that ends well.

I just noticed. What's a 'rondup'?

Count me in for the Good Friday Beer Club session (in Toronto). The game is scheduled as a 3 PM start and has the added bonus of being the Fenway home opener (so it may start a half hour late or so).

Would the Blue Jays be interested in Milton Bradley?
I know he's a headcase, and I know the outfield is deep... but getting a player that good for that price seems like a shot worth taking.

I don't think putting a volatile personality like that in a good clubhouse breeds good team chemistry.
Example 1: Raul Mondesi. 'Nuff Said.

http://economics.about.com
I just noticed. What's a 'rondup'?

It's an April Fool's Joke. HA HA

Thanks for the good eye.. I'll change that. :)

Cheers,

Mike

Wells and Delgado went back-to-back off Brett Myers in the 1st inning. The Jays lead 3-0, top 3.

According to MLB.com scoreboard, now 5-0 Jays, bottom of 3rd.

Cash drove in a pair - 7-0 Jays. Batista's hit his second Phillie - Shawn Wooten (previously he hit David Bell); Bowa reacts angrily.

ESPN's giving me 7-0 bottom of 3.

Who will be 2004's surprise team?
San Diago Padres...
They've got some solid young players complimented by a handful of seasoned veterns (uh, make that two handfuls with David Wells figured in ;-) and a weak division to pop out of. Adam Eaton was pitching great til he had his arm surgically reconstructed so this will be his first season being fully recovered.

Madsen throws behind Cat and the Phillies pitcher and Bowa are ejected (bottom of the 4th). Ho hum, just another spring training game.

Now I'm even happier they had Doc pitch yesterday at AAA instead of postponing his start to today.

Last year, I saw a spring training game between Seattle and a NL club (I think the Giants). Bret Boone was hit in the forearm by an off-speed pitch. It was perfectly clear to me that the pitcher wasn't trying to peg him; he just was wild. Nevertheless, the Mariners emptied the dugout and had a mini-rumble on the field with the opponents.

I confess that I don't get it. There is no rivalry here, nor competition because the teams are in different leagues. It's spring training, and the games don't matter. Pitchers are a little more wild than usual anyway. If the team and manager are blowing hot on April 1, how are they going to be in July or late September?

I agree with you, Mike, I don't see the logic either. In this case it could be the teams still feeling sour due to the incident from last spring between HLH and Thome.

I'm surprised Miller cleared waivers, but happy.

I think 12 pitchers is probably a good idea in April, especially since Lilly is still basically in spring training mode. I agree that Hentgen is likely to get stomped early and often, and Towers definitely will.

The downside, as someone said, is that Tosca is likely to go nuts with his pitching changes.

Hey John N, Kevin Cash just went deep off Billy Wagner. It was 9-0 of a spring training game at the time, but I'm doing cartwheels!!

Now 10-0 Jays in the bottom of fifth -- Vernon just advanced Pond to 3rd with his fourth consecutive hit. It's gonna be a long afternoon for the Phils...

I worry about our outfield. I don't want to see Pond in left for more than two games. The Jays still have 2 40-man spots open, would one of them go to Hermanson? He would be called up in case of an injury, no?

Madsen throws behind Cat and the Phillies pitcher and Bowa are ejected (bottom of the 4th). Ho hum, just another spring training game.

Bowa pulled a stupid stunt last year too in spring, running out on the field to confront Roy Halladay after having Cormier throw two brushbacks at Doc (and hitting the umpire with the second one). Bowa was ejected.

(Halladay, by the way, was being taunted from the Philly bench as he came up to the plate that day, according to Bob Elliott).

Thome, who'd been hit earlier by Halladay (Sparky had been hit by Bud Smith before that, but that's Sparky), went all gooey and schoolgirl over Cormier for throwing at Doc. It was a scene, man.

MEMO TO THE FRONT OFFICE : You *might* want to avoid scheduling the damn Phillies in the future, at least until that nutjob Bowa is gone. Throwing at an AL pitcher? Nice. At least Batista wasn't throwing at pitchers.

Well, payback is a b****, but I hate seeing guys get thrown at and if that's what Batista was doing, boooooo.

Expos open up a 6-0 lead against the Dodgers in the bottom of the 7th. All runs have have come on HR, the big one being a three-run blast by one of the organization's top pospects, Termell Sledge.

well... we'll all know about Bradley soon enough... What would that do? Force cat or RJ into the 4th OF spot??? Who would we trade for him too??

I dunno about that one... but entertaining to see where he lands nonetheless....

Derrick Lee = older tall soft-tossing lefty = Addams Family 2: The Return of Lurch.

If Batista did throw at a couple of guys to honor Halladay, then I say kudos. Nice to see new teammates sticking up for each other.

I also agree with Grand Funk that while Bradley's talents would be a nice addition, the off the field crap isn't worth it. Not when we have such a tight clubhouse. I also guess that his fantasy star has darkened quite a bit - remember he still has to serve time (something like a week) for striking a police officer.

We have to be patient with Hentgen. He stunk at the beginning of last year as well.

The Douglass acquisition seems like a free talent grab to me. I doubt that he lasts any longer than Scott Service just as I doubt that Ligtenberg will hold on to the closer role longer than Politte did - Tosca seems convinced that he can't get lefties out and when Tosca sees a bad platoon split ... cue up the circus music.

What is interesting is that JP wants to use Speier as a traditional 8th inning guy a la Duane Ward. Since Speier pitches his best with runners on base, this seems like a waste. He should be used in those high leverage situations as per Bill James. Adams would be ideal for the 8th.

http://premium.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2725
Looks like the Jays have a new scouting policy in another effort to save money.

Pistol - at least throw a wink wink or a nudge nudge in there.

Did anybody happen to catch the Dan Patrick April Fools gag today? Talk about priceless - it was so good that it was shocking.

First Jayson Werth and now Cody Ross. DePodesta is 2-for-2 in trades I think getting two potential everyday outfielders for spare relief depth. Ross was only 22 in AAA last year and hit 20 homeruns in 470 at bats. The year before at 21 he hit 19 homeruns in 400 at bats in AA. I would say his power potential compares to Guillermo Quiroz'. Not a bad get.

re: Blue Jays Beer Club

I should be there, and I won't be so hungover this time...actually who and I kidding.

Orlando Cabrera is demanding a trade from the Expos after a number of disputes between he and Carl Everett that apparently turned physical.

I wonder what Montreal would want for a bonafide starting SS?

Percent chance of the Expos losing 100 games this year? I say 25%. Great acquisition, that Carl Everett, eh?

Cabrera's no better at the dish than Woodward is, but he *really* brings the defense.

But he's making $6 million. Is there any way on earth the guy is worth $6 million. Is there any amount of SS defense in the history of the earth that would be worth $5 million more than Woodward? I just don't see it.

It's too bad, because he would be a great addition to the ballclub.

http://theraindrops.weblogs.us/archives/015441.html
COMN for the defensive metrics of both. Cabrera is good, but he isn't Ozzie out there. His main plus has been his durability.

Offensively and defensively, Alex Gonzalez (ex-Jay, not the Florida imposter) is a good comp for Cabrera. Cabrera gets on base a little more, and hits for a little more power, but basically they are the same model. If you don't want to pay $2 million for Alex, why would you want to pay $6 million for Orlando?

I didn't realize the salary issue with Cabrera but I'm sure the Expos would eat some salary just to have a little more to play with. Orlando made it clear he wants out before the team breaks camp so that may force management's hand a little bit.

Great acquisition, that Carl Everett, eh?

Someone will always take a chance on guys like Everett, Bradley, Canseco or Rocker. Thank heaven the Jays value good chemistry.

Cabrera would be a nice upgrade, but there's no way he fits into the Toronto budget. I agree that he's overpaid, because he's perceived as being just one "notch" below the superstar shortstops, all of whom will soon be earning eight figures. Cabrera's no Renteria, but if he goes to the Giants, I might want to revise my NL West prediction.

Hinske's hit three homers this week, and atleast two of them were to the opposite field -- and off of some pretty good pitchers to boot (Pedro Martinez & Brett Myers). That's good stuff. That is all.

How about Cash, who doubled off Myers and homered off Wagner today! He might very well be the biggest surprise offensively over the last half of spring training.

What's with all of the dissing of Orlando Cabrera?

It must be his low OBP but comparing him to A. Gonzalez is crazy because Cabrera actually hits the ball when he swings.

I think this is the perfect example of what's wrong with OBP - it doesn't look at the value of putting the ball in play. You can't stretch a walk into a double, go 1st to 3rd on a walk, advance the runner on a strikeout, or capitalize on fielding mistakes (not just errors) if the ball never leaves the battery.

Cabrera is a valuable shortstop and not just for his defense, he runs the bases well (has an excellent SB percentage) and can drive in a lot of runs because of his contact skills. Whether he is worth $6 million is debatable but to equate him to Gonzalez and Woodward is seriously underestimating his value.

Orlando Cabrera is demanding a trade from the Expos after a number of disputes between he and Carl Everett that apparently turned physical

Cabrera must have been discussing Darwinian Evolution in the clubhouse again.

6M is a little steep. Setting aside all the statistics and just relying on my fantasy baseball preparation I've done, I rank Cabrera as the 8th best SS in the league. Woodward? 20th.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=240401114
COMN for todays boxscore. Wells was 4 for 4 with a homerun. Delgado, Cash, Hinske and Hill each had dingers of their own. 4.1 innings for Batista, only 2 hits, 1 BB and 8K's. For all the bad things Tosca and JP have said about De Los Santos, he keeps bringing the good stuff into the games, he pitched a 1 hit shutout inning with no BB's and 3K's. New guy pitched a 1 hit shutout inning too, 1 K.

Baseball Prospectus' VORP has Cabrera as the 6th best SS in 2003.

Why does nobody here like him? It's not that I disagree, it's just that I'm confused. I though Cabrera was really good; I just don't get it.

It must be his low OBP

That's what I assumed too, Jeff. But it was .347, blowing away Woody's .316.

Runs Created/27 Outs in 2003:
Cabrera - 5.78
Woodward - 4.27

Let's say that you give each 150 games, and something like 2.8 outs per game (depending on spot in order). That's 420 outs. 420/27= 15.6 sets of 27 outs. Cabrera: 5.78*15.6= 90. Woodward: 4.27*15.6=67.

So, Cabrera as everyday SS (90) - Woodward as everyday SS (67) = extra 23 runs.

23 extra runs means about 2 extra wins (would have taken last year's Pythagonport from 87 wins to 89 wins).

I would have thought that the difference would be larger (although I suppose that it is if you consider defence as well).

$5M is too much for two extra wins (even three, if the consideration of defence should add another).

Now I get it.

When you consider the diminishing returns as a team improves, if they could get 3 extra wins for an extra $5 million that isn't too bad. But I think the reason people are down on Cabrera is because of his career stats. Last years stats were miles above anything he has ever done. Every other year he has hit somewhere between the Gonzalez-Woodward levels. Kinda screams career year. Though he was finally healthy from those back problems, iirc, that had been bothering him in 2002

Cabrera was just traded to the Yankees for Navarro & DePaula and $1 million. Cabrera will play 2nd.

The Expos then traded Depaula to the Indians for Milton Bradley.

Or it's April 1st and I made it all up.

If the Jays had Cabrera I'd do cartwheels. If only there was some extra money kicking around *sighs*. What if Cat and a Bish prospect could land him? Say Cat and League, with the 'Spos eating 2 mil of salary. That would make the rais ein payroll, what, 2 million? The only downside would be starting the arbitration clock on Gross or Rios.

Of course, this is nothing more than foolish fan talk ;-) Damn, I wish the season would justs tart already !

Did someone say something bad about DLS? I heard that JP said he wasn't impressed by him or something in an interview but he seems to have performed well. Maybe there's something they don't like about his mechanics or conduct and it's a case of bad process, good results. Then again this team also exposed Eyre to waivers when he was pitching effectively and then went on to pitch effectively for San Fran.

Why do I treat Cabrera's .347 OBP of last year as not signifying much? Park effects, and the fact that it was out of context of his career (career OBP- .318).

Gonzalez' career OBP is 14 points lower; his career slug is 20 points lower. Cabrera's a better player than Gonzalez, but not worlds better. Chris Woodward's bat with Alex Gonzalez' glove.

The other good side of that is Hentgen starts during the first series of the year at the Dome. Too bad it's not on TV, but all the more reason for fans to turn out for the game.

The story also confirms that Hermanson has been sent down to minor league camp, and the Jays are going with 12 pitchers (including Douglass).

Thanks to Chris Black for plugging this site :)

The MLB articles on each team page are quite different. On the Jays game report, Batista says the pitch he got thrown out for was a
changeup.

He was incredulous and emphatic on that point: Batista said that even Pratt knew it wasn't intentional. "It was a changeup. He looked at me and laughed, said, 'It was a changeup!' I said, 'Of course.' The only one who saw it as intentional was the home-plate umpire."

Meanwhile, in the Phillies game story, it's a fastball.

Batista and Toronto manager Carlos Tosca followed them in the fifth inning, when Batista unleashed a high inside fastball to Todd Pratt.

Is MLB trying to manufacture some controversy to sell tickets?

http://premium.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2725
Fantastic April Fools satire at BP re: Richard Griffin/Jays Scouting. COMN

Dick Scott has made the minor league roster decisions, and the AA portion is interesting. Contrary to previous reports, McGowan and Peterson will both start the season in New Hampshire. Todd Ozias (career AA reliever) takes a place in the Fisher Cat rotation, while Brandon League comes out of the pen. (Is League being groomed as a closer?) Aaron Hill starts the season at AA in just his first full season of pro-ball. With Adams and Hill moving this quickly, I wouldn't take a flyer on Cabrera, even if the Expos payed out a few million of his salary. Thanks to Kevin Gray at the Union-Leader, for continously providing us with quality articles on the New Hampshire ball club as it shapes up for their inaugural season.

...while Brandon League comes out of the pen. (Is League being groomed as a closer?)


Yikes, that seems like a really dumb idea. How old is League, 21?

He should be in Dunedin starting games, and learning how to throw something to complement his fastball.

Hey
Is it just me, or will the Syracuse team have a great line up this year.

1. Adams
2. Hall
3. Gross
4. Rios
5. Hermanson
6. Quiroz
7. Ford-Griffin
8. Sequea
9. Clark

That is great OBP guys in sport 1, 2,3,8,9, and some guys in the middle that can drive them home. They should break the mold of bad Syracuse seasons.

So who plays second in Syracuse? Sequea?

Sequea will probably be the main 2B but I imagine he'll spell Adams at SS and trade places with Clark at 3B on occasion since both Sequea and Clark are being groomed as utility guys right now.