It's a battle of lefties tonight

It's a 2pm EST start if I'm not mistaken (or the ESPN ads are lying).

It's snowing in Calgary so I would definately recomend a dip in the hot springs out at Banff. It's like a massive outdoor hot tub that allows you to sit back and enjoy the mountain vista surrounding you. They filter out the suphur somehow.

Also there is a gondola that goes up a large mountain. I enjoyed that but I loved the mountain rams/goats at the top.

On topic, lets get rid of Berg. He's the kind of guy a deep team has on the bench for injuries, flexability for switches in extra innings. He is not a starting LF.

It's snowing in Calgary so I would definately recommend a dip in the hot springs out at Banff. It's like a massive outdoor hot tub that allows you to sit back and enjoy the mountain vista surrounding you. They filter out the suphur somehow.

Also there is a gondola that goes up a large mountain. I enjoyed that but I loved the mountain rams/goats at the top.

On topic, lets get rid of Berg. He's the kind of guy a deep team has on the bench for injuries, flexability for switches in extra innings. He is not a starting LF.

My thoughts on Berg:

Anyone who goes on the 60 day DL for 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (an affliction that should always be in quotations) doesn't belong on a Major League Roster.

And I wish Chris Woodward would quit trying to look like him.

Mike, if you have the time and means of transportation I would definitely suggest that you make the trip to Lake Louise. Banff Springs Golf Club has some of the best scenery that you will find on a Golf Course. Downtown Banff really just has a lot of overpriced shops though there are a few nice pubs to hit at night.

Ooops.. thanks Pistol. I'll change that.

RE: Hot springs. I'll have to try that.. sounds like my kind of thing!

Will the course be open? Isn't there still snow on the ground there? I'd absolutely love to go golfing sometime on this trip.

Pubs are good. Very, very good.

The course usually opens in May but I am not sure of the current status. The website is www.banffsprings.com and it has all of the information on the course. Kananaskis(spelling?) is also a great course and it is located in between Banff and Calgary. The great thing about most of the Pubs in Banff are they are all located right on the main st. Its great to go from bar to bar all within 5 minutes.

One warning regarding the Hot Springs. It is great scenery and it is like a big hot tub but when I went it was like sharing that Hot Tub with 50 other people in a big pool. We went at night and it was just jam packed so we didnt stay that long but it is kinda neat.

The quotations comment was both obnoxious and insulting.

CFS is a real and serious affliction. My wife suffers from fibro-myalgia (not the same, but often tarred with the same brush of ignorance), and anyone who thinks it doesn't exist has never spent as much as a day with someone afflicted.

So who gets the call to replace Woodward? Can Berg play short and who do you guys think should get the call Rios or Adams? Personally I would choose Rios over Adams only because I think he is probably more capable of contributing with his bat at the moment. Any thoughts?

Part of me really wants to see Rios get the call, especially if it gets Berg out of left field. I know the Jays are hesitant to start his clock, but I'm also wondering how he'd react if he came up and got overmatched by major league pitching.
I think that most likely they'll go with an un-glamourous solution, either Berg or a minor deal.

Hey Bauxtites in Toronto , has anybody seen Bob Elliot column today.
I can't seem to find it on the web. Thanks. Any link would be great.

Their next win streak will be 4 games.

Did anyone go to the Will Carroll thing last night? How was it?

And Mike, you will have no problem finding things to do in Banff. Not only is it fantastically beautiful, it's full of young people and tons of bars. The coolest bar I've ever been to was in Banff. It had a DJ remixing 70's funk while people played the congo drums along to the music, and Australian bar tenders that were better than anything you saw in Cocktail.
Have fun.

Berg is just awful. I hate when he's in the lineup. He's basically an automatic out and he can't play the outfield.

What's with Delgado everytime he's up in a big spot? He seems to fail a large amount of the time when he's up at an important part of the game. Am I right thinking a majority of his homers and RBIs come when the Jays have a big lead or are being blown out? I just don't have faith in him in key situations.

I think it's probably too early for Rios or Adams to get called up. Neither of them are doing anything special in AAA. They don't have too many options though so you never know.

Anyone who goes on the 60 day DL for 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (an affliction that should always be in quotations) doesn't belong on a Major League Roster.

Dr. Talent:

The CDC would disagree with you:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/

Considering that CFS often turns out to be fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, pituitary adenoma, polycystic ovarian syndrome, etc., I would think you would take the syndrome a little more seriously. If not, you should certainly keep your ignorance to yourself. It's no laughing matter.

Apologies to Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Priske.

My best guess is that Jorge Sequea will be the one called up; if I get a second choice Pond. I just don't see them burning the service clock for a 15-day, or even 60-day DL; Adams also has 9 errors so far.

I wanna say Pond because he's hitting much better, and he's a lefty off the bench, but where do you put him? Sequea is a utility man that can play most of the infield, and since he had a pretty good season last year my guess is that he'll get the call to back up Gomez.

According to the Chiefs website, he's only 23, making Sequea a couple of months younger than Adams; I'm surprised.

http://www.canoe.ca/Slam040512/mlb_tor3-sun.html
I found Bob Elliot follow up story on Bob Cowley today with the editor apology to me. COMN for the story.

Perhaps one of the Thompson Twins could be summoned to fill in as utility IF for a few days. Like Dave Berg, they haven't had a hit in a while.

Nice! You get thirty million points and an iron cup full of Brunswick stew.

My understanding is that they have not chosen to put Woody on the DL. Therefore, Gomez will play short, with Clark and Berg as backups.

I don't think it makes sense to call up a prospect since none of them have shown they are ready. If Woody is DLed then Pond should get the call.

I am not a huge Berg fan but I don't see a lot of point in dumping him. He is useful and the options are limited. It does not make sense to give up something to go out and get someone to play left field against lefties when we should have Gross or Rios up next year. Anything you get in the bargin bin is likely to be little improvemnt over Berg.

The injury to Speier is a worry. I have noticed him shaking his arm on the mound for most of the season. Given the reports his elbow appears to have been bothering him for some time.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/2004dish.html
I probably missed it in another thread, but there was a piece at Baseball America on McGown. COMN.

I too am offended at the CFS comment.
though I am willing to allow that Mr. Talent's education is on going and my comments are arriving a little late.

I, for one, have a lymph node the size of a walnut on the side of my neck right now, and my back is so sore that I just can't seem to get loose..

CFS inhibits your ability to push yourself through fatigue and it also keeps you from getting into a really intensive workout routine...

Its no laughing matter, and its also no surprise to me that a professional athlete would choose a 15 day recovery break over dragging his farther enegry farther below par.

an iron cup full of Brunswick stew

For the reference, I hereby award Mike a trophy full of Steak-Ums.

Get well soon, Daryn.

I second Craig's sentiments. That sounds really rough.

Yeah Steak-Ums! I love that particular Strongbad. "Get out of here, Nebulon! No one likes your style." has become one of the few non-Simpsons related catch-phrases at work.

Whither Delgado? My stats breakdown might be a little off on this but we know the old expression as goes Delgado, so goes the Jays. In the Jays losses this year, Delgado's numbers are an anemic .167/.231/.319. During the Jays' first nine victories, Delgado's number were a fantastic .480/.575/.844. HOWEVER, during the six game win streak, the Jays were great without Delgado. His numbers during the six wins: .167/.200/.167. I'll be curious to see how this plays out for the rest of the year and how this informs any decisions Ricciardi makes for next year.

I know everyone, myself included, will wax sentimental if Delgado was to depart. But just imagine what JP could do with Delgado's $20M added to the payroll. Surely we could get two powerful bats with that.

Unfortunately, not all of Delgado's salary would be available for adding players. The contracts of some of the other Blue Jays require pay raises next year, which would eat up the Delgado fund.

The problem is luring two powerful bats to Toronto as strange as that sounds.

Two powerfull bats at what position?
At the end of the season we might have 1B and SS open for upgrades. I guess we could try for Ortiz and Nomar.
:)

I can't see them spending any money to upgrade the outfield or Catcher, and I think it's very unlikely that they'd spend it at 3B or 2B.

Did anyone go to the Will Carroll thing last night? How was it?

The part at Indigo was terrific, and the first rule of Beer Club...

Mike Wilner, who really should have been there, is on the FAN right now for an hour with Mike Hogan. They would appreciate some good questions, I'm sure. In the GTA it's 416-870-0590; elsewhere 1-888-666-0590.

Unfortunately I can't call in now, but can someone ask him why he thinks Rios will be called up soon, despite the fact he's not hitting?

I'd like to thank everyone for their Banff suggestions. Despite the fact that part of my family is from Saskatchewan, I've never gone out West before. Just wish I could afford Flames tickets!

To me it is insane to continue to play utility infielders in the outfield. If that means calling up Rios then so be it. His numbers in AAA are not any worse than the 1000+ ABs that VW put up in AAA and he was handed the CF job in 2003. I don't think there is any evidence that it will have an adverse affect on his career. The only question to me is to time his arrival so that he doesn't become a super two. I think that we are on the border of super two eligibility. That may be why Woodward hasn't been placed on the DL. They can wait a week, call up Rios and then back date Woodward's DL stint to May 11.

Just wish I could afford Flames tickets!

Last year a friend of mine was able to sneak into the ACC for a playoff game. If you loiter around the exits at the Saddledome you may be able to find your way inside.

At the end of the season we might have 1B and SS open for upgrades.

Let's assume the Jays don't re-sign Delgado, or at least re-sign him for a much smaller paycheck. So Let's say JP has a bit of loose change in his pocket...

With three legit SS prospects in the minors, I doubt we'd give Nomah or Renteria (whichever one the Red Sox don't sign) the kind of long-term deal they'll be after.

Honestly, Id rather see that money in the farm system, plus paying for some of the escalating deals we've already signed (Halladay, Wells, Hinske), and saving space for more signings in the Hinske / Wells vein - O-Dog should probably (probably) get one, and maybe Phelps depending on his play from here.

Anything left over should be spent on reinforcing the pitching staff, which is still the biggest hole in this team, however much it's improved and however much the offence is regressing to their mean. Especially with Rios & Gross in line for 2005 starting jobs.

If we make a big signing, I'd like to see a pitcher - Odalis Perez is a free agent I think - depending on impressions of how his mental game would deal with a move to a hitter's park, hhe might be a good choice.

Mike,

You are a Flames fan, in Alberta for the first time, and the Flames are in the final four. How can you afford NOT to go to the games?

If we make a big signing, I'd like to see a pitcher - Odalis Perez is a free agent I think - depending on impressions of how his mental game would deal with a move to a hitter's park, hhe might be a good choice.

Ugh. Odalis Perez is possibly the most overrated pitcher in baseball. The guy had *one* good year stuck between two mediocre ones. Odalis Perez is Cory Lidle's slightly less talented younger brother in a pitcher's park. Last year the guy gave up 28 homers in 185 innings pitching half his games in Dodgers Stadium. Let's the Orioles or Devil Rays sign Omar Daal, the Second Edition.

You are a Flames fan, in Alberta for the first time, and the Flames are in the final four. How can you afford NOT to go to the games?

I just bought a new house.

Trust me, though, I'm really, really tempted.

Odalis Perez is possibly the most overrated pitcher in baseball.

While he's certainly in the running, I've always thought Sidney Ponson is at the top. The guy's got a career record under .500 and consistently has a high ERA. He's had one decent season, and can never seem to put two good starts back to back.

Regarding next year and signings, I really think Frankie C should be resigned. While I don't want him to jam up the prospect line, he's just too good of a hitter to let get away. Perhaps if Delgado leaves and Phelps slides to 1st, Cat can be the DH. I shudder to think what the Jays offense this year would be without his .330 right in the middle of it.

You're right. Sidney Ponson is #1. Odalis Perez might not even be in the top 5.

Now there's a question: Who are the 5 most overrated starting pitchers in baseball?

I would have loved to have gone to the Pizza Feed and met Will and a lot of you guys, but unfortunately, being at Yonge and Eglinton at 6:30 didn't exactly mesh with being on the radio at Bloor and Jarvis at 7:00.

It's too bad, sounded like it was a good time.

Oh, and by the way, Sidney Ponson has only had one half of one good season, he's the clear #1.

I'd never really looked at Perez's actual performance - one of those guys you just have a vague sense that he's probably good. That specific example withdrawn.

There are really two categories of contenders for the top 5 overated pitchers: guys who are OK, but people think are good, and guys who should be selling used cars, but have major league jobs.

From the first category, I'd nominate luminaries such as:
- Billy Koch
- Shigetoshi Hasegawa
- Russ Ortiz
- Orlando Hernandez
- Freddy Garcia

From the second, guys like:
- Darren Oliver
- Omar Daal
- Shawn Estes
- Jimmy Haynes
- James Baldwin

Whither Delgado? My stats breakdown might be a little off on this but we know the old expression as goes Delgado, so goes the Jays. In the Jays losses this year, Delgado's numbers are an anemic .167/.231/.319. During the Jays' first nine victories, Delgado's number were a fantastic .480/.575/.844. HOWEVER, during the six game win streak, the Jays were great without Delgado. His numbers during the six wins: .167/.200/.167. I'll be curious to see how this plays out for the rest of the year and how this informs any decisions Ricciardi makes for next year.

I love Delgado to death, but there are more important things to spend money on.

And if JP needs to get himself another 1B, he has lots of options, both internal and external:

1. give the job to Phelps.
2. give the job to Pond.
3. move Hinske and get a new 3B (free agent or trade).
4. call his buddy in oakland and make a trade for Graham Koonce or Dan Johnson.

The Jays couldn't be a contender with Pond or Koonce at first base. I know that Oakland suprised most people with Hatteberg at 1B, but they also have Barry Zito as their number three starter. While our pitching prospects rank among the best in baseball, we aren't at the stage where we could go from Delgado to Pond and not notice the drop. The most likely scenario, imo, is Phelps to first and one of the outfielders becomes a DH.

I donot mind losing Delgado but I do not think you need to get a new power hitting first baseman/ DH to replace him right away. It seems like this position is one you can always fill. If I were JP I would concentrate on pitching, the middle infield (although I think ODog should be part of the future), and the corner outfield spots. Once that it is place, and you are a contender, go spend some $$ and get the big bat at 1B/DH for a year or two.

Posada is day-to-day after being hit on the nose with the balll while trying to break up a DP. Flaherty came in as his replacement.

Anyone notice Scott Carson gave a shout out to battersbox in his newest sportsnet.ca article? Very cool.