I know the season is full of peaks and valleys, but the Batista article makes no sense to me either. I don't think Richard Griffin would like the article either as it would disrupt his plan of turning Batista into the closer the Jays need.

Tampa Bay is 32-34.
You had me scared for a minute that they might be out of reach.

Trading Batista, as much as I wouldn't like it, isn't such a horrible idea. So many teams are looking for pitching and right now the only name available is Freddy Garcia (yuck). Floating Batista out on the market makes sense because it's possible that JP will be blown away by an offer. However, short of a blockbuster offer, I don't think it makes sense to trade him.

Ooops.. no wonder it didn't sound right! To be honest, I meant 32-34 when I made that comment. Even that doesn't sound right.

I'll fix that ASAP.

Christopher got the song.. it was Valley Girl by Frank Zappa. He wins, 100,000,000 points and.. umm... a picture of a giant squid:



Gotta love those Cephalopods!

Are we ever going to get any good news about this team? Slashing payroll...again? Trading Batista? What on earth is going on with this once proud franchise? It's just heartbreaking to watch their demise.

Did you expect good news from Elliott? I mean, seriously.

I don't think Rogers is going to slash payroll again, either, but as a fan I'm a bit concerned because it could conceivably happen. Unlikely, but possible.

He also discusses something I've been fearing by saying "There are rumours throughout the organization that team owner Rogers Communications will slash payroll again next season - an easier sell if everything about this year is blamed on injuries."

As with everything coming out of The Star, I think you have to keep in mind their anti-Jays agenda. For all we know, this might be speculation between the hot dog vendors and the program sellers... "Troughout the organization"? Sure! All the way from the 100 level up to the 500 level!

It could be a more legitimate rumour, of course, but in my mind The Star has lost a lot of credibility by constantly taking cheap shots and spinning everything for maximum negativity.

Two topics:

1. Do you think that Glenn Williams will ever get an opportunity in Toronto? So far, he has 15 home runs for the Skychiefs. He finally may be finding his niche.

2. What is the scouting report on Yesson Berroa? Is he a real prospect? I may be wrong, but it seems like he has been in "short season" ball for a long time. Congratulations on his fine Opening Day start.

That is one disgusting-looking squid. Bring back the beautiful cuttlefish!

With the Jays looking to contend at best for the VALLEY of third place, I dont see any problem with JP kicking the tires and seeing what trades are available, though Batista is probally not the best trade.

As for Boomer, its pretty obvious that a GIRL toned him down. Just like Dweezel (Not Frank) Zappa.

Special note on the perils faced in draft decisions. Matt Bush has been arrested in a bar fight and faces assault charges. Nice first overall pick.

As with everything coming out of The Star, I think you have to keep in mind their anti-Jays agenda. For all we know, this might be speculation between the hot dog vendors and the program sellers... "Troughout the organization"? Sure! All the way from the 100 level up to the 500 level!

No kidding. I apologize if I made it sound like I this report was credible. I imagine it's just pure speculation.

I have to admit, I have a certain fondness for the Star, as I starting delivering their paper when I was 8. Good thing child labour laws don't apply to them! :)

The Star has lost a lot of credibility by constantly taking cheap shots and spinning everything for maximum negativity.

An otherwise good Baker piece is ruined by citing "rumours throughout the organization" -- typical Star coverage, where the editors and the headline writers all have the same anti-Jays agenda. And speaking of rumours...

Where is Elliott getting this stuff?

No idea. Milwaukee?

No idea. Milwaukee?

Heh Heh. I can picture it now.

[phone rings]
JP: Hello

Ash: Hey JP.. It's Gord Ash over in Milwaukee. How's my old job?

JP: Heh heh.. not bad. You want something?

Ash: Yeah.. we're interested in Batista. What will it take?

JP: Ben Sheets, Prince Fielder, and a couple other prospects. In other words, we're not looking to move Batista.

Ash: Okay, thanks anyway.
[click]

[phone rings]
Bob Elliott: Yo!

Ash: Hey Bob.. yo

For myself, I don't subscribe to the view that "playing kids" means giving up on the season.

Peterson, Bush, Adams and Quiroz are arguably as good or better than players currently occupying slots on the big-league club. That does not mean that they must be promoted, but that the decision to promote or not depends on a series of factors, including such things as trading opportunities.

That's a possibility, ummm, Not Ryan. I don't really see how any of Oakland's veteran first basemen help the Jays though, since Toronto isn't in win-now mode. And it's not like Oakland is an offensive juggernaut anyway...I think they'd like to keep whatever hitting they have.

Anyone good at impressions? I do a mean Cookie Monster

Not if you keep losing your voice at Cheer Club, you won't. Soon you'll sound like the Squeaky-Voiced Teen from the Simpsons.

"There are rumours throughout the organization that team owner Rogers Communications will slash payroll again next season - an easier sell if everything about this year is blamed on injuries."

Payroll is already scheduled to decline by $2 million next year, as has been publicly stated for oh, about two full years now. This year's $50 million limit will be reduced to $48 million. Everyone already knew this one.

Trading Batista

Once again, let me remind everyone, Bob Elliott MAKES STUFF UP. He's as bad as Marty York (OK, maybe not as bad as York). He does it all the time, and anything you hear from Bob Elliott appears to be (from his scattershot record of accuracy) equally likely to be made up out of whole cloth as it is to be from a real source.

Note I said "from a real source", not "true". His record of truth-telling truly speaks for itself.

Testing... (trying to fix broken thread)

Apologies for the Greymetter technical gremlins that ate a few comments. A couple of the lost ones were questions about Peterson, which I will try to answer on the new thread.

Uh, that's Greymatter. Mine's not what it used to be, either.

Believe it or not, Craig, Cookie Monster (especially singing Cookie Monster) is much harder on my throat than CHYAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGE. I lie awake at night wondering how Frank Oz can still talk.

Yes, I said 'singing Cookie Monster'. I developed my Cookie Monster impression at an early age, singing along with the Sesame Street Fever record. However, now my Cookie Monster impression sings mostly Joe Cocker songs.

C is for "cookie" - that's good enough for me.

3. The Cardinals trade right-handed pitcher Brad Thompson to Toronto for Frank Catalanotto. Catalanotto is a terrific hitter who would step right into their hole in left field.

Here's a rumour floated by Gammons. COMN

Who is Thompson, I didn't see him on the Cardinals roster. Good/Bad/Unlikely?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1825878
Anyone good at impressions? I do a mean Cookie Monster

Used to be able to do Elmo really well, but the aforementioned "Squeaky-Voiced Teen" kicked in around age 12 and now I can't anymore.

And alsiem put the link in the e-mail box. COMN for the Gammons rumour.

Here are Brad Thompson's pre-2004 stats. (the link didn't work for me, but that's his page at The Cube)
This year: 7-1, 1.76, 11 G, 66.1 IP, 49 H, 11 BB, 50 K, 5 HR for Tennessee of the AA Southern League.
1-0, 2.61, 10.1 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR for Memphis in the AAA PCL.

Those AA numbers look pretty nice (0.90 WHIP).

http://tsf.waymoresports.thestar.com/thestar/baseball/player.cgi?3145
With Tampa Bay coming to town, how about a discussion of Mark Hendrickson? COMN for his career record. His 2004 pitching record looks completely unsustainable in light of the high home run allowed rate, and his incredibly low strikeout rate.

Looks can be deceiving. Hendrickson is a flyball pitcher, whose DIPS ERA last year was much better than his actual ERA. He moved from Toronto to Tampa, and has benefitted from Tampa's exceptional outfield defence of Crawford, Baldelli and Cruz Jr. I somehow doubt that he will be able to sustain an ERA of about 4 unless he starts striking out at least 4 per 9 IP, but I'd bet that he ends up the season as an average pitcher.

Hendrickson's performance, Lidle's improvement upon the move to Cincinnati, and Wells' and Hinske's defensive improvements after losing weight in the off-season have got me thinking about pitching and defence again. So much to research, so little time.

alsiem,

Gammons isn't reporting a rumour. He's merely playing GM and writing about trades that would make sense. This ranks below 'rumour' so I'd have to rank this deal as incredibly unlikely.

Here's a rumour floated by Gammons. COMN

Who is Thompson, I didn't see him on the Cardinals roster. Good/Bad/Unlikely?

Just to clarify, that's not a rumour (although you might have turned it into one). The Cat for Thompson idea is just that, an idea. Gammons often suggests trades that he thinks make sense for both teams and pulls the names out of thin air.

This is his intro to that piece:

Gammons: While we wait to see where Beltran and Garcia will go -- can someone scoop in on the Dodgers and Yankees? -- here are some ideas:

Six trades that make sense

Just trying to keep it interesting boys.

I've been in meetings all morning, so of course this is one of the interesting morning in weeks for the Jays and I'm missing it all.

The Batista "rumour"... oy gevalt. Let's just list a few of the reasons why that is a steaming pile of crap:

* He's finally pitching well for a team that desperately needs his innings.
* Imminent rotation help from the minors consists of David Bush, and that's it.
* Dealing a guy three months into a three-year contract will ruin your free-agent efforts for years to come.
* Payroll, as Craig has noted, is fully on track and there is no need to jettison salaries.
* Batista isn't a chit to be swapped in a rebuilding process; he's a key part of the building process.

Utter nonsense ... don't waste a minute's concern on it.

I think people believe the papers in Canada more than they do anywhere else in sports. And that's why I've been treated badly when I've gone back to Toronto.

Really? Hmmmm... I thought it had something to do with that whole "book" you wrote blasting the city of Toronto and taking low blows at its baseball fanbase. Man is my face red. You poor man, you really are the victim here.... Yes I'm going to finish my sandwich, get outta here.

So if payroll is cut by 2 million, and lets just say Carlos walks, after paying the raises of other players, and "capping" the payroll at 48 million, how much would that leave JP to play with?

Dont forget that in any budget calculations for next year that in addition to Carlos' $19.7 million the Jays will also be clearing the books of:

Hentgen - $2.2 million
Adams - $1.7 million
Speier - $1.6 million
DLS - $850K

Just as a quick followup, that should give the Jays about $24 million to play with, after capping the budget at $48 million.

However that $24 million does not include raises to current players.

Gotta love those Cephalopods!

Gesundheit!

Does any know for sure whether Speier is arbitration-eligible or if he's a free agent after this season?

Speier is arb.-eligible for one more year after this one.

Dont forget that in any budget calculations for next year that in addition to Carlos' $19.7 million the Jays will also be clearing the books of:

Hentgen - $2.2 million
Adams - $1.7 million
Speier - $1.6 million
DLS - $850K

True, but you also have to factor in substantial raises for Hinske, Wells, Halladay and Batista, as well as other guys like the O-Dog who will require raises. They'll have more salary room, but not a huge amount.

So basicaly, if Carlos is brought back, even at a very reasonable price, and the raises are handed out, there is pretty much NO cash left to bring in outside help?

According to Gwyn's salaries spreadsheet, the following contracts are guaranteed for 2005 ($ millions):

Halladay    10.5
Batista      4.75
Lilly        3.1
Hinske       3.0
Wells        2.9
Ligtenburg   2.5
Total (6)   26.75

And we can assume that Hudson, Lopez, Johnson, Cash, Rios, Chulk, File, and Frasor will be in Toronto next year, so that's about 2.8 million there.

11 roster spots left, 18.45 million. The Jays need:
4th starter, 5th starter, reliever, backup catcher, 1B, SS, DH, 3 bench players, 25th man.

(My above post assumes both Phelps and Delgado are gone.)

If the Jays want any chance of bringing back fans next year, they need to take the Delgado money and spend it - whether it's on Delgado or his replacements.

I can't think of a worse scenario than seeing a losing season, the loss of a franchise player and a budget cut. I'd be pretty tempted to give up on the team, and I think I'm more devoted than most fans in TO.

David Ortiz is the cookie monster.

Ligtenburg 2.5

Yikes.

Can we give Sparky a raise just because he's Sparky? Maybe just a free meal at Joe Badali's or something...

Too much intelligent baseball talk here today so...

The best 80's song by a Canadian artist was "Closer Together" by The Box. Discuss.

Damn, Mosely, that whole album was good. What was the first song, Crying Out Loud For Love or something like that? I really liked that one.

OK. Let's have Miller and Bush as the 4th and 5th starters and Adams as SS. That leaves about $17M. Gross as platoon/4th OF. Menechino/Woodward and Howie as infield depth. Say $2M for a reliever, a catcher, 25th man. That leaves say $13M for a DH and a 1B. Best case scenario though.

Ordinary people?

If we're on the topic of best case scenarios, I still like trading Carlos at the deadline for a decent pinch-hitting OF and "someone else" and then signing him back at a reasonable price in the off season. Or as my friend refers to it, "pulling a Ponson".

Damn, Mosely, that whole album was good. What was the first song, Crying Out Loud For Love or something like that? I really liked that one.

You sir are correct! I think that warrants some cuttlefish.

Closer Together was probably their most accessible record, but for me, their previous effort, All the Time, All the Time, All the Time... is the better of the two, on the strength of L'Affaire Dumoutier alone.

Whoa, whoa, whoa....

Okay, so i found this site which is nifty:

http://local.msn.com/special/baseball.asp

Then I click on Toronto Blue Jays for fun. Then I click on Skydome. Everything's fine and dandy, putting a nice spin on the Dome and then I come across this little comment:

Insider Tips
Best Eats
SkyDome claims to have Major League Baseball's cheapest hot dogs at 99 cents apiece.

Say wha?? I assume by 99 cents they mean 3 dollars and 48 cents?? Is there some kind of secret one dollar hotdog vendor hiding deep in the bowls of Club 200 I've never seen?

No, man, the 200 level hot dogs are $5.95!

Normally I'd be outraged that the skydome has the nerve to sell a 6 dollar hotdog when packs of Juciy Jumbos cost about 5 bucks at Longos. But now I'm upset at that website! They got Bob Elliot level BS going on. Where do they get this stuff and how dare they tease about something as wonderful as a cheap ballpark dog.

If the SkyDome even had a 99 cent dog, it would be about the size of Frank Menechino's baby finger.

It's not totally bogus, just way out of date. I seem to remember that when the Raptors were in the Skydome, and Skysnacks hadn't been replaced, you could get a small hot dog for 99 cents, a medium one for $1.99, and a footlong for $2.99. Once the new concessioners came in, prices went up, the small and footlong hot dogs dissapeared, and were replaced by the pizza pizza, more or less.

I never liked paying the higher prices, but I recently discovered the Kosher hot dog stand on the 100 level, and that I'm willing to pay for, especially with the honey mustard that they have.

What the club needs if/when Delgado leaves is a #2 starter to slot in between Doc and Batista.

Sure the pitching's been OK this year but any mention of contending that doesn't include the addition of a #2 starter is kinda foolish.

Last offseason Gleeman did a fine piece on acquiring platoons to play 1B or DH on the cheap.

Look at Minnesota and look at the Orioles - the evidence is there - the money should be spent on a #2 starter not a cleanup hitter.

How weird would that be if in a two season span the Jays went from hitting powerhouse to pitching powerhouse?

The best 80's song by a Canadian artist was "Closer Together" by The Box. Discuss

You are, of course, certifiably insane. ;-) Have you already forgotten A Criminal Mind by L. Gowan?

Now, the worst '80s songs by Canadian artists could fill a book. All I have to do is mention Boy in the Box or Wild Horses to get this party started....

I understand that Gowan is now the lead singer for Styxx. This could also be a confused absinthe dream. L'Affaire Dumoutier is a bad song but I'm glad some one took enjoyment from it.

Furthermore, did someone say that Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys was the bassist for Sandbox. If so, was there one hit called "Curious". Bubbles the renaissance man.

That's Good trivia.

Furthermore, did someone say that Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys was the bassist for Sandbox. If so, was there one hit called "Curious". Bubbles the renaissance man.

I'm not sure if Bubbles was once in Sandbox, but there weren't many better tunes to have blasting from your car in the summer of 1995 than "Curious".

The lead singer was (still is, probably) Anne Murray's nephew, if memory serves. I saw them open for Treble Charger and Rusty at St. Michael's College at U of T. one time, and never heard from them again.

Larry Gowan is definitely now the lead singer of Styx. And I hate to admit it, but I love "Moonlight Desires". "A Criminal Mind" too. But the greatest 80s song by a Canadian artist is "Let Your Backbone Slide".

Craig, Drop The Needle was infinitely superior to Let Your Backbone Slide.

Stuck in the 90's by Moxy Fruvous was pretty good. Did that come out in the 80's?

[/end sarcarsm]

Any discussion of the very best 80s songs by Canadian artists that fails to include "I'm An Adult Now" is in serious need of remedial help!

That song was great at the time, though I thought it was meant to be comical. Little did I know that one day I would be an adult, and would see the tragedy in it.

Craig, Drop The Needle was infinitely superior to Let Your Backbone Slide.

Yes, but was it better than Echo Beach by Martha and the Muffins? My magic 8-ball suggests no.

http://www.showcase.ca/trailerparkboys/features/articles/blowing_bubbles/
Craig, Drop The Needle was infinitely superior to Let Your Backbone Slide.

"Drop the Needle" would never have been released were it not for the massive popularity of LYBBS. Sorry man. "Private Symphony" on the other hand...

Bubbles was the guitarist for Sandbox (COMN). Come to think of it, I saw that same tour in frosh week with Rusty and Treble Charger. Corey from the show was also in some moderately famous east coast hip hop act.

As for the Gowan talk, I admit that I once owned Strange Animal (the LP). I saw him give a free concert in a park in London when I was about 9. I can probably still recite the lyrics to "Guerilla Soldier" (what the hell is a guttersnipe?) or "A Criminal Mind", but every time I here those songs now, I cringe with shame.

Corey was in Hip Club Groove with the now quite well-known Sixtoo and DJ Moves. HCG managed to produce one of the great "Closer Music" tunes of all time, "Kick 'Em In Da Face", off their Trailer Park Hip Hop LP.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/06/22/bush.padres.ap/index.html
I'm truly impressed by Matt Bush. To recap:
1) He sneaks into a bar.
2) He goes to a bar in Peoria, home of the Padres' rookie-ball team.
3) He gets caught - wow, who'd have thought that the incoming star of the home team might get recognized?
4) He bites the bouncer and gets himself arrested.

What the club needs if/when Delgado leaves is a #2 starter to slot in between Doc and Batista.

Sure the pitching's been OK this year but any mention of contending that doesn't include the addition of a #2 starter is kinda foolish.

Well Lilly and Batista will both be back next year so with Doc that would be the starting 3 again. I think most people expect that some combination of Bush, Miller, Towers, and whoever else might be ready sometime next year (McGowan maybe? I dont know) to fill out the 4/5 spots in the rotation.

Lilly has been great so far this year, I dont know if he can keep it up, but he's 5th in the AL in K's right now. And himself, Doc, and Batista are all top 20 in ERA at this moment. If only the injury demon hadnt taken away all our hitters, this could have been a great year.

I'm truly impressed by Matt Bush.

The same article says that the Padres have ordered him back to San Diego for a 'physical'. I'm not sure that that's such a great idea. This kid might turn out to be a very poor influence on David Wells.

http://www.naturesguard.com
I dont know how to use italics so I'll use a bracket.
(Anyone good at impressions? I do a mean Cookie Monster)

I am actually quite good at impersonations, I do...

Arnold, Jimmy Stewart, Sean Connery, Dr Evil, Kermit the Frog, George Bush, G.W. Bush, Bobby(Howie Mandell), The entire Cast of the Princess Bride, and yse that includes my best of all.. a BANG on Andre the Giant. There is also my newest and probably favorite Christpher Walken. People have said I do a better Walken the Walken does.

Lilly has been great so far this year, I dont know if he can keep it up

Even more impressive when you consider the lousy start he had and the injury that likely contributed to it.

He's started 20 games or more twice in the majors, but his career numbers indicate that this is no fluke and we can continue to expect good things. I was surprised to see that his K/9 this season is not that much better than his career clip (8.3 to 7.9, and he's never been lower that 6.9). He's throwing more pitches per PA than ever, so even if he does lower his K/9, it should let him go deeper into games.

I think Lilly should and very likely could be our all-star rep

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/Stats/stats_Acal_sbr.shtml
The same article says that the Padres have ordered him back to San Diego for a 'physical'

Doctor looks into ear and says: "Sorry, Mr. Bush, I don't see anything there".

Back to baseball. Every once in a while, a pitcher comes along who one figures has a chance to be great- Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Mark Prior. Well, it looks like we might have another one. His name is Felix Hernandez; he just turned 18, and he's dominating the California League. COMN for his stats. If he can avoid the orthopods, he should be next in line.

Doctor looks into ear and says: "Sorry, Mr. Bush, I don't see anything there".

Making Matt the second prominent Bush to hear those words in the last year.

Do you know anything else about Hernandez? This is the first I've heard of him.

If he can avoid the orthopods, he should be next in line.

Are orthopods anything like cephalopods? If so, then Felix Hernandez may want to stay away from the Box 'lest he get smacked with a cuttlefish.

I think Lilly should and very likely could be our all-star rep

I'd gladly send a set of Theodore Roosevelts down to Houston if this happened.

I was surprised at the amount of respect shown to Reed Johnson on ESPN while I was in Boston -- he seemed to get more spotlight than we give him up here. It could be that he just had a good week in the outfield and had made some highlight plays, but the moment that stands out in my mind is the ESPN announcer saying "You don't run on Reed Johnson" like you'd have to be an idiot to even try, while showing him gunning down that guy...player and game have slipped from my memory, but it was a beautiful play.

So maybe Reed has an outside shot? I wouldn't have thought so before seeing that. It's always illuminating to see how another city's media covers your home team.

I've been trying for two years to stuff the all-star ballot box in Sparky's favour. Nice to know I'm somewhat vindicated now, I hope he does make it.

Fourth outfielder indeed....

Saying anything negative about Reed Johnson is just asking for trouble around here, but I will don my asbestos y-fronts and face the music.

I like having Johnson on the team. He is a hard-nosed player who gives it all he's got. He is a decent corner outfielder with a good arm. He slams lefthanded pitching. He's definitely excellent value for the small amount of money he earns.

But he looks all the world like a platoon outfielder to me.

His OPS splits last year and this are 899/731 and 902/651.

His VORP doesn't scream out all-star.

I can definitely understand being a fan of his and wanting to praise his virtues. But some context is required to realistically assess his worth.

Hey I dont mind people pointing out that Reed isnt perfect. He's not. I just hate it when people say the dreaded phrase "4th outfielder" with nothing to back it up. If people want to discuss his virtues and drawbacks with an open mind then I think that's great.

Reed does have decent sized splits. That's true. However even taking that into account, and taking into account that he's faced about 60% more righties than lefties, he's still right about average among all RF'ers in MLB when it comes to hitting. 8th in BA, 16th in OBP, 17th in SLG, 18th in OPS. That ain't bad when you consider he makes only 10% of what Millar makes, and yet has been every bit as good.

I think we've reached the conclusion that our friend Sparky is the Gambit of Blue Jay Baseball. Both exist where fans of their medium (x-men comics and Blue Jay Baseball) share a strong passion for the medium and its content yet are completley divided in regards to one key character, thus splitting the medium into two groups: Gambit fans and Gambit haters, and Solid Outfield and.... *sigh* Fourth Outfielder.

Fans will speak until they are blue in the face of each character's benefits. They both have cool gimicks, great arms, great defensive ability as well as solid batting and attack features comparable to any other characters/outfielders in their position. And they both speak Cajun..... probably.

Detractors will constantly state that they are lame Wolverine/loner rip offs and that the work ethic is a little too gimmicky, as well as "susceptible" averages against righties.

These debates will echo through the ages, but for now, cant we all agree that the medium is better having these two great individuals lend their services at such reasonable prices?

This kid might turn out to be a very poor influence on David Wells.

Making Matt the second prominent Bush to hear those words in the last year.

Felix Hernandez may want to stay away from the Box 'lest he get smacked with a cuttlefish.

The Box is rockin' tonight. :-)

Hey I dont mind people pointing out that Reed isnt perfect. He's not. I just hate it when people say the dreaded phrase "4th outfielder" with nothing to back it up.

I'd say a career .420 SLG is more than enough to back up the argument of Reed as a 4th OF.

I'd say a career .420 SLG is more than enough to back up the argument of Reed as a 4th OF.

Fair enough, at least that's a reason. Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Chone Figgins, Luis Matos, Randy Winn, Alex Sanchez, Johnny Damon, Craig Monroe. A small sampling of outfielders starting in the AL this year with career SLG of roughly the same or less than Johnson.

Fair enough, at least that's a reason. Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Chone Figgins, Luis Matos, Randy Winn, Alex Sanchez, Johnny Damon, Craig Monroe. A small sampling of outfielders starting in the AL this year with career SLG of roughly the same or less than Johnson.

Pretty much all of whom are centre fielders (or should be, in any case). I should have been more clear and specified that a .420 SLG is not acceptable for a starting corner OF.

Gentlemen (and/or women), why must you label people?

And he has CF capable glove, speed and certainly arm strength. Only problem is, there's kinda one of the best in the game playing there right now so he's in the corner.

What about Ichiro? His career clip isn't much higher than .420 and this season he's below it. I'm not saying that Sparky's the same, but I do think there has to be room for talent that doesn't necessarily fit our image of a corner outfielder. His defense is above average and he adds value as a lead-off hitter. A more pertinent question is whether he can be more than a 4th outfielder in the context of a Jays team moving forward. Until Rios and others show some more pop, the left-fielder probably needs to hit some homeruns; Sparky doesn't fit that bill. If the Jays can get power from others such as Hinske, Rios, 1B, DH as well as Wells, having Sparky lead-off is a nice complement.

What about Ichiro? His career clip isn't much higher than .420 and this season he's below it. I'm not saying that Sparky's the same, but I do think there has to be room for talent that doesn't necessarily fit our image of a corner outfielder

Ichiro is at a .436 career SLG, but also has a career .374 OBP to Sparky's .348. Also to be taken into consideration is that Ichiro is a big cash cow, which helps to offset his limitations on the field.

I adore Sparky as much as anyone here (well, not as much as Jobu) and I'm fine with him being the Jays' current RF. I just hope not to see it when we're totally ready to be a force. So yeah, I'm in the 'perfect fourth outfielder' camp.

Well, check that on Sparky. I think 'perfect platoon hitter' would be my camp, actually.

I think, in the long-term, Sparky may be best suited to 4th outfielder. That said, though, he's certainly earned the right to play every day right now. I don't think you can sit a guy who plays that well and that hard. Somebody's going to have to take his job away, either by Sparky slumping or someone else getting real hot.

Well, Reed actually isn't doing all that great right now. He's at .280/.337/.402.