I wouldn't jettison any of the Jays out of here. I'm really keen to keep them around. Maybe I've been blinded by JP, but at least I'm not faithless. Whatever happened to Benny Agbayani?

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/ticketing/connect_form.jsp?
FREE JAYS TICKETS

Just followed the link from the Now Contest Page. Free tickets to the Oakland series at the beginning of Sept. I was already registered for the Inside Pitch but it didn't matter. (registering is the catch>

I could access the Star's site.
There's a recap of the game and "Yankees, Jays poles apart on trade talks".

You have to register to know what they're saying, and I haven't registered

"We've had a number of calls about Frank but at this time we're not looking to move him," Ricciardi said last night.

This strikes me as odd. Why wouldn't the Jays look to trade him? Or is this just posturing to try and get a better deal?

Even if the Jays traded him away it'd be possible to re-sign him after the season.

Also, who was that restraining Cat when he was having a go at the umpires in Tuesday's game? The Star identified it as Brian Butterfield, but its clearly not him. It doesn't look like anyone on the roster (players or coaches) and I figure it must be a trainer or someone.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1091052613923&call_pageid=969907739730&col=970081600908&DPL=JvsODSH7Aw0u%2bwoRO%2bYKDSblFxAk%2bwoVO%2bYODSbhFxAg%2bwkRO%2bUPDSXiFxMh%2bwkZO%2bUCDSTmFxIk%2bw8RO%2bMKDSPkFxUj%2bw8UO%2bMNDSPgFxUv%2bw8YO%2bILDSLmFxQl%2bw4SO%2bINIQ%3d%3d&tacodalogin=yes
COMN for the Star link for the Griffen article of the day. "Yankees, Jays poles apart on trade front" basically covering how the Jays are sellers, Yankees buyers. Interesting that he lists Cory Lidle as trade bait for the Reds.

I don't think the Giants have anyone of interest on their major league or minor league rosters... Keep Cat, he's one of the few Jays who can hit over .300. I'd keep him to replace Delgado (and DH), go after Glaus (free agent) in the offseason and move Hinske to DH/1B.

If we get Glaus, wouldn't it make more sense to move him to 1b and leave Hinske at 3b?

Also, who was that restraining Cat when he was having a go at the umpires in Tuesday's game?

Thomas, I thought it was Joe Breeden, but I may be wrong on that.

On Wednesday nights with JP, JP said that he didn't think they'd be calling up Adam Peterson in September because they won't have enough money. That surprised me, I guess the budget is stretched to its limit.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/photo/ph_coach_mugshot_breeden.jpg
I think that's possible, but I always thought Breeden had a noticable moustache, as opposed to the goatee/scraggly beard. (COMN for a picture.) I guess it could be him.

JP said that he didn't think they'd be calling up Adam Peterson in September because they won't have enough money

He said it was for budgetary reasons; it may be that they are going to bring up some others (Josue Matos, maybe? Fagan? Sequea? Gross? Adams? Mike Smith?) and they don't have cash for all of them. I think it's more likely that only one or two callups will be made, because the budget will have been stretched rather thin with all the injury replacements the Jays have had to bring in.

Robert, that was a terrific interview with Kent, and superlative of you to post it at HTH. An appropriate millionth-birthday gift for Coach, Da Man of Da Box.

Even if the Jays traded him away it'd be possible to re-sign him after the season.

Don't be so sure about this. Not everyone is Sidney Ponson. The Cat has given a lot to this organization. And baseball players are human beings. When you get traded, you go through a tooth-wrenching process, you have to pack all your stuff, relocate across the country, get to know a whole new group of people, be a stranger. You might not be so quick to re-sign with an organization that did that to you. In my book, if you're planning on bringing a player back, there's no way you rent him off. That's just poor form.

As for the Giants: do they know Cat's hurt and can't move around the outfield like he used to?

If we get Glaus, wouldn't it make more sense to move him to 1b and leave Hinske at 3b?

Glaus has a better arm at third then Hinske does. And trying to sign a big time free agent only to move him to another position doesn't always go over well.

As for signing an actually first baseman, there aren't a lot of impact players in the Jays budget. Glaus, mainly due to injury concerns the last two years, will come cheaper than someone like Sexson (albeit he has been injured this year too).

IIRC, the Blue Jays had very few callups last September too. I think the Jays bring players to the roster in the final month only for a specific reason -- either to play them, or to acclimate them to the big-league clubhouse and coaching staff. I still say Gross, Quiroz and Adams will be the callups, but I'll admit I'm wavering on Adams.

My guess is that Frank wants to stay on the club, JP wants him around for the younger guys, and the return from the Giants wouldn't be worth sacrificing those two desires. The way Cat leaped to the defence of the rookies against Gary Darling showed me a lot about this guy.

As for the Giants: do they know Cat's hurt and can't move around the outfield like he used to?

I'll bet the Giants are looking at Cat as a first baseman. They were trying to get Olerud from the Mariners for JT Snow before the Mariners released him because he nixed the deal. Cat's not a bad first baseman.

Glaus has a better arm at third then Hinske does.

He's also got a bad shoulder, though. Post-surgery, how strong will his arm be?

The way Cat leaped to the defence of the rookies against Gary Darling showed me a lot about this guy.

It made me love the Cat even more. The Jays love the Cat, the Cat loves the Jays. He will stay with us and re-sign. End of story.

The Cat is a below average first baseman though. He has seen very limited duty there in the past few seasons, and he has looked rusty whenever there. I recall him playing first a key, late-inning situation last season and his defence cost us the game. I think he'd be all right if the plan was to have him as 1B from spring training, allowing him to work on it all winter. But I wouldn't want Cat as my 1B going down the stretch this season.

As last night's thread is pretty much dead, a debate started whether it was a wise move to pinch-run for Delgado in the 8th. There's some wisdom in the adage: play to tie at home, play to win on the road. Tosca had, at the least, three more outs to get that run. If he thought the Yankees might score in the top of the 9th, then you PR for Zaun at first, not Delgado at 2nd. If he really thought the runner on second would be the only winning run necessary, he's giving the Jays about a 30% chance (generous) to score by pinch running for Carlos. That's a 70% chance the game stays tied and Carlos' spot comes up to bat again. (assuming the Yankees don't score)

I was thrilled by the outcome of the game, of course. But I was very nervous seeing Carlos removed just when he's finally looking dangerous, at a point in the game when we might desperately need a dangerous hitter. His pinch runner was due to bat after Wells. Had Wells not homered, I'm sure this topic would have dominated the thread.

Oh, remember, it's Gary "MF" Darling or MF Gary Darling, whichever fits better in your sentence.

KT, I liked the move. I thought it was gutsy and decisive, and almost a statement to the rest of the team: this is where we win it.

I think it was more indecisive. Carlos was standing on 2nd for the Zaun AB. No pinch runner then. Tosca changed his mind and then sent the PR out.

Love it or hate it, Tosca is at least decisive when it comes to close and late games: He wants to win it now. He's not saving his hitters & runners for an 11th inning that might not come. Given the bullpen struggles - Frasor, Chulk, Pray - this may not be a bad strategy.

In my book, if you're planning on bringing a player back, there's no way you rent him off. That's just poor form.

It all depends on how you communicate with the player. There's a way to do that makes it a positive situation all around.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but I don't think trading him away is going to be an event that makes Cat not want to sign his next contract with the Jays.

call me sentimental, but i hope crime dog gets picked up. Yeah, he's on his last legs, but the yankees are so full of old, injured, declining, and parasite-infected players that'd he fit right in.

If the Crime Dog has fleas, would that be close enough to fit in with the Yanks' parasite theme?

What is it with Toronto and Dogs anyway? We used to have the Crime Dog, now we have the O-Dog, and Im pretty sure that the "Bring your dog to the ballpark" promotion is just around the corner.

An appropriate millionth-birthday gift for Coach

You're off by a few years, Jordan. :)

Thanks very much, Robert, for making an "old baseball warhorse" look good. That was a fine way to kick off our countdown to 1,000,000 hits, which we should reach sometime this weekend.

There was some advertising for the "Dog Days" game during one of the Yankees games this week. Of course, the clever folks at Sportsnet then cut to a shot of Orlando Hudson.

Alsiem, much thanks for that link.

i dont think that theres much room for the cat unfortunately. Rios, Wells, and Johnson are probably going to be the starting outfielders for the future. As much as he is a tremendous asset to the jays, we could get some great prospects for him, and i doubt that the jays will resign him for 2005.

I can't see the crime dog making any contribution. They should stick with Tony Clark, he'll give them a lot more than McGriff. Ruben Sierra is a rockstar DH.

Is it just me, or has sports culture changed so that the words "trading deadline" now fuel mouth-frothing, deranged frenzy. Not just in baseball, hockey too. I suppose the Internet has brought this on, with every sportsfan now potentially having a voice - it seems every year the hype gets bigger and bigger while there's usually a total of just 3 deadline trades.

My prediction:

All the Blue Jays stay.
Randy Johnson stays.
Florida does what they can.

Thanks very much, Robert, for making an "old baseball warhorse" look good. That was a fine way to kick off our countdown to 1,000,000 hits, which we should reach sometime this weekend.

No problem. And next week, part 2: Kent Williams - Attack of the Clones ;-)

i dont think that theres much room for the cat unfortunately

Sure there is. He can float, platooning with Johnson, doing some DH duty. And if Carlos leaves...

i dont think that theres much room for the cat unfortunately. Rios, Wells, and Johnson are probably going to be the starting outfielders for the future.

I doubt Reed, as much as I like him, is an outfielder of the future for the Jays. He lacks enough power to play left or right. He is best suited as a fourth outfielder and I bet he will fill that position next year.

I doubt Reed, as much as I like him, is an outfielder of the future for the Jays. He lacks enough power to play left or right. He is best suited as a fourth outfielder and I bet he will fill that position next year.

Ok, so who is the everyday left fielder next season then if not Reed Johnson?

Ok, so who is the everyday left fielder next season then if not Reed Johnson?

Gabe Gross. Perhaps platooning with Johnson.

Alex Rios in the leadoff spot last night got me thinking. Obviously, if his power develops as most people expect, he's a 3rd- or 4th-place hitter down the road. But for now, maybe leadoff isn't the worst place for him. Properly instructed, it would be a way for him to further develop his plate discipline and pitch selection. Speed isn't a prerequisite for a leadoff guy, but it doesn't hurt, and Rios has it. He may never walk much, but he's already hitting .300 in his first go-round with top-level pitching; a basic allotment of walks would give him a .340 or so OBP, and he has doubles and triples power.

That would allow you this lineup:

RF Rios
LF Gross/Johnson
3B Hinske
CF Wells
1B FA Signing
DH Phelps
C Zaun/Quiroz
2B Hudson
SS Adams/Gomez

Russ Adams would eventually make his way to leadoff, the spot he's best suited for, but this arranmgement could be a good short-term fix. Reed Johnson is just not an everyday player right now. His OPS against lefties is 910; against righties, 647. As a platoon outfielder, he would be very valuable to this team.

Ok, so who is the everyday left fielder next season then if not Reed Johnson?

I agree with Paul D. Gross platoon or the Jays go out and get someone. I like Ryan Ludwick of the Indians, who isn't really needed there. When he's healthy he can offer a lot of power, which the Jays need and it shouldn't take too much to pry him from the Tribe. A cheap, possibly lucrative stop gap.

He lacks enough power to play left or right (field)

Here's a question. Why is it that certain positions (ie 1B, corner outfield, 3B) have to be power positions? As long as you have enough net power in your lineup isnt that the point? What I mean is, if you've got a power CF (ie Vernon) and a power SS (ie A-Rod) which are not traditional power positions, then wouldnt that mean that you don't necessarily need to get power from some of the more traditional spots?

Maybe it's just me, but it always struck me as strange that people say "he doesnt have enough power to play a corner outfield spot" when power has nothing to do with playing in the outfield. What it really means (at least I think) is that it's easier to find a replacement at that position who will have more power at the plate and still do a decent job in the field. Not that the first guy isnt a good outfielder, just that it's easier to find a replacement for him than a for a 'good fielding but light hitting' SS. Semantics maybe, but as I said it always struck me as funny.

Anyway although it may not look it, this post has nothing to do with Reed. If he ends up platooning next season then that's great, but I do think it would be a shame if he became a permanent bench player. Ive just always been curious as Im not real saavy about some of the deeper stuff when it comes to baseball.

Hmmm...looking at this:
GIANTS LOOK AT CAT.

And this...

TRADED			TO	RETURN			GUESSER
Cat			GIANTS	PROSP'T			Rob

Maybe I can tie Jacko for the Trade Pool lead!

Loveshack, the idea is that you want to maximize your production levels along the defensive spectrum. You're quite right to point out that having a superlative offensive centerfielder like Vernon is a real bonus, because a lot of teams just stick a fast guy with a glove and a .320 OBP out there; the Jays are ahead of all of them at that position. A slugging shortstop or catcher is even better; if I recall Bill James' spectrum correctly, it runs SS-C-2B-CF-3B-RF-1B-LF, or something like that. The more good hitters you have along the left end of that spectrum, the better you're doing.

Conversely, however, the right end of the spectrum is usually where teams stick their defensively-challenged sluggers and bangers. Accordingly, you need to at least keep up with them by having solid offensive performers at those spots. With Sparky in left field, the Jays are giving away as much as they're gaining with Vernon. In the AL East alone, left field is patrolled by Manny Ramirez, Hideki Matsui and Carl Crawford; only Larry Bigbie is not inarguably superior to Reed.

Ideally, the Jays would like to have a slugging precence in left, but even a consistent on-base threat like Catalanotto would be OK; Gross could well become another Cat in time. But Reed just struggles too much with righties these days for him to claim that position on a full-time basis.

In the AL East alone, left field is patrolled by Manny Ramirez, Hideki Matsui and Carl Crawford; only Larry Bigbie is not inarguably superior to Reed.

The EQA's of Matsui, Bigbie and Johnson, respectively:

.259/.258/.258

Sign McGriff. Move Frank to third. Play Hudson at second. Then your infield has Crime Dog, O-Dog and Cat. Maybe Felix "the Cat" Fermin can come out of retirement to play short.

Leigh, I think you may be reading the EqA tables incorrectly. The COMN version has Matsui at .310 and Sparky at .258. Are you referring to another chart?

In any event, I think a better measure of actual productivity is VORP.

Matsui: 31.5
Johnson: 8.3

These numbers, I think, also better reflect the reality of their production. FWIW, Rios' VORP in half of Johnson's PAs is 8.4.

Mick, there's always "Mighty Mouse" David Eckstein for the all-critter infield.

Completely off topic-but last night's walk off HR got me thinking how much fun walk off wins are. This led me to the question:
Has there ever been a walk off inside-the-park-HR? That would be one hell of an exciting play.

Leigh, I think you may be reading the EqA tables incorrectly.

Yep, I was. Matsui has created 259 outs this year (as opposed to having compiled a .259 EQA).

I was looking for a rate stat, rather than a counting stat, which is why I used EQA rather than VORP.

I should add that you were quite right about Bigbie; his VORP is also a mere 4.8. Sparky is the superior player of the two.

Sign McGriff. Move Frank to third. Play Hudson at second. Then your infield has Crime Dog, O-Dog and Cat. Maybe Felix "the Cat" Fermin can come out of retirement to play short.

Better yet, bring Andres Galarraga, Lance Johnson and Mo Vaughn out of retirement, so that you have the Big Cat, the Cat, the other Cat, Crime Dog, One Dog, Hit Dog, and the O-Dog.

Walk-off inside the park HR? Saw it in Montreal in '94 just before the strike. 10th inning by Marquis Grissom. Fun game, great time, shame the season ended so poorly. But dang, if I was only to see one Montreal Expos game in person that was a heck of a one to pick eh?

How could I forget the Mad Dog, soon-to-be-300-winner Greg Maddux? Or Rex "Wonder Dog" Hudler!

(By the way, I initially typed "Wonder God" for Rex Hudler. I guess the line about the dyslexic really is true...)

Also Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock.

What about Barry "Introverted Cuttlefish" Bonds?

I thought he was Barry "Covalent" Bonds.

NERRRRRRRRRRD.

I started a new Hall of Names thread for all my dogs.

Isn't it fair to assume that if the Jays aren't going to trade Cat it's because they are going to re-sign him?

I would guess he would re-sign for the same ~$2M salary and make a great DH platoon partner with Phelps, as well as a 5th OF (as insurance if Gross doesn't cut it in his rookie year).

Reworking Jordan's lineup you then get:
Rios
Cat
Wells
FA (1B)*
FA (SS)*
Hinske
Gross/Johnson
Zaun
ODog

*the 2 FA's are signed for ~$4-5M each, leaving $2M for Cat and $3-5M for bullpen help.

My big question is how they are going to fill the SS hole in the offseason. I can't take another year of Woodward backups becoming regulars because of Woody's very obvious inadequecies.

All I want is for the Jays to finish third this year... is that so much to ask?

And for all those who criticize Jays attendance, be glad you're not in minnesota, who have lower attendance numbers than us, despite leading their division. How does that work out? And yes, I have too much time on my hands.

Jonathan, I couldn't agree more. The problem with my '05 lineup assumption is that I can only think of 1 FA SS who fits our budget/needs and that's Jose Valentin and I have no idea if he would come to T.O. or if the White Sox would let him go...

I just don't think O Cabrera or the big name SS are a fit with us and while I'm happy to be proved wrong I don't see Adams as the solution either.

My big question is how they are going to fill the SS hole in the offseason. I can't take another year of Woodward backups becoming regulars because of Woody's very obvious inadequecies.

Valentin baby, Valentin.

But not at 5MM per season. Maybe 3.5MM or 4M? How about 3.5MM with an option for 2006 with a 500K buyout, just in case Adams and/or Hill really come on strong in 2005? I would make that deal...

And for all those who criticize Jays attendance, be glad you're not in minnesota, who have lower attendance numbers than us, despite leading their division. How does that work out? And yes, I have too much time on my hands.

I think it has a lot to do with the Metrodome being an even worse place to watch a ballgame than Skydome. It's a footballs stadium first, so a lot of the seats are angled away from home plate, and one gets a pain in their neck trying to watch the action. Minny would really benefit from getting themselves a new ballpark...Pohlad is just too damned cheap to finance and build one himself (even though the Giants have proven it's a great investment).

I still have absolutely no interest in Jose Valentin as a stop gap infielder. The money could be better spent elsewhere (bullpen, impact bat... Glaus?). Plus Valentin probably has solid enough numbers to demand a two-year contract. And the Jays have enough players who have a low average and strikeout too much.

http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/Home/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CP-AllSports&newsitemid=24508020
COMN for a CP article about the Jays. It indicates the Jays want to bring back F-Cat as the first baseman next year, which makes perfect sense to me.

the Jays have enough players who have a low average and strikeout too much.

How much is too much, and why on earth would a player's batting average matter?

Does anyone know what the best seats to see a game in Olympic Stadium are. Even though their attendance is horrible, is it realistic to hope to go to the box office the day of the game and buy tickets directly behind home plate?

http://bigleaguers.yahoo.com/mlbpa/players/4948/career
I would take Valentin in a second, preferrably on a two year garunteed deal. He's a guy who has a bat that can fit into any lineup. He's versatile, as he as plenty of experience at SS, 2b, 3b and in the OF. He'd be a great stop-gap at SS for a year, and if, in the best case scenario Adams/Hill is ready, then I'm sure he can be slotted into a DH and rotation role for a year after that.
How can you argue with his numbers? COMN
His numbers are comparable to Renteria and he is sure to command a huge deal. I think 10 mil over two years would be a deal.

What's with the Glaus obsession? Have you seen the fall in his numbes over the past four years?

I think it has a lot to do with the Metrodome being an even worse place to watch a ballgame than Skydome.

Other than the wretched acoustics, what's wrong with SkyDome?

It doesn't have grass, and has a bit too much concrete.

Other than the wretched acoustics, what's wrong with SkyDome?

I second Robert's remarks about the lack of grass and the surplus of concrete. I also think that as a relic of its era, it's too big, and too many of the seats are too far removed from the field. This problem is particularly acute when the roof is closed, for some reason. The other big problem is the terrible quality of the food, but that's the fault of the people who own the Dome, not the Dome itself.

That said, I don't agree with the most zealous critics of the Dome. It's a perfectly serviceable stadium otherwise, and replacing it certainly isn't going to solve the Jays' attendance woes.

I second Robert's remarks about the lack of grass and the surplus of concrete. I also think that as a relic of its era, it's too big, and too many of the seats are too far removed from the field. This problem is particularly acute when the roof is closed, for some reason. The other big problem is the terrible quality of the food, but that's the fault of the people who own the Dome, not the Dome itself.

I wonder what it would cost Rogers to buy the Skydome. There's no way that the current owners are going to spring to replace the artificial turf.

I also think that if Rogers had more control over the place, they could do something about the aforementioned terrible quality of the food. Though I think a lot of the vendors are locked in to long-term sweetheart deals that will be difficult to break.

And hey, they could rename it the "Rogers Skydome" and paint a giant red logo on the side.

His numbers are comparable to Renteria and he is sure to command a huge deal. I think 10 mil over two years would be a deal.

At his advanced age (36) I don't think people are going to be offering him 5MM per season in 2005.

His batting average (and OBP) have also been pretty dismal over the last three years, though a lot of that could be solved by spotting him against LHP using Woodward, Gomez, Menechino, et al.

This year, he's .263/.330/.600 against RHP and a pretty terrible .175/.245/.351 against LHP. That split may improve a little if he adjusts to giving up on switch hitting, which he started doing this year.

Anyhow, I think teams will look at his low BA, high strikeouts, and high error totals and conclude he isn't worth spending money on. However, he does have a lot of hidden value (great range, hammers righthanded pitching) that only "smart" teams are going to notice.

Wherever he ends up going, my prediction is a 1+1 deal for 3.5 MM and a 500K buyout. And I hope it's the Jays.

Have you seen the fall in his numbes over the past four years?

He had one excellent year, one great year, then two good years. He was off to an excellent year again this year when he got hurt.

I think it's premature to say a guy is past it at Glaus's age. He's the best source of power and patience on the 2004/05 free agent market.

I just HATE freakin' off days.

Hey, neat! Looks like Eric Valent had his 15 minutes today.

Batting third today for the LA Dodgers was an ex-Jay with this line:

.287/374/561

It wouldn't be strange if that were Shawn Green, except that it wasn't and was none other than Jayson Werth. Admittedly, its only in 107 AB's but he's now playing everyday against righties and lefties and pounding the ball.

It doesn't have grass, and has a bit too much concrete.

And both of those make it a bad place to watch a ballgame?

I'll give you the fact that it looks like it was built in 1989. It was. And right now, 1989 is not cool. But stick with the place for another decade and I'll bet anything that the new "retro" stadiums they build will be the spitting image of it.

I disagree about the distance of the seats, at least compared to other major league ballparks, with a one exception: I was surprised at my Fenway visit to find out how much closer the front row baseline seats are to the field. They're much closer than the camera bay in SkyDome. I imagine this is because SkyDome can also be used for football. I was also surprised at how much further the furthest-back lower level seats were at Fenway, compared to SkyDome. I'd rather be up in the air in 524 at the SkyDome than at field level behind home plate back 2/3 of the way at Fenway. SkyDome's aisles are at a much, much steeper angle than Fenway, which makes the worst seats much better in comparison. Plus, what's the back of field level behind home plate worth at Fenway? Sure ain't nine bucks. ;)

The only seats I would call genuinely bad at the SkyDome are the Level of Excellence seats, and unless we go back to selling 52,000 tickets per game I don't think we'll see anyone sitting in them any time soon.

I'd be happy with a Rogers purchase of SkyDome if it would mean a food upgrade (with one exception: the sushi is fantastic) and a cosmetic facelift. I don't know what they could do for the acoustics during a baseball game.

I think the acoustics at SkyDome are impressive. It's the volume that's annoying.

I agree with NFH though, "cute" ballparks are bound to go out of style. It has to happen. I like SkyDome and I think it looks really cool on TV. The new ballparks have gone too far, Houston has all but made an obstacle course of their outfield. What makes Fenway distinct is that it was probably goofy blueprints that caused their stadium to have a crooked outfield. Today's architects are purposely making messes for aesthetics, it's silly.

Would natural grass in SkyDome be flat-out impossible?

Anyhow: averaging 20,000 per night for a last-place club is not alarming if you look at attendance figures over the last 20 years. I remember seeing a game in Cleveland once with 632 fans. The rash of new stadiums have spiked attendance figures in other cities, they'll settle back down. And once the Jays are rocking the standings and baseball becomes toast of the town once again, the SkyDome will be rocking.

His numbers are comparable to Renteria and he is sure to command a huge deal.

Valentin is no where near the player that Renteria is and Renteria is quite a bit younger (6 years).
2003 - Renteria .330 average, 194 hits, 47 doubles, 11 HR, 100 RBI, 65-54 BB-K rate and 34 SB

2003- Valentin .237, 119, 26, 28, 74, 54-114, 8

Not even close.

What's with the Glaus obsession? Have you seen the fall in his numbes over the past four years?

Glaus is only 27 and in the last four years hit 134 homeruns in the last four years. And that's with him missing a good portion of last year with injuries. And in 2004 he had really good numbers before his injury. Compare his part year this year with Carlos' part year so far. Glaus has a better offensive potential than anyone on the Jays not named Vernon or Carlos.

why on earth would a player's batting average matter?

Solo homeruns don't win a lot of games. Let's see... JP's main focus is getting on base. What is the main way to get on base... oh, right, get a hit, which affects someone's average. But you're right, average doesn't matter. You can tell that to Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs, Mark Grace, Will Clark, Kirby Puckett.....

..and Cristian Guzman.

Wow, a .288 batting average! He must get on base a lot, since that is "the main way" to do so.

Career OBP:
Gwynn .388
Boggs .415
Grace .383
Clark .384
Puckett .360
It seems that most of your high average players also had high OBP's. Interesting.

And I don't mean to jump over every point you make, Marc, but this line could not have come with worse timing:

Solo homeruns don't win a lot of games.

;)

The point about the noise levels at SkyDome is that they're fixable. I've heard literally dozens of people complain about them. I remember once trying to explain this to an usherette on Level 1, and she couldn't hear me over the noise! Why they don't get this is beyond me. Is it true that anyone born after the mid 70's is half-deaf by late puberty? (Almost wrote "adolescence"; but that now extends well into the 40's.)

http://www.syracuse.com/wdwn/
HATE off days? It's hard to blame you. How 'bout listening to the rookie stars of 2007? One or two of them is playing right now for Auburn. COMN for the broadcast.

I'll bet the Giants are looking at Cat as a first baseman. They were trying to get Olerud from the Mariners for JT Snow before the Mariners released him because he nixed the deal. Cat's not a bad first baseman.

Why exactly would the Giants want to replace Snow? He's been a solid first baseman (and though I don't know myself, the consensus seems to be that Cat is rusty at 1B), and is batting, last time I checked about 20 points above his career average, up in the .280s regularly.

And why exactly is everyone so keen on getting rid of Gomez? Apart from a few defensive drawbacks, he seems to have been solid both offensively and defensively this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6978
Trading Mark Hendrikson (COMN) is looking pretty poor right now - especially when you consider the mediocirty we got in return at a higher price.

Speier may not be working out, but Hendrickson is getting by on smoke, mirrors, and a good defense.

3.3 K/9? Tampa can have him.

Ugh, you're not joking.

At the very least, he could have provided good long relief out of the pen.

And both of those make it a bad place to watch a ballgame?

SkyDome is a fine place to watch a ballgame (we go to about 20 per year). For $9.00 ($6.60 for my kids) we can sit close to behind home plate for just about any game and be in seats sloped steeply enough to be able to see all the action on the field.

It is far more pleasant there with the roof open, but as one with memories of Exhibition Stadium, I don't mind not freezing or getting soaked.

Aesthetically it could use some help. Use of some paint over the bare concrete, and the hanging of some historic Blue Jays pictures in the hallways and ramps would cost little and add a lot.

The food is bad (funnily enough the hot dogs are tasty enough, if only they weren't wrapped in foil to create the ultimate soggy bun - it would kill the staff to actually put the dog into a fresh bun?), although my kids will eat anything that says pizza on it. The service in the lineups is poor when there is anything like a crowd. You can easily miss more than a 1/2 inning just getting food. I remember on Opening Day 2003 talking to a guy from New York in the food line, who said that if the service was that slow at Yankee Stadium, the fans would be over the counter en masse.

As an "old guy" (born in '53) I would love it of SkyDome could have real grass. I remember when it was announced it being said it would be technically possible for there to be real grass, but that the need for multiple uses (football, which tears the daylights out of grass, monster truck races, car shows, concerts etc.) precluded it. I seem to remember JP saying a few weeks ago that they were close to a deal for new Field Turf. I would expect that to be in place for next season.

SkyDome has taken a not fully deserved bunch of knocks over the past few years, especially in the media. Once you're there, its really pretty good.