Boomer didn't last night; will Arroyo ... be un-Roy like? (uh..)
In a word... not like Roy.
I just pointed this out in the chat, but I like it so I'll repeat it. The Jays are 5-2 against Boston, even though Dave Bush has started three of the seven games.
And the Red Sox have Dave Bush's number: 0-2 11.70 against Boston in three starts; 0-2 3.26 against the rest of the league in six starts.
Ricciardi just said 'we're a different club when Hudson's not out there" -- that doesn't sound like the statement of a guy planning on trading his second baseman.
I don't think JP is foolish enough to trade hudson. JP knows a guy like hudson has so much range he is basically making SS and 1b better defensive positions aswell. If I was a betting man I would say that Adams would be the most likely middle infielder to go. I think it is more likely that JP will move Shea and rotate Hill, Koskie and Hinske through DH, 3b and 1b.
From a defensive perspective, the Jays have such roster flexibility right now. They can run out 2, 3 and sometimes 4 players who can capably play any position on the field defensively.
And as long as they can keep singling and doubling their opponents to death...
And as long as they can keep singling and doubling their opponents to death...
JP said he's placing greater focus on getting bats than pitchers in the draft.
I am asking, would anyone like to take on an analysis of why Baltimore is winning. What have they been doing right as an organization, or has luck favoured them?
Baltimore's pitching has been better than expected, and Miguel Tejada has the team believing in itself. The guy spews a constant stream of positivity. Kinda like Zaun in the dugout in the ninth saying "When Hobbits attack" and Reeder goes and hits a walk-off homer.
You know what? I think JP is a learn-as-you-go guy and I think 2004 really got through to him: Injuries will kill you. I don't think he's gonna let anybody go. He has a manager who knows how to plug everyone in and keep them fresh, and when someone goes down with an injury, the others will pick up the slack without even noticing.
IFers: Hinske, Hudson, Adams, Hill, Koskie, Hillenbrand
IF positions: 1b, 2b, 3b, SS, dh
That's six bodies for five positions: So what? Shuffle 'em in. Someone's bound to go on the DL.
You're looking for folks to jettison: Menechino, McDonald.
I think the memories of everyday starter Dave Berg isn't fresh enough in your minds out there!
And look at any World Champion and what they have is incredible depth from the bench, options on the bench. Let's be greedy and keep all our talent and we should still have some bucks leftover to get a frontline free agent starting pitcher in the offseason. World Series 2006 baby!
IFers: Hinske, Hudson, Adams, Hill, Koskie, Hillenbrand
IF positions: 1b, 2b, 3b, SS, dh
That's six bodies for five positions: So what? Shuffle 'em in. Someone's bound to go on the DL.
You're looking for folks to jettison: Menechino, McDonald.
I think the memories of everyday starter Dave Berg isn't fresh enough in your minds out there!
And look at any World Champion and what they have is incredible depth from the bench, options on the bench. Let's be greedy and keep all our talent and we should still have some bucks leftover to get a frontline free agent starting pitcher in the offseason. World Series 2006 baby!
As I said before, I think Hill's best short term role might be super-utility. He already knows how to play short. He doesn't look uncomfortable at third. He can probably play second with some practice.
He's also a guy that happens to bat righthanded while Koskie, Adams, Hudson, and Hinske are all lefties. Even if you assume Hudson plays nearly everyday you can probably rotate Hill between third, short, and DH.
When you don't have the dominant everyday bats in your order you can make up for it by having depth. Hillenbrand and Hill really give you some righty options on the infield.
He's also a guy that happens to bat righthanded while Koskie, Adams, Hudson, and Hinske are all lefties. Even if you assume Hudson plays nearly everyday you can probably rotate Hill between third, short, and DH.
When you don't have the dominant everyday bats in your order you can make up for it by having depth. Hillenbrand and Hill really give you some righty options on the infield.
It is possible, as Keith says, to keep all of the front-line infield talent. Hillenbrand is on a 1 year contract, and Koskie is out until at least the beginning of July, so the issue is really about the period between Koskie's return and the expansion of the rosters September 1. Finessing the issue for that short period should pose no difficulty.
It is however important to sort out who does what a little. Adams will need significant experience at his position (shortstop or second base) to become better defensively. Hill will need experience at his position (second, short or third) to become better defensively. Let's say the organization decides that Adams' defence at short is fine, and that Hill is your third baseman of the future. That would have implications for the optimal usage of Koskie after he returns.
The most pressing need of the organization right now is a catcher behind Zaun. After that, it's not about filling gaps, but improving the structure of the club.
It is however important to sort out who does what a little. Adams will need significant experience at his position (shortstop or second base) to become better defensively. Hill will need experience at his position (second, short or third) to become better defensively. Let's say the organization decides that Adams' defence at short is fine, and that Hill is your third baseman of the future. That would have implications for the optimal usage of Koskie after he returns.
The most pressing need of the organization right now is a catcher behind Zaun. After that, it's not about filling gaps, but improving the structure of the club.
My only question is that if Hill is the 3B/1B/DH of the Future, will he be able to provide the Offense you need from those positions.. Or would we be better served to say move Hill to SS and bring in someone else with more offensive skills.
I mean power hitting SS's are a rare commodity, but I guess as long as Hill/Adams are a productive tandem, can't argue with that.
I mean power hitting SS's are a rare commodity, but I guess as long as Hill/Adams are a productive tandem, can't argue with that.
ss Adams, 3b hill, lf gross, cf Wells, rf Rios, sp Halladay, it may not exactly happen but has another team been able to put 6 former first rounders on the field at the same time?
I agree with Keith and Mike on this. There's no reason to get rid of anyone. I think some people just want to see a move made to see a move made. I'd even go a step further and say keep McDonald to mentor both Hill and Adams. McDonald is not the type of guy to gripe about playing time and when he does get in at short, the Jays have the best up the middle defense in the majors along with Vernon.
The same can be said for the outfield. Reed Johnson is really coming on this season. Having him to play late inning defense against right-handed starters looks like a solid strategy. Like Mike said, a backup catcher is a pressing need right now. Top-notch pitching talent is on the way. What would be gravy would be to find a guy who can spell Wells and Rios in center and right that can also be an effective bat off the bench to bust up platoon advantages. Maybe Gabe Gross is the guy, maybe he isn't.
I read somewhere that Ricciardi targets guys who would get up for the game and be pumped even if it was in an empty stadium. I think we have a lot of character guys. Just look where that got the NFL's Patriots.
Right now the AL is tough, yesterday when I checked the standings, the Jays had a better record than 6 AL teams. They were better than 11 NL teams. All that said, they are only 1.5 behind Minnesota for the Wild Card.
Once the Yankees stop playing Seattle, Oakland, and Detroit exclusively they'll come crashing down again. Will the White Sox inevitably slide enough to allow Minnesota the Division Crown and can Texas keep it up? There are easily as many question marks with those teams as there are with the Jays.
The same can be said for the outfield. Reed Johnson is really coming on this season. Having him to play late inning defense against right-handed starters looks like a solid strategy. Like Mike said, a backup catcher is a pressing need right now. Top-notch pitching talent is on the way. What would be gravy would be to find a guy who can spell Wells and Rios in center and right that can also be an effective bat off the bench to bust up platoon advantages. Maybe Gabe Gross is the guy, maybe he isn't.
I read somewhere that Ricciardi targets guys who would get up for the game and be pumped even if it was in an empty stadium. I think we have a lot of character guys. Just look where that got the NFL's Patriots.
Right now the AL is tough, yesterday when I checked the standings, the Jays had a better record than 6 AL teams. They were better than 11 NL teams. All that said, they are only 1.5 behind Minnesota for the Wild Card.
Once the Yankees stop playing Seattle, Oakland, and Detroit exclusively they'll come crashing down again. Will the White Sox inevitably slide enough to allow Minnesota the Division Crown and can Texas keep it up? There are easily as many question marks with those teams as there are with the Jays.