Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Some spring stats.

Player	        AB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
V Wells	        21	0.476	0.500	0.905	1.405
E Hinske	37	0.324	0.419	0.865	1.284
T Glaus	        27	0.407	0.514	0.630	1.144
A Rios	        26	0.385	0.407	0.692	1.099
W Lydon	        37	0.405	0.511	0.514	1.025
M Negron	31	0.355	0.394	0.581	0.975
J Phillips	34	0.324	0.351	0.559	0.910
A Hill	        39	0.333	0.422	0.487	0.909
S Hillenbrand	42	0.286	0.302	0.548	0.850
J Griffin	31	0.290	0.333	0.484	0.817
R Adams	        51	0.275	0.302	0.490	0.792
R Johnson	26	0.308	0.357	0.385	0.742
J McDonald	24	0.208	0.250	0.375	0.625
B Molina	45	0.244	0.261	0.289	0.550
L Overbay	44	0.205	0.250	0.227	0.477
F Catalanotto	16	0.125	0.250	0.188	0.438
G Quiroz	28	0.107	0.167	0.250	0.417

------

A few observations:

* Wells is hot right now. It'll be interesting to see if it carries over to the regular season.
* Both Rios and Hinske seem to want to play everyday. Not only do they have high averages, they're crushing the ball. Rios' ISO Slg is over .300. Hinske is not impressed - he's over .500.
* I think it's safe to say that Quiroz isn't going to be claimed on waivers when he's sent to Syracuse. If Zaun can't start the season Phillips will get the call.

The season starts one week from today!

Posted by Pistol on Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 09:01 AM EST.

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Pistol - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 09:13 AM EST (#143563) #

Here's the latest Blair link:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051101.wblai/BNStory/Sports/

I'm not quite sure where the Jays would 'tinker with the roster', but they certainly have the ability to trade someone in the current bullpen. McGowan could probably fill in now and Marcum looked good in September. Rosario or Vermilyea would be possible as well. I'd say Baldwin was a short term possibility too, but looking at his spring stats he hasn't struck out a single player in 40 PAs - ouch.

I would think Chulk would be the best candidate to be traded, but Gibbons doesn't seem to trust Speier (much like Bush) as much as Chulk or Frasor so it wouldn't shock me to see him traded were a reliever to be moved.

Mike Green - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 09:43 AM EST (#143568) #

Speier would also have the highest value, I think. Gibbons is quoted in today's Star as having made the decision to platoon Rios and Hinske.

timpinder - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 09:53 AM EST (#143569) #

Pistol,

Still no love for Gronk? In his four minor league years between A and AAA, the guy has a 2.38 ERA, 9.28 k9 rate and a 1.22 WHIP, with 113 saves. He actually had BETTER numbers in AAA last year.

Nobody ever mentions his name as a possible call-up when the topic is discussed, not even Jays management. Is there something I'm missing? Does anyone know why he isn't getting the same chance that the vertically challenged Jason Frasor got?

Ryan Day - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 10:03 AM EST (#143570) #

Thank god for small sample sizes and meaningless spring stats; it really warms the heart.

For whatever it's worth, Wells was awful in spring last year (.206), and in 2004 (.224). Maybe he'll manage to avoid his usual slow start this year.

Cristian - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 10:16 AM EST (#143571) #

From the Star article linked by Mike Green:

Rios was one of only three major-leaguers yesterday against the Twins in a meaningless 3-2 loss, playing right field.... Then, in the bottom of the inning, he ranged deep into left-centre on a graceful gallop, hauling in a liner off Shannon Stewart's bat.

If Rios can cover rf, cf, and portions of left at the same time can the Jays go without a CF and play John MacDonald as a roving middle infielder? Is Wells now expendable?

Pistol - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 10:23 AM EST (#143573) #

Gronk has been passed up by every team (in Rule 5) so there's apparently a reason why he's not in the discussion. I suspect scouts don't like his stuff. The Jays claimed Mike Nakamura a few years back (who had better minor league numbers than Gronk) and he got pounded in Toronto. Some players can do great in the minors and it doesn't translate to success in the majors. I suspect Gronk is one of those players.

I'm not sure the comparison to Frasor is a good one either. Frasor had 12.3 Ks/9 in AA.

Wedding Singer - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 11:05 AM EST (#143576) #

Some good news for Newton:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2386744

Durazo has been released by the Rangers after a fairly pathetic spring performance.

Is it time to get back on your soapbox and proclaim that they Jays should rush out to sign him?

Newton - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 11:25 AM EST (#143579) #

If he didn't mind starting the year in the minors or on the DL I'd roll the dice for sure, and perhaps give him a little more money for agreeing to do so.

ayjackson - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 12:05 PM EST (#143582) #

what's the chance of gibby finding a few more at bats for rios and hinske at the expense of Catalanatto and Hillenbrand (at least early in the season)?

Sheldon - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 12:56 PM EST (#143583) #

Ken Rosenthal at Foxsports has predicted the Jays to win the WS. Sure he uses a sort of backhanded way of doing it....but hey I'll take it!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5448790

Gwyn - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 01:03 PM EST (#143585) #

Sportsnet has had some Jays commercials on this morning. They are based around players being guests at a kids party. there is one of Wells playing hide and seek, Glaus hitting a pinata and Halladay throwing a stone at a bees nest.
I think this are generic MLB scripts, as I saw a Twins commercial last week with Hunter playing the part of Glaus.

Cristian - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 01:11 PM EST (#143587) #

Progressive Boink's Dugout takes a look at what a Jays IM conversation this spring training looks like:

http://progressiveboink.com/dugout/archive/dugout3-26-06.htm

As for commercials, no one beats the Mariners. The Jaime Moyer commercial is brilliant.

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sea/fan_forum/commercials_2006.jsp

Brent S - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 03:15 PM EST (#143598) #

Uh-Oh (from the Globe and Mail):

Scott Downs, who is scheduled to take A.J. Burnett's spot in the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation at least for the first week of the season, left Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Minnesota Twins suffering from what the team described as being right knee irritation.

Downs felt a twinge in his knee as he took the field to throw his warmup pitches in the top of the third inning. He hunched down in obvious discomfort, and was removed as a precaution.

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 04:02 PM EST (#143600) #

Goodbye, Guillermo.

Any news on the future of Jason Phillips?

Ryan B. - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 04:21 PM EST (#143602) #

I've felt all along McGowen should be getting that start instead of Downs. I guess now it's Walker which still sucks. McGowen damn it, McGowen!

Pistol - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 04:33 PM EST (#143603) #

I just read somewhere recently (Blair link above?) that the Jays weren't going to use Walker as a starter. I suspect McGowan's the next in line.

The Jays only need a 5th starter for the 5th game of the year and then not again until the end of April.

--

The Royals picked up Graffanino and old friend Steve Andrade today: http://tinyurl.com/kf8lk

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 04:59 PM EST (#143604) #

From today's game against the Twinkies:

The line on Baldwin:

IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR
 1   4   5   5   2   0   0

I'd say it's time to close the book on Baldwin.

Meanwhile Brian Tallet pitched another scoreless inning, no hits, no waks, one strikeout. Is this guy for real? Fella was drafted 4 times in 5 years, finally in the second round with Cleveland in 2000. Has he been transformed by coming to his second organization? What has this lefty got? The Jays suggested they knew what they were doing when they got him.

The BB thread on the trade.

binnister - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 05:12 PM EST (#143606) #

Goodbye, Guillermo.

Sorry? Was he traded/lost? (I don't remember hearing anything).

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 05:23 PM EST (#143608) #

My apologies, no. Nothing official yet. Just had that certain feeling it would not be long for GQ to join the illustrious group of Jays' dearly departed "Catchers' off the future" that lives in a pocket of warm air somewhere just above the Dome.

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 05:24 PM EST (#143609) #

Some Spring Pitching Stats:

 Player		P	GP	GS	W	L	SV	SVO	R	ERA	IP	SO	BB	AVG
Jason Arnold	RP	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1.0	2	0	.250
James Baldwin	SP	8	1	1	1	1	2	6	6.00	9.0	0	4	.265
Josh Banks	SP	4	1	0	0	0	0	1	1.50	6.0	5	1	.174
Matt Blank	RP	8	2	0	0	0	0	8	8.31	8.2	4	2	.342
A.J. Burnett	SP	3	3	0	2	0	0	8	9.00	8.0	10	3	.303
Adrian Burnside	RP	8	0	0	1	1	1	3	2.79	9.2	8	4	.250
Gustavo Chacin	SP	4	2	1	1	0	0	4	2.45	11.0	5	6	.214
Vinnie Chulk	RP	6	0	0	1	0	0	8	9.00	8.0	9	3	.314
Scott Downs	RP	4	2	1	1	0	0	5	6.43	7.0	3	2	.222
Jason Frasor	RP	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9.1	8	2	.156
Lee Gronkiewicz	RP	9	0	1	1	0	2	7	4.22	10.2	7	3	.295
Roy Halladay	SP	4	4	2	2	0	0	7	1.38	13.0	10	2	.245
Danny Hill	P	2	0	0	0	0	0	4	18.00	2.0	0	2	.400
Ryan Houston	RP	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	2.25	4.0	2	5	.083
Casey Janssen	SP	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	5.0	5	0	.167
Brandon League	RP	12	0	0	0	0	2	20	11.05	14.2	8	10	.395
Ted Lilly	SP	5	5	1	1	0	0	12	5.21	19.0	16	6	.300
Shaun Marcum	SP	5	0	0	0	0	0	7	9.00	6.0	9	0	.370
Dustin McGowan	SP	2	1	0	0	0	0	7	31.50	2.0	3	2	.500
Vince Perkins	SP	2	0	0	1	0	1	5	27.00	1.1	4	7	.429
David Purcey	SP	3	0	0	1	0	0	2	6.00	3.0	1	0	.231
Ismael Ramirez	SP	3	0	0	0	0	0	4	12.00	3.0	1	2	.385
Ricky Romero	SP	3	1	0	2	0	2	13	18.00	5.0	4	3	.464
F. Rosario	RP	5	0	0	0	0	0	2	2.84	6.1	3	1	.167
B.J. Ryan	RP	8	0	0	0	0	0	2	2.25	8.0	9	3	.200
S. Schoeneweis	RP	7	0	0	0	0	0	9	9.00	8.0	3	3	.314
Justin Speier	RP	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	2.08	4.1	6	1	.250
Brian Tallet	SP	16	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	20.2	10	8	.206
Ty Taubenheim	RP	5	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	6.0	4	2	.150
Tracy Thorpe	RP	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	4.50	2.0	3	3	.143
Josh Towers	SP	5	5	1	0	0	0	13	6.05	19.1	16	8	.309
Jamie Vermilyea	RP	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.0	2	0	0
Pete Walker	RP	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5.0	4	1	.063
Ben Weber	RP	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	6.00	6.0	4	2	.333
	 Total	 	27	27	10	17	5	12	155	5.23	237.1	180	93	.275

my apologies to those whose screens are stretched by this.

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 05:27 PM EST (#143610) #

er... "Catchers of the future"

curses to the inability to edit posts.

Cristian - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 05:39 PM EST (#143611) #

Brian Tallet: 20 innings, 0 era? I'm going to rename him Brian Tallent.

Skills - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 05:44 PM EST (#143612) #

I found this surprising, but I read somewhere that Janssen was next in line and that McGowan had been moved to the bullpen. This was about a week ago and I don't remember where. It may have been Rotoworld.

Mylegacy - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 06:02 PM EST (#143616) #

Why the Jays are better in 06:

Hitting Lineup:

05/06 Adams, A slight improvement with a year under his belt.
05/06 Cat/Reed, what you see is what you get, and that isn't bad.
05/06 Wells, better in 06 with Glaus behind him.
05 Hilly, 06 Glaus, at LEAST twice as good as Hilly.
05 Koskie, 06 Overbay, big improvement over the 05 version of Koskie.
05 Hinske, 06 Hilly, better than the 05 full-time version of Hinske.
05 Zaun, 06 Rios/Hinske, considerable improvement, PROBABLE breakout!
05 O'Dog, 06 Molina/Zaun, some improvement, especially in OBP and OPS.
05/06 Hill, having a good spring, should be better than last year.

Starting Pitching:

05/06 Halladay, only this year he gets 14 more starts!!!
05 Lily, 06 Burnett, in 05 Lily was hurt a lot. 06 Burnett with his "personal hitting coach" Arnsburg will be a significant up-grade!!!
05/06 Chacin, I feel good about this guy!
05/06 Towers could be a bit less effective this year.
05 Bush, 06 Lily, a healthy Lily is a BIG up-grade over Bush in 05 (4 wins, 7 losses)

Back-ups in 06: Downs, McGowan, Walker. Later in year add Banks, Purcey, Romero.

Relief Pitching:

05 Batista, 06 Ryan is a big improvement!
05/06 Speier, one of the best set-up men in the league.
05/06 Frasor, one of the best set-up men in the league.
05/06 Schoenweis, one of the best lefty specialists in the league.
05/06 Chulk, close to being one of the best set-up men in the league.
05/06 Downs
05/06 Walker

Other back-ups in 06: Marcum, League, Tallet, Gronk, Houston, Rosario, Perkins, and McGowan

With OUTSTANDING pitching 1 through 12 (20!) including two HUGE improvements AND giving Halladay 14 more starts we get AT LEAST 12-15 more wins! With improved hitting in AT LEAST 6 of the 9 hitting spots this translates into at least another 3-6 wins. This team will win between 98 and 104 games! Bank on it!

Mick Doherty - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 06:06 PM EST (#143617) #

Can somebody post a worst-case scenario to balance the above? Nothing in that list is "wrong," per se, but that's an everything-goes-right list to make Ken Rosenthal blush.

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 06:22 PM EST (#143620) #

Brian Tallet: 20 innings, 0 era? I'm going to rename him Brian Tallent.

That's what I'm talking about. What has this guy got?

I should note that I took those stats from CBS, who obviously qualify more games as ST than these stats at MLB.com which give Tallet only 10.1 innings (not including today's inning).

VBF - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 06:45 PM EST (#143623) #

-Adams hits like he did in September, with an OBP in the .320s.
-Catalanotto gets injured or just can't repeat his good year. Johnson isn't going to get much better and if Cat gets injured, he won't be able to handle the playing time.
-Glaus should still be a good player, worst case is that he gets injured.
-Overbay is decent, doesn't have an injury history, iirc.
-Hillenbrand doesn't get hit by the pitch as much and posts a line of .285/.320/.420
-Rios maintains his depressing 2005 line, Hinske hits righties as poorly as he did in 2004.
-Zaun (apart from being injured at the moment) gets old quickly.
-Molina posts an OBP closer to his career line.
-Hill hits like he did in the second half.

-Halladay should be pretty good and healthy.
-Burnett could have injury complications
-We've all seen Chacin's red flags. His high WHIP could be exposed with the not-as-good defence as last year.
-Ted Lilly could duplicate his 2005.
-Pitchers adjust to Towers' high strike counts and he gets lit up.

-Ryan's jerky throwing could induce injury (bit of a stretch)
-I can't make a case for Frasor not being as good as he's always been
-Chulk struggled at the end of 2004. Could happen again, though I think it was more fatigue related at the time.
-Speier could re-aggravate his hand injury and has gotten off to a few rough starts the last two years.
-Walker could pitch like he did towards the end of last year.

I think it's far more likely for all of Legacy's optimistic points to occur than mine. I had to make a bit of a stretch for a few of these negative points.

I think the difference between optimism from 2005 and now is that all of the optimistic reasoning could realistically happen. We don't need Vernon Wells to have an MVP season to contend, and we aren't relying on a rookie to step up and pitch 200 innings like we have in the past.

Geoff - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 06:48 PM EST (#143625) #

Worst-case scenario:
Hitting Lineup:

05/06 Adams No improvement with a year under his belt.
05/06 Cat/Reed, what you see has been an illusion, and it looks like the Turner Ward & Mike Huff show.
05/06 Wells, worse in 06 by trying to much, gets injured, Miguel Negron takes over.
05 Hilly, 06 Glaus, Season-ending injury in April puts Hinske at 3rd.
05 Koskie, 06 Overbay, not even close to Olerud's worst season.
05 Hinske, 06 Hilly, retires in May because he's had enough of Newton's jabs.
05 Zaun, 06 Rios/Hinske, considerable potential, NOTHING realized!
05 O'Dog, 06 Molina/Zaun, Molina talks as much as O-Dog, but he's not entertaining.
05/06 Hill, after having a good spring, becomes the Jays' only All-Star.

Starting Pitching:

05/06 Halladay, only this year he gets 10 fewer starts!!!
05 Lilly, 06 Burnett, in 05 Lilly was hurt a lot. 06 Burnett will teach him how to improve the injury numbers.
05/06 Chacin, sophomore slump!
05/06 Towers could be less effective every year of his new contract.
05 Bush, 06 Lilly, Bush in 06 makes J.P. look foolish.

Relief Pitching:

05 Batista, 06 Ryan is a bigger guy, but loses all intimidation.
05/06 Speier, is injured, replaced by Baldwin.
05/06 Frasor, one of the best stand-up men in comedy.
05/06 Schoeneweis, one of the best lefty specialists in the league.
05/06 Chulk, close to being one of the best set-up men for somebody else.
05/06 Downs becomes the #2 starter
05/06 Walker becomes the #4 starter

Greg - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 06:55 PM EST (#143628) #

I, for one, am excited.

Brian Tallet was my unheralded Ace by 2006 on my Cleveland Indians in MVP Baseball 2004.

This looks like one of those instances of "life imitating art."

dan gordon - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 07:29 PM EST (#143632) #

Maybe he should be our 5th starter. Downs hurt his knee in today's game. If he can't go, they're going to need somebody until Burnett is ready. Walker? I'd say Baldwin, but he's been brutal and was just sent down to the minor league camp.

Mylegacy - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 07:30 PM EST (#143633) #

Yea, I know this isn't the RIGHT place to put this, but what the hay...

http://www.yesnetwork.com/yankees/news.asp?news_id=1780

On the YES Network an interesting article about the Yanks pitching woes. Cue small giggles and chuckles...

Jim - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 07:47 PM EST (#143635) #

I'd say Baldwin, but he's been brutal and was just sent down to the minor league camp.

Brutal is a nice way of putting it. He's so bad it's painful to watch. There is no reason to take someone off the 40-man roster to add James Baldwin. None.

Thomas - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 08:08 PM EST (#143637) #

The Jim Bowden wreck continues: today Ryan Church was demoted to the minors, while Marlon Byrd and Brandon Watson will share the centerfield duties.

John Northey - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 10:42 PM EST (#143645) #

The latest in Washington just makes be shake my head. How on Earth does Bowden keep his job? Sending down a guy who hit 287/353/466 as a rookie CF last year (hit 343/428/620 in AAA in '04 and been under 800 for OPS just once in his career (2001 to now, might be under if you mix in Sept call up in '04 or 18 AAA games in '05)) due to him having a poor spring vs another rookie who had a hot spring? Is he insane? Would he demote, say, Catalanotto if he ran the Jays (hitting .091 so far over 11 AB's) or Mottola (.154 over 26 AB's)? Sheesh! Negron must wish he was in Washington as his 355 spring batting average might have landed him in the majors over Cat.

Say... think the Jays might be able to take advantage of Bowden and steal Church away? C'mon Bowen, wouldn't you like a shiny Negron and backup catch Phillips (321 spring average)? I'm sure the Jays could find a couple of other spring phenoms to add in if needed in order to take that slacker Church (hits left handed, maybe we could toss in Hinske and have Church mix with Rios) off his hands :)

OK, I am being a bit too silly, Hinske for a good cheap player, but remember, this is Bowden we're talking about.

Joseph Krengel - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 11:11 PM EST (#143646) #

Brian Tallet turned 10 K's in 20 innings, with 8 walks. If that's not a red flag I don't know what is. Granted, I didn't see him pitch (stupid ex-student poverty...) but numbers like that scream "lucky" more than "good."

John Northey - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 11:46 PM EST (#143647) #

Tallet is interesting. Wonderful spring but...

Lifetime: 35 2/3 IP 4.04 ERA 107 ERA+ 15 BB 16 K
AAA 2005: 97 2/3 IP 4.05 ERA 2.30 BB/9 5.62 K/9
Minors Lifetime: 540 2/3 IP 3.60 ERA 2.73 BB/9 7.39 K/9

stats via Baseball Reference and http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/T/brian-tallet.shtml (could someone out there design a plug in for Firefox for Baseball Cube ala the Baseball Reference one?)

He has been decent, doesn't walk himself into trouble but doesn't have the K either. Someone good to have at AAA in case of injury. If the Jays go with an extra reliever to start the season he'd be a decent one to go with. 90 minor league starts, 29 games in relief, 5 ML starts, 4 ML relief outings. Should have enough endurance to help in situations where the starter is toast quick ala Walker, which is the Jays big concern at this stage of the season.

Cristian - Tuesday, March 28 2006 @ 11:51 PM EST (#143648) #

The latest in Washington just makes be shake my head. How on Earth does Bowden keep his job?

He has 30 bosses who have a vested interest in not being beaten by Bowden's team. I think that has something to do with him keeping his job.

China fan - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 07:37 AM EST (#143658) #

From today's newspapers: the injury to Scott Downs is not serious and Ricciardi says he could still be available for his first start on April 8. However, after making only 25 pitches yesterday, his arm might not be ready for more than a few innings if he does start on April 8.

Meanwhile, there's an interesting disagreement in today's newspapers on the question of the 12th pitcher to start the season (when Burnett goes on the 15-day DL). The Star is predicting that it will be Brian Tallet. The Globe is predicting Shaun Marcum.

It does appear, however, that the veterans (Baldwin and Weber) have lost their bids for the job, even though they were the most experienced and had the best qualifications on paper.

As for Ricciardi, when asked about the 12th pitcher, he is keeping it all a complete mystery. From the Star today:

Ricciardi said they've pretty much made the decision but aren't saying so, partly "because we haven't even told the player yet."

Pistol - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 08:50 AM EST (#143660) #

I expect Tallet to make the team until Burnett is ready. A 40 man spot would need to be cleared for him, but not for McGowan or Marcum which is probably why they'd be in the discussion. However, I think if the Jays were considering that they would have had those two in the major league camp. There's a few players that I think could be taken off the 40 man without risk of being picked up.

Marc Hulet - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 10:36 AM EST (#143669) #

I don't have access right now to my database on the scouting reports on all the players in the Jays' minor league system but I recall that Tallet has average to slightly-above average stuff for a left-hander. He struggled the past two years with injuries but appears fully recovered now. He's a big, strong guy. Cleveland never really gave him an extended shot in the pen, which is probably what he is best suited for.

I imagine Quiroz will be dropped to make room for someone on the 40-man but Ismael Ramirez could be a candidate as well, as he has fallen behind a number of other pitchers.

Mike Green - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:02 AM EST (#143670) #

Tallet's a 6-7 lefty with a low-90s fastball. He's 28, and has been used almost always as a starter. He had TJ surgery in 2003. Here's a report from mlb.com when he was called up last year.

sweat - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:20 AM EST (#143671) #

If the Jays can keep Tallet down, without losing him because of some out clause, then I think they will. Tallet is going to replace Scotty Schoe next year, or near this years trade deadline.

dan gordon - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 12:02 PM EST (#143673) #

In other news about Blue Jays' pitchers, Steve Andrade was picked up on waivers by Kansas City and pitched for them yesterday. Andrade had been picked by San Diego in the Rule 5 draft. He was pitching very well for the Padres in the spring, so it was a bit of a surprise they put him on waivers. He probably will find a home in the KC bullpen, so the Blue Jays likely will not get him back, like they did with Jamie Vermilyea.

laketrout - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 12:27 PM EST (#143674) #

could someone out there design a plug in for Firefox for Baseball Cube ala the Baseball Reference one?

Here's your link to the Baseball Cube Firefox search plugin: http://mycroft.mozdev.org/download.html?name=baseball+cube&submitform=Search

VBF - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 01:18 PM EST (#143681) #

Some news about Opening Night:

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS are pleased to announce SHIRLEY CHEEK, the wife of the late TOM CHEEK, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at GENERAL MOTORS OPENING NIGHT presented by THE TORONTO STAR & THE FAN 590 on TUESDAY, APRIL 4. As part of that night's opening ceremonies, the Club will pay tribute both to its longtime radio voice and also one of the most popular players in the history of the visiting Minnesota Twins, KIRBY PUCKETT. While game-time between the Blue Jays and Twins is set for 7:15 pm, the opening ceremonies will begin after 6:45 pm. The BLUE JAYS ask fans heading to the game, to arrive early as lineups are expected to develop at ticket windows and the entrance gates. Fans are also advised lights in the stadium will be turned out to begin the opening ceremonies.

And there are only single seats left for Opening Night.

Jim - TBG - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 01:44 PM EST (#143684) #

Cleveland has locked up Grady Sizemore, with a 6-year, $23.45 million extension and an $8.5 million club option for 2012 - so sayeth the ESPN ticker. That covers his first two years of free agent eligibility. Could be a fantastic deal for the Indians, so long as he doesn't Hinske.

Marc Hulet - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 01:44 PM EST (#143685) #

I heard from someone within the Jays minor league system today and apparently the rosters are being posted today for the minor league affiates.

Also a number of players have been released, including soft-tossing, but effective, reliever Brian Reed.

I am working on finding out more information...

zaptom - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 01:53 PM EST (#143687) #

TSN.ca reports that AJ will definately be missing his first two starts of the season.

GM J.P. Ricciardi said Wednesday that Burnett will make his first start against the Chicago White Sox on April 16.

Ricciardi said Burnett will pitch three or four innings Saturday in Toronto's final spring training game against triple-A Syracuse. He will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list and make rehab starts April 6 and 11.

zaptom - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 01:58 PM EST (#143688) #

and Jeff Kent has signed a 1 year, 11.5 million extension with the Dodgers. (The Score)

Named For Hank - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 01:59 PM EST (#143689) #

I don't think this is because he is still "hurt" -- more like he missed a week of Spring Training and had to stop cold in his pre-season routine, and so now he's behind.

Joseph Krengel - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 02:23 PM EST (#143693) #

I've been showing up early every game since opening day two years ago. They only had two turnstyles open at gate two, and were checking bags right there. It took 15 minutes to get to the turnstyle from the door.

DepecheJay - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:07 PM EST (#143701) #

I agree with NFH here, I think Burnett is just going to have to get his arm going again. It'll be extremely important to see how AJ does in the rehab assignments, and obviously in his first start back. If his stuff is flat with poor location and he's getting tagged, we might have a SERIOUS problem. However, I think he'll be fine. The Jays just need to be cautious with him and let off at any sign of discomfort, which I'm sure they will.

Fellas, I'm thinking about picking up MLB.tv for the season seeing as how I switched cable operators and can't pick up the Extra Innings package. 79 dollars US seems like a friggin steal, was just wondering how many actual Jays games I'll get to watch this season? Pros and cons? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Remember, I'm a Jays fan from NYC so if I can't get the Extra Innings package, this is my last possible option. Thanks guys.

Mylegacy - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:18 PM EST (#143703) #

DepecheJay, I had the MLB.TV for a while last year when I was in England. The picture on the screen is not great, BUT way better than nothing. $79 for a zillion games is a pretty good deal!

NOTE TO CANUCKS: When I tried it in Canada I was told that ALL OF CANADA is "home" SO most games would be blacked out. A real p!ss off for someone living over 3,000 miles from TO in BC!

VBF - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:18 PM EST (#143704) #

Ah, Joseph, you have not been enlightened by the wonders of Gate 8. It's a smaller entrance, but if you're there early you're inside in about 20 seconds.

VBF - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:19 PM EST (#143705) #

And by Gate 8, I really mean Gate 9.

Mylegacy - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:24 PM EST (#143706) #

I know it's only ST BUT after today's game:

Adams
Johnson
Wells
Glaus
Rios
and Hill are ALL hitting over .300!

Picture seeing that September 29th instead of March 29! PRICELESS!

DepecheJay - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:24 PM EST (#143707) #

Alright, sounds like MLB.tv is the way I'm going to go. When you say the picture isn't great, how bad are we talking? Am I going to get Jays games? Does it ever freeze, how much of a delay is there from live action, that's basically the info I'm looking for.

Mosely - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:37 PM EST (#143709) #

I thought the quality was fine. Actually, I thought it was pretty great. In full screen mode it was a bit chunky, but totally watchable from a few feet back. In a window, it was crystal clear. I had no problems with stream reliabilty either. Stereo sound is great. Also, you can watch games from any computer - home, work, school, etc.

I'd say it's totally worth it - especially if you're into fantasy baseball. It's totally possible to watch every AB that your team makes. Plus, all the games are archived so you can watch them anytime. Watching the away team feed is interesting as well.

Buy it for a month if you want to check it out.

Mosely - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 04:40 PM EST (#143710) #

oh - delay from live action - pretty negligable. Freezing - not in my experience. As far as I know, you get every single game - I don't recall any blackouts.

greenfrog - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 05:46 PM EST (#143714) #

Baseball Analysts' AL East preview:

http://www.baseballanalysts.com/

An interesting discussion. I think their assessments of the division are basically right. The Jays have a shot at the playoffs, but for now Boston and New York are the favourites.

JustinD - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 05:59 PM EST (#143715) #

The only thing that really bothered me about MLB.tv was that Saturday games were blacked out due to restrictions from FOX. If the game starts after 6, then it's not blacked out. That really got on my nerves, but it doesn't really start till May when FOX starts picking up games.

Dr. Zarco - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 06:42 PM EST (#143718) #

This will be my 5th (or perhaps 6th...) year watching Jays games on MLB.TV, and I couldn't love it any more. I pretty much agree with everyone else's comments about quality and blackouts and such. Mine hardly ever freezes (cable modem). The Saturday afternoon games, and games against teams in your city are the only blacked out games for the Jays in the US. As for the delay? Perhaps 45 seconds or so. Gameday is usually just a few seconds ahead of the live feed. MLB.TV's a wonderful, wonderful thing.

Cristian - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 07:59 PM EST (#143721) #

I've toyed around with mlb.tv for a few years now but this is the first year I've taken the plunge and purchased a full year subscription. If you would have signed up earlier you would have gotten all the WBC games as well. For us Canadians in Canada, most Jays games will be blacked out (some do sneak through which is always a pleasant surprise). I rarely have problems with their feed. The few times I've cursed mlb.tv, I've later found the problem to reside with my home's network.

My favorite part is watching afternoon baseball at work and having my boss walk by and assume I'm hard at work.

HollywoodHartman - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:03 PM EST (#143724) #

From Bluejays.com

"Just because they aren't rookies any more doesn't mean second baseman Aaron Hill and shortstop Russ Adams are dismissed as targets of team pranks. On Wednesday, the Major League sophomores were the victim of a very extravagant practical joke played by pitchers Roy Halladay and Burnett.

The young double-play tandem had been giving Halladay and Burnett a hard time this spring because of how much time the pitchers had been spending together. Halladay and Burnett decided to use some of their hefty disposable income to poke fun at how close of a relationship Hill and Adams have.

While the team stretched before the game on Wednesday, an airplane flew over Knology Park, with a banner trailing behind that read, "Aaron, Will you marry me? I love you! Russ." As if that wasn't enough, a ceremony was held for the middle infielders in the players' dining room, complete with a cake, a fondue pot, wedding presents, flowers, a DJ and a videographer. Halladay and Burnett performed the mock wedding.

Hill and Adams were fitted with tuxedo jackets with their numbers stitched on the back and an SUV, decorated with balloons and streamers, was waiting outside the stadium with "Just Married" written on the back window. Then, before the third inning of the game against the Phillies, the plane returned with another message: "Congratulations, Aaron and Russ."

"Bottom line: Don't mess with the veterans," Hill joked. "They can outfund us. We're done." "

Wow... That's a good one...

VBF - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:10 PM EST (#143725) #

In 4 days when they make the trip up to Canada, they can have a *real* one :)

Named For Hank - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:26 PM EST (#143726) #

Man, that's priceless. So was it Hill and Adams who made the "Where's A.J.?" shirt for Halladay?

Dr. Zarco - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:38 PM EST (#143728) #

Wow, hilarious story. I just love this team!

Mylegacy - Wednesday, March 29 2006 @ 11:53 PM EST (#143729) #

This team likes itself, they like each other, they enjoy each other. I've got a real great feeling about this team!

Sanjay - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 01:21 AM EST (#143732) #

Here's a version of the story I got from a friend who works with the Jays.

"...So, for about a week now, Aaron Hill and Russ Adams thought it was funny to call Halladay and Burnett "Brokeback Mound", due to them spending a lot of time together ect... They young rookies even went as far as having T-Shirts made up for the 2 vets.
Having WAY to much money, Roy and A.J. decided to have some fun themselves today. When the team took the field this morning for their work out, there was a plane flying over the field for 20 mins, attached to the plane was a banner that read "Aaron, will you marry me, Love Russ".
As if this wasn't enough, AJ and Doc staged a full wedding reception at 11am. An invitation was put in all the players locker to join the Adams/Hill wedding at 11. The happy young couple had a 3 tier cake, personalized tuxes made for the occasion... a full out wedding reception.
Before the game, Scott Downs was quoted as saying that it was nicer than his Wedding.
To end off one of the best pranks in history, during the 1st inning of today's game, another plane few over, during the game with the banner reading "Congrats Russ and Aaron (Heart) (Heart) (Heart)"

Tru Story, I love the team building!! ..."

Brokeback Mound... Hilarious!!

Jim - TBG - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 01:58 AM EST (#143733) #

Brokeback Mound... Hilarious!!

This is the kind of ingenuity you only get with college drafted players.

Their hitting may be somewhat suspect, but their WARP - Wit Above Replacement Player - is off the scale.

Lesson for young players: don't bring t-shirts to a joke off. The veterans can buy planes.

This is the type of chemistry-building moment you can look back fondly upon in say, a World Series retrospective video.

China fan - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 03:13 AM EST (#143735) #

Here's an oddity from the latest report by Jordan Bastian: "Since the injury isn't something that is expected to keep Zaun out for too long, Gibbons added that his replacement would probably come off the 40-man roster. Guillermo Quiroz is the only available catcher on that list."

I'm puzzled by this. Jason Phillips is clearly a much stronger hitter than Quiroz. (His spring-training SLG, for what it's worth, is .657 compared to Quiroz's .267) What is so sacrosanct about the 40-man roster that prevents the Jays from finding a spot on it for Phillips? As we've discussed before, there are at least two or three names on the 40-man roster that can be expended fairly easily. Phillips seems like a useful player to keep around in some capacity or at some level, whereas Quiroz clearly needs a full season of playing time in the minors -- if he is kept at all. Is there some reason why the Jays are reluctant to touch the 40-man roster at this time of year?

Pistol - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 08:26 AM EST (#143736) #

The key to that is that Zaun wouldn't miss much time. If they kept Quiroz he probably wouldn't find the field, but just be there for emergency purposes.

Ryan Day - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 09:31 AM EST (#143738) #

The Star has the full story on Russ and Aaron's big day.

Roy Halladay is totally my hero now.

Named For Hank - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 09:38 AM EST (#143739) #

What is so sacrosanct about the 40-man roster that prevents the Jays from finding a spot on it for Phillips?

Try to think of it this way: why potentially lose a player who you previously thought was a good player just to get three games of Phillips as a backup?

Ryan Day - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 10:38 AM EST (#143743) #

But since Quiroz has to pass through waivers to be demoted - which will almost certainly happen when Zaun returns - the Jays stand a chance of losing him anyway. (though I do wonder if anyone else will be interested, given how he's played lately)

Doesn't really change the point - the Jays' backup catcher for the first 3 or 4 games isn't going to be much of a factor.

VBF - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 12:19 PM EST (#143752) #

Here's a Rogers Centre renovation update. The renovations are way ahead of schedule, and to add on what I reported on the renovations earlier, today they started putting up large pictures of the players on the large glass fronts on the south end of the Dome. It appeared they were putting the finishing touches on a 6 storey picture of Troy Glaus and I imagine they will have more. This is really cool because in all those famous pictures of the city from across the lake, and from the gardiner, now you will see big pictures of the Jays in all of them and might help take away that "Leafs Town" image.

To add to this, it appears they are installing various ATM-like machines in the surrounding area, but instead of retrieving money, you can buy tickets. Overall, the place is looking better than it ever has.

Ron - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 02:58 PM EST (#143766) #

Rememer all that hype surrounding uber prospect Bradon Phillips....... it looks like he's about to get traded.

He didn't make the Tribe and he's out of options.

He was suppose to be the main prize in the Colon trade but he's turned out to be the dud with Grady and Lee being the studs.

Joe - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 04:18 PM EST (#143772) #

Inspired by VBF's report, I took a stroll down by the Rogers Centre just now.

There have been extensive renovations to the Gate 8 entrance to install what amounts to a Rogers Video (I believe they call it "Rogers Plus"). There are indeed large pictures of the players just above this new Rogers Plus location; I don't know whether they'd be visible from past the Gardiner, but they will certainly help to soften the concrete look one gets when driving down the Gardiner.

I didn't see any ATM-like machines, but I'm not sure if VBF is talking about the inside or the outside of the stadium. I don't know anything about the inside.

I don't want to take anything away from VBF's enthusiasm, but I haven't seen anything terribly exciting.

VBF - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 04:39 PM EST (#143773) #

I should have cautioned, I'm excited by any changes going on there. It doesn't take much. These machines were installed towards the North end of the Dome and I think I saw a couple on the south ends. They're in the place of what would be a ticket window. There was one at gate 15 and one next to the Tour window. It's my own speculation however that these will indeed be used for ticket purchase. It does appear to be this way though.

smcs - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 05:00 PM EST (#143776) #

In preparation for Opening Day, ESPN's Page 2 has done their latest Uni Watch on all of the changes to team's uniforms.

Named For Hank - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 05:22 PM EST (#143777) #

But since Quiroz has to pass through waivers to be demoted - which will almost certainly happen when Zaun returns - the Jays stand a chance of losing him anyway. (though I do wonder if anyone else will be interested, given how he's played lately)

But if you pass him through waivers before everyone has set their rosters, isn't there a greater chance of him getting picked up? I mean, compared to doing it two weeks into the season.

Geoff - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 07:57 PM EST (#143786) #

Two weeks into the season, a couple teams might have an injury that opens a spot.

It's rolling the dice no matter what you do.

VBF - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 08:54 PM EST (#143791) #

From the mouth of JP himself:

If you think about it, if a team goes all through Spring Training, they get their 25 guys, and on the last day they're going to claim someone and put them on the roster? It's kind of hard to do that to guys that have been there. That's how I look at it, but there might be other teams that look at it differently. All it takes is one team that wants a guy and then you lose the guy.

I may be interpreting this wrong, but it seems as that they'd be leaning towards bringing Jason "Check out my cool Oakleys" Phillips and trying Quiroz on waivers to start the season with the hopes that teams don't want to mess up their rosters.

JB21 - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 09:19 PM EST (#143793) #

I think you are thinking wrong.

To take Phillips North with them they'd have to put him on the 40 man, but Guiroz is already on the 40-man so I'm thinking he will make the squaud until Zaun is hurt and then they'll send him down hoping that most teams have their roster set in stone.

Geoff - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 09:36 PM EST (#143795) #

Or maybe they drop Quiroz and pick up somebody off waivers?

Around, around it goes.

VBF - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 10:17 PM EST (#143799) #

Got some pictures:

Concrete? Where? :)

VBF - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 10:44 PM EST (#143800) #

Is it just me getting the red X's?

Here's the new concourse. Notice the wood panelling covering up the old concrete ceiling and piping and pillars. It's also much wider looking though I imagine that will get smaller once vendors set up on gameday.

And if you look towards the bottom, you will see the sad shadow of a fan, deprived of baseball, eagerly waiting for the season to begin.

This picture is working in the preview. I hope it does when I submit.

JB21 - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 11:07 PM EST (#143803) #

Don't think it worked.

Ryan Day - Thursday, March 30 2006 @ 11:29 PM EST (#143804) #

As much as some teams may have a set roster, how many teams are 100% committed to their backup catcher? Most of the time it's just some minor league journeyman or a past-his-prime veteran, the sort of player you don't really base roster decisions around.

Or to put it this way: If your backup catcher for the season was going to be Ken Huckaby, wouldn't you be willing to roll the dice on a potential replacement?

On the bright side (from this particular angle, anyway), Quiroz has been pretty horrible for the last six months or so. I don't know how many teams still see his potential.

John Northey - Friday, March 31 2006 @ 07:46 AM EST (#143811) #

With Quiroz if I was a contender I'd ignore him, but if I was Tampa, Kansas, Florida, Colorado, or any other basement dweller who isn't likely to get out of the basement in 2006 I'd be grabbing a guy like Quiroz quick. Potential to be a star a few years ago, might do well in a new environment, doesn't cost much to take (waiver wire price is $25k iirc). Lucky for the Jays those teams are in the basement for a reason (poor managment).

Ryan Day - Friday, March 31 2006 @ 09:14 AM EST (#143818) #

According to The Star, both Phillips and Tallett have made the roster.

Geoff - Friday, March 31 2006 @ 10:41 AM EST (#143823) #

VBF, you are posting an image hosted by your hotmail account, which won't work unless you let everyone log into your account to gain access.

You need to get the images hosted in webspace accessible to all. And ideally, IMO, they are not > 200 KB if you post them on pages here.

You can contact me if you need any assistance, or I'm sure NFH would be a helpful dude with this.

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