09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

I have no real expectations for this team myself either but 81 wins would be a damn fine accomplishment. I've heard the theory that the Jays haven't done a damn thing this offseason because Paul Beeston is still on the hunt for the new CEO and said CEO will have full power to clean the deck. This is when the Jays will start being more active and spend a little bit more money.

Beeston also says that this isn't necessarily the Jays being cash strapped as he'll have as much money as need be if the Jays are somehow in contention. We've heard that song and dance before though so we'll see but I doubt we'll be in contention anyways.

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Vernon Wells...Officially injury prone

It's the same hamstring he had problems with last year.

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Bad news guys looks like BJ Ryan has well, flamed out.

Turns out he has lost the heat on his fastball and could very well not make the trip up north. If that's the case then Scotty Downs will take over the Closer's role.

This is not totally surprising to me. Ryan's violent delivery and subsequent TJ surgery was bound to do this to him. "sigh"

[CoRruPt-]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2009/03/31/ryan_downs_update_closer/

I don't get this ego thing that Ryan's been putting up. It makes him seem like a pouty 5 year old.

Like all this stuff about getting stripped of the closer role "behind closed doors". Well, if we don't see you in the 9th, then of course we'll know you're not the closer. Why does it take a closed door meeting to have to discuss this. Ryan ain't gonna suddenly adjust to closing with 84mph heat, so he should just deal with hard facts and get that velocity back up, but meanwhile he needs to just shut his yap and do what's told by the Jays.

Aside: I really like our rotation this season even though we're out a lot of the good arms. Halladay/Litsch/Romero/Purcey/Mills or Richmond isn't too shabby. I have to think with McGowan and Marcum back in 2010 (and assuming Doc is staying for '10) then we have the best 1-5 rotation in the MLB, no contest.

BTW, when was the last time that Wells actually had a 100% healthy season? Seems like there's always something wrong with that guy's body.

[sabresfan]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Yeah, I think BJ needs to pretty much put up or shut up. Just because he has a big contract doesn't mean he has some God-given right to close, especially after totally sucking in ST. I realize he's a guy who tends not to pitch well in low-pressure situations, but you'd think he could be better than a 9+ ERA regardless.

In other news, the line-up is shaping up now as Accardo and Inglett are off to AAA and Mills crapped the bed hard tonight. Personally, not a big fan of sending Accardo down when Frasor and Camp are still around. Sure Frasor was in the pen last year but the rarely pitched in that little stretch where games sort of mattered for a while. And I just feel bad for Joe. I mean, the guy pretty much has done everything we could have hoped for everytime he plays, but he still gets dropped in favour of Bautista and Millar...

Edit Wednesday: Line-up is set, courtesy mlb.com's Joradan Bastian:

ROTATION: Roy Halladay, David Purcey, Jesse Litsch, Ricky Romero, Scott Richmond

BULLPEN: B.J. Ryan, Scott Downs, Jesse Carlson, Brian Tallet, Jason Frasor, Shawn Camp, Brandon League

STARTERS: 1B Lyle Overbay, 2B Aaron Hill, SS Marco Scutaro, 3B Scott Rolen, C Rod Barajas, DH Adam Lind, LF Travis Snider, CF Vernon Wells, RF Alex Rios

BENCH: Kevin Millar, Michael Barrett, Jose Bautista, John McDonald

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Yeah when I heard the news that Inglett was going down I was a little bummed but I think he'll be up sooner or later. I think Millar earned a spot with the big club and he's a great team guy who can keep the room loose while still being a good bat off the bench.

I'm still a little confused about why the Jays traded Curtis Thigpen for virtually nothing. I guess they feel Arensebia (sp) will be a lot better in the Bigs.

I think Ritchmond will eventually crap the bed and we'll be short a valid 5th starter but next year looks really bright especially if Marcum, McGowan and/or Janssen can come back to their old form.

Oh and ESPN experts are poo pooing the Jays starting rotation this year because of "lack of experience" meh....at least their computer analysis has the Jays finishing 4th with an 80-82 record.

[JaFFiTh]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Now that Frank Catalanotto got released.. anyone think the Jays should sign him? I think he's pretty good clutch hitter, I really liked him when he played for the Jays.

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Now that Frank Catalanotto got released.. anyone think the Jays should sign him? I think he's pretty good clutch hitter, I really liked him when he played for the Jays.

No, he's washed up. He had a dreadful time in Texas and you gotta be seriously on the downside if you're not producing in Arlington. He hasn't been right since that eye related injury a couple years ago.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Looks like Cito isn't too happy with the Rocket: http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/612591

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

I don't blame Cito one bit for that. This sounds like a typical thing that Clemens would've done and i'm glad Cito spoke his mind.

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Some odds and ends from Prime Time Sports yesterday:

- Asked by Bob on the over/under for wins this year at 79 1/2 Blair says the Jays will have 73-74 wins. The main reason for the pessimism is that he can't see any pitcher out there on the roster who can take up the 500 innings that have been lost from last year.

- Blair is positive though and thinks the Jays will contend for a wild card spot next season if they get rid of Overbay and Rolen in the meantime for younger players/prospects. Blair is a firm believer in the new (old) school approach that's prevalent in baseball right now of building teams from the ground up and thinks the Jays have the building blocks needed.

- RE: JP, Blair says that at some point this year the decision on JP will be made by Cito. Blair believes that Beeston or the new CEO will ask Cito what he thinks of the players on the roster and if JP should stick around. JP will still have a chance to stick around ONLY if the young kids perform out of their minds and Lind/Snider wins ROTY.

[sabresfan]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Well, Lind can't be the ROY since he's played in too many games, but Snider sure can. Keith Law (ESPN) even pegs him to win it. I hope someone is streaming the game tomorrow, because stupid Sportsnet West doesn't feel like leaving it in progress for the Flames game so otherwise I'm gonna miss it while they show radio and poker. Gotta say, I'm excited to see Romero in action on Thursday. Also, Clement retired instead of going to the minors for the season.

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

Well, Lind can't be the ROY since he's played in too many games, but Snider sure can. Keith Law (ESPN) even pegs him to win it. I hope someone is streaming the game tomorrow, because stupid Sportsnet West doesn't feel like leaving it in progress for the Flames game so otherwise I'm gonna miss it while they show radio and poker. Gotta say, I'm excited to see Romero in action on Thursday. Also, Clement retired instead of going to the minors for the season.

You should try to get the Sportsnet package where you can get all the regions. I have that package myself.

[leafs nation]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

HO LEE CRAP. I'm in Calgary and nobody is picking up the SEASON OPENER!?!? Didn't even think twice about if the game would be on or not. Of all the games all year that might be on this is a day you don't worry about. Flicked on the game as the Jays website says sportsnet has it and it's POKER. the home opener is on right now and they are showing some guys playing cards. I love Calgary.

[SPTO]

Re: 09 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

I gotta say I loved watching the Jays batting today. They were very decisive and we actually had "gasp" big innings!

Didn't like the way Doc's night ended but it was kinda flukey in some instances. Great reception from the fans except for the drunkards too. Hopefully we see more people at the ballpark this year.