The Blue Jays thread! - Page 8

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**141** Posted: **Aug 5, 2012, 7:27 AM**

The Jays fielded an interesting lineup last night including Cooper (home run), Gomes, Gose, Hechavarria and Sierra (3 hits). Chavez also got into the game pitching a scoreless inning (WOW!).

Kelly Johnson continues his uninspiring play. He was 0-5 with 3 Ks yesterday. He's now hitting .230 with 111 strikeouts in 370 AB. That puts him 4th in the league. Personally, I find him tiresome to watch and hope they can find someone in the organization to fill that spot next year. They could simply move Escobar to 2nd and have Hechavarria play short. Escobar, however, would not be pleased about that and probably have a sh*t fit so...

Oliver pitched a scoreless 11th for his 2nd save of the year. His season, to date, has been nearly flawless (1.34, 2 SV). I'm still surprised he made it through the deadline. I can only imagine how many teams were knocking at the door. As good as he's been the last few years, I don't suppose the Jays would have got much in return for him. He may yet go before the next deadline anyway.

Trade note: Delabar, Lincoln and Lyon have all been great since coming over at the deadline. J.A. Happ has been ok - at best - but he'll get a chance to show his stuff in the rotation this week.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**142** Posted: **Aug 9, 2012, 12:05 PM**

Completely mental...http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/teams/story/?i...=mlb-blue_jays

I guess all you can do keep on drafting and trading and seeking out good arms. Invariably, though, they all seem to fall to injury.

Hutchison (Tommy John), Drabek (TJ), Perez (TJ), Santos, Litsch, McGowan and on and on and on; all out with no return date in sight.

sonysnob · #**143** Posted: **Aug 18, 2012, 7:01 AM**

Happ pitched a gem tonight! Who'd of thunk it? Free pizza for me on monday.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**144** Posted: **Aug 20, 2012, 12:18 AM**

Is anybody still watching the Jays? Their season has folded like a cheap, brown polyester suit.

The Rangers had 19 hits earlier today. A very impressive offensive outburst. The Jays managed two hits.

They had seven on Saturday and four on Friday. Truly craptacular. Not only has their pitching gone South, their hitting is equally sh*t. Depressing.

Even more perplexing is the ~36,000 who showed up to watch the game. The Jays are clearly out of the race. They haven't played well in weeks. Few bothered to show up when they were doing well so...

sonysnob · #**145** Posted: **Aug 20, 2012, 1:31 AM**

I've switched my allegiances to the Tigers and the Pirates for the rest of this season. It was injuries that killed their 2012 bout.

The Snider trade happened moments before their collapse. It will be interesting to see how that one plays out.

DrNest · #**146** Posted: **Aug 20, 2012, 1:43 AM**

I still go. I'm a loyal fan that enjoys the experience of being at the stadium through the good times and the bad. I've seen some crap play, especially today, but occasionally you witness some outstanding games that make you feel glad you made the effort to go.

caltrane74 · #**147** Posted: **Aug 20, 2012, 8:14 PM**

I've been to two games this year. One game I got behind homeplate, because my girlfriend got tickets from her dad. So that was the best I managed. When I bought tickets myself, I just bought in the upper bowl, and we still had a good time.

Rasmus, Encarncion and Bautista are my favorite players.

DrNest · #**148** Posted: **Sep 13, 2012, 12:36 AM**

Not impressed with Romero's petulance when Farrell took him out of the game. Turning your back on the manager disrespectfully is a no-no in my book.
Not just on this one event, but based on this season as a whole I wonder if the Jays will look to trade him in the off-season.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**149** Posted: **Sep 15, 2012, 2:02 AM**

Yeah but everybody has their breaking point. He's lost 13 straight decisions and his ERA has ballooned by over 2 runs per game since the slide began. He's having a season for the ages...

I'm not sure what the Jays are going to do. I can't imagine him having much value on the trade market, so my guess is they'll work with him in the off-season and hope that he rebounds next year.

Great pitchers have bad seasons all the time. Back in his prime, Dave Steib went 7-12 with a 4.74 ERA. He came back from that by winning 64 games over the next 4 years. Lincecum is also laying a massive egg this year. Back in the day, even Roy Halladay had a bad season (8-8, 4.20).

Jays fans will just have to keep their fingers crossed that with a bit of rest and probably some major psychological work, he'll return to his former glory.

DrNest · #**150** Posted: **Sep 16, 2012, 10:33 PM**

Nice to see Omar get those hits today. It's looking good for him to surpass Babe Ruth in career hits.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**151** Posted: **Sep 19, 2012, 12:24 AM**

I don't want to overreact to this anti-gay Escobar situation but given his poor year and general attitude problems, I say cut him loose in the off-season; he must be a distraction for his teammates.Though I can't for the life of me understand why he'd write 'You are a f*ggot' under his eyes. It's a weird situation.

sonysnob · #**152** Posted: **Sep 27, 2012, 1:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce

I don't want to overreact to this anti-gay Escobar situation but given his poor year and general attitude problems, I say cut him loose in the off-season; he must be a distraction for his teammates.Though I can't for the life of me understand why he'd write 'You are a f*ggot' under his eyes. It's a weird situation.

Such is the life of a Jays fan, but seeing as we are already in next year mode, does anybody have any play-off predictions yet?

So... anybody like any teams going forward? I'd like to see Baltimore get deeper into the playoffs. It's been 15 years since they have had a berth, and as a Jays fan, I can appreciate a fans longing for a winning team. Other ideas?

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**153** Posted: **Sep 28, 2012, 11:27 AM**

I'm a Jays fan but first and foremost I'm a baseball fan. With that in mind, it's hard to narrow down any sort of favourites list.

I agree with you that it would be nice to see Baltimore do a little damage in the playoffs. I'm not sure they have the pitching to actually do that, though. If the Rays sneak in, watch out; some nasty pitching there.

It would be interesting to see Mike Trout in a playoff game, though like the Rays, the Angels are running out of time.

Similar to the Orioles, it would be great to see the Reds win some playoff games. In spite of his success, I'm not sure Joey Votto is a household name yet. A few high profile games in October might change that.

As far as a prediction is concerned, I wouldn't bet against the Nationals. The Giants and Braves are red hot as well, so one of those teams might not be a bad bet. I think the Senior Circuit will take the WS again this year.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**154** Posted: **Oct 22, 2012, 12:35 PM**

'In a radio interview with Jeff Sammut of Sportsnet 590 The Fan (partially transcribed by Sportsnet.ca's Mike Johnston), Shaun Marcum said he'd be open to returning to the Jays as a free agent and cited his good relationships with the training staff, pitching coach Bruce Walton and third base coach Brian Butterfield. "They're on my list, that's for sure," Marcum said. "I enjoyed my time there, I loved the city, loved the coaching staff, so it's definitely a place that I would be interested in." Marcum said he's willing to pitch anywhere and in either league, though he wants to pitch for a team with a chance at the playoffs.'http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/toronto_blue_jays/

Signing Marcum would be a quick and painless move by the Jays. He's not an ace but he's a solid number two. He he...get it? Solid number two? He has had some injury issues but as long as he doesn't come with massive sticker price (7.75M 2012), it would be a good move.

I have no idea what's available via trade but there's no doubt the Jays are willing to part with some of their young talent should the right pitcher or position player be available.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**155** Posted: **Oct 22, 2012, 12:58 PM**

This note shouldn't surprise anybody...

'The Blue Jays will look to trade Yunel Escobar but it won't be easy because of his reputation, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.'
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/toronto_blue_jays/

In getting Mike Aviles in the Farrell deal, the Jays can afford to dump Escobar for a sack of dirty balls. Hell, even without Aviles, they'd happily unload him for nothing. Aviles is a decent middle infielder who could play regularly for the Jays if they're unable to upgrade significantly. He hit .325 as a rookie with KC a few years back (though he only managed .250 last year), so he can definitely do it with the bat.

They now need to address another middle infield position. If the Jays really want to compete next year, Hechavarria can't be in the lineup every day. He doesn't look ready yet. Perhaps they take a run at Scutaro...the same guy they let walk after two great seasons. Ryan Theriot, also of the Giants, is a UFA and would be a slight upgrade over Johnson IMHO.

DrNest · #**156** Posted: **Oct 22, 2012, 1:39 PM**

It would be a good move to get Marcum back in Totonto. I agree he's not an ace, but will be a solid starter.

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**157** Posted: **Oct 28, 2012, 6:02 AM**

The Jays have to make a decision on Rajai Davis soon...like in the next week or so. They've got a $3M option on him for next year. He's a versatile outfielder but I think last year proved that he's not an every day player.

Do you re-sign him and perhaps platoon him with Gose or do you let him walk and look to make a major upgrade in the off-season? I have no idea what might be on AA's mind.

DrNest · #**158** Posted: **Oct 30, 2012, 5:06 PM**

I see Butterfield has gone to the Red Sox today too. That is a big loss to the jays, he was a great coach, and I will miss him on the team.

Butterfield to BoSox

Ramako · #**159** Posted: **Oct 30, 2012, 5:48 PM**

Yeah, a lot of former Jays had good things to say about him. Shaun Marcum cited him as being one of the reasons that he'd be interested in returning to the club. Oh well, out with the old...

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**160** Posted: **Oct 31, 2012, 12:22 PM**

Butterfield leaving seems like a big statement on the current affairs in Jays land.

He was in line for the manager's job and chose to walk instead.

I think trouble's brewing down at Skydome (I refuse to call it Rogers Centre. I paid for that massive white elephant dammit!).