2006 Blue Jays Thread

[habernac]

through 7 1/3 innings. ryan mopped up the rest for a nice 3-0 victory. I hope Janssen has a few more of these types of games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260507114

[habernac]

mods, go ahead and throw this thread in the proper forum.

[JiriHrdina]

It was impressive. The Jays have a lot of good young arms coming up which bodes well. With the struggles of Towers (and struggles is putting it lightly) and Burnett not pitching right now the Jays need someone to step up. Maybe its this kid.

On a related note - how good does the BJ Ryan signing look so far? Dude gave up his first run today, a meaningless single run - but so far he has been near perfect. Today went 1+ innings to get the save. Man its so nice to have a guy come into the pen late in games knowing that he can hold the lead.

[habernac]

didn't see the whole game, caught the first few innings and the awesome display by ryan in the last 2. Man, he throws hard!! What a difference from Batista. I don't worry at all when this guy is on the mound. With the other, it was almost a guaranteed home run it seemed.

[CaramonLS]

Amazing performance from Janssen. I watched his last 2 starts and he has gotten progressively better since his debut.

He made some big adjustments this game, he threw more balls out of the strike zone (on purpose) and was still fully in control. He is a pitch-to-contact guy, not a strikeout guy, but all his ground balls were really easy ones to the INF, these aren't Towers type GBs where the Infielders have to take away outs.

An amazing gem of a game, it really was something to watch.

Not to mention he threw 86 pitches!!! Talk about effiecient. And if it wasn't for Russ Adams bad error in the inning (he had a god awful game) he would have completed the inning.

[Resolute 14]

Great performance by the Jays this afternoon. Basically a match of yesterday's game, except that we won this one.

This game did highlight one of my biggest pet peeves ever though - BJ Ryan gave up his first earned run of the season today because of the ridiculous "defensive indifference" that allowed the Angels lone run to get from first to third. For the life of me, I will never understand why teams ignore baserunners in that situation. Runs that don't matter now can start to matter in a real hurry if you arent careful.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Great performance by the Jays this afternoon. Basically a match of yesterday's game, except that we won this one.

This game did highlight one of my biggest pet peeves ever though - BJ Ryan gave up his first earned run of the season today because of the ridiculous "defensive indifference" that allowed the Angels lone run to get from first to third. For the life of me, I will never understand why teams ignore baserunners in that situation. Runs that don't matter now can start to matter in a real hurry if you arent careful.

Holding a base runner on creates holes in the infield, which can go from bad to worse with a good hitter placing it through the gap.

If you don't hold the base runner, he gets a better (much better) jump from 1B and a throw to 2nd would be all but useless.

That is the idea behind it.

[Resolute 14]

I'm aware of why teams do it, I just hate that they do it.

It's like going up 4-0 in a hockey game and falling into such a defensive shell that the other team dominates the entire third period.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, I don't think the Blue Jays overpaid for Ryan at all right now. Having that dominant closer in the pen is a great luxury. Add in that Spier has been pretty good too and the Jays have the ability to make the game a 7 inning affair, and an offence that can put up the runs. If the starting pitching was anything like it was last year this team should win some games. Although not having Hudson at 2nd base is hurting the Jays a bit. Not only are they missing the 2 or so extra outs he seemed to be getting them last year, Hill ain't hitting anything right now and makes Hudson look like a Silver Slugger winner.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Although not having Hudson at 2nd base is hurting the Jays a bit. Not only are they missing the 2 or so extra outs he seemed to be getting them last year, Hill ain't hitting anything right now and makes Hudson look like a Silver Slugger winner.

I don't think its been too bad so far. Hill has been very solid on the defensive end, and yes his average of .182 stinks, but Hudson's .227 isn't exactly steller either.

[CaramonLS]

I'm still wondering why the hell Adams is playing shortstop. He didn't even make 1 decent play. 2 glaring errors and numerous balls thrown poorly which Hillenbrand had to save or scoop out of the dirt.

I counted 3 balls which Hillenbrand actually had to save defensively and make a tough play.

[flambers]

I watched allot of Jays games, in my opinion the infield defense has been really good. Adams / Hill combo have done well sure there is an error here and there but every team has errors. These guys have done better then I was expecting. Plus having MacDonald as the utility guy is a major bonus.

As for the game Casey pitched great he gave up 1 hit in a liittle over 7 innings.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I'm still wondering why the hell Adams is playing shortstop. He didn't even make 1 decent play. 2 glaring errors and numerous balls thrown poorly which Hillenbrand had to save or scoop out of the dirt.

I counted 3 balls which Hillenbrand actually had to save defensively and make a tough play.

Well the ony other option is John Macdonald, who is not an every day short stop. Adams is a big part of the future of the Jays. You just gotta live with the occasional bad game as he continues to develop. His defense got better last season as things progress. As long as he continues to improve I would keep him in there.

[Sylvanfan]

Well I'm from the school where I take a .240 hitting shortstop over a .270 hitter if the .240 hitter is a superior defensive player. The only way I'd compromise defence at the shortstop position would be to get the type of offence that Nomar Garciaparra used to give the Red Sox as a mimimum. Even at second base I'd still prefer a good defensive player, but if I don't have a legitimate gold glover contender there than it better be a 300 hitter or so. Hill had a great start to his major league career but since his first 150 AB's at the big league level his hitting has been pretty weak and he's never really shown much for power. If the Jays want to do anything this year in regards to playoffs they need to find a better everyday player to play at either short or second.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Well I'm from the school where I take a .240 hitting shortstop over a .270 hitter if the .240 hitter is a superior defensive player. The only way I'd compromise defence at the shortstop position would be to get the type of offence that Nomar Garciaparra used to give the Red Sox as a mimimum. Even at second base I'd still prefer a good defensive player, but if I don't have a legitimate gold glover contender there than it better be a 300 hitter or so. Hill had a great start to his major league career but since his first 150 AB's at the big league level his hitting has been pretty weak and he's never really shown much for power. If the Jays want to do anything this year in regards to playoffs they need to find a better everyday player to play at either short or second.

Not sure why the Jays need a better SS or 2nd Baseman in terms of Offense? The Jays have lots of offensive weapons I don't see a problem there at all. Obviously they moved Hudson to get Glaus at this time I really like what Glaus has brought to the team. I do agree Aaron Hill is struggling but John MacDonald can take some pressure of him. As for Russ Adams he has 12 RBI's not to mention he has had game breaking RBI's in two of the last four games.

In my opinion the Jays biggest concern is starting Pitching. Obviously Josh Towers is a huge concern. AJ Burnett being on the DL for the second time is a big concern. Lastly the relief pitching has had problems two of the relief pitchers have been sent to AAA (Frasor & Chulk).

If the Jays Pitching comes around they will contend.

[theJuice]

Good win yesterday, Jays chances are looking pretty good.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by flambers

Not sure why the Jays need a better SS or 2nd Baseman in terms of Offense? The Jays have lots of offensive weapons I don't see a problem there at all. Obviously they moved Hudson to get Glaus at this time I really like what Glaus has brought to the team. I do agree Aaron Hill is struggling but John MacDonald can take some pressure of him. As for Russ Adams he has 12 RBI's not to mention he has had game breaking RBI's in two of the last four games.

I believe Sylvan's point, which I agree with, is that your middle infielders - particularaly shortstop - needs to give you either stellar defense (preferably) or stellar offense. Neither Hill nor Adams offer either at this point, thus the concern. They are young, however, and should get better.

In my opinion the Jays biggest concern is starting Pitching. Obviously Josh Towers is a huge concern. AJ Burnett being on the DL for the second time is a big concern. Lastly the relief pitching has had problems two of the relief pitchers have been sent to AAA (Frasor & Chulk).

Heh, hopefully Burnett doesnt become another Sirotka or Hansen for us. Though really, I don't see another team in the division that has all the answers in the rotation either.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

I believe Sylvan's point, which I agree with, is that your middle infielders - particularaly shortstop - needs to give you either stellar defense (preferably) or stellar offense. Neither Hill nor Adams offer either at this point, thus the concern. They are young, however, and should get better.

Correct. The Jays have enough jam elsewhere in the lineup that they can afford to take a bit of an offensive hit at the shortstop position to bring in a guy that can get a couple of extra outs for the team every game. Molina is a decent catcher kind of like Jabba the Hut behind the plate. Wells is as good as they come in centre, so add in a top notch SS and you have good defence up the middle which helps any pitching staff. Adams just doesn't strike me as a guy whos ever going to be much above average defensively and neither does Hill. Ideally the Jays would have a defensive ace at short and let Hill and Adams fight it out for 2nd and one of them occasionally getting the odd game at short.

Should add that the Jays get a great effort from Halliday to take 3 of 4 from the Halos. Molina with another homer for the Jays and Rios continues to hit the ball well with a two run shot pace the offence. Molina makes me laugh because I'm sure that a guy like Rios or Guerrero could throw him out at first on a sharp single hit to LEFT field if those guys played there!

[habernac]

First CG of the year for the Doc. Nice series, boys!

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

I believe Sylvan's point, which I agree with, is that your middle infielders - particularaly shortstop - needs to give you either stellar defense (preferably) or stellar offense. Neither Hill nor Adams offer either at this point, thus the concern. They are young, however, and should get better.



Heh, hopefully Burnett doesnt become another Sirotka or Hansen for us. Though really, I don't see another team in the division that has all the answers in the rotation either.

As for Hill, below is a quote from the Jays Manager. Take note on his comments on Hills Defensive play.

"I have all the confidence in the world in the kid. He'll battle through it," Gibbons said. "In all fairness to the guy, he's still showing up to play every day hard and he's played very good defense. ... His average is down big time, but he's done some clutch things for us, too. You can't forget that."

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASA...=.jsp&c_id=tor