2010 Blue Jays Season Thread

[Sylvanfan]

I think Cito is better suited to a veteran team with a lot of big ego's. Baseball players are notorious for being some of the most conceited arses in all of pro sports and it does take a certain type of personality to handle a group of star type players.

Whereas the current Jays are trending to become a younger team who I think need more of a leader and a guy who's a bit more active with how he manages the team. They still have a few vets kicking around but over the next year or two I think they are going to get even younger.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

I like clarence for several reasons. The 2 obvious ones. The loyalty he has to his position players. The fact he gives 'his' guys more leash on the mound and that he turned down Girardi for a chance to coach the allstar game with him. He declined wanting to be with his family as the cited reason.

I think cito knows and was informed that he is a stop-gap solution. It seems like he knew that his time for one last kick at the can was the season when he took over for Gibby half way through the season, and he asked jp for some help, but he didn't get any and now is reserved to a line up he can see which won't be very competitive in the long run. I see him as going through the motions until his contract expires, but I think he still commands respect from the players and gives an honest effort. He's a legend that I will always respect.

Also, I agree with Syl. I think his style of managing is perfect for older lineups ie. more vets. This squad is still kinda young with a few vets in key roles, but i think his management this season has cost the jays a handful of wins.

This is clarence gaston's last kick at the can, and I will fondly remember the good times and service and being run out of town by roger clemens.

[Sylvanfan]

Anyone watch last nights game when they had that Earth Quake in the 8th inning? Thats something you don't see every day.

[Matty81]

I personally like Cito too. I think the impact he has had on the clubs hitters and overall confidence has been massive and the air of calm and confidence he has is contagious. He makes a few decisions that make the armchair managers angry and I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. I think the blogs like drunk jays that constantly crap on him make themselves look a bit obsessive, don't really understand the hate given the guys who had the job before him.

When you look at the dung heap of managers the Jays had after he left you have to realize that they could do so much worse. Gibby was the closest they had to a solid manager and he had Greg Gilbert like relations with the players.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think the blogs like drunk jays that constantly crap on him make themselves look a bit obsessive, don't really understand the hate given the guys who had the job before him.

Let's not romanticize Cito too much. I don't think he's a horrible manager or a crazy person, but the argument could be made.
Only Rogers won't let their post-game/fan-interaction guy even talk about the issues. Mistaking a closer for a starter in the pre-season is one thing, but forgetting the details of the game you just finished managing is another.

http://www.drunkjaysfans.com/2010/06...er-thingy.html

I'm still really upset about Wilner getting suspended for asking questions when the entirety of his job is clarifying these issues to fans.

[Caged Great]

The Jays signed

1st round pick RHP Aaron Sanchez
19th round pick RHP Travis Garrett,
23rd round pick OF Angel Gomez,
24th round pick OF Ronnie Melendez,
30th round pick 2B Steve McQuail,
32nd round pick 2B Andy Fermin,
40th round pick RHP Brandon Berl,
and 49th round pick 2B Matt Abraham

There are still 41 players unsigned

[Caged Great]

Here's the list of remaining picks by position that are unsigned

RHP

1st - Deck McGuire
1st - Asher Wojciechowski - Signed
2nd - Justin Nicolino (close to signing)
4th - Sam Dyson
10th - Tyler Shreve
14th - Dayton Marze - Signed
17th - Myles Jaye
21st - Chris Marlowe
25th - Brando Tessar
28th - Adaric Kelly
31st - Luis Benitez
36th - David Whitehead
37th - Chad Green
39th - Nick Vander Tuig
46th - Connor Smith
47th - Gabriel Romero (Ricky's bro)

LHP

6th - Sean Nolin
7th - Mitchell Taylor
8th - Logan Ehlers
13th - Tyler Painton
15th - Zak Adams
20th - Art Charles - Signed
26th - Jay Johnson
43rd - Ronald Schreurs

Catchers

27th - Eric Arce
48th - Nick Studer
50th - Kelly Norris-Jones

2nd Base

44th - Mott Hyde

Short Stop

5th - Dickie Joe Thon
9th - Brandon Mims
11th - Shane Opitz

3rd Base

2nd - Kellen Sweeney
18th - Kris Bryant
41st - Seth Conner

OF

12th - Omar Cotto
16th - Dalton Pompey - Signed
22nd - Aaron Westlake
29th - Jonathan Jones - Signed
33rd - Melvin Garcia - Signed
38th - Pierce Rankin - Signed
45th - Phil Diedrick

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Anyone watch last nights game when they had that Earth Quake in the 8th inning? Thats something you don't see every day.

Not only did I watch it - I was there at the park.

Took in that game as part of my short trip to Cali.

The quake wasn't anything that special - just a low rumble and then the earth shaking - but it was over before it started and didn't feel like much.

But it was kinda cool to experience - particularly at the ball park.

Petco Park is a great stadium - and of course the right team won the game. Lots of Jays fans were at the game - good time.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Sounds like Wise is called up. McDonald on bereavement leave?

His Dad died of Liver Cancer. good read here:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news...3395-142863420

[flambers]

So far the Jays have done a great job signing their draft picks...

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team...10&team_id=141

"The Blue Jays have signed sandwich pick Asher Wojciechowski, according to a team press release. Wojciechowski is the third and final of the Jays' supplemental round selections to reach an agreement with the club, following the signings of Aaron Sanchez and Noah Syndergaard."

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Here is a good article from SI that illustrates some of Lind's struggles within the LVP awards, along with some other underwhelming candidates...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...ars/index.html

For what it's worth, I think the problem with Lind this year is something I've subtly noticed throughout his AB's which I have witnessed personally. I have seen defenses shade him more up the middle and have taken away hits on numerous occasions. I have seen 10 at least. If those go for hits up the middle his ba is around .242 not much better but I think these outs have confused adam and killed a lot of his confidence, when he seemingly looks to have a multi hit game and is prevented by the better defensive sets opposing managers are adapting without adam in turn adapting. I saw him hit that double in the SD series' 2nd game and he went opposite field on latos. That reminded me of what made him so good last year, it was his opposite field abilities which forced defenses to play him straight up. Anyway, he could be, along with hill, coming around.

GOZER I'm still really upset about Wilner getting suspended for asking questions when the entirety of his job is clarifying these issues to fans.

I don't like what happened either, since I'm looking at it through the pro free speech side of things. I understand what Cito is but obviously the org. has elevated him to despot status. That's okay since he isn't the worst case of this the world has seen, but I feel threatened for Wilner. He could be calling cracker cats games in no time by the looks of things, but he knows he had to learn a harsh lesson about boundaries. Thank god our jobs aren't on the line and we are free to criticize whomever we please.
Maybe we should start calling them the red star jays?

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

I've always wondered why it's so hard for some teams to sign these players, particularly given the low probability of many of them ever making the Majors. Is the 50th round player really going to find a better deal? 1500 of your peers were taken ahead of you. Good luck with that!

[Caged Great]

well, sometimes they are high schoolers, who if they don't get draft could go in the top 10 or so rounds if they go to college. If they're already in college, then it doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

[dustyanddaflames]

I like the Jay Johnson pick in the 26th round, very good LHP, with very good movement. Had a not bad season at Texas Tech, needs to cut down on his BB/9. Played two years with the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, and got to watch him a few times. Was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles I believe. Hope he pans out somewhat.

[flambers]

In other news, Blue Jays outright Brian Dopirak for assignment. Curious if that means the Jays are looking to add another player to their 40 man roster....

"The Blue Jays have outrighted first baseman Brian Dopirak, reports MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (via Twitter). Dopirak has cleared waivers and has been removed from the team's 40-man roster, which now stands at 39.

The 26-year-old was playing with Toronto's Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, hitting .258/.281/.393 with six homers in 256 plate appearances. A former second round pick of the Cubs, Dopirak has never appeared in the big leagues, and is a career .279/.335/.480 hitter in the minors."


http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I've always wondered why it's so hard for some teams to sign these players, particularly given the low probability of many of them ever making the Majors. Is the 50th round player really going to find a better deal? 1500 of your peers were taken ahead of you. Good luck with that!

Well money might have something to do with it... Dr. Google says...

Minor League Baseball player contracts and paychecks are handled by the Major League Baseball office. Here are the salary ranges:

First contract season: $850/month maximum. After that, open to negotiation

Class AAA--First year: $2,150/month, after first year no less than $2,150/month

Class AA-First year: $1,500/month, after first year no less than $1,500/month

Class A (full season)--First year: $1,050/month, after first year no less than $1,050/month

Class A (short-season)--First year: $850/month, after first year no less than $850/month

Dominican & Venezuelan Summer Leagues--no lower than $300/month Meal Money: $20 per day at all levels, while on the road

Assuming this is accurate, minor league ball players don't get paid much (Beyond the signing bonus which is low in the deep rounds) in the 1st year and don't even make what I make at my crappy desk job at the AAA level nor do they have a guerentee of making more beyond the first year. Beyond the low pay if they sign they lose any athletic scholership they may have been offered and become ineligible to be drafted again.

[Caged Great]

The Jays signed Chris Enurato (spelling might be off) who figures to be a closer type. He went undrafted and was a free agent.

[GirlySports]

Go Jays! This would be a big game to win. Total pitching mismatch.

[flambers]

Jays made a move yesterday adding Nick Green and send Mike McCoy to AAA. Gaston was quoted yesterday saying McCoy needed more playing time.

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

[jeremywilhelm]

Jays shutout the Giants today. Litsch took 20 points off of his ERA today from 27 to 7. Great to see the kid can still actually pitch.