The Blue Jays Thread: 2008 Season

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

^^^Eckstein seems to care a lot, Rolen I haven't decided on yet (although he is hitting like a monster). You've also got Matt Stairs with a lot of heart, Doc, and the young bullpen guys really seem to care. I don't see lack of heart being an issue with this team, especially with the way JP has dealt with it in the past (IE- Shea Hillenbrand). I just wish he would hire a freaking manager with some heart. Should have gone after crazy Lou!

Watching right now, it seems the jays can't score runs properly. Too many missed opportunities, especially to beat the bosox. That is unless AJ can throw down, with no HRs (unlikely). At least they got a clutch 2 out hit to score the first run.

This team hurts to watch sometimes. My anti-gib attitude has been growing steadily for the past 18 months (although I still like JP, albeit less so after the Big Hurt saga).

Is Mickey Brantley still the hitting coach? I seem to remember him being replaced this season. If so, the guys might just be having a hard time adapting to the new coach's strategies and suggestions. If they aren't hitting with the above average numbers they are capable of by June, I am going to question the new guy (or Mickey If I'm crazy). HIT BOYS, HIT!

Random thoughts.

EDIT:
What do you guys think of Sam Costantino? His increased presence this year is beginning to get on my nerves. He was pushing it with that boxer, talking about how big he was...

Agree with everything completely (except for liking JP). I actually don't mind Gibbons, but sometimes I do want to see the guy lose his temper in public. Today's game was good because even though it seemed forced when he rushed the umps, at least he showed he understood he had to do it. I really don't care if they get rid of both guys though, as long as they don't hire from within as they've done for years now.

As for the players who don't really show emotion, IMO, I think it's all the guy's who have been here for a long time. Both Wells and Rios seem so lathargic every game, Hill seems disinterested at times and so does Overbay. Maybe I'm just looking at their body language, but they don't seem interested. I just think if they were playing in a place like NY, they'd show some more emotion.

Sam Constantino seems like a smug statsgeek and he's beginning to get on my nerves as well. I didn't ever mind the guy in years past, but he doesn't have anything to contribute from the stands beside "player X had to say this today", or some stupid story in the irrelevant history of baseball. This year when he comes on I just wanna shut him up. Can't stand the guy.

[CaramonLS]

Cosintino is awful in the role he is in now. He did do spot duty as a color guy and impressed me last season though.

[ShaolinFlame]

I am glad to see I am not the only Costintino hater out there.

[CaramonLS]

Marcum is pitching solid so far this game.

This game might be a real turning point in his career, so far:

4.0 IP - 8Ks, 1 Hit, 1 BB.

He has never in his career mixed his curveball into his regular pitch rotation. Now he is throwing it once per AB this game, in good counts - and the results are amazing.

He is completely obliterating hitters.

[Machiavelli]

Yeah, Marcum was just dealing today.

And oh, by the way, Gibbons ---KEEP PLAYING MCDONALD LATE IN THE GAME. What a defensive wonder that guy is. Wow, his play in the 8th inning to get the runner out at first...

[habernac]

still problems with leaving runners on (especially when you score none with men on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs). Good first inning and terrific pitching as per usual. Overbay was terrible, why not try someone else at first with a lefty on the mound? Loved Johnny Mac's assist on the ball to Rolen. Wells was hitting well, too.

[Sylvanfan]

Jays pick up a 5-2 win today. A ChiSox error that gave the Jays 3 runs was the difference. Jesse Litsch threw a pretty good game but Gibbons stayed with him an inning too long. After Dye teed off on him in the top of the 7th he shouldn't have sent him out for the 8th, but Gibbons being Gibbons did so and he proceeded to serve up another meat ball. Normally I think managers tend to be a bit too trigger happy when it comes to taking pitchers out of the game, but Gibbons....always seems to leave his starter out there for one too many hitters.

Still a 3-0 start to May so who knows, 17 more wins this month and the Jays may crawl back into the race!

[Machiavelli]

Thumbs way up to the starting rotation ... complete failure to disappoint.

[Sylvanfan]

Well maybe there is a god, or all powerfull force to try and even things out in the Universe. Halladay throws a great game save the one bad inning and finally gets a W for the effort. Of course the Jays damn near blew that as they had 2nd and 3rd and none out and Eckstein does the exact thing you don't want him to do. Rios runs into Cabrera's glove and should have been out and that would have been a DP and no run scored and likely results in the Jays not getting anything in that inning. Instead they got an extra out and milked 3 runs out of it. But if anyone is owed a break like that it is Roy Halladay. Once again though the pitching does it for the Jays. Adam Lind is really struggling. I think you can maybe give him another 15-20 AB's to work it out before you send him down and look at another option.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Adam Lind is really struggling. I think you can maybe give him another 15-20 AB's to work it out before you send him down and look at another option.

There isn't another option. Who could you seriously considering replacing Lind with? Stewart? Inglett? Coats?

None of those are viable options. We just don't have the prospects to go down to the minors and get someone.

Only if we look outside the organization would we be able to find someone and there is almost no way that JP does that.

[ricoFlame]

Lind will come around, the kid can flat out hit, he just needs to find the groove. i'm certain he'll work out real soon.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

Lind will come around, the kid can flat out hit, he just needs to find the groove. i'm certain he'll work out real soon.

Agree with that Rico. He has a lot of talent and has nothing more to prove at AAA.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Agree with that Rico. He has a lot of talent and has nothing more to prove at AAA.

Maybe so, and I admit that I don't know how MLB contracts work with moving guys up and down and the number of options they have and all that stuff. I think part of Linds problem was that he was hitting really well to start the year in AAA, but than he got injured, and when he was healthy again it was straight up to the bigs without any time back in AAA to get his timing back. It may be worth putting him back down there to get his timing and confidence back at that level and than bring him back up. I'm not trying to suggest giving up on him forever, just to get him going again.

[zukes]

I wouldn't be surprised if Lind keeps struggling to see the Jays bite the bullet and rush Travis Snider.... Oops, nevermind, he seems to be finding AA a little tough. He's hitting .149 in 47 AB's albeiit with 2 HR. Yuck. There was talk he'd be up in September.

Okay, well roll on with Lind and hope he finds his stroke.

Edit: He's doing better in Dunedin, batting .279 with 4HR in 61 AB's.

[zukes]

A quick check of Gustavo Chacin, pitching to Class A players in Dunedin. 0-4, 7.00 ERA, 1.66 WHIP. Luckily the rotation is strong and he can pretty much be forgotten now.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Maybe so, and I admit that I don't know how MLB contracts work with moving guys up and down and the number of options they have and all that stuff. I think part of Linds problem was that he was hitting really well to start the year in AAA, but than he got injured, and when he was healthy again it was straight up to the bigs without any time back in AAA to get his timing back. It may be worth putting him back down there to get his timing and confidence back at that level and than bring him back up. I'm not trying to suggest giving up on him forever, just to get him going again.

Jays did have Lind in AAA after his injury not sure on the amount of games but he hit well. In my opinion Lind just needs time.......

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by zukes

I wouldn't be surprised if Lind keeps struggling to see the Jays bite the bullet and rush Travis Snider.... Oops, nevermind, he seems to be finding AA a little tough. He's hitting .149 in 47 AB's albeiit with 2 HR. Yuck. There was talk he'd be up in September.

Okay, well roll on with Lind and hope he finds his stroke.

Edit: He's doing better in Dunedin, batting .279 with 4HR in 61 AB's.

Yeah, Snider is in AA right now after being promoted from Dunedin after his hot start.

[SteveToms]

Jays sweep the White Sox!

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by SteveToms

Jays sweep the White Sox!

four gamer, nice!

[Machiavelli]

Damn, the pitching staff is tight.