The Blue Jays: 2009 Season Thread - Page 72 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bluejays · 08-04-2009, 10:14 PM

As much as I thought before HR's were overrated, this season has really opened my eyes to showing how much the Jays need those big bats. I'm too lazy to look up the stats, but I don't believe there are ANY Jays that pitchers pitch around late in the game because of the longbomb threat. They're not always losing that badly and not having those couple guys who are always a threat is really what's lacking on the batting order. Overbay to me has been useless since day one and I've mentioned it before. A guy like Thome even at this stage in his career would be an upgrade.

Sylvanfan · 08-04-2009, 10:38 PM

Better question is why is Millar even playing anymore, let alone batting 4th in a major league lineup.

JayP · 08-04-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Better question is why is Millar even playing anymore, let alone batting 4th in a major league lineup.

Consistently batting 4th too.

Millar has the OPS and wOBA of any starter on the team. If he has to be in the line-up it should be 9th.

The Jays must think they can get a prospect for him at the waiver trade deadline (August 31) like they did Matt Stairs last season. The only difference is that Stairs can actually still hit above a replacement level.

Cito clearly gets too caught up with what spot in the order guys hit in. He wants to protect Wells and Rios lower in the order, but that logic is irrelevant if someone like Millar is batting 4th. Wells and Rios just get to come to the plate with an extra out from Millar`s AB.

Gozer · 08-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Millar batting clean-up is clearly an indictment on JP's roster management, or lack thereof.

The really sorry thing is that we don't have someone better.

nik- · 08-05-2009, 09:36 AM

I almost threw my remote at the TV last night after watching Millar sit on that called 3rd strike from Hughes last night.

How do you not at least take a cut at that down 0-2? I mean s%$# ... you know the strike zone is going to be a little puffier in that situation.

God I was so angry.

burn_baby_burn · 08-05-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calculoso

Right time for who? For the Yankees to start a new hot streak?

I hope your right. With CMW being out for the season and possibly forever the Bombers are stuck with Sergio Mitre as the 5th pitcher in the rotation. He has been absolutely horrible (7.90 ERA) in his three starts. If the Jays are ever going to win one, tonight would be the time. Yankee fans are not looking forward to tonights game, although they are relieved that Mitre won't be pitching in the upcoming series with the Red Sox.

flambers · 08-05-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gozer

Millar batting clean-up is clearly an indictment on JP's roster management, or lack thereof.

The really sorry thing is that we don't have someone better.

I would clarify, its a clear view that the Jays management are cutting costs. However Millar is a part time player / Bench guy, Problem in the batting order is Wells and Rios. These guys have had off season (note, Rios is starting to come around)

As of last night Hill had more HRs than both of them combined. That is a serious problem. Wells once again has limited success batting.

Sylvanfan · 08-05-2009, 10:33 AM

How is it clear the Jays are cutting costs? They held onto veteran guys like McDonald, Scutaro, Fraser, and Downs who IIRC are all up as free agents at the end of the season. They also refused to trade Roy Halladay for a package they didn't like. They did trade Scott Rolen, but this was a request by the player.

If he's up against a left handed pitcher Cito has to force guys like Wells or Rios to hit 4th and 5th. Hell even Barajas would be a better #4 hitter against a lefty than Millar. The fact that the Jays don't have a younger right handed hitter in their system who'd be an upgrade on Millar...thats concerning and tells me they should cut costs until they have that much talent in the system.

flambers · 08-05-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

How is it clear the Jays are cutting costs? They held onto veteran guys like McDonald, Scutaro, Fraser, and Downs who IIRC are all up as free agents at the end of the season. They also refused to trade Roy Halladay for a package they didn't like. They did trade Scott Rolen, but this was a request by the player.

If he's up against a left handed pitcher Cito has to force guys like Wells or Rios to hit 4th and 5th. Hell even Barajas would be a better #4 hitter against a lefty than Millar. The fact that the Jays don't have a younger right handed hitter in their system who'd be an upgrade on Millar...thats concerning and tells me they should cut costs until they have that much talent in the system.

To respond, pending UFA players such as Scutaro had value but he is also a type A UFA meaning the Jays would get more when he leaves via free agency then they would in an trade.

Players like MacDonald have no value...

Rolen was traded for personal reasons....

As for the cutting costs, its clear as the Jays are continuing to move out larger contracts (i.e. Burnett, Rolen, Thomas, Ryan, I bet there is more this summer etc..) ...

When have we seen the Jays bring in a expensive contract? The answer there has not been one in the last year...

The Doc trade saga in my opinion was not a JP managed item but it was done and the direction was determined by Beston and the ownership. Ultimately they determined best case is to keep him another year (i.e. ticket sales).

I would also bet there is a New GM before the start of next season.......

As for Millar batting 4th... That is a Cito decision was it questionable sure... Is it the reason the game was lost?

As for players in AAA, in my opinion they will not be recalled until the roster expands.

ShaolinFlame · 08-05-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flambers

To respond, pending UFA players such as Scutaro had value but he is also a type A UFA meaning the Jays would get more when he leaves via free agency then they would in an trade.

Players like MacDonald have no value...

Rolen was traded for personal reasons....

As for the cutting costs, its clear as the Jays are continuing to move out larger contracts (i.e. Burnett, Rolen, Thomas, Ryan, I bet there is more this summer etc..) ...

When have we seen the Jays bring in a expensive contract? The answer there has not been one in the last year...

The Doc trade saga in my opinion was not a JP managed item but it was done and the direction was determined by Beston and the ownership. Ultimately they determined best case is to keep him another year (i.e. ticket sales).

I would also bet there is a New GM before the start of next season.......

As for Millar batting 4th... That is a Cito decision was it questionable sure... Is it the reason the game was lost?

As for players in AAA, in my opinion they will not be recalled until the roster expands.

Agree 1000%

Wasn't somebody else a pending Type A? What happens if you lose two Type As? Extra Sandwich? I know what happens when a team signs 2 (See AJ).

Caged Great · 08-05-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Agree 1000%

Wasn't somebody else a pending Type A? What happens if you lose two Type As? Extra Sandwich? I know what happens when a team signs 2 (See AJ).

You get 2 1sts and 2 sandwich picks.

Gozer · 08-05-2009, 03:38 PM

Good post flambers.

Who else (Scoot) would be type A?

ShaolinFlame · 08-05-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gozer

Good post flambers.

Who else (Scoot) would be type A?

I was sure DJF had an article a few weeks ago about somebody else possibly qualifying for Type A. I'll try to pull it up.

It was Rolen. I forgot he was not a FA. Stupid.

Further edit, http://www.scribd.com/doc/17870577/Rankings-073009
Good Elias Rankings, by league and Position.

Gozer · 08-05-2009, 03:57 PM

Tallet? Richmond? Barajas?

I don't see any other expiring contracts that fit.

Sylvanfan · 08-05-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flambers

As for the cutting costs, its clear as the Jays are continuing to move out larger contracts (i.e. Burnett, Rolen, Thomas, Ryan, I bet there is more this summer etc..) ...

Well the Jays supposedly did make an offer to Burnett. But lets face it they can't match the Yankees. They would have happily paid him this year if he didn't opt out of that contract. Rolen...again traded for personal reasons. Thomas, yeah I think they did it to avoid the option year on his contract, but that could be attributed to performace on the field every bit as much as cost savings. Adam Lind is giving the team better production as the DH. BJ Ryan, I don't think the Jays save anything...they just removed a guy who'd lost his job against younger players.

The smart move as a general manager is to try and replace aging guys like this with younger cheaper players who can give you the same production or close to it. When the team lost Burnett it's probable they decided there was no one on the market for the money they could offer who represented worthy value.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Jays didn't spend more this coming off season. But spending more on veteran name players is proving to be a fools game in Baseball. The schrewder organizations are paying their younger producing guys, bringin in more young players and looking for bargain veterans to fill out the roster.

Gozer · 08-05-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

When the team lost Burnett it's probable they decided there was no one on the market for the money they could offer who represented worthy value.............When the team lost Burnett it's probable they decided there was no one on the market for the money they could offer who represented worthy value.

There were a lot of bargains to be had in free agency, the Jays just weren't interested. Trotting out Brian Burres as a starter in the first month of the season and having Millar as an everyday starter at DH are not baseball moves, they're accounting moves.

Sylvanfan · 08-05-2009, 04:47 PM

Who were the bargain guys for starting pitchers? Hitting....yeah there had to be something better than Millar, I grant you that.

flames_fan_down_under · 08-05-2009, 10:22 PM

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, minor news but Travis Snider won PCL player of the week honours this week. He's been putting up some good numbers in Vegas since recovering from his injury. Definitely a positive!

habernac · 08-06-2009, 01:03 PM

the BJ Ryan experiment didn't last long, the Cubs have already released him.

Trojan97 · 08-06-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, minor news but Travis Snider won PCL player of the week honours this week. He's been putting up some good numbers in Vegas since recovering from his injury. Definitely a positive!

Unfortunately for Jays fans, they need to leave him in AAA until the end of the month to avoid making him arbitration eligible a year early. It's definitely great to see him mashing in the PCL though. It's hard to believe this guy is still only only 21. Long way to go in his development still.