Last Dance With Allan James?
Well... this could very well be it. AJ Burnett takes the hill tonight against the Yankees in what could be his last game in a Jays uniform. I can only with him good luck tonight, and in the future, and I seriously hope that other Jays fans will be able to do the same-- though, not being a fucking retard, I realize there's little hope of that actually happening. . . unless he somehow returns, which I almost have taken to start believing might possibly be slightly possible, if only because of all the damn rumours that the Jays are trying to find a way to accomodate him. Seems to me like something the Jays would probably rather look like they're doing than something they'd actually want to do, but I guess at this point... who the fuck knows?
St. Louis: Gullible? Or Really Gullible?
The Belleville News-Democrat really is a newspaper, though sadly, I don't think it ever has news on the OHL's Bulls. While I can hardly blame them for not wanting to report on high school meat heads playing hockey in a shithole a thousand miles away (Go Petes Go!) , what I can blame them for is delving into ridiculous innuendo involving the Jays.
Now, let's be clear here: sure, there have been rumblings about the Jays feeling out the market for Halladay. There have also been rumblings about the Jays working to extend AJ Burnett-- in fact, Jeff Blair, in today's Globe, wrote that "Burnett's agent, Darek Brauneckerv, was in Toronto yesterday, and when asked if he was here to begin negotiations, said coyly, 'Not negotiations, per se.' But know this, there has already been some nudge-nudge, wink-wink."
So, I mean, that stuff is fair game. But I'm just a little surprised at how far beyond that Scott Wuerz of the aformentioned Belleville News-Democrat in his blog and in that paper.
"Word out of Toronto," he says, "Is that the Blue Jays could offer to tear up A.J. Burnett's existing contract and replace it with a four-year deal worth up to $72 million."
Really???
"If that looks like it is coming together," he continues, "the Cardinals would be wise to make a play for Roy Halladay on the trade market. Halladay, who has already allegedly asked out of Toronto, probably isn't going to become any happier when Burnett's deal eclipses his."
Uhhh... do I even really need to call bullshit on that? Jesus fucking Christ. . .
Where Have You Gone, Todd Jones? ... Oh Right, You Retired
It's a happy day for my vocal cords (and apparently also the Meaningful Collateral-- yikes!), as Tigers closer Todd Jones announced his retirement.
"If you're a Tigers fan," he said, "I'll never stress you out again. If you're not a Tigers fan, you'll never have me as your ace in the hole, convinced I'll blow a lead against your team."
Damn right. I mean, Kyle Farnsworth is almost as good (re: hilariously awful), and we'll always have Fernando Rodney to shit on, but there was always something special about yelling "moustache!" or "old man!" at Jones. To be honest, I actually kind of grew to like him. Godspeed, Todd.
The Last Word On Last Night
Hale, as usual, has come through, giving us the Pitch F/X dirt on some of the calls during last night's game against the Yankees. Dirt being the operative word here: Joba's pitch to Lyle really was fucking sick. . . Now, I can't admit that and still say it was bullshit, can I? Because if you could let me do that, that would be fucking great.
The Score.com Blog
It surprised the hell out of me, but people actually noticed this morning that I have started posting on the new Score.com blog. It's true-- mind-boggling, perhaps, but true-- this is now a full time gig for me... at least until I somehow manage to fuck it up. The blog launched today, and like anything, I'm sure it will take a little while before we settle into our voice and work out a few of the kinks, but that's all going to be done on the fly. As I'm sure you're all aware, there is a... uh... great void out there when it comes to sports blogs, so Joe Ross, our intrepid podcast producer, and he of the Score's excellent Footy Blog, and I will be posting daily during the week from here until we burn too many bridges. Go nuts and check it out, and please feel free to throw tips our way. And join us in the comments section-- I'll try to be just as adversarial as always.
Drunk Jays Fans will not be changing in the slightest. (Sorry)
Posts
66 comments:
Good luck Stoeten, let em roll!!!
Are we going to get an RBI from our 4-5-6- hitters until the end of the season? Jesus Christ!!!!
Congratulations and good luck.
I with AJ well as well.
Hopefully the Score has a proof reader.
Fuck off Parkes
the greatest jay of all time returns
Oh yeah, the Pbo Mem Centre is soooooooooooooo much better. Fuck, has anything good come out of Peterborough? Fuck off already.
rolen:
April 5 19 1 6 4 0 1 4 2 4 1 0 .316 .381 .684 1.065
May 29 106 15 31 8 2 1 9 12 16 3 0 .292 .372 .434 .806
June 25 90 10 25 6 0 4 13 10 13 0 0 .278 .381 .478 .859
July 23 80 10 13 3 0 0 5 11 19 1 0 .163 .277 .200 .477
August 8 25 5 5 1 0 2 8 4 5 0 0 .200 .333 .480 .813
September 21 73 14 21 7 1 2 9 7 12 0 0 .288 .346 .493 .839
to put it lightly, july sucked.
Now that's a lot of Bull.
Not the Rolen anonymous the other.
Burnett's starts have always been entertaining, if anything else. I'm going to miss having a legit strikeout/stuff pitcher on the staff. It has always been fun to watch him make the best hitters in the world look foolish when he's on.
Scott Rolen is all man
He's kinda awesome isn't he. I just can't wait until the Yanks/Sox sign him to an albatross contract and then he promptly declines back to Marlins AJ.
Rolen took a 71mph curve and easily put it over the fence. Dude is strong.
"Rolen took a 71mph curve and easily put it over the fence. Dude is strong."
Rolen has turned into a much better breaking ball hitter over the last few years. I think I saw that stat somewhere.
Wow, the fans like AJ now. A far cry from that game agaisnt Baltimore 3 months ago.
A standing O for AJ's last start at home. Never thought I'd see that. Pretty cool of Cito to make that happen. And then everyone lined up to hug him in the dugout. Awww. What's with that anyway? AJ has started a sick trend that I hope doesn't evolve.
Jesse Carlson is sick, wicked, and nasty.
Seriously, when was the last time he gave up a run? He might be the reason we won't miss having Downs in the bullpen next season (if Downs in fact moves to the rotation).
Fuck you fullmer
Nevermind.
Brad Fullmer I challenge you with David Segui!
ROID RAGE REMATCH 08
I thought Segui used HGH?
brad fullmer , you are right Carlson is sick wicked nasty BUT in a bad way! This fucking team is a joke. The Rays eclipsing the Red Sox , Yanks and Jays sends a message. The Rays got a promotion to first and the Jays become a 4th place team. I am sick of Wilner spinning shit, too. They need a couple of people that can hit lethally. That should be their first fucking priority.This game tonite was a laugher. They made Ponson look like Rivera. The Yankee announcers got a kick out of repeating how bad the Jays offense is time and time again. Yeah, they will need pitching if AJ leaves but look at how many young kids the Jays have to pitch. The Rays got it done with youngsters, so why can't the Jays?
didn't the rays have their pick of the draft for a decade, along with the best scouting in the game? not that i disagree that youth could be the way to go for the jays, but tampa's season didn't just come out of nowhere, if memory serves.
anon above, they only have 3 first rounders on that team. Kazmir and Garza were gotten in trades. Edwin Jackson came from the Dodgers organization. They were not draft picks let alone first round draft picks. The list goes on: Percival, the Japanese second baseman, Cliff Floyd, Carlos Pena, Hinske, Gross and Navarro were signed to contracts as free agents.
The rise of the Rays makes JP look that much worse. He has how many fucking years to turn it around and Friedman does it in less than half the time. I mean JP signed lazy/lax players like Wells AND Rios that are not grinders. All these young pitchers like McGowan,Marcum, Janssen, Accardo etc are getting injured. Contrary to what wilner says, there is a problem with the organization in regards to pitching health. A lot of people are in denial, but this team is on the verge of being blow up. If AJ goes, who is pitching for Toronto? Doc and the mysteries? And that hitting? JP made some shitty adjustments which culminated in this loss tonite. The Jays starting club made Hughes look like Cy Young tonite.
The Blue Jays need to be blow up the offsense. If we go into next season by just adding a DH and thinking this offense is going to be good enough your wrong
I agree they need some offsense!They literally need someone who looks outside the box. If they can get Bradley , Giambi, or Manny they would be better. BUT they need at least two pieces AND they need to trade away Ryan and Overbay to free up salary to do so. They don't need one bat , they need two bats...at least. Put Lind or Snider at first and have either as a4th outfielder. BUT get two guys that can actually hit. They really can't blow up too much because they have a lot of shitty contracts like Rolen, Wells, and honestly Rios so who wants these guys?
Ive really started to cool on Lind. He has been on 9HR since the last time I can remember, I know you dont go up to the plate and try to hit a HR but this is getting rearded.
When is Phil Hughes getting the Cy Young award this year
No one wants Rios he has been turned down for Scott Olsen, Brett Myers, Matt Cain, Timmy Lincecum. Only Cleveland wanted him and they offered Cliff Lee and Gutierrez
No one wants Rios he has been turned down for Scott Olsen, Brett Myers, Matt Cain, Timmy Lincecum. Only Cleveland wanted him and they offered Cliff Lee and Gutierrez
What the fuck are you talking about? First of all, Sabean turned down JP's offer of Rios for Lincecum. And how the hell do you know that any of those other trades were talked about? I don't recall any rumors whatsoever involving any of those other shitheads. If JP ever traded Rios for Scott Fucking Olson or Wife Beater Myers I'd have to march on 1 Blue Jay Way with a torch and pitchfork.
I hate myself when I waste my time responding to people who are clearly morons.
Um Rios was offered for Olsen and Myers (reportedly), just not last offseason. This teams needs Manny, he'd solve all our problems
... and create all sorts of new ones we didn't know existed.
"Toronto hairdressers don't get my dreds tight enough. I ain't playin'!"
anon@11:37: Rays got Garza and Bartlett by trading away a first overall pick, and they traded for Gross. But then I pointed that out last time you made this argument.
and to add to it...how many of their position players are high 1st picks? UPTON??? They have price, Where did they get crawford, high 2nd round pick. They've been shitty for their existence and thus have stock piled all those higher picks and traded them ( a year after drafting them) or kept them. not that hard to see that.
They also, for years, have been able to trade their best players at the deadline-- even when those "best" guys were shitty, like Zambrano, Hendrickson, and Wigginton-- which brought them back Kazmir, Navarro and Wheeler. Don't discount that part of how their overall shittiness helped them build in ways other teams couldn't.
Of course, you could argue that JP should have been doing this all along, but he's not in a position to do so, I don't think. Ownership here, as far as I've been able to tell, hasn't for years been interested in letting their GM take steps backwards (i.e. writing off half a season) for the greater good. It always seems like JP has to ensure that people keep tuned in in order to keep his job. Not a great strategy from up top.
only 3 players picked first overall? (not even mentioning how they traded some 1st rounders) How many first overalls are playing for the jays?
stoeten, it's a great strategy from up top because their goals for the team are different from a short sighted fan's goals.. if the jays tanked several seasons like the rays did, there wouldn't be baseball in toronto anymore.
Hold on a second. I think there's some middle ground there. I'm not saying they should tank every year, but I think it handcuffs the long term strategy that JP always feels he has to do this "We're still in it" thing. And I think he does that because of pressure from up top (pressure to keep his job) to keep the fans in the stands and the viewers on TV.
well that's what I mean by differing priorities
How many first overalls are playing for the jays?
Toronto first-rounders currently playing for the Jays: Purcey, Rios, Halladay, Wells, Snider, and Hill when healthy.
The Rays only have one "first overall" pick playing for them now, David Price, who has all of about 10 innings in the majors.
anon at 9:02, they traded away first rounders for players and those trades have worked out. Cliff Floyd, Troy Percival, Inakamura, Hinske, Wheeler and Navarro are all free agent signings. So , the argument that the Rays are filled with the first round draft is fallacious. Friedman has made some smart and inexpensive moves like those free agent signings to bloster a team that had a glimmer of promise. It's funny how so many people on this board can't wake up and smell the coffee and give them credit where credit is due. Smart people (owner Sternberg and GM Friedman) are running that Rays organization whereas the Jays have dolts like JP and Godfrey! It's also funny how even the greatest Jay ever, Doc, mentioned how the Rays were able to take advantage of things in the AL East.
Anyway, the Rays ascent puts more pressure on Godfrey or JP to quit or be forced out. For years, the Jays were supposed to be contenders, especially this year. And now, they have comfortably landed in 4th place. I'm happy for the Rays success, because it makes JP look bad. I don't care what the spin is, all the excuses about injuries are a joke since the Yanks, Rays , and Red Sox all have had great injuries and they finished ahead of the Jays. And that fucking argument about being in the AL East is lame. If I were in 6th grade, I'd be getting as....it's that same kind of cry babyism. The once shitty Rays are ready to win the division, so that puts a big time chink in that armor. That " if we were in another division crap" is laughed at by fans of other teams. In the end, it is all good because even JP had to give the Rays props even though that will be the final nail in his coffin because next year is gonna be a disaster.
Wheeler was traded for Wigginton. Navarro was part of a deal involving Mark Hendrickson (when he was actually having a decent season, as difficult as that might be to believe).
Also guy, it's really, really tough to make the playoffs in this division if you're not Boston or New York. The Jays are not moving backwards or stagnating, despite their spot in the standings staying the same.
But don't let me make it sound like I don't think Friedman has done an outstanding job, but it's really hard to compare the two situations, I think.
I saw third order rankings the other day showing the jays in 4th place in the majors.. the yanks in 5th.. people are complaining about having the 4th best team in baseball?
Nice Tom Petty reference in the Blog Title btw, Stoeten!
Stoeten, the problem with toronto is that it isn't just Boston or New York anymore in this division, the Rays have emerged as a force( and they haven't peaked yet). That can't be used as an excuse anymore, a better GM would have to make adjustments. Look at the young pitching, the Rays and Red Sox young pitching hasn't gone down this year like the Jay's has. Is it Arnsberg, the pitching philosophy, or the scouting?
They also have no hitting. I live in the NYC area and Phil Hughes has become a punchline until the Jays made him look like Cy Young last night. They need a couple of lethal bats to rememdy this situation. I'm just sick and tired of JP's way and his excuses, Stoeten , that's all. All the excuses about the division being so tough, Tampa had first round drafts( most of the team was compiled via signing or trades), and the injuries are tiring. The fact that they are a mediocre team with such great pitching is a shame. The Jays need a GM that has a can do attitude AND has a fresh outlook on the situation. I don't need to hear that no one wants to come to Toronto, that excuse is old. BJ and AJ came went some green backs were flashed in their faces.
10:08 AM Anon, More spin....you are what your record is. Aren't the Yanks four games ahead of Toronto, now? C'mon, the Jays offense sucks even worse than the NYYs. Let's stop the homerism and be objective, they are a 4th place team that won 83 games last year and might win just 83 games this year( this last week and a half has been brutal for them loss wise). I don't care what their ranking is, they haven't even sniffed the playoffs since 1993! The Baltimore Os have gone and the Tampa Rays are going to the playoffs since then. Enough already, fire JP bring in Gillick and let's stop the excuses. Winners don't use excuses , they actually win.
I remember when Wilner was musing about the Jays facing the Cubs in the World Series because the Jays might be known as the team that ended the 100 year drought for the Cubs. Fuck that! Wouldn't it be great to see a pitcher as great as Doc get a chance to even pitch in the first round of the playoffs? Who gives a shit if they lose to the fucking Cubs, let them
get to the dance fer chrissakes.
I think you're mistaking excuses and reasons. The lack of success is tiring, not the excuses. But it's ridiculously difficult to make the playoffs out of this division-- sorry, but that's the truth. To do it Tampa has had to suck bag for 10 years and New York and Boston have to spend more than anyone in baseball. And I don't know how you can say they're a mediocre team. Basically, if you put the Lind of the second half into this team from the start of the year, they're right there. No? Hill coming back and a big time DH/full year of Snider and they're really not in bad shape.
I mean, you talk about homerism, but you're talking out of pure frustrated pessimism, and that's just as useless.
Stoeten , I disagree on both counts. They are excuses BECAUSE the other teams that are leading the Jays have the selfsame problems. The reasons becae excuses a few years back when JP used them over and over again. Look, I don't know how Lind would have done in the first half or Snider for that matter. If we played that woulda coulda shoulda game, then Rios was supposed to hit 25 homeruns , Wells was supposed to hit well over 20, and Rolen was supposed to hit much better. Guess what? It didn't happen. They need to add some potent bats and subtract certain players from the mix. That is the only thing that will work because as presently constituted, their offense is still a joke no matter what the spin.
Another thing, an 83 win team is a mediocre (and if they finish with that record)win total. They will be basically a .500 team if they finish with that record again. Their hitting scares no team, Stoeten. Their pitching does BUT you saw what happened to AJ last night. The below average Jay offense made Hughes lok like CY Young Jr! It puts extra pressure on the pitchers when the shitty offense doesn't score runs.
Homerism is out. IF you really root or love your team, then give it tough love. The Godfrey/JP regime has not been successful standing or playoff wise. How many Massholes come up when the Jays play the Boston Beaners of Massholia? If the team actually makes some noise and is consistent, maybe the Massholes will go back to Massholia and folks from Toronto will come in.
I just don't know why you see the fact that they need another big bat (or two) as such a monumental problem that they'll need to clean house in order to do it.
http://drunkjaysfans.blogspot.com/2007/02/ever-wonder-why-jp-moneyball-just.html
Rios for Scott Olsen on this very website
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/01/jays_offered_ri.html
Even more juice for th manute bol to drink your the fucking moron for not looking up this stuff and just instead just bashing me.
good call above anon. Nice job. Stoeten, the Jays have too much offensive dead wood on this team. In essence, they might have to move an Overbay or a Ryan to free up salary to get a Manny, Giambi or Bradley. It would be a good idea to get rid of that lazy piece of shit Rios. The Yanks have Cano and the Jays have Rios, every team has one. Imagine if Sabean pulled the trigger on that Tim Linceaum for Rios deal? Thta would have been a steal. Rios is emblematic of the shitty loserish attitude prelavant on this team. If they trade him, I'll be happy.
As JP loves to say you can only judge a player on past preformance. Over the last 3 years now Rios is a 17HR hitter 82RBI 300AVG 830OPS which is pretty good for a 10M dollar player
After a while you are what you are people shouldn't be expecting anything else out of Rios its just unrealistic
The biggest problem with Rios is totally the expectations. He's easily the Jays MVP this year. He's 6th in the majors in doubles. He's 16th in stolen bases. He's 24th in extra-base hits. He's a very good player.
he's a " Cano/Reyes type" that's what Rios is. He is a lazy/lax fuck who doesn't play to his ability. That play in Milwaukee where he basically let the fattest player in MLB history Prince Fielder get an inside the park home run was so typical of him. He doesn't play with urgency and might have some numbers but is not a gamer or a winner. He's essentially a spoiled brat.....
Idiot anons. These games they are playing right now are meaningless, who cares if they finish 3rd or 4th?
And damnit, the team doesn't need to be blown up. It just needs a few good additions in the right places.
The offense needs huge upgrades Giambi would be a good step in the right direction he has a 890OPS, Can Milton Brandley even repeat the season hes having a 1.004OPS his career average is 827OPS, Manny is getting old but can still put up the same numbers as Giambi. If I had to choose one I would go with Giambi. We also need to get a legit shortstop in this league whether its trading BJ Ryan for Peralta or trading fro Hardy something needs to be down and quickly
"I can only with him good luck tonight, and in the future, and I seriously hope that other Jays fans will be able to do the same"
I read this like this after that word error:
I can only with him good luck tonight, and in the fewther, and I seriouthly hope that other Jays fanthz will be able to do the thame
ath hole.
hahahaha.
Stote, will be at your show tonight
If there's a list add me plus one
Please don't let Wuerz make a bad name for all us Cardinal bloggers! ;)
I have a suspicion that AJ will opt out. I also have a suspicion that he will re-up with the Jays, probably for a bit more dough than his current deal...let's face it, he's exceeded expectations and stayed healthy.
Can't blame us for hoping he'd ink with the Cardinals though...
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