Blue Jays Live Chat with Adam Lind Transcript.

Hey everyone!

I completely forgot to post the transcript from the August 24th Blue Jays chat with up and coming superstar Adam Lind.

Please see below for a transcript of the entire chat with Adam Lind:

Lind: Hey, everyone ... Hope your day is going well. Thanks for logging on and wanting to chat with me for a bit today before our game tonight. Looking forward to seeing what some of your questions are.

thesven55: Who were your favorite players growing up?
Lind: Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas

ahill4mvp: Hey Adam! Who is your best friend on the team, who are you closest with?
Lind: Brian Tallet.

mpjohn: Would you rather play DH or in left field?
Lind: Left field because I get to be out on the field with the rest of the team, sweating and grinding it out.

Jeff_24: Hi, Adam. With this season being your "official" break-out season for the Blue Jays, what, if anything, has changed in your approach at the plate from previous seasons?
Lind: Just experience and gaining confidence in the big leagues has been the biggest thing.

sportsguy6: You always have the coolest walk-up music. Are you a fan of old school rap?
Lind: Yeah. Well not real old ... and I'm not real old. But when I started listening to rap music in the mid- to late-90's, then yeah I'm a fan of all that, if you think that is old.

coolguy231: Hey Adam, you should have been in the All-Star Game! What did you think about the whole Final Man vote?
Lind: It was a great experience. It was cool to have everyone on the team wearing the shirts for me. It was good to hopefully get my name out there for next year.

ahill4mvp: What is your favorite park to play at?
Lind: Safeco Field in Seattle: great city, great clubhouse, good food. A lot of Jays fan show up to support us there, too.

Jeff_24: Hi Adam. Do you see yourself taking a leadership role on this club, even perhaps as early as next season?
Lind: Um, I'm still pretty young compared to a lot of the guys on this team now and who knows what will happen and who we might get this offseason, so just going with it right now.

ping23: I see your birthday was back in July. Happy 26th. Were you in Toronto for your birthday this year, and did you do anything special?
Lind: I was in Toronto. It was our first game after the All-Star break but we had a day game the next day so didn't do anything too special.

trixialynn: Now that Alex Rios is gone, do you think that the Blue Jays play better without him?
Lind: I think that we lost a good player and wish him all the best.

dastfreadsv: Hey Adam, I'm a huge fan of yours. At the beginning of the year I had a bet with my friend that you'd hit more home runs than Aaron Hill. Lately it's not looking too good for me. Can you please beat Aaron Hill in hitting more home runs?
Lind: Okay.

scerry: Who was most influential in your baseball career growing up?
Lind: Probably my dad just because whenever I wanted to go out and play and throw or hit, he would go with me. Not a lot of kids gave up the pool and just playing around the way I did. So yeah, my Dad.

etown_jays: Adam, who do you credit most for helping you develop the swing you now have. It is one of the nicest swings in the Majors. Was it something that just came naturally?
Lind: To be honest, it was pretty natural. I did a lot of swinging but nobody really ever tweaked with my swing. I did work a lot at it though.

brewjays71: Hey Adam, what are your plans for the offseason? Will you be in Toronto at all, and how do you stay in shape over the winter?
Lind: I will be in Toronto a few times. Really to begin the offseason, I don't do too much. I usually start back on the treadmill and whatnot the day after the World Series ends. I always hope it goes seven games!

wamco12: Adam, Toronto is such a great city with so many things to do. What do you enjoy doing on your days off in Toronto?
Lind: Actually, I like to go to my girlfriend's parents' house. It's just out of the city and I'm a bit of a country boy, so it's a little quieter up there.

dastfreadsv: Is there any chance that you could steal more bases in the future? I think you have the speed and can do it a lot more.
Lind: Nope!

monsterswillrule: Hey Adam! Do you do any rituals before a game?
Lind: I guess you could say so. I start to get dressed at the same time every day and put uniform on the same way, more of a routine than a ritual.

iluvmyjays: Do you guys play jokes on one another at all?
Lind: Not too much now that Rolen is gone. He had the seniority to do whatever he wanted. He'd make Doc (Roy Halladay) get him his dinner!

seggs34: Did you ever go to the Little League World Series?
Lind: I've been there but never as a player.

mlbjays: Hey Adam, in the beginning of the year, I was watching ESPN and it said you have the potential to hit 20-25 home runs. You have surpassed that, and I think you can hit 35. My question is: What is your goal in home runs?
Lind: Just to hit as many as I can. I wanted to hit 20 and now just going from there.

fvycfghe: Do you like hitting third in the lineup?
Lind: Yeah. It's kind of an honor to say that you're hitting third in the lineup for a team in the AL East.

shadownos: Congratulations on the amazing season you are having. In the warmup just before a home game, you take a bat out on the field with you and take a few swings. Is this something you have always done throughout your career? Is it habit? Superstition?
Lind: It's pretty much the same thing that I've done since high school so yeah, eight years.

walteryyys: Donnie, how are you doing and how is Big Al?
Lind: What's up J-Wise?????

monsterswillrule: This has nothing to do with baseball, but who is your favorite band?
Lind: I don't know. I don't really buy music anymore for the bands, more just certain songs.

bren6850: Why number 26?
Lind: It was in my locker when I got to the big leagues.

eastcoastjaysfan: Hey Adam, what is your opinion on Randy Ruiz and how good of a chance does he have to make the big club next year?
Lind: Yeah, he probably has as good of a chance as anybody, but we'll have to see what transactions happen in the offseason.

iluvmyjays: Adam: What is it like playing for the only team in Canada?
Lind: It's special.

kokobeans_2: What is your plan when you go up to bat?
Lind: Swing as hard as I can!

lind_lover: Hi Adam, I'm Nicole and I've been a fan of yours since I was 6 years old. I've done three projects on you and I've been to the game on your birthday (July 17th). Unfortunately, I couldn't get the chance to meet you. I just wanted to let you know I'm your BIGGEST FAN!
Lind: Thank you.

deanna86: How old is your dog, and how did you pick the name Zara?
Lind: My dog is 10 months. The name just came from throwing some out there and this one just kinda stuck.

jmeloche: What are some of the best perks of playing in the Majors?
Lind: Paychecks and just getting to play baseball. Getting to do live Webchats!

seve04: How do you or others determine what pitch is being thrown (i.e. fastball, slider, curve, splitter, changeup)? Does it matter, for example, if you are expecting a fastball but instead you quickly determine it is a curveball -- does that change your swing?
Lind: No. I just wait until the ball is in the air and just react. You don't really have much time to think -- you react.

reedjohnsonfan: Lind, thanks for coming to chat. I'm just wondering what your favorite moment of the season has been to this point?
Lind: Probably when we were in Oakland and seeing Rickey Henderson give his jersey retirement speech.

phily_g: Who's the most colorful character in the clubhouse?
Lind: Kevin Millar.

lind_lover: Which pitcher is the hardest to hit against?
Lind: Probably Jon Lester.

dastfreadsv: Do you play fantasy baseball? If you do, do you have yourself in your team? Do you check your stats at all? Your stats look pretty amazing.
Lind: No I don't play fantasy baseball.

seve04: What do the pre-at-bat talks with Cito consist of?
Lind: Sometimes it can be about life, it can be about the pitcher. I mean, it just depends on his mood really.

Lind: Alright, everyone. I gotta go -- game tonight. Thanks for logging on, though. J-Wise, I'll call you later.

I'd personally have to say highlights from the web chat include Lind letting fans know that Scott Rolen made Roy Halladay get his dinner for him and when a fan asked him to hit more home runs than Aaron Hill so he could win a bet, Lind responded with a very short "Okay" as an answer.

The Jays do the web chat as often as they can and have the following chats occuring in the future.

Major League Baseball's own chatter box and Blue Jays first baseman Kevin Millar is scheduled to do the next live webchat on Tuesday September 8th 2009 @ 2:00pm EST sharp.



Former Blue Jay Jose Cruz Jr will be chatting with fans Friday September 25th 2009 @ 3:30pm EST sharp.

If you would like to participate in future Blue Jays web chats please visit:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/fan_forum/chat.jsp?c_id=tor

Blue Jays Update: August 27th 2009

August 26th Game Complete

Toronto Blue Jays 3 (W 58-67)
Tampa Bay Rays 2 (W 69-57)

Brandon League (W, 2-5)
J.P Howell (L, 6-4)

Game Notes:

A wild finish at the Rogers Centre in the finale of this three game set saw the Jays avoid a sweep by Tampa.

Three different umpires were used at home plate in the game, as two umpires left home plate due to injuries.

Crew chief Jerry Crawford, who began the game behind the plate, left after two innings because of back spasms and his replacement, Tom Hallion, was struck in the chest by a pitch from Rays starter Scott Kazmir in the sixth.

Hallion fell backwards when Travis Snider swung and missed at a two-strike pitch.

The Kazmir pitch seemed to cross up Rays catcher Gregg Zaun, slamming straight into Hallion's ribs.

Trainers and medical staff rushed to assist Hallion, waving a cart onto the field.

Hallion eventually stood up and walked off on his own.

After a 21-minute delay, the game resumed with Hallion at third base.

First base umpire Brian O'Nora moved behind the plate and Scott Barry moved from third to first.

Along with the umpire injury incidents, the Jays won this game in the ninth inning on a wild pitch from Tampa closer J.P Howell.

With a 2-1 lead, Howell allowed a pinch hit home run to Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas in the ninth inning.

Howell proceeded to walk three batters in the inning loading the bases.

Howell than missed badly with a curveball that bounced off the shinguard of catcher Gregg Zaun, allowing Marco Scutaro to race home for the game winning run.

Both starting pitchers in this game were sensational.

Tampa starter Scott Kazmir allowed only one run, on four hits, while striking out ten over six innings.

Blue Jays starter Marc Rzepczynski, who was wild at times, walked five hitters, but allowed only two runs on three hits, while striking out seven over six innings of work.

Utility infielder and Toronto fan favorite John McDonald got the start at third base in this game and made a spectacular play on a Pat Burrell line drive in the second inning.

McDonald dove and knocked down the Burrell liner and followed that up by throwing the ball from his knees to get the slow footed Burrell at first.

Rod Barajas, 1-1, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Jose Bautista, 2-4, 1 double, 1RBI

Gabe Kapler, 1-3, 1HR, 2RBI, 1 run scored, 1BB
Gregg Zaun, 2-4

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Marc Rzepczynski - 6IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 5BB, 7K
Scott Kazmir - 6IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 10K

Other Baseball News:

Houston Astros veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins was claimed on waivers Wednesday, but was pulled back by Houston.

This means Hawkins cannot be traded for the remainder of the season.

The team that claimed Hawkins was unknown to the media.

Yesterday I reported that Johan Santana and J.J Putz were out for the remainder of the season for the New York Mets.

Now, Mets pitcher Oliver Perez will be out for the remainder of the season requiring season ending surgery to repair patella tendon tendinosis in his right knee.

Perez has been miserable this season with a 3-4 record in 14 starts with a 6.82ERA.

This all occurs after the lefty signed a $36 million, three-year contract last offseason.

Finally, according to Boston Herald writer John Tomase, Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny has requested and received his release.

The move was made to clear a roster spot for recently acquired left-handed reliever Billy Wagner and gives Penny time to join a new team before postseason rosters are set.

The article can be read here: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1193682

Blue Jays Update: August 26th 2009

August 25th Game Complete

Tampa Bay Rays 7 (W 69-56)
Toronto Blue Jays 3 (L 57-67)

James Shields (W, 8-10)
Brett Cecil (L, 5-3)

Game Notes:

The Tampa Bay Rays had the number of the Toronto Blue Jays yet again, beating the Jays for the second game in a row at the Rogers Centre 7-3 Tuesday night.

Carlos Pena's two home runs in the game were a large part of an early offensive attack by Tampa.

Toronto left hander Brett Cecil was roughed up early allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits, while walking three and striking out three.

Both home runs from Pena were recorded off Cecil, the second being a monster shot into the second deck of the right field stands.

With the two home runs Pena padded his home run lead in the American League at 37, six ahead of second place Russell Branyan.

Some positives for the Jays were home runs from both Aaron Hill (his 30th) and Travis Snider (his 6th and 3rd since being recalled from Triple A Las Vegas).

Also, Vernon Wells had a decent night going 2-3, bumping his average up to .257, while Rod Barajas was 2-4 with a double.

The Jays bullpen was also solid as Josh Roenicke, Casey Janssen, Brian Tallet, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor combined to allow one run over five and two thirds innings on five hits, while walking four and striking out six in the losing effort.

Aaron Hill, 1-3, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Travis Snider, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Vernon Wells, 2-3, 1BB
Rod Barajas, 2-4, 1 double

Carlos Pena, 2-5, 2HR, 4RBI, 2 runs scored
Jason Bartlett, 3-5, 1 run scored
Pat Burrell, 2-5, 2RBI, 1 run scored

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Brett Cecil - 3.1IP, 6H, 6R, 5ER, 3BB, 3K
James Shields - 6.2IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 5K

Other Baseball News:

As I reported yesterday, Johan Santana of the New York Mets was scheduled to miss his next start.

Well, news has gotten worse for Mets fans.

Santana will require surgery for bone chips in his left elbow and will be out of action for the remainder of the season.

This is a very big blow to a Mets team in dire need of pitching.

And if that was not enough, New York Mets reliever J.J Putz is now out for the season as well.

The Mets announced Tuesday night that Putz has been shut down after an MRI revealed damage to Putz's right forearm.

The Mets have said that Putz will not require surgery and that shutting him down for the season is merely a preventative measure.

Kansas City Royals pitching phenom Zack Greinke set a Royals pitching record last night, striking out 15 Cleveland Indian hitters in an impressive showing by the young right hander.

The soft spoken Greinke had the following to say:

"They were taking a lot early and letting me get the two strikes,"

"With two strikes, I usually try to strike guys out."

Finally, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Milwaukee Brewers are making a number of veteran players available via waivers.

The list includes: closer Trevor Hoffman, outfielder Mike Cameron, infielder Craig Counsell, catcher Jason Kendall, right-hander Braden Looper and second baseman Felipe Lopez.

Quite the crop of players to choose from for a team in need of a veteran presence for a late season playoff push, or to even help contribute in the playoffs themselves.

You can read the article here: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9985054/Sources:-Hoffman-among-Brewers-on-waivers

The Best Blue Jays Pictures of 2009: Courtesy of Mop Up Duty

I have to give recognition to the website www.mopupduty.com this morning for posting the best Blue Jays pictures of 2009 thus far.

The pictures can be seen here:

http://mopupduty.com/index.php/the-best-jays-pictures-thus-far/

There are some serious keepers in the collection, including some Roy Halladay "Pimpin Aint Easy" pictures, as well as a glorious picture of John Olerud, Paul Molitor and Roberto Alomar at the Blue Jays Back2Back reunion weekend.

I hope you all enjoy and gracious to Mop Up Duty for the great shots.

Blue Jays Update: August 25th 2009

August 24th Game Complete

Tampa Bay Rays 12 (W 68-56)
Toronto Blue Jays 7 (L 57-66)

Jeff Niemann(W, 12-5)
Roy Halladay (L, 13-7)

Game Notes:

The Tampa Bay Rays got to Roy Halladay yet again.

The Rays, along with the Texas Rangers seem to be the only teams in the American League who have little trouble facing the former Cy Young Award winner.

The Rays offense got to Halladay early and continued the assault on the right hander for most of the game, handing Halladay his seventh loss of the season.

After going down 3-0 after one inning of play, the Jays recovered on a Rod Barajas grand slam and notched six runs on the scoreboard after three innings.

Rays rookie starter Jeff Niemann composed himself and did not allow another run after the two inning Jays outburst.

Halladay was another story, allowing a season high eight runs, seven of which were earned on twelve hits, while walking one and striking out eight.

It was the second straight poor performance by Halladay.

Randy Ruiz, 3-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 3 runs scored
Rod Barajas, 2-4, 1HR, 4RBI, 1 run scored

Jason Bartlett, 3-5, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Ben Zobrist, 3-4, 1HR, 1 double, 2RBI, 4 runs scored, 1BB
Carlos Pena, 1-2, 1HR, 3RBI, 2 runs scored, 2BB

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Roy Halladay - 6IP, 12H, 8R, 7ER, 1BB, 8K
Jeff Niemann - 6.1IP, 8H, 6R, 5ER, 3BB, 3K

Blue Jays News:

Blue Jays third baseman Edwin Encarnacion has been put on the 15 day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

With the roster spot open the Jays have activated closer Scott Downs from the disabled list.

Roy Halladay will get an extra day of rest before his next scheduled start on Sunday in Boston at Fenway Park.

Other Baseball News:

The Colorado Rockies signed former American League Most Valuable Player Jason Giambi to a minor league contract on Monday.

Giambi was released by the Oakland Athletics earlier this month after hitting a mere .193AVG with 11HR and 40 RBI.

Giambi will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs, hoping to make a roster spot on the Rockies during their September call-ups.

Colorado may need the veteran presence as they hold onto a tight National League Wild Card spot with a four game lead over the San Francisco Giants.

I reported yesterday that the Billy Wagner to Boston Red Sox waivers claim deal was probably not going to happen.

Well, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has reported the following:

Billy Wagner is staying with the Mets.

Billy Wagner will stay put with the Mets.

He will invoke his no-trade clause rather than accept a deal to the Red Sox, according to a major-league source.

**UPDATE**

Billy Wagner has changed his mind and will opt out of his no trade clause and go to the Red Sox according to more recent reports.

In exchange for Wagner waiving his no-trade clause, the Red Sox agreed not to exercise his $8 million option for 2010. However, the Sox maintained the right to offer Wagner arbitration, rejecting another condition he had sought as part of the deal.

Finally, Mets ace Johan Santana, one of the only reliable players the Mets have had all season, will be scratched from his next start because of discomfort in his pitching elbow.

Blue Jays Update: August 24th 2009

I decided to put all of the three game Toronto - Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim series into one posting for everyone this morning.

Enjoy!


August 21st Game Complete

Toronto Blue Jays 5 (W 56-64)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4 (L 73-47)

Marc Rzepczynski (W, 2-3)
Sean O'Sullivan (L, 3-2)
Casey Janssen (SV,1)

Game Notes:

The Toronto Blue Jays ended a five game losing streak on the back of an outstanding pitching performance from rookie left hander Marc Rzepczynski.

Rzepczynski, a California native, who grew up an Angels fans took pride in beating the team he idolized growing up.

Rzepczynski had the following to say after the win:

"Some of my buddies were like 'We don't want to root for you,' because they're die-hard Angels fans,"

"I'll have to give them a call and say 'Sorry I beat them."'

Aaron Hill and Vernon Wells added home runs to contribute to the Jays offense.

Brandon League & Casey Janssen had a rough ninth inning.

League allowed two hits before Janssen came into the game to relieve him.

Janssen allowed a three run home run to Angels catcher Mike Napoli, before finally closing out the game in exciting fashion.

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Marc Rzepczynski - 6.1IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 6K
Sean O'Sullivan - 1IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 1K

Aaron Hill, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Vernon Wells, 2-4, 1HR, 2RBI, 2 runs scored
Jose Bautista, 1-3, 2RBI, 1BB

Juan Rivera, 2-4, 1 double, 1 run scored
Mike Naploi, 1-4, 1HR, 3RBI, 1 run scored

August 22nd Game Complete

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 7 (W 74-47)
Toronto Blue Jays 3 (L 56-65)

Ervin Santana (W, 7-6)
Scott Richmond (L, 6-7)


Game Notes:

Vladimir Guerrero's go ahead home run, combined with a terrible outing from long reliever Brian Tallet spelled the difference in Saturday's 7-3 Angels win.

Guerrero took a Scott Richmond pitch over the wall for the go ahead run in the top of the 6th inning, while Tallet allowed three earned runs on four hits in one inning of work in the eighth.

The game was tied in the third inning on a three run home run by Adam Lind, but that was as close as the Jays would come on this day, as Santana shut down the Jays over six innings of work.

Even though Richmond was the losing pitcher in this game he pitched solidly, and struck out ten batters, one shy of his career high.

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Scott Richmond - 7IP, 6H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 10K
Ervin Santana - 6IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 3K

Adam Lind, 2-4, 1HR, 3RBI, 1 run scored
Lyle Overbay, 2-4
Randy Ruiz, 2-4

Vladimir Guerrero, 2-5, 1HR, 1RBI, 2 runs scored
Juan Rivera, 1-4, 1HR, 2RBI, 1 run scored
Erick Aybar, 3-4, 1 double, 2 runs scored

August 23rd Game Complete

Toronto Blue Jays 8 (W 57-65)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3 (L 74-48)

Ricky Romero (W, 11-5)
Trevor Bell (L, 1-1)


Game Notes:

A strong outing from Ricky Romero, combined with big days at the plate from Adam Lind and Travis Snider helped the Jays beat the Angels 8-3 on this day.

The Jays got to Angels starter Trevor Bell and reliever Rafael Rodriguez early, scoring seven runs in the first three innings, and all eight of their runs in the first five innings off the two pitchers.

Romero, like teammate Marc Rzepczyski, is a native of California and was thrilled to battle his hometown team.

Romero, strongly considered for American League Rookie of the Year pitched six strong innings against the Angels recording his elventh win, second most for the Jays behind ace Roy Halladay.

Vladimir Guerrero, the free swinging machine that he is managed to foul off a ball that bounced in the dirt before it even reached the plate in the game. This may be unusual to some, but not to Guerrero who has been known to do this in the past.

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Ricky Romero - 6IP, 8H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 2K
Trevor Bell - 1.2IP, 6H, 6R, 6ER, 4BB, 2K

Adam Lind, 3-5, 1 run scored
Travis Snider, 3-3, 1HR, 1RBI, 2 runs scored, 1BB

Vladimir Guerrero, 3-5, 1 run scored
Kendry Morales, 2-3, 1RBI, 1BB

Blue Jays News:

Blue Jays third baseman Edwin Encarnacion missed the entire series after leaving Thursday's game against Boston with a sore left knee. Encarnacion is listed as day to day.

Blue Jays closer Scott Downs, injured since August 2nd 2009 with a sore big toe on his left foot, rejoined the team and could be activated off the 15-day disabled list on Monday.

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said he likely will ease Downs back into the closer's role.

Other Baseball News:

The Boston Red Sox have claimed New York Mets reliever Billy Wagner on waivers. The question is if the Red Sox will be able to obtain the reliever.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that:

The Sox, who were awarded a waiver claim on Wagner on Friday, denied the pitcher's two conditions for waiving his no-trade clause, according to his agent, Bean Stringfellow.

The conditions, as described by Stringfellow, were designed to enable Wagner to become a free agent without restriction at the end of the season, even though his contract includes an $8 million club option for 2010.

Stringfellow said he wanted the Red Sox to guarantee that they would not exercise the option, a move that would have enabled Wagner to become a free agent rather than the setup man for Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Stringfellow said he also asked the Red Sox to guarantee that they would not offer Wagner salary arbitration, making him more attractive on the open market by allowing teams him to sign him without forfeiting draft picks.

The Mets and Red Sox have until early Tuesday afternoon to complete a deal. However, Wagner's complete no-trade clause gives him the power to block any move.

With such serious restrictions put forward by Wagner and his agent the possibility of the Red Sox landing Wagner are less certain as they initially thought.

The San Padres have signed second baseman David Eckstein to a one-year contract extension through 2010, the extension will likely pay him more than $1 million next season.

In his St.Louis Cardinals debut, John Smoltz pitched five innings, striking out nine while allowing only three hits in a 5-2 win over San Diego on Sunday.

Finally, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Eric Bruntlett turned an unassisted triple play on Sunday to help the Phillies beat the New York Mets 9-7.

It was the 15th unassisted triple play in major league history - the second that ended a game.

Blue Jays Update: August 21st 2009

August 20th Game Complete

Boston Red Sox 8 (W 69-51)
Toronto Blue Jays 1 (L 55-64)

Jon Lester (W, 10-7)
Brett Cecil (L, 5-2)

Game Notes:

Sloppy defense and the Jays inability to get to Red Sox starter Jon Lester early while he was struggling, may have pushed the momentum the Red Sox way in this game.

The Jays began the game by getting to the normally reliable Lester by loading the bases with none out in the first inning.

The Jays only managed to score one run and after playing poor defense and lacking in offense the Red Sox bats came alive and took over this game.

J.D Drew had two home runs in the game batting out of an uncustomary number eight spot in the Red Sox order.

The Jays, ranked the best defensive team in the American League committed three errors in the game.

One error was especially crucial.

With Jason Bay on first base after a walk in the top of the 4th inning, Jays starter Brett Cecil threw the baseball into the Jays dugout thinking time had been called, after he ran off the mound to pick up a poor Rod Barajas throw back to the mound.

The umpires awarded Bay with two bags and from that point on the momentum of the game seemed to switch to Boston.

The Jays only managed three hits in the game off the combination of Jon Lester and Red Sox reliever Fernando Cabrera.

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Brett Cecil - 4.1IP, 6H, 6R, 4ER, 3BB, 2K
Jon Lester - 8IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 5K

Aaron Hill, 2-4

J.D Drew, 4-4, 2HR, 3RBI, 2 runs scored
Victor Martinez, 1-5, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored

Blue Jays News:

Blue Jays third baseman Edwin Encarnacion left the game after three innings with a sore left knee.

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston plans on shutting down rookie starters Brett Cecil and Marc Rzepczynski as they creep closer to an innings limit set by the manager.

What this means is a possible rotation stir up will come the Jays way in September.

Cecil and Rzepczynski will make their final starts September 4th and 5th respectively before being removed from the Jays rotation.

Brian Tallet will shift out of the bullpen to finish out the season in the rotation and one of Triple A Las Vegas pitchers David Purcey or Fabio Castro will be called up to man the last spot in the rotation.

Other Baseball News:

Congratulations go out to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia who is a new father of newborn boy Dylan Pedroia.

Boston also released outfielder/first baseman Chris Duncan. Duncan was the player acquired when the Red Sox shipped Julio Lugo to the St.Louis Cardinals.

The New York Mets have released veteran right hander Livan Hernandez to clear space on their major league roster for returning fireballer Billy Wagner.

Finally, The body of a 22 year old man was found Thursday on the Carriso Springs, Texas ranch of Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones.

The body was found by a foreman of the ranch at 6:30am yesterday.

The body of the man was found in a section of the ranch that is rarely visited by the Jones family and it appears as if the man suffered from lack of hydration and heat exhaustion.

The Carriso Springs police department has not commented on the incident.

Blue Jays Update: August 20th 2009

August 19th Game Complete

Boston Red Sox 6 (W 68-51)
Toronto Blue Jays 1 (L 55-63)

Clay Buchholz (W, 2-3)
Roy Halladay (L, 13-6)

Game Notes:

Clay Buchholz dominated the Blue Jays offense for the second time this season as he outdueled Toronto ace Roy Halladay.

Halladay was chased from the game by Boston after only five innings of work.

Halladay had his shortest outing of the season, aside from the three inning game he pitched against Florida where he strained his groin.

Toronto supplied only one run of support in a dominate Boston win.

Toronto only registered six hits, zero for extra bases.

A few positives for Toronto were that of Vernon Wells and Josh Roenicke.

Wells had a two for four game at the plate, batting in Toronto's only run.

Roenicke, who has struggled since coming over in the Scott Rolen deal from Cincinnati, pitched three scoreless inning, allowing zero hits and allowing only one walk.

Vernon Wells, 2-4, 1RBI

Victor Martinez, 2-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored, 1BB
Jason Bay, 1-5, 1HR, 2RBI, 1 run scored
David Ortiz, 2-5, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Alex Gonzalez, 2-4, 1RBI, 1 run scored

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Roy Halladay - 5IP, 8H, 5R, 4ER, 2BB, 7K
Clay Buchholz - 6IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 4K


Blue Jays News:

The nominees for the Hank Aaron Award have been named and it is time for the fans to vote.

All pertinent details are available here: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090818&content_id=6486438&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Each team in the Major Leagues get three nominees for the award.

Toronto will be represented on the ballot by Aaron Hill, Adam Lind and Marco Scutaro.

Cast your vote now by going here:
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/sponsors/sharp/awards/haa.jsp

Other Baseball News:

As I reported yesterday, John Smoltz has indeed signed with the St.Louis Cardinals.

Smoltz agreed to a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

Smoltz was 2-5, with an ERA of 8.33 in eight starts for Boston before his release earlier this week.

Boston is responsible for paying Smoltz the remainder of his 5.5 million/one year contract.

St. Louis is on the hook only for a prorated share of the major league minimum, about $100,000 through the rest of the season.

I also reported yesterday that the Los Angeles Dodgers were interested in signing pitcher Vicente Padilla.

The Dodgers made true on that statement as the club signed Padilla, two days after the right-hander was released by Texas.

The Dodgers signed Padilla to a minor league contract.

Dodger manager Joe Torre said that Padilla will pitch Saturday at Triple-A Albuquerque, before joining the Dodgers.

Padilla will make his first scheduled start on August 27th 2009, against the Colorado Rockies.

The Milwaukee Brewers have traded once promising third baseman Bill Hall to the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners, desperate for a third baseman after Adrian Beltre suffred a contused testicle, acquired Hall in exchange for right-hander Ruben Flores.

Milwaukee will also send cash to Seattle as part of the deal.

Finally, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jon Garland has cleared waivers, making him available to contending teams in need of starting pitching with playoff experience.

Garland is 6-11 with a 4.42 ERA in 25 starts with Arizona this year.

Garland is earning $6.25 million this year, with a $10 million mutual option for 2010.

He will receive a $2.5 million buyout if the team's share of the option is declined.

Any team willing to nab the right hander will have to pay a minimum of $4 million to cover the rest of Garland's current contract.

Blue Jays Update: August 19th 2009

August 18th Game Complete

Boston Red Sox 10 (W 67-51)
Toronto Blue Jays 9 (L 55-62)

Hideki Okajima (W, 4-0)
Casey Janssen (L, 2-4)
Jonathan Papelbon (SV, 29)

Game Notes:

In a matchup of American East division rivals, the offense of both teams took over, as Boston came out on top of the Blue Jays 10-9, in their series opening contest at the Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays would not give up in this game, as they were behind by as many as four runs in the contest. The Jays kept coming back and eventually tied the game at seven in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Runs were scored by either team in all but three innings (1st, 7th, 9th) and the long ball was present for both squads as the teams combined to hit six home runs.

Some viewers of the action would say that Casey Janssen's poor throwing attempt to first (which sailed wide) after bobbling an Alex Gonzalez bunt in the eighth was the defining moment in this game, as the throwing error allowed Boston to break open a 7-7 tie.

Every player for both teams in the game, aside from John McDonald (who came into the game to pinch run) recorded a hit.

Randy Ruiz hit his third home run in only his sixth game as a Blue Jays.

Travis Snider made his return to the Blue Jays in right field and had a great game offensively. Snider will remain with the Blue Jays for the rest of the season.

Marco Scutaro, 1-5, 2RBI
Aaron Hill, 2-4, 1 double, 1 run scored, 1BB
Randy Ruiz, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 2 runs scored, 1BB
Rod Barajas, 2-5, 1HR, 2RBI, 2 runs scored
Travis Snider, 2-3, 1HR, 1RBI, 2 runs scored, 1BB

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Ricky Romero - 3.2IP, 8H, 6R, 5ER, 3BB, 2K
Josh Beckett - 5.1IP, 9H, 7R, 7ER, 1BB, 4K


Blue Jays News:

As mentioned above, Travis Snider was called up from Triple A Las Vegas for yesterday's game and low and behold Joe Inglett makes yet another return to the minor leagues.

Other Baseball News:

In case you have not heard, Stephen Strasburg set a record two nights ago by signing a record breaking contract (for a drafted player) with the Washington Nationals who drafted him first overall in the 2009 draft.

Strasburg has agreed to a record four-year, $15.1 million contract.

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is heading back to where his storied career began. Rodriguez was dealt from the Houston Astros to the Texas Rangers yesterday for minor league pitcher Matt Nevarez and two players to be named later.

Rodriguez will backup starting catcher Taylor Teagarden.

The Rangers were in desperate need of a backup catcher, after Jarrod Saltalamacchia went on the disbaled list last week.

John Smoltz was officially released by the Boston Red Sox on Monday and is all ready to move on to a new team.

Sources indicate that the St.Louis Cardinals are set to acquire Smoltz.

Smoltz reached a tentative agreement with the Cardinals as a free agent on Tuesday afternoon, says one source.

An announcement from Smoltz and the Cardinals is likely to come on Wednesday, after Smoltz clears trade waivers.

Finally, Texas Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla was also released on Monday. Sources indicate that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in the pitcher.

Deadline to Sign 2009 Draft Picks is Past. Jays Sign Four More Picks.

As I wrote yesterday, the deadline to sign 2009 Major League Draft Picks was last night at midnight EST. You can read the article here:

http://bluejaysmachine.blogspot.com/2009/08/2009-draft-pick-deadline-tonight.html

The article includes all draft picks Toronto had or had not signed, as well as the signing status of some of Toronto's upper tier draft picks.

Toronto made four moves yesterday, two of which I had already reported as signing with Toronto yesterday afternoon in Kristopher (K.C) Hobson & Daniel Webb.

In addition to Hobson and Webb, the Jays signed 3rd round selection Jake Marisnick to a $1 million signing bonus. Marisnick's slot was a recommended $309,600 which means the Jays paid $690,400 over slot for the outfielder.

The Jays did not sign supplemental first round pick and Scott Boras client James Paxton, 2nd round pick and Canadian born Jake Eliopoulos, or 3rd round pick Jake Barrett to deals.

In regards to James Paxton according to Baseball America:

"Blue Jays supplemental first-round pick James Paxton did not sign before the deadline and will head back to Kentucky, a source confirmed. Paxton, a junior lefthander, rocketed up draft boards midway through the spring by running his lively fastball up to 97 mph and showing an above-average curveball, but he struggled down the stretch and finished with a 5.86 ERA. Paxton will team with righthander Alex Meyer to form one of the nation’s most talented one-two punches in the Kentucky weekend rotation."

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1735

Toronto will receive compensatory selections in next year's Draft for not signing Paxton or Eliopoulos.

Toronto ended up only signing two of it's top five players drafted this year.

2009 Draft Pick Deadline Tonight @ Midnight

As most baseball fans know, the deadline for Major League baseball teams to sign their 2009 draft picks ends tonight at 12:00 midnight EST.

The Blue Jays have signed the following players that they drafted in 2009.

Round Overall Player Position School State
1 20 Chad Jenkins RHP Kennesaw State Ga.
4 130 Ryan Goins SS Dallas Baptist Texas
5 160 Ryan Schimpf 2B Louisiana State La.
6 190 K.C. Hobson OF Stockdale HS, Bakersfield, Calif. Calif.
7 220 Egan Smith LHP CC of Southern Nevada Nev.
8 250 Brian Slover RHP Cal State Northridge Calif.
9 280 Aaron Loup LHP Tulane La.
10 310 Yan Gomes C Barry (Fla.) Fla.
11 340 Sean Ochinko C Louisiana State La.
12 370 Bryson Namba 3B Pearl City (Hawaii) HS Hawaii
13 400 Matt Morgal RHP Southern Nazarene (Okla.) Okla.
14 430 Lance Durham 1B Cincinnati Ohio
16 490 Dave Sever RHP Saint Louis Mo.
17 520 Steve Turnbull RHP Iowa Iowa
18 550 Daniel Webb RHP Northwest Florida State JC Fla.
19 580 Ryan Tepera RHP Sam Houston State Texas
20 610 Kevin Nolan SS Winthrop S.C.
22 670 Matt Fields RHP Gonzaga Wash.
23 700 Brad Glenn OF Arizona Ariz.
24 730 Matt Nuzzo SS Brown R.I.
25 760 Sam Strickland LHP Texas A&M-Kingsville Texas
26 790 Lance Loftin RHP Texas State Texas
27 820 Brian Justice RHP St. Mary's Calif.
28 850 Zach Outman RHP Saint Louis Mo.
29 880 Zach Anderson RHP Buffalo N.Y.
31 940 Jack Murphy C Princeton N.J.
32 970 Ryan Shopshire RHP San Jose State Calif.
34 1030 Jonathan Fernandez SS Guilford Tech (N.C.) CC N.C.
35 1060 Evan Teague LHP Western Kentucky Ky.
36 1090 Alex Pepe LHP Florida Atlantic Fla.
37 1120 Shawn Griffith RHP George Mason Va.
38 1150 Yudelmis Hernandez 1B Barry (Fla.) Fla.

The following players are not yet signed by Toronto:

Round Overall Player Position School State
1s 37 James Paxton LHP Kentucky Ky.
2 68 Jake Eliopoulos LHP Sacred Heart Catholic HS, Newmarket, Ont. Ontario
3 99 Jake Barrett RHP Desert Ridge HS, Mesa, Ariz. Ariz.
3 104 Jake Marisnick OF Poly HS, Riverside, Calif. Calif.
15 460 Drew Hutchison RHP Lakeland (Fla.) HS Fla.
21 640 Kurt Giller RHP Manhattan (Kan.) HS Kan.
30 910 Tim McDonald OF Edison HS, Fresno Calif.
33 1000 Robert Benincasa RHP Armwood HS, Seffner, Fla. Fla.
39 1180 Josh Lucas RHP Lakeland (Fla.) HS Fla.
40 1210 Jonathan Gilbert OF Ahuntsic (Quebec) JC Quebec
41 1240 Zach Kirksey OF Louisiana State-Eunice JC La.
42 1270 Michael Reeves C St. Peter's SS, Peterborough, Ont. Ontario
43 1300 Maxx Tissenbaum SS York Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto Ontario
44 1330 Nick Wagner OF Santa Margarita HS, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Calif.
45 1360 Brandon Kaye RHP Douglas (B.C.) B.C.
46 1390 Carlos Castro 3B Lon Morris (Texas) JC Texas
47 1420 John Rigg OF St. Petersburg (Fla.) JC Fla.
48 1450 Jeff Gibbs RHP Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, Scarborough, Ont. Ontario
49 1480 Tommy Collier RHP San Jacinto (Texas) JC Texas
50 1510 Burke Seifrit RHP Semiahmoo SS, Surrey, B.C. B.C.

**All Statistics Courtesy of Baseball America, http://www.baseballamerica.com

The Blue Jays have some serious work to do before tonight's deadline in signing four high end draft picks in that of James Paxton (drafted in the supplemental first round), Jake Eliopoulos (2nd round), Jake Barrett (3rd round) & Jake Marisnick (3rd round).

According to Baseball America:

James Paxton is seeking an over-slot bonus
Jake Eliopoulos may get an over-slot bonus
Jake Barrett may get an over-slot bonus
Jake Marisnick may get an over-slot bonus

I'll update everyone with what happens tomorrow as Toronto tries to lock up "The Future" prospects of the organization.

Blue Jays Update: August 17th 2009

Hey everyone!

I decided to take the weekend off so I have included all three Blue Jays Updates ranging from Friday August 14th - Sunday August 16th all in one post below.

Enjoy!

August 14th Game Complete

Toronto Blue Jays 5 (W 55-59)
Tampa Bay Rays 2 (L 61-54)


Roy Halladay (W, 13-5)
James Shields (L, 7-9)
Jason Frasor (SV, 6)

Game Notes:

Roy Halladay, who was 0-2 in his previous three starts against Tampa, was dominating in this game, allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits, over eight innings for the win.

The Jays provided all five runs over the first three innings off Tampa starter James Shields.

Home runs from Lyle Overbay and Adam Lind set the tone for the Jays offense.

Adam Lind, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Lyle Overbay, 2-4, 1HR, 2RBI, 1 run scored
Joe Inglett, 1-3, 1 double, 1RBI

Carl Crawford, 4-4, 1 run scored
Greg Zaun, 1-2, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Roy Halladay - 8IP, 8H, 2R, 1ER, 0BB, 6K
James Shields - 8IP, 8H, 5R, 5ER, 0BB, 7K


August 15th Game Complete

Tampa Bay Rays 8 (W 62-54)
Toronto Blue Jays 3 (L 55-60)


Scott Kazmir (W, 7-7)
Brian Tallet (L, 5-7)


Game Notes:

Carl Crawford continued his dominance over the Blue Jays pitching staff with a 2 for 4 day including a two run double in a four run Tampa third inning. Crawford also stole his major league leading 54th base on Saturday.

Tampa ended a five game losing streak with the victory.

Randy Ruiz, 2-4, 1 run scored
Aaron Hill, 1-4, 1HR, 2RBI, 1 run scored

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Brian Tallet - 5.2IP, 10H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 3K
Scott Kazmir - 6.1IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 7K

August 16th Game Complete

Tampa Bay Rays 5 (W 63-54)
Toronto Blue Jays 2 (L 55-61)


Dan Wheeler (W, 4-3)
Brandon League (L, 1-5)


Game Notes:

Former Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun, recently traded to Tampa from Baltimore, hit a pinch hit grand slam off Jays reliever Brandon League in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game for Tampa.

Blue Jays starter Marc Rzepczynski went pitch for pitch with Tampa starter Matt Garza before being yanked in the sixth inning.

Marco Scutaro, 3-5, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Aaron Hill, 2-4, 1 run scored

Jason Bartlett, 3-4, 1 run scored
Gregg Zaun, 1-1, 1HR, 4RBI

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Marc Rzepczynski - 6IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 1K
Matt Garza - 5IP, 8H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 7K


Blue Jays News:

Casey Janssen was recently recalled from Triple A Las Vegas and will work out of the Blue Jays bullpen.

Randy Ruiz, recently batting in the Blue Jays lineup as a designated hitter, who normally plays first base defensively, will work out in the outfield for the Jays and will most likely get a few starts here and there in the Toronto outfield in the future.

Blue Jays closer Scott Downs (toe) worked out with the team on Sunday, taking defensive drills and pitching off the mound.

Downs is hoping for a return to action soon.

Downs took a minor league rehab assignment and will stay in Florida while Toronto travels back home to face Boston Tuesday.

Blue Jays pitcher Brett Cecil (knee) is set to rejoin the Toronto rotation on Thursday.

Other Baseball News:

The Washington Nationals may not be able to sign 2009 #1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg to a deal.

The Associated Press reported that Nationals team president Stan Kasten as saying there is a "very real possibility" the team will not reach an agreement with No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, despite offering him a record-breaking contract.

The Nationals have until midnight tonight to sign Strasburg.

Kasten would not reveal the amount offered to Strasburg, but Kasten did say the amount was worth more than the current record $10.5 million figure the Cubs gave to Mark Prior in 2001.

Strasburg is represented by super agent and hard bargainer Scott Boras.

New York Mets third baseman David Wright was struck in the head in Saturday's Mets loss to the San Francisco Giants by hard throwing Matt Cain.

Wright, who took a 94mph fastball from Cain to the side flap of his hitting helmet, was taken to hospital and released Sunday.

Mets spokesperson Jay Horwitz told the press that Wright was sent home after being examined by a neurologist both Saturday and Sunday.

Wright was still experiencing headaches and post concussion symptons upon leaving the hospital.

There's a strong possibility that Wright will miss the remainder of the season.

Finally, in case you havent heard, Seattle Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre suffered quite an injury last Wednesday. An injury that would make all men wince in pain.

Beltre suffered a contused testicle attempting to field a one hopper off the bat of Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

Beltre was placed on the 15 day disabled list and is trying to avoid surgery of any nature.

Ouch! Maybe Beltre should start wearing a cup!

Blue Jays Sign First Round Pick Chad Jenkins

Baseball America has reported that the Toronto Blue Jays have come to an agreement with their 2009 first round pick, pitcher Chad Jenkins out of Kennesaw State.

You can read the article here: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1475

The Blue Jays and first-round pick Chad Jenkins reportedly have agreed to terms on a $1.359 million bonus.

Jenkins, the 20th overall pick, becomes the 14th of the 32 first-rounders to sign.

I personally wrote an article featuring Chad Jenkins for Gear Up for Sports last June during my week long coverage of the 2009 Draft.

You can read the article here for details about Chad Jenkins including his university baseball career, statistics, and more:

http://bluejays.gearupforsports.com/blog/2009/06/the-future-third-editionthe-2009-mlb-draft-supplmental-first-round/

Congratulations to both the Jays and Chad Jenkins on working out an agreement, in what Jays fans hope will be a great future for the young right hander.

Harsh Words About Alex Rios + What the 2010 Jays Need.

ESPN Writer Jayson Stark wrote a piece titled "The Road to Rios" yesterday.

You can read the piece here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings090813


You'll have to scroll down past all the Stephen Strasburg news, past the "John Smoltz watch" and "Beware the Padilla" to find the read.

Or I could just copy and paste the entire thing below:

The road to Rios: Maybe the White Sox outfoxed the world on Alex Rios. Maybe he's going to wake up and earn every nickel of the $61.6 million they now have to pay him through 2014. But the tales we've heard from ex-teammates, and people who watched him coast through life in Toronto, make you wonder.

Rios is guaranteed $12 million to $12.5 million every year from 2011 to 2014. And that's star money. But is he magically going to turn back into a star just because he's playing for Ozzie Guillen, in a hitters' paradise? Not if these reviews from ex-teammates are accurate:

• "He's not a winning-type player. He's a guy who just doesn't have that burning desire to win, or be great."

• "He was a guy who just didn't go after it. He'd be sleeping in his locker 10 minutes before he had to go out on the field. And not just once."

• "He wasn't the same player after he got that [seven-year] contract. It sure seemed like he was a lot more motivated when he was looking for a contract than he was since he got the contract."

Meanwhile, scouts we surveyed seemed dubious, too.

"This guy should be a perennial 30-30 [HR-SB] guy," said one. "But to me, he's a classic underachiever. If Ozzie takes the wrong approach, he's going to lose him. He's a guy you've got to go real slow with. But whether Ozzie has that kind of patience, boy, I don't know."

Now take those words as you will, but words like that from former teammates don't say too much for Rios' work ethic.

As fans in Toronto know, Alex Rios is a very talented baseball player who made quite a number of baseball errors on a consistant basis.

Everything from dropping routine flyballs to baserunning blunders, some errors so mind boggling that even Little Leaguers were confused, while scratching their heads.

The fact of the matter is this.

Alex Rios is gone, the Jays have secured close to $61 million dollars in the deal, plus another $5.85 million in trading Scott Rolen's $11 million to the Reds and adding Edwin Encarnacion ($4.75 million) & Josh Roenicke's ($400,000) salaries to the payroll. *

*Contract totals courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/


In total between the two deals the Jays have $66.85 million to invest and they did manage to gain a third baseman, right handed power reliever and pitching prospect out of the deals.

In losing Alex Rios the Jays could have lost a possible 30-30 player, but they could have also ridded themslves of a lethargic, lackadaisical player, who's potential will never shine through.

The Jays gave Rios the time, and he did not answer according to the Jays expectations of giving him the large contract they did.

What's done is done and baseball fans can only wait and see if the potential the Jays originally saw in Alex Rios, when drafting him 19th overall in 1999, will pan out in Chicago.

A firey manager such as Ozzie Guillen could possibly light a fire in Rios, or completely crush his spirit.

Now, with he addition of $66.85 million to the payroll this writer thinks the following needs to happen:

1. Sign shortstops for next season.

Current Blue Jays shortstop Marco Scutaro has been exceptional for the Jays this season.

Scutaro has already set a career high in home runs, and is on pace to do the same in runs batted in.

Scutaro's current batting average of .296 is the best of his career, as well as his slugging perecentage .441 and on base percentage .387.

Scutaro has a good eye at the plate and draws a lot of base on balls 67, and boasts an exceptional .992 fielding percentage, while only making 4 errors in 110 games at the shortstop position.

Scutaro is currently in the final year of a two year contract, making 1.1 million on the season.

Scutaro, who is 33, a utility player for all of his eight year career before this season, is expecting to cash in big on the free agent market based on this exceptional year.

The Jays have the funds to re-sign him, but will they?

With Scutaro putting together such a fine season, the Jays would receive two draft picks as compensation if Scutaro did flee the Jays to sign with another team, due to Scutaro's Type A Free Agent status.

Are the two draft picks worth losing Scutaro to free agency?

Let's take a look at the free agent shortstops available on the open market next season and compare.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts the following shortstops will be available on the free agent market at the end of the 2009 season:

Orlando Cabrera MIN
Bobby Crosby OAK
Adam Everett DET
Alex Gonzalez * CIN
Khalil Greene STL
John McDonald TOR
Marco Scutaro TOR
Miguel Tejada HOU
Jack Wilson * SEA

* indicates player whose current contract includes 2010 option

The Blue Jays two current shortstops in regular Marco Scutaro and backup John McDonald are both on that list and the Jays do not have a developmental player to take over anywhere in the future (the Las Vegas 51's currently have 27 year old Angel Sanchez as their everyday shortstop, but Sanchez is very unproven at the Major League level).

No one on that list of shortstops is really eye catching aside from Orlando Cabrera and Miguel Tejada.

Tejada is aging and far out of Toronto's price range, but Cabrera would be an interesting sign.

Cabrera is a player the Jays have attempted to grab on more than one occasion and his price tag is reasonable for a player of his calibre (Cabrera is currently on a 1 year, $4 million deal with Minnesota).

Option one for the Jays is to re-sign both Scutaro and McDonald and continue with what the Jays have had this year into next season or go out and get the likes of Cabrera, if Scutaro's price tag is too high.

Option two is re-sign John McDonald, the current backup shortstop for the Jays who is an excellent defensive player, but who struggles with the bat, and let Scutaro leave via free agency, while re-signing Angel Sanchez to back up McDonald at the position.

This move is not one I'd personaly like to see as I'm sure the Jays would than become owners of the least productive offense from the shortstop position in all of baseball.

2. Sign a catching core

The Blue Jays currently boast the catching combination of starter Rod Barajas and backup Raul Chavez.

Barajas is highly regarded by the Blue Jays pitching staff as an excellent game caller with some pop in his bat (10HR, 46RBI in 299AB), while Chavez (who lost the backup role to Michael Barrett out of spring training, but took over when Barrett suffered an injury) is very defensive minded (has thrown out close to 48% of runners who have attempted to steal on him and has only committed one error in 287INN) and has filled in adequately behind Barajas.

Barajas is in his option year of his one year contract with a one year option and is currently making $2.5 million, while Chavez was signed in the off season to a minor league deal worth $500,000.

Catcher of the future J.P Arencibia is in his first full season as the full time catcher at Triple A Las Vegas and is coming along slowly (.229AVG, 12HR, 51RBI in 363AB) and is not expected to make the jump to the big leagues by next season.

The price tags on both catchers should not increase by any drastic measure so resigning them both while waiting for the development of Arencibia is a no brainer.

3. Resign all the necessary players with one year contracts.

According to Cot's Baseball Contract the Jays have numerous players signed to one year contracts on their current major league roster and some of these players need to be resigned immediately.

The list includes:

Jose Bautista inf
1 year/$2.4M (2009)

Jason Frasor rhp
1 year/$1.45M (2009)

Brian Tallet lhp
1 year/$1.015M (2009)

Jeremy Accardo rhp
1 year/$0.9M (2009)

Kevin Millar 1b/dh
1 year/$0.85M (2009)

Shawn Camp rhp
1 year/$0.75M (2009)

Brandon League rhp
1 year/$0.64M (2009)

Dustin McGowan rhp
1 year/$0.4194M (2009)

Jesse Litsch rhp
1 year/$0.4144M (2009)

Casey Janssen rhp
1 year/$0.4139M (2009)

Adam Lind of
1 year/$0.4118M (2009)

Joe Inglett inf
1 year/$0.4113M (2009)

Jesse Carlson lhp
1 year/$0.4087M (2009)

Shaun Marcum rhp
1 year/$0.4052M (2009)

Scott Richmond rhp
1 year/$0.4023M (2009)

Josh Roenicke rhp
1 year/$0.4M (2009)

Ricky Romero lhp
1 year/$0.4M (2009)

Brett Cecil lhp
1 year/minor league deal (2009)

Randy Ruiz inf
1 year/ minor league deal (2009)

Marc Rzepczynski lhp
1 year/ minor league deal (2009)

Adam Lind will most certainly be handed a mutli year extension after the season he has been having, so Jays fans do not need to worry about him.

Ricky Romero, Shaum Marcum, Dustin McGowan and Jesse Litsch are most certainly locks to be resigned.

In this writer's opinon keeping Casey Janssen and Scott Richmond around as possible starters/long relievers is a good idea and they will most certianly come with an inexpensive price tag.

The Toronto bullpen has not been as effective as they were in 2008 when they were the best bullpen in the American League. That can be attributed to the fact that they have all had to work an increased amount of innings this season with the starting rotation decimated.

If all goes as planned and the starting pitching staff bounces back from injuries while pitching well, than perhaps the bullpen can return to the 2008 form.

Therefore, the Jays should bring back the entire 2009 bullpen, perhaps with the exception of Jeremy Accardo, who the Jays seem to have lost hope in and who is currently moving back and forth between the majors and Triple A on a consistant basis.

Marc Rzepczynski and Brett Cecil are still very young and have been more than impressive in forced starting rotation roles this season. I'm sure they'll be resigned and sent back down to the minors to develop further.

Jose Bautista and Joe Inglett both deserve to stay on this team. They are more than adequate position utility players who can both play numerous positions and handle decent bats from the right and left sides respectively. Bautista's contract is a little steep for a utility player, but the Jays will most likely be able to sign him to the same kind of one year deal, while an affordable one year contract for Joe Inglett should be easily attainable.

That leaves Kevin Millar.

Although Millar is a great veteran presence on the field and in the clubhouse and still boasts a powerful bat the Jays will need to add more of a right handed power punch to their lineup next season if they are going to contend.

You can read my article titled "Analysis of the Rios Move" for details on power hitters the Jays could go after below, scroll down in the article to find the information:

http://bluejaysmachine.blogspot.com/2009/08/analysis-of-rios-move.html


So aside from losing Millar and Accardo, this writer believes the Jays should take the recently added payroll and invest it in the shortstop position, backstop combination, resigning of their current players and investing in a big bat for next year.

If the Jays do this and can remain healthy, the 2010 season could be a bright one.

Also, if you're wondering if I've completely given up on this season based solely on this article you are incorrect.

Any team, at any time, could pull off what the 2007 Colorado Rockies team did, so there is always still hope for this year, its just becoming more doubtful after every game the Jays lose.

Blue Jays Update: August 13th 2009

August 12th Game Complete

New York Yankees 4 (W 71-43)
Toronto Blue Jays 3 (L 54-59)
11 innings

Chad Gaudin (W, 1-0)
Shawn Camp (L, 1-6)

Game Notes:

The Toronto Blue Jays played a tough game against the New York Yankees yesterday afternoon, competing with the best team in baseball for eleven innings, narrowly taking the three game series from the Yankees at their home stadium.

Unfortunately, the Yankees came out on top in this one.

Robinson Cano singled off Blue Jays reliever Shawn Camp in the bottom of the eleventh inning to drive in Alex Rodriguez for the game winning run, securing a 4-3 Yankee victory.

The Yankees were banged up by a rough, gritty Blue Jays team.

Alex Rodriguez lost feeling in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch in the 11th inning from Camp.

Jorge Posada finished out the game with a swollen right hand, after taking a brutal foul ball off of it in the eighth inning.

Yankee team captain Derek Jeter was lost in the first inning, after being struck in the right foot by a Ricky Romero pitch.

Blue Jays reliever Brandon League pitched an impressive three innings out of the bullpen for the Jays. League, who normally struggles pitching more than one inning, allowed one hit and struck out three over the three innings of work.

Recent callup Randy Ruiz, a native of New York, hit his second home run in only his second game as a Blue Jay. Ruiz took Yankee starter AJ Burnett deep over the centre field wall in the top of the second inning.

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Ricky Romero - 6IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 5K
AJ Burnett - 6IP, 10H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 7K

Blue Jays News:

Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo was optioned to Triple A Las Vegas yesterday. The Jays plan on making a roster move to fill the spot before Friday's game in Tampa.

Other Baseball News:

I forgot to give praise to one of the games better modern day power hitters yesterday, as Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim recently hit his 400th career home run Tuesday night. Guerrero is one of only seven active players in the Major Leagues with 400 home runs and 2,000 hits. Congrats to Vlad "The Impaler".

It looks as if John Smoltz short lived career with the Boston Red Sox is over.

Smoltz has refused the option of an assignment to the minor leagues, leaving the Red Sox with only two options, either trade him or release him.

Smoltz recently cleared waivers so a trade is possible.

The Red Sox hope to trade Smoltz, because if they release the future Hall of Famer they will be responsible for paying off his one-year, $5.5 million contract.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers may be interested in the eight time All-Star here: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9922760/Smoltz-refuses-move-to-minors;-two-options-left

Pedro Martinez's return to the Major Leagues was a successful one on Wednesday.

Martinez pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, three earned runs, walking one and striking out five, for the win over the Chicago Cubs.

Finally, former Blue Jay Alex Rios made his Chicago White Sox debut on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners.

Rios went 1 for 6, batting third and playing right field for Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.

Blue Jays Update: August 12th 2009

August 11th Game Complete

New York Yankees 7 (W 70-43)
Toronto Blue Jays 5 (L 54-58)

David Robertson (W, 2-1)
Jesse Carlson (L, 1-5)
Mariano Rivera (SV, 33)

Game Notes:

A night after the Blue Jays bullpen helped hold a one run lead over five and two thirds innings, they let this game get away from them.

With a one run lead going into the eighth inning, Blue Jays reliever Jesse Carlson gave up back to back home runs to Hideki Matsui & Jorge Posada and a double to former Blue Jay Eric Hinskie.

The Posada home run went to instant replay, but was later determined a home run after a short look at the replay from the umpiring staff.

Josh Roenicke allowed a third (charged to Carlson) and fourth run to give the Yankees a four run inning.

The Yankees used the four run inning to secure a 7-5 win and snap the Blue Jays three game winning streak.

Randy Ruiz, called up yesterday from Triple A Las Vegas to take the roster spot of the departed Alex Rios, made his debut in the number six spot in the batting order, playing the role of designated hitter.

Ruiz homered in just his second at bat as a Blue Jay. He finished the night 1-4.

Right fielder Joe Inglett absolutely robbed the hot hitting Johnny Damon in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he made a leaping catch crashing into the right field wall, to take a way a double, possibly even a triple.

Lyle Overbay, 1-4, 3RBI, 1 double
Randy Ruiz, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Edwin Encarnacion, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored

Derek Jeter, 3-5, 1 run scored
Johnny Damon, 3-5, 2 doubles, 1RBI, 1 run scored
Jorge Posada, 2-4, 1HR, 1 double, 2RBI, 1 run scored
Hideki Matsui, 1-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1 run scored

Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Scott Richmond - 6IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K
Joba Chamberlain - 6IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 5K

Blue Jays News:

Blue Jays starting pitcher Shaun Marcum, out all season recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, has had a setback in his return to the Jays starting rotation.

Marcum tweaked his back toward the end of July, slowing down his progression and will most likely finish out the year in the Blue Jays minor league system.

Other Baseball News:

The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers were participants in a bench clearing brawl yesterday.

It all began in Monday's game between the teams, when Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera was beaned, followed by a hit by pitch of Boston's Kevin Youkilis and Detroit's Brandon Inge.

In the first inning of Tuesday's affair, Boston pitcher Junichi Tazawa plunked Cabrera in the left hand.

Detroit starter Rick Porcello responded in the second half of the first inning by throwing a pitch inside to Victor Martinez, who started toward the pitchers mound, before deciding to return to the batters box.

Kevin Youkilis lead off the bottom of the second inning and was immediately hit in the back by Porcello.

Youkilis charged the mound, throwing his helmet at the pitcher before the two grappled on the playing field.

This lead to a bench clearing altercation between the two teams, which did not see any more fighting.

The umpires cleared up the mess and ejected both Youkilis and Porcello for their actions against one another.



The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have released veteran reliever Justin Speier.

Speier was 4-2 with a 5.18 ERA in 41 appearances.

Former Blue Jay third baseman Scott Rolen is making a trip to the disabled list with concussion symptoms.

Rolen was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Colorado's Jason Marquis on August 2nd 2009, just two days after being traded to the Cincinnati Reds from Toronto.

Gear Up for Sports on Youtube

The good people at Gear Up for Sports have started a Youtube account and have just added some pretty good commercials for the website.

The commercials are a short twenty seconds each and are good for a cheap laugh.

You can visit the account directly @ http://www.youtube.com/user/gearupforsports

Here are the inaugural videos:







Don't forget you can visit the Gear Up for Sports website directly @ http://www.gearupforsports.com/

You can also visit the Blue Jays section of the Gear Up for Sports network as written by me @ http://bluejays.gearupforsports.com/blog/

Finally, Gear Up for Sports has updated their online sports apparel store and it looks pretty sweet, you can check it out @ http://shop.gearupforsports.com/

The Blue Jays gear available on the site is below regular retail that you would pay online or even at the Rogers Centre, pretty sweet if you ask me.

Analysis of the Rios Move

As most Toronto Blue Jays fans and baseball fans in general have come to find out, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios was claimed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox yesterday afternoon, in what most Toronto baseball fans consider a shocking move.

The Toronto Blue Jays parted with Rios and received zero compensation, but shed more than $60 million dollars left on Rios’ contract through 2015, with a $13.5 million option for the 2015 season.

Blue Jays General Manager J.P Ricciardi let the media know that the move was made to create more financial flexibility to better the team in the future.

Rios, a two time All-Star selection, was Toronto’s 19th overall selection in the 1999 Major League Draft and was touted along with Aaron Hill and Adam Lind as a future superstar of the Blue Jays organization.

Rios, tabbed as a possible 30-30 player with all the tools necessary to garner the title of “five tool player” had not lived up to the offensive power numbers expected of him by the franchise.

Rios has had very good career numbers, but when the Jays signed Rios to a $69,835,000 contract in April of 2008 the expectations for him to develop more power was high.

Here are Rios’ career offensive statistics:

2004 - .286AVG, 1HR, 28RBI, 15SB in 426AB
2005 - .262AVG, 10HR, 59RBI, 14SB in 481AB
2006 - .302AVG, 17HR, 82RBI, 15SB in 450 AB – All Star Selection
2007 - .297AVG, 24HR, 85RBI, 17SB in 643AB – All Star Selection
2008 - .291AVG, 15HR, 79RBI, 32SB in 635AB
2009 - .264AVG, 14HR, 62RBI, 19SB in 436AB

Rios’ power numbers and average have been dropping over the last two seasons, and his effectiveness playing right field had done the same.

Here are Rio’s career fielding statistics:

2004 – 111G, 964.2INN, 11A, 2E, .991FPCT
2005 – 142G, 1092.2INN, 7A, 2E, .992FPCT
2006 - 125G, 985INN, 8A, 1E, .996FPCT
2007 – 161G, 1411.2INN, 11A, 7E, .977FPCT
2008 – 151G, 1342.2INN, 14A, 4E, .988FPCT
2009 – 108G, 975.2INN, 4A, 3E, .988FPCT

As you can see from above, Rios’ fielding percentage dropped from 2006 – 2009, but that could be attributed to fielding more innings while playing more games, even so, it is still a concern.

Rios is still only 28 years old and is going into the stage in his career where most ball players reach their prime.

With the money saved on Rios’ and Scott Rolen’s contract the Jays have close to $70 million dollars to invest in helping out a squad that desperately needs to contend next year, before a large majority of their players contracts expire at the end of the 2010 season.

A small, but important chunk of that 70 million will most likely be used to re-sign shortstop Marco Scutaro, as it is guaranteed that his asking price to return to Toronto will be higher than the $1.1 million dollar contract he currently has, especially considering his performance both offensively and defensively this season.

With the hope of Travis Snider making a productive return to the Blue Jays next season, the Jays have a player who can man either left field, right field or be the designated hitter.

The Jays also have productive left fielder/designated hitter Adam Lind.

Snider is a better defender than Lind, while Lind has become accustomed to the designated hitter role this year, so that leaves the Jays with a few different options.

1. Acquire a free agent right fielder with power, who can produce more offense than Rios, and will play everyday, or close to it and use Snider/Lind in left and have them alternate between the designated hitter role.

2. Use Snider in right, Lind in left and find a powerful designated hitter, preferably right handed to add that extra punch the Jays need from the right side.

Let’s take a look at some possible outfielders and "big bats" who will be available on the free agent market next season, as possible additions to the Blue Jays lineup.

According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts the following outfielders are up for free agency at the end of the 2009 season.

Bobby Abreu
Garret Anderson
Rick Ankiel
Rocco Baldelli
Jason Bay
Marlon Byrd
Mike Cameron
Frank Catalanotto
Endy Chavez
Coco Crisp
Carl Crawford
Johnny Damon
David Dellucci
Jermaine Dye
Darin Erstad
Cliff Floyd
Ryan Freel
Brian Giles
Ken Griffey Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero
Matt Holliday
Geoff Jenkins
Reed Johnson
Andruw Jones
Austin Kearns
Hideki Matusi
Jason Michaels
Xavier Nady
Magglio Ordonez
Manny Ramirez
Dave Roberts
Gary Sheffield
Randy Winn

According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts the following “big bats” or run producers are up for free agency at the end of the 2009 season.

Russell Branyan
Carlos Delgado
Aubrey Huff
Nick Johnson
Adam LaRoche
Jim Thome
Mark DeRosa
Freddy Sanchez
Adrian Beltre
Hank Blalock
Victor Martinez

With the Jays need for a big right handed bat, who can either play right field or who can DH and let the duo or Lind/Snider handle the outfield, this offseason would be a good time to go after a bat the likes of Victor Martinez, Bobby Abreu, Adrian Beltre, Xavier Nady, or Jason Bay.

The likelihood of Martinez and Bay resigning with Boston is pretty high and the Red Sox have the cash to accomplish this feat, so Beltre and Nady are great options.

Who knows if the Jays will want to pay for either, as both have had nagging injury problems this season.

Abreu was acquired on the free agent market by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on the cheap, but with Abreu still playing productive baseball and fitting into the Mike Sciosia method of manufacturing runs in LA, Abreu's asking price might be out of the Blue Jays league.

But look at the other power potential and run production available next season.

Sure players such as Carlos Delgado, and Jim Thome are past their primes, but there are still a vast majority of proven run producers available for the Jays to choose from and I’m sure some will come at the cheap, as they did last season, due to the economic troubles of the world.

Only time will be able to tell what the Jays will do with the large sum of money the front office saved on giving away Alex Rios, and the decision most likely won’t be made until this offseason, if it happens at all.

The Jays front office promised we would contend next season and if it didn’t happen they would tear the house down.

Could it all be false hope? Is the Rios move just the beginning of things to come? Will the Jays contend or pretend next season?

Let’s wait and see if the run production is added or if the team is torn apart, causing the fans to leave more empty seats at the already bleak looking Rogers Centre.