Baseball and Relativitytag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008-03-29:/478512009-05-29T03:18:14ZLet's go Blue Jays, Let's go!!! This blog is not only for Jays fans but for baseball fans in general. Here I will dissect Toronto's executive decisions (an easy task), comment on MLB as a whole, cover 2009's World Baseball Classic and touch on various point concerning fantasy baseball (of which I am much fond). Movable Type Pro 4.25The Good Point!tag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2009://47851.9422612009-05-29T03:17:01Z2009-05-29T03:18:14ZHey friends.Here's another article I've written recently:http://www.thegoodpoint.com/baseball/may09/judgment-day-nears-in-major-league-baseball.htmlIn retrospect I should have written the entire piece on Ortiz and the decline phase - maybe another time.DB...Byrne Here's another article I've written recently:
In retrospect I should have written the entire piece on Ortiz and the decline phase - maybe another time.
DB ]]>
The Good Pointtag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2009://47851.9314112009-05-25T12:12:43Z2009-05-25T12:14:38ZHey true believers,Sorry for the long layoff in blogging - my marks needed it.I am contributing over at The Good Point these days - its a great site with a variety of amateur and semi professional/professional writers writing about various...Byrne Sorry for the long layoff in blogging - my marks needed it. I am contributing over at The Good Point these days - its a great site with a variety of amateur and semi professional/professional writers writing about various topics baseball and otherwise in the world of sports.
The good news is they edit my stuff!
http://www.thegoodpoint.com/
DB ]]>
For What He's Worthtag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2009://47851.6225712009-01-17T04:37:22Z2009-01-17T05:05:24ZByrne What is Jones worth now? A multi year pact? Hardly. A single year contract in the neighborhood of 10 million? Let's hope not.
He's worth exactly two things; a one year contract and an attitude adjustment. From 1997 through 2006 Andruw Jones put up exceptional numbers and compiled nine gold gloves. He stayed away from the DL, stole a number of bases and led the league in homeruns and rbis once. More or less he enjoyed a decade of dominance in line with some of baseball's greats.
In 2008 Andruw showed up to Spring Training with lingering injuries, overweight and without the zeal that allows a player to hit, hit for power, run, field, throw and steal bases at record paces that had characterized his early career. What happened?
Let's take a look at another wonderful career that fizzled out a little too early. From 1989 to 2001 Roberto Alomar was the overall best offensive and defensive second basemen in baseball. He did everything you need to do to be great and because of his great run will be a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible next year. Aside from a little incident with an umpire Alomar was often noted for his love for the game and boundless enthusiasm. Yet like Jones, who has shown decline at the youthful age of 31, Alomar was virtually finished at 33. How do these stars go south so quickly and at such a young age?
For Jones a big part of it has been his physical conditioning. He needs to stay on top of that if he is to remain in professional baseball. Alomar, however, was always in respectable shape. But what seems common amongst the two is that they lost the love for baseball in their early thirties. Alomar, the jovial young second basemen, became cranky in his early thirties. Andruw Jones lacks effort and drive.
Jones, however, will be given the chance to turn it around. Teams such as the Braves, the Giants or even the Yankees should think about giving Andruw a chance. Comeback player of the year? Let's hope so. ]]>
Romero is Wrongtag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2009://47851.6081112009-01-07T02:51:26Z2009-01-07T03:07:48ZByrne So why do I lack sympathy? I am an avid slo pitch player. Every summer I lace up the cleats with Durham Region's finest and slug away at softballs with one of a number of overpriced, overhyped slo pitch bats. When buying one of these bats (decent ones run you at least 300-500 dollars) I have to be aware of a banned bats list that is in effect in my league. Each league I play in has a different list more or less. Bats become banned in testing when it is deamed that the ball comes off the bat too fast for the pitcher to pick up, thus endangering the pitcher and to a lesser extant the other infielders. (I believer that bats must have a speed rating is lower than 98.5 mph)
When I walk in to the local sports store I have to keep the banned bats list in mind. The penalty is not severe for using a banned bat once and for the most part members of the opposite team and the umpires do a good job of making sure that these bats are not used in league play. I am not payed to play slo pitch and I do not have any particularly formal group of officials to turn to in order to discover whether or not a bat is banned other than a downloadable list.
I have never, however, used one. I have used bats that are banned in other leagues but not in the league in which I am playing. I have taken batting practice with banned bats (the Freaks from the late 90s are favorites of mine). If I can follow these rules then why couldn't JC have consulted with his team or somebody who works on these sort of things at Major League Baseball? Why are we having to accept his cheap excuse that he simply didn't know that the substance was banned? Why didn't he check?
There is simply no excuse. He has the means and the avenues to avoid such gaffes. What is more is that he has professional trainers at his disposal that should have been able to answer questions on which substances are banned and which are not.
JC Romero should accept his suspension and his paycut. He should let it be a lesson in prudence. When a banned bat is discovered in slo pitch tournament play the player is either out, can often be ejected for the game and some times is ejected for the entire tournament. There are no excuses offered - we all know the penalty for using the bat.
As far as I am concerned, the jury has spoken.
DB ]]>
Ducks and Rocket Launcherstag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5925312008-12-23T20:51:04Z2008-12-23T21:01:49ZByrne What's difficult for me here at BnR is dealing with what this means for the American League East. Its not to say that we're not used to being wildly outclassed but the Blue Jays are going to have to play the Sox, Rays and Yankees numerous times in the coming season - its not what has happened that is most worrisome but what may happen next that will make it difficult to compete.
With the Rays in possession of an already stellar lineup they should be able to add another bat to compliment the lineup at an affordable cost considering the bevy of outfielders available. The Red Sox, having missed on the Teixeira sweeptakes, will need to add some sort of a bat and perhaps another bullpen in the arm to stay in contention. The Yankees, however, will likely continue to make splashes towards constructing a new juggernaut.
Tex doesn't actually improve the team that much over last year's squad considering Giambi has departed. Burnett, a villain to me, may not stay healthy enough to make an impact. That makes CC Sabathia the best addition and that's only if the Yankees are able to add Pettite or another free agent pitcher to round out the rotation at Sabbathia, Burnett, Wang __________ and Chamberlain. What does that mean? Expect another outfielder to compliment the loss of Abreu and the aging of Matsui.
Enter Manny. Yes, I've said it. Manny Ramirez makes the most sense. Toss another 20-25 million dollars down the pike and round out the squad. Watch A Rod, Manny and Tex bat together. Even if they're not as good as people believe, the sheer task of pitching against these three batsmen in consecutive order will destroy the psyche of lesser pitchers.
Enjoy the Christmas season in New York. Its getting colder here in Toronto. ]]>
Are You Serious?tag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5854312008-12-17T05:13:31Z2008-12-17T05:19:12ZThis is a quote from this week's mailbag by staff writer Jordan Bastian over at bluejays.com:"If the Blue Jays were in an all-out rebuilding mode, the club would probably be interested in seeing what kind of package it could receive...Byrne "If the Blue Jays were in an all-out rebuilding mode, the club would
probably be interested in seeing what kind of package it could receive
for players such as Ryan, or even ace Roy Halladay. Toronto isn't
looking to blow up its roster, though. Ricciardi believes his club is
in good shape to compete again in 2010."
God Bless you JB for tolerating this sort of nonsense and making Riccardi seem remotely defensible. For us who have had to tolerate this kind of garbage for the better part of a decade the message needs to be clear; either you're planning to compete, rebuilding or you're deconstructing.
JP, however, has decided to ask the faithful in Toronto to help him place postage stamps on the 2009 season months before it begins, mail it in and look towards 2010. Regrettably by that time you'll have lost so much of your fan support and sponsorship in the current financial climate that it will take whoever replaces you, Mr. Riccardi, another decade to make this team a competitor.
Here's a thought, ownership; get rid of JP and whipe clean the front office and bring in someone who knows and who is used to winning. Then, watch the revenues come in! Toronto is a fair weather team. That means, though, that you have to win to produce fans.
DB ]]>
Riccardi the Scouttag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5791112008-12-12T15:21:17Z2008-12-12T15:32:29ZByrne Simply put, Riccardi the scout is monumentally more valuable than Riccardi the deal maker. Want proof?
Raul Ibanez: As recently as 2001 Ibanez was a player mired in mediocrity, demoted to the minor leagues. What followed these stints was an excellent run of quietly successful years with the Royals and the Mariners (2004 excluded) in which Ibanez posted 89 or more rbi's six times and batted at least .280 with at least a .345 batting average. Riccardi hunted Ibanez over three seasons, aware of his covert abilities.
Matt Clement: Round about the same time we went after Burnett, Riccardi also sought to employ Matt Clement (whom we just signed to a minor league deal - talk about getting your milk when cow's soured!!!). Sure, Clement proved to be an injury problem but in 2005 he was an allstar.
Tim Lincecum: A year ago when JP went after Lincecum and Matt Cain from the Giants at the expense of the much beloved, regardless of logic, Alex Rios the fans in Toronto cried foul. Today, however, the trade would have been a celebrated victory. Lincecum won the Cy Young and Rios turned in a year of sheer middling.
There you have it people. Riccardi has an eye for talent. Despite his passing of Troy Tulowitzki (a friend of mine always reminds me that Ricky Romero was thought of as a don't miss talent) Riccardi has also built our minor leagues and produced with his draft picks (Marcum, McGowan and Hill et al). But when it comes to making the deal, Riccardi falls short.
DB ]]>
Teaser and the Firecattag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5734912008-12-09T18:38:29Z2008-12-09T18:42:58ZForgive my lack of entries these days - I am bogged down with an exam season here at the University of Toronto that will see me hand in 7 things in 7 days.Much a product of these stressful times, I've...Byrne Much a product of these stressful times, I've become sentimental. Here you go, Blue Jays faithful - praise for Riccardi.
It was reported by foxsports.com at just before 2 am last night that the Blue Jays had met with Rafael Furcal's agents. In these troubling economic time the Blue Jays may be offering Furcal the stability of a multi year contract over the lure of a big, short term payoff. Given the state of financial matters these days I can understand the allure.
If you can't spent with other teams, JP, you may as well offer something that other teams cannot - stability.
Sure, you may end up being burned, but there are few other options.
DB ]]>
The End of an Eratag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5660212008-12-02T21:21:40Z2008-12-02T21:34:24ZByrne
Ted Rogers 1933 - 2008
I was preparing a post for today that focuses on why certain players on the Hall of Fame ballot should be admitted into Cooperstown when I came across a very sad piece of news. Today, December 2, 2008 Ted Rogers passed away of congestive heart failure.
Ted was known in the baseball world as the owner of the Toronto Blue Jays and the namesake of our ballpark, the Rogers Centre.
But what is more is Ted's legacy as a wonderful family man with an excellent mind for business. Starting with the ownership of a single radio station, CHFI, Rogers would go on to build one of Canada's great media empires. An avid philanthropist, Rogers will be remembered fondly in his home country.
Ted bought the Blue Jays in 2000 and their ballpark, then called the Skydome, soon after. He substantially increased the payroll in Toronto and gave the hometown Jays a great chance to prosper in the American League East.
You will be missed, Ted.
Pax.
]]>
All the wild horses in the sun...tag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5648012008-12-01T15:59:06Z2008-12-01T16:22:25ZByrne
~
Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory.
~ Norman Vincent Peale
I would like to say something to the effect of "Really busy these days fellas, now back into the wonderful world of the Blue Jays!" In fact, I would settle for "The flu I had this weekend kept me down, sorry I didn't write." Regrettably, that is not the case. What do we have to stomach lately in the land of the Azure Birds? This.
The Jays wont go wild in this Winter. That's fine, I can stomach that. Tell me, JP, that you don't have the money. Tell me that all the free agents that are worth their weight are too expensive. Tell me that Uncle Ted has tightened the purse strings and, by proxy, your hands. Just don't tell me that you're planning on resigning AJ or that you're going to fill the roster with washups, hasbeens and neverweres (Jose Bautista, Matt Stairs [sorry toronto fans, but his success was a fluke], Marco Scutaro, David Eckstein et all).
What do I want to hear?
JP: Thanks for having me on the Fan 590 tonight. Now, Blue Jay fans, due to the economic downturn the Jays are going to have to be fickle. To turn this squad around we're going to cut our dead weight and start fresh. It may not take effect immidately, but leading up to the 2009 trade deadline all Blue Jays are available in trade talks. Everyone knows I love Oakland, now its time to start thinking like Billy Beane as opposed to taking his scrap heap junk and turning them into Blue Jays. And Like Oakland, we will soon see the light of the playoffs - you just may not recognize the squad.
DB
]]>
On the Cheaptag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5616112008-11-26T16:46:14Z2008-11-26T17:04:30ZByrne
Before reading my take, go over to ESPN.com to read Jerry Crasnick's original piece That will save me from having to quote directly!
Greetings faithful readers, Jays fans and baseball readers. It seems woefully apparent that our man JP Riccardi is far too cash conscious to dip into any big free agent pools (even with the likes of Manny Ramirez expressing interest in the Great White North). How do we solve this problem? Trade? Good luck getting much from our underperforming offense, and we need our arms if we're going to compete post Burnett.
Solutions? Cheap free agents! Today I'll reflect on three positions that the Jays need: pitcher, shortstop and power bat (any position) as they are represented in Crasnick's article.
Pitcher: Regrettably Randy Johnson is not an option for the Jays. Despite his age and injury issues he managed to pitch in 30 games last season for 184 innings. A similar output in 2009 would make him an appealing option for the Jays who will need someone to eat up innings. What's more is that Johnson would bring fans to the ballpark. Regrettably Johnson's salary will likely be too high, even for JP who loves to focus on pitchers (In JP's defense the rumoured trade of Lincecum for Rios of last offseason now looks like it would have been a gem!). On the other hand it is unlikely that Johnson would leave the West Coast.
Shortstop: With the defensively sound John MacDonald already playing the role of loveable middle infielder with almost no bat, there is little interest for a talent like the rapidly aging Omar Vizquel. 'Nuff said.
1B/Power Bat: Why oh why am I warming to the idea of going after Giambi? Despite what the fickle Riccardi has said, I would like to think that there's still some chance that we'll go after Giambi this year. Dave, that would produce a logjam at 1B/DH with Lind, Overbay and Giambi splitting time! No, it wouldn't. Picking up Giambi would give us a solid option at DH from a guy who had an excellent OPS in 2008 and may benefit from the less intense Toronto market. That would allow us to trade Adam Lind for pitching - Lind's value, as I have stated, will never be this high again. Slot Snyder in left and let Overbay try to prove himself - trading Overbay right now would be futile as his value is so low.
What the fans need to do: Let JP know you'll support his team if he puts one together. Increase his ticket sales if he brings in a good player. I, personally, am promising to support the team by purchasing the jersey of any big/valuable free agent that JP brings in that makes sense. I urge others to do the same!
]]>
Quick Hits: November 25, 2008tag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5602612008-11-25T05:33:57Z2008-11-25T05:38:13ZIt took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course. Hank AaronIn lieu of the last few (relatively boring) days of baseball news, I'll rely on quick hits...Byrne
It took me seventeen years to get
three thousand hits in baseball. I did it
in one afternoon on the golf course.
Hank Aaron
In lieu of the last few (relatively boring) days of baseball news, I'll rely on quick hits to keep things fresh.
]]>
The Jays aren't scared of a five year deal... but I am.tag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5582312008-11-22T14:37:54Z2008-11-22T15:01:06ZByrne I ask you, faithful readers, why? I sure sign of the trouble ahead came to me yesterday morning. The folks on TSN, our local sports network, commented that the Jays' expected relative inactivity in the offseason would lead to another dissappointing season. When the mainstream media is making such claims, you know that the panic has passed beyond the speculative blogsphere and into the public's conscious.
To be fair to JP, before I go any further, let's review his situation. JP is saddled with the difficult task of managing a financial system where all our your salaries/expenses are in American funds but your revenues are in Canadian funds. With the dollar trading in Canada at .80 US the Jays stand to suffer somewhat (although not as bad as in the past).
JP also toils in the impossibly competitve and expensive AL East where the Yankees and Red Sox are bound to outclass the Jays and Orioles every year in spending.
JP has also received poor returns on most of the big free agent signings that he has made, being bitten by the injury bug one too many times.
On the converse. JP has been given a payroll of around 100 million dollars to deal with - a respectable sum even in today's market.
JP has also had the benefit of good returns on some of the players he's drafted (Hill, Marcum, McGowan, et all)
JP has ALSO been given an inordinate amount of time to construct a winning team and has not produced a squad who has faired any better than second place in the division. They Jays are literally no further ahead than they were when JP got here.
All common knowledge - what's the point Byrne?
If JP can't compete with the big guns in the AL East, which is obvious, and is gunshy about chasing any other free agents outside of Burnett this offseason - a fact that he has alluded to on a number of occasions - then there is no point in signing Burnett to a five year contract just to watch the Jays finish a couple of games over .500 every season and in third place in the East. What is more is that Burnett is absolutely untradeable if he's having a bad season or two with three or four years left on a contract.
Let's trade Halladay instead. I know, bloggers have come out against this idea a number of times. Even I would hate to see Halladay go. But let's compare him with Toronto hockey star Mats Sundin. Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher begged Sundin to waive his no trade clause so that the Leafs could send Sundin to a playoff bound team in exchange for some excellent young players/draft picks. If Sundin had cared as much about the Leafs as he claimed he did he would have allowed a trade to happen, gone and played in the playoff and then returned to the Leafs in the offseason to help develop the youth movement.
Instead he hasn't played yet this season, the Leafs missed the playoffs, and they likely will again this year.
Picture this - Halladay starts the year as a Jay. He plays his heart out, just as he always does, until the trade deadline. JP trades him for a number of prospects from a team who is making a play for the post season (Oakland, with whom JP has an almost too comfortable relationship with, may be this team), and the rebuilding era begins!
In a perfect world JP will be fired and a new GM steps in to oversee this phase. However, if the prospects turn out then JP's legacy is increased monumentally - he becomes the former GM who made a trip to the playoffs possible by making an unpopular but wise decision.
You want Roy back? Sign him to a contract when he hits free agency, his contract will be up soon.
That's my sollution, folks. Feel free to tear it apart. ]]>
We'll Make a Brand New Start of It... Or Will We?tag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5550112008-11-19T17:58:27Z2008-11-19T18:24:56ZNo matter how good I feel I got to take that extra day. It's been mentioned to me and I know for a fact that I'm needed down the road as opposed to now so however long it takes. With...Byrne
No matter how good I feel I got to take that extra day. It's been mentioned to me and I know for a fact that I'm needed down the road as opposed to now so however long it takes.
With little else to entertain topically on the Toronto front when baseball is considered here is another post that deals primarily with notoriously fragile Mr. Burnett. The Hot Stove on Toronto's beleaguered pitcher could not be brighter with at least four teams (New York, Boston, Baltimore and Toronto) showing significant interest and some others (Atlanta, for instance) claiming that they have at least some vested interest in AJ. Ken Rosenthal recently broke down the financial aspects of the potential deal. I am going to look at what team, from a mostly intangible prospective, would be the best fit for AJ.
New York: AJ should avoid the Bronx Bombers at all cost. Burnett, once comfortable, may fall victim to his usual tendencies to take vacations on the DL and to sit out games for menial aches and pains. You think Pavano had it bad? At least he didn't play long enough to feel the wrath of Yankees' faithful. With Steinbrenner and fellow players breathing down your neck to do your share and the media in New York eating you up, enjoy the fan reaction when you return from a stint on the DL for a fingernail issue. Don't get me wrong. I was in New York for the first time in my life this past May. I was instantly sold on why it is considered one of the world's great cities. The fusion of culture, art, sports and some of the most diverse and wonderful people I've ever encountered was intoxicating. Just don't go there if you're a high paid player with injury issues. The endless coverage by the YES Network, the invasive prodding by the newpapers and the stress of performing on baseball's biggest stage in a new ballpark no less will be too much for Burnett, a player who is not known for stepping up to the challenge when he is pressed to do so.
Boston: Not as bad as New York, Boston ranks very highly amongst American cities where media coverage and baseball is concerned. Boston may be able to secure Burnett by offering him an extra year on his contract, argues Rosenthal. On the other hand can Burnett secure himself a spot amongst the Red Sox great? Doubtful. Boston loves their team more than it loves their players, just ask Ted Williams. Some players, Varitek and Ortiz come to mind, are much celebrated in Beantown. How'd they get there? Through dedication and the ability to grind through injuries. Forget it Burnett, your psyche can't handle Boston either.
Baltimore: For what? Burnett would gain nothing by playing for this sagging American League East team outside of a lucrative contract and poor run support. A mixture of Angelos and Burnett seems volitaile.
Toronto: Here we go, another 'anybody but Burnett rant'. Not so, true believers. Despite the fact that I think Burnett is overvalued, the best decision for AJ's camp is to return to Toronto. After testing free agency Burnett should realize, like Ryan Dempster recently did, that there is no place quite like home. Burnett has good relationships with players, coaches and strangely the fans in Toronto who inexplicably want to see Mr. Consistency return. Rosenthal commented that both sides have denied rumours of a 4 year/54 million dollar contract. Could that mean more money? An extra year? An annoying club option such as existed in his previous contract? Who knows! Burnett, you've already scratched out your niche with the forgiving Toronto community. Return, brother, and reclaim your seat as the beloved antihero in the world's most multicultural city. (This is a saying I've heard, but not one that I have statistics to support, so please don't email me arguing the line).
DB ]]>
No Deal? A Revelation on Rotationtag:bnr.mlblogs.com,2008://47851.5526712008-11-17T22:57:24Z2008-11-17T23:18:29ZI always tried to do the best. I knew I couldn't always be the best, but I tried to be. Frank RobinsonI was over at bluejays.com today, reading this week's edition of the mailbag.In one letter Mark B. from wonderful...Byrne
I always tried to do the best. I knew I couldn't always be the best, but I tried to be. Frank Robinson
I was over at bluejays.com today, reading this week's edition of the mailbag. In one letter Mark B. from wonderful Aurora, Ontario asked what Jordan Bastian thought the Blue Jays' 2009 rotation would look like. Recapping the situation Bastian reminded the reader, and by extension all of us, that the Blue Jays will not be able to match the length or the monetary value of the deals that Burnett will be receiving and as a result the Jays will have two returning starters from 2008 on opening day 2009. (McGowan will return some time before the All Star Break, hopefully as early as May).
After briefly discussing the free agents available, assuming that Burnett will not come back to Toronto on a goodwill basis, Bastian added that Toronto may put together out of available options from within the club.
Assuming that Roy Halladay is the only reliable starters, with McGowan hurt and Litsch not yet a proven commodity, is anyone in Toronto willing to accept a rotation that is made up of a combination of Scott Downs, David Purcey, Brad Mills, Casey Janssen, Scott Richmond, Brett Cecil, Ricky Romero or David Romero? Scott Downs is a good reliever with mild success as a starter. David Purcey was acceptable in his role as a spot starter last year. I'm personally excited to see a return on Ricky Romero, the must own prospect that we chose over Troy Tulowitzky. I am also excited to see what Janssen can do.
All things considered, however, we are giving up on 2009 if our pitching staff is Roy & Co. with the & Co. section being a bunch of unproven side projects. Frank Robinson always tried to do his best, but the Jays will be doing less than their best without going after pitchers with at least the record of guys like Brad Penny. Give fans a reason to come to the ballpark in 2009, Ted. We'll respond, like we always have when we're competitve, by supporting the team. We may be fair weathered fans here in Toronto, but at least we will support a team that is worth supporting. There will be no empty seats in the playoffs, if we ever see them again.
