Sunday 26 February 2012
Some video tastiness...
I just got inspired by the slew of blog posts so I thought it necessary to contribute.
Here are a couple youtube clips to w(h)et your w(h)itsles.
Clip #1: Speaks for itself
Clip #2: Santos
This guy looks NASTY...I worry about JP's ability to handle those rude sliders in the dirt. Seems like AJ is trappin balls and throwing out guys at 1st on at least 50% of these K's. AA says he wants athletes...this guy is clearly it (check out the splits on the first play). And, if Vizquel, Mccoy and Valbuena go down, we got ourselves a SS.
Clip #3: Joey Bats...#beastmode
Love the part with the pitcher reactions. Anyone who can make David Price do that has got to be good!
Loving all the jays news/chatter....the countdown to opening day is ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are a couple youtube clips to w(h)et your w(h)itsles.
Clip #1: Speaks for itself
Clip #2: Santos
This guy looks NASTY...I worry about JP's ability to handle those rude sliders in the dirt. Seems like AJ is trappin balls and throwing out guys at 1st on at least 50% of these K's. AA says he wants athletes...this guy is clearly it (check out the splits on the first play). And, if Vizquel, Mccoy and Valbuena go down, we got ourselves a SS.
Clip #3: Joey Bats...#beastmode
Love the part with the pitcher reactions. Anyone who can make David Price do that has got to be good!
Loving all the jays news/chatter....the countdown to opening day is ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday 25 February 2012
The season of success...2013
It's hard not to get wrapped up in the hype surrounding the 2012 Blue Jays. Expectations are extremely high, and they're not without merit. The 2012 team boasts a legitimate superstar in Jose Bautista, and emerging stars in the making in Arencibia, Lawrie and Rasmus. And certainly the supporting cast has the potential to be superb.
On the mound, they have a man in Romero who in 2011 showed he is a legitimate ace. After that, it is a group of pitchers full on potential, but very little in terms of a track record. Morrow has shown flashes of absolute brilliance. As has McGowan, unfortunately that was 3 years ago and he is a big question mark this season. We are left with high hopes, but one can't help but feel anxious to see how they all fare.
All of this is to say that while the 2012 Blue Jays are a good team, logic suggests another season similar to the recent past. It is ignorant to believe that every player will play to their potential this season. I am of the opinion that there is the possibility that this team can excel, make the playoffs, and go far into the playoffs. However, for that to happen, the stars must align, the team must avoid injuries, the players must play to their potential, and the pitching stuff must all perform. Unfortunately I feel that this year's team is too inexperienced for these pieces to all fall in place simultaneously.
2013 is another story. AA had the opportunity to spend big this summer on a couple of free agents. I don't believe Fielder, Pujols, or Darvish are the answer for this team. The biggest question marks on this team remain at LF, 2B, and SP. We all hope LF is settled in 2012. But moving into 2013, if looking to upgrade at 2B we have the likes of Brandon Phillips, Ian Kinsler and possibly Robinson Cano available. At SP, there's Cole Hamels, Zach Greinke and James Shields, among others. This is where the Jays need to improve, and these are the players who will become available in the season when realistically the Jays should emerge as a powerhouse. While likely difficult, AA made the right move in holding back and not committing to a big free agent in 2012. The Jays aren't ready.
I, like other Jays fans, have very high hopes for the 2012 edition. Unlike the Leafs, Raptors, and TFC, we enter the season with the possibility of success. But we cannot be blinded by the fact that many pieces must fall in place properly for the Jays to compete with the likes of the Yankees, Rays, and perhaps the Sox this year.
2012 holds a lot of promise. But expectations must be tempered. There's still a lot of money in the Rogers bank vault, and it'll be opened up when the team is ready to reach that next level. That time isn't now. Potential is high, but success in 2012 will be a bonus. We can all hope, but it's the 2013 season where the Blue Jays will truly take off.
On the mound, they have a man in Romero who in 2011 showed he is a legitimate ace. After that, it is a group of pitchers full on potential, but very little in terms of a track record. Morrow has shown flashes of absolute brilliance. As has McGowan, unfortunately that was 3 years ago and he is a big question mark this season. We are left with high hopes, but one can't help but feel anxious to see how they all fare.
All of this is to say that while the 2012 Blue Jays are a good team, logic suggests another season similar to the recent past. It is ignorant to believe that every player will play to their potential this season. I am of the opinion that there is the possibility that this team can excel, make the playoffs, and go far into the playoffs. However, for that to happen, the stars must align, the team must avoid injuries, the players must play to their potential, and the pitching stuff must all perform. Unfortunately I feel that this year's team is too inexperienced for these pieces to all fall in place simultaneously.
2013 is another story. AA had the opportunity to spend big this summer on a couple of free agents. I don't believe Fielder, Pujols, or Darvish are the answer for this team. The biggest question marks on this team remain at LF, 2B, and SP. We all hope LF is settled in 2012. But moving into 2013, if looking to upgrade at 2B we have the likes of Brandon Phillips, Ian Kinsler and possibly Robinson Cano available. At SP, there's Cole Hamels, Zach Greinke and James Shields, among others. This is where the Jays need to improve, and these are the players who will become available in the season when realistically the Jays should emerge as a powerhouse. While likely difficult, AA made the right move in holding back and not committing to a big free agent in 2012. The Jays aren't ready.
I, like other Jays fans, have very high hopes for the 2012 edition. Unlike the Leafs, Raptors, and TFC, we enter the season with the possibility of success. But we cannot be blinded by the fact that many pieces must fall in place properly for the Jays to compete with the likes of the Yankees, Rays, and perhaps the Sox this year.
2012 holds a lot of promise. But expectations must be tempered. There's still a lot of money in the Rogers bank vault, and it'll be opened up when the team is ready to reach that next level. That time isn't now. Potential is high, but success in 2012 will be a bonus. We can all hope, but it's the 2013 season where the Blue Jays will truly take off.
Realistic expectations
The date is February 25th,
and as a Toronto sports fan I should be tuned in to Hockey Night in Canada
watching the Leafs leg out the stretch to the playoffs. Alas, I am not. I am
sitting here anxious for the start of the 2012 Blue Jays baseball season. I have
the ESPN and SI MLB home pages open, I'm reading about AA on Sportsnet.ca and
I'm following Twitter to see what Travis Snider had for dinner and how many
fish Joey Bats and Ricky Romero caught while fishing today.
In a nut shell; I probably need to get more friends, new hobbies and a life coach. But I'm reassured by the thought that my fascination with baseball and increasing interest has brought me new friends, hobbies such as blogging and come April - I will be getting out a whole lot more. So I'm not worried about my social life.
If watching the Leafs this season has taught me anything it is that managing expectations is crucial. I offer a couple of examples: a few months ago, whilst the Leafs were playing pretty well, Ron Wilson offered this statement "Dion Phaneuf is the best defensemen in the league". Another example occurred during the Leafs 4-game win streak following the New Year. Reporters in Toronto said that there is no need for the Leafs to upgrade via trade at the Trade Deadline. I offer this sentiment in rebuttal, are you f@cking crazy. I can name at least 10 D-men I'd rather have than Phanuef and as Mondays trade deadline approaches I don't even know where to begin with the Leafs. Can we offer St. Louis $100 million for their whole team?
Today AA stated that "This is probably the best I've felt about the talent we have in the organization top to bottom". Now, a rosy optimist would say "Wow, we're talented". But a realistic fan would say that this is the first time we've had talent since 95' so of course this is best we've seen. My expectations are not to be confused with pessimism (from here on referred to as Gregg Zaun retirement resentment – GZRR for short). I am devoted Jays fan and will watch games as if I were 7 and 8 years old, such was the way in 92’ and 93’.
My point is this: Expectations are fluid. They ebb and flow like the tides of the Gulf Coast or like Colby Rasmus' golden locks. At present, I'm riding the high of youthful exuberance, camaraderie and #beastmode. But I curb this emotion with the thought that the AL East is still dominated by the likes of the Bombers and Sox. Both teams have improved this offseason, the former bolstered by starting pitching and the latter by a Manager who should create a no-nonsense club house - free of Papeldouches. And let’s not forget about the Rays. Likely the strongest starting rotation in MLB and with rising young stars such as Desmond Jennings, are a formidable bunch to be sure.
In lieu of the comments made by AA and the sell out of the Rogers Centre in less time than it take Rasmus to call his Dad about the mean old man with funny hair - that fans remain realistic and even keeled. It was not realistic for the Jays to go after Fielder, Darvish, Pujols and Wilson. But it is realistic to expect this year’s team to be better than the 2011 version and for the growth in the club house/minor leagues to continue to fruit (or oreo). Building a sustainable and lasting winning culture does not occur in one season, it takes time. The “reality” of the 2012 Jays is that significant contributions towards that goal are what we are observing.
In a nut shell; I probably need to get more friends, new hobbies and a life coach. But I'm reassured by the thought that my fascination with baseball and increasing interest has brought me new friends, hobbies such as blogging and come April - I will be getting out a whole lot more. So I'm not worried about my social life.
If watching the Leafs this season has taught me anything it is that managing expectations is crucial. I offer a couple of examples: a few months ago, whilst the Leafs were playing pretty well, Ron Wilson offered this statement "Dion Phaneuf is the best defensemen in the league". Another example occurred during the Leafs 4-game win streak following the New Year. Reporters in Toronto said that there is no need for the Leafs to upgrade via trade at the Trade Deadline. I offer this sentiment in rebuttal, are you f@cking crazy. I can name at least 10 D-men I'd rather have than Phanuef and as Mondays trade deadline approaches I don't even know where to begin with the Leafs. Can we offer St. Louis $100 million for their whole team?
Today AA stated that "This is probably the best I've felt about the talent we have in the organization top to bottom". Now, a rosy optimist would say "Wow, we're talented". But a realistic fan would say that this is the first time we've had talent since 95' so of course this is best we've seen. My expectations are not to be confused with pessimism (from here on referred to as Gregg Zaun retirement resentment – GZRR for short). I am devoted Jays fan and will watch games as if I were 7 and 8 years old, such was the way in 92’ and 93’.
My point is this: Expectations are fluid. They ebb and flow like the tides of the Gulf Coast or like Colby Rasmus' golden locks. At present, I'm riding the high of youthful exuberance, camaraderie and #beastmode. But I curb this emotion with the thought that the AL East is still dominated by the likes of the Bombers and Sox. Both teams have improved this offseason, the former bolstered by starting pitching and the latter by a Manager who should create a no-nonsense club house - free of Papeldouches. And let’s not forget about the Rays. Likely the strongest starting rotation in MLB and with rising young stars such as Desmond Jennings, are a formidable bunch to be sure.
In lieu of the comments made by AA and the sell out of the Rogers Centre in less time than it take Rasmus to call his Dad about the mean old man with funny hair - that fans remain realistic and even keeled. It was not realistic for the Jays to go after Fielder, Darvish, Pujols and Wilson. But it is realistic to expect this year’s team to be better than the 2011 version and for the growth in the club house/minor leagues to continue to fruit (or oreo). Building a sustainable and lasting winning culture does not occur in one season, it takes time. The “reality” of the 2012 Jays is that significant contributions towards that goal are what we are observing.
Spring brings optimism...and hashtags.
On March 23, 2011 the Blue Jays home opener was officially sold out. Of course, many of CC bloggers were there in full drunken support of our boys of summer. The Jays won, hangovers settled in the next morning and the 2011 season unfolded in front of us. A .500 season that left with us with optimism for the future with the sexyness of such a young energetic roster that seems to get along like a band of brothers.
I don' think that anyone can deny that we were all jazzed for what the off-season COULD have held for the Jays with Free Agents like Pujols, Fielder, Madson, Papeldouche, and some guy named Yu available via free agency. Were these players realistically available to the Jays? Perhaps, but not in a world where the brass has a game plan and the contracts required to acquire said players would go against their philosophy. We should have known that the chances of any type of 'Big Name' player being signed by AA and the Beest were slim. As a result of the lack of acquisitions, 'fans' became enraged and spilled their anger all over Social Networking sites and tried to make themselves sound like experts like they truly knew what was best for the club. Perhaps the most ignorant 'fans' are those that post on the TSN site after articles. I can no longer read that banter as it fills me with Bruce Banner like rage.
'Fans' were furious that AA's biggest move was to get Sergio Santos. Dude is nasty and has such a friendly contract for the club. I don't know how someone can argue that Chicago won that trade. I digress...stay focused, Johnny O!
Spring Training officially gets under way today with the official first full squad workout (64 players as of now with one yet to arrive due to VISA issues, ugh) Every team in baseball comes to Spring Training with the optimism a plenty, and the Jays are no exception. A significant number of the players have been settled into their bunks in Florida for weeks and have been preparing and bonding ahead of the arrival time. Tweets from multiple players have been posted talking about their excitement inundating us with hashtags a plenty like: #getitdone, #oneteamonegoal, and #doiiiiittttttt (guess which player owns that last one) As I get older, I've found myself becoming more and more obsessed with baseball and more specifically (obviously) the Jays. Last season we were given goosebumps by the awesome production behind the 'Comin' home' teaser for the home opener. I feel like I'm already at that state with this years season. Something feels different this year. Perhaps its the infectious optimism by the youth, and key veterans on the team. When you take a look at the Jays roster with names like Bautista, Romero, Lawrie, Arencibia, Santos and a slew of other 'up and comers', how can you not be pumped at what this season (and beyond for that matter) could hold for the club. Yes, I know that Toronto could not be in a tougher division. We're geographically cursed, deal with it. Do people think that we'll make the playoffs? No. Are we projected to finish above .500 this year? Not by many. But at this time of the year, my response to both of those questions is the opposite. Why not? I think that the players on 2012's roster truly believe that they are going to achieve great things, but unlike the naysayers, they aren't looking at 2014 as their 'arrival'. To them, its this year. This is the year that they will make the baseball world take notice, and I can't help but feel the same way. I love this game, I love this team. One team, one goal. Gentlemen, our seats are waiting for us...#letsgetitdone !
I don' think that anyone can deny that we were all jazzed for what the off-season COULD have held for the Jays with Free Agents like Pujols, Fielder, Madson, Papeldouche, and some guy named Yu available via free agency. Were these players realistically available to the Jays? Perhaps, but not in a world where the brass has a game plan and the contracts required to acquire said players would go against their philosophy. We should have known that the chances of any type of 'Big Name' player being signed by AA and the Beest were slim. As a result of the lack of acquisitions, 'fans' became enraged and spilled their anger all over Social Networking sites and tried to make themselves sound like experts like they truly knew what was best for the club. Perhaps the most ignorant 'fans' are those that post on the TSN site after articles. I can no longer read that banter as it fills me with Bruce Banner like rage.
'Fans' were furious that AA's biggest move was to get Sergio Santos. Dude is nasty and has such a friendly contract for the club. I don't know how someone can argue that Chicago won that trade. I digress...stay focused, Johnny O!
Spring Training officially gets under way today with the official first full squad workout (64 players as of now with one yet to arrive due to VISA issues, ugh) Every team in baseball comes to Spring Training with the optimism a plenty, and the Jays are no exception. A significant number of the players have been settled into their bunks in Florida for weeks and have been preparing and bonding ahead of the arrival time. Tweets from multiple players have been posted talking about their excitement inundating us with hashtags a plenty like: #getitdone, #oneteamonegoal, and #doiiiiittttttt (guess which player owns that last one) As I get older, I've found myself becoming more and more obsessed with baseball and more specifically (obviously) the Jays. Last season we were given goosebumps by the awesome production behind the 'Comin' home' teaser for the home opener. I feel like I'm already at that state with this years season. Something feels different this year. Perhaps its the infectious optimism by the youth, and key veterans on the team. When you take a look at the Jays roster with names like Bautista, Romero, Lawrie, Arencibia, Santos and a slew of other 'up and comers', how can you not be pumped at what this season (and beyond for that matter) could hold for the club. Yes, I know that Toronto could not be in a tougher division. We're geographically cursed, deal with it. Do people think that we'll make the playoffs? No. Are we projected to finish above .500 this year? Not by many. But at this time of the year, my response to both of those questions is the opposite. Why not? I think that the players on 2012's roster truly believe that they are going to achieve great things, but unlike the naysayers, they aren't looking at 2014 as their 'arrival'. To them, its this year. This is the year that they will make the baseball world take notice, and I can't help but feel the same way. I love this game, I love this team. One team, one goal. Gentlemen, our seats are waiting for us...#letsgetitdone !
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Slip Sniderin' Away...
Travis Snider...Travis, Travis, Travis, Travis, TRAVIS!!! Oh how you toy with my heart each and every year. Since his initial stint in the big leagues in 2008, I (along with many other Jays fans) have been waiting for him to explode and become one of the better LF's in the league (both offensively and defensively), but each season we're left shaking our heads,baffled at how he is unable to remain up with the big club. I have to admit that I really thought that last year was going to be his year, I was sure of it...maybe it was the 'comin' home' promo ads of him walking in slo-mo..or maybe it was because it was his 4th year with the club and after going up and down from the minors to the show, it was finally his time to shine. However, he and his awful mustache were unable to make it happen. Here's a break down of Baby Face's career thus far:
2008
Snider was first called up to the Jays
on August 29, 2008. He stayed with the club for the remainder of that season and finished with the following stats.
| G | AB | H | SO | AVG | ||
| 2008 | Jays | 18 | 64 | 22 | 23 | 0.301 |
Fans were left with giddyness at what this kid had the potential to be....
2009
After a great September the prior season, Snider started the 2009 season with the Jays. He got off to a decent start but quickly stalled and was sent back to Triple A in May.
| G | AB | H | SO | AVG | ||
| 2009 | Minors | 48 | 175 | 59 | 47 | 0.337 |
| Jays | 77 | 241 | 58 | 78 | 0.241 |
He absolutely lit it up in the minors for three months and was recalled by the Jays again in August where his numbers sucked...but "Hey," we thought, "this happens to most young players."
2010
The 2010 season, Snider was all over the place (3 different leagues in the minors) and the big club. Here's the comparison...
| G | AB | H | SO | AVG | ||
| 2010 | Minors | 25 | 104 | 28 | 24 | 0.291 |
| Jays | 82 | 298 | 76 | 79 | 0.255 |
Well, he spent more time with the big club than he had to date, so maybe he'd turn the corner soon. "Next year will definitely be his 'Ah-ha!' year."
2011
After opening the 2011 season with the Jays he had a .184 batting average with 1 home
run and 12 RBI through 25 games, Snider was optioned to AAA on April 28.
| G | AB | H | SO | AVG | ||
| 2011 | Minors | 61 | 248 | 81 | 44 | 0.327 |
| Jays | 49 | 187 | 42 | 56 | 0.225 |
On July 3, Baby Face was recalled by the Blue Jays. However, on August 4 Snider was optioned back to Triple-A to make room for some guy named Brett Lawrie. His frustrating season came to an end when he was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right wrist on August 25 and didn't play another game.
One can look at these stats and clearly see that Snider struggles at the Major League level...he then gets sent down to the minors and tears the cover off of the ball. So the team thinks 'Hey, kid is back on track' and they call him up again only to see him decline. What is it about this player that he can't produce with any consistency in the Majors. I've heard some say that with his history of wrist injuries, he has trouble turning on fastballs at the major league level. Many believe that he has a tough time laying off pitches (see SO #'s) and therefore doesn't take enough walks.
So, as we approach the 2012 season, one can't help but think that this has to be Snider's last chance with the club. The job in LF is Snider's to lose, and if Eric Thames' workout regiment this off season is a sign of what he could do with the bat this year, Snider could be in trouble. Snider is clearly the better defender, but if he can't get his stuff together that position is Thames'.
I just can't write him off yet...its hard to write off a player that has yet to play a full season in the majors. He has to have the shortest leash on the team this year for sure. To be honest, I was
surprised that he wasn't dealt in the off-season. Perhaps nobody wanted
him...if he fails to stay up this year, his trade value will be next to
nil. Snider has long been one of my favourite Jays, but its hard to still believe that he can pull it off in the bigs. Don't get me wrong, I WANT him to succeed...BADLY, but with each demotion-promotion-demotion cycle, I lose hope..I think that we all do.
Monday 6 February 2012
The Bullpen: By the numbers...
Alright, here we go….take a breath, gather yourself, post number one (of many to follow).
When thinking about what my first post would be about, visions of all you can eat hotdogs in the outfield came to mind initially but I then experienced a rush of other ideas; Prince Fielder, State of the Franchise, AA’s offseason, or perhaps even the distinguished Mr. Rick Donaldson, everyone’s favourite drummer. These ideas were overplayed, boring, or premature so it brought me to the topic of today’s enlightenment.
The Bullpen.
Before we proceed, let us remember this time last season…pitchers and catchers reporting in the coming weeks…there was A LOT of talk about how the pen was a strength going into the season. Francisco and Rauch, the two towers, the 1-2 punch that would bring confidence to our starters…just get us to the 8th, we’ve got it from here! Sadly, those guys didn’t deliver and the bullpen became our ultimate crutch. Saves were blown, batters were walked, home runs were hit, players were walked, and even the number of base on balls seemed painful. Excuses ensued. “Well there were no assigned roles from the get-go”, “Frankie was injured to start the year”, “Dora backpacks weren’t shared equally among the rookies”…the list goes on. AA shuffled the deck and after the Rasmus deal, our pen was essentially non-existent with the exception of Janssen and Frankie (yes, Frankie).
Were all of our hopes misleading?
Maybe….maybe not.
Is the pen better this season?
Maybe…maybe not.
Are Frankie, Rauch and Dotel synonymous with Santos, Cordero, and Oliver?
NO!
Let’s look at a few highly important and non-sabermetric categories.
All it took was a Timmy’s large and a bit of excel spreadsheeting and I managed to paint a pretty user-friendly picture of the way things are, or appear to be, going into the 2012 season.
If we look at the beautifully appointed tables that are included below, we can see that there are some similarities….and several differences.
Similarities from Previous Season (aka 2010 for the 2011 pen and 2011 for the 2012 pen) Stats:
Total strikeouts, walks per 9 innings, blown saves, and even age.
Positive Differences from Previous Season Stats:
IP, ERA, WHIP, Total SVs, Blown SV % (thank god!), and Wins.
Previous Season
| |||||||||||
IPs
|
ERA
|
WHIP
|
K's
|
K's/9inn
|
BB/9inn
|
SV
|
BS
|
BS%
|
W
|
L
| |
2011
|
492.3
|
3.86
|
1.36
|
479
|
8.8
|
3.3
|
52
|
23
|
31%
|
30
|
22
|
2012
|
545.5
|
3.47
|
1.24
|
476
|
7.9
|
3.1
|
72
|
24
|
25%
|
38
|
26
|
How about career numbers?
Take a gander…
Career
| |||||||||||
IPs
|
ERA
|
WHIP
|
K's
|
K's/9inn
|
BB/9inn
|
SV
|
BS
|
BS%
|
W
|
L
| |
2011
|
3758.6
|
3.94
|
1.31
|
3494
|
8.4
|
3.4
|
276
|
145
|
34%
|
216
|
214
|
2012
|
4533.5
|
4.02
|
1.38
|
3491
|
6.9
|
3.4
|
415
|
128
|
24%
|
264
|
249
|
Positive Notes from the Career Comparison:
We gain 774 IP, 139 total SV, 48 wins, and an improvement in blown SV% of 11%!
How about these numbers:
Salary($Mil)
|
Experience (MLB Yrs)
|
Age
|
Weight
|
Postseason IPs
| |
2011
|
19.1896
|
51
|
32
|
226
|
14.2
|
2012
|
18.116
|
58
|
32
|
212
|
44.4
|
Could it be we are paying less for a pen with more years of MLB service, playoff experience, and even average player weight. Kudos to AA for keeping up with his tendencies for more athletic players.
Sure, we are taking some big leaps and bounds and these numbers don’t reflect several intangibles that exist in any bullpen/clubhouse, not to mention those who may burst on to the scene in spring training, but it does seem that we are ahead of where we were last year and this will hopefully translate into some wins.
That being said…LETS GO BLUE JAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)