Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[Marbur66]

Originally Posted by Skybean

LOL Lawrie hits a grand slam. Promptly swears uncontrollably on television and gets a curtain call!

That was awesome. I love his enthusiasm and energy.

[Paul29]

What was uglier tonight, Morrow's brutal attempt at fielding that pop up, Molina running around second on his way to third or Jesse Litsch "jogging" in from the bullpen?

[Paul29]

Of course I also forgot to add, "all of the above".

Nice to see the Jays fans standing for Wells first plate appearance, also kind of nice to see him hit one deep to centre.

[Diesel_Power]

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh!

[Travis007]

What a great game today! I love Lawrie's enthusiasm and energy, really inspired the win today. His defense is picking up, and his swagger gives his game an edge. Haven't seen the Jays win a come-back game in extras in a while so today was definitely exciting.

[Skybean]

It's going to be a while before Lawrie is able to win us as many games as Marcum could have won for us so far this season. But definitely we couldn't have won this game without his clutch hit.

[Paul29]

His swagger is what worries me about him. That and the way his sister spoke on the broadcast during his first game leads me to believe the stories out of Milwaukee are accurate about his attitude. Sounds like Dad was a win or you're nothing type of father. She even said they were told growing up the only trophy he wants them to bring home is the one for winning and second place wasn't acceptable.

When the Jays acquired him I heard a few media types saying that he just needed to mature since he was still young. I hope that's all it is.

[koolio]

How is that a problem? We need more players with confidence in their abilities and sheer determination to win at all cost. These are the qualities that separate good players from great players.

[Paul29]

I agree we need confidence, but there's a thin line between confidence and cocky.

I just hope he's on the confident side of things.

[Marbur66]

Originally Posted by Paul29

I agree we need confidence, but there's a thin line between confidence and cocky.

I just hope he's on the confident side of things.

I'm guessing you don't watch football and basketball then?

[Travis007]

Another painful collapse by the bullpen. I hate old Trever Miller, he was crap 8 years ago with us and he still sucks today. With Rzep gone, Luis Perez is the only decent Lefty in the bullpen. I like Rauch but he seems to crash under pressure. He's not a big gamer, which is why he'll never be a closer.

Sucks that we weren't able to sign this year's first rounder, Tyler Beede. We could always use another pitching prospect.

[Marbur66]

Originally Posted by Travis007

Another painful collapse by the bullpen. I hate old Trever Miller, he was crap 8 years ago with us and he still sucks today. With Rzep gone, Luis Perez is the only decent Lefty in the bullpen. I like Rauch but he seems to crash under pressure. He's not a big gamer, which is why he'll never be a closer.

Sucks that we weren't able to sign this year's first rounder, Tyler Beede. We could always use another pitching prospect.

Miller is a stop-gap and will be gone next year anyway. As far as Beede goes, I didn't think we were going to sign all of our picks anyway, so I'm not too upset. The compensation pick next year softens the blow as well.

[Travis007]

^ Wow, Miller has just been designated for assignment. Will be replaced by Wil Ledezma and Rommie Lewis, both lefty journeymen with unimpressive resumes. Jays digging deep into their reserves for any reliever. Rasmus better pay off in the long run, because the loss of pitching is hurting the Jays.

Rauch placed on DL with unusual appendicitis. Looks like unreliable Frank Francisco will be the closer for now. I heard Jesse Litsch is also being considered as another possibilty.

[Marbur66]

Originally Posted by Travis007

^ Wow, Miller has just been designated for assignment. Will be replaced by Wil Ledezma and Rommie Lewis, both lefty journeymen with unimpressive resumes. Jays digging deep into their reserves for any reliever. Rasmus better pay off in the long run, because the loss of pitching is hurting the Jays.

Rauch placed on DL with unusual appendicitis. Looks like unreliable Frank Francisco will be the closer for now. I heard Jesse Litsch is also being considered as another possibilty.

Litsch for closer? He better not have to face a lefty, or it's walk-off time....

[Paul29]

Originally Posted by Marbur66

I'm guessing you don't watch football and basketball then?

I watch both and arrogance in general turns me off.

[Travis007]

Great offensive show by the Jays last night. Jays have to pieces to be a scary offensive team for years to come. Nice game for Aaron Hill. I really hope he'll one day be able to regain (most of ) his form from a couple seasons ago. Him and Lind were supposed to be the future of the team, and was one of my favourite players on the Jays. Jonny Mac is a great defensive player and utility bench player but Aaron Hill is naturally the everyday second baseman. However, baseball is an unusual sport where players just rise and disappear.

Seems like the Brad Mills experiment is collapsing. I like him and he has decent stats in AAA but he doesn't seem ready for the big leagues. His pitches and style reminds me of Barry Zito. Unfortunately, he's pitching like Zito circa. 2011 and not circa 2002.

[Marbur66]

Originally Posted by Paul29

I watch both and arrogance in general turns me off.

Football and basketball players are as arrogant as they come.

Originally Posted by Travis007

Great offensive show by the Jays last night. Jays have to pieces to be a scary offensive team for years to come. Nice game for Aaron Hill. I really hope he'll one day be able to regain (most of ) his form from a couple seasons ago. Him and Lind were supposed to be the future of the team, and was one of my favourite players on the Jays. Jonny Mac is a great defensive player and utility bench player but Aaron Hill is naturally the everyday second baseman. However, baseball is an unusual sport where players just rise and disappear.

Seems like the Brad Mills experiment is collapsing. I like him and he has decent stats in AAA but he doesn't seem ready for the big leagues. His pitches and style reminds me of Barry Zito. Unfortunately, he's pitching like Zito circa. 2011 and not circa 2002.

Brad Mills is not someone I'm worried about. He's not even on my radar screen as far as being on the roster going forward. He'll be gone and forgotten quickly.

[Paul29]

Originally Posted by Marbur66

Football and basketball players are as arrogant as they come.

Brad Mills is not someone I'm worried about. He's not even on my radar screen as far as being on the roster going forward. He'll be gone and forgotten quickly.

Agree on both points. I even had to think for a minute who Brad Mills was when I read this post.

As time goes on and this team continues to hit like we know they can (Aaron Hill aside ) the roster spot for Travis Snyder gets further away for him. Maybe at least A.A. can get some decent relief pitching if they can deal him.

[Skybean]

Brad Mills has been demoted. I think AA should now go out and spend on a proven bullpen and closer. We will compete next year with those two things.

[Travis007]

Some positive news:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news...k_tor&c_id=tor

McGowan solid in rehab outing at Double-A
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com | 08/17/11 10:35 PM ET

Another chapter was added to the feel-good story of Dustin McGowan's possible return to the Major Leagues on Tuesday night.

McGowan tossed four scoreless innings in his second rehab start for Double-A New Hampshire. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out three.

The native of Savannah, Ga., threw 38 of his 57 pitches for strikes.

"It's almost like as he got to Double-A against better hitters he has become that much more efficient," Blue Jays manager John Farrell. "The velocity is still there ... he was up to 97 yesterday, which more than anything, is just a measure from the physical side. Another encouraging and positive outing for him."

The 29-year-old is now nine games into his rehab stint and has allowed just five earned runs while striking out 24 in 23 2/3 innings.

It's still very possible McGowan will make his return to Toronto when the Minor League season wraps up in early September.

Farrell still isn't sure whether that work will come in the starting rotation or the bullpen, but he'd like to see the right-hander back with the Blue Jays.

"We haven't determined the role yet but we certainly want to continue his season," Farrell said. "Without stamping that as, yes, he's a guaranteed callup, we have every reason to want to see him back at the Major League level and see him against Major League hitters."