Blue Jays Series Fallout: David Purcey DFA’d
Okay, so I might be a little late to the game here, but Monday’s bullpen implosion from the Blue Jays claim its first victim: David Purcey was designated for assignment by the ballclub on Tuesday, which is baseball’s way of saying “You’re fired”. The Blue Jays will have 10 days to move the 28-year old lefthander, before he must pass through waivers en route to the Blue Jays farm.
Bluebird fans will know Purcey as Mr. Unrealised Potential; a talent lefty who always had the strikeout ability but could never quite put it together, Purcey was first called up as a starter in 2008 after posting good numbers in AAA. Control problems ensued, and his return stints to the minors only seemed to make things worse. The Blue Jays converted him into a reliever in 2010, and Purcey responded by putting together a usable 34 innings of relief. He still walked a ton of guys (almost 4 walks per 9 innings), but it was progress from someone who had been deemed too wild to start.
And now, he’s been deemed too wild to be on the ballclub in general. (more…)
Early Risers: Anthony Gose brings the Jays ever closer to the future
It’s still very early in spring training, but perhaps the player who is current generating the most buzz around the Jays’ camp thus far is 20 year old Anthony Gose. The speedy centre fielder from California has been coveted by Alex Anthopoulous since prior to the Halladay trade, and the pieces fell in to place for the GM to acquire Gose through the Houston Astros, who had previously completed a trade with the Phillies for him. The price for the Jays was high: gone to the Astros was Brett Wallace, the team’s slugging first baseman of the future. His bat was more developed than Gose’s, and he would have been major league ready today – so why made the trade to begin with, especially when Vernon Wells was still on the team with a seemingly unmovable contract?
Toronto’s Win Manufactures Many Rare Feats Against Boston
The Toronto Blue Jays (64-57) managed to accomplish a few rare feats in last night’s 16-2 thrashing of the Boston Red Sox (69-54).
First, the Blue Jays beat Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester.
Going into play against Toronto, Lester was 2W-0L with a sparkling 1.38era this season, and he held a 2W-0L, 0.81era lifetime record against the Jays at Fenway Park.
Second, by scoring 16-runs against Boston, the Jays scored the most runs in their long-standing rivalry against their AL East counterparts.
Third, this was the first victory for Jays pitcher Brett Cecil in four career starts against the Red Sox.
Fourth and finally, Jose Bautista hit his league leading 38th homerun of the season, which extends his streak of consecutive-series with a homerun to an impressive 14.
After suffering a power outage in the final two-games against Oakland (both losses), the blue birds smashed 4 homeruns, raising thier leage leading total to 187 (second place goes to Boston with 166).
Two of those Blue Jays homeruns were by 1B Lyle Overbay.
Overbay, who has been under a constant microscope this season and has heard the constant speculation that he will be moved (as aresult of the former Brett Wallace watch), has continued to chug-along. With last night’s 7-rbi performance, Overbay took another positive step towards earning a contract with another team next season by raising his total homerun’s to 15, rbi to 54 and his season averagge to .253.
The Blue Jays will put LHP Ricky Romero (10-7) versus Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-4).
Jays a Part of Phillies/Astros Deal – Flip Wallace for Gose
The Toronto Blue Jays have finally acquired their man, but the cost was steep.
Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos, has moved major league-ready 1B prospect Brett Wallace to the Houston Astros for the pure speed and raw talent of CF Anthony Gose (Who the Astros acquired via the Roy Oswalt deal).
Gose has long been a target of Anthopoulos, stemming back to the Roy Halladay deal that saw the Jays acquire Brett Wallace. However, it took today’s three-team trade to finally nab the 19-year old speedster.
Regardless of becomming the 3rd team to give up on top-prospect Brett Wallace, it was a steep price, especially since he looked to be ready to replace Lyle Overbay this year, or at worst, to be the Jays first baseman beginning next season.
The up-side of the deal may be the difficulty of acquiring top-flight centre fielders that have Carl Crawford-esq ability.
Although a Carl Crawford-esq player is the ideal end product, as of today, Anthony Gose is hitting .263/4hr/20rbi/36sb at Class-A Clearwater, but the expectation is that he will give the Blue Jays more in the long run than Wallace.
Anthony Gose Facts:
- Turns 20 next month (August),
- 6’1″/190 pounds,
- A 2nd-round pick in 2008,
- Is in his third season of pro ball
BlueJaysRant Reader Poll: What American League East Team Would You Like to Take Over as GM?
The American League East is generally considered the toughest division in baseball. The two most dominant franchises (Yankees and Red Sox) seemed to have a death grip over the other teams (Rays, Orioles and Jays), but now the landscape is starting to change…a bit.
New York Yankees: They have the money, the cache and the star players we all want - but the heart and soul of the team is slowly fading. Age is catching up to Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada. Alex Rodriguez has always been a me first player, despite recent good behaviour, what do you think he will do when he passes 600 career homeruns and is on the march for the all-time record? I say fall into his old selfish ways. Finally, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera are also closer to the end, than the beginning of their illustrious careers.
Boston Red Sox: The writing is on the wall…their team has shown this year that they are falling behind the free-spending Yankees (again) and that the Rays are too talented in every position to keep pace with. Their first string starters have all experienced long-term injuries (Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek) and their other stars (David Ortiz, Tim Wakefield and Jonathan Papelbon) aren’t living up to the hype. Although, Josh Bard looks legit to replace Papelbon as closer, Jon Lester is as solid a pitcher as you can get, Clay Buchholz seems to have finally broken through and looks very good, while Adrian Beltre has remade himself into a top-tier 3B.
Tampa Bay Rays: Solid depth at every position, and a pitching staff in the majors and minors that can compete with any MLB team. The problem is that some of those players (e.g. Carl Crawford) are ready to get hefty pay days – something Tampa Bay still can’t do. Also, the likes of a B.J Upton, Jason Bartlett and even Ben Zobrist have regressed or can’t remain consistent. So, the Rays will continue to build’em and eventually ship’em…to another team.
Baltimore Orioles: They can compete financially with the Red Sox and Yankees to some degree (when they need to), however, poor showings by their top pitching prospects (Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman) has seriously derailed any opportunity to be competetive. Furthermore, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and Kevin Millwood are starting to show their age or prowess for injury far too often. On the plus side, Adam Jones seems to be on pace to repeat his break-out season and possibly surpass his offensive numbers from last year.
Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays are never good enough to spend the money they want, in order to compete with New York and Boston. Their perennial third place position has been overtaken by either Tampa Bay or Boston (depending on the year). The Jays traded their former staff Ace (Roy Halladay) and are slowly turning over a roster of older players for a new batch of young guns. They still have a long road ahead before they can compete with the other teams in the AL East, but with young players such as Yunel Escobar, Travis Snider, Brett Wallace, Adam Lind and Aaron Hill on offense, and Kyle Drabek, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil and Shawn Marcum on the mound, the future is bright.
Despite our take on the AL East the question reamins…
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Toronto Blue Jays Sweep the Baltimore Orioles…Plus our BlueJaysRant Reader Poll
With their third straight win over the Baltimore Orioles (29-62) since the second half of the season began, the Toronto Blue Jays (47-45) look to be revving up for a final run at the last wild-card spot. However, before you get too excited, bear in mind that the chances are very, very slim, and any hope of a wild-card spot will require a lot of luck and a lot of help – but, it is possible.
Despite their slim chances, the Jays are going to give Toronto fans something to cheer about this year, and a whole lot of hope for next season – and that’s what the fans need – real hope.
The young rotation is learning quickly and developing at a similar rate. The offense is showing the power needed to win, and with some consistency, they could be on deck for something exciting next year.
Alex Anthopoulos has borrowed the Midas touch from King Midas himself (Google it) in his acquisition of Yunel Escobar – who is showing the Atlanta Braves that they were too impatient with him. Since coming to the Jays, Escobar appears to have found his bat – hitting .462/1hr/5rbi with Toronto. The homerun stroke, being labelled in the smashing category, became Yunel’s first major league grand slam and first of the year. What’s even more exciting for Toronto is the ability that Escobar has shown on both sides of the ball, giving the Blue Jays a lot more breathing room with their decision to slowly develop SS Adeinis Hechavarria.
With all the positive energy flowing around the Jays and their future (remember, in addition to Hechavarria the Jays still have Brett Wallace and Kyle Drabek in the minors!), it must be an exciting time for Toronto Blue Jays fans.
But the question remains…
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Blue Jays Mid-Season Report Card: The Infield
The Toronto Blue Jays have been a pleasant surprise to this point in the season.
It is safe to say that very few baseball people projected Toronto to be sitting just one game under .500 (44-45) at the mid-way point of the campaign; especially without their former Ace, Roy Halladay, pulling their collective butt’s out of the fire every five days.
Nevertheless, here they are sitting only 12.5 games out of first in the AL East and 10.5 games out of the AL wild-card. I say only, only because it was expected to be a much larger gap by this point.
Is the lead by the Yankees and Rays insurmountable, probably, yet with a collapse by a team here and there, in addition to a strong second half, the odds of making the play-offs can be lessened (but don’t count on it).
Here is the bluejaysrant.com Mid-Season Grade Report of each offensive contributing Blue Jays infield starter.
Blue Jays Infield:
C – John Buck: Did anyone expect Buck to come into Toronto and win the starting role outright by now? John has put together the best half season of his career with starters’ minutes hitting .272 – 30 points above his career average and knocking in 13hrs/41rbi. If Buck can continue this pace he will have a stellar break-out year and finish somewhere around 20hr/85rbi/.270! The only knock I can see is the amount of balls that get by Buck on a regular basis. That may be partly the result of youthful pitchers but, as a veteran, John needs to be responsible for keeping the young roster relaxed and he must manage their pitches better. GRADE B -
1B – Lyle Overbay: If there was a grade for the first 2 months of the season, Overbay would’ve scored an F, however in the last 40 days, Lyle has begun to salvage his year. Raising a horrendous average from .171 (April 30) to .212 (May 31) to .234 (June 30) to .250 (July 11), Overbay has progressively and methodically worked through his hitting woes. Unfortunately, when he hits for average his power numbers drop and when Lyle was hitting for power his average stayed below the Mendoza line. In terms of defence, Overbay is solid but not spectacular. Grade D
2B – Aaron Hill: Crash and burn is the only way to describe Aaron’s season thus far. Coming off an outstanding performance last year (36hr/108rbi/.286avg) Hill, more often than not, electrified Blue Jays fans with his performance on a near daily basis. Now, the power is still there but the rest has disappeared. Despite his problems, I wouldn’t give up on Hill just yet, and it will come as no surprise when Aaron right’s the ship and sails across the season finish line with an average above .260. Until then, Aaron’s power stroke and above average defence will be his only saving grace. Grade D+
3B – Edwin Encarnacion: It’s tough to grade a guy who missed the beginning of the year due to injury, was sent down to the minors due to poor play, and even though he has the most AB’s for the 3B position, seems he doesn’t belong. Edwin can’t hit for average and has played some dreadful defence on one hand, but on the other hand, he can still crank out the homeruns (10). Edwin is a weak link on this roster and is making the call for prospect Brett Wallace that much easier for Alex Anthopoulos and the rest of the Blue Jays management. Grade F
SS – Alex Gonzalez: Wow, Marco Scutaro who? It was a safe bet to say that the Toronto Blue Jays fan base was disappointed to see Marco Scutaro leave after a terrific campaign with the Jays last year. When (another) Alex Gonzalez was said to be joining the Jays, he arrived with little fanfare. Now at this point in the season, it’s safe to say that Gonzalez has earned the respect of his teammates and the hearts of many Blue Jays fans. Hitting at a career clip (17hr/50rbi/.259avg), Alex is on pace to crush his previous high in homeruns (23) and rbi (79). Gonzalez has also been excellent on defence, as he works well with Aaron hill, making double-plays look easy. If his average could ever rise, he’d be considered a top-tier short stop. Grade A -
Look for bluejaysrant.com to continue our Mid-Season Grade Report of the Toronto Blue Jays outfielders and designated hitter tomorrow (Tuesday/July 13), followed by the Jays Starters on (Wednesday/July 14) and finally the relief pitchers (Thursday/July 15).
A Letter to Cito
Dear Cito,
You know, there was a certain excitement in the Jays’ fan base when you were hired back a couple of years ago; a lot of sentiments, good memories – and it was all well deserved. After all, you were the last manager to lead our beloved Blue Jays to baseball glory in the early 90s. Even though it’s been almost 20 years (can you believe it?), many of us still remember fondly how you transformed a losing club in championship winners.
Less fondly remembered, though, is how your success faded with the MLB lockout. How you never had another winning season since 1993. How you got tired of losing under the Gord Ash era, and how you just flat out didn’t want to manage anymore. It’s been more than a decade since you were let go, Cito, and now all of these ugly things – all of which has yet failed to tarnish your career and memory with the Jays faithful – are rearing their heads again.
I suppose, Cito, ultimately it is your players that decide the games. There’s only so much you can do. This being said, there are things that a manager should do. One of them is making the right tactical decision in a tight situation in a close game: for example, with the Jays up 2-1 against the Yankees on June 6th, with 2 outs and first base open, with a struggling Jason Frasor (he who sports a 5+ ERA) up against Robinson Cano, you elected to pitch to him. This was a move so bewildering that even Yankees fans attending the game wondered aloud “is Cito trying to lose the game?” Of course, Cano promptly doubled off Frasor, the Yankees ended up scoring 3 more runs in the inning, to beat Toronto 4-3.
A manager not only has to make these tactical decisions correctly, but also has to recognize the talent on the team, and allow them to do their jobs. This is just one example of you not seeing who Frasor is, and being too trusting with him. The person you should have trusted instead was Scott Downs. You know, the guy who has 16 holds for you, with the 3.13 ERA and the 1.03 WHIP – the same guy who has been one of the most reliable 8th inning set up men in the league over the last few years! Do you want to know what you don’t do with him? You don’t put Downs in against one batter, and take him out after he gives up one single – as you’ve done in similar situations in his last 6 out of 10 appearances. To then go to Jason Frasor or Kevin Gregg after is just a downright insult. Downs is the set up guy. He’s shown that he can do the job; you just have to let him do it, Cito.
While we’re on the subject of letting players do their job – you have to realize that some players with hot starts aren’t the right guys for the job. Yes, we know Jose Bautista was swinging a hot bat to start the season. Some people were even saying he deserves an All-Star nod – but you know, and I know, that he is simply not the answer. A journeyman who, in his entire career, has never hit more than 16 home runs, then goes and hits 12 in a single month is not the Jays’ answer. Bautista has since cooled off, and he will continue to cool off, until he, and all the other overachievers on the team finally sink the Blue Jays to Baltimore levels by the end of this year. Baseball is about “what have you done for me lately?”, Cito, and lately, Bautista hasn’t done much. He won’t continue to do much. This is a rebuild – and you, as the manager, have to facilitate it as such. It’s time to let the kids play. Lind, Snider, Wallace and Hill – they are who should be given the chance to carry the team. Not Alex Gonzalez, not Jose Bautista, not John Buck, and definitely not Kevin Gregg.
Yes I know, Cito, that Hill, Lind and Snider have all had their struggles. But isn’t it your job to help them work through it, while building their confidence so that they can reach their full potential? You did it with Lind when you took over for previous coach John Gibbons, who almost wrecked Adam. Why won’t you do the same now with Travis Snider? I know the team was on a hot start, but let’s face it, we never had a chance to compete against the other AL East juggernauts – all three of them. If the Rays are having a tough time competing, we never even stood a chance. So stop managing as though we’re going to try to make the playoffs. Don’t just roll with players with hot bats, roll with players who have the talent to make a long-term difference. Not all of your players are going to hit home runs each time they step up to the plate, and it’s time you realize that. This version of the Toronto Blue Jays is not the same as the teams you coached in 1992 and 1993.
So in the end, maybe it won’t make much of a difference to you personally. When you finally retire as a baseball manager, people will probably remember you for those World Series championships – but unless you start making the right moves now, Cito, people will also remember you fading away from those glory years, as a coach that never lead his team to a winning record since. They’ll remember you for losing all the way up to 1997, and when you came back in 2008, how you continued your losing ways. Unfortunately for you, this time there won’t be a Gord Ash to blame, and J.P. Ricciardi won’t be around to take the fall.
It’ll just be you, Cito.
Yours truly,
A present day Blue Jays fan
Werth to Choose Toronto?
Jayson Werth was a member of the Blue Jays once (2002 & 2003), but economics and a change in philosophy led to Werth getting his ticket out of Toronto.
Now, 7 years later, with his contract about to run out in Philadelphia, is it possible that the Blue Jays and Werth could see eye-to-eye and unite again?
As an upcoming free agent, Jayson Werth is expected to be one of the top outfielders available this offseason, and as of today, it is no lock that he remains with the Philidelphia Phillies.
Why?
Amidst a slump, Werth ound himself stuck to the bench while other slumping Phillies were in the action trying to break slides of their own. Although, it wasn’t the benching that perturbed the rightfielder, but rather the comments that his manager (Charlie Manuel) made during a pre-game interview regarding Werth’s contract situation and lack of focus as a being connected. This obviously upset the talented hitter, who made it clear in his own interview that his manager should not be expressing an opinion on Werth’s thoughts.
Further to this fact, Werth may see the writing on the wall for the aging Phillies team. The Phillies were built for a short window of success and stars such as Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and even Brandan Phillips are aging more rapidly than their actual age would dictate. Not to mention a bullpen that isn’t getting any better with age and a closer that either can’t stay healthy or can’t get hitters out consistently. Let’s also not forget money.
A combination of any of the above may lead a player of Jayson’s ‘worth’ to sign with a young team that is overachieving, but also looks to be a free agent or two away from competing. Maybe a team like Toronto? They are overachieving and look to be two good players away from competing – AND – the Jays are a team that recently pulled off an impressive haul at this year’s First-Year Player Draft with young arms such as the 11th overall pick Deck McGuire, Aaron Sanchez and diamond in the rough Noah Syndergaard.
If Toronto peaks Werth’s interest, he may choose to ask former Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, who understands the Blue Jays organization better than anyone, to share his thoughts on Toronto’s young rotation, offensive leader Vernon Wells and the rest of Toronto’s intangibles.
So, should Jayson Werth consider Toronto as a destination to sign with the off-season? Here are 10 key points to why he should:
- A surging young rotation (Shawn Marcum, Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil etc.)
- Potential ace Kyle Drabek will be ready to jump to the majors next season (adding more strength to an already youthful and strong rotation).
- The most prolific home run offense in the Major Leagues (as of today), would only improve with Werth in the mix.
- Money to spend, especially with Overbay’s and other contracts coming off the books.
- Ownership has given their commitment to look at every opportunity available to help the Blue Jays compete in the tough AL East.
- Young phenom, Brett Wallace is ready to be called up.
- An energetic and inventive General Manager in Alex Anthopoulos who also has the drive and determination to make the Blue Jays successful.
- Jayson has already played here early in his career, and has always hit well in the Rogers Center
- The certain glory that is attached to being known as “the guy” who helped push a team over the hump and into the play-offs…especially when that glory isn’t from only one city, but fans across an entire country.
- …and finally, a possible endorsement from Doc Halladay (following the “please don’t go” speech)?
The only question remains, is this enough?
With so many other teams in need of a player of Jayson Werth’s caliber, it will be difficult for the Toronto to stand out as the lone option – but – the Blue Jays may have just enough to be added to Jayson’s short-list and that’s where they want to be.
Over and Out for Overbay?
Is Lyle Overbay’s time with the Toronto Blue Jays about to run out? Well, if you are a fan of the youth movement that is currently taking place in Hog Town, then you are probably leaning towards Overbay’s remaining contract being shipped out sooner rather than later.
For the Jays, the upside to moving Overbay is an immediate full-time position opening for super prospect Brett Wallace. Wallace, if you haven’t heard, is having an all-star year in Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League and is primed to get the call, while Overbay’s batting average is hovering around the diminutive .200 mark during the first quarter of the season.
At this point, you may question why a team would pick up a player with an average so low it’s making Mr. Mendoza giddy at the thought of a possible renaming of his currently owned “line”. The answer is simple, hold-off on offering name suggestions such as the “Overbay line“or “Lyle’s line” to media writers across North America and focus on Overbay’s career as a whole.
Despite a lowly .200 average, in actuality Lyle has raised his average from .167 in the last few weeks and gathered a majority of his rbi total in that same timeframe. In fact, with a career average of a respectable .275 and a bat that has shown some pop, I fail to see any extended failure. Moreover, if moved into the right scenario Overbay is more than capable of replicating his previous ability to consistently hit the two-bagger, knock out a few homers and score his fair share of runs.
With that in mind, Overbay is the perfect buy-low candidate. There are an ample number of teams in need of a veteran bat to fill their bench…can anyone else see Overbay as insurance for the Reds if Joey Votto’s injury persists? Or maybe as a short-term back-up if Alex Gonzalez is shipped out of San Diego? And a big vacancy just opened up in Anaheim with Kendry Morales learning the dark side of sport celebration with a “Gramatica-esq” injury. Last but not least, Overbay is a goner after this season regardless of what he does in the remaining games of this campaign, and although the Jays haven’t said anything publicly, it’s clear they don’t want him back when his current deal expires after this season.
So, let’s recap. Overbay is a great buy-low candidate for teams looking for a little insurance, he has career averages that would indicate a re-ignition of his ability at some point this year, Lyle’s contract is up at the end of the year, so if he falters throughout the remainder of the season it would cost his new club very little – and finally, let’s not forget that the Jays have Brett Wallace proving that he has earned a spot with the big club.
Trading Overbay is the right decision for everyone, the Jays know it, Overbay knows it, and it’s only a matter of time before it happens…so to Lyle Overbay I would like to say “this is your Blue Jays career signing off, Over(bay) and out”.
