Blue Jays mail bag

As the season winds down, the biggest concern for mailbag readers seems to be the future of A.J. Burnett and his opt-out clause with two years left on his five-year contract. According to his agent, this is a unique deal in the history of baseball for any pitcher to have an opt-out like this. Given his agent’s obvious pride in the Burnett contract, it would be hard to see them not going the distance and using the clause to either gain a lucrative extension with the Jays or a brand new five-year deal elsewhere. Other questions in the bag concern the future of the pitching staff, the good young prospects and the team’s MVP. To the mailbag.

Q: Hi Richard. I think you make some very astute criticisms of J.P. Ricciardi and I agree that it is time for a change. However, I believe I could go through a number of your mailbags from last year where you opined that there was no way that A.J. Burnett would opt out of his contract. Obviously you now realize that barring last-minute (Tommy John) surgery, he is going to opt-out. Don't you think this proves that the A.J. signing was a good risk to take? While I would not re-sign him, it was a far better risk to sign him as opposed to guys like (Kevin) Millwood and (Jarrod) Washburn (neither of which would get 15 million a year on the open market/win 20 games this year or in the future). At the least, I am glad we have a GM that pays for future performance (Burnett) as opposed to past performance (Barry Zito).

Yoshi Ahma, Richmond, B.C.

A: The fact of the matter is that if Burnett had spit the bit again this year and had posted another 10-8 season, he would never have left $24 million on the table for the final two years, because nobody would have matched that in free agency for a 32-year-old that had never won more than 12 games in any season. The key to changing the perspective on Burnett’s immediate future with the opt-out was when Gil Meche and Ted Lilly signed over-inflated contracts with the Royals and Cubs respectively. But to say that the increased market for mediocre pitchers proves that Ricciardi was right is wrong. The Burnett contract for the Jays of $55 million for five years was the actual deal that forever raised the bar on mediocrity. It’s like paying Pam Anderson the same money as Meryl Streep for starring in your next Sophie’s Choice because Pam seems to have more obviously electric stuff and you’re hoping she might actually learn how to act in the meantime. The logic is flawed. It would be great to pay for future performance if in fact you got the future performance every year. But for $30 million of A.J. in 2006-08, the Jays have received 36 victories with seven starts remaining and 16 of those were when he knew there was a pot of gold waiting at the end of a 20-win rainbow.

Q: Hi Richard,

Maybe you can explain this one to me. In the past couple weeks, I've been hearing all of this talk about A.J. Burnett's "career year", which will possibly lead him to opt out of his contract at year's end. Remembering that his ERA was well over 5.00 just a month ago, I double-checked his stats.

Sure enough, this season's ERA is more than half a run higher than his career ERA and his WHIP is also much higher than normal. His strikeout numbers are good, but they're only slightly better than his career K/9 (innings) ratio, and are actually lower than last year's K/9 numbers. In fact, his win-loss record and games started numbers are the only numbers that are noticeably better than what he's put up over the last 5 years. In contrast, Halladay's ERA, WHIP, and K/9 are shaping up to be the best he's ever compiled in a year where he's thrown at least 150 innings. But where's the love for his "career year"?

My question is this: when was it decided that a context-specific stat like wins is the determining factor in declaring a "career year", especially when Burnett's ERA and WHIP seem to suggest it's actually his worst? Or is it maybe that the "career year" stat is the number that we don't see - namely, A.J.'s usual 5-10 games lost to injury?

Neil Shyminsky, Toronto

A: The reason that this is a career year for Burnett is that baseball is a team sport and the team goal is victories. Major League Baseball is not Fantasy Baseball where every ERA, WHIP, VORP or DORK stands on its own. No matter which way you slice it, Burnett has been more valuable to the Jays this year than in either of his previous two seasons in Blue Jays black. In his best 22 starts this year, A.J. is 15-4 with a 2.97 ERA, while in his less than magnificent seven outings, he is 1-5, with a 10.30 ERA. In all of those seven starts, Burnett has allowed between 5-8 earned runs, while averaging 5-2/3 innings. To dismiss wins as a “context specific” stat is silly in a team sport that by definition is a “context specific” sport.

Q: Hi Richard,

Is it just me or is Gaston really treating Burnett like a hired gun during these dog days in August? Routinely, AJ is throwing 120 pitches plus per outing, while Marcum rarely gets over 100 pitches. Are the Jays so sure of AJ opting out this coming off-season? It will be really bad for the Jays if Burnett blows out his shoulder in his last start of the season and AJ stays for two more injury-riddled years. I remembered Ken Rosenthal saying something that teams will stay away from trading for Burnett fearing that he may decide NOT to opt out of his deal. Which team do you think is in the market for Burnett this off-season? Will he be able to get another Barry Zito-like deal?

James Ho, Vancouver

A: It’s funny how the national U.S. media guys get all the credit. If Rosenthal used the line about teams fearing A.J. might NOT opt out of his deal, then he got that out of one of my mailbags or a column. Life comes full circle. As for your question, I can’t believe that we are in a discussion about whether the Jays are abusing A.J. arm. Here’s a guy that averaged a mere 23 starts in his first two years with the team and is finally healthy enough to be taking his regular turn all the way through a season and we’re worried about him throwing 120 pitches.

I think the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, Orioles, Dodgers and whatever team ends up with Brad Arnsberg if he decides to leave the Jays are candidates to land Burnett. I think Burnett would settle for a nice five-year deal, averaging $15-18 million, which would take him through age 37 and into retirement.

Q: Hi Richard,

Thanks for the mailbag. It's always an enjoyable read. As the Jays run out of time in 2008 and the off-season looms, fans can at least get excited about the state of the team's pitching. They already have MLB's best bullpen, and the young starters hold promise.

My question: with the return of guys like (Casey) Janssen, (Jeremy) Accardo and (Brandon) League into the fold, the potential re-invention of (Jesse) Litsch, and Brian Wolfe's apparent transition to starting, who do you envision making up the team's 2009 starting five and bullpen. Which pitchers won't be in Jays uniforms next season, and how much stock do these players hold as off-season trade bait?

Neil F., Toronto

A: How about a seven-man list of rotation candidates at spring training ’09 of Halladay, Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan, Litsch, Brett Cecil, David Purcey and Janssen. Take five of those. McGowan and Janssen are returning from injuries and may not be ready for the start of the year. Burnett will likely be gone.

The bullpen would be built around B.J. Ryan, Scott Downs and Brandon League. Jesse Carlson would seem to be useful as a third lefty in middle relief, while Shawn Camp could be serviceable from the right side. Likely departures include Brian Tallet and Jason Frasor. Accardo will be returning from injury and could be doubtful for the start of the year. They always sign an off-season minor-league free agent or two that always step up as spring training candidates. Scott Richmond is unlikely and Brian Wolfe will probably start at Triple-A. If I was the Jays’ GM, I would trade in the off-season for a solid, young No. 3 starter giving up prospects.

Q: Hi Richard,

If at the end of the season or even before that J.P does get fired and Cito (which has been mentioned as a possible candidate) is offered a choice of either GM or remaining as manager, which do you think he would choose? I think he enjoys the daily interaction and the proximity with players more, so I think he would choose to stay as manager, but what do you think (or has he said anything either way)? Also, how much say does Cito have in player movements to and from the minors. For example, who felt that Litsch should be recalled? Cito, J.P or a combination of the two?

V. H., Markham

A: Gaston would be solid as a GM, willing to listen to his advisors, nurturing good relationships with other teams and making decisions based on baseball skills. But if he was given the choice, having waited 11 years to get back in the dugout as a manager, I believe he would opt to continue on as skipper.

In the current situation, Gaston is asked his opinion in passing about players being called up or sent down, but the actual decision is 100-percent Ricciardi. The bigger question is “who felt Litsch or Marcum should be sent down?” I don’t believe the advice of the coaching staff was considered in either case.

Q: Hello Richard,

With all the talk of that soccer team in Toronto getting a grass field, what are the chances of the Jays ever playing on natural grass at the Dome? Whoops, I mean Rogers Centre.

Ray Y., Toronto

A: As long as the Argos and Bills are going to be playing at the Dome, then the chances of getting natural grass are slim. I do wish that instead of the cutouts for the bases, they would put in a full dirt infield like they have indoors in Tampa. I think that would improve the optics of the Jays’ stadium and the game. The technology is there for growing grass indoors, especially with a retractable dome, but the constant conversion of the surface between baseball, football and whatever other events are inside make the possibility of a grass field remote.

Q: Hello Richard,

Your insight and knowledge of the game is unparalleled, so I wanted your thoughts on who you think is the Jays MVP this year? Since his call-up, my vote would be for Adam Lind, but on a whole, I think it would have to be Marco Scutaro.

Terry Lowe, Mississauga

A: That is an interesting question. My top five for team MVP would be 1-Halladay; 2-Scutaro; 3-Downs; 4-Rios; 5-Wells. If you’re just going with position players then Scutaro would have to be the man. That’s a sad commentary on the Jays’ offensive season. Lind has been an important piece of the turnaround under Gaston, but he has not been there long enough to be considered for team MVP.

Q: Prospects Time! Can you give me some realistic timelines for the following Jays prospects: Brett Cecil, JP Arencibia, Kevin Ahrens, Travis Snider, Ricky Romero and the immortal Chip Cannon.

Jason Sinnarajah, San Francisco

A: Those are pretty much the prospects to be asking about. I can see both Cecil and Arencibia opening the ’09 season in the majors. Cecil is pitching well at Triple-A and has advanced through three levels this year. Arencibia has over 100 RBIs in the minors this year and if Rod Barajas was still on board next year, he could mentor the younger man until he was ready to take over the position full-time. Snider is on a collision course with the majors sometime during the ’09 season but not Opening Day. Romero could come up in an injury situation in ’09 but is more likely in 2010. The third baseman, Ahrens needs a lot more work and could be three years down the road. We’re not sure whether Chip Cannon will ever make it, even though he has the name.

Q: Hi, I'm a long time baseball fan and have a quick question about the one of the rules. I saw an example of this the other day. A runner is on second and no one is on first the ball is popped up right over second base who has the right of way? If the runner moves he will presumably be tagged out and the fielder can't push the runner out of the way to catch the ball. I tried to find it in the fielding rules but the closest I found was the part about fielder interference but I didn't see anything directly on point. Any ideas?

Jamie Grant, Barrie, Ont.

A: If a runner is standing on a base, he can never be called out for interference unless it is for an action with his arms, reaching out and intentionally making the play more difficult for the fielder. But the base belongs to the runner and a fielder making a catch on a popup has to work around it. If the runner had headed for third and was returning to the base and the fielder was standing on the base looking up for the catch, it is up to the runner to avoid contact by sliding or otherwise finding an open corner of the bag to connect with.

Q: Hi Richard,

I have to say that I'm puzzled by the trade for Jose Bautista. Jays seem to be stockpiling middling infielders, sort of like they did with left fielders earlier in the year. Reminds me of when I was a kid and we collected baseball or hockey cards and we kept a few extra for trading - but if I recall the traders had to be good cards and something that someone else wanted.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Scutaro and (Joe) Inglett, and they make a great super-sub combo to back up (Aaron) Hill and (John) McDonald next year, but unless they are resigned to being without (Scott) Rolen for a very long time, why make this trade? You can sign me 'still fuming about Johnson'.

Brian Willis, Vancouver

A: Ricciardi does seem to fall in love with one position and continues to load up there. The Bautista trade with the Pirates for catcher Robinson Diaz does seem to indicate that the Jays are very worried about Rolen’s return for the start of the ’09 season. There are no third base prospects on the immediate horizon in the minors.

The key to next season is Aaron Hill returning as an effective player. If Rolen can’t return, it will be a financial disaster for the Jays, with $22 million still committed to Rolen over the final two years of his deal. An ’09 infield of Overbay, Inglett, Bautista and McDonald does not seem to be a championship lineup. But, with Rolen, Hill and an outfield of Wells, Rios and Lind all doing what they can do, the Jays could compete offensively and defensively. Bauista is not a frontline player for a contending team.

Q: Richard,

I have found the Jays to be a much more exciting team to watch since Cito Gaston has taken over, and the Jays record since his hiring has supported this. However, there are still people out there who feel that Cito is not the best tactical in-game manager around, with his strengths being off the field in nurturing his players (Adam Lind, etc.). With this in mind, do you think that Cito's decision not to pinch-run for Matt Stairs after his walk on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 24) was a strategic error in undoubtedly the biggest game of the season for the Jays? It was the 7th inning, and a 2-run lead with Burnett on the mound and (Scott) Downs/(B.J.) Ryan ready would have been optimal. (David) Eckstein was available to run, and Bautista would have still been available to pinch-hit when Eckstein's spot came up later in the game. I realize that Stairs was not the go-ahead run, but when playing against the Red Sox you can never have too much insurance, and in the biggest game of the year it should be played as such.

Thanks,

Lars Glemser, Calgary, Alberta

A: The mistake that saw Stairs thrown out at the plate to end the seventh inning vs. the Red Sox was not made by Gaston in not pinch-running for him. The mistake was by third-base coach Nick Leyva.

As the Barajas double bounced off the stands down the third-base line and out into medium left field, Stairs was approaching third base, but Leyva was not giving any signals. As Stairs approached the base with the brakes starting to kick in, Leyva began furiously waving his runner. Stairs tried to turn it back on again but had lost his full speed. The throw from left missed the first cutoff man and was fielded on a tough hop by the third baseman who turned and fired a high throw to Jason Varitek. It looked like Stairs' slide beat the tag, but it doesn’t matter. He was out because the ball arrived first and he was out because Leyva didn’t wave him all the way. That should never have been a situation where Gaston pinch-ran for Stairs. As you pointed out, the go-ahead run was at second base. You never want to reach extra innings with a depleted bench because you pinch-ran for a guy in the seventh.

Click here to send Richard a question, and he'll answer a selection in his mailbag Wednesdays in this space. **Note: please follow the link above to send a question to Richard. Questions posted in the comments section may not make it to the mailbag. Thanks.**

Blue Jays mail bag

The Jays are playing much better baseball under Cito Gaston. A.J. Burnett is pitching his butt off in an opt-out year, the same as he did in his free agent year, only better. The Jays’ 1-2 punch of Roy Halladay and Burnett may be performing as the best in the AL right now, but will either of them be back in ’09? And what about the GM? The Jays’ wild-card chances are in their own hands because of all the games they play against the teams ahead of them. But, because of that fact, the seeds are there for disaster. On with the mailbag.

Q-Hi Richard,

While watching the Jays over the past few weeks I've been noticing the difference between how Cito manages and how Gibby managed. One of the main differences I've noticed is that Cito actually tries to develop players he has on his team. Prime examples are the emergence of Adam Lind in left field and the continuing work with Johnny Mac on hitting. It seemed that Gibbons didn't have the same approach to player development.  How much do you think the Jays have been held back the past seven years due to Ricciardi's insistence on having managers with little to no experience?  Also, if J.P. were to write a book do you think his Mediocreball would outsell his pal Billy Beane's Moneyball?

Dan Lucifora, Whitby

A-I’m not sure if, with regard to Gaston’s current managerial style, the word “develop” is as appropriate as the word “nurture”. Sports and baseball are so much mental that when a player fails, he needs to be reassured that all is not lost. The Jays under John Gibbons, with the ever-impatient Ricciardi at his elbow, were never able to do that – see Adam Lind’s 1-for-19 demotion; see John McDonald’s sub-.200 being glued to the bench; see David Purcey’s one start and out (twice). The most telling TV shots are of Gaston in conversation with his players in the dugout as the game is unfolding. The same shots of Gibbons saw him wedged into the home plate corner of the dugout, insulated from his players by at least two coaches. The Jays players have not been held back by novice managers as much as the fans have been fooled by the “win as many games as possible” mentality that takes over every September, wherein the Jays end up with a decent enough record to fool fans into a winter of optimism for the upcoming campaign. I have seen the outline of J.P.’s book. It’s called “Loonieball” and tells of one man’s missionary efforts to bring some semblance of baseball knowledge to millions of ignorant fans on the frozen tundra, north of the border, using occasional forays to Toronto from his home base in the baseball Valhalla of Worcester, Mass.

Q-For perspective, I've been a ball fan since the late 50s. I have enjoyed your blog as well as your regular columns in the Star since you joined the paper. I am originally from Montreal, and moved to T.O. after my Laval University days in 1969, just in time for the Expos' MLB start! I just heard that (Scott) Richmond has been sent back to AAA. Boy, it sure was IMPORTANT for him to be called JUST BEFORE the Olympics to screw up Canada's chances. It appears J.P. graduated Magna Cum Laude from the MLSE school of B.S. This guy has no idea how to deal with people or how to run a ballclub. Is Godfrey so poorly in tune that he can't see that either? Or is J.P. still here because he's cheap? This management group is slowly but surely killing MLB in TO.

Robert Campeau, Scarborough

A-First of all, I beg to differ on the idea that Ricciardi and friends are killing MLB in Toronto. There will be Jays baseball long after J.P. has done his last general managing in MLB. As for Ricciardi still being here, he was given another chance (hopefully his last) in ’08, because he convinced Godfrey and the folks at Rogers that the failure in ’07 was due to injuries and misfortune. Once management made that commitment, what would have been the advantage of letting him go at mid-season this year, or even now? No new GM is going to turn this boat around as games are being played and with rosters pretty much set. Wait until a full field of GM candidates becomes available and then make a decision. As for Richmond and his hosing by Ricciardi, it’s a disgrace. He was called up on the eve of the Canadian team’s trip to Asia. He was promised this wasn’t just for one start – and they were right, it was for three. For those that said Richmond’s major-league experience would be far preferable to going to Beijing and pitching against amateurs, that’s total crap. Richmond watching his Canadian teammates flame out from a motel room in Syracuse rather than the Olympic Village surely ruined his major-league experience. Richmond’s presence with the Jays instead of at the front end of Canada’s Olympic rotation meant that not only was the starting pitching weaker, but the trickle-up effect made the bullpen weaker as well. Anyway, it helped the U.S. gain a spot in the medal round. “O Canada. Our home and naïve land.”

 

Q-Please confirm or deny this vague memory I have. This was back in the golden years when the Jays were on top in terms of both performance and payroll. I seem to recall a vote amongst the owners regarding the possibility of implementing a salary cap or some other form of cost certainty.  I also recall that the Jays and Yankees were among the few teams to vote against this. If this is what happened, it just seems so ironic how much we complain about the fiscal imbalance nowadays.
Eric E. Toronto

A-You are thinking back to a time when history was always repeating itself. The push for a hard salary cap happened at every new negotiation on a basic agreement with the players’ union from 1972 to 1995. During that time frame, baseball owners were intent on controlling free-agent salaries and Yankees spending by instituting some sort of a salary cap, fearing that the imbalance between haves and have-nots among franchises was creating a situation wherein teams like the Yankees and, at the time, the Blue Jays with their annual 4-million in attendance, would create a two-tiered major-leagues. It is not true that the Yanks and Jays voted against it in the '90s, because Bud Selig as commissioner has never once taken a vote of owners where it was not unanimous leaving the room. That doesn’t mean that all teams always agreed on every issue, but all teams always emerged from the meeting room with arms linked in solidarity. You’re right about the Jays complaining, but it should be noted that the Red Sox are the only team with two World Series wins since 2000 and that 20 of 30 MLB franchises have been to the post-season since 2002.

Q-First I wanted to say thanks for all your answers and insight into the Jays, I look forward to your mailbag every Wednesday. My question is, If you were named Jays G.M what moves would you make, what free agents would you go for, or what would be your game plan for this powerless lineup of underachievers that Mr. Ricciardi has assembled? A loyal fan and reader.

Jonathan Sanchez, Toronto

A-As I always like to point out, GM Ed Wade of the Astros and GM Ned Coletti of the Dodgers were both former public relations guys in baseball – Wade with the Phillies, Pirates and Astros, Coletti with the Cubs – which makes me just as qualified as 6.7-percent of all major league GMs. My application is ready should anything open up locally. One of my first moves would be to find every former major-league player living in Canada and put them on the Jays payroll as consultants, scouts and ambassadors. Then, I would increase funding to Greg Hamilton’s Baseball Canada program and take a more hands-on approach to our team in the World Baseball Classic. I would sign free agent Carlos Delgado as a DH for one year until Travis Snider is ready and have him influence immature Puerto Rican star Alex Rios into maximizing his skills and focusing every day. I would sign Orlando Hudson and move Aaron Hill over to shortstop. I would hope A.J. Burnett walks. I would trade for a young ready-for-prime time No. 2 or 3 starter and not be afraid to give up some premium prospects. I would promote young J.P. Arencibia as the catcher of the future and re-sign Gregg Zaun (with full knowledge of his role) to tutor him and give him a crash-course in the Jays pitching staff. I would hire an experienced senior advisor and some veteran scouts and actually listen to their advice. I would go across the street from the Rogers Centre to St. Louis Bar and Grill for my weekly radio show, “Wednesdays with R.G.” and allow drunken Jays fans a chance to offer opinion without being condescending in return. I would stay in Toronto all winter.

Q-Why don't GMs start making contracts more incentive based vs. guaranteed salary?  It is becoming common to see players in a contract year put up career numbers and then after signing the big deal "simmer on the back burner" until they are due for another big payday.  Why not make contracts based on results?  Such as an extra $500 000 for each goal reached; Hit 25 HR's, hit .300, steal 30 bases, win a gold glove, etc. It is hard to watch a guy who makes $10 million a year not run out a ground ball with everything he’s got.

Cavan Papp, Toronto

A-The simplest answer is the power of the Players’ Association and the fact that there are 30 different teams not all on the same page. If 15 teams are offering incentive-based contracts and 15 teams are offering guaranteed money up front, all things being equal, all of the available free agents would sign with the guaranteed-money teams. Because of the strength of the union, this is not a trend that can be implemented unilaterally by teams. It’s called collusion. One of the caveats for paying huge bonuses based on statistics is this: Say you’re in late September and you ask a guy to bunt or go the other way to move a key runner from second to third. The player has a half-million bonus for 20 homers and 100 RBIs and he’s a few numbers short of his incentives. What’s he thinking? Team win or half a mil’ for me? Tough call. I do agree with you that there are some players that seem to respond only to arbitration years, free agent years and opt-out years. But there is not much that can be done under the current system.

Q-One area in which the Jays seem to be particularly weak is first base. Are Lyle Overbay's stats among the worst compared to other first basemen? I know his homerun and RBI totals are low, but he also seems to hit into a lot of double plays. Are my assumptions correct?

Dave Kearney, Atigonish

A-This has been an off year for Lyle Overbay in terms of providing the kind of offence expected from the corner infielders. Among the 11 qualifiers with enough plate appearances at first base, Overbay is seventh in total bases and extra-base hits, fifth in batting average, sixth in OPS, fourth in hits and doubles, 10th in homers, ninth in RBIs and first in grounded into double plays. The shortcomings of Overbay’s season would not be so glaring if others like Scott Rolen, Alex Rios and Vernon Wells were performing to their best career numbers. Overbay is a fine complementary player, but his presence in the middle of the Jays’ order on an everyday basis seemingly forever at the plate with the game on the line, is not his best role. He could stay if others would step up.

Q-What is with Alex Rios lately?  In the series against Detroit he was dropping easy flyballs in the ninth inning, not running hard on a soft grounder to (Edgar) Renteria to get thrown out at first, not sliding in at home to get tagged out when his teammate is rightfully signaling for him to get down and slide. Fortunately these easygoing errors did not cost the team victories but it is unsettling to think that he may not be a "gamer" considering the big deal he just signed. Should Jays fans be concerned with his attitude and how long do you think Cito would let Alex not give it his all?

Aaron Hickey, Peterborough

A-I believe Rios needs a mentor that is a player, not a coach. Vernon Wells’ locker is as far away from Rios’s in the Jays’ palatial clubhouse as the room will allow. Rolen is near Wells and has his own problems in his first year with the Jays. Adam Lind is just happy to be here. Pitchers are pitchers. Perhaps the Venezuelan infielder Marco Scutaro is his closest confidant, but even Scutaro’s fundamentals of base running and his grasp of the finer points of the game seem a little suspect at times. Don’t forget, Rios has just recently become a father and I remember the four times that it happened to me, my productivity at work suffered for a while due to the pressures of sleep deprivation and the stress of an extra mouth to feed and a little person to care for. Rios will be all right.

Q-Trading Roy Halladay would kill me. But given the Jays continual mediocrity, I'm wondering if they need to blow this thing up and start anew. What do you think the Jays could get for Halladay? Would his value be higher this off-season with two full seasons to come under contract, or next July around the trade deadline?

Jason Sinnarajah, San Francisco

A-The Jays cannot “blow it up” without getting rid of Halladay to a contender. When the Jays inked Halladay to a multi-year extension for less than fair market value, part of it was that they promised the good Doctor that they would win before the end of his contract, or die trying. That’s why when Ricciardi mis-spoke in July about it being pretty much over, he quickly corrected himself the next day and said he mis-quoted himself. It’s why he’s never been a seller at the trade deadline no matter how close to the cellar he may be. Certainly the Jays could get a nice package of young players almost ready for prime time. If a new GM comes in and wants to blow it up, then he would have to start with Halladay. It would be better to do that in the off-season than in July. But I would not do it.

Q-I've previously asked you about evaluating the performance of pitchers using wins and losses and how that can be misleading, I now have a question for you about offensive statistics. I've noticed that more and more baseball experts have been leaning towards on-base percentage over batting average because walks are becoming more valuable and along with on-base percentage, Slugging percentage to create the all important OPS. My question for you is, do you think batting average will one day soon become obsolete?

Eric Sillius, Oakville

 

A-Every statistic lies. You can make statistics say whatever you want to. I know because I wrote major-league game notes for 20 years. Batting average has been diminished in recent years, but will never become obsolete and the winner of the league batting title will always be recognized as someone special. On-base percentage gained importance because certain teams on a budget were looking at players they could afford and weren’t highly scouted, that weren’t talented enough as hitters to post high batting averages but could swat the occasional longball. So they looked for smart, disciplined, less-than-elite (usually college) athletes that could draw at least 10 walks for every 100 at-bats. This goal of considering the art of “not” swinging the bat as an offensive strength was aided and abetted by umpires whose strike zones were shrinking faster than the sales of gas-guzzling SUVs. You use the term loosely when you cite “baseball experts”. All I know is that I coach a team of bantam baseball players and we play certain teams that refuse to swing the bat, clearly looking for bases-on-balls. This may win some games at 14 years old, but is a serious problem in developing young baseball players as hitters. Considering on-base percentage more important than batting average is not baseball. Jack Cust has a better on-base percentage than Ichiro Suzuki, but who’s the better player?

Q-I suspect it's been pretty much obvious to everyone that B.J. Ryan ain't the same pitcher that toiled for the Jays in 06. After the Tommy John surgery, he's obviously lost a few m.p.h. and after the balk call in L.A. he seems afraid of pitching inside (that was his meal ticket, pin-point control inside with some tilt). Seeing the growing confidence that (Brandon) League has, what are the chances of him being elevated to closer for 09? I'm in!

R. Murphy, Hacketts Cove, N.S.

A-Ryan will be the Jays closer as long as he is there and healthy. He is making too much guaranteed money through 2010 to give way to League, Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs or anyone else. The closer’s role is like the cornerback in football. When you get burned, everyone remembers it. Even the best closers blow saves and Ryan, still within 18 months of T.J. surgery is still bouncing back physically. He is a presence that lifts the younger bullpen members to a higher plateau. His value is more than saves.

Click here to send Richard a question, and he'll answer a selection in his mailbag Wednesdays in this space. *Note: please follow the link above to send a question to Richard. Questions posted in the comments section may not make it to the mailbag. Thanks.**

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Blue Jays mail bag

Questions from readers surrounding the Bay-less July 31 trade deadline and the future of first base for the Jays are among the many themes of this week’s mailbag. Also more about the surprising Rays and why they can compete with the Yankees and Red Sox while the Jays continue to blame the tough division and their usual rash of injuries for their mediocrity. Yes, the Jays are settling in at .500 and playing fairly entertaining ball, but fans aren’t buying that this is the best they can be. What’s in the future? In the profound words of the Thin White Duke and a master of transforming himself to compete and keep up with the times, David Bowie: “A million dead end streets and every time I thought I’d got it made. Ch-ch-ch-changes!” To the mailbag.

Q-I just got back from backpacking through the Andes for a month and I can't believe the Jays did not go after Jason Bay. That was one chance J.P had to get a little grace period from the media and fans and show that the Jays are still trying to win and make a move for the wild card. Instead we get to see Bay tear up the Jays’ pitching staff in a Red Sox uniform. That's unforgivable. That combined with the Richmond call up clearly show that J.P. has no idea where to go or what to do anymore. How long does J.P. last at the helm or is the upper management just as inept as Ricciardi? You were right about one thing, with Cito managing they will linger at .500. Too bad .500 doesn't get you into the playoffs. Give us hope, Richard, what is the future of this team? Sorry for the rant, a loyal fan and reader.

Jonathan Sanchez, York

A-Before the Bucs moved Bay anywhere at the deadline, they called the Jays exactly for the reasons you outlined. They were hoping that Ricciardi would be feeling the pressure of landing a Canadian star in his prime and that he would give up two players that could help the Pirates almost immediately. The asking price is believed to have been starter Shaun Marcum and outfielder Travis Snider. That may have been too much, since Bay could have demanded a trade at the end of the season being, as he is, in the middle of a long-term deal already signed with the Pirates. The outfield of Bay, Vernon Wells and Alex Rios would have been pretty good, but all righthanded hitting. The removal of Marcum from the rotation, with Dustin McGowan already out and A.J. Burnett with his opt-out looming at the end of the year would have cast a shadow over the deal. The Jays would likely have still hung at around .500 the rest of the year and the euphoria for Canadian fans of getting Bay and finishing fourth would have worn off in a hurry. In any case, next July, J.P. may be free to join your backpacking expedition in the Andes. He never seems to be doing much at the end of that month, anyway.

Q-Richard,

With the Jays in definite need of "pop", do you think they will consider trading Lyle Overbay this off-season to make space for a heavy hitter? Would they consider moving Lind to first to make space in left? Could they reasonably expect to find (and sign) a quality home-run-hitting LF or first baseman in the trade or free-agent market? 

Thanks, Corey Perrin, Hamilton, Bermuda

A-The Jays would definitely consider trading Overbay and becoming flexible with Lind. Lyle has $14 million left on the final two years of his contract, which is reasonable for a mid to major market team. I think it’s possible for Lind to make a conversion to first base in one off-season and spring. Even though he has improved his outfield play, he is still a below average defender. As for a partial list of free agent outfielders and first basemen this coming November: OF – Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn (Ha!), Brian Giles, Raul Ibanez and Manny; 1B-Carlos Delgado, Jason Giambi, Jimmy Sexson, Mark Teixeira and Jim Thome. Remember that Ricciardi went hard after Giles a few years ago and after Ibanez at this last trade deadline and J.P. always remembers the apples of his eye, no matter how old and washed up they have become…see Brad Wilkerson and Frank Thomas, who, by the way, is a November free agent.

Q-Richard,

I love your column. With respect to A.J. Burnett, there is so much talk about his opt-out clause, a possible trade, etc. But on the flip side, why would he not want to STAY with the Blue Jays? He makes a ton of dough, the Blue Jays have a very good starting rotation and perhaps the best bullpen in the American League right now, and they are probably two better bats away from seriously contending? Furthermore, is it not true that one of the chief reasons he came to Toronto was because of pitching coach Brad Arnsberg? I look forward to your comments.

Frank Hannon, Penetang

A-There is more to baseball than a ton of money. There’s two tons of money. In fact, I’m sure he would consider staying with the Jays if between now and the end of October they jacked his guaranteed money for the next two seasons and then added three more years at about $15 million per, through 2013. Do you want all that commitment? Burnett is having a career year with his opt-out on the horizon as this year’s carrot on a stick. Recall that in his free-agent season with the Marlins, he set career bests in wins, starts and innings pitched. There is something to be said for money as a motivator. I think family issues might come into play also, with his comfort level and that of his wife being greater closer to their Maryland home. Mrs. B. doesn’t like to fly and his original Jays deal included 10 limousine rides from Baltimore to Toronto. Have you ever made that drive? As for Brad Arnsberg and their friendship, yes that is a factor, but rumour is that after John Gibbons was fired in Pittsburgh, on the Friday, Arnsberg called the regular pitcher’s only meeting to go over the Bucs hitters but was unable to complete it as he was so upset. Roy Halladay filled in nicely. The coaching staff for next year is still up in the air.

Q-I am a new Blue Jay fan but a neophyte in terms of baseball knowledge.  I have some quick questions: 1) What does it mean when a pitcher is "spotting his fastball" or has "good command” of his pitches? 2) Why is it more difficult for a left-handed hitter to face a left-handed pitcher (and vice-versa)? 3) Why aren't catchers better hitters because of the time they spend behind the plate, their familiarity with pitch sequences, etc.?

Ryan Brenner, Wasaga Beach

A-A good series of questions. Obviously you’ve been paying attention. 1) “Spotting a fastball” means that within the strike zone (which is shaped like a rectangle), a pitcher is able to hit not just the zone, but spots in the zone. For instance, if a slugger likes to hit the pitches that are inside and low, a star pitcher is able to hit a spot within the strike zone that is inside and high or outside and low. All strikes are not created equal. Ask Josh Towers. Having good command means that he is able to throw strikes with more than one, or even all of the pitches in his repertoire. If you can only throw the fastball for a strike, then it won’t take long for the other team to figure it out and lay off anything but the heater. Not good. 2) Left hander vs. left hander? The first instinct of all humans is self-preservation. The lefthander steps in to the box and the lefthander standing 60’6” away from him unleashes a pitch that looks like it is coming at his head. The first instinct is to bail out. Since there is just a fraction of a second to react to any pitch, this basic survival instinct is what makes it so tough for lefty vs. lefty. In addition, any breaking pitch is moving away from the hitter’s bat and it’s harder to make solid contact rather than a glancing blow. 3) Catchers aren’t better hitters in the majors because they were never better hitters as kids. Face it, catching isn’t exactly the glamour position. Most of the good athletes and hitters as kids want to play shortstop. At some point, they spin off to centre field or second base, but few ever choose in their late teens to go behind the plate and take the physical abuse of foul tips and blocking balls in the dirt, etc. If catchers were better hitters they wouldn’t be catchers. At this point I apologize to my two sons, Matthew and Patrick, who are both catchers.

Q-The other day I was watching ex-jay Justin Speier pitch when suddenly, it hit me: his windup is absolutely a carbon copy of Jeff Reardon. Now, I know that Speier's dad played with Reardon in Montreal. Did Justin learn this from Jeff as a kid or is this just a psychic coincidence? I guess as a token Jays question: at the risk of circling the carcass early, how about Dan Duquette as a replacement for the mighty J.P?  He really laid the groundwork in Boston for this run of success and it wouldn't be too far a drop-off for you guys in dealing with a big ego....just a thought.

Dave Jenkins, Ottawa

A-Hmm. I remember bouncing young Justin Speier on my knee as a six-year-old at the annual Expos’ family picnic on the field at Olympic Stadium, but I don’t remember him looking up and asking me about Reardon and his delivery. Here’s what I consider one of the most amazing facts in Expos’ history. In 1979, when the Expos set the franchise record with 95 wins, in addition to playing 15 doubleheaders, they had just one player disabled all season – Chris Speier on the 15-day disabled list in July. That’s crazy. As for Reardon, he was the original Terminator before Tom Henke and the Jays stole the nickname. In Montreal, we had t-shirts made up with Reardon wearing the Arnie signature shades and used The Terminator for Reardon on the scoreboard and in press notes, etc. How surprised was I to find out later that P.R. genius Howie Starkman and the Jays had stolen our idea for their own closer? It was just one of many times the Jays took advantage of the Expos’ small-market status. As for Dan Duquette as J.P.’s replacement, I don’t think so. In terms of ego, Double-D makes J.P. look like Richard Lewis. One thing about Duquette that people might now want to think about. Maybe he knew more about Roger Clemens' lifestyle and training habits when he allowed him to walk as a free agent than he ever let on and maybe Duke was suffering the slings and arrows or outrageous media abuse in silence, biting his tongue for the best interests of the game.

Q-Richard,

I know that Adam Lind has probably solidified the LF spot but how could the Jays pass up two rookies for Jason Bay? JP has to go if he can't bring in the top players here. I'm as frustrated as many Jays fans that this team can't put together a winning season. If the Rays can do it so can the Blue Jays!

Chetan Rakieten, Phoenix

A-We’ve addressed the Bay question higher up in the mailbag, but the issue of the Rays is a different one. The Rays also wanted Bay at the deadline, but the difference between the Rays and the Jays is that the Rays need was “specific” while the Jays’ needs are “generic”. The Rays could look at their team and point a finger at their need. The Jays can simply wave a hand over the diamond and find needs in ever corner. The difference is a Rays farm system that has taken advantage of high draft picks every June and finally is reaping the bountiful harvest. The Jays have yet to produce from the farm like Ricciardi promised it would when he took over in November 2001.

Q-With the Jays playing better under Cito, do you think J.P. actually has a chance to save his job? J.P. now can say he makes all the right moves during the off-season and blame the sub .500 performance on John Gibbons. If Vegas has a line on J.P. as a GM for the ‘09 Jays, what will that line look like and should I bet on it?

Dave P., San Jose

A-Ricciardi was about 50-50 to return for ’09 when the season started. He needed a good finish with about 87-90 wins. Then came the injuries. Then came the John Gibbons firing with Gaston (not his choice) taking over. Then came the dissing of Adam Dunn. Then came the promotion of Scott Richmond. The came the statement that Cito will be back in ’09 when the time was dead wrong for the organization to even suggest that possibility. Stay tuned, but as of this moment, the odds on the board at Vegas would have to be 6-5 that he will not return as GM for ’09. It’s not worth putting money on, especially since it won’t be anywhere on the board. In the words of Adam Dunn: “Who is this guy?”

Q-Thanks for your insight on the Jays every week.  I just wanted to know how Jesse Litsch is doing.  Is he regaining the form that he had prior to his last eight games in the majors? While Scott Richmond and David Purcey are doing a good job of filling the No. 4 and No. 5 holes, our pitching staff was just that much better with him and McGowan rounding out the rotation.  Most of the readers will call me delusional, but I'm still holding out hope that they can pull a strong August and get back into the thick of things after the series with the Red Sox, Yankees, and the Rays.  If that's the case, Jesse Litsch might be a better fourth starter than David Purcey based on his experience down the stretch.  Any updates on Jesse?

Louis K., Richmond Hill

A-I’m with you regarding Litsch and so are the Jays since he is now back and ready to take his regular turn. I think they mishandled it a little bit. What had become the best five-man rotation in the AL early in the season was shaken by the injury to Dustin McGowan and then to Marcum. The idea of shipping Litsch out to regain his command was okay, but the Jays’ mystique and personality had become the rotation. Litsch should have been the one back to replace John Parrish in the rotation not Richmond. Halladay, Burnett, Marcum, Litsch and Purcey should stay together as long as healthy. That being said, Richmond should be in Beijing with Team Canada. The team had yet to play its first Olympic game vs. China and already Richmond had been sent to the Jays’ bullpen. That’s not right. They told him it was for more than just a couple of starts and he was looking forward to a Friday assignment at Fenway Park. Now the ace of Team Canada’s rotation has been handed a major-league mop and is buried in middle relief with a mediocre .500 team. Is that the backyard dream J.P. is talking about?

Q-Love reading your blog. I'd like to add another viewpoint on J.P.'s handling of the Blue Jays. He has developed a pattern of taking action when none is required. The latest is announcing that Cito will be back next year. Not to say Cito isn't deserving, but why in August when J.P.'s future isn't secure? Then there was bringing in Eckstein when he already signed Johnny Mac to a deal. Or signing Josh Towers to a deal after a so-so year. Or throwing mega-bucks at Frank Thomas when no one else was. Or bringing in Shannon Stewart after signing Reed Johnson. It's like he just can't keep his hands off the team. His decisions have wound up costing the Jays a fair amount of money and have hurt the club more than helped it. Maybe he needs to get a hobby.

Bo Buczko, Toronto

A-Ricciardi’s like the vintage car collector who can’t get enough of old, expensive vehicles – but doesn’t need to take them for a test drive because he remembers how well the car drove when it was brand new. As for promising that Cito would be back in ‘09, that was either brilliant gamesmanship with the Rogers people or a gross mistake on his own FAN radio show where he can’t seem to grasp the balance needed between dispensing news and playing his cards close to the vest. Victims of J.P.’s “cornucopia” philosophy around the diamond include John McDonald, Reed Johnson, Eric Hinske (twice) and Gregg Zaun (twice).

Q-I decided to look up the stats of Syracuse this morning and who should I find batting last night was Travis Snider. My first thought, "Great, can't wait to see him in the big leagues."  My next thought, "Who does he replace?" Lind isn't going anywhere - he's cheap and productive. So that leaves Rios and Wells.  But they're the future of the franchise, or so we're told. Assuming Snider continues to hit the way he does, how do the Jays fit him in? Is he a future first baseman?
Derrick Crowe, Toronto

A-I honestly believe that the Jays would prefer to leave Snider in the minors until the middle of next season. First of all that would delay his free agency by a full year and might also postpone his arbitration. Second, they want to make sure he is ready for the bigs by watching him perform at Triple-A from Opening Day in ‘09. As for the way they line up, Snider is not very tall and other than Ron Fairly and Mike Aldrete I can’t think of too may good first basemen shorter than 5-10. It might be better to consider Lind as a first baseman if he stays with the Jays beyond Lyle Overbay.

Click here to send Richard a question, and he'll answer a selection in his mailbag Wednesdays in this space. *Note: please follow the link above to send a question to Richard. Questions posted in the comments section may not make it to the mailbag. Thanks.**

Blue Jays mail bag

When Scott Richmond was first called up to the Jays, my initial reaction was, "Isn't he supposed to be going to the Olympics?" I am amazed at the reaction all across the country of readers and sports fans that agree that even though this may have been a good thing for Richmond, it was not the right thing for the Jays or the country. Maybe one World Series ring is worth five Olympic rings, but now Scott is getting neither. A couple of letters in this week's mailbag encapsulate the best of the thoughtful and the emotional side of the issue. Plus, regrettably, there's more J.P. bashing from a former fandom and fiefdom now questioning the direction the directionless Jays franchise is taking.

Q-Hi Richard,

What are your thoughts on J.P. (Ricciardi)'s ability (or lack thereof) to close a deal?  Another trade deadline has passed and J.P. has done nothing. I expect his reasoning (as usual) will be that they couldn't find anyone willing to trade. But shouldn't he be making things happen. Heck, with the glut of middle-of-the-road players the Jays have (David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro, Joe Inglett, John McDonald, Matt Stairs, Kevin Mench, Brad Wilkerson, Gregg Zaun, etc.), couldn't he have done something, anything?  I'm sick of his excuses and I look for the Jays to replace him with someone who at least has a plan that they can follow.

Scott MacPherson, Calgary

A-It's hard to be complimentary, when Ricciardi's best deals are all complementary. He is at his best when trying to sign or acquire players like Frank Catalanotto, Scutaro, Mike Bordick, Chris Gomez, Frank Menechino, John McDonald and Dave Berg. He is at his worst when trying to deal for rising or already star players -- Troy Glaus, Corey Koskie, Lyle Overbay, Frank Thomas. One of J.P.'s problems is that his motivation for dealing a player is rarely "how can this move help my team become a contender?" More often it's "my back is against the wall, this guy's trouble, he costs too much, he wants out, I don't like him, what's the best deal I can make for this guy?" In that latter category of dealing from dislike or necessity you can include Billy Koch, Alex Gonzalez, Paul Quantrill, Brad Fullmer, Pedro Borbon, Dan Plesac, Raul Mondesi, Felipe Lopez, Shannon Stewart, Shea Hillenbrand, Eric Hinske and, of course, Troy Glaus. Of that group, eight went on from here to play in the post-season somewhere else. The Jays are still waiting for their first post-season this century. Ricciardi is to World Series winning GMs like "long drive golf champions" are to "PGA Tour Players". He's impressive on the driving range, but is never asked to finish a round with the big boys.      

Q-Hey Rich. 

This is a bit long. I may get into a rambling tirade. I know you're not a fan of J.P., and neither, for the most part, am I.  I'm just wondering, do his comments about (Scott) Richmond's start pretty much sum up the disconnect b/w himself & reality?  I saw him in the media scrum the other day when he was comparing pitching in the Olympics to making an MLB debut, like it was some kind of no-brainer.  Yeah, it is a no-brainer...who in his right mind would choose to give up a chance to play IN THE FRIGGIN' OLYMPICS for a couple starts for a weak-hitting, go-nowhere bunch of losers?  If this was really about the TEAM or RICHMOND, then why not call him up a month ago & get him a start or two, then send him down so he can still play for Canada (with the benefit of a little MLB experience).  I see this as just a big ole f-you' to Canada & the Canadian media from JP on his way out the door...one last salvo to show what an arrogant a-hole he really is.  Like another reader mentioned last week, I think I have a new favourite in the AL East, a team that still starts w/ 'T' & ends in 'ays,' but has a whole lot more, if not in the middle of the name, then in the middle of the lineup.  Screw the Jays team, I'm tired of the arrogance & excuses at the top, the over-contentment with being a middling .500 club, a team scared of actually being competitive & who wilts at the slightest bit of pressure. I suppose they're going to head into the annual "play really well because there's no pressure, then start to choke in Sept. when we get within a few games of contending" phase. WooHoo!

Trev L., Halifax, N.S.

A-One can guarantee that As a Canadian, GM Gord Ash would never have called Scott Richmond up to be a fifth starter in an already mediocre season on the eve of his going to the Olympics for Team Canada. One would have to think that if the moment arrives when Richmond is watching TV and the Canadians are playing in a Final Four game against Japan, or Cuba or the U.S. later this month, his emotions will be more mixed about trading back his first half-dozen major-league starts for a chance to be representing his country in a medal round. If Ricciardi worked in the NBA it would have to be for the Cavaliers…because that is forever his attitude when it comes to responding to Jays fans concerns about team and country.   

Q-Just a comment here instead of a question.

"Of course there is a legend that Mike Wilner, the third man in the Jays' booth can actually close his eyes and identify the pitch by sound. We kid you not."

I love reading your columns and the mailbag, and I've been amused by all kinds of comments (including anything involving "mis-remembering"), but the Wilner comment actually had me laughing out loud. Thought you should know.

Francesco Paonessa, Richmond Hill, ON

A-Thanks. I believe if I close my eyes I can actually identify a compliment.

Q-Hi Richard: Just a quick question: What do you think of MLB adopting the Olympic baseball tie-breaking procedure for the All Star Game? I think it might add a lot of excitement, besides shortening the length of the game.

Tim Hommel, Windsor

A-I think that nobody in his right mind should ever adopt the Olympic baseball tie-breaking rule…which of course means that MLB will probably do it for the All-Star Game. In a nutshell, in the 11th inning in Beijing, teams will now place runners on first and second and the team at bat can start their inning anywhere in their own batting order with nobody out and two on. (The Jays would not like that rule). If the game is tied after 11, you repeat the same scenario in the 12th.  If the game is still tied after 18 inning, government tanks will come onto the field and roll over the catcher, thus ending the game. (Just a joke!) There have been very few All-Star Games with the need to do that and it's not baseball. The Olympics have dropped baseball in 2012 and beyond so the International Baseball Federation is trying to convince IOC officials that baseball can control its length of game with the tie-breaker so please don't hold that against us.   

Q-Did you catch the interview with JP when he was asked about Scott Richmond's call-up to the bigs taking a pitcher from the Canadian Olympic Team roster? That interview epitomized JP's disrespect for anything but himself. I know that any pitcher would rather pitch in the big leagues, but to take a player off our Olympic team and blow it off like our Olympic team means nothing was a trash GM move especially for the GM of the only Canadian Team (probably lost his last two fans after that interview). It's not like Richmond is an up and coming prospect (no disrespect to Richmond) But he is a 28-year-old rookie. Could J.P. not find another spot starter until after the Olympics? 

PS - have you noticed that Adam Dunn has been on fire since J.P.'s comments.  No the Jays don't need a guy with 30 homers and 72 RBI's.  That's how to hit with men in scoring position.

Jeff Iles, Minden

A-I'm like many other proud fans of all Canadian teams in the Olympics. Why J.P. why? In terms of Jays' spot starters, lefty John Parrish had been called up earlier and had been making those fifth starts, pitching 4-6 innings, throwing 80-100 pitches and keeping the Jays in games. He had a far superior record as a starter at AAA-Syracuse and was already on the team. He was still healthy and is now still in the pen. If it was about replacing Brian Tallet, then they had Brian Wolfe who was sent down earlier, but has ML experience and success as a reliever. Team Canada's GM Greg Hamilton was left in the lurch by the Richmond move at the 11th hour. Luckily the IOC and the Cincinnati Reds cooperated and Canada was able to replace Richmond with James Avery. It's funny that Ricciardi thinks so little of the impact on a country, because he was on the U.S. selection committee for the Sydney Games in 2000 where they won gold. But what if the Brewers had decided to bring U.S. staff ace Ben Sheets up in August of 2000 because they needed a spot starter instead of allowing him to go and bringing him up in '01? Ricciardi would like have been livid that a team would do that top their own country. Wisconsin might now be the 11th Canadian province.    

Q-A question about Scott Richmond who now knows what it feels like to be Roy Halladay: Hold one of the best teams in baseball to three runs... and lose! Who makes the decision to bring a player up from the Minor Leagues? Is it J.P. or does Cito Gaston ask for another arm or bat? I realize this call-up was to replace tapped-toe Tallet, but who decides and how do they decide who to get? Thanks for the Mail Bag, Richard.

Douglas Lalonde, Calgary

A-Most good GMs will know what their team needs through daily conversation with their field manager. I don't know how it works with the Jays. (Just a joke!) No, no, in fact there are conversations all the time, but the decisions are all J.P. because as Cito Gaston admits, he has been away from the daily workings of the organization and does not know the personnel that well. It was the same under John Gibbons, because Gibby didn't pay much attention to the rest of the organization other than the guys inside his clubhouse. But the reason for the mediocre Richmond being called up in August of '08 at 28 years of age with the Olympics less than a month away is a mystery. It does however reflect poorly on the Jays' farm system. 

Q-Richard,

With all the buzz about A.J. Burnett's opt-out clause, and the will-he-or-won't-he opt out or be traded saga that's ongoing, it suddenly occurred to me that the other player who signed as a free agent in 2005, B.J. Ryan, has -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- the very same opt-out clause that A.J. has. Obviously he isn't going to be traded now, but things have been pretty quiet about B.J.'s opt-out clause. He seems very happy and comfortable here in Toronto, but they said the same thing about Elton Brand with the LA Clippers, and he ended up opting out to take more money from another team (I know it's two different sports but the parallels are there). Does the lack of discussion about it mean he's not opting out, or is there still a chance he could?  That would be a bigger loss for the Jays than A.J. in my opinion.

Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb, Toronto

A-There is no B.J. Ryan opt out clause. In fact, Burnett's agents are quite proud that A.J.'s opt-out clause is the only one of its kind in major-league baseball given to a pitcher

Q-Hey Richard,

Love the blog! I have a lot of respect for your class and good humour when interacting with Toronto's *sometimes* delusional fans. Most Toronto columnists put too much importance in the sound of their own voice for my taste, but I've never gotten that impression from you. Anyways, my question is of the 101 variety. Why is it that coaches and managers wear team uniforms? Baseball is the only sport I can think of that has this tradition. I mean, how ridiculous would Ron Wilson look standing behind the bench in a Leafs jersey?

Eric L., Toronto

A-Wilson would look about as ridiculous as Aki Berg did standing in front of it. But seriously, thanks for the compliment. In fact I do love interacting with the fans in the mailbag, even the haters. I think there's room for more than one opinion on all of the major issues in the game and in terms of evaluating the performance and the worth to his team of any player. Mine is just another opinion and they all deserve to be listened to. As for coaches and managers in uniform, back in the day, before the turn of the century, when pro baseball was in its infancy, most managers were also players and therefore were in uniform. As the players got older and played less, they still managed. Finally, when their playing careers were over and they still wanted to stay on as managers, they continued to wear the unis. Basically the tradition comes from the early preponderance of player-managers, although maybe it's finally time to change…but it won't.   

Q-Hello Richard,

How does a team like the Florida Marlins, who seemingly blow up their roster after every World Series win, return to contention in 3-5 years, while the Jays have been in the wilderness for more than a decade? Is it management? Luck? Solid drafting? A combination of all the above?

Ray Y., Toronto

A-It's the baseball opposite of the "vicious circle". The Marlins under Dave Dombrowski in the first five years of their existence developed a farms system of studs, while signing and trading for solid veterans. When the initial World Series cycle reached fruition in '97, the Marlins promptly traded all of their veterans for more young studs from other farm systems. After losing painfully for several more years, the acquired studs and the home grown studs finally produced enough at the same time for a second World Series win in 2003. The more veteran of those studs were traded for additional younger studs and the cycle began again. The Marlins, if you follow the patterns of the franchise, are due to win another World Series in 2009…which if you are paying attention, looks quite possible. It is management, solid drafting and a willingness to take chances by dumping fan favourites and taking your lumps. There is no luck involved. They run just another successful Florida stud farm.

Click here to send Richard a question, and he'll answer a selection in his mailbag Wednesdays in this space. *Note: please follow the link above to send a question to Richard. Questions posted in the comments section may not make it to the mailbag. Thanks.**