Limping Jays Still Must Play Schedule

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Don't sweat the injuries. But the Jays must act.

If this was a game of Texas Hold 'Em, the Jays' current pitching rotation would be the equivalent of going all in with 7-2 unsuited. They can't even count on a simple "ace-high", what with Roy Halladay going on the 15-day DL (right groin), joining Casey Janssen (right shoulder) and Scott Downs (big toe).

But how bad is the Jays' situation? Not as bad as it looks, although GM J.P. Ricciardi needs to step up and sign one of those veteran free agents out there, who's working out and looking for a meaningful job (e.g. Pedro). Even when Halladay returns on June 28, Ricciardi will need a viable No.2 if they are to compete.

Consider that the interim rotation comprises a 31-year old converted reliever and four rookies. Here they are, with their major-league career records in parentheses: Brian Tallet (11-12); Ricky Romero (3-3); Scott Richmond (6-6); Brett Cecil (2-1) and Brad Mills (0-0). That's a combined five-man CAREER record of 22-22. Combined the five earn less than $4 million. A.J. Burnett has already earned more than that from the Yankees in three months this year.

That said, here are the reasons for Jays' optimism.

1. They did the right thing with Halladay. If he had made his Saturday start with an aching groin, having to swing the bat and run the bases in addition to throwing 100-plus pitches, it could have resulted in something more severe. As it is if he comes back on the 28th, he will have basically missed two starts.

2. Janssen needed to be taken out of the rotation. The injury made that decision for them. Janssen was up in the strike zone with enough pitches that in the major leagues he could not expect to be successful. His post-game demeanour was one of being lost. When he returns it should be in middle relief.

3. Jason Frasor is a much better pitcher now than he was in 2004 when he recorded 17 saves for the Jays. He has added that funky split-change thing with the little-hand grip. That extra off-speed pitch to go with a 94 m.p.h. fastball and a decent breaking ball allows him to fill in while Downs nurses his toe back to health. As for Downs, what kind of a damn elite athlete sprains a toe breaking from the batter's box? Come on.

And that's another thing. I'm convinced that Cito Gaston's negative attitude towards inter-league play accounts in no small measure for his team's lack of success. Cito has been whining about his pitchers having to hit and the disadvantage AL teams face in NL parks. The players hear that and have an extra excuse when they fail to win.

Other AL teams take no prisoners in inter-league play. Why not the Jays? In '97, the first year of inter-league play and Gaston's last season with the Jays in his first go-round, he was 4-11 against NL teams. He had 11 years off to brood about it. Then he took over in Pittsburgh from John Gibbons and immediately was thrown back into the inter-league maelstrom. They came back last year for two series wins vs. the Braves and Reds, but heading into today's matinee in Philly, Cito is 11-21 vs. NL teams -- not counting '92 and '93 when, of course, in the most meaningful inter-league play of all, he was 8-4 vs. the Braves and Phillies in the World Series.

As for Alex Rios, the guy is a total disaster on the bases. It started when he was safe at second on a fielder's choice on the last homestand, but wandered off the bag and was tagged out. It continued when he was caught stealing third, representing the tying run in the ninth inning. Cito took the blame, but that's just because that's what he does. He was pissed. Then there was the failure to launch on a sacrifice fly in the eighth against the Phillies on Tuesday that would have tied the game. Then there was last night as he trotted up the line and stood on second base with Shane Victorino making the catch right in front of him in centre field, throwing to first for the easy double play. In the words of Lupe Fiasco: "If you are what you say you are, a Superstar, then have no fear."

Comments

[aapd]

Quoting Lupe Fiasco. Nice Griffin.

[Black and Blue Jays]

Regarding Rios, I actually believe we need to consider the idea that Rios is actively trying to not win - YES, yes, I know the accusation is horrible but I have NEVER seen such pathetic base running mistakes by a high schooler, never mind a professional. These base-running events combined with his unworldly ability to strike out in key situations, including a 5 SO performance recently lead me to suspect that Rios could be motivated by other goals than winning. It feels almost unreal to even suggest this but perhaps Rios is betting on the games or taking money for throwing his performance.

[R-Griff]

That is the most ridiculous, irresponsible suggestion I have seen in any of my reader responses. Can't a guy just be an addle-brained underachiever without being a cheat. The contract Alex has guaranteed through the middle of the next decade is worth more than a couple of cheesy bets. If he's dumb enough to be throwing games, he's too dumb to cover it up properly. Please Black and Blue Jays quit sending crap like that.
R-Griff

[LOCKSTOCK93]

Black and Blue,

That's nearly exactly the same thing you said in another entry. Is there anything about Rios' actions/words that lead you to think he is capable of doing something like that. Mentally I mean.

He is whatever he is, and I think he's pretty dumb, absent minded and impulsive. But to speculate his apparent ineptitude is actually intentional tanking to, what, cover gambling losses....??

That is foolish. You are foolish.

God, I sorta hope that either you're kidding or that you don't live a life of consequence.

[Rajan Bansi]

Dont blame Cito. Since inter-league was adopted in 1997, the Jays have had a winning record only once, in 2003, when they were 10-8. Cito has coached for only 3 of those 12 seasons, I believe. The real reason they've struggled in inter-league is the same reason they've been mediocre against the AL since 1997---they've never been that great. In 6 of those years, they've been under .500 as a team. The team has never won more than 90 games over that period. This year, they've lost games they should have won against NL (and AL) teams due to a lack of timely hitting and intelligent base running. In the first 2 games against Atlanta, they scored only 4 runs..and lost each game by a run. They lost another against Florida by a run when "someone" who represented the tying run got nailed trying to steal 3rd base. Sub-par contributions by the middle of the order (Wells and Rios), and not using Cito Gaston as a scapegoat, is the problem for the Jays against either the NL or the AL.

[mark]

Not sure I agree with signing a veteran free agent arm. The Jays have tried that in the past and it has always been a flop. I say let the Mills, the Ricky Rays, Cecil and others take their turns on the big club. They may not be ready to pitch 180-200 innings in the big leagues, but making 6-8 starts will help their development and I don't think they would fair any worse then some of the retreads that J.P. has tried in the past.
The fast start in the spring has detracted what this year is really supposed to be about; developing a contender for 2011 and hopefully that will include Holliday. Do you think you sell Holliday on sticking around beyond the end of next year by trotting out a bunch of retreads? I don't.

[mrcanada]

Hey Black and Blue Jays:
That's quite an accusation with no proof! Why don't you look at Rios' offensive stats over the last 10 or so games when these terrible base-running gaffes took place....I can't stand the guy either but I think you actually owe him an apology for that irresponsible accusation!

[Stedron]

It's not up to J.P. to get Pedro here. Pedro wants to pitch for a contender, and though it hurts to say it, no one but us fans believe the Jays are contenders.

Usually your Fire J.P. agenda is based on selective reporting, which is better than creating a situation that doesn't exist only to cry failure when your wishes don't come true.

We get it - Pedro was an Expo, you're an Expo, fine. But you can't realistically expect him to come to Toronto.

[Vince]

I don't know why they don't just bench Rios for a few games. These are suppose to be professionals. I think fans and his teammates deserve better than someone that doesn't care. Perhaps the move down in the batting order hurt his feelings, but he wasn't performing and it is starting to hurt team chemistry. With Wells, at least when he gets on base, he tries to be aggressive and smart about things. Speaking of Wells, every time he got a pitcher's count, I half expect and winces when he strikes out. Either Gaston is not picking up on what's wrong with his swing or Wells is refusing to listen. Just imagine what it would be like if one of Wells or Rios had not been slumping.

I realize this was not going to be a contending year, but a competitive and exciting team is still expected.

[ostrich_lover]

Hey I think Rios has been alright for the last ten games. He is on a hitting streak, and I think its ridiculous to call him a cheat, say hes dumb or doesnt care. Hes the most talented player the jays have had since Shawn Green, so lets cut him and Wells some slack. I gaurentee they'll both finish the year with +.280 avg 25+ Hr and 80+ RBIs. Plus, btw Rios was safe on that steal at third the other day. Besides that, how bout some support for a team that is only 2 back of the Sox for second, and just swept the Champs with 0 out of 5 of their pitchers from last year when we had the best rotation in baseball.

[Chaptwo]

With all the money being spent on coaching these days, can't one of them take 10 minutes to re-teach Rios some of the basic fundamentals ?

[omega]

"Cito has been whining about his pitchers having to hit and the disadvantage AL teams face in NL parks."

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how Cito complaining about interleague play would have given the players an excuse to lose AT HOME, where they get to play with the AL rules. so far in interleague, we're 0-6 on our rules and 3-0 with theirs.

[mike]

Alright for his last 10 games? Rios has been going solid for 30 games or more.

In his last 30 games (dating back to May 17), he's hitting .302/.347/.517. That's an OPS of 864 and for reference, Stairs in 2007 is the only Blue Jay that's put up a season OPS of 864 in the last 2 years.

As far as Pedro, he's done. There's a reason no one has signed him. He had no control last year, gave up homers more frequently than any other time in his career, got injured, and is now 37 years old.

For those wanting perspective on this ... BJ Ryan's ERA is 5.71 right now. Is anyone saying he should have a greater role in the team? Pedro's ERA last year was 5.61. Is that all that different? And don't forget he hasn't faced a major league hitter.

[norm depalma]

Rios is what they call a five tool player, with a slight caveat---he is mediocre in all five tools
1) he can hit for average---but tops out at around .280
2) he can hit for power--- lots of doubles but few homers---and many of those coming when pitchers just trying to put fastball over and not walk him---..he is the master of the two out, noone on double and the team down by 5 runs homer.
3) he can run---but rarely steals and constantly makes embarassing base running gaffes
4) he can field--- but makes few if any highlight reel catches and shuns wall contact
5) he can throw---except that his throwing motion leads to tailing balls which often are uncatchable by a catcher.

watch him standing around right field during a game some day---he is bored stiff.

[mike]

norm - your comments are way off.

Average - topping out at .280. Only once has Rios had a full season where his batting average ended below .285. Over the last 3 years, his batting average was .296. That's a far cry from topping out at .280.

Power - you're completely wrong here - it'd be really nice if you checked your information before posting. Over his career, Rios does much worse with two outs than otherwise - he hits .260/.327/.414 when there are two outs. This compares to .299/.346/.488 with none out and .300/.338/.457 when there is one out. His numbers with runners on are very similar to his numbers with no runners on: .288/.339/.433 for men on and .286/.335/.471 with no one on.

As far as steals ... again, you're misinformed. Rios' lack of steals is due to the strategy of the team, not his own capabilities. When he's allowed to run, like last year, he steals a ton for today's baseball. Last year, Rios had 32 steals when no one else on the team had even 10. In 2007, he led the team again, with 17. In 2006, he was second with 15 (to Vernon's 17). And in 2005, he led the team again, with 14 steals. His career success rate of 77% is also in-line with a good base stealer.

As far as highlight reel catches and wall contact - who cares? I want my fielders to make outs, not TSN highlights. And for the last few years, by any metric, Rios is consistently among the top 3 RF in baseball - whether it is catching balls out of his zone or getting to the highest percentage of balls within his own area.

As with just about everyone else that comments on Rios - your statements show a complete lack of knowledge.