News....Well sort of News....

by Tom Dakers on Nov 4, 2008 11:21 PM EST in Toronto Blue Jays News

To absolutely not one's surprise, AJ Burnett is opting out of his contract and will be a free agent. We should have a pool on how many years and how much money he gets out of some team. I'm not sure that whoever signs him will get enough innings from him to make the money worthwhile. But that might be sore grapes.

The Jays picked up Les Walrond on waivers from the Phillies. Wes, who will be 32 on Friday, has had three cups of coffee in the majors over the last 5 years and has a 7.07 ERA in 35 total major league innings. But the lefty did well as a starter last year in AAA, striking out 8.8 batters per 9 innings with a 3.61 ERA. Looks like he walks too many, but JP seems to be grabbing up as many left handed pitchers as he can find. He'll fill the hole left by Zaun in the 40 man roster.

Add in shortstop Angel Sanchez and right handed pitcher Kelvin Jimenez who the Jays claimed off waivers yesterday and JP seem to be collecting players that won't be helping the team win. Yeah, I know, not fair, all teams make these little moves this time of year. Hopefully we'll see some big moves this winter as well.

The people at Beyond the Boxscore have been running series of posts ranking players by position. The latest is a ranking of shortstops and, in a total surprise to me, Marco Scutaro rate as the 7th best SS in the Major Leagues. It is mostly due to his defensive rating which is best among all shortstops. Don't believe me. Here, look for yourself.

Oh, and other news, the United States has a new leader. Congratulations. The change over of government without a shot being fired is something that should be celebrated.

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Of course his +21 runs on D included +11 from 3B

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Nov 5, 2008 4:35 AM EST reply actions

true

but since he was plus at SS, one could argue (as some at BTB did) that he would’ve had an even higher defensive rating if he had spent more time at SS.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 5, 2008 7:02 AM EST up reply actions

I don't know....

I’d have to think the defensive numbers might be a one year blip, something to do with all our ground ball pitchers? He has never rated that high as a defensive SS before.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 5, 2008 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

Going by Sean's projections...

He’s +3 at first , +3 at second, +5 at third, and +1 at short in true talent over a full season. Sample size issues for some positions, naturally.

http://lanaheimangelfan.blogspot.com/2008/10/defensive-projections.html

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 5, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Burnett

I hope the Jays don’t get into a bidding war for AJ…because I really don’t see him being worth more then $15M/year and he’ll likely now get more then that from whoever loses out on CC…

by bunner on Nov 5, 2008 8:26 AM EST reply actions

I don't think that will happen

supposedly the Jays offer was take it or leave it, and A.J. left it. I doubt the Jays will pursue him at this point.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 5, 2008 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

the Scoot thing is interesting

He’s been a consistent offensive performer thoughout his career and last season was no exception (you can basically pencil him in for right around a .700 OPS) so if this represents his true level of defensive ability (of which I’m not convinced), there’s no reason he shouldn’t be an everyday option at SS.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 5, 2008 9:44 AM EST reply actions

as for the small moves

My guess is that JP is building up depth in the minors in the event that the Jays end up trading prospects away. You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re promoting people beyond their level b/c of lack of depth.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 5, 2008 11:09 AM EST reply actions

I hope...

The Jays don’t go trading away many prospects…

by bunner on Nov 5, 2008 12:13 PM EST up reply actions

That's likely right...

I do wonder why he’s picking up guys that have to go on the 40 man roster, but I guess that is what is available. But filling the 40 man roster means someone has to be let go if they sign a free agent.

The other part is picking up that SS Sanchez…we have so many middle infielders between the majors and triple A and they are all interchangeable, I’m not sure there is room for all of them. And I don’t see that any of them are useful trade parts. I am worried too that adding more puts another body between Campbell and the major leagues. He ought to be in Vegas this year.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 5, 2008 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

Bear in mind that with our record we would be pretty low on the waiver wire

so probably nobody else was going to pick up these guys, so if we waive them they probably get to go to our minor league system instead of that of the team they belonged to before… unless they decide they do want to spend a 40-man roster spot on the guy after all, in which case we’re no worse off than before.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Nov 5, 2008 3:47 PM EST up reply actions