Friday bantering

Apparently the Blue Jays have interviewed former third baseman and current Athletics coordinator of instruction Ed Sprague for the position, reports Bob Elliott of the Canadian Baseball Network. It’s not clear whether he’s among the five finalists, though Shi Davidi’s prior report that the team is down to five finalists only mentioned four concrete names (wait till they say number 5 is Eric Wedge...)

It’s not clear if Sprague is the fifth or if he interviewed but did not make it beyond the first round. If he does become manager expect a lot of pinch hitting magic.

Elsewhere in the new managerial hunt, the Angels have interviewed longtime big league Infielder Omar Vizquel for the position but is no longer in consideration to be hired. They have also kicked the tyres on Eric Chavez, who finished the season as the Angels’ Triple-A manager, and former Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus, who is currently a special assistant to Angels GM Billy Eppler. Astros bench coach Joe Espada is also among the initial candidates as is Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde.

Ausmus has also been interviewed for the Reds vacant maagerial spot along with the human/monkey hybrid that is Joe Girardi and Giants Farm director David Bell. Apparently Rocco Baldelli is a strong candidate too, assuming he doesn’t opt for the much better opening that Toronto has.

In the AFL, the Mesa Solar Sox battered the Shocked Cacti (Surprise Saguaros) by 18-2. Nate Pearson flashed his usual premium stuff but got a kicking. Working one-plus inning, the 22-year-old right-hander allowed eight runs (seven earned) on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Cavan Biggio who started at first base, went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.

Question of the day: What bottom ten team in the standings has the chance to turn it around next season based on their farm system? Apparently its the Padres, White Sox, Twins, Reds...and the Jays.

And even though the Farrelling Red Sox beat the Astros 4-1 to progress to the World Series, at least Toronto reject David Price has broken his postseason win curse in dramatic fashion.

Price dominated the Astros, using his change up to keep them off-balance. Over six innings, he allowed three hits and no runs while walking none and notching nine strikeouts, his career best in the postseason. Im pleased for him.

And in just another reason to like Erik Kratz, he once agreed to a dare to face-plant during a game introduction in order to win $2000. Video goodness here!

Happy Friday everyone!