Bert.
Yep, we really are still doing this. Not that anybody’s going to notice. Yes, it’s the Twins in the game in the penultimate game of the season, and the ultimate game in which to use the phrase penultimate game of the season!
Exciting, no?
Scuttlebutt
Kelly Johnson at DH tonight, because… why not?
From our friend @DrewGROF: “Joe Mauer DHs and plays so much first he now has a negative positional adjustment on Fangraphs.” Sad trombone.
Gold from John Lott, who tweets that Edwin Encarnacion– E5 no more– still has a sore shoulder and is uncertain to be playing in tomorrow’s finale. Omar Vizquel will start, though, in his final game as a player/absentee mentor, and the manager says he doesn’t see changes to the coaching staff coming next season, adding that “an asstant hitting coach is ‘a concept,’ with no promises made to Mottola. But in next breath, heaped praise on Mottola.”
Chad Jenkins, of course, gets the start tonight for the Jays, in place of Carlos Villanueva, and there seems to be a lot of belief out there that the Jays are essentially telling Villanueva to go fuck himself with the move. I’ll say here what I wrote in the comments about it: Villanueva was very OK with giving Jenkins the start in his comments to the media. I suspect it’s entirely possible that he didn’t think he’d do himself, or the numbers he’ll be selling himself on this winter, any favours by going out there. And that by having the pretext of getting a look at Jenkins being sold to the media by the club, it doesn’t make it sound so much like he’s being held back because his arm is fatigued or anything like that– which is of course the major knock on him. Ergo, I’m not sure it’s a “fuck you” at all. It could be, but I’d kinda think he’d have bristled a little more at the whole concept.
Lastly, for your between-inning viewing pleasure, here’s today’s edition of Getting Blanked…
TV: Sportsnet
And now the lineups, by way of the live box score at theScore.com. And for those of you who’ll be out and about, be sure to follow all the action on your phone with Score Mobile…
Toronto Blue Jays
R. Davis LF
Y. Escobar SS
B. Lawrie 3B
A. Lind 1B
J. Arencibia C
K. Johnson DH
A. Hechavarria 2B
M. Sierra RF
A. Gose CF
C. Jenkins RHP
Minnesota Twins
D. Span CF
B. Revere RF
J. Mauer DH
C. Parmelee 1B
T. Plouffe 3B
M. Carson LF
C. Herrmann C
A. Casilla 2B
E. Escobar SS
A. Swarzak RHP
Maybe I’m alone here tonight.
Guess I’ll entertain myself, sing some Hawksley Workman songs.
“An early flight will leave and on it will be me.”
Smoke baby smoke baby
Wow a fellow HW fan? Can it be?
Can I watch?
Chance, is that you? How does your garden grow?
Who the hell is that?
Do yourself a favour some night and download “Being There,” starring Peter Sellers.
He likes to watch.
We shoulda picked up Mauer off waivers. His bat would play great in Rogers Centre, then we flip him and cash to cover the albatross contract for serious value whenever d’Arnaud’s ready.
Have you SEEN the free agent class this winter?
I would have actually paid attention to the Blue Jays if they had Mauer. I might even un-mute!
You would sooner pay attention to Joe Mauer than José?
Stoeten, have the numbers dropped that much?
Is it RADAR implying some kind of knowledge that he absolutely doesn’t have, again?
I know you’re joking, but I’m compelled to keep noting it every time I spot you doing this. I mean, what the fucking fuck???
Sorry Stoeten, I was reading to much into your opening statement “Yep, we really are still doing this. Not that anybody’s going to notice”
That’s why i posed it in the form of a question.
I know interest has waned at the end of the year,I thought you were lamenting everyone jumping off the bandwagon.
Even karen wondered “Maybe I’m alone here tonight.”
I was just curious not even joking.
You’ve got to get over this shit.
Sometimes a question is just a question.
And what the fucking fuck?,indeed.
LOL
Way to go Radar, piss off the big guy with 18 innings left in the season
I feel like you two would make an outstanding pairing if Statler and Waldorf ever retire.
@ birddawg
Just about anything I post pisses him off ( We have history)
Let’s see if we can get a reaction.
Hey Stoeten.
Ball.
So, after fucking around with Carlos V. so much, is there any chance he comes back?
I know AA didn’t wanna inflate his value but.. he still has to sign a contract with us.
Los Del V. is pretty much a goner from Blue Jays land.
Starting Jenkins on short rest over Villanueava is AA and Farrell’s way of saying fuck you. Oh yeah, good luck to you as a free agent.
Villanueva was very OK with giving Jenkins the start in his comments to the media. I suspect it’s very possible that he didn’t think he’d do himself, or the numbers he’ll be selling himself on this winter, any favours by going out there. And by having the pretext of getting a look at Jenkins being sold by the club, it doesn’t make it sound so much like he’s being held back because his arm is fatigued– which is of course the major knock on him.
So I’m not sure it’s a fuck you at all. It could be, but I think he’d have bristled a little more at the whole concept.
Like a good soldier, Villanueva was very diplomatic in his comments to the media (which I did see). I doubt he was so nice when he later spoke to his agent about being bumped from the rotation in favour of a rookie going on short rest. Think about that for a minute.
Why would he be a good soldier?
For all the reasons Lunchbox wasn’t recently, and the harm many feel he inflicted upon himself.
CV says he wants starter money and terms.
Is he releiver money or starter money?
Only AA knows for sure.
I’d like to see him in the bullpen again next season. Hope they work something out.
AA not only basically bad-mouthed him right before free agency, but he &/or Farrell now strike his last start. They say he’s worn out, but did you see Laffey the other night? Laffey was quick to admit he had nothing left–Carlos wants his last kick at the can badly. He’s taking the high road on his way out, but I suspect Toronto will be his last choice, but of course how many choices he’ll have to pick from, no one as yet knows.
“Carlos wants his last kick at the can badly.”
Did he go off and I missed it? Where are you getting this?
I might have dreamed it. My narrative needed it badly, however. (I’ll see if I can reverse-engineer my day.)
You might want to say your goodbyes now.
Anyone know offhand if Morneau and/or Willingham are injured? Or are they just sitting out to give some rookies a bit of playing time?
They’re both hurt.
Tabby predicts Arencibia is going to have a big season next year. That would be nice.
Congratulations, Kelly.
Go for the prize!
JPA + (BLANK) for price?
It’d have to be a crazy plus. d’Arnaud plus would be easier to build, I think.
Gose and Alvarez?
Rays seem to really value catcher defense. Not sure they’d take JPA as a starting point. Probably a Gose, pitcher, +
Escobar?
So is EE playing hurt so MLB can have its first triple crown since 68
should say pretending not playing
Sometimes your convolutedness does you a disservice, birddawg, but usually it’s on purpose.
1967. You fail.
Speaking of fails—birdawg can, at a bare minimum, correctly spell his own username. It must be a bitch when you use several, eh?
Well said, Little Carb.
Your kind of futility truly pertains to the off-season, cabrón.
Thanks Meats, …. I think???
Fuck the Score and its useless coders. Viva Disqus.
You’re preaching to the converted, Meats. I suspect The Score will adopt Disqus about the time The Dome gets real turf, which is to say, don’t hold your breath.
The main part of the Score uses disqus, the DJF and GB part doesn’t.
How come we’re the poor relations?
Dunno, even Stoeten says he misses disqus..
( I gotta go look up the link before he calls me on it)
When they made the switch, I asked him why?Wouldn’t it make an easier transition and transfer for the old comments?. I didn’t get a response.
I fail at everything I do, thats why I’m here
You’re in good company, big guy. Drink two doubles, then sit on the floor.
Hechavarria: love that guy.
HEART HECH
Second.
Do you play for the Pittsburgh Pirates? No? Well neither do I. My ass rides the bench.
How are the meats?
Not clashing.
KJ just had to say ‘fuck you’ on his way out.
Thought he’s been saying “fuck you” to us for the past four months.
Drew with the epic voice crack on “Pepper”.
What, no one else watches the show?
I just channeled Buck’s mind.
Yet another insolence. Obnoxious advertisements grown larger upon my screen than the players themselves.
Rogers’ disregard for the fans only grows (and you needn’t remind me of similar ads on the glass during Canucks games), as it has since SN1 and since the very purchase of the Dome. But no, we shouldn’t register our displeasure en masse and say something… that would violate the hipster douchebag code, wouldn’t it?
Fucked if I know. I spent a good portion of last night learning the Hippocratic Oath. I mostly abide by the Code Of The West.
It just comes down to “do no harm” SP.
I don’t know anything about the code of the west, but I did buy a tshirt from Grenville Island Brewery.
You got ripped off Karen. The Brewery resides on Granville Island. Pity. Here’s hoping your Parisian souvenirs were’t pirated as well.
Smart ass…Sorry for the spelling…I stayed on the little Island actually, so I’m quite sure the tshirt is authentic
I trust your new bag says Hermes, not Hermits?
LOL!
I think you mean Granville? No harm, no foul though. Us west coasters are chill folk.
Yes I meant Granville. It’s been a while. I stayed at the hotel there. It sucked but the area was nice.
No doubt. I already pay a ton for Sportsnet One, which I only get for the Jays. And now I have to see huge, obnoxious ads for UPS and others? Man.
Plenty is never enough.
Hey SP, are you in oyster country on the island?
White Rock, GSMC.
The ads wouldn’t bother me at all if they were pumping some of the revenue into the team. In the meantime, I cut the Rogers umbilical cord 6 months ago, and I’m enjoying this game courtesy of Teksavvy and a free stream.
Go Jays!
VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN
Hey guys! supposed to be working on my e&m homework but just wanted to check in and let you know that i still love the jays. And Farrell. He fucks up a ton but i think he’s still a great guy
Also, have you tried Dairy Queen’s spicy chicken strips? A pleasant surprise if I say so myself!
Physics? Engineering?
Gettin dat physics
It took me a pleasant amount of time to recall what e&m meant.
OYE ROGERS YOU FUCKING DONKEY CABRA DOUCHEFUCKWITS, YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM ME DURING BUSINESS HOURS FRESH TOMORROW YOU GREEDY ORWELLIAN WHORE TATTOOING GRAFFITO BITCHES
I WANT TO SEE GREEN NOT ADS WHEN I LOOK AT A BASEBALL FIELD
To be fair, Rogers Centre only barely qualifies as a baseball field, even without the adverts.
It’s the world’s largest toilet bowl.
That’s why they got it for $25M. Don’t cry for Rogers.
THE FUCKING YANKEES DON’T PLASTER ADS THUS ON THEIR FUCKING GRASS
True. I guess they don’t need the money? In that case, Rogers should really be ponying up the dough for good players for next year. They seem to be flush with cash.
If AA can find two legitimate proven American League starters, and some help with second base, first base and left field, Rogers can digitially impose pictures of a unicorn on players for all I care.
In that case they’re gonna have to break out the paint toot sweet. (I’m bilingual as well.)
Note to the Jays Front Office–It’s been a whole hour since anyone on this baseball blog realized that the game was still in progress. It probably means something.
For the record, I know there’s no crying in baseball and the Villanueva ship has more or less sailed and it’s best for the team but it will still leave a void roughly the size of an oddly conceived beard in my heart.
Sigh.
There are better options available externally.
The heart wants what the heart wants, Smasher.
I was going to say that there’s a boy inside of every baseball fan, but you just might have taken that the wrong way, so I’ll congratulate you for your girlish essence instead.
Thank you? Sure, why not. Thank you.
I feel your pain.
Appreciate it. We’ll always have mlb tv.
By the way djs, night_manimal only lurks these days, so ‘his’ boys are up for grabs. I’m willing to confer upon you one Edwin Incarnacion, complete with his wonky facial hair. Cheers.
I think I’m ready to adopt one of Gose and/or Hech, and maybe play the FA market.
They’re good young’uns, and someday should grow into growing a beard, I guess.
If Anthopolous blows all the money on pitchers and we can’t get Big Papi and
If they keep Lind to be part of a platoon (and fuck I pray that they don’t) Francoeur would be a good Right side of that tandem. He hit’s lefties hard and buys pizza and beer for the fans.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Jeff-Francoeur-Kansas-City-Royals-buys-pizza-bacon-beer-for-Oakland-Athletics-fans-041212
I had been eying a possible Napoli pick up, relegating Lind to a backup role, playing maybe once or twice a week. But I may have just joined the Bring Frenchy North campaign.
A $7 Million backup ? Yikes
Frenchy career vs Lefties .289 .341 .479
Lind career vs Righties .282 .335 .502
We can’t get complete players in Toronto, maybe we can make one up in spare parts.
We can’t replace Giambi…but maybe we can recreate him in the aggregate.
+1
Theeeeee BJ’s win
What a horrid end to a horrid season. The absense of passion for this team is deafening
For what it’s worth, was at the game last night, and while the crowd was small, it was ridiculously enthusiastic from the top of the 9th on.
I’m excited about this teams future. Gose, Hech, D’arnaud, Nicolino, Syndergard, Sanchez, Sroman, Marisnick etc,,,
There’s lots to look forward to. This season was disappointing but take a glance at the big picture.
The passion is there, it just became dormant in most fans when the boys were eliminated a month ago.
wait for Sept 2013
That’s better…lets go Jays!
Yes Smasher, it’s only sleeping, maybe hibernating for some. AA’s job #1 is to reinstill enthusiasm and hope with a big signing or two or three sooner better than later.
I’ll drink to that.
Clink.
Soriano just got taken for a HR top 9th. I FEEL SO CONFLICTED.
This game was not nearly exciting as the last one where Lawrie attempted to undress Gose after a game winning single saved the Jays from last place in the last series of the year.
Also…
TRIPLE FUCKING CROWN WATCH :sirens:
What a charming way of viewing what transpired last night, let alone tonight. “Saved the Jays from last place in the last series of the year.” We’re hanging on by our fingernails to a protected pick, and have fallen (I think) 3 places in our pick order, and you’re still worrying whether Boston’s season or ours was a more complete fuckup? Perspective please.
Ok, but you asked for it…9 innings left in the season and the race for last place is all but over for our boys. Stick a fork in em Spud your boys are done, the BJ’s cannot lose their way to success anymore than they could win their way there.
Your team is forever in baseball pergatory, nothing more than a savings account in MLB where the service charges outstrip the interest accumulated. Look for the same next year
Hows about a song Spud, sniff, ya got something appropriate
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour,
But heaven knows I’m miserable now.
That was beautiful, man! (sniff)
Well if you insist, birddawg, let me give you the Official Blue Jays Song. And a one and a two and a–
The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There’ll be sun!!
Just thinkin’ about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
‘Til there’s none!
When I’m stuck a day
that’s gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And grin,
And say,
Oh!
The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
‘Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya tomorrow!
You’re always
A day
Away!
What’s this bullshit about “my boys,” “my team.” I thought we had joint custody? (Although, come to think of it, when my ex and I went through that process, things didn’t work out as anticipated either.)
OH the irony!
kj ties canseco for most k’s and they both were hit on the head trying to field the baseball!
Picking 9th in the draft is going to be a painful reminder of the waste of a year 2012 – RSux picking ahead of the Jays along with four other teams that the Jays should have been lower than will be a stab in the eye every round in June.
Dylan Bundy – 4th overall pick last year, Matt Harvey went 7th in 2010, Zach Wheeler 6th in 2009, Buster Posey, 5th pick in 2008, Matt Wieters 5th in 2007 – all guys you DON’T GET A SHOT TO BE WRONG ON if you pick 9th.
You’re not wrong, but look at the outcry over the lax clubhouse culture and multiply it by a hundred if the Jays openly had tanked at the end here. They were damned if they did and damned if they didn’t.
Fuck wilner spreading more lies. Says it’s exceedingly difficult to make the playoffs. Bull. There was roughly a 30% chance before of making the playoffs. With the extra wild card it’s now roughly 40%, which means every team should be making the playoffs on avg every 3 years
Unless you count the “playoffs” as what happens after the play-in games, in which case he’s right.
You know, the I dont care what you call it..play in game..one game wonder…whatever, its still playoffs. And people that have been saying that trying to improve the team in order to “go for” one of those two one game wild care spots is a fool’s errand are WRONG.
I’ve hear a lot of smart people who should no better say this. They imply that a one game playoff is a complete carp shoot. (which it is) But then act as if a best of five (in relative baseball terms) is not? Functionally they are near equal crapshoots.
In fact, I could argue that since the better team does not necessarily win such crap shoots, its actually MORE reason to actually try and get such a wild card spot….once you are in the tourney, you have as good a shot as anyone due to the sheer randomness of it all.
Is the point to win the world series period? or is it to win the world series AND have the best team/?
Personally I dont care when we win it as long as we win it.
The Jays are in deep now. They have to go out and throw the last game of the year in front of a probably large enough crowd. Was it too hard to just throw one of the first two to lock the pick and then go out with a nice finish?
FFS, GM AA better tell Farrellball that if he wins tomorrow and the protected pick is lost, he’ll be the new third base coach for Butterball.
Having Farrell in charge of the running game would scare the shit out of me. Put him in the bullpen, or maybe in the stands like Rivera.
This winning vs the twins is not due to poor tanking. In fact they really want to win these games and get out of the protected spots in order to have an excuse to not sign a free agent.
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/02/jason-frasor-adam-lind-say-club-lacks-leadership-blue-jays-down-twins
Fuck these guys and stop sucking before shooting off your mouths.
Goodbye, Frasor. Lind, your career is hanging by a thread and the team has only stuck with you because of your contract you cashed in on after one decent year. Way to go to with “I’m still an arb guy” bullshit. Who needs veterans like Vizquel, Lind and Frasor?
EE, Oliver, Bautista Lind, Frasor, Escobar, Vizquel, Johnson, Davis and Mathis were all in the 29+ year old season with significant experience in the bigs. With the exception of the first three, maybe they don’t need veteran leadership, maybe they need veterans who don’t suck.
“What the Jays don’t have on this team is a veteran everyday player who is willing to take on a vocal leadership role.”
the idea that a team needs a vocal leader is a joke.
It pains me to use this example, but does anyone actually think Derek Jeter is in the club house rah-rah-ing it up? Yelling at guys? I don’t think so. Would anyone question Jeter as the “leader” of the Yankees? Don’t think so.
There are ways to lead being being “vocal”.
This says volumes about Lind’s character and makeup. He’s lazy and needs someone to hold his hand and tell him how to play the game the right way. Sounds to me like he’s shifting the blame to others for his own shitty performance
I love how it is “management’s” problem about leadershipness instead of these veterans calling out rookies by name if they are a problem or not putting in the work. That is cowardly and displays the opposite of what they should be. The problem is them full stop.
Did we just see Darren Oliver’s last career appearance last night?
Hopefully, AA can convince him to stick around for yet another season in good old T.O. But from recent reports, there are strong indications that he might be retiring folks.
His last career out could have been that pickoff throw to 1B to get Ben Revere.
Well, if the Jays win again tonight and the Mets lose, Jays will pick 11th in the draft, because the Mets finished worse than them last year and the Pirates pick 10th because of not signing their pick, Mark Appel, last year.
That will be the dinglecherry on top of the shitcake for 2012, soooo go ahead and make it memorable Blue Jays, win one for . . . . .. . . the fans????????
what about this for a deal Arebcibia for Morneau. Nice and simple deal Mauer than slides to first for Twins we get 1st baseman/DH to platoon with Edwin. Savings in salary for Twins makes this realistic to me.