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Geregistreerd op: 10 Jul 2019
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 Geplaatst: 19-07-2019 02:36:27 Onderwerp: said Anthopoulos of the c |
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| It has been a long time since the Blue Jays developed a starting pitcher of their own who had any kind of huge success and staying power. Yes, Ricky Romero, Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum all had varying degrees of viability, but McGowan and Marcum had injury issues and Romero has run into mechanical and confidence issues that have many wondering if hes ever going to get it back. You really have to go back to Roy Halladay, who broke in to the majors in late 1998 to find any Jays starting pitcher of note who went on to stardom. Its a little too early to put that "cant miss" label on right-hander Aaron Sanchez, but the 21-year-old is showing signs of being a good one. The Arizona Fall Leagues regular season, as brief as it may be, wound up on Thursday of this week. Seven of the Jays better prospects were playing with the Salt River Rafters. Going into the final game, the Rafters were a half-game back of Mesa for the East Division title. They needed to win and have Mesa lose its final game against Glendale to claim the division crown. Sanchez started for Salt River and was outstanding. He gave up one run on six hits in five innings and picked up the victory as the Rafters edged Scottsdale 3-2. The 64" Sanchez finished the AFL season with a 2-1 record and a 1.16 ERA over 23.1 innings. He had to be that good in the final game, since Scottsdale starter Kyle Crick, a top Giants prospect, started out by pitching three hitless innings and striking out five. Sanchezs teammate, lefty Mike Montgomery of the Rays organization, pitched two shutout innings in relief for the Rafters and said Sanchez is good now, but has the chance to be real good in the future. Unfortunately, Sanchez and the Rafters didnt make it into Saturdays final, because Mesa whipped Glendale 9-3 to clinch the East. Its highly unlikely Aaron Sanchez will be with the Blue Jays to start the 2014 season, but his time is coming. Starting Five Its no secret that the Blue Jays need immediate help in their rotation, and you can bet GM Alex Anthopoulos will be right in the thick of talks for free agents Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana to name just three. The demand for that trio and their price is bound to increase with word that MLB has withdrawn its proposal for a new posting agreement with Japanese baseball. Many Major League owners, ever mindful of controlling costs, didnt like the process of making sealed bids with the high bid getting the players. Paying huge amounts to relatively unproven (by Major League standards) Japanese players only served to drive up the price, which established Major League players could then get when they became free agents. So now, unless something changes, Japanese players such as star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will have to put in nine years of service time in their native country before they can become free agents. Posting would appear to be dead for now. The Rumour Mill This has been a week of wild unfounded rumours, such as the Jays thinking about dealing Jose Bautista to the Phillies for a package including outfielder Domonic Brown, and a number of teams including the Phillies being interested in catcher J.P. Arencibia. This isnt a rumour, just a possibility. The Cincinnati Reds are still considering moving their smoke-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman into the starting rotation to replace 37-year-old Bronson Arroyo, who is likely gone as a free agent. Chapman apparently isnt thrilled by this and wants to stay on as the Reds closer. However, if the Reds can change his mind, they would need some help in the pen. This is where the Blue Jays come in. They could deal a couple of their surplus relievers to the Reds for 27-year-old righty Homer Bailey, he of two career no-hitters. The Reds may consider dealing Bailey because hes due a healthy raise through arbitration this year after making $5.3 million last year. He can also become a free agent in 2015. Cincinnati also has lefty Tony Cingrani to plug into the rotation should they deal Bailey. Bailey, the seventh-overall pick in 2004, is also represented by the Hendricks brothers, the same ones who helped deliver Roger Clemens to the Blue Jays in 1997. Bailey doesnt have an overwhelming record over his seven years in the "Bigs" at 49-45 with a 4.25 ERA. However, he is only one of 31 pitchers all-time and just 26 in the modern era to have multiple no-hitters, and at least initially he wouldnt cost as much as Garza, Jimenez or Santana. Just a thought. Matt Irwin Predators Jersey . The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders are giving it a try, too. Austin Watson Jersey . His fellow Finn, 21 years his junior, had just arrived in Anaheim and was hoping to stick with the Ducks. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/ . -- Kenneth Faried made a turnaround hook shot over Draymond Green with a half-second remaining, and the Denver Nuggets made Golden State wait at least one more game to secure a playoff berth with a stunning 100-99 win over the Warriors on Thursday night. Pekka Rinne Jersey . Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds made his longshot request of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld Bonds conviction in September. Ryan Johansen Jersey . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday.BALTIMORE - As the Blue Jays wind down what has been, arguably, the most disappointing season in the franchises 37-year history, general manager Alex Anthopoulos addressed the performance, and the future, of the player who has come to epitomize fans disappointment. That player is the catcher J.P. Arencibia. "Offensively has probably been the one area that Im surprised by," said Anthopoulos. "One thing you felt confident was J.P. would be a .700 to .720 OPS guy with some upside to do better than that. Hes always had the ability, hes got power to the opposite field. Hes shown the ability to use all fields and you felt that was probably going to be what the floor was for him. Didnt expect it to go the other way." Its gone the other way, considerably. Arencibia is on pace for the worst-ever offensive season by a Blue Jay with more than 450 plate appearances. His slash line of .194/.229/.365 entering Wednesdays play represents an OPS of .594, a frighteningly low statistic for a player who prides himself on being a run producer and whose 21 home runs are the most hit by any catcher in baseball this season. After hitting eight home runs and driving in 16 runs in April, Arencibia has just 13 homers and 38 RBI since. Since the All-Star break, the catcher has just 23 hits, nine for extra bases. In his last 20 games, Arencibia is just 4-61. Piling on? Thats in the eye of the beholder. The numbers dont lie. "I think hes gotten in a funk," said Anthopoulos. "If you look at the numbers, hes been better than this, obviously, his first two years in the league. There are certain things that you would expect, regardless. The average has always been in the mid to low .200s, definitely not below .200. The power has always been there and hes not a guy thats going to walk much. The OPS, Im expecting it to be .700 to .720, .730 and now being below .600 or, I havent looked in a last little bit. Its just out of character." Arencibia has played through pain in his left knee – attributed to bursitis. Hes lauded for his willingness to log considerable playing time at the games most demanding position. "There was a time when he almost went on the DL but he didnt," said Anthopoulos. "We all know the one thing about him is hes tough. A very durable guy, I know he had the injury last year but hes durable, he plays through a lot of injuries, a lot of pain. Hes never come to us and said that he doesnt … He wants to be in that lineup everyday." Still, the organization knows it must get more production from the catchers spot and defensively, while Arencibia has worked hard to get on the same page with Mark Buerhle, it took both men almost two months to become comfortable with each other. Anthopoulos says its difficult to assess a catchers game calling, due to the number of times a pitcher will shake off signs. He says hes generally pleased with Arencibias pitch framing. "I think it all comes with the territory," said Anthopoulos of the criticism of Arencibias defence. "One, when the team isnt playing well and then, offensively, I think the more you struggle offensively, the more peopple will look at the other parts of your game.dddddddddddd" It appears, at the moment, the club will be all in – or all out – with Arencibia. If Arencibia is back with the Blue Jays in 2014, hell be the starter. Dont expect Anthopoulos to take the platoon route by delving into the market for a veteran catcher who can split the duties. If he signs someone – or trades for someone – Arencibias days in Toronto are likely done. Meantime, A.J. Jimenez, the Jays top catching prospect whos considered a strong defensive player, likely wont begin next season in the big leagues. Hes had only 30 Triple-A at bats and missed most of 2012 and the start of 2013 after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Jimenez finished this season with more arm trouble. "I think I can say this for the entire team: Were going to look to improve anywhere we can," said Anthopoulos. "Thats not to single anybody out. Its all about alternatives." Johnson not healthy Josh Johnson, on the disabled list since August 7 with whats officially listed as a forearm injury, continues to have good days and bad days. He continues to experience pain in his forearm and elbow area while playing catch. Johnson has yet to throw off a mound since going on the disabled list. "Were going to give it as much time as we can and just gather all the information," said Anthopoulos. "I would figure some point in October, well obviously have more information at that time and whatever we do decide or whatever information we have once we have all the information and so on, then well divulge that." Johnson underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007. Club options Casey Janssen ($4 million;) Adam Lind ($7 million, $2 million buyout;) and Mark DeRosa ($750,000, $250,000 buyout) each have options for the 2014 season. "Anyone that has an option that has had a good year is a very strong likelihood of that option being exercised," said Anthopoulos. So, did Adam Lind have a good season? "Yes," said Anthopoulos. "Obviously, hes given us 22 home runs or whatever its been. I think the numbers overall, I think hes had a good year. Hes hit for more average than he has in the past and had really good at-bats." How about DeRosa? "Yes, I think so, too," said Anthopoulos. "I think, Mark, for what we brought him in for, what the role was going to be, I think hes played well. Offensively, hes had a better year than he did last year and hes been everything and more we expected from a clubhouse standpoint." Bullpen trade chips The Blue Jays have plenty of power arms in the bullpen and maybe enough that one, or more, could be used as a trade chip in the off-season. "Thatll be part of the dialogue we have with clubs that we do feel like we have some depth in the bullpen," said Anthopoulos. "You always want to be careful that you dont make what we perceive to be a strength, a weakness. Because of that depth, we would be open-minded if a deal presented itself to strengthen another part of the club to move a reliever or two." ' ' ' |
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