Spring Training! '09

Post #1 » by **arrpy** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:39 pm

Yep, it's that time of year folks. First game is Feb 25th against the Yankees.

Everything regarding Spring Training should go in here. Thanks!

s e n s i · Post #2 » by **s e n s i** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:23 am

It feels good. Even though not much is expected.

Duncanfan · Post #3 » by **Duncanfan** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:46 pm

Wells is already out for a month. Its his hammy again!

Post #4 » by **arrpy** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:47 pm

Jays lose 1-6 against the Yankees in their first game of spring training. But on the bright side, the pitching looked half decent at least.

squeekysneakers · Post #5 » by **squeekysneakers** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:40 pm

I know it has been only three games but I am hopeful that Cecil and maybe even Clement turn into a decent 4 and 5 for us to at least start the year. Our Bullpen is one of the better bullpens in the MLB in my opinion and our hitters are capable of some good things especially if Rios and Wells and Hill bounce back and Lind and Snider live up to the hype. Our starting pitching is the weakest area of our game nd if these two can provide some solid innings for us this year then maybe we won't be as bad as everyone is fearing.

That being said I am a "glass half full" person and both pitchers have worked for a total of four innings. But, hey, it is good to be hopeful while we can.

Post #6 » by **Schad** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:45 pm

The biggest news of the off-season, IMO:

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=268967& ... elated_mlb

The Blue Jays, under interim CEO Paul Beeston, intend to become even more aggressive in that regard by employing a new willingness to pay signing bonuses above Major League Baseball recommendations. That was a big no-no under old president Paul Godfrey and the shift in philosophy may help Ricciardi secure more high-end talent.

"That's definitely going to be an area we look at differently," said Ricciardi. "The gloves are off."

Good. Great. A+. This is what I've wanted for a couple years...pare some salary at the major-league level, and invest heavily in the draft. I don't mind going 0 for ...well, 0... in the off-season sweepstakes if it means that the team is saving the $4-7m we could have blown on a stopgap SS and starter to aid in the acquisition of talented kiddies. The Jays have one of the better scouting staffs in the league, IMO...'bout time they gave them a little leash.

chargerxthirty · Post #7 » by **chargerxthirty** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 8:50 pm

Damnit, I wanted to get Manny

Post #8 » by **arrpy** » Fri Mar 6, 2009 7:50 pm

chargerxthirty wrote:Damnit, I wanted to get Manny

Yeah, like he'd ever come to the Jays...

haha

chargerxthirty · Post #9 » by **chargerxthirty** » Fri Mar 6, 2009 10:54 pm

the jays were his favorite team growing up because of all the foreign players we had of his heritage. The Skydome is his personal launching pad, I believe he has the most homeruns from an opposing player @ Skydome.

Not to mention, being in the A.L. East he would have ample opportunity to continue sticking it to the yankees as he has in the past, and stick it to the Red Sox

How could he not want to come, its a Homerun park for him, Beautiful diverse city, his childhood team. A large Media market just like Boston/LA. Sounds pretty perfect to me, not to mention the cultured atmosphere in the city.

squeekysneakers · Post #10 » by **squeekysneakers** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 6:25 pm

Very pleased so far by the pitching staff this spring. Cecil and Clement look very good and Mills has looked good in sots as well. Any chance all three make the big club? Clement should get one of the rotation spots if his spring continues like this and I'd love to see Cecil be our fifth guy.

So far by all accounts a pretty hopeful spring from a number of our "bubble guys".

Thoughts?

Post #11 » by **arrpy** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 9:07 pm

McDonald likely a lock for roster spot

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor

John McDonald can do the math. The Blue Jays have four players in the running for three spots on the club's bench this spring. The shortstop knows that someone won't be heading north with the team come Opening Day.

McDonald said on Friday. "But, I'm playing like that's my spot and I want to earn more playing time. So I'm trying to impress them and maybe earn more time as a starter. That's my mindset."

Ryan still working out spring kinks

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor

Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan is trying not to focus on results for the time being. That's a good approach to have, considering his spring pitching lines have not been pretty up to this point

On Friday, Ryan logged one inning in a "B" game against the Phillies at Bright House Field and suffered another poor outing. After the appearance, the closer was pulling out the positives, noting that he is starting to get into a better rhythm on the mound.

Hopefully BJ can work out the kinks before the season starts.

Peteros · Post #12 » by **Peteros** » Sun Mar 8, 2009 5:27 pm

I'm afraid the BJ will never return to the form he was after the surgery. : (

Holmes · Post #13 » by **Holmes** » Sun Mar 8, 2009 5:42 pm

My boi Jason Lane...

.500/.524/1.524

Snider? Pft...

Post #14 » by **arrpy** » Mon Mar 9, 2009 12:29 am

Wells getting close to return

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor

Vernon Wells is inching closer to his first game action of the spring. The Blue Jays center fielder tested out his strained left hamstring with some running drills on Saturday and reported no soreness afterward.

Blue Jays expect an improved offense

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor

There is a way for the Blue Jays to overcome some of the uncertainty that currently surrounds their pitching staff. The only problem is that the solution sounds easier than it probably will be for the ballclub. Toronto simply needs more production from its offense.

"I know there are question marks with the pitchers," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. "But first things first. If we can get these guys to put up some more runs, it's certainly going to be a little easier on the pitching staff."

Post #15 » by **arrpy** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:05 pm

Wolfe leaves outing after hearing 'pop'

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor

Brian Wolfe's chances of grabbing one of the Blue Jays' vacant bullpen jobs were dealt an unfortunate blow Tuesday. After surrendering five runs in the fifth inning against the Rays, the right-hander pulled himself from the game due to pain in his throwing shoulder.

Rough luck for him...

Post #16 » by **spykelee** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:03 am

Peteros wrote:I'm afraid the BJ will never return to the form he was after the surgery. : (

I thought BJ did return to form from the surgery. In my mind what started this slow fall from grace for BJ was last year against... ?? i'm not sure who it was against but when he had that 1 game with the balk called, and then he almost had another one called and then he made a slight adjustment in his mechanics to ensure he was "coming to a stop" and ever since then his control has been off and he's had to throw alot of 3-1 challenge fastball type of pitches and he just doesn't have the AJ burnett velocity to get away with that. Once teams got into his psyche and made him conscious of the fact he needed to pause he's never been the same pitcher he once was.

s e n s i · Post #17 » by **s e n s i** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:14 pm

spykelee wrote:
Peteros wrote:I'm afraid the BJ will never return to the form he was after the surgery. : (

I thought BJ did return to form from the surgery. In my mind what started this slow fall from grace for BJ was last year against... ?? i'm not sure who it was against but when he had that 1 game with the balk called, and then he almost had another one called and then he made a slight adjustment in his mechanics to ensure he was "coming to a stop" and ever since then his control has been off and he's had to throw alot of 3-1 challenge fastball type of pitches and he just doesn't have the AJ burnett velocity to get away with that. Once teams got into his psyche and made him conscious of the fact he needed to pause he's never been the same pitcher he once was.

That's a great point that I've only realized now. So true..

s e n s i · Post #18 » by **s e n s i** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:23 pm

Doc hasn't given up a run so far all spring. I love that guy.

squeekysneakers · Post #19 » by **squeekysneakers** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:47 pm

Our rotation is beginning to look a little more hopeful with Clement a likely now in my opinion and Cecil pitching well also.

Snider and Lane have ben having a great spring as well. Any chance that both of these guys stick?

kelso · Post #20 » by **kelso** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:05 pm

Snider will start- rotate between LF & DH with Lind I think. Lane was picked up in January from the Yankees organization previously. I don't know if JP figured he do this well but he's leading the team in HR, RBIs and is just behind Snider on AVG.

Its nice to see Hill doing well- 6 of his 9 hits are doubles and he's got more walks then strikouts. Its just the Spring but having him around healthy and contributing is going to be a bigger impact than I think anyone is really considering.