tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post7583460816643427769..comments2023-12-15T07:22:02.492-05:00Comments on The Tao of Stieb: Who backs up the backups? The soft middle of the Jays' infieldTao of Stiebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12459135109404905466noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-84545738438469758272011-02-10T18:47:41.278-05:002011-02-10T18:47:41.278-05:00Disagree with Steve. I think this team is very cap...Disagree with Steve. I think this team is very capable of 85 wins or more.William J. Taskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02313204947130235560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-10843787011764914472011-02-10T16:40:23.184-05:002011-02-10T16:40:23.184-05:00That's a scenario that starts to chip away pre...<i>That's a scenario that starts to chip away pretty quickly at our enthusiasm for 85 wins or more in the coming year.</i><br /><br />i don't really think there is a rational basis for said enthusiasm, and the organization is on record as saying they aren't looking at last year's win total as any kind of bench mark for the coming season.MJKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16655511182506995468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-73551243115123480642011-02-10T15:54:30.739-05:002011-02-10T15:54:30.739-05:00I'm pretty sure that AA has said that he'l...I'm pretty sure that AA has said that he'll be on the hunt for back-ups at the end of Spring Training once teams start to run out of space, similar to how they got Fred Lewis last year. Maybe in the Globe interview from about a month ago?<br />I'd like to say I believe in Mike McCoy, but even I can't. Where's Tom Lawless when you need him? Or Rex Hudler?Scrappynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-84172597702457346792011-02-10T14:27:05.224-05:002011-02-10T14:27:05.224-05:00Apparently Orlando Cabrera is signing with Clevela...Apparently Orlando Cabrera is signing with Cleveland, so forget what I said about that (although I did say someone LIKE him).mike from ottawanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-8265552953214009292011-02-10T13:09:52.251-05:002011-02-10T13:09:52.251-05:00Also, Jo-Jo is out of options so when he doesn'...Also, Jo-Jo is out of options so when he doesn't make the team they will have to let him go anyway.Peter DeMarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025682416268680287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-4776761882576438112011-02-10T13:06:18.505-05:002011-02-10T13:06:18.505-05:00I guess to be fair, when the decision was made I d...I guess to be fair, when the decision was made I don't believe the Jays had added Villenuava, Rauch, Dotel, Francisco and others. However, now that they have I think the Jays would have to get hit with a shit ton of injuries for Richmond or Reyes to get a shot. As it is, I expect both Carlson and Villenuava will start the season in the minors, not to mention one of Litsch or Rzep.Peter DeMarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025682416268680287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-63426604031259111062011-02-10T12:58:43.278-05:002011-02-10T12:58:43.278-05:00Outstanding Trainspotting reference.Outstanding Trainspotting reference.mike from ottawanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-32838555941793553372011-02-10T12:55:55.251-05:002011-02-10T12:55:55.251-05:00I'm not sure that I would...once the season st...I'm not sure that I would...once the season starts, it's a shite state of affairs to be low on arms. Would rather have Jo-Jo and Richmond on hand if things go pear-shaped.Tao of Stiebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12459135109404905466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-35842189623018254512011-02-10T12:46:39.127-05:002011-02-10T12:46:39.127-05:00I'd take Emaus over Jo-Jo Reyes and Scott Rich...I'd take Emaus over Jo-Jo Reyes and Scott Richmond as well as McCoy.Peter DeMarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025682416268680287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-7906874484308950212011-02-10T12:43:24.357-05:002011-02-10T12:43:24.357-05:00Troubling, and I agree it's a weakness in the ...Troubling, and I agree it's a weakness in the organization. But it doesn't seem like it's an affliction unique to the Jays, either. Apart from seriously contending teams, who really does have middle infield depth? Backup SS or 2B types aren't generally known for being much to write home about at the plate; that's why they're backups. I wonder to myself whether there aren't a lot of teams out there who would actually be happy to switch places with Toronto, who have a supremely talented defender on the bench waiting to fill in for two young, cost-controlled middle infielders with very good upside. Even in the Jays' own division, you're talking Ramiro Pena, Cesar Izturis, Eliot Johnson, and maybe the best of the bunch, Jed Lowrie. Not exactly murderer's row. <br /><br />You wonder whether the Jays could shore things up by waiting out a guy like Orlando Cabrera until his price came down, but even then, there would probably be a lot of pressure to put him in the lineup more often than you'd like (probably a greater risk with a Cito-esque manager, but still worth considering as a risk). Even if you do a one-year deal with a guy like that, you have to give a certain amount of playing time to turn him into any kind of asset at the deadline or in free agency.mike from ottawanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-9993814421445541322011-02-10T12:38:24.026-05:002011-02-10T12:38:24.026-05:00The thing is that the Jays would have had to make ...The thing is that the Jays would have had to make someone else available...though I would take Emaus over McCoy.<br /><br />Maybe his defense is that bad, though.Tao of Stiebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12459135109404905466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-43086418433970690832011-02-10T12:33:20.088-05:002011-02-10T12:33:20.088-05:00Letting Emaus get away (the thought seems to be he...Letting Emaus get away (the thought seems to be he has a good shot of breaking camp with the Mets) seems like one of AA's few mis-steps. Unless his defense is brutal, he probably would have been a reasonable solution at 3B this year, allowing Bautista to play right field, and solving the 3B hole that the Jays have been seemingly looking to fill all winter.BringVottoHomehttp://bringvottohome.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-9320880073432285472011-02-10T12:32:01.492-05:002011-02-10T12:32:01.492-05:00This makes leaving Brad Emaus off the Blue Jays ro...This makes leaving Brad Emaus off the Blue Jays roster even more curious. It sounds like he is going to get every opportunity with the Mets.<br /><br />Check out my <a href="http://somethoughtsonbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-with-former-blue-jay-bob-file.html" rel="nofollow">interview</a> with former Blue Jay Bob File.Peter DeMarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025682416268680287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484762138483195409.post-22801164212736912812011-02-10T12:28:49.013-05:002011-02-10T12:28:49.013-05:00Underwear that fits would solve that shifting unco...Underwear that fits would solve that shifting uncomfortably business.<br /><br />From your description here, the Blue Jays' bench seems thinner than the Royals pitching staff.<br /><br />I agree then that other than McDonald, AA better get somebody to help out just in case.William J. Taskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02313204947130235560noreply@blogger.com