So the final cut-down came down, and the Jays are ready to head to Texas with a rotation that, according to Bastian, looks a little like this: Marcum, Tallet, Romero, Morrow and the Wild Card, Dana Eveland.You have to admit that no matter what Eveland's performance in the spring might have been, he had a couple of pretty strong things in his favour: He's a lefty, and he's a gingerish, and the Jays can't ever seem to get enough of either.
(And somewhere, David Purcey sits sullen, applying SPF 160 sunblock, feeling less like the beautifully unique southpaw-gigner-snowflake that his momma always told him he was.)
We're actually kinda glad to see Eveland make the team out of camp, even if it means sending two other non-ginger lefties (Cecil and Rzep) to Vegas. We're big on both of those guys, and we're pretty certain that they'll be back and be better at some point this season.
But we're all for the Jays at least have a look in real game action at Eveland to see if they might have something of value in him. It worked okay in the case of two other scrap heap lefties (Scott Downs and Brian Tallet), and Eveland's run through the Fake Game schedule was pretty stellar, after all (1.23 ERA, 16 Ks vs 6 BBs in 22.1 IPs).
Speaking of Tallet, there has already been some discussion as to the order of the rotation, and where the lovable lug belongs in it. Bastian noted that, according those people he could catch up with (a very select group for the slow-of-foot beat writer), Tallet is, in fact, the number two pitcher in the rotation coming out of the Spring.
Our guess on this is that this reading of the situation is a bit too literal. We doubt the brain trust actually considers Tallet as the second best starter, but rather, the Jays would prefer to line up Ricky Romero a little further down the rotation. Dropping RickRo down a slot ensures that the Jays won't have many series in the early going where they go without a start from their two best pitchers.
Because as much as we might root for Tallet, Morrow, and Eveland, the notion of heading into Fenway or New Yankee Stadium with those three as your scheduled starters is more than a little scary.
Tallet as the #2 is just another step towards Tank Nation. Let's go for that #1 draft pick.
ReplyDeleteI feel like maybe someone should record a Britney-style "Leave Jordan Alone!" YouTube video. It's not his fault ma and pa gave him cement feet.
ReplyDeleteRicky Romero being the third starter probably has a lot more to do with the fact that it lines him up to pitch the home opener than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI love to make fun of Bastian's running defeat. Mostly because I'm a slow fat man with bad knees.
ReplyDeleteYeah, get the number one pick and draft that point guard out of Kansas. That will turn the fortunes of the team around.
ReplyDeleteBut there will never be another draft quite like 1984. Olajuwon, Jordan, Barkley, Sam Perkins, John Stockton...Wow!
If my counting is right, Tallet will be pitching the home opener.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think that the team cares who the starter is in the home opener.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years back, it was Marcum when he was still kinda iffy. (Which is totally different from now...right?)
Right, Tao.
ReplyDeleteBut, shit, you're dead on: Tallet, Morrow and Eveland in Fenway or Yankee Stadium? Jesus Christ. Heaven help us.
All we can do is hope that THIS is truly the Summer of Tallet, and that last year was just a tease.
The 'stache will dictate Tallets success this year. He will live & die by the 'stache.
ReplyDelete"If my counting is right, Tallet will be pitching the home opener."
ReplyDeleteHide and watch.
Tallet is "the number two" for one reason only: the Jays don't play the second game of the season, thus, he'll be skipped.
And Romero will start the home opener (and yes I think the Jays do care - at least in terms of public relations)
The downside to that is that Tallet will place-hold a spot between our two best starters...but so long as he doesn't do it for long, until McGowan or Cecil or Zep take it away from him, it's not a big deal.
If he makes it to 7 or 8 starts without getting bumped then I'll worry about it.
The Jays already have said that Tallet will be starting the secnd game of the season. Maybe Eveland gets skipped?
ReplyDeleteIt would suck to see Tallet start the home opener.
I'd think that Eveland will be on a short leash with Cecil pitching well. I'm glad he is up early too, so we can see where we stand with him in the rotation.
ReplyDelete