ElNik2013

Walden is scheduled to start, maybe Stroman will relieve today?

Where is Stroman pitching? Walden is scheduled for NH, Copeland for Dunedin and Avendano for Lansing.

It's hard not to root for this guy, he's giving it all he's got. I've been watching some pieces on Minor League Baseball players and it really puts in perspective how hard it is to make it to and stay in MLB and how much can go wrong.

I agree. I've calling/hoping for Pillar to be promoted to AAA and Andy Burns to AA to see what they can do against guys their age. Good to see a guy in this organization that can hit. There are really few position players showing much of a hitting tool. Maybe Lopes, Dwight Smith Jr. and that's about it.

And not to mention the Happ trade, gave up a bunch of guys for a 30 year old 6th starter

They sold a plan of building a sustainable contender, but changed course last offseason for whatever reason. If AA had taken on contracts but not overpaid in terms of prospects, it would be one thing, but to not recognize that the Marlins had started to dump contracts in the middle of the 2012 season when they traded Ramirez is very concerning. There's no way he should've given up what he did and still take on Buehrle's deal, no way. JJ was a 1 year rental. Then to add insult to injury and overpay for a 38 year old and not recognize that he and the Mets were having trouble agreeing to an extension and who'd be a FA after 2013 was just the final straw. It would've been better to overpay in terms of $ in free agency. Even if they made the trades, but didn't give up what they did, they'd be in much better shape as a franchise. I have bought the excuse that FA's won't sign with Toronto to an extent, but Gord Ash signed Roger Clemens, JP signed a few guys in the mid 2000's. I don't think AA tried, he used it as an excuse to get bent over by the Marlins and Sandy Alderson (with JP in there as well).

Sanchez taken out after the 3rd inning.

I think it's the 1st he's allowed all year.

Yeah, they love the guy. Anyway, they're running the team, what can one do...

The thing is, they refuse to, they're being very stubborn. Moves like releasing Blanco may send Bonifacio and Izturis a message. It may even make Arencibia think a little....nah, AA called him last December to assure him he wasn't going anywhere.

Where did I say they should give him more playing time? I said if they released him, that would be a good sign as it would mean AA had recognized he isn't as good as he and his scouts thought. Anyway, no big deal.

Yeah, the thing is Pillar and Burns are college draftees so I'm thinking they should be playing with guys their age given that they are hitting very well where they're at.

Yeah, I read you. I have my doubts as to whether they'll admit they messed up, but let's hope they do. If they release Bonifacio, that would be a good sign.

Blame the Greek as well

Would someone in the media please stand up and rip AA and this organization?

Me too, at least they have Ortiz and Jenkins going back to back.

How do you know Anibal Sanchez isn't right? It's not like he said he'd help the team win any games...lol!

I was gonna say Boni should be sacrificed to send a message to the team that all this laughing it off in the dugout is not acceptable, but there's not much to sacrifice when the guy is as bad as Bonifacio. I would still do it because as much as the manager is supposed to handle the 25 guys on the field, this is AA's team and if Gibbons went nuts on them and embarrassed a few of them, I don't think AA would be too thrilled so it should be AA's decision. Won't happen though.

Yeah, Stilson has an injury history as well. He pitched 50 innings as a starter mostly. I like Stilson and don't disagree with the promotion. I do want to see Pillar and Burns get promoted to see what they can do against AAA and AA pitching.

Goes right along with Rogers' marketing plan on Sportsnet, all hype, no substance.

I think Biggie has trusted the oldest team in MLB to right itself because they're vetrins. I doubt he/AA would've tolerated the same out of Snider or other young players. I think they've let him down as they were clearly not ready to start the season and have been giving away games with the bat, the glove, the pitching, heck this explains it, that's a bad team right there.

It's early bro, relax...plus Beeston and AA are telling Rogers it's gonna be alright, they'll go on a 20 game winning streak.

Wasn't Gibbons supposed to bring some discipline to this ball club? Anyway...

Buck Martinez is a joke, but it's the fault of those running the franchise that his incompetence is tolerated, but then again, JPA is the catcher so...Anyway....

It seems to me there are pitches he should be turning on, but he hits them to CF or RF. There was also a breaking pitch right down the middle and he swung and missed, very concerned about him. At this point, it's about getting Lawrie right and deciding on who to trade at the deadline.