CHRIS

When did Rich Helling win 20?

See? The bunt --> run was the highlight of the whole game. Math, smath.

That's why I included both Dermody and Barnes in my post. Seems odd that these are the first two guys out in a 2-run game.

I'm not blaming him for that. I just don't see how he's higher up on the list of available pitchers over than Cecil, Benoit, etc.

Dermody and Barnes. Minor league numbers aside, WTF?

How do you go to Dermody there?

However you feel about the bunt, it has nothing to do with the fact that this team hasn't had a hit since the first batter of the game and that Estrada is perilously close to falling off a cliff. Boy, this is a lot of grief for something as simple as a struggling hitter trying to contribute, almost getting an infield single, and moving a runner to third as a worst case scenario. This team is not losing this game because they bunted and Tampa Bay didn't. Nobody said to the batters after Saunders, "hey, don't overshadow the bunt by getting more hits; let's try to eke out the next 8 innings".

In all likelihood, he probably wasn't using "likelihood" in a mathematical context, but rather from the perspective of a struggling team having difficulty scoring runs.

Pitching around Goins here. Smart.

Or we could have scored none. I get the idea of run expectancy and all, but if this team feels like they want to get out in front early, I'm okay with that. Certainly not advocating that they adopt this as a consistent strategy moving forward, however.

Lots of solid contact that inning.

Almost looked like he was bunting for a hit, with sacrifice the worst case. Almost beat it out.

Only 5 pitches so far!

I'm betting Buck and Tabby high-fived each other after that.

I don't think anyone forgets what he has done for this franchise, they're just trying to identify what he will likely be able to do for this franchise moving forward. Like most, I'd offer the QO, but would be leery of anything that's multiple years.

He's had really terrible timing in general. - putting in a just a single great season before becoming a free agent and signing his existing deal, which turned out to be a bargain because nobody knew if it was a fluke, or the new normal - having that deal expire just as he falls off a cliff If he gets in two seasons before signing his current deal, or had it expire before this season rather than after, he would find himself considerably richer than he is now. Imagine if they had had to make the extension decision after the bat flip moment? Not that I feel bad for him at all; he's still really wealthy, but man, what a difference a year can make.

Maybe BTS can run another one and see if he gets different results.

I don't like the idea of moving Sanchez, but not because of his Cy Young chances, which are pretty meaningless to me. I'm just wondering if they are simply migrating the risk from one area to another. Yes, his innings will be reduced, but now he's being asked to warm up differently and be used differently (possible 2,3 days in the row, etc.) that he has up until this point of the season. Obviously there's a lot that may be happening behind the scenes that we're not privy to, but I just get a weird vibe from this move.

This sounds very interesting, theoretically. That is until the first time Sanchez breezes through 3 innings and then Dickey coughs up a bunch. I'm glad I don't have to make the decision.

I would like to see them put Dickey in the pen and continue to start Sanchez until he shows signs that he needs to be taken out. I don't know why I think this, but if I had to guess who would be easier to stretch back out after a bullpen stint, my guess would be a knuckleball pitcher.

I think there's a fine line between "consistent" and "stubborn". Certainly there are benefits and costs associated with any transaction, including the idea of trading Jose Bautista. I think the key is to identify if/when the benefits of trading him (or approaching him about the possibility of being traded) outweigh the benefits of keeping him. While I'm sure there's a circumstance where the net positive benefit of trying to trade him exists (i.e., x games out with y teams in front of us), I just don't see how that's now, when: - we're in a playoff position - we're within striking distance of the division - we're filling the stadium - the team chemistry seems to be in a good state I can think of many of Blue Jays teams in the past 20 years who would have benefited greatly from your desired approach of selling at the deadline, in circumstances much less favourable than what this current team is facing. Having a "consistent" approach in an environment where so many inconsistencies and variables exist shouldn't necessarily be considered a feather in your cap, in my opinion.

Oh damn, Curt Hennig is totally dead. So I guess just Bugs.

The only two I can think of that *might* possibly be able to do that is Bugs Bunny and Curt Hennig.

I don't mind the lineup in that these guys can all pinch hit if it's really necessary. If you can get away with giving these guys some extra rest, go for it.

Piece of cake.