pickoff22

Sure, it has happened. But the odds are against them especially with all the struggles their outfield and starters have had. When we were 9 back last year no one thought we had a chance.

This year many "experts" called for the Rays to win the division or even the WS with the Sox the next most picked team from the East. Of course they are at the bottom of the pack (with the Rays being absolutely atrocious - yikes). And of course the team picked to finish last lead the division and are a nice 12 games over .500 And of course last year we were the popular pick with the Red Sox chosen to finish last. How many times does this game prove that you really don't know s*** about the game and what's going to happen. Love it.

Amazing. Link? Details?

If so please post - and thanks!

I have faith. Maybe he needs to get back on that weight ball program. But he was good for more than just last year - really hope he gets it back

I'm not about to say the essence of the article is wrong, but this snippit I can assure you was as close to fabricated as you can get: The following is a conversation I had in Out of My League, between myself and a real fellow Padres relief pitcher at the time who, in the book, went by the code name Bentley: "Number 57!" came a voice from behind me. I turned to see Bentley standing there with two drinks in hand. He casually made his way over to me with a big-league smile stretched across his face and handed me one. "Welcome to the Sky Lounge," he said, and clinked my glass with his. "Thanks for having me," I said. "Enjoying your seven and seven?" he asked, referring the seven nights in a hotel and seven nights worth of meal money—just over a grand in cash—the Padres had given me to get settled. "Very much so." I said, turning back to the view. We stood there looking off the roof and onto the field. Bentley had been here longer than me and his seven and seven must have run out by now, which prompted me to ask him, "Are you staying here the whole time?" "Yeah, it's cheaper than moving into an apartment since we're only here for a couple days out of the month. Besides, you can't find a lease for just a month and a half. You're committed to the hotel. Which is fine. I have an elite membership card. You should get one too," he nudged me, "the points add up quick." "How much is it per night?" "I think the rates here are something like $260 for a normal guest." I choked on my drink. "$260?" "Something like that." He looked to my gaping mouth and raised an eyebrow. "You're in 'The Show,' you can afford it." "Maybe, but that's still a lot of money." "Not anymore." He took a sip of his drink. "That blows me away," I said. "I mean, this offseason, I was working at a television store and now I'm sipping a mixed drink from the top of a five-star hotel overlooking the major-league field I play on. I can't believe this is actually happening." Bentley said nothing. "Maybe I'm wrong for thinking this, but it makes me wonder why there is such a huge gap between the guys up here and the guys in the minors. I mean, if you just spread out the smallest portion of all this to the guys below it would make their lives so much easier, don't you think? "That's a terrible idea," said Bentley. "Why do you say that? There is so much here." "Because it's meant to be this way. It's a grind for a reason. The guys who can't take it don't deserve to be up here. Besides, the union fights for us to have all this. There have been guys up here who went through hell to make it like it is. It's not just for anybody." "Maybe. I guess I've just never experienced anything like this. I know I've worked my ass to get up here, but I feel like I don't deserve all this. It's so much so fast." "I feel like I deserve it," Bentley said, and then gulped his drink. "Really?" "Of course. We beat the odds; we deserve all of this. If this is what they want to give us, then take it. Don't ask questions. Besides, this here," he waved his arms as if to claim everything around us, the field, the hotel, the bar, "this is the only level you can make an impact at. It's the only one that matters—the only one people care about. All the rest of that stuff is just practice to get here." "But—" "No buts." He stopped me. "This is the only league that matters. Your career in baseball starts here."

Well it would be one thing if he just stopped trying and became awful because of lack of effort, but that's not the case. He's a good guy who just appears to have lost it

I heart Blue Jays.

well Casey made that stress free. beautiful

f*** me and my faith in delabar

In what way? When you're cuddling with him? Cause you sure as hell don't mean in this game cause he's gonna LOCK s*** DOWN.

Hey guys. Anything exciting happening?

No, you're not the only one. Aiming for Shields makes much more sense IMO, though I still think it will cost more than we should pay, unless somehow we are able to work out an extension which would likely be near impossible. And Edwin's contract make it him as near close to untradeable as you can get, the guy's not going anywhere

I think most are underestimating the chances he would resign here, but I am concerned we'll get outbid. An extension in the 38-42 range for 3yrs seems like a good offer to make to try to lock it down before he hits the open market.

Nothing all that new here, but figured I'd post it for those interested: Notes from the Field Studying Aaron Sanchez by Chris Mellen Over the course of a season, I like to get multiple looks at a starting pitcher prospect as a baseline for establishing developmental trends and gauging progression. Similar to when sitting on a position player prospect for a series or stretch of games, there can be variability from look to look in regards to what you see. It’s possible, for instance, that in an isolated appearance a pitcher is working on one particular pitch or certain aspect of his game that doesn’t reveal the full scope of his arsenal. Or, the arm just doesn’t have it, for whatever reason, on a given night. It’s important when building the book to be able to reference reports from various points in time to compare, contrast, and look for clues that assist with making projections. Aaron Sanchez entered the season high on my radar, and I knew I’d get plenty of opportunities to see him over the course of 2014 given his assignment to the Eastern League. As things would line up, I was able to catch Sanchez three times over the course of the first six weeks of the season, and build a solid base on which to follow up deeper into the schedule. First report: April 15th. The initial look at Sanchez showed premium raw stuff, especially his fastball and curveball. Both pitches can be very nasty on hitters. However, an area of need quickly emerged during the look: the consistency of the pitcher’s fastball command. Second report: May 3rd. The outing where Sanchez’s fastball looked the best gave a glimpse of what the pitch can do when executed properly. It’s downright overpowering when thrown from the thighs down and in the lower tier. A developmental pattern also began to show in this start, in that the prospect featured nothing but fastballs the first trip through the order. Third report: May 10th. The pattern continued of all fastballs the first trip through the order, but Sanchez had very little feel for his heater and paid for his wildness. The lack of consistency with the pitch is a concern. On the plus side, the pitcher’s changeup showed the best action of my three looks, and the curveball continued to demonstrate legit big-league out-pitch potential Conclusion: Sanchez’s raw stuff shines when on the mound, but his rough edges and needs equally stand out. This arm is very much a work in progress, presently. Between the hard, heavy action of his fastball and crisp, deep break to the curveball his repertoire can dominate a lineup and should continue to do so as he advances. But the inconsistent fastball command within the zone and bouts of wildness leave doubts as to whether the full potential will be maximized over the long run. The delivery looks to have limitations when it comes to his ability to consistently throw downhill. The follow-up looks deeper into the year will serve as chances to evaluate what kind of progress is being made.

My seats are right behind first and I can safely say from my angle that EE makes that play at least 95% of the time. That said it's on Reyes as he put Edwin in that position. Very unfortunate, but every team will have a few tough losses over the course of the season.

I must say the "month of Edwin" has got to be in my top 10. Just amazing to watch - if he can pass Bonds that would be incredible. For a weekday game the energy was great last night in the Rogers center after that second bomb. Edwin's the easiest guy to like to begin with so watching him crush it like this is so much fun

Against James Shields I believe. Let's do the same tonight

Oh man that was a crazy game

First and foremost I realize I am opening myself up to criticism for starting a corny thread, but screw it I'm doing it anyways. So...... What's your all-time favourite Jays moment? I feel as though there will be many things people say that I've forgotten about so looking forward to the reponses. As for me, it was Jimmy Key picking off Otis Nixon in the 1992 WS. As you might tell from my username I'm a big Jimmy Key fan - he was my favourite player and as a kid growing up I was absolutely obsessed with him. I was sooooooo excited to watch him pitch in that game and was very discouraged to see Nixon get on. When he got picked off I absolutely lost it.

I imagine they're these ones: https://www.stubhub.com/toronto-blue-jays-tickets/blue-jays-vs-royals-5-29-2014-4403000/?ticket_id=1090740196 Seller can always lower his price and let the transaction happen on stubhub if anyone here is interested (as stubhub has a guarantee that tickets are authentic)

Casey Janssen has "general soreness" in shoulder and was unavailable today. Described shoulder as "a little tender." http://www.fantasyalarm.com/playerupdate/186890/blue-jays-casey-janssen-p/

I agree, and if this is a pre trade deadline move based on our current standings at the time, then I could see the pursestrings being loosened as I imagine TV ratings and attendance will reflect the potential for profits if we make the playoffs. It's Amaro's stubbornness that I'm more worried about.

Two things way against us.....first Rogers has shown us already they don't want to open up the checkbook and both those pitchers carry hefty salaries for more than this season. And even moreso, Amaro continues to show me that he ought to be considered amongst the worst GMs in baseball at this stage. So damn stubborn and has steadily refused to trade their "stars" with the thought they can contend.

Yikes, I didn't realize his options was for $6 million (750k buyout). Love his stuff and always wanted to believe but can't do it at that price.