shortstop

I don't like this we have to get the Shark mentality...is he really the only choice out there? perhaps some tunnel vision going on here...there will be others pitchers that will become available...key of course is how long, if the jays are still in the hunt, can the jays wait to add a consistent/reliable starter for a playoff push? I for one don't know much about Shark but would not give up one or both of Stroman or Sanchez...ergo, jays wouldn't get him...let some other club give up significant assets... there will be another pitcher available that would be able to contribute and pitch in meaningful games... as an aside, my question is - who needs a CF for a playoff push & what could the jays get in return for Rasmus? is there a playoff type team deep in starting pitching that needs a CF?

G-Snarls, since May 12th, with 1 off-day in there for the tigers, he's hit 9th 4 times, 1st 3 times & didn't really play in 3 but was a PR in one of those games... so it seems they put him 1st against LHP's & Kinsler to 2nd but otherwise Kinsler 1st and usually Davis is playing & batting 9th... not sure of course if that's what they've done all season...

Gose as #9, premier defence, bunting/taking walks, speed...he's making the case to be the starter in 2015

fun to see Gibby yapping away at the ump who imo deserved it after that inside fastball by Loup on Holt I believe...

you know he's not reliable at all when most may agree we feel the red flag/alarm bells go off when Gibby brings in Rogers in a 6-1 in any stadium...

haven't visited too many ball parks but my fav so far is PNC park in Pittsburgh...what an experience...Rogers Centre, not so much

that was actually a smart play by Lawrie...a) his moment is carrying him towards the dugout Papi is in his throwing lane c) Lawrie has full confidence he can make that throw d) he indeed makes that throw to ensure I) he doesn't need to stop & plant himself taking additional time ii) the ball gets over Papi...

Georgia, I don't think the jays have had good times since the early '90s...sure, we've had some winning seasons above .500, but did the jays have any season where they were legitimately competing for a playoff spot/playing meaningful baseball from mid-August? I think the fanbase across the city/country is aching for a competitive team, year in & year out...then the people imo will come & consistently raise the avg attendance from where it has been on average over the past 10-20 yrs...

I would imagine the players really respect Gibby for doing that for Rasmussen...

the guy swings at anything and everything, in or out of the zone... he's had success at every level except mlb...he's conditioned himself to think he's elite/alpha dog & had been up to reaching the majors...I think if he finds his form again, he's one of those types that will need to hit rock bottom psychologically/mentally - that his entire hitting approach needs to change & that he's not even close to good enough...and I don't think he's anywhere near rock bottom... that's one thing I find will help Lawrie as he continues with his career...he experienced the frustrations of a crappy hitting season last year, though I think being injured/missing some time impacted this...nonetheless, you can see he's made some adjustments and hopefully will continue to work on this aspect, the mental aspect of his game moving forward...

figured Gibbons would do that, just didn't think it would be in that situation with that much on the line...likely heard the I/v he gave after learning he was getting called up & how it'd be a dream to face Big Papi...that's Gibbons for ya, he's old school & likes a good story...

Moogy, that's a good post re: attendance/game over the years... I think one factor underlying those 2 outlier seasons including last year is this: this city/this country is aching for a competitive team into August/September - forget playoffs for now - we just want to be in the legitimate discussion and playing meaningful baseball...with signings/increase salary, the expectation amongst the general fan is this team will be competing for a playoff spot...I think only reason last years avg was 14th was b/c they probably sold so many flex packs/season tickets before opening day, otherwise unlikely so many would have showed up...I recall going to games in August, wildly out of the hunt & the place was packed for a weekend game against a non-red sox/Yankees opponent... give the fans some real competitive years, perhaps even a wildcard/playoff spot, and the culture of the fanbase will be, imo, to support this team when the team is 5-8 games from .500 by June...the culture in some cities, like Pittsburgh, is very likely the belief amongst the fans that despite their slow start, the pirates will turn it around, not the oh no, not another season like the last 10... as much as I had a hate on for Lind those times when he's been useless at the plate, always have had a soft spot for the guy - he wants to win here and be here in Toronto - and I respect that a lot...whether he's part of the core, I think he's on the fringe only b/c he's a specialist hitter only hitting righties...with the right mix, I think he is part of this core as, to his credit, he has performed...

EE is part of the culture of this team that AA has and should be building around...I believe some time ago he mentioned could see EE/JB with jays into their late 30's, like Ortiz with the Red Sox...when we think the jays, we think of JB, EE...these guys want to win for this team, this city, especially since this is the team where it clicked for them & they got a real shot... assuming they remain competitive, you continue to keep and build around the core of JB, EE, BL, hopefully Melk sticks around, maybe JR presuming he doesn't decline too much (I still think we have yet to see the best of JR), some of the late inning guys in the pen including CJ...

should be Navarro/Kratz tandem... Thole's slow dribblers hit to 2nd are wearing on me...

I can see it going both ways...one hand, if this team stays competitive/in the hunt, attendance will naturally improve as we get into the thick of summer...combination of better weather & hopes of playoffs... same time, and stating the obvious, if this team gets X games below .500 and the whatever luster has worn off, could see attendance lower/stay where it is currently at...

sometimes i feel like giving him a standing ovation...while i'm watching at home...he's just a pleasure to watch...even when things are not going his way, he'll be pitching the same way - usually be a location issue when things don't go well - but right now, his location is money.

JB's attitude is so much better this year...has he complained once to an ump? Just great to see him focus on baseball... 2 above .500 is good but this team needs a cushion - something like 5-10 games above .500...question is can they beat teams during a stretch where that team is playing well...

haven't seen much of Stroman but from the little I have seen, that fastball is too straight as a few others have pointed out & he's getting lit up... My sense is part of the problem is predictability/pitch sequence...he has the stuff to mess with the hitters thought process & will figure it out...

yeah, this is fine imo if it's a mutual decision & likely how it went down...they've done right by McGowan, gave him a chance to start & see if he was able/willing to do it, and moving him to the bullpen at his request...

good game by Happ, surprised me - didn't think he had a game like last night left in him with the jays...question is can he locate his pitches like he did last night...history has shown no but we'll see what the next game brings...

lol... funny also b/c it could very well be true which would be ironic, proactive on one front but not on the other...

haven't followed the rays much but hasn't their starting rotation been beset by injuries?

from what I understand, he's made adjustments at all levels except for mlb in a rather short period of time...we need more info on him at the mlb level...watching him at the plate last night reminded me of him last year at the big club - this level is a little ahead of him...but he might figure it out this time up or his next time up with the big club...

and Lawrie looked none too happy after the error...instead of the crap, i made an error look, he had the wtf am I playing 2nd for look...

bang for the buck, I like that foursome... really hoping jays resign Melky at a reasonable deal - he seems to like it on team dominican