darthjon

Not a good sign when a comment like this from Lind follows not too long after players like Bautista criticized the lack of moves at the trade deadline. Morale is obviously in the shitter, which probably has something to do with the collapse down the stretch. I think it has become pretty clear that the problems with the team go much deeper than a couple of holes in the roster. This team just doesn't have what it takes to win, whether it's heart, commitment, stamina, or whatever. The Yankees have been decimated by injuries and yet they figure out how to win. The Rays were 15 games out and without most of their starting rotation, and look at what they've done in the second half. The Blue Jays are simply a bad team that has enough talent to play some good baseball over short stretches. The only difference between 2014 and 2013 is that they played great for a whole month this year instead of just an 11 game winning streak.

I'm getting tired of Gibby over-playing the lefty-righty matchups and bringing that useless sack of crap into the game. He can't field, he can't hit, and what the hell was with him stumbling out of the batter's box three times today? If they can't get rid of him altogether, at least leave him on the bench until you have no choice but to use him.

Adequately? Error aside, 7 hits through 3 innings is far from adequate. Oh look, another double as I write. At this rate it's going to be another wonderful 5 IP performance from the guy.

And last year was the reverse, brutal in first half and then solid down the stretch. Would be nice to get some consistency from the guy. And stupid Reyes has to be one of the most overpaid players in the game.

Just what every team wants, a 1B with hopefully decent defense who can't hit crap.

Is it possible that AA is calling up Sanchez to showcase him as trade bait? If he pitches well he helps the team and his trade value increases.

Unfortunately I'm 40, which is what makes this so painful. I was in high school during 92/93 (and was sitting in the 500 level for the famous Joe Carter home run) so I remember how awesome it is to cheer for a good Jays team. I also have two kids who are both into the Jays and I don't want to miss out on cheering for a good team with them while they are still young. I've just booked a trip to Chicago in August and my kids were ecstatic when I told them we got tickets to see the Jays in Chicago. It's really going to take a lot of the fun out of the experience if they're in last place by then...

We can't. The lineup right now only slightly resembles the lineup from 6 weeks ago. You can't expect a first place team to stay in first place when it isn't even the same team. Right now we're in the same mess we were in early 2013 - trying to compete with a lineup full of replacements. The only difference between 2014 and 2013 is that this year we've added a bunch of players other teams didn't want. The second half of July is going to be the most important two weeks of the season IMO. Whether we stay in the race or fall 7 or 8 games behind; whether we get Lawrie and Enc back by the end of July or very early in August; whether Rasmus can break out of his funk and reclaim his everyday spot in CF; and depending on all those factors, whether AA is able to pull off a deal to take this team over the top. It's going to be really disappointing if by August we're looking at another 20 year rebuilding period...

No news on an injury but Reyes is out of the lineup tonight. If that guy goes on the DL again....

This is getting stupid, AA really needs to stop bouncing useless players back and forth between Buffalo. Clearly there is no solid option at 2B so I'd rather see Kawasaki or Goins than any of the others.

I think you have to get a lot more specific than this for single game performance. For example, park factor is too general compared to something more specific like having a lefty power hitter playing in Yankee Stadium. Lefty/Righty splits also become very valuable for players who have a big split, as well as home/away splits.

Tight hammy has certainly done wonders for Reyes' performance...

Just thought of a fantastic idea for a reality show: Manage the Jays for the Day. Fans could send in applications and then be selected to manage the team for a game, while being followed by cameras. Great entertainment, great for fans, and probably better for the Jays. It's money!

Sure, but it's like watching an enjoyable movie that ends terribly. Over and over again. It must be completely demoralizing for the team to head into the late innings with the lead so many times only to see it fall apart. I think last night's game was a good example of poor management on Gibbons' part. Zaun nailed it in his comments again. There was no reason to leave Loup in there to erase a 4 run lead on 4 hits and a walk. Unlike many of the other blowups, last night's game wasn't about one bad pitch with runners on. Gibbons should have yanked Loup to try to stem the bleeding and retain the lead. And I don't know how many times he has to put Redmond and Jenkins in high leverage situations before he realizes that they can't handle it. One more thing: when is Reyes going to start contributing? The way he's been playing since returning from the DL (again) he should not be hitting at the top of the order.

I don't know how many more times fans can watch this team blow leads before they just stop watching to begin with. Something has to change.