The blue birds season opener is only 12 days away. Yes, I am counting. With that in mind, certain positions are gettin more clear, while other areas will be decided on the last day of the spring.
Jays management, have said that its now down to Drabek, Jo Jo Reyes, and Jesse Litsch to fight for the final 2 spots in the rotation. It would not surprise me, if all three make the team out of spring. Jesse Litsch and Kyle Drabek look to be in the lead to land the last couple spots, with Reyes being one of the long men out of the bullpen.
Speaking of the bullpen, the outlook from the Jays camp is that Dotel, and Francisco may not be able to start the season with the ball club. Rauch will then be the guy, if thats the case. Shawn Camp and Jason Frasor, will share a set up role.
Everyone hates injuries in spring before the season even starts, but if there is a position the Jays have depth in, its the bullpen. The injuries to Dotel and Francisco should not hurt the club too much.
Keep your eye on the ball!
Matty R
me at rider game
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Who Will Jays Take North?
It's just about that time again!
Here we are, half way through spring traint. Time to predict what the Toronto Blue Jays roster will look like, come opening night, on April 1st, against the Twins
Starting off, lets look at the starting rotation.
Ricky Romero
Brandon Morrow
Brett Cecil
Jesse Litsch
Kyel Drabek
That is most likely the five men, who will be starting this year for the Jays. I have a feeling, that Jesse will get the fourth spot. Little more experience, and you may want to break up the power arms, with Jesse who throws a little bit slower, and then come back with alittle more heat, with Drabek.
A couple dark horses, Zach Stewart, and Jo Jo Reyes. Stewart, is having a great spring, but he's still young, and the organization, probably wants him to spen another year in the minors. Although, look for Stewart, to get the call sometime this year. Reyes, was acquired last year from the Braves, in the Yunel Escobar deal. Reyes is out of options, so the Jays will take a hard look at him. He's been impressing also this spring, and could wind up with a bullpen job aswell
Staying with pitching, this is how I see the bullpen shaping up
CP-Frank Francisco
SU- Octavio Dotel
SU- Jon Rauch
Jason Frasor
Shawn Camp
David Purcey
Casey Janssen
Few dark horses include Jo Jo Reyes, who I talked about above, Carlos Villanueva ,also Jesse Carlson. But I feel Purcey will win the lefty job over Jesse.
Now to the guys, who will be counted on, in scoring the runs. The lineup
CF-Raja Davis
SS-Yunel Escobar
1B-Adam Lind
3B-Jose Bautista
2B-Aaron Hill
LF-Travis Snider
RF-Juan Rivera
DH-Edwin Encarnacion
C-J.P Arencibia
The bench will look something like:
C-Jose Molina
IF-John McDonald
IF/OF-Mike McCoy
OF-Corey Patterson
I would love if Canadian Brett Lawrie was the opening day third baseman, but i feel the Jays wont want to rush him, even tho he is having a great spring. We will see him up sometime this year, but Brett probably starts the year in AAA Las Vegas
Looking over this roster of the 2010-2011, edition of our Jays, it really gets me excited. This team is not far off from championship contention, and who knows, if things fall into place, and we avoid injuries, that wildcard spot, is very reachable.
I just want to quickly give props to Jays GM Alex. When he took over for JP, the Jays farm system was ranked almost dead last, not many prospects, and the idea of signing the likes of Frank Thomas.
Under Alex's leadership and the importance he feels in scouting and drafting, the Jays farm system is ranked all the way up, at #4, with many top prospects.
There are some great years ahead for this franchise, and its very exciting.
In the very near future, we will be back where we belong, playing some October ball
Thanks for reading
We'll chat again soon
Keep your eye on the ball!
MR
Here we are, half way through spring traint. Time to predict what the Toronto Blue Jays roster will look like, come opening night, on April 1st, against the Twins
Starting off, lets look at the starting rotation.
Ricky Romero
Brandon Morrow
Brett Cecil
Jesse Litsch
Kyel Drabek
That is most likely the five men, who will be starting this year for the Jays. I have a feeling, that Jesse will get the fourth spot. Little more experience, and you may want to break up the power arms, with Jesse who throws a little bit slower, and then come back with alittle more heat, with Drabek.
A couple dark horses, Zach Stewart, and Jo Jo Reyes. Stewart, is having a great spring, but he's still young, and the organization, probably wants him to spen another year in the minors. Although, look for Stewart, to get the call sometime this year. Reyes, was acquired last year from the Braves, in the Yunel Escobar deal. Reyes is out of options, so the Jays will take a hard look at him. He's been impressing also this spring, and could wind up with a bullpen job aswell
Staying with pitching, this is how I see the bullpen shaping up
CP-Frank Francisco
SU- Octavio Dotel
SU- Jon Rauch
Jason Frasor
Shawn Camp
David Purcey
Casey Janssen
Few dark horses include Jo Jo Reyes, who I talked about above, Carlos Villanueva ,also Jesse Carlson. But I feel Purcey will win the lefty job over Jesse.
Now to the guys, who will be counted on, in scoring the runs. The lineup
CF-Raja Davis
SS-Yunel Escobar
1B-Adam Lind
3B-Jose Bautista
2B-Aaron Hill
LF-Travis Snider
RF-Juan Rivera
DH-Edwin Encarnacion
C-J.P Arencibia
The bench will look something like:
C-Jose Molina
IF-John McDonald
IF/OF-Mike McCoy
OF-Corey Patterson
I would love if Canadian Brett Lawrie was the opening day third baseman, but i feel the Jays wont want to rush him, even tho he is having a great spring. We will see him up sometime this year, but Brett probably starts the year in AAA Las Vegas
Looking over this roster of the 2010-2011, edition of our Jays, it really gets me excited. This team is not far off from championship contention, and who knows, if things fall into place, and we avoid injuries, that wildcard spot, is very reachable.
I just want to quickly give props to Jays GM Alex. When he took over for JP, the Jays farm system was ranked almost dead last, not many prospects, and the idea of signing the likes of Frank Thomas.
Under Alex's leadership and the importance he feels in scouting and drafting, the Jays farm system is ranked all the way up, at #4, with many top prospects.
There are some great years ahead for this franchise, and its very exciting.
In the very near future, we will be back where we belong, playing some October ball
Thanks for reading
We'll chat again soon
Keep your eye on the ball!
MR
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Heat Struggle In The Clutch
Times are rough for the Heat and their fans.
Today they dropped yet another game, to a top tier team in the league. Miami is 1-9 againt the top 6 teams in the league, and 14-18 against teams who are under 500.
With this loss, they have now dropped 4 in a row, and 5 of 6.
I will be honest, when the big 3 arrived in Miami in the offseason, i knew they'd be a tough team, but i was sure, they couldnt contend with the top teams in the league.
Yes, they have arguably the top two players in the league, and maybe another top ten, in Bosh. But, other than those 3 players, they have really nothing. No center, no point guard, and no bench. So when your goin against a great defensive team, like the Bulls or the Celtics, you cant just depend on the 1 on 1 game.
The only time Miami can get anything going, is when James, Wade or Bosh are on the court. These guys will tire, being played so much, especially come playoff time.
The great Michael Jordan was quoted saying "you win games with talent, but you win championships with teamwork and intelligence". Flat out, the Heat dont have that. They have talent to beat the lower class teams, but not the playoff type teams.
If Miami wants to contend for titles, they have to trade Bosh and pick up some role players. Some guys off the bench, solid guys down low. Give James, and Wade some help. Keep them rested for the stretch run. Make other teams worry about other players. Unless they do that, the Heat will have an awful amount of difficulty contending for a title.
Have a great day
Keep your eye on the ball!
MR
Today they dropped yet another game, to a top tier team in the league. Miami is 1-9 againt the top 6 teams in the league, and 14-18 against teams who are under 500.
With this loss, they have now dropped 4 in a row, and 5 of 6.
I will be honest, when the big 3 arrived in Miami in the offseason, i knew they'd be a tough team, but i was sure, they couldnt contend with the top teams in the league.
Yes, they have arguably the top two players in the league, and maybe another top ten, in Bosh. But, other than those 3 players, they have really nothing. No center, no point guard, and no bench. So when your goin against a great defensive team, like the Bulls or the Celtics, you cant just depend on the 1 on 1 game.
The only time Miami can get anything going, is when James, Wade or Bosh are on the court. These guys will tire, being played so much, especially come playoff time.
The great Michael Jordan was quoted saying "you win games with talent, but you win championships with teamwork and intelligence". Flat out, the Heat dont have that. They have talent to beat the lower class teams, but not the playoff type teams.
If Miami wants to contend for titles, they have to trade Bosh and pick up some role players. Some guys off the bench, solid guys down low. Give James, and Wade some help. Keep them rested for the stretch run. Make other teams worry about other players. Unless they do that, the Heat will have an awful amount of difficulty contending for a title.
Have a great day
Keep your eye on the ball!
MR
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