Brand New Season, Brand New Jays

The following entry is a guest post by Ontario resident Craig Ballard. You can read more from Craig on his blog by clicking here.

The 2011 season for YOUR TORONTO BLUE JAYS is here. The time for optimism is now, I understand that. All MLB fans have their favorite teams tied for 1st place in their division, and as a back-up tied for the Wild Card too. For some that optimism/euphoria/excitement will end just as quickly as Jim Halpert's tenure as Manager for Dunder-Mifflin. For others, there will be an unexpected lightning-in-a-bottle season. And for some remaining squads, it will be a season of organizational development. Where do the 2011 Jays look like they will be?

Personally, I see it as a season for development. I mentioned before that I understand the excitement about this time of year, but if you are someone who thinks the Jays will make the playoffs in 2011 then we are just not on the same page. We can surely enjoy the season together, but we have clashing points of view.

I would inquire, "If 2011 was targeted as the year to start making your playoff runs (yes, runs - plural) then why trade Doc? Why trade Marcum? Why let Scott Downs, John Buck, Lyle Overbay go? To a lesser extent why let Kevin Gregg go as well?" Some may say why trade the offensive production Vernon Wells would have given you too? I personally would say that getting out from underneath Wells' contract was a win under any circumstances.

For me the word of 2011 Toronto Blue Jays is Development. But, questions are bountiful. I am watching to see how 23-year-old Kyle Drabek will develop in his first full MLB season. Will Brett Cecil continue to progress? Cecil took a good chunk off of his rookie season ERA in year #2, but a high hits total, and a brutal spring have me in wait-and-see mode for Cecil's 2011 and beyond. Will Brandon Morrow develop the arm strength and stamina to not have to end 2012 early like '10 and '11 (Morrow will be shut down at about 185 innings this season)? Will Morrow build a solid rapport with rookie catcher J.P. Arencibia? Jose Molina is the personal catcher for Morrow currently, but as Arencibia is the catcher of the future, ideally the team and its fans should want those two to develop their chemistry/rhythm as a battery. Will Adam Lind develop into a legit first baseman in terms of production? Will Travis Snider show the skill he has and get his MLB career going?!?!

The Snider inquiry is a big one. I am sure I am not the only one, but I have not given up on Snider. MEGA potential, but at 23 this .248 career hitter has to get it going soon. He has 19 career HR's and he surely needs more than that this season alone (and going forward).

All of the players mentioned will be asked to be major contributors to this organization in 2012 and beyond so as fans we are hoping for their development.

Truly, I believe that AA will have the Jays in perennial playoff contention from 2013 going forward, but if guys use 2011 to accelerate their development then we may see something special as soon as 2012 (as The ENVY say "fingers crossed").

Another story that may unfold a tad in 2011 is what will the double-play duo look like for the Jays after this season? Will it be the current duo of YEScobar and Aaron Hill? Will it be Adeiny Hechavarria and Hill? Will it be YEScobar and Brett Lawrie? Will it be Hechavarria and Lawrie? What about Alfredo Griffin and Damaso Garcia? If you get rebound seasons from YEScobar and/or Hill I think either one of them could become easy trade bate.

Actually, I feel that way about the entire roster (except perhaps Jose Bautista, due to his recent contract). We have seen that AA wants to have young, high-upside players, with controllable contracts. He has brought Drabek, Lawrie, Anthony Gose, Morrow, and YEScobar into the organization. He traded Marcum and SS Alex Gonzalez when they had their most value. I think AA will make a trade(s) this season that will be along those lines. Selling high to get a return asset that is young, high-upside, controllable contract, looks to be AA's modus operandi.

Of course, speaking of development, we will watch rookie manager John Farrell and his progression, especially his influence on this young pitching staff.

Any way you slice it, the stat of the season for the 2011 Jays is that this is the 23rd season for the Jays in the SkyDome/Rogers Centre. Is it just me or did that shock you too? Does not seem like 23 years to me. Time surely flies.

Go Jays, Go...

_______________________________________________________

You can follow Craig Ballard on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Fisher Cats Win Larry McPhail Award

The parking at Merchants Auto is downright horrible, but thankfully every few games there are fireworks that keep the fans in the park a little bit longer, so I can get out easier. Surely it is fair to say that was not the only promotion that brought fans out to the park this summer. 

The Fisher Cats won the 2010 MiLB Larry McPhail Award for the top promotion effort in all of Minor League Baseball. The Cats and their management set out with a goal to create as many fun and magical moments throughout the season, and obviously succeeded, thus winning the award. As crazy as it sounds, there were a few games that had as many as 35 promotions throughout the day. Some of which included, the crazy hot dog guy, Ollie the bat dog, the Fisher Kittens, and the aforementioned fireworks. I'm sure some of you are saying, "isn't there a game supposed to be going on?" Well obviously the game was the best part, but the prestigious award was given for the excellent promotions during a game day and throughout the season.

The club this season held 40 theme events, 27 premium giveaways, and 25 fireworks shows. If they had that at Yankee Stadium this season the ballpark would be on lockdown by Hal Steinbrenner. If you ask me, even if they hadn't had all of these promotions (which let me just say are actually really disturbing at times for people like me who just want to watch the game), it still would have been a blast going to ball park all summer.

In the end the Cats, who were one of the best teams on the field in the Minor Leagues this season, make up an integral part in my love for the game of baseball.
----------------------------------------

We are pleased to announce we have added ANOTHER Minor League scout into the mix. Please join us in welcoming SPANdemonium! A quick Q&A should serve us well as an intro. Check it:

Well first of all, thank you 1 Blue Jays Way for this opportunity! I love the Jays and love their Minor League teams. Hopefully I will be able to contribute some Fisher Cats news that people haven't heard yet.

Q: How long have you been a fan of the longtime Blue Jays AA affiliate the New Hampshire Fisher Cats?

A: Well I've been a Cats fan since I've been a Jays fan, which I've been for several years. The Fisher Cats are a great team and Manchester, NH is a fine city. The experience of going to see them play and the players on the team make it that much more fun.

Q: It was reported that the Cats skipper got promoted to assistant coach with the Blue Jays. What are your thoughts on Luis Rivera making the jump from AA to the big leagues?

A: Luis Rivera did a fantastic job as the Cats Manager. What a great guy as well. In some ways, I thought that he wasn't fully ready to manage a Major League team, but he isn't, so I like the move. His role on the team now will be with John Farrell and former manager, Don Wakamatsu, so if anything, he is now even closer to managing a Major League team, which I think will eventually happen.

Q: How many Fisher Cats games did you attend in 2010?
 

A: I didn't get a chance to see the Cats play as much as I would have liked to this summer because I was busy back and forth between Vermont and New York but I saw them play plenty, had some fun moments with the players and saw some great games. Luckily, I was able to see Kyle Drabek pitch 5 times including 1 Post-Season start.

A: What are your observations on Merchantsauto.com Stadium? Do you have a favorite spot where you like to sit?
 

A: Merchants Auto is just an incredible ballpark, I think its better than some Major League parks. My day starts where I get to the park several hours before the first pitch, grab a bite to eat at the pub while watching BP, which overlooks the ballpark, and then see the people I know while waiting for the gates to open. MA.com is extremely fan friendly which makes the experience even better. I will then go to the pen and await the starting pitcher, say what's up, and watch him warm up, and then make my way down the first base line so I can talk to and watch the Cats warm up. The players are so friendly and fun to talk to. Many of them know me and I continue to keep in touch with some until I see them in March/April. I usually sit right behind first base, but you can pretty much sit wherever you want.

Q: We here at 1BlueJaysWay have a man crush on Cats leadoff man Darin Mastroianni. He is currently knocking the cover off the ball in Venezuela. Tell us your thoughts on him in general and give us your take on his defense in centerfield.
 

A: Well you guys aren't the only ones who have a man crush on Darin, every Cats fan says "Darin is my favorite" and why not? 40+ stolen bases and a .300 AVG will do that. His ETA is really undetermined because of his age (25) and our good buddy Vernon Wells, but Darin has the tools to be an above average Major Leaguer. I'm not going to say that I don't like his defense, but if he really worked on his throws he would be a better defender. Still, a sparkplug and his Grandma will say it best, he is a very, very good player. Again the only problem is his age.

Q: Is there anything else you think we should know about you?

A: I have a lot of video and pictures that I will soon upload to the site. Pictures and video including Kyle Drabek's No-Hitter. Also, I am not a Yankee fan at all. I hate the Yankees. I live in NY and go to a ton of Yankees games, but luckily I have t-shirts and hats of every other team to wear to the stadium.

You can follow our boy Dave on Twitter by clicking here and you can checkout his blog by clicking here. We encourage you to do both.

Loewen Working Hard at Conversion to Hitter

At age 26, Adam Loewen is in the midst of climbing toward his second big league career. Currently an outfielder with Toronto's Double A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Loewen was once the top pitching prospect in the Orioles system and reached the Major Leagues as a starting pitcher. Faced with potential career threatening injuries, Loewen chose to convert himself to an everyday position player.

In 2002, the 18-year-old lefty Loewen became the highest Canadian draft pick in Major League Baseball history. At age 22, in 2006, Loewen was leading his native Canada in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, and holding American all-stars like Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Derrek Lee hitless, while earning a win. Later that year he made his Major League debut with the Orioles.

By 2008, Loewen had appeared in 35 Major League games, posted an 8-8 record and had a 5.38 ERA. However, his pitching career would be cut short after suffering two stress fractures in his left elbow. Doctors inserted a 4 1/2" screw in the elbow to assist with the healing process of his first break in 2007. The healing did not go as expected and Loewen fractured his elbow again the following year. Once he was out of options, the Orioles released Loewen and he subsequently became a free agent. Looking for a home with which to restart his professional baseball career, this time as a hitter, and faced with a log jam of young outfielders in the Baltimore system, Loewen signed with Toronto after the Blue Jays contacted his agent.

The transition was an easy one for Loewen to decide upon, as the idea of becoming an everyday player was always in the back of his mind, throughout his first rise to the big leagues. "I always said to myself, if my arm blew out, or if I had a serious career threatening injury, that I'd want to come back as a hitter," Loewen said, in an exclusive interview with 1BlueJaysWay's Jay Ballz. "It happened, and I could still throw from the outfield. So, it was a blessing in disguise."

Loewen credits a lot of Blue Jays personnel, including Single A hitting coach Justin Mashore, for helping him reinvent himself as a baseball player. He also gives himself a helping of props. "I think really what it comes down to is, am I willing to stay in the cage for extra swings and keep working a lot harder than other guys, because I have a lot of ground to make up," Loewen proposed.

Last year, in his first season as a full time professional hitter, Loewen struggled. In 103 games at high A level Dunedin, he batted .236 with 4 homeruns and 31 RBI. After stepping up a level, this year, Loewen is showing that his hard work has paid off. Through his first 27 games with Double A New Hampshire, Loewen was batting .264 with 4 homers and 14 RBI. Loewen's average has slipped a bit in three games since then, going 1-for-11 in those match ups.

Toronto General Manager, Alex Anthopoulos, who signed Loewen to a two-year deal following the 2008 season, when Anthopoulos was Assistant GM, has stated on record that Loewen would likely need between 1,000-1,200 at bats before the organization might know if Loewen could become the next Rick Ankiel. Currently with the Royals, Ankiel had great difficulty throwing strikes, once he reached Majors as a pitcher with St. Louis in 2000. After those pitching struggles, Ankiel successfully converted himself to an outfielder and has become an everyday Major League hitter.

Loewen passed 710 plate appearances, since his conversion, this week, so the plateau where the Toronto brass could make an accurate assessment of Loewen's progress should come soon. Anthopoulos admits that, "Loewen has made great strides," and his statistical production this season will surely determine his future in the Toronto system.

Many players do not get the sort of second chance that Loewen is enjoying now and he's grateful for the chance to climb the ladder toward the Majors a second time. "I love playing everyday. I really do enjoy every minute of it, even when things aren't going my way," Loewen said. "I feel blessed for this opportunity to come back and play every day."

Reflecting back on his first stint in the big leagues, Loewen cites facing the Yankees as some of his most fond memories. "My first start was against Randy Johnson, at Camden Yards and I ended up getting a no decision. That was a really big thrill for me, to pitch against the Yankees and do well against them," Loewen said. Also worthy of note, Loewen was the very first pitcher in Major League history to face Cy Young Award winners in his first four starts, as, after Johnson, he was matched up against Tom Glavine and Roy Halladay twice.

As a native Canadian, Loewen followed the Blue Jays during his childhood. Possibly destined to focus himself on being an everyday position player, Loewen grew up admiring Ed Sprague, Paul Molitor and John Olerud. "I guess I kind of looked toward the hitters rather than the pitchers," Loewen said. "I didn't have really many favorite pitchers."

------------------------------

Jay Ballz runs PhoulBallz.com, a site that covers the Phillies organization, from the bottom to the top. He also has a weekly baseball segment on The Shore Sports Network in New Jersey. You can follow Jay on Twitter by clicking HERE.

How Did We Let This Fella Get Away?

39 years old + 60 feet 6 inches = 1 case of the yips.

Our boy Zaunbie was 'tricking' the opposition as per the voice of the Brewers (get well soon Bob Uecker).

Click here to see the video

LugNuggets

Happy MLB Opening Day!
The 2010 Lansing Lugnuts arrived safely into Michigan last night, resplendently mustachioed Salvatore Frank Fasano leading the way. The ride to Lexington Lansing Hotel was smooth and relaxed; the players won't see their new home ballpark until this afternoon.
While the Blue Jays take the field today, their Class-A minor leaguers receive their uniform numbers. The guys all sent in their numerical requests before they got on the plane to Detroit, but unfortunately for many of them, jerseys are numbered by size in the minors. The smallest jerseys get the smallest numbers, the biggest jerseys get the biggest numbers. There's no haggling about it.
There's no doubting who gets the largest number on the team: Sal Fasano is big and barrel-chested. The Lugnuts have already had to order out for an extra-large jersey for him.
Sal may cut an imposing figure, but this does not look to be a team in need of a great disciplinarian. In great contrast to years past, the 2010 Lugnuts are a squad of mostly collegians -- 22-year-olds and 23-year-olds balancing acumen with maturity. It's a far cry from the talented but raw collection of high schoolers from 2008 (John Tolisano, Kevin Ahrens, Justin Jackson).
The starting rotation will feature Ryan Shopshire, Matt Fields, 1st round pick Chad Jenkins, Ryan Tepera, and Dave Sever... though not necessarily in that order. The back of the bullpen will see Brian Slover and Steve Turnbull.
The early offensive storylines:
* A pair of fleet 2nd round outfielders drafted out of high school, Eric Eiland and Kenny Wilson, try to recoup their potential.
* A pair of former LSU teammates, Sean Ochinko and Ryan Schimpf, look to build upon their strong spring training performances.
Tomorrow is the squad's first practice. Wednesday's an exhibition against the Michigan State Spartans.
Thursday's Opening Day in all of the Minor Leagues; the Lugnuts will be in Dayton, Ohio. I expect Ryan Shopshire to be on the mound for that first game.

Ginger Campbell.....who gives a shit?

First off, my apologies to the rest of the gang at 1bluejaysway.....my first post is not statistics laden, or overly analytical, but figured this would be a good stepping point. The statement of "we demand more" really strikes me. Inspired me to contribute here. We, the fans, do deserve better and should demand more. Not because we buy tickets and pay their salaries and all that other bullshit, but because we care, because the Jays are our outlet for civic pride and all that other jibba jabba.

I started this off by starting to write about the exit of Sportsnet play by play man, Ginger Campbell, and how his career seemed to mirror the journey of J.P. and the good ship Blue Jay over the last 5 years, mired in an endless attempt to forge an identity and persue lofty ambitions. I got about three sentences in, and realized that I didn't really give a shit about the play by play booth and it's occupants.

However, in speaking of "lofty ambitions" my mind wandered back to the 2006 home opener versus the Minnesota Twins.

Halladay vs. Santana on the hill. A lineup full of hope. You see, for me, this is when it all started. What is "it" you ask? It's when I realized that our man J.P. has finally added the pieces we needed to start the season off right, and regain our rightful position at the top of the American League East. Funny what hindsight does. Go back, look at that boxscore and you start to see the beginning of what turned out to be some trends. Halladay pitching into the 8th, Wells leaving 6 runners on base, Reeder getting on base 3 times, Adams making an error, and a pre "Tommy John" B.J. Ryan mowing down the 9th inning with two K's.

A guy sitting beside me quipped to me in the top of the 9th, with B.J. running to the mound, "wow, this better not blow up", with the realization of the importance of this game on the 2006 season and the future direction of the team. I think that guy was Nostradamus. Fast forward 4 years. I'll spare you the details. You already know what's taken place. The shitty W-L records, questionable statements by now estranged GM's, the trades, THE TRADE. And well, where are we?

The foundation for the future, version 2.0, will be laid with the 2010 season. I'm heading down to Florida in March to check things out for myself. I'll report in during the time I'm at the games and hopefully, I'll get an interview with Alex Anthopoulos, or Cito Gaston or hell, even Chad the Beer Guy (you have to have been to Dunedin Stadium a.k.a. Knology Park to know who I'm talking about).

In the meantime, chin up Blue Jays fans.....we gotta start somewhere.....again.

Hope...Part One...

Call me crazy, but I'm thinking our 2010 Blue Jays are going to score a good amount of runs. I know what you're thinking, come on?!? The 2009 Jays had some players that didn't do what they should and what they get paid for, Vernon I'm looking at you. Then we had some players that had some career years. Now I'm looking at you Aaron. But in all seriousness, well as much I can have, I think this team is going to lose a lot of 10-8, 9 - 8 games. Let's face it, our pitching is going to be the weak link of this team, I'm going to make assumptions of things that might happen. If not, well, my plan goes to shit and what fun is that? But that's the fun of being a fan in the offseason. Alright, enough chat lets look at this. First Base: Adam Lind, great year last year and I don't expect those kind of numbers this year. I think he'll be moved to first this year as I don't see Overbay making it to spring in a Toronto jersey. .280 Avg, 28 HR, 97 Rbi's Second Base: Aaron Hill, Again I can't see him having another year like last year. He'll do well I'm sure, well I hope, but I don't expect those numbers again. .300 Avg, 25 HR, 86 Rbi's. Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez, look again, it's not the same one, but jez he hits with the same awful numbers. .240 Avg, 8 HR, 40 Rbi's Third Base: Brett Wallace, there's talk of moving this kid over to first, I say let's see what he's got. Word on the street is that he's been working real hard to prove people wrong and prove that he can play third. I like the kids attitude. Let's take a look. .275 Avg, 17 HR, 50 Rbi's Left Field: Again it looks like we've got Bautista, doesn't usually hit for average, but he's got a little bit of pop. .250 Avg, 15 HR, 45 Rbi's Centre Field: Vernon Wells, what can I say about this guy that hasn't been said before. Continuing on my crazy theory of these powerful 2010 Jays, I'm calling it right now! Vernon's coming back next year. I know we said it for two years now maybe three, but I gotta call it. He can't be shit 3 years in a row can he? .280 Avg, 30 HR, 100 Rbi's. Right Field: Travis Snider, sigh, come on kid. Show us what you've got. .275 Avg, 25 HR, 80 Rbi's. DH: Randy Ruiz, ok ok, I know what you're thinking, WHAT!?!? Management is prepping us for another bad year in Toronto this year. I say, throw Ruiz in the DH spot and let's see what he can do. We did that with Lind and how'd that work out? 10 Homers in 30 Games last year for Ruiz, oh sure I don't expect him to hit 50 HR's this year. But I don't see why he can't hit 30 and bring in 90-100 for us next year. Sure he's going to strikeout a LOT, but really, who else can we stick in there that'll do better? .280, 30 HR, 95 Rbi's. I really can't predict what's going on with catcher at this point, it might be Buck, it might not...just in these 8 players we've averaged 20 homers each. Sure things have to go right for these predictions to come to fruition. Things have to go right is what being a Jays fan is all about. Without hope with this team, what else we got?

What We Need Is.....

So, after a few hours at the home of the inlaws, I had some time to reflect on what it is the Jays need. There are very few certains in sports, in the NFL you have the white kicker. In the NBA you have the athletic swingman. In the NHL you have the cocky Russian Sniper and the French-Canadian Goalie. And in Major League Baseball you have the Dominican middle infielder and the right handed pitcher from Texas. Take a look around Jays fans, how many dominant pitchers have been right handed and from Texas. Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Josh Beckett. Remember when the Jays won it all? Who did we have up the Middle? Catch the taste Robbie and Dominican Tony. And who did we have on the bump that year? Granted he wasn't a star, but we had Gregory Scott "Woody" Williams from Houston Texas in the rotation. We need a sweet fielding middle infielder to go with the Hill up the middle and we need a good ol' fashion corn fed fireballer from Texas. Maybe he's already in our system, Robert Ray is from Lufkin, Texas, and we have a kid named Gustavo Pierre in the low minors, he was born in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Maybe all the so called "baseball writers" are right, maybe, just maybe 2012 will be the Jays year.....

We have LIFTOFF

Where to begin.....
Because this is my first post, I want to nail it.  Here you will find a place to discuss your Toronto Blue Jays.  I do not feel the need to boast about my knowledge/love of the team or the game of baseball.  As time passes, you can judge for yourself whether or not I'm full of shit.  I created this forum with the intention of providing passionate opinions about our team.  I welcome all of you to do the same.

So for starters, we are rebuilding again.  I look at our 40 man roster and fear slowly enters my mind.  Granted we still have a long way to go before pitchers and catchers report but minus the Doctor and I'm not sure how we can win more than 70 games in 2010.  Does that mean I'm going to jump ship and join the bitches that say "I'm a Phillies fan now that he left".  Fuck no.  I have June 25th, 26th and 27th circled just like you do.  HOWEVER it is a 162 game schedule, every year.  We didn't finish anywhere near a playoff spot with the Doc in town and I don't see that changing now that he's gone.  If you are jumping off the bandwagon already then I simply have this to say to you: Get the fuck off my site.  You casual fan.  It's minus 7 outside right now (without the wind chill) and all I wanna do is talk ball.  

First question: Who toes the rubber on opening day?  Thoughts?  Ya, I'm scared already too......