SB Nation - Jason Lane

Rate your GM: The Astros under Ed Wade

HighLeveragePerformer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:01:02 -0000

More photos » by Ann Heisenfelt - AP

Ed Wade had faith in Michael Bourn when few did.

With the signing of first round selection Jiovanni Mier completed, I felt like this was an undoubtedly positive step in the development of the Astros organization. So much of being an Astros fan of late has been about wondering what course this organization was going to take. Would it be a continuing path toward mediocrity- neglecting our farm system/player development, and emphasizing a "win now" philosophy highlighted by signing and trading for veteran talent? Or would the Astros realize the folly of their ways, and reinvigorate the base of their organization by investing more time, money and effort in the evaluation of talent and minor leagues in general?

When Ed Wade was hired as Astros GM September 21, 2007, a lot of people were skeptical. Sure, he had constructed the nucleus of the Philadelphia Phillies team that would win the World Series a year later, but a lot of his transactions weren't looked highly upon. As Astros GM, his first move was to trade Jason Lane for cash considerations. This wasn't a trade that did much to alter the perception of Wade around baseball. Lane was a remnant of our World Series club, someone whose talent had run its course. If anything, he should have been traded the year before.

The 2007-2008 offseason saw a flury of moves that dramatically altered the face of the team. Of course, the headliner was the trade that essentially sent Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett to Philadelphia for Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary. Since the trade, each player has had one good season. Lidge as we all know was perfect in save opportunities for the Phils last season, outproduced his contract by almost 50%, and was worth 2.2 wins above a replacement level player- a hefty margin for a relief pitcher. This season, a largely ineffective Lidge has suffered due to injury. Michael Bourn has gone from one of the worst regulars in baseball in 2008 to an offensive threat, who gets on base well, plays a solid centerfield, and is the Astros only true basestealing threat.

Following the Lidge/Bourn deal, Wade traded prospects and "role players" for established big leaguers. Oscar Villareal, Jose Valverde, Miguel Tejada and Randy Wolf all became Astros within a year of Wade becoming General Manager. Of those players, three of four would end up playing major roles in our almost/not quite/ill fated/Hurricane Ike damaged 2008 playoff push. Oscar Villareal (much like Geoff Geary this season) was ineffective to the point where the team demoted him to AAA. He was eventually released.

On the flip side, many of the players traded away- Josh Anderson, Matt Albers, Dennis Sarfate, Luke Scott, Juan Gutierrez and Chad Qualls have gone on to perform at least on a small time basis for their various clubs. The trade for Jose Valverde has always been a bit puzzling to me. True, having a big time closer is nice, but having his big salary is not. Qualls has been solid-good in his time in the desert, and Juan Gutierrez would surely be able to compete for a spot in our bullpen. Luke Scott has perhaps played above his head in 2009, but he has shown a penchant for getting on base, and is a player whose contract is modest. How does an outfield of Luke Scott-Michael Bourn-Hunter Pence grab any of you? Before you think, "Wow! Our defense sure would improve!", don't be so sure. I was fooled into thinking Scott would be a bigger upgrade defensively, too. Carlos Lee was someone Wade had no part in signing, and wasn't someone who could be dealt with (any) ease whatsoever. The corner outfield spots would be set for years to come, and with Bourn penciled in as our centerfielder of the future, Scott had no place on the Astros. He was a veteran who had reached his peak most likely.

The player that Luke Scott and co. were dangled to obtain, Miguel Tejada, was overpriced, aging and a shell of the player he was once. He was a guy the Astros had been targeting for a few seasons, and when the opportunity to get him arose, Wade took it. The Mitchell Report, his jump in age, and a rather mediocre season offensively didn't help the trade seem any better. His being on the Astros speaks to, again, the lack of any minor league talent at the AA or AAA level when Wade came on as GM. If a better, more cost effective option existed, this trade may never have happened. Hamstrung as he was, Wade did what he could to ensure the Astros wouldn't be without a shorstop that fit the Drayton McLane mentality of thinking about the present, and worrying about the future in the...well...future.

Since then, Jeff Fulchino, Wesley Wright, and LaTroy Hawkins were brought in and have been intergal parts of the Astros bullpen at one time or another. Ed Wade has been known to be a GM who emphasizes building a good bullpen, and while his results with the Astros have been mixed in my opinion, I would think that relief pitching has been closer a strength during the Wade administration rather than a weakness. Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz are well past their prime free agent acquisitions that have each played a part in keeping the Astros in the hunt this season. All were low risk acquisitions, and I don't think the Astros are where they are without them.

Perhaps the most important achievement of Ed Wade during his time in Houston has been the signing, promotion and influence of Asst. GM Bobby Heck. I realize that one person can't single handedly turn around a franchise, but Heck has come close. He has exerted his personality at the minor league level by bringing in his scouts, promoting players faster through our system, and most importantly signing draft picks. When in the past Drayton McLane wouldn't overpay a draft pick above his slotted price, last season saw the team do just that with Jason Castro. Castro came in and was immediately impressive, and is already in AA and playing well. Other highlights of the farm system include: the quintet of fine Lexington starters, Chia Jen Lo and his ascendancy from little known Taiwanese pitcher to legitimate major league prospect and the faith to draft Jason Castro as early as he did. Experts did not particularly like the Astros 2008 draft, but many if not all have changed their opinions since.

With help from a good personnel man, faith in young players, and trades that buoyed the Astros chances in a playoff push, Ed Wade has done much to improve the Astros during his tenure as GM. There were moves he made or didn't make that were head scratchers, but the structure of the team before Wade arrived influenced those decisions a great deal. Since he arrived though, the organization as a whole is stonger and better equipped to compete in the future.

Poll

What grade has Ed Wade earned while GM of the Astros?

A

8 votes

B

77 votes

C

48 votes

D

24 votes

F

17 votes

174 votes | Poll has closed

Talking 'Bout My Generation: Minor League Update

hugo — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:09:24 -0000

Las Vegas

The 51s are just 4 games into the season due to a series of rainouts and they have yet to win a game (though there is a double header today that will hopefully change that.) Career minor-leaguer Randy Ruiz is off to a hot start, hitting .471/.444/.824 over his first 17 at-bats. Joe Inglett hasn't let his demotion affect his bat, putting him in a good situation for when he works his voodoo. He is OPSing an even 1.000, though he has made 2 errors in the field. Scott Campbell is off to a slower start, hitting just .235 with 4 singles over his first 4 games but most recently had a good game on Monday, going 1-3 with a walk. Campbell has also made two errors (both in the same game), showing his inexperience at third base. Jason Lane wasn't able to carry over his hot spring into the first week of the minor-league season, batting .222/.263/.278 thusfar.

On the pitching side, Brad Mills had a rough start, going 3 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out 1, and surrendering 6 hits and runs, though only 3 of the runs were earned. Wade Miller is trying to rebuild his career and his first start didn't go well at all, walking 7 over his 4 2/3 innings and thus giving up 6 runs (5 earned) even though he only surrendered 2 hits. Brian Bullington didn't start but did well in a 4-inning relief appearance, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs (1 earned run) while striking out 2 and not walking a batter. Brett Cecil made the last start for the 51s and was doing just fine over his first 4 innings before unraveling in the 5th. All told, he surrendered 5 runs, though only 2 were earned and walked 2 (1 K) over his 4 innings. As Tom mentioned, the hitter-friendly PCL isn't the best environment in which to evaluate pitchers, and of course it's only 1 start.

New Hampshire

After 6 games, Brad Emaus, who impressed us all this spring, is the standout offensive player. Emaus is hitting .364/.417/.545 and already has 4 doubles. Brian Jeroloman is also doing a nice job offensively, so far hitting /.318/.375/.409. 2008 first-round pick David Cooper is off to a bit of a slower start but does have a home run. On the pitching side, Reider Gonzalez has a hot hand with a 1.23 ERA and 5/1 K/BB ratio over 2 starts. Marc Rzepcynzski was fantastic his first time out (9 Ks over 5 innings and 1 ER allowed, though he did surrender 4 walks) but struggled mightily his second time out. 13 K's over 8 innings is great, 8 walks, not so much. Fabio Castro and Luis Perez have also made good starts, which Zach Dials, Nate Starner, and Adrian Martin have pitched well in relief.

Dunedin

After 5 games, outfielders Eric Thames, Darrin Mastroianni, and Moses Sierra are off to great starts. The 2008 draftee Thames, looking like a steal, is hitting .400/.526/.667 with 3 extra base hits, a steal, and 3 walks to just one strikeout. Mastroianni is doing great out of the leadoff spot, with a .542 OBP thusfar (including 4 walks in 5 games) and 6 steals while having not been caught. And Sierra is OPSing .915 and also has 2 doubles and a triple in 5 games. Justin Jackson is off to a decent start at the plate, though he has 2 errors in the field already. On the pitching side, second-round 2008 pick Andrew Liebel has struggled a bit while Tim(bit) Collins has done anything but, striking out 7 and walking no one in 4 1/3 innings.

Lansing

No one is hitting yet for the Lugnuts -- not Tyler Pastornicky (class of 2008, SS), not Johermyn Chavez (OF), not Jon Talley, (C) not Kenny Wilson (OF), not the Balbino (3B), not Marcus Brisker (OF), though there have only been 4 games. Nothing yet to report on the pitching side.

Well, that's it for now. I'll keep doing this about weekly for as long as folks find it fun and/or helpful. Of course it will become more meaningful as the season goes on.

Oh, and by the way, I won't insult anyone's musical intelligence by saying from where today's title comes. But a friend of mine who has kids was telling me how someone bought his kids a cd of "popular" musicians singing classic rock songs. Apparently one of the songs was a rendition of "My Generation" by a Hannah Montana-type person where she changes the lyrics to say "I hope I don't die before I get old." That was about the funniest thing I've ever heard.

Spring Game Recap Jays Lose to Tigers

Tom Dakers — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:32:37 -0000

Tigers 5 Jays 1

I have no idea what we take away from that one. The wind was blowing hard and the fielders were having troubles making plays. Richmond only went 4 innings and 80 pitches, gave up 5 hits, 5 runs, 3 earned, 1 walk, 1 homer and 3 strikeouts. But he wasn't helped by 3 errors. I'm not sure where that leaves him in the battle for the rotation. Our bullpen on the other hand pitched 5 perfect innings. Tallet pitched 2 and Downs, Frasor and Camp pitched one each. It is nice to see our relievers, at least seemingly, round into shape. Tough to tell for sure with such small sample size.

Offensively, Edwin Jackson either made the Jays look bad or the Jays made him look good. Scutaro, Howie Clark, Rios, Wells, Overbay, Rolen, Brian Dopirak, Snider and Aaron Mathews each had one hit. Notable ofers include John MacDonald 0 for 2 (hitting a big .154), Aaron Hill 0 for 2 and Michael Barrett 0 for 4.

Tomorrow the Jays play the Astros, Ricky Romero pitches for us. I am not sure how to handicape the race for the last couple of starter spots, but I'd think if Romero does tomorrow he'd have a good chance at one of them.

I'm sad about Jason Lane getting sent down, I can't help thinking that Kevin Millar is this year's Brad Wilkerson or maybe this year's Shannon Stewart would be more accurate. Anyway I hope we see Lane sometime this year, and I hope the same for Dirk Hayhurst.

As noted in the Game Thread John Brattain's memorial was today. I'm going to raise a glass in his honor a little later today.

New Architects: Game Preview and Thread, Tigers at Jays

hugo — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:04:48 -0000

If you haven't already rounded up this morning's news, we did so this morning so check it out. However, we missed a couple of really interesting blog posts.

First, Ghostrunner on First takes a great look at Dustin McGowan -- where he's been and what we might expect from him going forward. We know the Jays were a little optimistic with McGowan's expected return time, and I tend to think that they did that, consciously or subconsciously, due to the fact that they knew they would not significantly augment the pitching staff in the offseason. That said, the important thing is that McGowan comes back healthy and effective, not exactly when he does so. He's a significant part of the Jays' future.

One really interesting article we missed was this fascinating look over at Southpaw, one of the more interesting and thoughtful Jays' blogs around, at which teams have been most effective in the draft in drafting useful major league players. Southpaw comes to the conclusion that the Jays have been the second-most successful team in the draft since J.P. Ricciardi's reign began. I think that is interesting, but limited in that his focus is on major-league players who have gotten some playing time, not wins or runs over replacement from drafted players, which would be, in my opinion, a more interesting and less Jays'-friendly look.

Some moves: Russ Adams, Jason Lane, Brad Emaus, and Scott Campbell were returned to minor-league camp. All enjoyed excellent springs and it would not surprise me to see 2 or 3 of them get major-league time this year. On the pitching side, Brian Wolfe was optioned to AAA and Dirk Hayhurst was returned to minor league camp.

Scott Richmond pitches for the Jays this afternoon and continues his attempt to make the rotation.

Jays' Lineup:

Marco Scutaro, SS
Aaron Hill, 2B
Alex Rios, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Adam Lind, DH
Michael Barrett, C
Travis Snider, LF

Spring Game Recap, Jays Beat Braves

Tom Dakers — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:14:37 -0000

Jay 7 Braves 5

I got my first look at Brad Mills today, I missed the first inning but saw the rest of time out there. I was impressed...nice curve, good change up, seemed to get first pitch strikes, changed speeds well. He got hit a bit, 10 hits in 6 innings, but only 2 doubles and the rest were ground ball singles. Many of the singles should have been outs, as various back up infielders showed why they are back up infielders. There was a single up the middle that Mills should have had but it glanced off his glove. Next batter he made a nice play on a slow roller near the first base line, picking it up, looking the runner back to third and making a double play off it. There was one that Millar missed at first that was called a single, one that Inglett just didn't get to at second base and one that went thru a draw in infield that would have been an out if they were back. So easily could have been 5 hits instead of 10.

He struck out 3, gave up 4 runs, 10 ground outs to 5 fly outs, so a nice ratio. I didn't notice any fly outs until his last inning of work, I though he tired a little and the ball was a little up, got a couple of fly ball outs and there were two pop fly outs that Michael Barrett caught in the fifth. I thought he looked good. Dirk Hayhurst gave up his first run of the spring on a single, a steal and a single in his inning. Jeremy Accardo pitched a scoreless inning despite giving up a triple. Apparently Zach Dials pitched the 9th to get the save. I say apparently because that is the name on MLB's boxscore but the Braves announcers said it was Robert Ray in in the 9th. And since I've never seen either guy, I took it for granted the announcers were right, at the time. Of course those announcers also identified Raul Chavez as Michael Barrett. Have I ever mentioned how much I love hearing Chip Carrey do play by play? No? I guess there is a reason for that.

Offensively our minor leaguers scored 6 run in the last two innings to win the game for us. We had a terrible time against Braves starter Derek Lowe, he struck out 7 in 6 innings. Aaron Mathews and David Cooper were each 2 for 3. Jason Lane, Sean Shoffit, Jose Bautista, Scott Campbell, Raul Chavez, John MacDonald and Brian Dopirak each had a hit. All singles. Notable ofers: Inglett (0 for 4, 3 strikeouts and a walk), Aaron Hill (0 for 2), Kevin Millar (0 for 2, despite Chip Carrey spending 5 minutes telling us what a wonderful guy he is).

Tomorrow Doc is starting for the Jays against the Pirates and BJ Ryan is to pitch.

There were a couple of interesting stories in this week's SI. One about JP's favorite player Adam Dunn talking about the perception that he doesn't like baseball. Did you know that Dunn has averaged more than 158 games played a season over the last 5 years. Yeah, he doesn't like baseball. And there was a longer piece on why athletes go broke despite how much money they are making. They compared it to people who win lotteries. Main troubles seem to be that they use friends as financial advisers and, of course, they like to lead the Entourage life style. Biggest problem? Divorce. Rarely do they get prenuptial agreements and then when their career is over they end up at home and they have never learned to deal with their spouses because they always had to leave to practice or play. So divorces happen when they are no longer making millions of dollars and they lose half their estates. Another problem is that some of these guys just ain't that bright. Torii Hunter invested $70,000 in 'inflatable rafts' that sit under furniture so that if there is a flood the furniture can stay dry. Ummmmm yeah.

Spring Game Recap, Jays Lose To Phillies

Tom Dakers — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:16:45 -0000

Phillies 7 Jays 6

Lots of good and some bad in this game. David Purcey threw 6 innings gave up 8 hits, 2 walks, 2 runs, only 1 earned, 1 homer and 3 strikeouts. The unearned run came when Moonraker misplayed a fly ball, then dropped it while trying to pick it up, for 2 errors on one play that allowed the runner to get to 3rd then score on a sac fly. It wasn't a bad showing for Purcey, though he had some trouble locating pitches and he gave up a couple of hard hit balls that (apparently, judging by radio commentary) the wind kept in the park. But he's done nothing this spring to make me think he won't have a good season for us.

Scott Downs pitched a scoreless inning. BJ Ryan on the other hand gave up a walk and a home run but struck out 2 in his inning. Andy in the game thread mentioned that SI writer Jon Heyman quoted a scout as saying Ryan fastball was just 'in the low 80s'. I don't buy it, despite the home run against him today, he has had some good outings lately. I can't see how he got 2 strikeouts today throwing that soft. I think maybe the scout was talking about his first couple of times out this spring, when he was really not throwing well. Brandon League gave up 4 hits and 3 runs in the 9th to take the loss, but all of the hits and his three outs were on ground balls and we didn't have the 'A' defense out at that point. I don't think it is a worry.

Offensively Vernon was 2 for 2 with a double and a steal of 3rd at the front of a double steal. Please Vernon be careful! Michael Barrett was 2 for 2 with a double. Can we just give him the job now? Marco Scutaro was 2 for 3 with a double, just back from the WBC. Moonraker was 1 for 3 and stole home at the front end of a delayed double steal. Millar was 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI.

Notable ofers: Baustista was 0 for 2, but is still hitting .458 this spring. Hill 0 for 2. Rios 0 for 2 with a walk and a steal, the back end of the delayed double steal. Jason Lane was 0 for 3, but is still batting .353 with 12 RBI and 5 homers. Yeah I know, no matter how much I try to sell him, JP isn't buying. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop. I'm like those telemarketers that call every few days. Like say the one from the National Post that calls me at least once a week even with me saying no louder and louder each time. But I Digress...sorry....Lind was 0 for 3 but threw out a runner at the plate and Barajas was 0 for 2.

Tomorrow Whoops got it wrong, the Jays have an off day Wednesday and play the Braves in Disney World Thursday, I think in a Small World, because no one goes on that ride. And, of course, got the location wrong too, they are playing in the back yard of the haunted house, the tombstone that reads 'Here Lies Good Old Fred, a Great Big Rock Fell on His Head' is to be used as home plate. Brad Mills is to start for the Jays and is to pitch 7 innings. That seems hopeful to me, but I hope he shows well.

Spring Game Recap: Jays Thump Rays 15-4

Tom Dakers — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:35:06 -0000

I know spring games mean nothing but it is nice that we scored 4 runs off Matt Garza, isn't that more runs than we got off him all last season in 4 games? We also scored 9 runs off top Ray pitching prospect Jeff Niemann (well top after David Price).

Brad Mills, whose chance of making the team went up with Janssen's shoulder soreness, didn't do great giving up 4 runs in 5 innings, including a homer to Carl Crawford. He did get 4 strikeouts and 8 ground outs to 3 fly outs. So not a terrible showing but not exactly reaching out and grabbing one of the free spots in the rotation. Jason Frasor, Shawn Camp, Brandon League and Jesse (Cy) Carlson shut the Rays out over the last 4 innings. I really expected Frasor to be traded by now, maybe a couple of good showings in spring will speed that along.

Offensively, well, let's start with what's important: Jason Lane went 2 for 3, with his 5th double of the spring and drove in 2 to give him 12 RBI so far. He's hitting .378. We discussed this in the game thread but Mike Wilmer said that Kevin Millar would make the team over Lane because Millar could play first and third and left and right field. But Millar hasn't played any 3B since he played a big 11 innings in 2002 and hasn't played the outfield since 2005. Anyone want to see him play those spots this year? Lane has played 1B before and I'd be surprised if he plays it any worse than Millar and he can play all 3 outfield spots. Add in that Millar is 37 and Lane is 31, and that Lane is killing in spring, I'd rather have him.

In interest of, well not fairness, but something approaching fairness, Millar was 1 for 3 today, with a double and 2 RBI. He is hitting .250 so far this spring. He hasn't been bad but if I can only take one or the other....

Sean Shoffit was 2 for 2 with a homer, Russ Adams was 2 for 3 and is hitting .357, Jose Bautista played short and was 1 for 3, Alex Rios was 1 for 1 with 2 walks, Kyle Phillips was 1 for 2 with a walk, 2 runs and 2 RBI. Also Michael Barrett had a three run double. He is starting to swing the bat well, I hope it continues because I'd rather see him backing up Barajas than Chavez or someone else that can't hit his weight. And Brad Emaus was 1 for 3 with a double.

Notable ofers were Vernon Wells, 0 for 2 in his first action back after the hamstring troubles, he DHed and Rod Barajas 0 for 3 back from the WBC.

Tomorrow Doc starts for the Jays against the Astros, Scott Downs, BJ Ryan and Brian Tallet are also to pitch.

Game Recap: Jays Lose to Yankees

Tom Dakers — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:57:34 -0000

Jays 4 Yankees 7

The first game we actually got to see and there was some bad and some good. The bad included Casey Janssen leaving the game, after 4 batters, with 'tightness in his shoulder'. The Jays are saying it isn't anything serious but it will definitely slow Janssen down a bit and he was a little behind anyway. I think that means odds are a little better for Clement and Mills to make the rotation out of spring training, with Richmond having to catch up a bit too. I have a hard time believing Mills is making the team having not pitched higher than Double A and just 6 games there but things seem to be moving that way.

Brian Burres came in to replace Janssen and did nothing to made you think he ought to be a major league pitcher giving up 6 hits and 4 runs in 2.2 innings. David Purcey looked better in his 4.1 innings but he did tire at the end of his stint giving up a 2 run homer. Nathan Starner came in and got the last two outs.

Offensively there were few bright moments; Joe Inglett went 2 for 3, Jason Lane hit a 2 run double to give him 10 RBI on the spring, Brad Emaus hit his 3rd homer of the spring, he has 8 RBI and is looking like he has a future with the team, though likely not this year, Scott Campbell drove in his 9th run (does it bother anyone else that the guys leading the team in RBI this spring are likely not to make the team?) and John McDonald singled off AJ Burnett's left arm. As AJ said:

"Thank God it was Johnny Mac," Burnett quipped of the direct hit.

Defensively, McDonald made a bad error at short, the guy can't hit at all so he better field and Jose Bautista looked very awkward in the outfield. I hope we don't see much of him out there, unless it is in an Astro uniform. Apparently he is on the Astro's radar to fill their third base hole. I don't think any of us would be all that sad to see him go.

In other news Roy Halladay had some interesting things to say about AJ Burnett in a Richard Griffin story in the Globe:

"They label you as the No.1 guy and you have a guy here who has more talent than you that you know, as soon as he figures it out, you're not going to be there any more. It's a different feeling than in the past where it's just kind of handed to you. You have to embrace that and work with it."

and

"He wanted to go out and strike everyone out," Halladay recalled of Burnett after his arrival as a free agent. "He wanted to go hard all the time. It's hard to do that at that intensity level, not only for a whole game, but for an entire year. I think he learned to use his breaking ball and other pitches more and not always blow them away right from the get-go."

Tomorrow the Jays play the Rays but the game isn't on MLB.TV or gameday audio so we will likely skip the game thread. Brad Mills is to pitch for the Jays and Jay killer Matt Garza is to start for the Rays. Vernon Wells is to DH and Alex Rios and Rod Barajas, back from the WBC are both to play.

Jason Lane Homers Again, Recap Jays and Phillies

Tom Dakers — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:51:26 -0000

Jays and Phillies tied at 7 in today's spring game. They decided to call it after 9 innings. I figured I'd title the post with what was important to me. No use writing for a blog if you can't push your agenda. What else happened? Michael Barrett went 2 for 2, both doubles, maybe he has found his stroke. Brad Emaus hit a home run and single in 3 trips, if I hadn't jumped on Lane's bandwagon early, I'd likely be trumpeting how great Emaus has looked all spring. I think he's climbed up a few spots on the prospect list.

Howie Clark and Angel Sanchez each singled. Rule 5 waiver claim yo-yo Cody Haerther went 2 for 2 but also made an error that cost us 2 runs and missed catching another fly ball that wasn't called an error but figured predominately in the 3 runs Scott Richmond gave up.

Pitching wise, Jesse Litsch went 4.2 giving up 4 hits, 2 walks, 4 runs but just 2 earned and struck out 3. A pretty good day all in all for him. Scott Richmond pitched 3.1, got 4 strikeouts, but gave up 3 hits, a walk and 3 earned runs off a Jayson Werth home run. But had Haether made the catch he apparently should have made, which was ruled a hit he would have been out of the inning before the homer. That doesn't excuse a home run thought. Jeremy Accardo pitched a perfect 9th with a strikeout. Nice to see from him, he's had a rough spring.

Of minor concern, Scott Rolen left the game with a sore back and Travis Snider with a sore knee. Tomorrow Casey Janssen starts for the Jays against the Yankees and that's a 7:15 Eastern start.

In other Jay new, as Torgen noted in the game thread (you get all the good news in the game threads) Jays signed Team Netherland reliever Leon ~~Bond~~ Boyd to a minor league contract. He gave up just 1 run in 4 innings for The Netherlands (do you capitalize the T in the for that?). Bond, 25, was born in Vancouver, BC and will report to minor league camp.

I'll Accept With Poise and Grace When They Draw My Name From the Lottery - Game Preview and Thread, Jays at Phils

hugo — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:23:36 -0000

Jordan Bastian has a great story in his game preview about life as a rookie (hence the above picture of Litsch, today's starter) that I can't help but co-opt :

Roy Halladay headed over to the snack cart and reached into the bucket of gum to grab a few pieces. As he walked away, Doc accidentally dumped the entire bucket and its hundreds of Double Bubble pieces all over the ground. Without as much as a flinch, Doc kept walking and left the mess in front of the clubhouse exit.

Not 10 seconds later, rook Travis Snider heads over and gets on hands and knees and begins picking up all the gum, completely knowing his role. As he was reaching under the cart to retrieve every last piece, Doc walked by and had the biggest grin you've ever seen the guy have.

"You're all over it, Snider," Halladay said with a laugh as he headed out to the field.

"It's a good start to the day," said Snider to the group of us reporters standing there enjoying the whole scene. "I got Doc on my side."

Between that and forcing Brett Cecil to wake up earlier, Doc is on a hazing roll this week. What I find most hilarious is that in neither story does Doc have to say a word to have his will done.

Anyway, Rod Barajas is back in camp after Mexico's elimination from the WBC, just in time for Arencibia and Jeroloman to be sent down. Scott Downs threw for the first time today, in a minor-league intersquad game, great news, and Wells is hoping to get into a Grapefruit League game this weekend. Here are lineups for today:

BLUE JAYS
Russ Adams, LF
Jose Bautista, SS
Jason Lane, CF
Kevin Millar, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Travis Snider, RF
Michael Barrett, C
Brad Emaus, 2B
Jesse Litsch, P

PHILLIES
Chase Utley, 2B
Miguel Cairo, SS
Greg Dobbs, RF
Jayson Werth, CF
Matt Stairs, LF
Pedro Feliz, 3B
Chris Coste, 1B
Ronny Paulino, C
J.A. Happ, P

If you're around, why not join us in the game thread?