SB Nation User Blog: Taylor H

JP Ricciardi: Blue Jays Players Available in Trade?

Taylor H — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:01:40 -0000

Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi likely invited open bidding for the marvelous right-hander on Monday with comments first reported by foxsports.com.

"We have to see what's out there," Ricciardi said. "I'm not saying we're going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We're [leaning] more toward listening than we've ever been."

This is not the first time Halladay has been perceived as being on the block. Ricciardi's comments, though, were the most definitive indication yet that the Blue Jays -- now seven games behind and in fourth place in the American League East after leading the division for most of April and May -- are thinking of the future and ready to entertain offers for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner, who is 10-2 this season and 74-29 since the start of the 2005 season.

Suitors for the 32-year-old Halladay could be plentiful. In Toronto's own division, the Yankees are again without Chien-Ming Wang and dealing with Joba Chamberlain's struggles, and the Red Sox have not gotten the expected from John Smoltz. The Phillies, Mets, Brewers and Angels are other contenders in need of pitching.

The question is whether any team can, or will, step up with an offer of the type that in 2002 pried Bartolo Colon away from Cleveland. In that deal with the then-Montreal Expos, the Indians landed Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips.

Halladay has a full no-trade clause in a contract that runs through next season. He is being paid $14.25 million this year and is due to earn $15.75 million in 2010.

(via Mlb.com --- http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090707&content_id=5739922&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

Halladay would a nice (but fleeting) addition to this team, but Zduriencik probably has his eyes on another prize......

If the Jays are thinking of rebuilding, might the productive Scott Rolen (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5668) be on the block as well? Chris Woodward certainly isn't in the M's long-term plans for third base, and Beltre's out 6-7 more weeks.

The only problem with this scenario? When Beltre comes off the DL, the M's would have two third basemen for one lineup spot. If Beltre was out for the entire season, this decision would be much easier. Maybe Rolen could DH.

Magic Land Vince Carter

Taylor H — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:41:33 -0000

The Orlando Magic are going with a "win-now" philosophy. And when I say "win-now," I mean in win-in-11-months-when-the-NBA-finals-are-next-year.

The trade gives the Magic another star in a lineup that already includes Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. The deal might also convince Hedo Turkoglu, who can opt out of his contract and become a free agent on July 1, to remain with the Magic.

Orlando is hoping Carter, who has averaged 23.5 points over a 10-year pro career, will provide center Dwight Howard with a perimeter scorer who can create his own shot -- something they lacked in losing the NBA finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It's also an indication the Magic believe their time is now.

I wish my city had an NBA team.

A+ for Aardsma

Taylor H — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:50:04 -0000

A+ for Aardsma

In case you missed it, here's Dave on why Aardsma is bringing the ninth inning back in JJ-like style.

Fantastic article on Joshua Fields

Taylor H — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:02:27 -0000

Fantastic article on Joshua Fields

Kyle Boddy from Driveline Mechanics wrote up a piece on Bleeding Blue and Teal. It's nothing short of awesome.

(I hope no one has already linked to this)

BMO quirks

Taylor H — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:53:16 -0000

BMO quirks

For those of you in the LL BMO league. Although I was on the recieving end of this beatdown, it's kind of fun to look at the stats in these kinds of ridiculous games.

Hilarious BtB article

Taylor H — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:38:54 -0000

Hilarious BtB article

Not only is this post extremely humourous, but it is also excellent content-wise. Figured I'd share this for those of you who don't read Beyond the Boxcore.

Step into Zduriencik's shoes: Roster Move Ideas Thread

Taylor H — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:40:46 -0000

The Mariners, as I'm sure you're aware, are 21-26 and in 3rd place in the AL West. Our offense is pitiful, our bullpen spastic, and our luck sinking. We all know changes are coming, but what?

If you're Jack Zduriencik, what moves do you make right now? Trade Yuni for decent prospects? Shake up the bullpen? Trade Bedard and/or Beltre in blockbuster deals? Acquire a big-time slugger and hope to contend?

What in God's name just happened?

Taylor H — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:35:08 -0000

Frankly, this is the craziest game we've had yet this season.

In case you hadn't heard, the Rays were up on the Tribe 10-2 in the eighth inning, at which point the Indians scored 2 runs. Just two harmless runs, right? Their WE had to be less than 1% entering the ninth inning.

Then the Indians scored seven runs. Seven runs.

Walk. Pop-up. Single. Throwing error. Line-out. Three-run homer. Walk. Walk. Walk. Walk. Two-run walk-off single.

It's always Cleveland that pulls the big comeback. This game had shades of that famous 2001 loss in which we twice had 11 run leads but lost in spectacular fashion.

And if you thought our WE plummetted after the Uribe double a few nights ago, it absolutely pales in comparison to this:

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/161130/290525105_rays_indians_128808823_lbig.png

If you're in charge of the Rays, tell me what you'd do.

Taylor H — Mon, 25 May 2009 01:30:05 -0000

I'm in the LL Baseball Manager Online league, and my team is the Rays. My roster consists of the Rays roster from Opening Day of this season. Our record is currently 47-32.

Right now, my pitching staff is as such (all with sub-3.6 tRAs):

1. James Shields

2. Scotty Kazmir

3. Matt Garza

4. Sonny (with 5 complete games!)

5. Mitch Talbot

And my bullpen is as such: Balfour closing, Bradford set-up man, Howell as short reliever, Joe Nelson as middle relief, Hammel as long reliever, and Derek Rodriguez as the spot starter.

But there's bad news: the lineup is not producing. This lineup shouldn't come as a surprise to any of you:

1. BJ Upton

2. Carl Crawford

3. Longo

4. Pena

5. Pat Burrell

6. Matt Joyce (Gross is out for ~30 games)

7. Dioner Navarro

8. Aki

9. Jason Bartlett

The bench consists of Aybar, Kapler, Zobrist, Michel Hernandez, and Morgan Ensberg.

Our team average is less than .260, and our team OBP is less than .330.

So tell me, devoted Rays fans, what should I do to improve this team? What do I do to make us start hitting so we can catch up to Boston?

So, uh, Edwin Jackson's been pretty good so far

Taylor H — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:18:34 -0000

What are your thoughts (particular RJ's) on EJax so far? He has a 32-10 K-BB ratio so far, with a 3.58 tRA through today. His tRA* is 131.

Is this turnaround legitimate, or is the guy just getting lucky (no, not that kind of getting lucky)? I mean, his GB% and FB% are right around career norms. His Swinging strike percentage is a bit higher than his career average, but only by ~1 percent. Plus, he's allowed 4 homers already, so it's not as if he's been lucky with FBs staying in the ballpark.

Based on a SSS, seems like the Rays would be better with EJax in the 5 spot instead of Jeff Neimann.

Thoughts?