Boges Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 (edited) http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2012/story/_/id/7641576/toronto-blue-jays-benefit-mlb-new-postseason-format I can always tell when a Canadian team is legit when American Sports Broadcasters (which are so much better than anything Canada has to offer) take note. Last week the MLB expanded the playoff format to allow two wildcard teams to play a one-game playoff to decide who gets that berth. It's actually good because Wildcard teams didn't rally face much of a disadvantage in the former system. Obviously the Jays have been forgotten in the sports world since the great Joe Carter home run. But they haven't been the losers people would like to portray them as and if they were in any other division they'd be in the playoff race each year. DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Over the last five years, they've won more games than the Giants. Over the last nine years, they've won more games than the Tigers. If you ride the time machine all the way back to 1998, they're one of 16 teams with a winning record.But what's the difference between the Toronto Blue Jays and the other 15 teams on that list? All those other 15 teams have played at least one postseason game since 1998. And the Blue Jays? They've played zero. It's incredible, in fact, how often people around the game begin conversations about the Blue Jays with the words: "If they played in any other division … " And that's more than just talk. That's the truth. Over the last five seasons, if you wiped all games within the division off their permanent record, the Blue Jays would have a .531 winning percentage (239-211). That would rank seventh among all teams in the sport. And the only teams outside the AL East that would rank ahead of them are the Phillies (.584), Angels (.564) and Cardinals (.532). But those are the breaks. Anyway with the expanded playoff format and the great work by the new GM Alex Anthopoulos I'm hopeful that the Blue Jays can play relevant games in September and/or October in 2012. Meanwhile, behind this group, you'll find a wave of so many big-ceiling prospects barely over the horizon that Keith Law ranked this farm system as the third-best in baseball -- and "the organization most likely to be No. 1 … next winter."So if you were one of the people who belted out a big "what the HECK" a few weeks ago when this team's president and CEO, Paul Beeston, told a group of season-ticket holders that he expects the Jays to make the playoffs "two to three times" in the next five years, well, guess what? That pronouncement isn't as off the wall as you think. "It's certainly realistic," says Bautista, a guy who has evolved, in just a couple of years, from baseball nomad to two-time major league home run champ to unquestioned leader of this mega-talented team on the rise. "Now it's on our shoulders to go out there and perform." Edited March 5, 2012 by Boges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Thread placement fail. I put this in Media and Broadcasting. Even though the OP's genesis is ESPN's notation of the Jays, I should have put it in the Sports and Rec thread. I have no idea how to do that so if a Mod wants to. Go Nuts!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 The Toronto Blue Jays have arguably the biggest vertical business integration in MLB, if not all professional sports. Rogers (RCI) owns the team, stadium, and controls programming revenue not only for lower Ontario, but much of Canada. Has this translated into bigger team payrolls to compete with the Yankees or Red Sox...nope: Team Salaries Rank Team Salary (US$) 1 New York Yankees 196,854,630 2 Philadelphia Phillies 172,976,381 3 Boston Red Sox 160,257,476 4 Los Angeles Angels 138,999,024 5 Chicago White Sox 129,285,539 6 Chicago Cubs 126,380,663 7 New York Mets 120,147,311 8 San Francisco Giants 117,784,333 9 Minnesota Twins 112,737,000 10 Detroit Tigers 105,705,232 11 Los Angeles Dodgers 103,788,991 12 St. Louis Cardinals 98,746,072 13 Texas Rangers 91,885,265 14 Colorado Rockies 87,998,071 15 Atlanta Braves 87,003,192 16 Milwaukee Brewers 85,497,333 17 Baltimore Orioles 85,304,038 18 Seattle Mariners 84,865,600 19 Cincinnati Reds 76,181,366 20 Houston Astros 69,969,000 21 Oakland Athletics 65,275,500 22 Toronto Blue Jays 61,617,800 23 Washington Nationals 57,892,929 24 Miami Marlins 56,527,000 25 Arizona Diamondbacks 53,639,833 26 Cleveland Indians 48,339,167 27 Pittsburgh Pirates 45,630,000 28 San Diego Padres 45,455,040 29 Tampa Bay Rays 41,932,171 30 Kansas City Royals 35,712,400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 The Toronto Blue Jays have arguably the biggest vertical business integration in MLB, if not all professional sports. Rogers (RCI) owns the team, stadium, and controls programming revenue not only for lower Ontario, but much of Canada. Has this translated into bigger team payrolls to compete with the Yankees or Red Sox...nope: Team Salaries Rank Team Salary (US$) 1 New York Yankees 196,854,630 2 Philadelphia Phillies 172,976,381 3 Boston Red Sox 160,257,476 4 Los Angeles Angels 138,999,024 5 Chicago White Sox 129,285,539 6 Chicago Cubs 126,380,663 7 New York Mets 120,147,311 8 San Francisco Giants 117,784,333 9 Minnesota Twins 112,737,000 10 Detroit Tigers 105,705,232 11 Los Angeles Dodgers 103,788,991 12 St. Louis Cardinals 98,746,072 13 Texas Rangers 91,885,265 14 Colorado Rockies 87,998,071 15 Atlanta Braves 87,003,192 16 Milwaukee Brewers 85,497,333 17 Baltimore Orioles 85,304,038 18 Seattle Mariners 84,865,600 19 Cincinnati Reds 76,181,366 20 Houston Astros 69,969,000 21 Oakland Athletics 65,275,500 22 Toronto Blue Jays 61,617,800 23 Washington Nationals 57,892,929 24 Miami Marlins 56,527,000 25 Arizona Diamondbacks 53,639,833 26 Cleveland Indians 48,339,167 27 Pittsburgh Pirates 45,630,000 28 San Diego Padres 45,455,040 29 Tampa Bay Rays 41,932,171 30 Kansas City Royals 35,712,400 Well Rogers did just partner into buying the Leafs. What year are those figures from? The Miami Marlins have just landed a few big-name free agents. I don't believe they are still that low on payroll. Notice the Tampa Rays are 29th but still remain competitive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 What year are those figures from? The Miami Marlins have just landed a few big-name free agents. I don't believe they are still that low on payroll. Those are ESPN numbers for 2012 season. The Rays were competitive because of starting pitching, which correlates with post season appearances. Good pitching is getting more and more expensive. I think I can name one BJ pitcher..Romero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Those are ESPN numbers for 2012 season. The Rays were competitive because of starting pitching, which correlates with post season appearances. Good pitching is getting more and more expensive. I think I can name one BJ pitcher..Romero. Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow have proven to be decent. Dustin McGowan is supposed to be back this year, we'll see if he's as good as he was before massive injuries took him out. Their problem last year was the Bullpen. The article in the OP discusses improvements made to the Jays Bullpen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellowtraveller Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow have proven to be decent. all the Jays pitching is suspect, few of their young prospects have worked out well. I still do not know why they traded Marcum. Until they sort out pitching, they are going nowhere again- even with an extra AL wild card team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm watching the Chicago White Sox open up Spring Training right now on MLB Gameday (totally awesome,by the way) against the Los Angeles Dodgers... 1-1 in the 5th... I wish you guys would take back that chump,Alex Rios...What an uninspired loser... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukin Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm watching the Chicago White Sox open up Spring Training right now on MLB Gameday (totally awesome,by the way) against the Los Angeles Dodgers... 1-1 in the 5th... I wish you guys would take back that chump,Alex Rios...What an uninspired loser... Albert Pujols= AL MVP/2012. Too bad he won't have the opportunity to celebrate back to backs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted April 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2012 4-2 Start to the season. Could easily be undefeated. Starting pitching has been fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellowtraveller Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 4-2 Start to the season. Could easily be undefeated. Starting pitching has been fantastic! It has been good, not fantastic. Their season may depend on their closer, two blown saves/two opportunitiesnot where Santos or the Jays want to be. Anybody notice how Lawrie often strikes out on three straight pitches. Needs to change his approach at the plate, learn some patiience.... Great to see Kelly Johnson coming on strong. The team has the faint whiff of potential greatness, still depends m,ostly on pitching. Who will be the fifth starter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 It has been good, not fantastic. Their season may depend on their closer, two blown saves/two opportunitiesnot where Santos or the Jays want to be. Anybody notice how Lawrie often strikes out on three straight pitches. Needs to change his approach at the plate, learn some patiience.... Great to see Kelly Johnson coming on strong. The team has the faint whiff of potential greatness, still depends m,ostly on pitching. Who will be the fifth starter? Hopefully McGowan. . . eventually If not they'll have to hope one of the Noobs can hold down the position. Drabek is the key to success because Romero and Morrow are solid starters. Santos kind of redeemed himself yesterday. Romero started the 9th and walked two batters then the third batter flied out to the warning track allowing both runners to advace. Santos came in and quickly struck out, grounded out the next two batters for the save. The team does need to hit better. They're winning with Batista and Arencibia not hitting well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellowtraveller Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 They're winning with Batista and Arencibia not hitting well. You have to love that! And their defence is pretty good. If they can get hitting from uncertains like Rasmus, Thames, Lind.... and even average pitching...... they will be dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 It has been good, not fantastic. Their season may depend on their closer, two blown saves/two opportunitiesnot where Santos or the Jays want to be. Anybody notice how Lawrie often strikes out on three straight pitches. Needs to change his approach at the plate, learn some patiience.... Great to see Kelly Johnson coming on strong. The team has the faint whiff of potential greatness, still depends m,ostly on pitching. Who will be the fifth starter? I'm a White Sox fan...I know all about Sergio Santos... You can keep him and could you please take Alex Rios back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellowtraveller Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 could you please take Alex Rios back? Sorry, no returns or refunds after 30 days.Amend the above to remove 'sorry'. Getting rid of Rios and Vernon Wells were two amazing deals by Alex Alphabet. I cannot remember what the Jays got back but it really didn't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellowtraveller Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 the Jays bullpen and closers look horrible so far, three blown leads in late innings......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Back to earth,boys... Losing 2 of 3 to Baltimore (who hasn't had a winning season since 1997) will do that to you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted April 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 Bats woke up this weekend which is nice. But losing 2/3 to Bmore really sucks. The real test is this week against Tbay though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Graham Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 Jays are okay, they need a new outdoor stadium! Go Cubs. Wish we had steroid Sosa back...and his 50-60 bombs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted April 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 Jays are okay, they need a new outdoor stadium! Go Cubs. Wish we had steroid Sosa back...and his 50-60 bombs! And his steroid use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Graham Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 (edited) And his steroid use? Well that part I hated, but the bombs were great when nobody knew!...including myself. I had to tear down my Sosa posters in anger, and I can't wear my Sosa jersey anymore. That guy owes me some money back! Too bad he did abuse, he could have been an annual 40 HR guy even without the roids. Edited April 16, 2012 by Moonlight Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Well that part I hated, but the bombs were great when nobody knew!...including myself. I had to tear down my Sosa posters in anger, and I can't wear my Sosa jersey anymore. That guy owes me some money back! Too bad he did abuse, he could have been an annual 40 HR guy even without the roids. I have a card of Sammy playing for the White Sox looking like he was about 170 lbs wet!!! He was traded to The Cubs for George Bell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Graham Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 I have a card of Sammy playing for the White Sox looking like he was about 170 lbs wet!!! He was traded to The Cubs for George Bell... To Sammy's credit, he did start to fill out what looked to be pretty naturally, with the aid of some weight training most likely, around 1993-1994. He hit 36 HR in strike-shortened 1995, and 40 HR in '96, at age 26 & 27 respectively. Those were likely steroid free seasons IMO, as he didn't start to bulk up yet. He was a big guy in 1998. His HR total went from 36 in 1997 to 66 in '98. I got to see one of those 66 HR sitting just behind the home dugout at Wrigley, & another one at the Big O. George Bell for Sosa is one the Cubs' best all-time trades. Somewhat makes up for us trading away a young Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Graham Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Jack, btw, what made you a White Sox fan? Both Chicago teams suck, but at least Cubs fans have a pretty stadium to look at while they lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted April 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Santos looked really good last night. Batista and Lind finally were able to actually hit. Beating the Rays is the key for anything they want to achieve this season. Looks like the BoSox don't have much of a chance to compete this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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