Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Toronto Blue Jays V: Killing the Set In Stone with Two Birds Edition

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Infielders:
J. Giambi BR BP E MLB
R. Cano BR BP E MLB
D. Jeter BR BP E MLB
A. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
W. Betemit BR BP E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR BP E MLB mi
J. Miranda BR BC mi

Outfielders:
B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
J. Damon BR BP E MLB
X. Nady BR BP E MLB
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB mi
B. Gardner BR E MLB mi
M. Cabrera BR BP E MLB mi

Catchers:
I. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
J. Molina BR BP E MLB
C. Moeller BR BP E MLB mi
F. Cervelli BR BC mi

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
P. Hughes BR BP BC E mi
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi
A. Aceves BR E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
D. Marte (L) BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi
P. Coke (L) BR BC E mi
D. Rasner BR BP BC E mi
S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
H. Sanchez BC mi

15-day DL:
C. Wang BR BP BC E
60-day DL:
J. Posada BR BP E MLB
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC

Coaches:
J. Girardi (Mgr) BR BP BC
R. Thomson (Bench) BC
Kevin Long (Hit) BR
D. Eiland (Pitch) BR BP BC
B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

40-man Roster:
AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi
J. Christian BR BP E MLB mi
I. Kennedy BR BP BC E mi
C. Wright (L) BR BP BC E mi
J. Marquez BR BC mi

Designated for Assignment:
B. Traber (L) BR BP BC E mi

Select Minor Leaguers:

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B. Castro BR mi DL
C. Basak BR BP BC E MLB mi
E. Duncan BC mi
N. Green BR mi
B. Broussard BR mi
M. Carson BC mi
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J. Brown BC mi DL
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M. Melancon BC mi
J.B. Cox BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
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V. Zambrano BR BC mi DL

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R. Peña BC mi DL
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
G. Kontos BC mi
J. Nuñez BC mi
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J. Gil BC mi
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W. De La Rosa (L) BC mi
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M. Cusick BC mi
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J. Montero BC mi
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J. Heredia BC mi
J. Ortiz BC mi
C. Heyer BC mi

Low-A Staten Island Yankees:
D. Adams mi
P. Venditte mi

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
K. Higashioka mi

Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
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mi = MiLB.com (current mL stats)
E = ESPN (current splits, game logs)
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J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT
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B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
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J. Sanchez mi PHI

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Toronto Blue Jays V: Killing the Set In Stone with Two Birds Edition

2008-08-29 12:45

by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees are 1-6 in games started by A.J. Burnett and Roy Halladay this season. Burnett (3-0, 1.61 ERA vs. NYY this season) starts again tonight against former rotation-mate Carl Pavano. Halladay (3-1, 2.48 ERA vs. NYY this season) starts Sunday against Andy Pettitte. That is a major reason why the Yankees' failure to sweep the Red Sox this week all but officially eliminated them from the playoff hunt.

No Excuses

The Jays lost Dustin McGowan for the season in early July, Shaun Marcum hit the DL a few weeks later and is currently back in the minors trying to straighten himself out. Second baseman Aaron Hill suffered a season-ending concussion on May 30. Vernon Wells broke his wrist in May and strained his hamstring in July, missing a month with each injury. Scott Rolen broke a finger at the end of spring training, which cost him most of April, and he just got back from a second stint on the DL earlier this week. B.J. Ryan made a quick and successful return from Tommy John surgery, but within weeks of his return, last year's closer, Jeremy Accardo, was lost for the season. Set-up man Casey Janssen has missed the entire season. Several les- significant relievers have also missed less-significant time due to injury. Shortstops David Eckstein and John McDonald landed on the DL on the same day in early May, and Gregg Zaunn, Shannon Stewart, and now Brad Wilkerson have also spent time on the DL. Rolen has been barely league average when healthy, and Stewart and Matt Stairs slumped their way off the team entirely.

Despite all of that, the Blue Jays could pull even with the Yankees by sweeping this weekend's series, which given the fact that both Burnett and Halladay are due to pitch, isn't as unlikely as it might sound. Meanwhile, the Jays' Pythagorean record is already four games better than the Yankees'.

Though the Yankees just left Toronto a week and a half ago, the Blue Jays have made four roster moves since we've last seen them, including acquiring utility man Jose Bautista from Pittsburgh (where he was the starting third baseman), demoting Marcum, activating Rolen, and calling up top prospect Travis Snider, who could make his major league debut tonight. A lefty-hitting outfielder, the 20-year-old Snider has hit .299/.375/.513 in his three-year pro career and moved from high-A through double-A to triple-A and now the majors this season. In 18 games for triple-A Syracuse he hit .344/.386/.516.

Toronto Blue Jays

2008 Record: 68-65 (.511)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 74-59 (.560)

Manager: Cito Gaston
General Manager: J.P. Ricciardi

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Rogers Centre (100/99)

Who's Replaced Whom:
Scott Rolen (DL) has replaced Matt Stairs
Travis Snider (minors) has replaced Brad Wilkerson (DL)
Jose Bautista has replaced Kevin Mench (minors)
John Parrish (minors) has replaced Shaun Marcum (minors)

25-man Roster:

1B - Lyle Overbay (L)
2B - Joe Inglett (L)
SS - John McDonald (R)
3B - Scott Rolen (R)
C - Rod Barajas (R)
RF - Alex Rios (R)
CF - Vernon Wells (R)
LF - Adam Lind (L)
DH - Scott Rolen (R)

Bench:

R - David Eckstein (IF)
L - Travis Snider (OF)
R - Jose Bautista (UT)
S - Gregg Zaun (C)

Rotation:

R - Roy Halladay
L - David Purcey
R - Jesse Litsch
R - A.J. Burnett
L - John Parrish

Bullpen:

L - B.J. Ryan
L - Scott Downs
R - Jason Frasor
L - Jesse Carlson
R - Shawn Camp
R - Brandon League
L - Brian Tallet

15-day DL: L - Brad Wilkerson (OF), R - Dustin McGowan, R - Jeremy Accardo
60-day DL: R - Aaron Hill (2B), R - Casey Janssen

Typical Lineup:

L - Joe Inglett (2B)
R - Marco Scutaro (3B)
R - Alex Rios (RF)
R - Vernon Wells (CF)
L - Adam Lind (LF)
L - Lyle Overbay (1B)
R - Scott Rolen (DH)
R - Rod Barajas (C)
R - John McDonald (SS)

Comments (52)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-08-29 15:00:37

1. kylepetterson

Question 1: What are the odds that Pavano literally bursts into flames on the mound tonight?
Question 2: What are the odds that anybody does anything about it?
Question 3: What are the odds that Giradi tells the media that it's just a little heat damage and that Pavano is day to day?

2008-08-29 15:24:44

2. Cliff Corcoran

1 50/50 chance on 1 & 2, but if 1 & 2, then 3 is a sure thing.

2008-08-29 16:10:52

3. kylepetterson

Assuming we don't make the playoffs I want to see 2 things:
1: Moose get to 20 wins
2: Pavano throw a fast ball and have his arm fall off, then when he goes to get the arm he slips on the ball, flies up in the air, and lands flat on his back. Then maybe a gopher could pop up and steal the arm. That would be hilarious.

2008-08-29 16:11:10

4. Alex Belth

What are the odds that the Yankees sign Burnett in the off season if he kicks their ass again tonight?

2008-08-29 16:12:22

5. Eirias

I'd like to note: Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

2008-08-29 16:14:15

6. nick

my worry also Alex, which leads to: if we sign him, what are the odds that he starts fewer than 20 games and has an ERA over 4.5?

2008-08-29 16:14:43

7. Eirias

3 Nope hope? You just want those two things? Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood.

2008-08-29 16:16:26

8. Just fair

Scranton is playing the local boys on the boob tube up in Rochester. Juan Miranda was just at the dish. Man, he is an imposing presence in the box. He just got drilled in the leg, however. Shook if off.

2008-08-29 16:27:57

9. Eirias

Yeah, we're picking Burnett up.

2008-08-29 16:29:32

10. Alex Belth

You got to figure Hank will be pushing hard for Burnett. I just get the sense that he's not the guy with "STUFF" that you want. Unlike Beckett, Burnett has never really ever been able to put it together. He's like the Kyle Farnsworth of starters--amazing stuff that somehow doesn't translate into dominant performance.

2008-08-29 16:29:48

11. rbj

Ooooh, Burnett & CC. Cost a lot, but there's money coming off the books.

2008-08-29 16:33:20

12. Just fair

I just saw this in Burnett's contract via Cot's Baseball cotracts on the side bar.
deal includes 8 round-trip limousine trips per season between Toronto & Burnett's Maryland home for his wife. Ha.
Zambrano looks like Torre from behind. He's wearing #6.

2008-08-29 17:03:36

13. Just fair

If a Pavano throws 4+ solid innings in the Bronx, and no is around to banter about it, does it make a sound?

2008-08-29 17:05:16

14. rbj

Replay! Replay!

2008-08-29 17:05:44

15. rbj

OK, never mind

2008-08-29 17:06:28

16. dianagramr

Here's what its gonna cost to sit in the new stadium:

http://tinyurl.com/66dfzk

2008-08-29 17:09:05

17. rbj

16 Kinda sickening. I'd be able to afford the Terrace at most, and that for just a couple of games. Mudhens games are $9 per seat. Every seat.

2008-08-29 17:09:41

18. OldYanksFan

World's worst AB by Jeter????

2008-08-29 17:14:32

19. rbj

Dumb then smart baserunning by Abreu

2008-08-29 17:17:20

20. Just fair

Alright, Carl. One more scoreless inning here and pray the skies open up. IF the ark needs two oft-injured pitchers, I know where they are.

2008-08-29 17:19:44

21. randym77

Barry Zito just gave up a grand slam to the Reds. The $126 million dollar man...

2008-08-29 17:19:46

22. OldYanksFan

CARL PAVANO IS A STUD! RE-SIGN HIM!

2008-08-29 17:20:55

23. OldYanksFan

Red Panties over the White Sox 1-0 in the 5th.

2008-08-29 17:21:48

24. randym77

17 SWB Yankees are $8 upstairs, $10 downstairs. But you can often get a ticket for free if you hang around outside looking hopeful.

2008-08-29 17:22:05

25. Just fair

22 The option for next year is "only" 13 million bones. Casman may believe in him, but not for that much. Sheesh.

2008-08-29 17:23:24

26. OldYanksFan

Banter Poll: Serious question...
If Pavano is a FA next year, what is he worth?

2008-08-29 17:23:44

27. yankee23

The gb/fb ratio is a little unsettling as well.

2008-08-29 17:23:56

28. randym77

Oh, the irony, if the Yanks find themselves having to pick up Pavano's option.

2008-08-29 17:25:22

29. Just fair

Melky (melkbone) completely misplayed a ball over his head a few innings ago. He just now went back on another over his head and dropped a completely catchable ball. Ugh. He may be in a Mexican league next year.

2008-08-29 17:26:37

30. rbj

26 He owes the Yankees a free season or two.

And gee, Carl Pavano not only pitching but outpitching AJ Burnett. What's next either a black president or a woman vice president?

2008-08-29 17:27:46

31. randym77

29 Melkbone has never handled the ball hit over his head well. He just can't read those.

2008-08-29 17:31:48

32. Just fair

30 How bout a basketball team with a starting 5 of
Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow, and Trig. Or the name of Sarah Pallin's kids. : )

2008-08-29 17:37:25

33. OldYanksFan

30 Well, OBama is not 'all-the-way-black', and Hilary is not....

By the by... was OBama's speech fantastic or what?

2008-08-29 17:43:10

34. OldYanksFan

Red Panties beating up the White Sox... 3-0.

2008-08-29 17:46:35

35. rsmith51

I sure enjoyed that new VP candidate as the pregnant sheriff in Fargo. You betcha.

2008-08-29 17:49:07

36. Just fair

Zambrano gave up 7 runs and 11 hits in 4+. Walked 3 and k'd 2.

2008-08-29 17:54:29

37. rbj

Sure would be nice if the Yankees got some more runs.

2008-08-29 17:59:52

38. randym77

Ugh. I'm not sure I like this knifey-spoony thing.

2008-08-29 18:01:36

39. Just fair

Burnett gave up 7 hits and 5 ER's vs. the b.s. sox lineup last start. Baseball'll drive ya' nuts. Why the hell not start Marte this inning and save Bruney for later.

2008-08-29 18:07:28

40. rbj

I'd almost like to have a rule that a pitcher has to face 2-3 batters or else he'd be ineligible for the next game (unless it goes past 10 innings)

2008-08-29 18:20:04

41. randym77

I find it really hard to believe that Brett Gardner hasn't been taught to bunt until now.

2008-08-29 18:23:04

42. Just fair

Where's Bruney?
Oh yeah, he nailed down the 1st out of the 7th. Not feeling too great about Edwar here.

2008-08-29 18:32:03

43. rbj

Dumb ass fan. Well at least he didn't do that during God Bless America.

2008-08-29 18:33:38

44. Alex Belth

Mo! Onions. Man, think Girardi is managing to win this one?

2008-08-29 18:38:55

45. Alex Belth

Jeez another impressive outing from Burnett.

2008-08-29 18:41:32

46. Just fair

5th time he's gone 8 innings. Pretty, pretty good. I am basically sick of him, though.

2008-08-29 18:47:41

47. Just fair

I find the battery match-up pretty sweet. The greatest closer of all time throwing to arguably the greatest catcher of all time. Good W. : )

2008-08-29 18:47:57

48. rbj

Yes! Sweet! Good night. Pretty expensive win for Carl Pavano.

2008-08-29 18:48:15

49. Alex Belth

Man, Rivera is just so special. He was especially crisp tonight. Just a thing of beauty to behold. We ain't worthy...nah, sure we are. Just beautiful.

2008-08-29 18:52:07

50. randym77

Our ace, Carl Pavano. Who'd have thunk it?

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-08-29 20:00:11

51. Andre

CC seems to have been vastly overused this season. Isn't anyone worried that he'll be a big HUGE bust next year? a 6 yr contract may turn out fine over the full term, but I can forsee major problems in the short term.

2008-08-29 23:56:07

52. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

Awesome, violent, terrifying Electric rainstorms over Tokyo last night, with huge flooding afterwards..then I woke up to see Pavano throw a gem and the Yanks beat Burnett...

i am afraid....