Blue Jays and Roses... Spring Training

First and foremost, Former Minnesota Twin Kirby Puckett recently suffered a stroke. Thoughts and prayers.

I have a few short notes on Spring Training, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Radio Show. I haven't been able to watch as many games as I would have liked; despite the fact that I already have my MLB.TV subscription, I have no more time than I did a week ago. In any case, a few lessons.

I find Spring Training to be most useful, from a fan's standpoint (and probably a coach and GM's as well,) for scouting the minor leagues. Case in point: last year, I was watching a spring training game between Seattle and another team. Anyway, the Mariners sent up this 18-year-old kid to pitch, one Felix Hernandez. At the time no one knew who he was. Many of you know where I'm going with this. Anyway, this was Hernandez's first spring training appearance. And I think he broke 100mph. The announcers were mentioning how the Mariners recently signed this kid (two years ago, it turns out, and they'd been scouting him since 14) and they were expecting big things out of him. Well, when I heard he was getting called up in August I picked him up on my fantasy team immediately. He proceeded to go 4-4 with a 2.67 ERA and 77 Ks in 84.1 IP.

Does anyone not think Toronto is gonna do something big this year? Here's a quick look at the changes the organization made during the offseason:
They've added B.J. Ryan, Troy Glaus, Lyle Overbay, A.J. Burnett, Bengie Molina, and Brian Tallet (totally insignificant, but he carried my AAA team in MVP Baseball '04 for about four years, so I had to include him.)
They've lost Miguel Batista, Orlando Hudson, Dave Bush, and Corey Koskie.

There's a good chance I left someone major out, but we'll continue anyway. The Toronto organization showed some fire last year, but they were the team that would win five games, only to give up another five. A lot like the Tigers. One difference, the Blue Jays, had they been placed in the NL West, would have finished only two games behind the Padres. This is mostly another chance for me to build my case for revoking the NL West's right to a playoff spot next year. In any case, 80-82 is not that bad for a team that was 'rebuilding' last year. Remember that this year, they'll have a healthy Roy Halladay (who I believe is easily the best pitcher in the AL,) and a Vernon Wells who is protected in the 3 hole by Troy Glaus in cleanup - a career .250 hitter - and followed by Overbay - a career .300 hitter - in the 5 spot. Now is also a good time to mention that "leadoff" and "cleanup" are the only two spots with popular nicknames in a traditional lineup. This excludes the '2nd pitchers spot' that the Dodgers have popularized in recent years. How much longer are they gonna countinue this experiment of trying to win games with 7 hitters? I digress. Wells may finally show the talent this year that had people expecting huge things out of him after his 2003 season. The Jays will also have a closer in B.J. Ryan that will give Roy Halladay a chance at a victory without pitching 10 innings, which happened a lot last year. So they could be good to make a run at the playoffs... wait, that's right, they're in the AL East, so they're screwed.

Barring a total collapse from the Red Sox, combined with the lack of any quality second place finishers in the AL West and Central, Toronto has no freaking shot. Toronto will also have to face The Yankees and Red Sox more than any other playoff contender, with the exception of the Orioles... who have less of a chance than Toronto, even with the defecting Leo Mazzone. So, until MLB comes to their senses and starts rotating teams through the AL East, Toronto is pretty much hopeless, although I can't rule out them overtaking the Red Sox this year. Of course, I know my bias is probably making that judgment inaccurate. Outside of Manny Ramirez, I really don't follow the Red Sox, so I don't really know their chances.

Finally, the Radio Show. Bob of the Marlin's 'Deep Fried Fish Blog' suggested, in response to my previous Radio Show post, that I make a podcast. I've spent some time looking into this option. I can get a website for about the same price as a pay for this MLBlog, and I can get the equipment to make podcasts for about $200. My hope - and this is a real ambition - is to start a podcasting show that would be a lot like Under The Lights or the similar shows MLB Radio airs. I recognize that since such shows require huge time commitments, it would be impossible for Kevin and I to do a 3hr show every day. More likely, we would see a half hour show every 3 to 4 days. Additionally, such a project would probably be limited to the summer. In any case, the prices now are dropping to the point where it's no longer a big financial venture to start a website. If anyone is interesting in collaborating on a baseball website, or has any other suggestions or ideas, feel free to email me at reid at yankeesmvp dot com.