Blue Jays Morning Brew: Arencibia attempts to articulate, AFL updates and an outlook for 2014

Sep 18, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; UFC Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones poses with Toronto Blue Jays mascot and pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) prior to a game against the New York Yankees at the Rogers Centre. Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays News

John Lott at the National Post recaps last night’s bullpen meltdown as the New York Yankees came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3. J.A. Happ had a strong start but after he allowed a lead off double in the 8th neither Aaron Loup or Steve Delabar could close the door as the Yankees scored four quick runs to take the lead for good. Mariano Rivera finished the game off in the ninth to earn his 652nd career save.

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet provides a handful of quotes from J.P. Arencibia and Blue Jays hitting coach Chad Mottola. Arencibia admits that his plate discipline needs work but also says he doesn’t really care what anyone thinks about his game unless they are a decision-maker about his future. He says that most of his critics have “never played” and that “baseball people” still haven’t lost faith in him.

Ben Nicholson-Smith at Sportsnet takes a look at the possible internal and external options the Blue Jays have to fix this mess of a pitching staff.

Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, Sports Illustrated features the bluebirds in their Wait Till Next Year series. Things that went right for the Blue Jays according to SI? Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Cecil and Munenori Kawasaki‘s comedic relief. The things that went wrong list is obviously much longer and includes Josh Johnson, Melky Cabrera, Ricky Romero and Arencibia. The overall outlook for 2014? “There’s little reason to expect a radically different result next year.” Sigh.

Jay Blue gives us an update at Blue Jays From Away on the Arizona Fall League and the Toronto Blue Jays prospects that will be attending. It’s been confirmed that Drew Hutchison, Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, John Stilson, Derrick Chung, Andy Burns and Kenny Wilson from the Blue Jays organization are all listed on the Salt River Rafters roster.

Jeff Blair at the Globe and Mail says that the Blue Jays need to maximize their investment in R.A. Dickey. Blair doesn’t really say if he thinks the roof should be closed at Rogers Centre during Dickey’s starts but according to manager John Gibbons it’s a “touchy subject”. Currently the policy is to keep the roof open after April except in the case of inclement weather.

Gideon Turk at Blue Jays Plus asks is Todd Redmond for real? Redmond has had some very nice starts this year but he has no business being part of a 5-man rotation in the American League East. I wouldn’t want to see him as anything more than an emergency starter next year.

Mike Wilner at Sportsnet says that injuries aren’t the reason that the Blue Jays won’t be in the postseason.

Andrew Stoeten at DJF shares the best Beest tatoo ever.

According to Evan Peaslee at BlueJays.com veteran infielder Mark DeRosa hasn’t committed to returning to the Jays if his $750,000 option is picked up by the club. DeRosa, 38, wouldn’t rule out retirement and if you’ve seen his wife you could probably understand why.