Jays Journal » David Price

The Argument for Kyle Drabek to Start the 2011 Season in the Minors

Jared Macdonald — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:00:10 +0000

With left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes set to make what is perhaps the most important start of his career tonight at Steinbrenner Field versus the Yankees, the race between him, Jesse Litsch, Kyle Drabek for the final two spots of the Blue Jays’ Opening Day rotation will take a key turn.

There have been rumblings that Drabek is a lock to be the Jays’ fourth starter, and that the Jays have to simply decide whether Litsch or Reyes will be their fifth starter.

Obviously Drabek’s numbers last year at Double-A were impressive — helping him capture Eastern League Pitcher of the Year honors — and he’s been a treat to watch this spring. The question is, though, is he developmentally prepared to start 20-plus games at the Major League level next season?

The Jays don’t exactly have to look too far to find the reasons why they’re better off starting Drabek in the minor leagues, and having Litsch and Reyes as the final members of their Opening Day rotation.

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The Complete 2011 A.L. East All-Division Team

Jared Macdonald — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:46:43 +0000

With the vote for the final pitcher spot closed, the AL East FanSided writers have collaborated on the following list of players who will make up the pitcher portion of the 2011 AL East All-Division Team: SP – C.C. Sabathia SP – David Price SP – Jon Lester SP – Clay Buchholz SP – Ricky [...]

The Complete 2011 A.L. East All-Division Team - Jays Journal - Jays Journal - A Toronto Blue Jays Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #6 J.P. Arencibia

Mat Germain — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:52:31 +0000

The next player on our list is one of my personal favorites, and yet another catcher that the Jays will depend on for some much needed pop at the bottom of the lineup….

#6: Jonathan Paul Arencibia

image courtesy of minorleaguebaseball.com

Catcher / 25 years old / 6’1″ 210 lbs

Born: January 5th, 1986 in Miami Florida

Bats: Right Throws: Right

High School Team: Westminster Christian High School

College: University of Tennessee

Drafted:

In the 17th round of the 2004 draft by the Seattle Mariners, but decided to attend college.
In the 1st round, 21st overall, of the 2007 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays

Signed: for $1,327,500 by Matt Briggs

Quick Facts: (more…)

How the Matt Garza Trade Affects the Blue Jays

Jared Macdonald — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:27:27 +0000

Officially announced on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays shipped out Matt Garza and his squirrel tail goatee, along with Fernando Perez and Zach Rosscup to the Chicago Cubs for Sam Fuld and minor-leaguers Christopher Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, and Hak-Ju-Lee.

The Blue Jays weren’t involved, and sure, eight player trades are more of a rarity nowadays, but why should Jays fans care about this deal?

Image courtesy of Bleacher Report

Reason #1

The first reason is the most obvious one: Matt Garza is no longer in the American League. Jays fans should be rejoicing and partying in the streets over this one, because Garza was one of the Jays’ biggest headaches on the Rays’ roster.

Outside of James Shields, no starting pitcher on the Rays’ staff had faced the Jays more. In Garza’s 13 starts against Toronto, the Jays mustered just a .294 on base percentage and .320 slugging percentage against him, good for a .615 OPS. The Jays posted their lowest OPS against Garza in his career over any of Garza’s teammates that included James Shields (.783 OPS), David Price (.663 OPS), Wade Davis (.667 OPS), and Jeff Niemann (.688 OPS). Garza had faced the Jays more than any other team aside from the Boston Red Sox, and to make matters worse, excluding his one appearance against the Phillies and Padres, the Jays had the lowest OPS against Garza out of all the teams he had faced in his career. (more…)