Jays Journal » John McDonald

Half Way Through: Blue Jays Position Players W.A.R

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:04:01 +0000

Just over the half way point of the season, it is a great time to take a look at how our individual Blue Jays have faired. Today I will examine the stat: Wins above replacement player (war).

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Jays Notes, 16-June-11: Stewart Shines, Assignments, and More

Mat Germain — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:21:50 +0000

Here are some of the prominent, and not so prominent, notes of things happening within the Jays franchise and its affiliates: Zach Stewart Shines in Debut If you missed it, you should regret that you did. Stewart was outstanding during his debut and definitely earned the right to more starts based on this performance. From [...]

Jays Notes, 16-June-11: Stewart Shines, Assignments, and More - Jays Journal - Jays Journal - A Toronto Blue Jays Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Jays Journal Series Preview: May 3-5 vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Jared Macdonald — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:14:01 +0000

After a tough three-game series in the Bronx, the Jays stay in the AL East and find themselves making their 2011 Tropicana Field debut for three games.

Joining me for the series preview is Ben Ice, Lead Writer on FanSided’s Rays site Rays Colored Glasses, and he’ll be adding everything on the Rays after the jump. Here’s everything you need to know:

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Jays Journal Series Preview: April 11-13 vs. Seattle Mariners

Jared Macdonald — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:52:16 +0000

After a draining series against the Angels that saw the Jays win on Friday, lose a heartbreaker in extra innings with a peculiar interference call on Saturday, and fail to support Jo-Jo Reyes’ stellar outing due to getting dominated by Jered Weaver on Sunday, our Jays continue their west coast trip to face the Mariners. It’s a perfect opportunity to pick up some momentum and for the Jays to look sweeping their first series of the season.

Joining me for the series preview is Harrison Crow, Lead Writer of FanSided’s great Mariners site Sodo Mojo and he’ll be adding everything on the Mariners after the jump. Here’s everything you need to know:

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Jays Call Scott Richmond Up, Assign Mike McCoy to AAA

Mat Germain — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:15:36 +0000

With Jo-Jo Reyes about to face the daunting task of winning the 3rd series in a row to kick off the year for the Blue Jays (I really doubt he can outdo Jered Weaver, but I’m still hoping for a miracle), the club has shored up the pen to give him a hand by calling up RHP Scott Richmond. After a long and weary game yesterday, one I refuse to post about because of a call I just can’t understand and would just rant on and on about, the Jays needed the boost in the pen. It’s more than likely going to be a short-lived call-up for Richmond, but he’s also very close to being guaranteed to see some action in today’s game. If that does happen, it will be his first game action of the 2011 season, so don’t expect a lights out outing! (more…)

Will Aaron Hill Have Option Picked Up and be in Opener for Jays?

Mat Germain — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:41:18 +0000

First and foremost, happy belated birthday to Aaron Hill who turned 29 yesterday!

image courtesy of teeswater.ca

The Jays made an interesting addition to their AAA squad when they recently picked up infielder Chris Woodward. He’s no stranger to the Jays, having been drafted by them in the 54th rd of the 1994 draft and having played 351 games with the Jays.

I say it’s interesting, because Woodward has played 585 innings at 2B in The Show and the Jays may have issues filling that position to start the season. If Aaron Hill isn’t ready to go when the season begins, John McDonald and/or Mike McCoy will likely get the first shot at 2B, but Woodward may become the bench player to take Hill’s spot on the roster to provide the Jays with more infield depth and more options at 2B.

Woodward most recently played 2B in 2009 for the Red Sox (with John Farrell watching) and Mariners, and didn’t make an error in 62 innings of work there. (more…)

Blue Jays Notebook

Jared Macdonald — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:46:51 +0000

Here’s an assortment of Blue Jays (and prospect) notes to get you by until tomorrow:

Adam Lind has looked very good this spring, and has been acclimating himself to first base quite nicely. In batting practice, he was consistently pulling the ball to right field and hitting absolute bombs over the wall and onto the Jays’ clubhouse roof. Hopefully Lind is able to regain his 2009 form this season and provide some pop to the Jays’ lineup.
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Relentless, Alex Anthopoulos Trades Mike Napoli for Frank Francisco and Cash

Mat Germain — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:48:26 +0000

image courtesy of www.hardballtalk.nbcsports.com

We’ve barely had a chance to digest the Vernon Wells trade to the Angels and one of the major returns from that deal, 1B/C/DH Mike Napoli, has been dealtas he will join his old AL West rivals in the Texas Rangers. He’ll try to make sure that they beat his old squad, one that he made no qualms about having issues with due to playing time, and will surely do well in their already potent lineup. The Jays, in return for Napoli, will get 31 year old RHP reliever Frank Francisco and an undisclosed amount of cash (reportedly less than $1 million).

I have to admit that I was surprised by this deal when I first heard of it. However, after digesting it a little, I see some of the positives that this creates for the Jays. I was still a huge fan of Napoli’s versus LHP and thought he would complement Adam Lind very well at 1B as a result. Still, his trade value was most likely the highest it will be this off season as most people seem to believe his numbers of 2010 may level off and/or go down in 2011 and beyond. He wasn’t a viable option behind the plate for the Jays who want to see what J. P. Arencibiacan do there along with Jose Molina, and Edwin Encarnacion should provide enough power in sharing time with Lind at 1B and DH. (more…)

The Jays Bench in 2011 – Early Preview and Possible Additions

Mat Germain — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:09:56 +0000

We can safely presume that the Jays starting lineup is presumably built for the season. It seems the Jays are prepared to go with Jose Bautista manning 3B, and the Edwin Encarnacion/Adam Lind combination manning 1B and DH. The sole question mark remaining is whether or not the Jays are going to rely on Rajai Davis to play LF everyday, or if they’ll platoon him with another outfielder. If the latter is correct, the Jays need to add an outfielder to the bench unless they plan on promoting one of Eric Thames or Darin Mastroianni to The Show. That brings my thoughts to the Jays bench, which is in need of some help right now. (more…)

Jordan Bastien Has Great Christmas Piece: John McDonald

Mat Germain — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 00:40:40 +0000

For anyone who is a serious Jays fan, you got used to reading about most insider Jays issues from Jordan Bastien who worked as a Jays reported for MLB.com. Well, even though the Jays lost his tremendous coverage to the Cleveland Indians, Jordan Bastien has provided MLB.com with yet another great Jays piece. He gives us the ins and outs of the passing away of John McDonald’s father Jack, and how John has reacted to it. It’s an uplifting piece that definitely deserves the few minutes it will take to read.

Thanks for the outstanding work Jordan! (more…)