A New Era Takes Flight - The 2008 Toronto Blue Jays

[gosensgo101]

May 2nd, 2008
Part III

Earlier the same day.

I returned from Boston at around 11 o'clock in the morning and went straight to my office in the Sky - er - Rogers Centre as I wasn't going to Seattle of all places.

"The people from the FAN 590 called. They were wondering if you'd make an appearence on Primetime Sports around 10 after 4," My secretary told me as soon as I walked in.

"Sure, I'll do it. Are Gord and Tony around?" I responded.

"Yes, did you want to meet with them?" she replied.

"Yeah, I would. Could you get ahold of them and send them in when they get here. Thanks," I shut the door behind me.

Once they both finally arrived I started, "We need offense."

"I would tend to agree with you," Gord stated.

"So, Barry?" asked Tony eagerly.

"Yep, and since you're so intrigued by him, why don't you call up his agent and hammer down a contract. Tell him he's to report to Syracuse for the time being to work out the kinks," I replied.

"I didn't really want to do it. But it had to be done," I told Gord as Tony left.

"Yes it did,"

"We need a new 5th starter don't you think?"

"With the off-day, we don't need one until Saturday. But I agree, we need to find a better option. Any takers on Barajas yet?"

"I could get Chan Ho Park."

"So, no takers?"

"Nope. But I could package him with someone. If we're willing to part with, say, John Parrish as well, there are a handful of veterens available, but no one who's much better than what we've got."

"So, someone from within then?"

"Yep. I'm thinking either Litsch, Parrish or Banks should make that next start. I'll wait for after the Mariners series to make my decision though."

****************

P.S. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian readers.

[gosensgo101]

May 2nd, 2008
Part IV

Bob McCown: And we're back with breaking news from Derek Murphy.

Derek Murphy: Thank you Bob. The Toronto Blue Jays are proud to announce that the newest Blue Jay is Barry Bonds.

Jim Kelley: How long has this been in the making Derek?

Derek Murphy: Gord Ash, Tony Lacava and myself first threw his name out there about three weeks ago. And, with the offence producing how it has, we felt that something needed to be done.

Stephen Brunt: Did you consider any others?

Derek Murphy: Of course. But I think Bonds gives us the most production for the lowest price, which in my mind makes a good transaction.

Bob Elliot: How long until he's in a Blue Jays' uniform.

Derek Murphy: He's going to play in Syracuse for at least 3 days. After that, we'll reevaluate. It could be anywhere between 3 to 10 days from now.

Bob McCown: Who gets dropped from the roster?

Derek Murphy: We'll decide that when we need too.

Stephen Brunt: Can you give us any details on the contract?

Derek Murphy: Yes, its a one-year deal worth $380 thousand dollars. It includes a team option for 2009 worth $7.75M.

Bob McCown: That's all the time we have for now. Thanks for taking the time to join us, Derek.

Derek Murphy: No problem, I'd be glad to come back anytime.

Bob McCown: You're listening on the Fan, watching on Rogers Sportsnet.

[gosensgo101]

May 2008
Part I

I went straight home after doing the radio segment. I felt pretty good about myself and our team's chances. I mean, we now have the best hitter of all time on our team for the league minimum! Who'd'a thunk it.

When I returned to my office the next morning, my secretary was on the phone.

"It's for you," she said when she saw me.

"I'll take it inside my office," I replied.

"Hello, Derek Murphy speaking," I said as I picked up the receiver.

"What the h*ll were you thinking?" the voice on the other end boomed.

"About what, and who am I talk - "

"You know d*mn right who I'm talking about. Barry."

"I'm just trying to improve my team. Who are you?"

"That's not important. As a league, I thought it was understood that no one touches Bonds."

"Wouldn't that be collusion?"

"Not if we never speak of it. Its just something that everybody understood. Everybody knew. Everybody followed."

"Well you need to let me into the loop next time."

"You've got a big mouth for a rookie GM. You'd better watch yourself. You've made an enemy with at least one team," he finished as he hung up.

"I should've warned you," Gord startled me.

"I knew there were risks but I didn't think anyone would take it like this," I replied.

****************

I forgot to put signings in the April summary so here are the most notable ones.
All salaries are yearly salaries.
All ratings are using my +/-8 scouting.

April 1st: RP George Sherrill (88/90) signed a 3-year extension with the Orioles at $1.15M
April 2nd: CF Kenny Lofton (78) was signed by the Pirates for 1 year at $4.9M
April 2nd: RF Sammy Sosa (74) was signed by the Orioles for 1 year at $4.5M
April 2nd: C Mike Piazza (76) was signed by the Marlins for 1 year at $2.85M
April 2nd: SP Freddy Garcia (80) was signed by the Marlins for 1 year @ $1.9M
April 2nd: RP Takashi Saito (92/93) signed a 2-year extension with the Dodgers at $2.95M
April 4th: RP Jose Valverde (85/86) signed a 3-year extension with the Astros at $18.2M
April 9th: RP Brad Lidge (88) signed a 3-year extension with the Phillies at $9.4M
April 11th: SP Joe Blanton (82) signed a 3-year extension with the A's at $4.3M
April 11th: SP Chad Gaudin (84) signed a 3-year extension with the A's at $2.25M
April 11th: SP Daniel Cabrera (86) signed a 3-year extension with the Orioles at $5.7M

****************

Barry went got to Syracuse on time on the 2nd to go 1-for-3 while playing left field.

Toronto Blue Jays (13-16) (5th, -7.5g) at Seattle Mariners (14-15) (3rd, -2.5g)

3: The M's got out to an early lead scoring 1 in the first and 2 in the second. Bedard kept out offence down, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits in 8 innings. Mariners 4-1
WP: Bedard (5-0) LP: Halladay (4-2) SV: Putz (9) HR: Hill (6) / Ibanez (1)

Bonds went 1-for-3 again, this time with a home run in Syracuse.

4: We finally break out 7 game losing streak, powered by Aaron Hill's 3-for-4 night. Rios also broke out of his slum, going 3-for-4 as well. Burnett gave up just 2 runs, both unearned in 6.2 stellar innings, recording 9 K's in the process. Blue Jays 4-2
WP: Burnett (3-3) LP: Bastista (0-4) SV: Ryan (3) HR: Hill (7)

Rolen's error was debatable as he had to jump to snag an Ichiro liner and couldn't throw him out. Apparently he strained his abdomen on the play. He finished the game but he's day-to-day now. Luckily I have lots of infielders.

5: Maybe we don't need Barry. King Felix struggled early and often, not getting out of the 4th inning. The Seattle pen held us to just 2 more runs, but it didn't matter. McGowan gave up all 4 Seattle homers in just 5 innings, which is worrisome. Blue Jays 8-6
WP: McGowan (3-2) LP: Hernandez (4-2) SV: Ryan (4) HR: Wells (4) / Sexson 2 (4), Johjima (4), Ibanez (2)

Bonds went 1-for-4 today. I think he's ready. He'll join us back in Toronto as we start a 4-game set against the Tigers.

To make room on the roster we designate Shannon Stewart for assignment. He hit just .160 in 7 games for us this season.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Uh oh, looks like the "New World Order" has taken over baseball...

Bonds looks like he can still swing the bat though. Thankfully, you won't be putting him in the outfield anytime soon

[gosensgo101]

PoC13: Seeing as Frank Thomas is my DH at the moment, and my outfielders are sucking, yes, sadly, we will see Barry Bonds in Left Field. I don't think he can do much worse than Stairs has though.

*****************

May 6th, 2008
Part I

"ID," a border patrol officer said blandly.

The man handed him his drivers license.

"It appears you have pending criminal charges," the officer said after typing the name into his computer.

"Yeah," the man responded rudely. "And what does that matter to you?"

"Well," the officer replied bluntly. "It means I can't let you into Canada."

"But I got a job to go to! I got work in Canada man!" the man exclaimed.

"That doesn't matter sir. You have pending criminal charges. I cannot let you into Canada. You may take it up with the government by filling out this application," the officer handed the man a sheet of paper.

"Oh, ***** this!" he ripped up the paper, backed his car up and returned to the United States.

[gosensgo101]

I should add that there is going to be a press conference in the near future. Derek, Gibby, Barry, Halladay and Vernon Wells will all be available for questions, so if you have any, now's the time to ask them. Of course, I'll put some questions in there as well.

[gosensgo101]

May 6th, 2008
Part II

The team returned from Seattle early Friday morning, so Gibby didn't get to the stadium until past 1 o'clock. While we waited for him, Gord and myself took care of some business.

First off, we have a catcher to get rid of. Conveniently, the Dodgers' starter Russell Martin went down for at least a month yesterday with a broken foot.

We manage to land a young starter for the veteran catcher and a minor league pitcher, provided we pay for a portion of Barajas' salary.

Blue Jays get:
SP Justin Orenduff (75/81) [24] (AAA)

Dodgers get:
C Rod Barajas (76) [32] (.222 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI in 5 games)
RP Kane Davis (78/80) [32] (AAA)

Orenduff replaces Randy Wells as our 5th starter, who moves back to Long Relief. Shawn Camp is outrighted to Triple-A to make room.

While I'm at it, I move reliever Jean Machi from Double-A to Triple-A. He has an ERA under 2 so far in New Hampshire.

Davis is sent to Triple-A Los Vegas, while Barajas becomes the Dodgers' new starting catcher until Martin returns.

**************

Around one, I made my way down to the clubhouse and found Gibby in his office.

"How do you see Bonds sliding into our lineup?" I asked.

"He's our best power hitter. So cleanup of course," he provided the wrong answer.

"There's no way he's batting fourth, at least for the time being. I want him near the top of the order, either second or fourth. Even if he doesn't hit, he'll always draw walks, and I want those walks setting up our better hitters, giving us a better chance to drive him in," I lectured.

"But, he's our best power guy," Gibby snapped back.

"He'll get on base nearly half the time for you, he should be at the top of the order," I reemphasized.

"Okay, okay. He'll bat third for the first few games, if he doesn't get on base I'm moving him down in the order."

"Fair enough."

"Where is he anyways."

"He's driving up from Syracuse, he should be here later this afternoon."

**************

After walking out of his offence, my cell phone rang. I picked it up, and it was Barry.

"Where are you?" I asked. "The game starts at seven."

"I'm at the border," he told me.

"Long line?" I wondered.

"Nope, they ain't lettin' me in," he responded.

"What the h*ll do you mean they ain't lettin' you in?" I asked, raising my voice.

"They won't let me into Canada 'cause of my court case," he replied.

Sh*t. I hadn't considered that he wouldn't be allowed into Canada.

"Just find a hotel or something," I finally instructed him. "I'll try to sort this out."

"Yeah," he said stiffly. "You do that."

**************

"He can't come into Canada, Gord," I told Gord.

"No...you're kidding," he replied.

"Nope, he can't come into Canada because of the charges he has against him,"

"Well, do you think its worth it to keep him just for road games?"

"Yeah, I think so. I'm going to go sort this out."

[canadianman30]

Good idea with Bonds.
Vernon Wells should be your cleanup hitter (number 4). Ive always liked him in that spot.

[gosensgo101]

canadian: I had Wells batting cleanup to start the season, but he he's been awful so far. Before this series he had just 4 homers and a sub-200 batting average. He's been moving down the order since opening day and now only John McDonald can keep him out of the 9-hole.

*****************

May 2008
Part II

I sent an application to the Canadian Government for a pardon on behalf of Bonds. It'll take at least a month to be processed. For now, we keep him on the roster, so he can play on the road.

Detroit Tigers (20-12) (1st, +1g) at Toronto Blue Jays (15-17) (4th, -6g)

6: The Tigers plated 7 runs off Marcum, as he completed just 1.2 innings. I may have to rethink him in the 4-spot. He hasn't made it out of the second in his last 3 starts. Wells pitched magnificently out of relief, with 5.2 innings, giving up just 1 run. If only he could do that as a starter. Cabrera continued his rampid pace, going 3-for-5 with 2 homers, raising his batting average to .397. Tigers 9-2
WP: Robertson (4-0) LP: Marcum (1-6) HR: Cabrera 2 (15), Granderson (2)

7: Orenduff earned a spot in the rotation for the near future. He turned in an outstanding Major League debut. He had a 4-0 lead through 6 and gave up 2 in the 7th, but regained his composure, pitching 1-2-3 8th. He gave up just 3 hits in his 8 innings of work. Blue Jays 5-2
WP: Orenduff (1-0) LP: Verlander (3-1) SV: Ryan (5) HR: Overbay (5), Rios (4)

Former Blue Jay Cliff Polite retired today. He spent the year pitching for St. Louis' Triple-A affiliate and last pitched in the majors in 2006 for the White Sox. He spent two years with Toronto (2002 and 2003), spending parts of the 2003 season as the Jays' closer.

Rolen's healed up. He get the start at third.

8: My offence finally showed up, but not my pitching today. What an amazing see-saw battle though. A Placido Palanco sol homer gave the Tigers the lead in the first, but Wells topped him with a 3-run homer in the second. The Tigers tied the game up in the top of the fifth, but we tied it right back up with a run in the bottom half. The game stayed tied until the Tigers plated 1 in the 8th and 4 more in the 9th, but we rallied in the bottom half, scoring 5 runs off Denny Bautista, highlighted by a David Eckstein Grand Slam, the first of his career. But, in the tenth, Detroit came roaring back, taking a 3 run lead. We rallied for 2 in the bottom half, almost making another comeback but Rios grounded out for the 30th out of the game with Eckstein on second. Tigers 12-11
WP: Seay (2-3) LP: Accardo (0-1) HR: Wells (5), Eckstein (2) / Inge (1), Polanco (1)

After the game, Matt Stairs complained of chest pains. He was taken the hospital for precautionary reasons, but he had merely tweaked a muscle. He'll stay in Toronto as we play a 3-game set in Boston next week.

Ryan Howard signed a 3-year extension with the Phillies worth 17.6 million dollars per season. And he's earning it, hitting .341 and leading the majors with 19 homers so far this year.

9: Our offence dominated throughout most of the game, as we headed into the 8th with a 9-0 lead. Sheffield was the only one to come to play ball for the Tigers, a he hit a two run bomb off Burnett in the 7th, and another two run shot off Benitez in the ninth. Burnett is proving he's worth 12 million dollars this year, recording a 2.62 ERA so far this season. Blue Jays 9-4
WP: Burnett (4-3) LP: Willis (3-4) HR: Hill (8), Thigpen (2) / Sheffield 2 (5)

Now, on to Boston for Barry Bonds' debut.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I'm looking forward to this...

Kinda too bad about the whole "not getting into Canada" thing. Would've been nice to see Bonds impact your lineup everyday.

[Arctic Blast]

Wow, I really like the Bonds idea. Reminiscent of Bob Probert.

[gosensgo101]

Potato: Yeah, it would be nice, but I needed to add some drama. Anyways, Bonds wouldn't be able to play everyday either.

Arctic: Bob was before my time.

****************

May 10th, 2008
Part I

Finally, the moment I've been anticipating for all this time. The debut of Barry Bonds as a Toronto Blue Jay. Bonds would get the start in Left Field, batting third.

Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield handled Eckstein and Hill easily, bringing Barry up with the bases empty and two out.

"Now batting for the Toronto Blue Jays, number twenty-five, Barry Bonds," the PA announcer's voice came over the speakers.

Then fenway faithful proceeded to let out one of the loudest, most deafening boo's I've ever heard, and it continued steadily throughout the at bat, and each time a ball got close to Bonds.

The first pitch Bonds received was a knuckleball, and he turned on it like McCovey's cove was just outside the Fenway confines. It was traveling right on the foul line, heading towards the top of Pesky's pole. At the last second, it curved foul, barely right of the pole, into the upper deck.

The next pitch was a fastball inside for a ball. The crowd reacted as if Wakefield was trying to bean him. I mean come on, he throws its 80 miles an hour at best, Wakefield isn't going to go beaning anyone.

The next pitch was another knuckleball, which Bonds got under. It was heading towards the rightfield corner. If no one caught it, it was gone. The Boston crowd held there breath. Then, J.D. Drew caught the ball on a dead sprint, and the crowd cheered.

Bonds got his first test in the field in the bottom half, as J.D. Drew hit one off the monster in left center field. Bonds easily caught the ball off the wall and got it into the infield quickly. Better than what Stairs could've done. McGowan then forced Ramirez into a groundout and stuck out Ortiz to end the inning.

Wakefield walked two in the top of the 2nd, but retired the side eventually, without giving up a run.

In the bottom half, McGowan gave up a run as Pedroia doubled with two outs and Varitek followed with an RBI single. Red Sox 1, Blue Jays 0

Nothing eventful happened until Bonds led off the top of the 4th. The boo's were capped off a cheer when Bonds hit an easy grounder to third to end a seven pitch at bat.

McGowan kept the Boston offence to just 1 run in the 4th inning after having runners on the corners with none out. Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 0

Again, nothing of note until Bonds led off the 6th inning. More boo's, and this time they weren't followed by cheers, as Bonds singled to Right. He was forced out at second on an Alex Rios fielders choice. Overbay then doubled to Right, moving Rios to third, allowing him to score on a Scott Rolen groundout. Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 1

After allowing a 3-run homer to Jason Varitek with no outs, McGowan was pulled in favour of Jason Frasor, who gave up another run before the inning was over. Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 1

The two teams exchanged zeros in the 7th innings.

Bonds lead off the 8th. And, you guessed it, there were more boos. He promptly popped up the Kevin Youkilis at first base. On the next pitch, Alex Rios took Tim Wakefield's last knuckleball of the night over the Green Monster to draw us closer. Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 2 Hideki Okajima came in and retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Scott Downs held the deficit to 4, with a little help by Gregg Zaun, who threw out Julio Lugo, who was attempting to steal second.

Zaun started the ninth by popping out, and Thomas followed with a strikeout. It was down to Vernon Wells, out supposed star hitter, who has been relegated to hitting ninth due to his lack of production. He managed a 5 pitch walk. But, it was all for not, as Eckstein grounded out to end the ballgame.

Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 2
WP: Wakefield (5-2)
LP: McGowan (3-3)
HR: Rios (5) / Varitek (3)

****************

Up next: a press conference with Barry Bonds, Derek Murphy, John Gibbons, Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells. If you have any questions, feel free to post them.

[Arctic Blast]

gosensgo: Probert (enforcer with the Red Wings at the time, in case ytou're not sure who I'm talking about. Actually, he was also a guy who'd put up 20 goals and 45 points a year...pretty solid player.) had been busted numerous times for cocaine possession, including taking it across the border so, for a time, he was not allowed to enter Canada. So, he'd only be able to play 60-65 games a year, and every game in Canada (and any playoff game in a Canadian city), he'd get left behind in Detroit until the Wings came back to the States.