J.P. Arencibia took shots at Blue Jays commentators/analysts Dirk Hayhurst and Gregg Zaun on TheFan590 this morning. I understand that he is frustrated with his poor performance, but this is not the way to express his anger. This outburst would have been more appropriate if Arencibia's game were being picked apart despite his performing well. But he is not performing well. Since picking up 8 HRs and 16 RBI in April with a .253 BA, he has struggled to put together a 15/38/.216 line on the season. He has struck out 92 times. And we haven't even started talking about his defence. I do not care much about the Stolen Bases Against because it is an imperfect statistic, but the Passed Balls and questionable plate coverage are too much. Not to mention that he calls for way too many pitches outside of the strike zone. I think JP's tirade just confirmed what his performance already suggested: he needs some time in Buffalo. I believe he still has options. Who do they call up? Maybe recently-signed Ramon Hernandez?
The situation at second base for the Blue Jays is becoming unbearable, with Emilio Bonifacio making another error yesterday. Early in the season I was willing to give him a chance defensively, but that chance has expired. Maicer Izturis is performing better of late, but is more suitable as a backup, like Mark DeRosa and Munenori Kawasaki. If this team wants to contend, it is going to need a REAL second baseman--a true everyday player who is neither a hole in the batting order, nor the field. Darwin Barney is an interesting option who is presently available. Although his hitting will not be much of an improvement over the current quartet, he is known for his great defence. He also may be cheaper than other options, such as Chase Utley or Ian Kinsler. Utley is getting on and is owed a large sum of money, so it may be in the best interest of the team to avoid him. Kinsler is the most intriguing option. With Profar and Andrus up the middle, the Rangers are nearing the end of their need for the former All-Star second baseman. With a struggling rotation, the team may be interested in rent-a-player RHP Josh Johnson--who, granted, has not had the greatest of seasons, but has history on his side, as well as a familiarity with warm weather. Toss in a Darren Oliver (who will probably retire at the end of the season) or a Sergio Santos (who really does not fit in the Jays' powerful bullpen, anymore) as well as a prospect or two, and I think this deal could get done. Such a trade may also see one of the quartet heading to Texas as a backup plan.
As Brett Lawrie recovers from his eerily José-Reyes-esque ankle sprain, one major question arises: should he be recalled? Lawrie has a lot of heart and an intense attitude--something that has endeared him to some and antagonized him to others--and his glove would be an invaluable asset in the infield, but his bat has been weak all season. I think he should stay in the Minors until that aspect of his game comes around, otherwise he is more of a liability than an asset. As for his attitude, while he does go a little overboard on occasion, I do not mind the fire most of the time. He is still young (23), and the rougher edges will likely soften over time. He has too much talent to give up on, now.
Colby Rasmus kept his cleats down as he made a good, clean baseball slide into second, last night. The Tigers are still reeling from a heated series in Tampa, they are upset about how close Cleveland is to them in the standings, and they do not appreciate that their second baseman got injured. But honestly, they have to suck it up and stop whining. It was a clean, albeit unfortunate, play.
This is related to an issue I stumbled upon a few weeks ago--long before this Blog existed. Many people were upset with José Bautista's ejection on June 9th. I did not mind it. Bautista has exercised a lot of control this season, arguing much less. In fact, this was the first time I had seen him argue since early in the season. Furthermore, as it was the ninth inning and he was unlikely to come up again, there was really no better time to get ejected. To be honest, the most irritating thing about the whole play was the way John Gibbons downplayed it and calmed the situation rather than trying to keep the fire alive under Edwin Encarnacion, who could have tied the game or even won it, had there still been any energy alive. The manager MUST get ejected when his star player is ejected.
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