The Blue Jays are dissolving like an antacid pill, and some of you may be calling for the manager's dismissal. Still, I ask: Is this John Gibbons' fault?
As of Saturday, the Jays have dropped five straight, none more enthusiasm-sapping as Friday night's opener here in Kansas City. For seven innings, we were treated to a wonderful duel between Zack Greinke and A.J. Burnett, and by the bottom of the eighth, scribes were filing their easiest threads of the year: the successful return of Scott Rolen, whose two-out, two-run double was the key to Toronto's long-awaited victory.
But baseball, delightfully, requires nine innings, and the Royals pecked away at Burnett. Even when Scott Downs entered in relief, all seemed to be right again when he induced a quick come-backer from Ross Gload with men on first and third. But David Eckstein, perhaps peaking at the runner streaking down the line, dropped the relay from Downs, squandering a potential inning-ending double-play. The Royals tied the game, and went on to the 8-4 victory.
Most days, Eckstein makes that play. But that's been the constant theme of this road trip so far. Most days, Gregg Zaun's ninth-inning, two-on rocket to right field exits the park. On Thursday, it didn't. Most days, Roy Halladay throws a complete game and wins. On Wednesday, he didn't. These days, that kind of thing isn't happening for the Blue Jays, and only a recent burp by the division-leading Red Sox is keeping them in touch with the rest in the American League East.
Adding to the frustration is the uncanny reality of cast-away Jays thriving elsewhere. Eric Hinkse's departure from Toronto is old news, but it was his bat that bedevilled the Jays in the Tampa series. A few games in to his return to Oakland, Frank Thomas is driving in runs on Toronto's tab. And now delighted Cub fans are pointing to the acquisition of Reed Johnson as a critical component of the rise to first place.
I'll admit that sitting All-Star outfielders on consecutive days in April is a little questionable, as Gibbons did in Orlando. Vernon Wells got a day off Monday, and Alex Rios received one Tuesday, though Alex may have been battling the flu bug that kept him out Wednesday too. Still, can you really blame the manager for this mess? I say blame bad karma.
What do you think?
Bad karma? More like bad decisions by management. Is it just me, or does Shannon Stewart look like he'd rather have a root canal than be a Blue Jay this year?? He seems completely disinterested!!! Frustrating to say the least.
While they certainly may be suffering from bad luck, it's inexcusable to use karma as an excuse. The great athletes and teams refuse to lose, regardless of the little things that transpire throughout a game. I have supported and defended the players on this team for years and want them all to succeed, but I've begun to question the competitiveness of this ball club. I've seen very little passion from this ball club, and if the players aren't intrinsically motivated, perhaps new management is required to get the players to understand that playing mediocre ball and collecting their paycheques isn't good enough. That being said, I like the group they've got and truly hope they can turn it around quickly so I can say 'I told you so' to all those naysayers.
Jamie.. first thing is first, stop talking about the weather during the game. No one cares.
Gibbons will be gone in 2 weeks max. His managing is terrible. He left AJ in the game last night to try and get him the win. When he let a runner on and a left handed bat was up, take him out. But no, gibbons waited too long.. ONCE AGAIN. No wonder he is labelled as an "arm-killer". Sure there was an error made but that is part of baseball, Gibbons poor management allowed the game to continue and eventually the error was made.
And what are you talking about greg zaun on "most days" hitting bombs? He is playing well the last few days and I like it, but the guy rarely gets a ball out of the infield.. He can't hit and can't play defense, something has to give. It's time to give Diaz and shot!
JP should be gone as well.. releasing frank, releasing reed.. He is wasting money. Money that could be used in the offseason to lure big bats like Adam Dunn, Burrell or an outside shot at Mark Teixera.
Fire Gibbons & sign Bonds.If not the Jays are done for another year.Gibbons is a lame duck.It's kinda hard to manage when your not calling the shots.Riccardi thinks he's Billy Beane.Bring someone credible in & let him manage.Otherwise we're done.
On Bonds,need i say anything?The guy has some of the best seasons ever under his belt & the Jays are hesitating?He would give us the attitude we lack & the bat we lack.Also, it would be interesting to see how the other players #'s would increase with his presence.Why are the Jays waiting?
Firstly, Jamie is probably one of the best announcers in baseball and will be with the Jays until their next world series win (thankfully Jamie is a relatively young lad).
It is my opinion that Ricciardi and Gibbons should both go - NOW!!!
Ricciardi - Stewart and Thomas, need I say more? the guy is all talk and no substance! His Boston semi-tough guy persona is rather tiring! He plays the blame game way to often and "IF" is for losers and a winner he is not. I can't believe Godfrey has not juiced him by now??
Gibbons - the only reason he is not out of here is because of Ricciardi's ego! Their old roomies and he is not the leader and tactician that Ricciardi's myopic mind believes he is...any guy that scuffles repeatedly with his players has lost complete respect of the room, guaranteed!
The Jays have Ernie Whitt in their fold who can jump in and at minimum be an interim fix...And please, how about CITO?
CITO GASTON, a proven winner who had the respect of his players and was a great bench boss and tactician would lead this team back to glory...I can't believe this guy has been blackballed longer than Nolan and hardly a peep from the Toronto media?
Make those 2 swift moves and the Jays will truly be on the road back to excellence
...as opposed to the tradition of mediocrity that Ricciardi's legacy will leave behind - and you better belive he will blame everyone but himself!
ahh, I feel much better now!
"JP should be gone as well.. releasing frank, releasing reed.. He is wasting money. Money that could be used in the offseason to lure big bats like Adam Dunn, Burrell or an outside shot at Mark Teixera "
Very well said "grandslam". I still can't believe why JP let go Johnson. He was amazing in outfield. JP could've kept him on Bench for a year. Big Deal 3 or 4 M. When this is supposed to be the year why not keep Johnson. and another thing that bothers me is that Frank Thomas had a contract clause for bats, he still had 300 at bats left, why let him go so early and benefit another AL team on Toronto's cost. That was wrong move.
Can you imagine
Eckstien SS
Hill 2B
Wells CF
Rolen 3B
Thomas DH
Stairs LF
Rios RF
Overbay 1B
Barajas C
I wonder why the combination of Thomas, Rolen, Wells, Stairs was not tried at least for few games, It could've been a murderers' row.
I know Thomas was struggling, but so is everyone else, at least he had home run power. Unlike a lot of other current players.
As Scott Carson pointed out in his article, opposition teams are taking advantage on current Jays's LF situation. If you remember when Jays finished 86-76 they had strong bench. Currently they don't have that.
JP is the first man who has to go.
Failure, as well as success, starts from the top. JP's "5 year plan" has passed without post-season action and it's hard to figure out what he's doing these days:
- If you don't have room for Frank Thomas as an everyday player on your roster, why did he sign him to a 2 year deal? (with an option for a 3rd)
- If you're going to get rid of Reed Johnson and justify it by saying you'll sacrifice defense for offense, why sign a washed up Stewart who's incapable of providing any real offense?
- Why not snag former Managers of the Year Dusty Baker, Joe Torre, or Lou Piniella when they were available? It would bring instant credibility to the clubhouse.
Any intelligent people outside of Toronto don't give the Jays a fighting chance to win the East. The Ricciardi experiment has failed, it's time for the organization to wake up and move on.
Jamie
Read your own comment. "Adding to the frustration is the uncanny reality of cast-away Jays thriving elsewhere. Eric Hinkse's departure from Toronto is old news, but it was his bat that bedevilled the Jays in the Tampa series. A few games in to his return to Oakland, Frank Thomas is driving in runs on Toronto's tab. And now delighted Cub fans are pointing to the acquisition of Reed Johnson as a critical component of the rise to first place."
All thriving under different management Jamie.
Man,I'm tired of saying it. YES Gibbons is a major part of the problem. JP is a major part of the problem.
Enough already!
Wells and Rios were both sick when Gibbons sat them, J.P. confirmed that on the Fan590.
Gibby is a horrible manager... he might be the nicest guy in the world, but the Jays can't hit with runners in scoring position. The result is they lose EVERY close game they are in.
Never mind his bullpen management.
Time for Gibby to go... get an experienced manager in here and they'll win some games.
Hiya Jamie
We have a team that is loaded with talent. They are mostly proven...all stars, cy young winners, world series winners. Yet, they are playing with no more passion than a bunch of minimum wage cashiers. Part of a manager's job is to inspire when needed, encourage when needed, and kick major butt when needed. Obviously, no one is doing that for these guys. Gibbons has to go, if for no other reason than to shake things up. Give the job to Ernie Whitt. God knows he's due for the opportunity, and he could do no worse than what we have going.
What is with you and Mike Wilner on the Fan sticking up for Gibbons.This man is sailing this ship nowhere!!! it is time for a new Skip.My god it is frustraiting having to listen to you guy's try to justify Gibby's moves.Call the guy out!!!! He is a bad manager plain and simple! For the love of god help stop this train wreck and get this thing back on track before it's too late!!!
Since when does anyone trust what J.P. says after that whole BJ incident last year?
Gibby is a puppet manager. J.P. needs someone he can control. If he brings in Torre or someone of higher stature there goes a lot of his power.
As for Gibbons, he manages the game like hes in a video game always playing the numbers. Never once have I seen him go out to the mound and get a FEEL for the pitchers. Im not saying dont play the numbers, but TALK to your pitchers and see how they're feeling. You can tell a lot by just their body language but nope, thats not the Gibbons way.
Offense
Gibbons
Two quick solutions:
Fire Gibby
Bring in Bonds (at least offer him the league minimum; he hasn't even been offered that yet)
Its better than relying on Rios and Wells in pressure situations where the result is either a Wells ground out or Rios swinging 10 feet over his head at strike 3.
watching the game right now..... it's april, this team will compete and be in the race come september.looking forward to seeing what lind does and hopefully he takes over LF full time.all i can say is that darren fletcher is a beauty.....HEE HAW! keep up the good work jamie!
I think we really need to stop making excuses for this bunch. I want heads to roll, and I want them to roll NOW!
If you don't fire the GM, you sure as heck better fire the coach. Losing is becoming the culture of this organization, and until I see a sign that it's not acceptable -- it's fair to say there's no reason we should support this club.
Also, I find people like Jamie making excuses for the team somewhat laughable. Obviously, they need to stay on the good side of the folks in the organization to make sure they maintain access. Jamie won't write a blog calling for gibby's firing, then walk up to him asking him about the line up.
Bring BARRY BONDS, at least Wells will get protection.
Wells is not a clean up guy.
Bad karma? Getting back to reality, one would have to ask what Gibbons has done with this team in almost 3 years at the helm? Not once, I repeat not once under John Gibbons have the Jays ever gone on any kind of winning streak. Not a one. That is a heck of a long time with more than double the payroll not to accomplish anything.
JP said on the FAN590 that it seems they win 5 then lose 2 then win 5 and lose 3. Is Ricciardi living in bizzaro world. In the last 350 games they have won 5 ina row twice. There is your streaking Jays. Does JP intentionally try to mislead people? After his comment about the great Jim Leyland getting off to a bad start too, the answer would be yes. What a blank, blankin, blank.New York has got off to a slow start and to some degree the Sox, the difference JP is that Leyland just won a WS recently as has Boston and the Yanks make the playoffs every year with bad starts. The Jays have never gone on a run ever under Gibbons. Do you get it JP. It is pretty obvious that you are desperate, for you to insult fans intelligence in such a pathetic manner.
Karma Jamie. I think not.
hey jaime.
i actually like hearing about how the weather is wherever the game's being held--especially for the road games...and you're right. wind factor's important. on to the topic at hand: i wonder if JP's decision letting go of hinske, thomas and johnson are starting to come back and bite him in the rear end...perhaps.
i have no clue why the team was fine during the first few games of the season when they were nearly in a tie at the top of the AL East. all i know is that im not sure if i'd want bonds in the lineup and it probably IS time for a new manager.
Hi jamie
you can't be serious, Bad Karma. Bad Karma did not release Thomas, Johnston. Frank Thomas is future hall of famer and deserved more respect than riccardi and gibby gave him, now the jays have to pay Thomas to hit jacks against us. Here an idea fire this duo hire ernie whitt as manager and cito as his mentor, bring respect and honour back the jays, or sell the team to disney because mickey mouse is already running this joke.
Marty Smith
this team has the talent to win, or at least challenge for a playoff spot. Theres gotta be some changes with managers and coaches. Do something b/c the team on the field should be way better then they are now.
Vernon Wells is a Waste
of money and time, FIRE
JP, FIRE Gibbons.
too many recycled players
on them, letting Johnson
go was a huge mistake
Frank Thomas
Shannon Stewart
AJ Burrnet is A bust.
How long Before Roy Holiday
Demands a trade out of TORONTO
Bad Karma?
I'll have to say yes and here's why?
John Gibbons is doing everything he can to the best of his abilities.
He's not out there hitting home runs.
How can it be Gibby's or JP's fault that the Jays are in a rut? It just doesn't make logical sense. I know when the going gets tough, the finger pointing is at the manager and the GM, but c'mon! They're not the ones to blame for the inability to cash in RISP.
If you guys (the naysayers) can win games better than Gibby? Why don't you guys wear his No. 5 jersey and manage the Jays. Otherwise, keep quiet.
If Gibby were to screw his head on straight, maybe we would contend. If we dance with .500 again midway through the season, get rid of Gibbons because Gibbons is not a proven winner and there a lot of managers who could do tons better. I wish that JP could be fired and work somewhere else (Probably a Little League team) and get Ernie Whitt to manage, and a good GM. Jamie, tsk tsk tsk. If it really is bad karma, then what in heck did they do to deserve this (Thomas?, Johnson?).
gibbons is a horrible manager. there's all this talk about him being loved in the clubhouse etc because he doesn't know what he's doing and doesn't challenge his players. they coast through the season without any fears of repercussions for playing poorly, and he just doesn't know how to motivate a major league team. sack him already and let him ride out of town on ricciardi's back, they'd make good travel partners!
As long as J.P is here, Gibbons will be here.
Why would JP. fire the manager that does exactly what he wants?.
Gibbons is like JP's left arm, sure its kinda weird, but it does what you want.
I'll bet you half the moves the team makes are mostly chosen by JP, anybody who thinks Gibbons wanted to bench Thomas is out of their mind.
The players who get playing time get that time because its what JP wants them to get.
It's time to not only consider a new manager but also a new general manager, whose sole want/need is to WIN and not just try to make certain high profile moves seem more beneficial to the team than they truely are
Gibbons has had more then 3 years with plenty of tweaking to the line up and rotation and they still look the same. win 2 lose 2. win 3 lose2. win 5 (a couple times) lose 5. Great guy or not he has to go. As for Karma, if Karma is coming back to haunt Gibbons or JP then even more reason to see them gone (not that i put much stock in karma).
Whatever Hinske is doing now, he didn't do it as a Jay so who cares. All the Jays pitchers had to do was throw the ball in the dirt and he would have kept striking out.
This should be a good team and if they even want to challenge for wild card they need to do something. Right or wrong. Good guy or not. Gibbons needs to go.
Otherwise we as fans are looking at one more barely above 500, mediocre season.
HIya again Jamie
Hey folks,here's an interesting (and slightly tongue in cheek) thought!
Remember a few years ago when JP was contemplating accepting a position with the Red Sox? Well, maybe he did....as saboteur! :-)
Also, for some reason, I can't respond to Scott Carson's blog..it just doesn't show up. However, I just wanted to respond to his by saying that I agree with everything he said in his latest blog. There have been so many stupid moves (releasing Johnson) and non moves (not playing Johnny Mac for defense) that heads have to roll...NOW!!!
I'm not in the clubhouse but it's my impression that Wells is way too laid back to be the so-called leader of the club. Someone needs to light a fire under him...or get him to admit he's hurt again (his shoulder took a real hit in the collision with Johnny Mac). If John Gibbons still can't get these guys going, he never will. He's too laid back as well.
And it's interesting to note that JP also said it should fall on him if this team can't hit. Not only are they not hitting, Gary Denbo was his choice as hitting coach...sounds like 2 strikes to me!
One last thing - speaking of hitting - can we stop with the constant references to hitting with RISP? I can't think of a more useless stat. If a team isn't scoring, I think it's obvious they aren't hitting with RISP. Are they hitting with men on first or with the bases empty? Is it somehow easier to hit with RISP? Do pitchers throw BP fastballs when there are RISP? This stat is way overused. Stop telling they aren't hitting and start telling me WHY they aren't hitting!
Gibby & JP - time to go - no more excuses - no more what ifs, no more anything...
How do you explain a manager that runs out of pitchers in the 11th inning and then compare to San Diego who didn't run out in 22 innings??
This team isn't hitting worth what they're being paid and where is this supposed "treat each game with urgency" that was so much talked about in the spring?
And if Thomas was supposed to have been having trouble getting around on fastballs in the spring, why not just release him then instead of carrying on into April?
If the rest of the AL East wasn't so win one, lose one right now, the Jays would be a lot more than 4 1/2 games back. But it won't stay that way for long....
Please - it's time for a complete management overhaul - top to bottom - Godfrey on down...
Stop this madness, Gibbons has been making bad decisions all season long. Even in early wins. He always seem a day late and a dollar short. No anticipation of when to make a move. He figures his pitchers should all be like Halladay and pitch the minumum 9 innings and bench moves nad becnch players , why take out one of your starters for a pinch runner on first with two outs...the guy is an idiot. I was looking orward to the Jays season this year and even hoping to make it out from Alberta to see a game but I'm not gonna waste my dough on these guys the way they are playing.
I could not believe the J.P. letting Thomas go when he had no one to replace him with. And the signing of stewart over johnson was the worst managerial move I have ever seen. JP has not shown one signing of success on the jays through free agency. And his long term deal with wells is starting to look like a blunder, because for 17,000,000 a year you have to hit with runners in scoring position now and again and Vernon has consistently shown he is average at best in the situation.....not star material at all. Having said that the rest of the pluggers need to pick it up a bit too.
AgentRed,
i'm sorry man... i have to agree with the others.
of course gibby doesn't go out there and actually bat or pitch, so he's not directly responsible for our awful RISP average, but by that same logic, the manager does nothing. it will never be his fault.
individual slumps can be attributed to individual players. when the entire team slumps you have to think it has something to do with how these guys are preparing for games and their mindset going in. that's the manager's job.
gibby has been handed a great team. great starting pitching, a good bullpen, and decent hitters. a good manager should be able to take advantage of that. and he hasn't shown any signs of that in the last 5 years. let's face it, it's not all because we play in the AL east... we always play the red sox and yankees well... we just lose to garbage teams like tampa, KC, baltimore, etc. that all points to coaching.
all these players doing well after they leave indicate that there was something wrong with their situation here. (by the way, frank thomas is playing on 500% adrenaline right now trying to prove everyone wrong... it won't last)
let's bring in bonds. the guy is still a great player. i don't care why he's a great player... tons of players have been implicated in all this steroid junk, but none of them has hit 700 home runs. who cares about the circus. what harm could it do to "distract" our team? i think we've hit rock bottom. at least we'll score more runs per game.
Who do you blame for this mess? Also keep in mind that the season is 162 games and all is not lost. Improvements should start to happen soon or the season will be over.
Well it is true that Managers and GM's can't hit the ball, or throw strikes. However they are the ones who are responsible for the players that do!!! I say let Gibbons go and promote Butterfield or Whitt. Both could handle the bullpen better than Gibbons does at present.
This team can win but it needs to start happening now and from within. Barry Bonds is not the answer here. He would never be pitched to in the late innings, and then he would be another slow runner on base moving station to station. Matt Stairs is quite capable of being the full time DH. I predict 20-25 HR and 75-85 RBI's. Stairs cares about more than just his stats and his ego will never be an issue.
Lind being called up to play full time in left should be a boost to the lower part of the order, and adding a lefty with gap power is never a bad thing. Wells looks better in the 3 hole, with Rolen 4th.
Nothing good is going to happen for the Jays until a leadership change takes place quick. Think back to the team that promoted a respected hitting coach to lead a talented team who had lost their way. We all remember the results of that.
If JP does nothing, and this year joins the rest of the 3rd place finishes or worse he would be digging his own grave.
Both Gibbons and JP have got to go! It is obvious that some of the moves made were bad ones. Reed Johnson should be on the roster, Thomas should never have been on the roster and Gibbons does NOT have the clubhouse. Clean house now Paul...clean house now!!!!
skwiloman,
walking bonds in the late innings would be fantastic. if they do, we can pinch-run for him. getting on base is never a bad thing.
and i don't know how much bonds cares about stats anymore. it's not like he's chasing anyone.
it could be a disaster, but then again it could be the difference-maker this season. i think the jays just need to take some risks. they don't look like a "team on the cusp"... they look like a team that needs something big to change.
but if they don't get bonds (which they probably won't) then making stairs full-time DH and platooning lind and stewart in left wouldn't be too bad...
The offence is terrible. I agree that JP should hit the road. I will admit I stuck behind him, but unlike most sportsnet bloggers, I'll admit when I am wrong. Stewart was a terrible signing. Releasing Reed was a worse move. Seeing former Jays like the Cat-man, Hinske, Johnson all having great careers elswhere while we're signing washed-up clubhouse cancers like Thomas and Shannon Stewert rips me. And even thinking about Barry Bonds is beond me. Something does have to change, this team has the talent to go the distance, but something is defenitly not right in the clubhouse.
As many others have said here, we need to get rid of JP and Gibby. NOW. Getting rid of Johnson was stupid, he is a way better player than Stewart. Big mistake. Frank will come out of his slump shortly and shine in Oakland, while we pay him. TERRIBLE! I friggin love the Jays, but they won't make October baseball this year. Not until we get some new guys running the show.
I guess it wasn't Brantley's fault afterall eh - always looking for a fall guy. JP, get a new Job you've made way to many bad decisions leading the jays. I think Gibby's just listening to JP and has no say whatsoever. I'm glad Reed is playing well and I hope Thomas puts up some more huge numbers and leads the Athletics to the Post season again.
JP Ricciardi is the biggest problem, I see.
I like John Gibbons, but I don't think he's the right man for this job in/for Toronto.
Someone earlier mentioned bringing back Cito Gaston. Not a bad idea.
But as was also mentioned: you also have Joe Torre and Dusty Baker out there, either of whom I'd love to see wearing a Jays uniform.
The Birds are at a critical point: at this stage of the game -- and with a crucial 3-game series against the Bosox where they can make up some lost ground - they need to cancel out the previous few weeks they just wasted.
If they don't start winning soon -- and start building a win streak, to boot -- the season will be over before we even get into the so-called Dog Days of Summer.
Better for the Jays to slump now when the season can be saved than in the middle of a pennant race in September.
Frank Thomas had worn his welcome out, much like he did in Chicago and Oakland.
Sign Barry Bonds??? Come on. If the Jays want a head case, bring George Bell back, at less money and same amount of effort.
Hinske and Reed Johnson are at the end of a long list of players the Jays have given up on, only to see careers revitalized and grow. Does anybody remember Cecil Fielder, Mike Matheny(who became an All-Star after leaving Toronto), Benito Santiago, Fred McGriff, even Steve Trachsel.
Fire Gibbons. But Cito Gaston, please. With the talent the Jays had then Buck Martinez could have managed the team into contention and won a round in the post season. Whitt would be a good choice. I wonder what Paul Beeston is doing these days??
This team has become the definition of average and mediocore.
It is funny, I was like most Blue Jays fans at the beginning of the year - believing the JP propoganada, and thinking "this really could be the year". Then I start to compete in fantasy baseball leagues, and see where individual Jays are ranked overall at their respective positions. It is pretty pitiful if you ask me, where they were (rightfully) ranked and taken. How would we then believe that this team is a true competitor?
There is a lot of overpriced, mediocore talent - built around the philosophy "this player, at this position - was the best they could do". This team needs a major shake up. Be it trading away a prized player, or going after Bonds - its time for a risk.
Getting rid of Johnson for Stewart is absolutely laughable. If this truly was "the Jays year", would it not then make sense to have a guy like Johnson around. Would his intensity and intangibles (all reasons why eckstein was brought in) not become valuable.
If they kept both Johnson and Stewart during the first two weeks of the regular season, it would become apperant that Stewart should be the one released.
If/when the Jays finish in 4th or even 5th - JP and Gibbons should be fired, and a new regime begun.
LASTLY - would it kill the Jays to bring in a speedy player? How many years has it been since the Jays have had a true base stealing threat? Even if it was a bench player or could barely hit - having that threat and adding that dimension would add a spark to this team which it sorely is missing.
I know hindsight is 20/20, but some of these bonehead moves are terrible! Okay so let us review: We dropped Reed Johnson, a proven bat, terrific outfielder, and a guy who plays to the best of his abilities every day (something a few of the current jays could take notice of), for what appears to be a platoon of Adam Lind and Shannon Stewart, hmmmm. Also, we dropped Frank Thomas, albeit a slow-starter, but who will surely have nearly 30 homeruns and 100 rbi at the end of the season, for the powerful bat of Rod Barajas as the DH from the right side, hmmm. Surely a regime change is in order.
Joe Torre is comfy in LA and Baker isn't coming to save the day. Stop dreaming and let's be real. JP seems unwilling to let Gibbons go.
I'd replace Ricciardi, hopefully with a ball-busting type that lights a fire under Gibby. To replace them both at once would be too drastic. I would say the offense has been the problem but I also don't think Gibby inspires his players anymore or if he ever did. I haven't been happy with Eckstein's defense, he misses too many balls that I feel would've been caught by a taller fielder and combined with an albeit althletic but relatively short Aaron Hill we've been weak up the middle. I value Eckstein's bat but I keep replaying those Johnny Mac '07 hightlights in my head where he was fielding balls in behind 2nd base, a place X-Factor can't get to in time. I wouldn't want Bonds on the team, that's chick talk. Can he even work in Canada with his legal situation?