Wells showed flashes of his former self in Toronto but can he rediscover his past level of play?
A much different Vernon Wells returned to Toronto for the first time wearing the road greys.
Not in terms of his overall demeanour -- he's still the same 'Laidback Vern' that thrilled and frustrated Blue Jays fans since he was tapped by the organization with the fifth pick of the 1997 MLB Draft. No, different in terms of trying to fit in with new teammates. It's a case of "good to see you, please turn out the lights and lock up when you leave".
When we last encountered Wells, a mere week into the 2011 season and on the Angels' Opening Night -- looking very uneasy after wearing the collar in three of his first six games. The Blue Jays held him to just a solitary hit in 14 plate appearances while his team took two of three from his former team. He was probably still finding his way through a new clubhouse after spending his previous 14 summers in one organization.
Wells and Torii Hunter had a grown a friendship as opponents and were tight, while Scott Downs was the only long-time Jays teammate on the roster having signed as a free agent. So basically, Vernon was beginning his second baseball life on his own. Unfortunately his new fans had high expectations for Wells based, for the most, on the fat contract that came attached to him.
Hey, it wasn't his fault that the previous regime felt inclined to lay out a back-loaded contract proposal after his second career .300/30/100 season in 2006. With free agency looming in the horizon, Wells signed his name to a 7-year, $126 million dollar contract with $86 million to be paid out over the final four years in the deal. Included in the deal was J.P. Ricciardi's signature dealmaker -- the opt-out clause, which Wells could exercise following the 2011 season. But, really, who in their right mind would walk away from 63 extra large guaranteed. The fact that Alex Anthopoulos was able to move that deal may turn out to be the trade that turned the franchise towards a course back towards contention.
Friday turned out to be quite entertaining despite the fact that Angels' starter Ervin Santana gave them no chance to compete in this one. The main story was Wells' return to Rogers Centre. It started with a media conference to welcome Vernon back and allow the press to ask questions. There was a playful bit with Hunter who had wandered into the back of the room. Like his playing days in Toronto, there really wasn't anything of note from the Q & A, outside of the norm. Once the game began, he received a warm ovation - not on the level of Halladay, Bautista or Lawrie -- but enough to doff his batting helmet and acknowledge the cheers. Then he launched Brandon Morrow's first offering -- a spinning off-speed pitch with not much bite and hit it out to left. You could hear the audible groan from the seats, as in "Thanks for teasing us again, Vernon", reminding the fans that he was among the best of his generation.
Unfortunately, it was only in spits and spurts during the end of his Blue Jays career; which is why in his subsequent at-bats thru Saturday's matinee, the cheers and boos were split. He responded by going zero for his next six, a performance so nondescript that the fans could only offer up indifference. It's been eight years since his monster 2003 season at the age of 24, where he led the Majors with 215 hits and posted .909 OPS. He did it all that season - .317 Avg, 49 doubles, 33 HR, 117 RBI, 118 runs scored, was named an All-Star, a Silver Slugger and finished eighth in the MVP voting. Over his next and final nine seasons with the Jays, Wells never again came to close to matching the stats from that season. Injuries and playing on a perennial also-ran seemed to sap Wells of a lot of his drive on the field. Then, an unexpected change of venue thanks to the January 21st trade.
Whether Wells can rediscover his past level of play remains to be seen. He now plays on a team that has made the playoffs in six of their last nine seasons, all under the guidance of Mike Scioscia, so he'll finally get a taste of a run at the post-season. With, perhaps, the best front of a rotation in the game in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, this team has a chance to upset the Red Sox and represent the A.L. in the World Series. But that road will be a tad easier if Wells can find what he has lost. Based upon the reaction of those that attended the first two games, I'm not alone in thinking Wells' best years are well into the rear view mirror. And with the price of his ticket, no one will be offering much sympathy.
TETHERED TO .500
With the Jays' active roster in such a state of flux -- two trades and a dozen options and recalls over the last three weeks - the fact the team has remained close to the .500 mark is worth celebrating. The additions of Colby Rasmus and Brett Lawrie have given the everyday lineup a decidedly different feel. The top three in the rotation give them a good chance every time they start. The quick rise of Henderson Alvarez, who a year ago was pitching in the Florida State League, gives fans a glimpse into the future. While the bullpen was weakened significantly after the trades, the openings have allowed Jesse Litsch an opportunity to stick with the Jays and it looks like his future will be as a once-through-the-order reliever. The demotion of Travis Snider gave Eric Thames a chance to run with the ball. And with the strength of schedule over the final six weeks of the season, this young team is going to get a real good test and get some valuable experience.
