TGIF Tidbits

It’s pick number six versus pick number fourty-two from the 2005 MLB Entry Draft; Ricky Romero and Clay Buchholz will square off tonight as the Jays and Red Sox kick off the second half of the season.

Buchholz will get his first start of the season after spending the first half of the season in the Red Sox minor league with the Pawtucket Red Sox. Last week the Jays sent two scouts to check out Clay Buchholz, who would be instrumental in any Halladay trade between Boston and Toronto.

D-Day for Doc?

Roy Halladay was originally scheduled to start tonight’s game but was bumped back to Sunday due to his start at the All-Star Game. If you can’t make it out to this Sunday’s game, make sure you go next Saturday’s start against the Rays because it looks like those are Doc’s final two starts before the trade deadline. If Halladay gets traded, it would be a shame to not see him start at least one more game in a Blue Jays uniform. Don’t take these precious days for granted, Jays fans!


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Money down the drain

It turns out the Blue Jays aren’t the only team to throw millions of dollars in failed contracts out the window. The Red Sox are so desperate to get rid of Julio Lugo that they told him the bus left for Toronto at 1pm today rather than 1am last night. Okay, that’s not entirely true but apparently there was a mix-up (which means he was designated for assignment) and Lugo won’t travel with the Red Sox to Toronto. Hear that? That’s the sound of the Red Sox eating $14.5 million of Julio Lugo’s contract with a side remorse sauce. To find out more about the Red Sox from the opposite side of the coin, visit Out in Center Field.

In related news, the Chicago Cubs have decided to take a chance on B.J. Ryan and signed him to a one year deal. The Beej should fit in quite nicely in Chicago since the Cubbies are so accustomed to disappointment and late-inning collapses. Zing!

If you rebuild it, they will Marcum

Shaun Marcum made another impressive step on his road to recovery with four innings of scoreless work for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats last night. Marcum’s line was 4.2 IP, 4 SO, 2 BB, 4 H. News of Marcum’s speedy recovery is a huge boost to the Jays who could be seeking another replacement starting pitcher very soon. I’ve always thought that Shaun Marcum was the next ace for the Toronto Blue Jays, but now he might have to fight Ricky Romero for that title.

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

7 thoughts on “TGIF Tidbits

  • July 17, 2009 at 5:54 pm
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    Doc's not leaving us. Not yet, at least.

    And serious boners North of Steeles. Literally. I'm in Markham right now.

  • July 17, 2009 at 6:14 pm
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    I hope not, EyeB. I'm just saying that we all should get to as many Doc starts as possible just in case. I'm probably going next Saturday (tentatively). We should all be more like you and hit up every game that Halladay pitches!

    You're in Markham? That must be a sign from the baseball gods that Shaun is on the road to recovery. North of Steeles, here we come!

  • July 17, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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    That's funny — I guess any time Lugo's name comes up I just feel that the discussion can't be about anything serious … it's weird.
    Good on Marcum. I'm still holding out for our 2010 rotation, with or without Chops.

  • July 17, 2009 at 7:27 pm
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    I know what you mean QJays – actually I wrote that part earlier this morning before they DFA'd Lugo, so it's funny that it actually happened a few hours later.

    I was pretty stoked to have Marcum/McGowan back for 2010, but slowly I'm coming to grips with McGowan's injury and that he might not even be back for 2010. Marcum's better anyway IMO.

  • July 18, 2009 at 6:11 am
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    Ian, if you're heading in for next Saturday's start, holla; we'll grab a brew or two or 10.

  • July 18, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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    Is Clay the best talent the Jays have supposedly been offered in a trade for Doc so far? I think so, unless the White Sox go crazy and offer Gordon Beckham, I don't think there would be a better option out there for the Jays…..is there?

  • July 18, 2009 at 6:49 pm
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    EyeB, let me clear out my bank account and we'll enjoy some $10 tall cans. I'll let you know, brother.

    Mat, from what I've heard the Jays want at least one major league starter back in any Halladay talks. Buchholz seems like the most experienced.

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