Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Title: Spring Training Notes: Unintentional Jays Humor Edition
Date: February 24, 2009
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: Just ahead of the start of Spring Training games, I took a quick look at some Blue Jays’ notes.

So, I couldn’t find a Blue Jays topic that could keep my interest for 500 words. Today, instead, you get a few small Toronto Blue Jays spring training notes and opinions.

Vernon Wells Out a Month
And you were ready to jump when Mike Maroth’s MRI came back iffy! Well, V-Dub is out a month with a strained left hamstring. There are a few ways to look at this. Pro: The season opener (April 6) is about six weeks away, which means Vernon should be back in time. Con: The rest of your spring training coverage will include speculation about Vernon’s health. Pro: He’s a slow starter anyways (.769 career April OPS vs. an .812 career overall OPS) so this shouldn’t hold him back too much. Con: He’s already a slow starter, so this could mean a disastrous first half. Pro: Extra spring work for Lind, Rios, and Snider in the outfield. Con: Those three could combine for 100 HR and the Jays aren’t making the playoffs. The point here, of course, is that we always go through this with Vernon and the Jays – consider this your own personal spring training as you get ready to deal with minor injuries and minor disappointments all summer.

Scott Rolen Changes His Swing
Scott Rolen’s shoulder issues from last season were made worse because of his swing mechanics, which, with high hands, put unnecessary pressure on the shoulder girdles. Rolen changed his approach up after returning from injury last year, and has worked hard to maintain this new stance. This is a positive thing, no sarcasm – not only should this help Rolen stay healthy throughout the season, but he also had his best month of 2008 using this new technique. In September, Rolen had a phenomenal .877 OPS. I should take the time to point out that, while Rolen was in and out of the lineup, he posted an OPS+ of greater than 100 in every month except July. I’m looking forward to seeing what The Best Jay Ever can do over a full season.

Lyle Overbay Wants to Make Team Look Smart
Lyle Overbay is glad the Jays didn’t trade him this offseason, and wants to make the team look smart for keeping him. On a completely unrelated note, Overbay is behind in his recovery from three hernia surgeries this offseason. Overbay thinks he can hit .300 with 20 HR and 100 RBI this year. Maybe he can. I’d give him the 20 HR and maybe a .290 abtting clip, but RBI will be tough to come by in this lineup. Like Vernon and Rolen, the key for Lyle will foremost be to stay in the lineup. I’m a big Overbay fan, so hopefully he makes me look smart for sticking by him, too.

Rotation Battle Update
Mike Maorth, injured. That Japanese guy, gone. Already. Janssen and Richmond, the favorites. Brett Cecil, the dark horse. What do you want me to say, they haven’t thrown in any games yet. So what was the point of this heading? I wanted to have four more headings than the Jays have reliable starters.

Spring Training Games Begin Wednesday
And so the 33 game schedule begins.