Downs shakes off rough week

It's hard to fathom Scott Downs blowing two saves in one week, plus losing another game in extra innings to Tampa Bay, but the reliable lefty has struggled mightily since coming off the disabled list, allowing 5 runs in 5 innings of work. Not exactly what we're used to seeing from the 33 year old lefty.

In Toronto's first game against Seattle Monday, Downs came in the 8th inning in a non save situation and provided excellent relief, retiring all three batters he faced. It's probably safe to conclude he's shaken off his rough stretch. The Jays are going to need Downs to shore up the back end of that bullpen, because they are in desperate need of victories, having lost 6 straight one run contests.

Even with the bad week, Downs still has had an excellent campaign, saving 9 games with a 2.97 ERA. With the trade deadline just 4 days away, there's been interest from the New York Yankees, (among others) in acquiring the crafty lefty, presumably for the 8th inning role behind Mariano Rivera. It's conceivable we might have seen Downs pitch his last game in a Blue Jays uniform.

Ricciardi should pull out of "Happ"less trade

The Philadelphia Phillies are about to make off like bandits by fooling J.P. Ricciardi and the Toronto Blue Jays in the Roy Halladay trade sweepstakes. Should they swindle the Jays as easily as it appears they will for one of the preeminent pitchers in baseball they will be lauded years from now for pulling off one of the greatest heists in major league baseball history.

Reports indicate they are unwilling to part with pitchers J.A. Happ AND prospect Kyle Drabek, along with either an outfield or corner infield prospect. The Phils insist they are unwilling to move both young hurlers because their value to the team is too high. That is a load of garbage.

Drabek (10-2 with a 2.80 ERA in the minors in '09), the supposed "key piece" to the trade wasn't even listed on Baseball America's "top 100 prospects" list as of late February. And the 26 year old Happ didn't even begin the year as a member of the Phillies starting rotation, instead the job was handed to 16 year veteran Chan Ho Park. Now that Happ is off to a stellar 7-1 start to the campaign, they are trying to peddle him off with the notion that he's a valuable member of the team.

The Phils are merely bluffing that they won't move both in their attempt to pull the wool over Ricciardi's eyes. They'll likely "give in" at the last moment and make the deal to fleece the Blue Jays. Should the trade be finalized, and Philadelphia land Halladay, it will be the lowest point of J.P. Ricciardi's tumultuous 9 year tenure at the helm of the Blue Jays and will be a painful reminder of how he's mishandled this organization.

Blue Jays are a complete joke

Are you freaking kidding me? We lost a game that we led 9-1 going to the 7th inning? The Blue Jays are a complete joke. What an unmitigated disaster this team is. Unequivocally a colossal mess. Pathetic, brutal, laughable, disgusting, despicable are just some of the words to best describe this awful, putrid, terrible, crappy baseball club (all that without referencing a dictionary and also refraining from swearing. Wow. I'm almost impressed)

The disastrous Blue Jays have now lost their last 7 in extra innings, and their 17th in the past 23 games overall to drop to a season low 4 games below .500. How can you let a ball club rally from 8 down with 3 to go and show no heart, panic, or anger? Easy. Just suit up for a Blue Jays club that's roughly as talented as Paris Hilton (or Gregg Zaun)

If you excuse me I must leave immediately so I can hurl. Or shout obscenities. Or both.

Halladay brilliant in tenure with Blue Jays

In what may go down as the final start in the storied 12 year Blue Jays career for Roy Halladay, Doc was vintage Doc once again Friday night, spinning a sensational nine inning performance befitting a victory. While the night ended on a somber note after the Jays were unable to win one for their ace, falling in extra innings, the night took on a different tone, one of reverence and adulation for a true champion.

On flashback Friday night, it didn't matter about winning or losing on this night, it meant so much more. It meant the recognition of the best pitcher in franchise history, one that will undoubtedly feature Doc at countless flashback Friday promotions when his playing career is over. One that saw Halladay endure countless mediocre ball clubs and few close calls in search of the post season. It appears time to turn the chapter to allow a potential Hall of Famer his wish; a chance to win a World Series.

Should the Jays deal Halladay, as expected, there is nothing but thanks to give to the 6 time all-star, 2003 CY Young Award winner, and staff ace for all the memories. He never once complained of being on a mediocre ball team and never moaned about the lack of payroll to compete in the ultra tough A.L. East.

In his storied career with the Blue Birds, Halladay racked up an incredible 142-69 record with a dazzling 3.45 ERA.

If this is your last start as a member of the Blue Jays Mr. Halladay, we must say thanks to a true professional. Good luck in the future, you will be missed in this city.

Overbay is an Overbum

Lyle Overbay really really really cheeses me off. In the series against Cleveland, the Jays 1st basemen had gaffes that cost the team a pair of games against a club that is a whopping 20 games below .500

In the series finale this afternoon, with Alex Rios at 3rd base representing the tying run in the 9th inning, Overbay pinch hit and with the count 3-1, he let not one, but TWO strikes go by without swinging the bat.

In the first game, with Toronto clinging to a 1 run lead and a runner on first, Overbay fielded a sacrifice bunt, tried to make the force out at 2nd but promptly threw the ball into the outfield. The Indians later scored twice to win 2-1.

What a piece of crap. Overbay is garbage. He is unbelievably inconsistent it's ridiculous. He'll go through stretches where he scorches the ball (13 RBI in a 12 game stretch in June), and then will go a prolonged period of time doing nothing except walking (just 1 RBI this month, and hasn't homered in 23 games.)

Overbay is an Overbum.

McGowan suffers another setback

When it appeared that Jays starter Dustin McGowan couldn't hear more bad news in his effort to return after undergoing shoulder surgery, he has suffered yet another setback. This time, McGowan has undergone knee surgery following a freak injury sustained in routine running drills.

McGowan, whose shoulder injury had already created concerns about this year, but most importantly his career had an operation on his left knee July 9th to repair cartilage damaged on his left knee.

McGowan is officially out for the 2009 season and should recover from his knee ailment, but the team is not so sure about his career with lingering issues since the frayed labrum in his shoulder.

The 27 year old likely will not take part in winter ball this year, and is eyeing a potential return in 2010.

Scutaro blasts first multi-homer game of career

Marco Scutaro had a night to remember Wednesday, belting a pair of home runs in the same game for the first time in his 8 year career. Ricky Romero jokingly mocked Scutaro before the contest about his lack of recent power (1 dinger in last 69 games), so Scutsy responded with the two blasts that were part of a 5 home run explosion by the club.

The impact of Scutaro's play in the next week could potentially be critical. The Jays could decide to trade him with his status as a free agent at the end of the season. He already has had a stellar season, ranking 1st in runs and walks by shortstops in the AL, 2nd in RBI, and 3rd in hits which will make him a type "A" free agent at the end of the campaign. The Jays will receive a 1st round pick and sandwich selection between the 1st and 2nd rounds in the draft as compensation should they lose him to another club, so a big decision will need to be made.

Do they trade him now? Or re-sign him in the off-season? I say they should do neither and let him walk at the end of the year. I love Scutaro, he's one of the better players on the team, but if you can parlay a former utility infielder into two high draft picks for him as compensation, then you have to say "cya!" to Scutsy at the conclusion of the season.