That earthquake you might have felt this afternoon was my heart breaking a wee little bit.

This just in: the Jays have traded Aaron Hill and John McDonald to the Diamondbacks in exchange for 2B Kelly Johnson.

A career .260/.342/.432 hitter, Johnson is having a slump year, and has struggled at the plate for Arizona. 2010′s numbers tell a different story; Fangraphs ranked Johnson second in the NL, behind Rickie Weeks.

It’s no question the Jays needed a 2B for the 2012 season. With no hot prospects coming up soon, the hole made by Hill was one that needed filling. Although fans like to claim the 2B solution is Brett Lawrie (with Bautista back at 3B), it’s a tired suggestion that has yet to receive even a smidgen of support from the team’s management.

The obvious move was to eye some new talent now, or in the off season. Johnson brings likely Type B status, same as Hill. But it may be easier, should Johnson work out, to sign him to a more team-friendly contract in the off season.

I’m a fan of the Johnson-Hill exchange. But I’m uncertain whether or not it’s worth the price of the man who many consider to be the heart of the franchise.

John McDonald is, without question, a fan favorite. Toronto adores the man with a flare for the infield, and often surprising delivery at the plate. He’s loved on – and off – the field.

McDonald and Hill will now join ex-Jay Lyle Overbay for a chance at post-season play. I wish them luck. I know if the Diamondbacks go to the playoffs, I’ll be rooting for them, if only for the chance to see McDonald get his first world series ring.

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Updated: The press conference at 3:30pm confirmed the trade, and also revealed that John McDonald had inquired about moving to a team with post-season potential. Good for him! As tough as this is going to be for many of the fans, it’s hard to argue with what the man wants.

He’ll be missed here, and will hopefully return soon, either as a player or a coach.

The Jays were down 3-0 coming into the 9th inning at Fenway last night; an early Boston lead that was effectively held back by 8 strong innings from Brett Cecil.

Corey Patterson had screwed up earlier in the game, getting thrown out stealing 3rd in a play that likely cost the Jays a run or two. When he hit the single that started off the 9th inning, it was a little too easy to feel that the game would soon be over.

Jose Bautista knows how to change minds.

A huge home run – his 28th of the season – from Jose scored 2, bringing the Jays within 1 of tying, within 2 of winning. 2 outs later found Edwin Encarnacion on 2nd from JP Arencibia’s third walk of the night. (3 walks in one night? Way to go, JP!)

With 2 on, John McDonald came to the plate, knowing a single would be enough to tie the game and give the Jays a shot at the win. On Papelbon’s third pitch, Johnny Mac did it; a soft line drive to left field that brought Encarnacion around from second to score.

At least, that’s what should have happened, according to many.
» Continue reading ““We Should Still Be Playing”; Controversial Out Ends Game”

The Jays had a much-needed rest day yesterday; their first in 20 days. As you know, the series against the Indians didn’t exactly go our way. On the other hand, it could have been much, much worse.

Back at .500 and firmly 4th in the AL East, the Jays now go to Baltimore for the first series of the year with the Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles Writer, Steph Diorio over at Charm City Yakyuu joined me for this edition of “6 Burning Questions”.

» Continue reading “6 Burning Questions: The Battle of the Birds”

When the lineups were announced yesterday afternoon, many were shocked that catcher Jose Molina would be DHing instead of Eric Thames. Looking at the stats, though, the decision made sense.

Molina has had the most hits off of Buehrle; going 8 for 20 lifetime. Molina’s also killing left handed pitchers this year. He’s batting .571 against lefties for a total AVG of .310. Not too shabby.

The decision worked. Jose Molina got on base 3 times out of 4, including 2 singles and reaching on a White Sox error.

Technically, the winning run for the Jays came off of Yunel Escobar’s increasingly hot bat in the bottom of the 7th. Escobar hit a long double that brought Jayson Nix around to score from first base.

Molina, though, can be credited for the important insurance run.

» Continue reading “Now I’ve REALLY Seen Everything! Molina Double Steal FTW!”

It’s happened before, and it’ll happen again, but you’ll forgive me if I feel a bit shocked by how last night turned out. After all, John McDonald’s error last night was just his 35th throwing error of the veteran’s 12 year MLB career.

Unnecessary point of contrast: Edwin Encarnacion already has 71 throwing errors in just 7 major league seasons.

Watching the 9th inning was difficult. The JMac E5 was followed up by a stolen base on a wild pitch, a HBP that turned into another steal, and ultimately the really wacky throw that floored Rzepczynski and sent two White Sox runners home on a throwing error from Rivera.

In that blur of activity, it was easy to be confused about what part of the inning actually led to the loss.

Did John McDonald lose the game?

» Continue reading “Now I’ve Seen Everything; Johnny Mac Throwing Error Costs Jays”

In light of the Jays’ continuing problems at 3B, including yet another E5 from Edwin Encarnacion last night, the cry to call up Brett Lawrie is getting louder and louder.

The 21 year old has been tearing up AAA all season. Lawrie is batting .349 with a .406 OBP. He’s only failed to make it to base 6 games all season. He’s hit 12 home runs, placing him third in the Pacific Coast League.

He was just named the PCL’s player of the week, going 13-26 with 11 RBI and 13 runs scored.

With Lawrie’s unquestionable offensive potential, the question keeps getting raised; when will Brett Lawrie finally join the Jays?

Although Manager John Farrell and GM Alex Anthopolous seem to be accelerating the timeline by name-dropping more often, there’s still no set answer.

“In due time,” said Farrell in an interview with National Post’s John Lott.

With the 3B position causing the most headaches in the field, why not bring Lawrie up now?

» Continue reading “Why Wait on Brett Lawrie?”

Toronto’s John McDonald can be described succinctly in just two words, borrowed from the team’s slogan: Hustle and Heart.

Hustle? He shows it through those diving run-saving plays. Through his speed at turning around a ball and getting the out. Through his seemingly magical ability to be in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time, to catch that line drive to right center.

Heart? He’s got that too. It’s why the fans go crazy when he comes in to relieve an injured player. It’s why he’s been known as “Toronto’s great guy” since joining the team in 2005. It’s why, every time he comes to bat, I can’t help but just wish for something… well… magical.

With Johnny Mac, stats don’t show the whole picture. He’s batting just .210 in 27 games, with 8 RBI and 2 home runs. His OBP has improved over previous years; he’s currently at his best since 2007.

Despite this, I can’t help but feel that when he comes up to plate these days, he’s got a chance of turning the game around. Take Wednesday, for example. His home run to lead off the 4th inning put Toronto ahead by two, and his long double in the 7th with 2 outs brought in 2 more runs.

And, is it any coincidence that the 3 horrid losses to the Tigers this weekend were all games in which Johnny Mac wasn’t playing?

I know he’s destined to be a utility bench guy for us, and maybe that’s for the best. But part of me wonders if he were playing every day… say on 3B where he’s error free in 7 games (ahem)… if some of his Hustle and Heart wouldn’t translate to more wins.

So. Yeah.

Tonight’s game against the Rays was what being a Jay was all about.

This IS the Way of the Jay, people.

To fight for every run.

To tie it up, then fall, then tie it up again.

To be this close to hitting for the cycle.

And to make it to the bottom of the 11th. And win, so very unexpectedly, by hitting a ball so far out of left field that it hits the second level, and driving in not only one run, but two.

Way to go, John McDonald. You are the essence of a Jay. And Toronto loves you.