Lots of little bits of Blue Jays news this morning:
Jim Salisbury, at CSNPhilly.com, tell us the Blue Jays, among others, scouted Cliff Lee at his last rehab start and will likely be watching his first post injury Phillies start tonight. Lee is making $25 million this year, will get $25 million next year, and has a vest option for $27.5 million for 2016 (based on reaching 200 innings next year) with a $12.5 million buyout. If the Phillies want to move him, they will have to send a bunch of money along with him, but I really can't see the Jays being in on him.
Jeff Blair says that Anthopoulos said the Jays have 'payroll flexibility' in 2015. Blair says:
More to the point, he has flexibility in 2015: refusing club options held on Brandon Morrow, J.A. Happ, Adam Lind and Sergio Santos would save $28.5 million
Course any 'flexibility' is figuring that the Jays will have the same payroll they have this year. i think it is as likely that is an open question yet. Who knows what Rogers will do . And, who knows if Alex and Beeston will still be around next year.
And Alex talked to the press yesterday. They wanted to know if Bob Elliot's tweet saying the Jays couldn't add salary was correct and Alex, as is is way, managed to talk a bunch without really giving us a clue if they can or can't add to the payroll. But we did gets some hints as to the status of some of the guys on the DL:
- Edwin Encarnacion has been hitting off a tee and could be playing in rehab games soon. I wouldn't expect him to have to rehab long, I'd be surprise if his rehab assignment lasted longer than two games.
- Adam Lind has been taking batting practice and 'has no pain'. He should rehab soon too.
- Brett Lawrie, well, we have seen him on the bench and the splint is off. He's taking ground balls, but can't swing a bat yet. They hope he'll start rehab by the weekend.
- Nolan Reimold also should be back 'soon', although defining 'soon' is something Alex didn't do.
Brandon Morrow wasn't mentioned, but he is throwing and might start rehab by the end of the month. His rehab will last longer than the other guys. Cole Gillespie wasn't mentioned, I have my doubts we'll see him back with the Blue Jays.
Tweet of the morning:
AL teams that have the easiest remaining schedules, based off opponents’ winning %: 1. Blue Jays 2. Yankees 3. Royals 4. A’s 5. Tigers
— Beyond the Box Score (@BtBScore) July 16, 2014Let's have a couple of minor league updates from last night:
The Bisons lost to the Pawtucket Red Sox 3-2. The Bisons only had 4 hits, 3 of them off Kevin Pillar's bat, including a home run and a double. And Aaron Sanchez pitched of the bullpen for the second time. He went 1 inning, allowing a single. I'd feel better if he struck someone out, but can't have everything.
New Hampshire beat Portland 3-2. Dalton Pompey was 3 for 5 and stole a base, raising his Fisher Cat average to .221.
Dunedin lost 11-5 to Bradenton. Frank Viola had a rough time, 4.2 innings, 9 hits, 10 earned, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. Dwight Smith, Jr had his 7th home runs
Lansing won 4-3 over Clinton. Jeremy Gabryszwski went 7, allowed 6 hits, 3 earned, 1 walk with 5 k. Dickie Thon went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, he's hitting.282/.329/.390. Mitch Nay was 2 for 5. D.J. Davis had the game winning homer in the 10th, his 7th of the year.
Vancouver won 9-0 over Tri-City. Chase Mallard started, going 5.1, allowing 5 hits, with 5 strikeouts. His ERA in 0.61 in 4 games, 2 starts. Ryan McBroom was the offensive hero, going 3 for 4 with a homer and double and 4 RBI. He is hitting .314/.353/.545.
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