Mailbag: Outfield full of Jays
02/06/2006I think Reed Johnson is a very capable left fielder. Why are the Blue Jays trying to move Eric Hinske to left when Johnson is a better fielder and a better hitter?-- Spencer R., Thornhill, Ontario
Nobody is saying that Hinske is taking over as the permanent left fielder. Actually, it doesn't look like Toronto has a clear favorite for full-timer in either left or right. If the Blue Jays abide by the proposed plan for the corner outfield spots, though, Hinske could see a lot of playing time in left.
Toronto's acquisitions of third baseman Troy Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay pushed Hinske out of a regular job in the infield. Shea Hillenbrand is the obvious choice to serve as the designated hitter, which means Hinske needs to find work in the outfield if the Blue Jays want his bat in the lineup.
According to Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi, the plan is to get Hinske, who is a left-handed hitter, in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. Hinske hit .283, had a .358 on-base percentage and rapped 11 of his 15 homers against righties. Compare that to his average (.170) and on-base percentage (.215) versus lefties, and the concept makes sense. Johnson, who bats from the right side, would start in left field against left-handers.
Johnson's speed gives him great range, and he'll probably replace Hinske in close games in the late innings because of his solid defense. Hinske has yet to play a single game in the outfield in the Majors. Offensively, though, both players have similar numbers with Hinske having an edge in the power department.
Also, don't foget about Alex Rios and Frank Catalanotto. Catalanotto will probably be in right against right-handed pitchers and Rios would start at that spot against lefties. If Rios starts to live up to his potential, though, Catalanotto may have to slide back over to left, where he'll have competition for playing time with Hinske and Johnson.
What were the Jays waiting for? Mike Piazza signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Padres. It really upsets me that the Jays' brass didn't contact him or give him that much money. Any answers?-- Kam H., Richmond Hill, Ontario
Rumors and reports indicated that the Jays inquired about signing Piazza for a similar price, but the 12-time All-Star didn't show much interest in coming to Toronto. The deciding factor for the 37-year-old seemed to be the opportunity to catch 70-90 games for the Padres. San Diego is also planning on using Piazza as a part-time first baseman and designated hitter in Interleague games. The Padres also tacked on a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million.
If Piazza had joined the Blue Jays, he would have had to split time behind the plate with Gregg Zaun -- maybe catching somewhere around 70 games. When he wasn't catching, Piazza would have had to split time with Hillenbrand at DH, and first base probably wasn't much of an option with Overbay's presence. In the end, Toronto just didn't seem to be a good fit for Piazza.
How do you feel about the production from the bottom of Toronto's order? Will it be able to compare with the Yankees and the Red Sox?-- James D., Weston, Conn.
The only part of the batting order that appears set is the No. 3-6 spots for the Jays. Center fielder Vernon Wells, Glaus, Overbay and Hillenbrand will most likely occupy those positions in that order. The No. 7-9 batters are harder to predict at this point.
Shortstop Russ Adams and Catalanotto were used a lot in the first two spots in the order last year. Johnson also spent time as the leadoff hitter. Any of those three could hit in the first two holes, but they could also join second baseman Aaron Hill, Hinske, Rios and Zaun as options for the last three spots in the order.
Boston appears to have Trot Nixon, Kevin Youkilis, Alex Cora or Alex Gonzalez as the main options for the last three spots in the lineup. New York's No. 7-9 hitters could consist of Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Robinson Cano. Toronto's group is younger as a whole and should be able to hold its own within the division.
I was wondering where you see John Ford-Griffin playing in '06. Based on his numbers last year, he seems poised to compete for a spot with the Jays next season. What do you think?-- Mark F., Victoria, British Columbia
Griffin had a great season with Triple-A Syracuse last year, leading the International League in home runs and RBIs. When he was called up in September, he had an impressive showing during his first stint in the Majors. Despite his efforts, though, it doesn't look like there will be room at the inn for Griffin on Opening Day. He'll probably start the year with Syracuse again, but he could be a key callup if something goes wrong with one of Toronto's outfielders. Griffin's future will be easier to predict once Spring Training is under way.
During and after the Glaus trade, Sergio Santos seemed to have slipped under the radar. But a 6-foot-2, 240-pound shortstop with some pop piques my interest. Any inside info on Santos?--Lorne R., Geneva, Switzerland
Santos, 22, was aquired with Glaus in the trade that sent Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista to Arizona. Santos hit .239 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs in 132 games for Triple-A Tucson last year. He was the 27th overall pick by the Diamondbacks during the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.
Santos will probably begin this season with Triple-A Syracuse. Ricciardi named him as one of the in-house solutions if injuries hit Toronto's middle infielders. Santos is a good defender, but his size has some analysts saying he could fit better as a third baseman.
When do Blue Jays single-game tickets go on sale?-- P.J.M., Warwick, R.I.
Tickets for Spring Training are already on sale. Regular-season tickets go on sale exclusively online Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. on the Blue Jays' tickets page, and everywhere on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
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