The revolving door in Toronto continue to turn, as the Blue Jays don’t seem to know precisely what they want to do Patience in not a word often heard in the front offices up in Toronto.
As you know, Toronto cut Frank Thomas April 18, after the Big Hurt had a poor start. This allowed Toronto to then commit playing time to Adam Lind. Lind responded by going one for nineteen, with four strikeouts and one RBI. Toronto rewarded Adam with a one-way ticket back to Syracuse.
With the aging Shannon Stewart still starting in the outfield, Toronto figuring that quantity is better than quality, acquired reject Brad Wilkerson (who wasn’t good enough to play in Seattle), and Shrek look alike Kevin Mench from Texas.
Wilkerson has never had more hits than strikeouts in a season, and has not hit above .250 since 2004. In fact, Wilkerson has never hit above .268 in the majors, ever. Lots of strikeouts and a low batting average might work for a gold glove shortstop, or a big-time power hitter, but Brad is neither. Only once in his career has Wilkerson hit more than 20 home runs, and Wilkerson’s got as much of a chance to win a gold glove as does a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. It just isn’t going to happen. By the way, Bad Brad is hitting .232 with zero home runs and fifteen strikeouts in 56 at bats thus far this season.
Mench had two solid seasons in Texas back in 2004-2005, but in a “what have you done for me lately” profession, Mench had fallen out of the big leagues. Mench lacks speed, doesn’t get on base too often, and can’t hit for an average. So, he’s probably better than Wilkerson,. Then again, getting a cold is better than getting the flu, but you don’t want either. I wouldn’t want either Wilkerson or Mench, and unless you are in a league the gives you points for futility, neither do you.
Speaking of futility, San Diego cut Jim Edmonds today. Apparently, the Padres weren’t interested in an aging outfielder with limited range, and lacking the ability to run, hit for power, or hit for an average. That being the case, why in the world did San Diego rade for Edmonds? Sure, David Freese (the guy San Diego parted with for Edmonds) isn’t a top prospect, but San Diego had to commit close to $7 million to offset the bulk of Edmonds salary. Did the Padres realistically expect that Jim, having hit .263, .257 and .252, in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, was going to find the Fountain of Youth and regain his stroke? With home run totals of 29, 17 and 12 over the same three year period, did anyone expect Edmonds to rebound?
Fortunately for Edmonds, there’s still hope... It's spelled "T*O*R*O*N*T*O."