Results tagged ‘ Vernon Wells ’

Wells and Stewart Join Chiefs

If you’re adventurous, you could drive down to Scranton tonight to watch Vernon Wells and Shannon Stewart suit up for the Chiefs tonight. Syracuse is looking for its fifth straight victory after a 5-2 win last night. Full game notes are available here. You can hear tonight’s game at 6:45 on NOVA 105.1. Also an update for Sunday’s game – you can hear that on Sportsradio 620 WHEN while the Yankees game will be on NOVA tomorrow afternoon.

ROSTER DECISIONS SOON TO BE MADE

The Toronto Blue Jays are down to their final week of baseball in Dunedin, Florida before making the trip North to begin the season against the New York Yankees on March 31st and roster spots are due to be made.

Position players (catchers, infielders and outfielders) seem to be set with Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas at catcher with non-roster invitee Sal Fasano likely to be released rather than sent to AAA-Syracuse.

Lyle Overbay, Aaron Hill, David Eckstein, Scott Rolen will start in the infield with Marcus Scutaro and John MacDonald providing back-up at every position.  Frank Thomas is the Designated Hitter.

That leaves four outfield spots with Vernon Wells, Alex Rios and Matt Stairs all set.  The Blue jays must make a decision on Reed Johnson or Shannon Stewart for the final spot.  Many teams have inquired about the Jays surplus and a trade could help alleviate the situation.

Non-roster infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Matt Watson could be sent to AAA-Syracuse by the end of the week.

The pitching staff includes a rotation of Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum.  Righty Jesse Litsch is slated to be the number 5-guy in the rotation and the Blue Jays have done nothing to suggest he won’t, unless a late season trade occurs.

The Bullpen has Jeremy Accardo as the closer until B.J. Ryan returns, while Brandon League, Jason Frasor and Scott Downs appear set.  That leaves three spots remaining for 10-remaining pitchers in camp.

The Jays will likely keep one additional lefty to Scott Downs and holdover Brian Tallet would seem to be the guy.  But the Jays also brought to camp John Parrish, Mike Gosling and Jesse Carlson who have all pitched well.  In addition, they picked up another lefty Billy Murphy last week from Arizona.
If Tallet makes the club look for the remainder to be sent to Syracuse.

That leaves two spots for righthanders with rule five selection Randy Wells and Brian Wolfe leading the pack.  They are being challenged by free agent spring training pick-up Armando Benitez, Shawn Camp and Kane Davis.

Either way there are still 19 pitchers in camp with only 12 roster spots available.  This week games will decide who wins jobs in April.  Stay tuned.

LIND AND McGOWAN

Lind_adam David Srinivasan, a special contributor to ESPN.COM, mentioned Adam Lind and Dustin McGowan in his Minor Achievement: Adding it all up on Friday. 

Lind has hit a homer in each of the last two games and has found a home in the #2 slot in the Blue Jays lineup.  Hitting in front of Vernon Wells, Frank Thomas, Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay, Lind has scored 9 runs in 13 games.  For all you fantasy players with room on  your roster Lind would make a nice addition. 

Mcgowan McGowan has pitched outstanding this season although his 1-2 record doesn’t show for it.  In five starts McGowan has struck out 29 while allowing just 9 walks over 22 innings.  With Josh Towers having been moved to the bullpen Victor Zambrano will get the next shot as the Jays #5 starter.  If Zambrano also falters the Jays have a nice insurance policy in Triple-A with McGowan.  If you noticed yesterday the Blue Jays five spot started and McGowan is starting on the same day in the Syracuse rotation.

WEEKEND UPDATE

Minor League camp is underway and it’s time to turn our attention to more significant matters – like reporting baseball.   We have made our point and we are not going to waste your time by beating a dead horse on this space.   Again only here on “Inside the Chiefs” will you receive first hand knowledge of what’s going on in spring training with the major league club, Toronto and the Syracuse Chiefs.

Non-roster catcher Erik Kratz was the first player to be sent to minor league camp as the Jays minor league affiliates reported this weekend.

Jays righty Josh Towers pitched two innings today vs the Pirates and allowed only 1 hit, a solo home run to Pirates first baseman Brad Eldred in two innings of work.  Towers also struck out two batters and looked good in his first outing.  Also pitching today in a B-game were righthanders Dustin McGowan and Casey Janssen.  In the lineup today are: Royce Clayton -ss, Greg Zaun -c, Lyle Overbay – 1B, Vernon Wells -cf, Troy Glaus – 3b, Matt Stairs – rf, Aaron Hill – 2b, Adam Lind – lf, Jason Phillips -c.

Over the weekend John Thomson also pitched well – two shutout innings and Shaun Marcum  pitched 2 innings, 1 run, 3 strikeouts. Francisco Rosario, who was slowed by back pain earlier this spring, pitched one shutout inning.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has said that Russ Adams would begin the season in Syracuse and play second base.  The Blue Jays hope that Adams can return to his 2004-2005 form when he played for the Chiefs and Blue Jays and batted over .280 playing shortstop.

Former Chiefs pitchers Dave Stieb and Pat Hentgen are in camp helping with the younger pitchers and throwing batting practice.

In yesterday’s win Curtis Thigpen (2), John-Ford Griffin and John Hattig combined for 4-RBI in their 7-4 win over the Rays.  On Saturday, Rob Cosby went 1 for 3 with Curtis Thigpen providing another RBI and, on Friday, Kevin Barker had a two-run home run and Ryan Roberts went 2 for 2.

Don’t forget that “Inside Pitch” will broadcast live from Dunedin, Florida beginning on March 19th when the voice of the Chiefs Bob McElligott and Chiefs General Manager John Simone provide player interviews beginning at 7PM all week long.

THE GAMES BEGIN

The Blue Jays opened the spring schedule this afternoon with a 4-1 win versus the Boston Red Sox. 

Many of the players expected to be in Syracuse when the regular season opens performed well for the Jays.  Adam Lind started in left-field and went 1-2 with a triple before being replaced by John-Ford Griffin who went 1-1 with a double.  John Hattig was 1-2 with an RBI, Kevin Barker was 1-3. Non-roster invitee Jeff Duncan replaced Vernon Wells in center-field in the third inning and was 1-1 with a walk and a run scored.

On the mound Ty Taubenheim pitched a perfect 8th and Ryan Houston pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.

The most interesting part if the box score is accurate is that Ryan Roberts, primarily a second-baseman, played shortstop in relief of Royce Clayton while Rey Olmedo, a natural shortstop, relieved Aaron Hill at second base.

The Jays travel tomorrow to take on the Boston Red Sox in Ft. Myers at 12:30 PM.  Gustavo Chacin is scheduled to start for Toronto.

BIG HURT IN SYRACUSE?

With the signing of free agent Frank Thomas by the Blue Jays on Friday the Jays took care of their designated hitter needs and unless they trade one of their three outfielders Reed Johnson, Vernon Wells or Alex Rios super prospect Adam Lind will likely begin the season in Syracuse.  That’s a good thing and something we thought people in Syracuse would be excited about.  Not true.  A good number of fans have told us this weekend that due to the fact that Frank Thomas has been injured so much from 2003-2005, that they look forward to seeing the future hall of famer in Syracuse during the next two years on an injury rehab assignment.  Go figure.

THIS AND THAT

Congratulations to Vernon Wells as he picked up his third Gold Glove Award this week for his work during the 2006 season…..AAA-managerial moves include Charlotte Knights Razor Shines moving up to the White Sox becoming their 3rd Base coach, Ottawa manager and Chiefs front office favorite Dave Trembley taking over the Orioles major league field coordinator position.  In Richmond Brian Snitker moves to Atlanta and becomes the Braves 3rd base coach and is replaced by Dave Brundage.  Trent Jewett (Indianapolis), John Russell (Scranton) and Trey Hillman (former Clippers manager) are finalist for the Texas Rangers managerial position…..Crunch are on the Road this weekend at Hamilton and Hershey after going 2-0-1 last week and picking up 5-points.  Syracuse returns home next weekend Friday and Saturday….Sitting at the Carrier Dome on Wednesday night watching the Orange, one could wonder if baseball fans will ever get the chance to view a real video board in their stadium……Last week Wachovia Securities invited former Yankee outfielder Bobby Murcer to speak to clients at the Craftsman Inn. A great night was had by all, and Bobby shed some insight into the Yankees 2006 season and what is ahead for 2007.  A little know fact:  Bobby Murcer would have played the 1967 season in Syracuse, but was called to military service and missed the entire year.  He spent another year in the military in 1968 and made the Yankees team in 1969…..Grass vs Turf online poll update: Grass 83%, Turf 17%….After the barrage of negitive tv and radio ads for those seeking office are you ready to vote on Tuesday for anyone….Pop Warner Football invades Alliance Bank Stadium on Saturday with five big games beginning at 9:00 AM….Former Chiefs batboy Brady Quinn takes on the North Carloina tomorrow as the Irish look to go 8-1.  Brady, who was friends with I.L. President Randy Mobley’s son Taylor, visited MacArthur Stadium as a youth and suited up for two games in 1996.  Quinn could become the first Chiefs batboy to take home a Heismann Trophy later this month….Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

BIG SALE ON SATURDAY

The SkyChiefs like many minor league teams this month will be holding a merchandise and memoribilia sale at Alliance Bank Stadium on Saturday, October 21st beginning at 9:00 AM.  (A special sneak peak will be held for season tickets holders on Friday, October 20th from 10AM – 2PM).

Items for sale on the concourse include Caps, Jerseys, Jackets, Batting practice tops, player worn and new pants, helmets, bats, balls, socks, belts, cleats and much more.  Items are priced as low as $1.  Player worn jerseys autographed by Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, and Gustavo Chacin among others and pants worn by Carlos Delgado and Vernon Wells will also be available for serious collectors.

Concession Stands will be open with Hot Dogs, Drinks, Apple cider and apples for the kids.  The Chiefs will also have face painters and weather permitting batting practice on the field.  All kids will receive candy compliments of Peanut Chews.

The Chiefs souvenir store will have big discounts on all merchandise left over from the 2006 season.  We need to clean out our storage rooms.  So don’t miss out on this once a decade sale – Saturday, October 21st beginning at 9:00 AM.

Final Score tonight, Mets 9, Cards 8… It’s Mets and Tigers in the World Series.

Look for Friday’s This and That Blog with a major announcement.

THIS AND THAT

Just a few notes before the Holiday Weekend…. The Syracuse Crunch begin another season of Professional Hockey in Syracuse tonight in Toronto before returning for the Home Opener – Friday, October 13th vs Scranton.  Good Luck to new head Coach Ross Yates and GM Jim Sarosy and the entire Crunch staff….from the research department – the Chiefs record from 1985-1991 was 507-487 .510, best in the I.L. over that seven year period, and again from 1998-2001 the SkyChiefs were 298-272 .523 WPCT, second best in the I.L – so has the 29 year relationship with Toronto been that bad?……the SkyChiefs front office will be busy on Tuesday, donating their time and “muscle” to the Francis House Annual Dinner at the New York State Fairgrounds.  Tickets for the event are only $50  for the Wednesday, October 11th event…..Also Wednesday make sure to visit the ONCENTER for the SOHO 2006 and visit over 400 small business leaders for the annual event – we will be there with scooch and some neat giveway stuff….Also make sure to mark down Saturday, October 21st for our 1st Annual Fall Classic Memorabilia and Merchandise Sale at Alliance Bank Stadium from 9 AM – 2 PM.  Player worn jerseys, pants, caps, jackets, helmets, discounted souviners and even Mike Basso’s cleats will be available as we clean out our store room to make way for new stuff.  We will have hot dogs, cider, apples, mascots, free candy, batting practice on the field or in our indoor hitting tunnel and much more…..How about former Chiefs Chris Carpenter winning game one of the NLDS for the Cards, Carlos Delgado’s 4 for 4 with a 450′ Home Run and David Wells’ fine outing for the Padres in defeat. They all played here didn’t they???….Anyone catch Vernon Wells on SportsCenter this week?…..After Adam Lind batted .394 in Syracuse this year and batted .364 for the Blue Jays in September, does anyone think he will be back in Syracuse in 2007?…..Here’s a thought to ponder – How can the SkyChiefs owe Onondaga County $150,000 in utilities (as reported in the Syracuse Newspapers) for 2006, when 2006 isn’t even over with yet?…..Former Chiefs infielder Bryant Nelson spent the 2006 season in Bridgeport (Independent League) and batted .284…..Congrats to 620 WHEN’s Brent Axe and his wife on the birth of their daughter this week – your life will never be the same…College football prediction Orange 29 Panthers 28…..Enjoy the Holiday Weekend.

JS

 

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