Ankündigungen » nior adviser of the Padres after a doze

BALTIMORE - As the Blue Jays wind down what has been, arguably, the most disappointing season in the franchises 37-year history, general manager Alex Anthopoulos addressed the performance, and the future, of the player who has come to epitomize fans disappointment. That player is the catcher J.P. Arencibia. "Offensively has probably been the one area that Im surprised by," said Anthopoulos. "One thing you felt confident was J.P. would be a .700 to .720 OPS guy with some upside to do better than that. Hes always had the ability, hes got power to the opposite field. Hes shown the ability to use all fields and you felt that was probably going to be what the floor was for him. Didnt expect it to go the other way." Its gone the other way, considerably. Arencibia is on pace for the worst-ever offensive season by a Blue Jay with more than 450 plate appearances. His slash line of .194/.229/.365 entering Wednesdays play represents an OPS of .594, a frighteningly low statistic for a player who prides himself on being a run producer and whose 21 home runs are the most hit by any catcher in baseball this season. After hitting eight home runs and driving in 16 runs in April, Arencibia has just 13 homers and 38 RBI since. Since the All-Star break, the catcher has just 23 hits, nine for extra bases. In his last 20 games, Arencibia is just 4-61. Piling on? Thats in the eye of the beholder. The numbers dont lie. "I think hes gotten in a funk," said Anthopoulos. "If you look at the numbers, hes been better than this, obviously, his first two years in the league. There are certain things that you would expect, regardless. The average has always been in the mid to low .200s, definitely not below .200. The power has always been there and hes not a guy thats going to walk much. The OPS, Im expecting it to be .700 to .720, .730 and now being below .600 or, I havent looked in a last little bit. Its just out of character." Arencibia has played through pain in his left knee – attributed to bursitis. Hes lauded for his willingness to log considerable playing time at the games most demanding position. "There was a time when he almost went on the DL but he didnt," said Anthopoulos. "We all know the one thing about him is hes tough. A very durable guy, I know he had the injury last year but hes durable, he plays through a lot of injuries, a lot of pain. Hes never come to us and said that he doesnt … He wants to be in that lineup everyday." Still, the organization knows it must get more production from the catchers spot and defensively, while Arencibia has worked hard to get on the same page with Mark Buerhle, it took both men almost two months to become comfortable with each other. Anthopoulos says its difficult to assess a catchers game calling, due to the number of times a pitcher will shake off signs. He says hes generally pleased with Arencibias pitch framing. "I think it all comes with the territory," said Anthopoulos of the criticism of Arencibias defence. "One, when the team isnt playing well and then, offensively, I think the more you struggle offensively, the more people will look at the other parts of your game." It appears, at the moment, the club will be all in – or all out – with Arencibia. If Arencibia is back with the Blue Jays in 2014, hell be the starter. Dont expect Anthopoulos to take the platoon route by delving into the market for a veteran catcher who can split the duties. If he signs someone – or trades for someone – Arencibias days in Toronto are likely done. Meantime, A.J. Jimenez, the Jays top catching prospect whos considered a strong defensive player, likely wont begin next season in the big leagues. Hes had only 30 Triple-A at bats and missed most of 2012 and the start of 2013 after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Jimenez finished this season with more arm trouble. "I think I can say this for the entire team: Were going to look to improve anywhere we can," said Anthopoulos. "Thats not to single anybody out. Its all about alternatives." Johnson not healthy Josh Johnson, on the disabled list since August 7 with whats officially listed as a forearm injury, continues to have good days and bad days. He continues to experience pain in his forearm and elbow area while playing catch. Johnson has yet to throw off a mound since going on the disabled list. "Were going to give it as much time as we can and just gather all the information," said Anthopoulos. "I would figure some point in October, well obviously have more information at that time and whatever we do decide or whatever information we have once we have all the information and so on, then well divulge that." Johnson underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007. Club options Casey Janssen ($4 million;) Adam Lind ($7 million, $2 million buyout;) and Mark DeRosa ($750,000, $250,000 buyout) each have options for the 2014 season. "Anyone that has an option that has had a good year is a very strong likelihood of that option being exercised," said Anthopoulos. So, did Adam Lind have a good season? "Yes," said Anthopoulos. "Obviously, hes given us 22 home runs or whatever its been. I think the numbers overall, I think hes had a good year. Hes hit for more average than he has in the past and had really good at-bats." How about DeRosa? "Yes, I think so, too," said Anthopoulos. "I think, Mark, for what we brought him in for, what the role was going to be, I think hes played well. Offensively, hes had a better year than he did last year and hes been everything and more we expected from a clubhouse standpoint." Bullpen trade chips The Blue Jays have plenty of power arms in the bullpen and maybe enough that one, or more, could be used as a trade chip in the off-season. "Thatll be part of the dialogue we have with clubs that we do feel like we have some depth in the bullpen," said Anthopoulos. "You always want to be careful that you dont make what we perceive to be a strength, a weakness. Because of that depth, we would be open-minded if a deal presented itself to strengthen another part of the club to move a reliever or two." Cheap MLB Jerseys .Jeff Green, playing in his second preseason game after missing the first four because of a calf strain, had 18 points. The Celtics (3-3) shot 47.2 per cent from the floor and made 15 of 37 3-point attempts. Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., who trains out of San Diego, will fight bantamweight champion (Rowdy) Ronda Rousey on July 5 in the co-main event of UFC 175 in Las Vegas. http://www.nflchinajerseysauthenticcheap.com/. Mako Vunipola was promoted from the reserves, with Matt Mullan called up to the bench on Thursday. "It is important that Joe is with his partner at this exciting time," England coach Stuart Lancaster said. NFL Authentic Jerseys .Y. -- It was as if Matt Moulson never left the New York Islanders. NFL Jerseys Wholesale . PETERSBURG, Fla.NEW YORK, N.Y. - Omar Minaya is switching sides.The former New York Mets general manager left his job as senior vice-president of the San Diego Padres on Thursday to become a special adviser to Major League Baseball Players Association head Tony Clark.Born in the Dominican Republic, Minaya started in baseball management as a scout for the Texas Rangers, where he helped sign Sammy Sosa. He became the major leagues first Hispanic general manager with the Montreal Expos from 2002 to 2004. He left the Expos to become GM of his hometown Mets, who fired him after the 2010 season. He was hired by the Padres in December 2011 as senior VP of baseball operations under GM Josh Byrnes, who was fired last June.Our membership that comes from the Latin countries is growing, Clark said. That means having folks on staff that are reflective of those countries, that have the ability to communicate with players in their native language.Minaya will focus on international affairs and game development in the U.S., including amateur ball. The number of Dominican and Cuban players in the major leagues has increased, and management hopes to get agreement on an international draft in the collective bargaining agreement that expires after the 2016 season. Currently, only players residing in the U.S., Canada and Puertto Rico are subject to a draft.dddddddddddd.These are going to be major issues as the game goes forward, Minaya said.He is following the path of Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, who left his job as executive vice-president/senior adviser of the Padres after a dozen years in December 2013 to become a special assistant to Clark at the Major League Baseball Players Association.It probably hasnt happened very often, said Clark, the former All-Star first baseman who took over as union chief after Michael Weiners death in November 2013.The 56-year-old Minaya is reversing the path of former major leaguer Tony Bernazard, who was a special assistant for the union from 1992 until he left to work for Minaya and the Mets from 2004-09.Clark said he expected it to be a long relationship. Minaya said it was difficult to leave scouting and player development.When you are a baseball operations guy, and you are a guy like myself, every morning you wake up and youre thinking youre in the hunt, the hunt for that player, Minaya said. Look, I love scouting. I loved being a scout. I loved talking to coaches, talking to family, talking to players, understanding that. Every day you wake up, if youre the general manager, you try to get that trade. If youre a scout, you try to beat somebody to a player. ' ' '