Brett Lawrie watch

Officially tonight would have been Lawrie's major league debut, but for a ball hitting the back of his hand, and subsequent swelling, the debut is put on hold. Encarnacion stay of execution is on hold as well.

That is my opinion as well, the subtraction of Edwin E 5 for Lawrie.  No speculation, but Jayson Nix should not be the victim of Brett playing first, as Nix and Johnny McD can handle the support roles around the infield.

2 things lead to this speculation. and the first one is Juan Rivera can play at 1st, a little, and eating his $ 5 million of salary is not not as hard as Encarnacion's $1.5 million.
The second reason is that Nix can back up 3rd, and, and I suppose shortstop as well, again things E 5 cannot do, or do well. Nix cheaper option and has displayed as much or more long ball prowess in spot roles, and E 5, just the one dinger, and all those errors do pile up.

Lawrie's tenure at Triple AAA has been the topic of some discussion, when is he coming, is it this year, at the All Star break, why is it taking so long ???.

Please don't ask me to explain the Super 2 rules, they are always different every time I read them, but Alex was ready to make the final move, then fate stepped in and delayed his arrival until his hand heals, and maybe that is just this weekend, we'll see. 

Word comes out this afternoon that room has been made on the Jays 40 man roster, so imminently Lawrie will be on a plane, either to Baltimore or likely Kansas City, to begin his career.

More things Jays

Closer by committee, how's that going ? Lousy, cause no one can close, Frasor should get another shot, Rauch , Dotel and Fransisco have flamed out.

Lind back in at 1st sometime this weekend, and just in time, his presence will stabilise the middle of the order, and also take a lot of stress off Brett Lawrie's arrival.

Zach Stewart, and Brett Cecil, time to give either a shot, isn't it ?   Litsch out awhile, And we are wasting Villenuava as the 5th starter. I expect Drabek will get sorted out, but maybe skip his rotation spot, and have him work harder at his release point.

Jose leads all All Star voting in the AL. Great job Jays fans, but I see the next 4 are all Yankees, so am immediately skeptical that Jose will maintain that lead if Yankee fans begin write ins for Brett Gardner.
Also, how in all that is holy can fans vote for Derek Jeter over Asdrubal Cabrera, or even Elvis Andus, or
c'mon, Yunel Escobar, 6 homers, .300 batting average.

28-28 record, roughly where I thought they'd be, or just under .500, but next 7 games against the Orioles and Royals are crucial. Have to beat weaker teams if you expect to get anywhere.