Didn't see this call-up coming. I like Bird A LOT, I know he's been red hot at AAA, but don't see him getting a lot of PT coming up here. We've got Tex at 1B and Alex at DH. Maybe Joe gives Alex a blow coming up and the kid gets another game but other than that, I don't see him playing a whole lot. If they keep him up, at least it would give us a solid bat off the bench, probably an upgrade over Garrett Jones. We actually may need another bullpen arm though (if Bird's here to stay, could we cut Jones a 2nd time? Man, that'd be rough for him but may be the right move to make)...See how it goes. I give the Yanks credit for doing something to shake things up a little though.
Really thought Refsnyder was the guy to call up. All of a sudden, Drew's started hitting, but against lefties at least, Ref could get some ABs, more than Bird I think (Ryan's terrible offensively--automatic 0-4 every game...absolutely no reason to keep Ryan and Drew--I've thought that for weeks now). Drew also makes $5mm compared to $2mm for Ryan -- whatever prorated amount Ryan has left would be a lot easier for them to eat at this point to make room for Ref. As soon as Ref took Alexi Ogando deep at Fenway, he should've been a fixture here for the rest of the year (and beyond). Cash even said at the time that he sent Ref down only so he could keep all 3 (Ref, Ryan and Drew) and not have to waive anyone...Well the trade deadline's come and gone and no deal for Ryan. Time to waive this guy now (maybe someone claims him and we can work out a minor deal to at least get something back--I'll take a low level prospect for Ryan) and bring Refsnyder back up. Ref can get steady ABs against lefties and Bird could upgrade the bench and give Tex and A-Rod another day here and there down the stretch..
Finally off the schneid and back in the win column and it feels GOOD. Man, it was BRUTAL...What are ya gonna do -- I understand Toronto's a very good overall team that just got even better (was reading they'll be getting Marcus Stroman back at some point coming up) and Cleveland has real good young pitching but this skid also had a lot to do with us being WAY OFF our game as well. A day off seemed to help Ellsbury; hopefully that's exactly what Tex needed too. Maybe now we give Alex a day and get Birdy at least one more start...I'd love for Nova to be on his game and we snap the Jays' 11-game winning streak (I thought Sonny Gray would've snapped it yesterday but saw he was a late scratch with back spasms, so that hurt us). Everything eventually comes to an end, hopefully their winning streak and our brief period of ineptitude! It'd be HUGE if we can get this 1st one coming up--hopefully Nova's on his game, we tie this thing up and go from there.