james van riemsdyk toronto

Good morning, I hope you’re enjoying the long weekend.

Q. What’s the deal with having J.A. Happ in the bullpen when by the time he comes in, the Jays starting pitchers have already let the game get out of hand? He’s been a starter before and a top prospect at that position, so why is John Farrell keeping him in the bullpen?

Danielle – Brampton

Q. With how stretched the bullpen’s been lately, I believe Farrell was just looking for some stability before moving Happ into the starting rotation.

However, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.  While Happ will make his first start for the Jays this Tuesday against Tampa Bay, it’s in place of Carlos Villanueva, who’s left the team for personal reasons.  Maybe Villanueva knew he was due an injury and thought it best not to push his luck.

Q. The Leafs literally have seven NHL centres’, eight if you count Randy Carlyle’s preference to move James van Riemsdyk (JVR) to the middle.  A cynic could argue all these centres’ are too small, inexperienced, or soft. Do you think having that many options down the middle will be a boon to the Leafs playoff hopes?

Mike – Mississauga

A. The size and strength factor (David Steckel aside) is a key reason Carlyl’s hoping JVR can make the transition to centre.

And while JVR’s only played three seasons in the NHL, he still has invaluable playoff experience, helping the Philadelphia Flyers get to a Stanley Cup final. However, even if the move does work, certain people will still argue he’d be more effective for the Leafs on the wing.

As for the overflow of centres in general, the Leafs almost appear to be taking a Bachelorette-style approach to finding the perfect candidate.  In some ways, they remind me of my friend, who was the only one guaranteed to pull whenever we went out.  Unfortunately, he mistakenly equated quantity to quality when the truth was he rarely met a young lady who impressed anyone.  (Translate as necessary.)

Essentially, the Leafs are hoping if they take enough women home, eventually one of them will turn out to be a stunner.

Q. Could the 100 metre runners BE any more arrogant? (said in Chandler Bing voice.)

Lindsey – Liverpool

A. Unfortunately this is indicative of the reality-television, narcissistic, shallow world we now live in.  And yes, if that makes me sound like some grumpy old git, I accept the assessment wholeheartedly.

While it’s good to take pride in your accomplishment, modesty is preferable.  If I’m good at something, I don’t need to announce it, because everybody already knows. (Unless I’m that charismatic son-of-a-bitch George Clooney. Then I’d be telling everyone how amazing I was.)

Okay, that’s it for today.  As always, send any question to the contact details below.

Email:              englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk or paul.taylor@bluetoro.ca

Twitter:           @bluetoro.ca or @EnglishPaul07

Photo credit: PR Newswire


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