Adam Lind wants to stay

[G-Snarls]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130916&content_id=60757022&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor

 

Melky Cabrera seemed to be a player on the decline this season, but do you think the tumour that was removed from his back can help explain why he looked so bad? Or do you think his best years are now behind him?

-- Adam D., Barrie, Ontario

 

The Blue Jays spent almost this entire season trying to figure out what was wrong with Cabrera. He arrived at Spring Training in good shape, was moving well and appeared set to have a successful season after signing a two-year, $16 million contract during the offseason.

 

But the problems began almost immediately, as Cabrera began the season with a lack of mobility on the basepaths and in left field. Some struggles at the plate would have been understandable, but it was incredibly bizarre to see someone at just 29 years old moving around with so much difficulty.

 

Toronto examined both of Cabrera's legs on multiple occasions but couldn't find a cause. It wasn't until the former All-Star admitted to having back pain that the organization found the benign tumour and was able to have it removed without any complications in early September.

 

The presence of a tumour can never be considered a positive thing, but at least now the Blue Jays have something concrete to point to as being a main reason behind his lack of mobility. The location of the tumor inside of Cabrera's spine created a lot of pressure and ultimately sent waves of pains through his legs.

 

That should now be a thing of the past, and the Blue Jays can realistically hope for a bounce-back season in 2014. There are no guarantees it will happen, but Cabrera is expected to make a full recovery prior to Spring Training, and considering he is set to earn $8 million next season, he will be given every opportunity to win regular playing time.

 

Do you expect the Blue Jays to pick up Adam Lind's option for next season? Or will they look elsewhere for help in the middle of the order?

-- Justin R., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

 

Lind's chances of being back next year seemed remote a couple of months ago, but that has changed in recent weeks. The main reason is that the Blue Jays found the cause behind Cabrera's issues this season, which has opened up another spot in the lineup.

 

The line of thinking back in July was that Cabrera would probably need to shift to designated hitter because of his lack of range in left field. Now that Toronto diagnosed Cabrera's problem, he is once again expected to start in the field, which opens up the DH spot for someone else.

 

It's a position that Lind has been accustomed to for the past few seasons, and there's a realistic shot he could have his $7 million team option picked up for next year. If Toronto did decide to part ways with Lind, it would still cost the club a $2 million buyout, so the difference of $5 million might not be that expensive for a player who just surpassed the 20-homer plateau, while maintaining an average above .270 for most of the year.

[BarrysSyringe]

Do you expect the Blue Jays to pick up Adam Lind's option for next season? Or will they look elsewhere for help in the middle of the order?

-- Justin R., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

 

Lind's chances of being back next year seemed remote a couple of months ago, but that has changed in recent weeks. The main reason is that the Blue Jays found the cause behind Cabrera's issues this season, which has opened up another spot in the lineup.

 

The line of thinking back in July was that Cabrera would probably need to shift to designated hitter because of his lack of range in left field. Now that Toronto diagnosed Cabrera's problem, he is once again expected to start in the field, which opens up the DH spot for someone else.

 

It's a position that Lind has been accustomed to for the past few seasons, and there's a realistic shot he could have his $7 million team option picked up for next year. If Toronto did decide to part ways with Lind, it would still cost the club a $2 million buyout, so the difference of $5 million might not be that expensive for a player who just surpassed the 20-homer plateau, while maintaining an average above .270 for most of the year.

 

Did AA not say that he wants to improve the defence at 1st base? Lind should not be back.

[G-Snarls]

Did AA not say that he wants to improve the defence at 1st base? Lind should not be back.

 

Didn't Edwin play 1B about 70% of the time?

[kcjaysfan]

Didn't Edwin play 1B about 70% of the time?

 

He's played about 55% of his games there this season, which is about 52% of the 1B innings for the team.

[Laika]

Lind is a $5 platoon DH for the Jays next year.

 

If you're filling DH cheaply in free agency, that's basically what you look for anyway.

 

With several bigger needs, might as well just pick up the option.

 

... can't believe I just said that.

[wilko]

Lind is a $5 platoon DH for the Jays next year.

 

If you're filling DH cheaply in free agency, that's basically what you look for anyway.

 

With several bigger needs, might as well just pick up the option.

 

... can't believe I just said that.

 

I bet you tasted throw up?

[The Cats Ass]

I say we keep Lind and sign or trade for someone who can mash leftys. Pair the two of them up for the whole season. You'd pretty much have an elite hitter at DH/1B for the cost of 10mil, when on the open market a player like that would be 20mil.

[G-Snarls]

I say we keep Lind and sign or trade for someone who can mash leftys. Pair the two of them up for the whole season. You'd pretty much have an elite hitter at DH/1B for the cost of 10mil, when on the open market a player like that would be 20mil.

 

Precisely

 

Thumbs up

[G-Snarls]

Paul Konerko 2013 vs LHP:

 

.330/.413/.560 (OPS .974)

 

BA .225 vs RHP

 

Free agent this off season

 

Who wants?? Could you get for 2 years @ 3-4M per?

[The Cats Ass]

Paul Konerko 2013 vs LHP:

 

.330/.413/.560 (OPS .974)

 

BA .225 vs RHP

 

Free agent this off season

 

Who wants?? Could you get for 2 years @ 3-4M per?

 

Konerko would be a good choice. With his and Lind's split stats for the pitchers they would be facing over 600 PA would equal out to be... .305/.384/.915 with 28HR. All for only 10-12 mil. No one can say that would be bad production for that price for DH. How much would a player sign for that would put up that stat line? There is our "Choo bat" at half the price.

[GD]

Free agent this off season

 

He's done after this year lol

[G-Snarls]

He's done after this year lol

 

s***. Announced retirement did he??

[G-Snarls]

Not definite:

 

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/1769995-chicago-white-sox-is-this-the-end-for-paul-konerko

[GD]

I figure he'll retire, but if he doesn't, man that would be interesting.

[flafson]

Is it really worth it though? We forced Oliver out of retirement and he wasn't such a great surprise...

[Ziggyy108]

The problem with Konerko is he can only play first base. Same as Lind. Same as Encarnacion.

[The Cats Ass]

The problem with Konerko is he can only play first base. Same as Lind. Same as Encarnacion.

 

The problem with Ziggy is he doesn't get it... Doesn't know what a platoon is.

[GD]

Is it really worth it though? We forced Oliver out of retirement and he wasn't such a great surprise...

 

Because Darren Oliver is certainly a comparable to Paul Konerko lol

[G-Snarls]

They don't get much more "Vetrin" than Konerko

 

#CitoBall

[G-Snarls]

You'd need 2 pinch runners on the bench to deal with a Lind/Konerko platoon

[kgm1]

I have mixed feelings about Lind. He's worth the money in a vacuum but it would be nice to move Melky to dh instead of him. The Jays should definitely test the waters to see if they can get something decent in return (probably not since Morales is a free agent but it's worth a shot). In all likeliness, the best play will be to keep him and hope Melky is mobile next year. It makes me nervous but there won't be a successful 2014 without a bunch of finger crossing anyways.

 

If Melky can't play the outfield then he is a bench bat or DFA guy

[The Cats Ass]

You'd need 2 pinch runners on the bench to deal with a Lind/Konerko platoon

 

You'd only really need one, for late in the game when they get on base. Gose! Then he goes in for a defensive replacement for Melky.

[G-Snarls]

You'd only really need one, for late in the game when they get on base. Gose! Then he goes in for a defensive replacement for Melky.

 

Yeah, I was fececiously exaggerating.

[G-Snarls]

I do wish our utility IF was speedier though

[GD]

I do wish our utility IF was speedier though

 

Think we should go after that Bonifacio kid on the Royals? I hear he's pretty speedy

[kgm1]

Last year the options were Gomes and Hairiston . Both RHB that would have been great in a platoon with Lind .. This Offseason there will be others but he has to play the outfield or 3rd base .

 

Lind did his job this year and AA will pick up the option . People need to take a look at 1st base /DH and where Lind is OPS wise . Just in and out of the top ten . Ahead of Agon , Fielder etc. People have to be really stupid to think he isn't worth 5 mil . Pretty damn cheap bat considering what is out there . AA needs to fix a lot of problems and Lind,s bat is far far down the list .

[The Cats Ass]

I do wish our utility IF was speedier though

 

Alexi Casilla?

[Angrioter]

Konerko? --- We are talking about who will be the asylum President?

 

Lind is best offensive player than Melky "el cabron"

[jaysblue]

Last year the options were Gomes and Hairiston . Both RHB that would have been great in a platoon with Lind .. This Offseason there will be others but he has to play the outfield or 3rd base .

 

Lind did his job this year and AA will pick up the option . People need to take a look at 1st base /DH and where Lind is OPS wise . Just in and out of the top ten . Ahead of Agon , Fielder etc. People have to be really stupid to think he isn't worth 5 mil . Pretty damn cheap bat considering what is out there . AA needs to fix a lot of problems and Lind,s bat is far far down the list .

 

It's a weak market anyways for 1B this offseason - off the top of my head guys like LaRoche, and Loney are the top options at those positions. I have no problem with the Jays keeping Lind as a 1B/DH. If the Jays could find a platoon partner with him, a right handed bat with pop and who crushes lefties, that would be the most ideal scenario.

[KSaw]

Not all lefties are Lester and Price caliber tho

 

Hilarious thing to say being that he has always hit lefty starters far better than lefty relievers.