ST GDT - Toronto Blue Jays @ Pittsburgh Pirates - Happ vs. Rodriguez - 1:05 PM ET

[Dylan]

LOL @ our so called pitching depth. Can't believe we did nothing this offseason. Can't wait to laugh at the disaster.

 

We better hope for a healthy offense.

[BlueJaysGirl]

LOL @ our so called pitching depth. Can't believe we did nothing this offseason. Can't wait to laugh at the disaster.

 

We better hope for a healthy offense.

 

I think we all, as Blue Jay fans, should follow your example of unfettered optimism.

[G-Snarls]

Wilner and the other guy saying smart things about Happ

 

He should accept a DL stint or minor league assignment. If not he's a selfish POS.

[bendera3]

I'm wondering if a 6 man rotation would be out of the question as it would keep an extra out-of-option pitcher stretched out just in case someone like Morrow goes down with an injury while also giving our glass pitchers like Mac and Morrow an extra day of rest. Just a thought.

[G-Snarls]

I'm wondering if a 6 man rotation would be out of the question as it would keep an extra out-of-option pitcher stretched out just in case someone like Morrow goes down with an injury while also giving our glass pitchers like Mac and Morrow an extra day of rest. Just a thought.

 

The team has every Monday off in April

 

Won't work

[Daniel Labude]

My rotation

 

Dickey

Hutch

Buerhle

McGowan

Morrow

 

Rogers or Redmond in BP as swingman

 

How do I eliminate Happ and keep both Rogers and Redmond? No idea. And f*** you AA for letting this roster mess accumulate.[/Quote]

 

At this point that is clearly our best options.

Edited March 25, 2014 by G-Snarls

[Chappy]

Maybe Janssen to the DL to start the year?

[Cooler Heads Prevail]

The team has every Monday off in April

 

Won't work

 

Plus Dickey wants to pitch every 5th day, meaning they don't even need the 5th guy sometimes. Redmond seems to be a good fit for the "5th guy" in this scenario, the guy seems fine with irregular starts. I'd test McGowan in long relief and see if he can handle the work. I remain doubtful on him but if he puts up 3+ strong innings a few times then maybe they can consider him. Rogers probably blew the job today, no reason to totally give up on him yet, Happ they can risk losing him he's not right since he got beaned.

 

So my vote for 5th starter now is a 1a/1b thing, Redmond/McGowan in that order with ideally 4 or 5 innings from Redmond and 3 or 4 innings from McGowan. Will Gibbons cooperate though and let anyone pitch long relief ? Trotting out 6 relievers every time a starter falters will kill this team second half.

[BlueJaysGirl]

I'm wondering if a 6 man rotation would be out of the question as it would keep an extra out-of-option pitcher stretched out just in case someone like Morrow goes down with an injury while also giving our glass pitchers like Mac and Morrow an extra day of rest. Just a thought.

 

I think I want Hutch, MB, and Dickey going every 5 days.

 

What I'd rather see, is Dickey pitch every 3 starts instead of a 6-man rotation. Old school knucklers could do it. I'm not sure if Dickey could, because he throws in the 80s.

[BlueJaysGirl]

Maybe Janssen to the DL to start the year?

 

95% sure that will happen. He doesn't have the work in. That will give the Jays a better chance to sneak someone through on waivers when they need to demote one of the middling guys they don't want to lose.

[bendera3]

The team has every Monday off in April

 

Won't work

 

Okay. I'm just saying that I feel like we're in a unique situation because we seem to have too many starters who are out of options instead of relievers. I'm trying to think of ways were we keep the starters stretched out for when Mac or Morrow break without having to risk losing one to waivers.

[o2cui2i]

Wilner and the other guy saying smart things about Happ

 

He should accept a DL stint or minor league assignment. If not he's a selfish POS.

 

selfish-POS is Happ's middle name, thought you knew ?

[Chappy]

selfish-POS is Happ's middle name, thought you knew ?

 

Because he wants to pitch in the rotation?

[o2cui2i]

it all started before he got his extension. he kicked up a s*** storm about how he wanted starter money because he is a starter and that he didn't want to be in the pen. I blame AA for giving him the chance to bully his way into a s***** contract, but I blame Happ for being a sack of s*** ever since. he's been horrible but is in denial!

 

like anything else, you dont get better if you dont think you have a problem. Gose is on that boat to nowhere with him.

[JaysFan75]

it all started before he got his extension. he kicked up a s*** storm about how he wanted starter money because he is a starter and that he didn't want to be in the pen. I blame AA for giving him the chance to bully his way into a s***** contract, but I blame Happ for being a sack of s*** ever since. he's been horrible but is in denial!

 

like anything else, you dont get better if you dont think you have a problem. Gose is on that boat to nowhere with him.

 

What are you guys talking about? He had 3 K's and 0 walks in 3 innings.

[saskjayfan]

Because he wants to pitch in the rotation?

 

The only option at this point is McGowan. AA went and watched McGowan today, not happ. That should be telling. McGowan said he felt great after the outing. That's only half the equation. The more important part is how he feels tomorrow. He should bump from 63 up another 15 pitches in 5 days. There's no reason to push it. McGowan starts the home opener and if he has an 85 pitch limit so be it.

[Chappy]

What are you guys talking about? He had 3 K's and 0 walks in 3 innings.

 

This is clearly a case of Happ having bad luck.

[Chappy]

The only option at this point is McGowan. AA went and watched McGowan today, not happ. That should be telling. McGowan said he felt great after the outing. That's only half the equation. The more important part is how he feels tomorrow. He should bump from 63 up another 15 pitches in 5 days. There's no reason to push it. McGowan starts the home opener and if he has an 85 pitch limit so be it.

 

I am fine with this. All Happ had to do was not s*** the bed and the spot was his. At this point go with the 5 best and try to either flip one or two out of option arms.

[flafson]

McGowan's arm or toe will probably fall off tomorrow.

[Chappy]

He might have been lucky to get the K's, who knows. xxFIP would work better here.

 

At this point he is lucky to still be on this team.

[G-Snarls]

Plus Dickey wants to pitch every 5th day, meaning they don't even need the 5th guy sometimes. Redmond seems to be a good fit for the "5th guy" in this scenario, the guy seems fine with irregular starts. I'd test McGowan in long relief and see if he can handle the work. I remain doubtful on him but if he puts up 3+ strong innings a few times then maybe they can consider him. Rogers probably blew the job today, no reason to totally give up on him yet, Happ they can risk losing him he's not right since he got beaned.

 

So my vote for 5th starter now is a 1a/1b thing, Redmond/McGowan in that order with ideally 4 or 5 innings from Redmond and 3 or 4 innings from McGowan. Will Gibbons cooperate though and let anyone pitch long relief ? Trotting out 6 relievers every time a starter falters will kill this team second half.

 

That's one of the reasons a decent "swing" guy can be so helpful. Can give you 4+ innings if a starter flames out early. Can step in and take a start if someone needs to skip a start due to minor non-DL worthy health problems. Redmond and Rogers (to a lesser degree) look good for that job.

[G-Snarls]

Because he wants to pitch in the rotation?

 

No, for sure he should want that

 

He's a selfish POS if he is hurting the team with poor performance, clearly needs to work things out, isn't injured, and won't accept a minor league assignment

 

Edit: I'm not saying I think he'll do this.

Edited March 25, 2014 by G-Snarls

[JaysFan75]

No, for sure he should want that

 

He's a selfish POS if he is hurting the team with poor performance, clearly needs to work things out, isn't injured, and won't accept a minor league assignment

 

Can't they just release him?

[G-Snarls]

Can't they just release him?

 

Yes but then they still have to pay him 5.2 million dollars

 

If someone else signed him (and someone would) Jays would pay the difference in salary he agrees to with them

[JaysFan75]

Yes but then they still have to pay him 5.2 million dollars

 

If someone else signed him (and someone would) Jays would pay the difference in salary he agrees to with them

 

In my view, he's worth more to us on another team then on our team.

[Chappy]

That's one of the reasons a decent "swing" guy can be so helpful. Can give you 4+ innings if a starter flames out early. Can step in and take a start if someone needs to skip a start due to minor non-DL worthy health problems. Redmond and Rogers (to a lesser degree) look good for that job.

 

Looks like we may end up with 3 swing guys in the pen to start the season. At least the good thing is we have guys who can eat a ton of s*** innings allowing our top 5 pen options to work higher leverage innings. Once Janssen returns (assuming he starts the first couple weeks on the DL) then someone will have to go unless another injury occurs in that time.

[G-Snarls]

Looks like we may end up with 3 swing guys in the pen to start the season. At least the good thing is we have guys who can eat a ton of s*** innings allowing our top 5 pen options to work higher leverage innings. Once Janssen returns (assuming he starts the first couple weeks on the DL) then someone will have to go unless another injury occurs in that time.

 

Yeah. I hate it when a guy like Romero, Happ or Morrow blows up in the first 3 innings and Gibby has to use good guys like Cecil and Delabar just to get through the game that's essentially already lost.

[ElNik2013]

Looks like we may end up with 3 swing guys in the pen to start the season. At least the good thing is we have guys who can eat a ton of s*** innings allowing our top 5 pen options to work higher leverage innings. Once Janssen returns (assuming he starts the first couple weeks on the DL) then someone will have to go unless another injury occurs in that time.

 

 

Yep. This is a positive. Let's not forget that Morrow missed most of last year and has looked iffy, granted it's ST, but his shaky command could mean short outings. And let's not forget Hutchison could still go through some growing pains.

[BlueJaysGirl]

I am wagering Happ gets put on DL. He can save a little face, help the org out, etc. etc.

 

What was his velocity, anyone know? He should be around 91-92 mph.