This team is actually pretty good

[Terminator]

Not sure where else to post this but AA's solution to a Lind platoon partner is staring him right in the face in the form of Erik Kratz. He should be on the big league team, even if it means having 3 Catchers. Heck, when facing a lefty instead of having Kratz DH just have him catch and move Navarro to DH. Kratz is better defensively and it will give Navarro some needed rest. He's also played some 1B so perhaps in a jam he could do it again. Same for Thole.

 

C/DH/1B- Kratz

C- Thole

INF- Tolleson

INF- Getz

 

I'd swap Getz (keep Tolleson bc his splits against lefties are pretty solid) for Gose and then you are looking at a somewhat serviceable bench.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Neither Cone nor Henderson were even good here though. Had they not made the Cone trade they probably still have a WS, and Jeff Kent long-term.

 

It was a bad trade because Kent turned into a fantastic player but it's a huge stretch to say Cone didn't pitch well here.

[Chappy]

Not sure where else to post this but AA's solution to a Lind platoon partner is staring him right in the face in the form of Erik Kratz. He should be on the big league team, even if it means having 3 Catchers. Heck, when facing a lefty instead of having Kratz DH just have him catch and move Navarro to DH. Kratz is better defensively and it will give Navarro some needed rest. He's also played some 1B so perhaps in a jam he could do it again. Same for Thole.

 

C/DH/1B- Kratz

C- Thole

INF- Tolleson

INF- Getz

 

I'd swap Getz (keep Tolleson bc his splits against lefties are pretty solid) for Gose and then you are looking at a somewhat serviceable bench.

 

Where does Francisco fit in? He has likely guaranteed himself a spot for the first half now in AA's mind. They brought it up on the broadcast to DL Navarro when Lind comes back since he clearly isn't 100% and it seems likely IMO. I think we will now see a revolving door of DL stints for even the most minor injuries just so AA doesn't have to let anyone go.

[reedjohnsonfan]

Where does Francisco fit in? He has likely guaranteed himself a spot for the first half now in AA's mind. They brought it up on the broadcast to DL Navarro when Lind comes back since he clearly isn't 100% and it seems likely IMO. I think we will now see a revolving door of DL stints for even the most minor injuries just so AA doesn't have to let anyone go.

 

Francisco will probably stick for a while. It looks like Kratz will be the odd man out. If only Dickey didn't need his personal catcher then Thole could be optioned.

[kgm1]

Not sure where else to post this but AA's solution to a Lind platoon partner is staring him right in the face in the form of Erik Kratz. He should be on the big league team, even if it means having 3 Catchers. Heck, when facing a lefty instead of having Kratz DH just have him catch and move Navarro to DH. Kratz is better defensively and it will give Navarro some needed rest. He's also played some 1B so perhaps in a jam he could do it again. Same for Thole.

 

C/DH/1B- Kratz

C- Thole

INF- Tolleson

INF- Getz

 

I'd swap Getz (keep Tolleson bc his splits against lefties are pretty solid) for Gose and then you are looking at a somewhat serviceable bench.

 

I love Kratz on the roster mostly because Navarro is a disaster behind the plate. Like his bat but defensively he sucks. If they can talk Lawrie into playing 2nd against righty pitching then let Francisco platoon with Tolleson you would only have 1 replacement level player in the lineup against lefties.

[kgm1]

Francisco will probably stick for a while. It looks like Kratz will be the odd man out. If only Dickey didn't need his personal catcher then Thole could be optioned.

 

Thole has played pretty well and Navvaro sucks defensively

[reedjohnsonfan]

I love Kratz on the roster mostly because Navarro is a disaster behind the plate. Like his bat but defensively he sucks. If they can talk Lawrie into playing 2nd against righty pitching then let Francisco platoon with Tolleson you would only have 1 replacement level player in the lineup against lefties.

 

Doesn't Kratz historically have worse numbers vs lefties? He's an ok guy to have around but who is he going to replace? You can't carry 3 catchers IMO.

[GD]

Doesn't Kratz historically have worse numbers vs lefties? He's an ok guy to have around but who is he going to replace? You can't carry 3 catchers IMO.

 

That's unregressed though. And a 436 PA isn't a huge sample.

[reedjohnsonfan]

That's unregressed though. And a 436 PA isn't a huge sample.

 

True, but you want to keep him on the roster, sacrificing an addition infielder for a platoon bat who's not necessarily going to rake vs LHP?

[kgm1]

Doesn't Kratz historically have worse numbers vs lefties? He's an ok guy to have around but who is he going to replace? You can't carry 3 catchers IMO.

 

With this pitching staff I want defense behind the plate. Jays have enough offense especially once Reyes gets going. Navarro has cost us 1 game for sure and possibly more IMO. Good bat but too fat and lazy to play decent defense. Maybe he will work himself into shape if he gets the hint that his play isn't cutting it.

[GD]

True, but you want to keep him on the roster, sacrificing an addition infielder for a platoon bat who's not necessarily going to rake vs LHP?

 

His receiving makes him the best catcher on the roster imo.

[reedjohnsonfan]

His receiving makes him the best catcher on the roster imo.

 

Overall Navarro is better and I don't think that's really up for debate. Kratz is a nice player to have on the bench, but doesn't fit on the roster at the moment. If you're going to say his receiving makes him the best catcher then you probably are buying into the hype that pitch framing is a huge deal.

[S33n]

Where does Francisco fit in? He has likely guaranteed himself a spot for the first half now in AA's mind. They brought it up on the broadcast to DL Navarro when Lind comes back since he clearly isn't 100% and it seems likely IMO. I think we will now see a revolving door of DL stints for even the most minor injuries just so AA doesn't have to let anyone go.

 

 

Unfortunately during the post game presser, Gibby was asked if Navarro was "close to a stint on the DL" and his reaction was as if he was asked the dumbest question ever. "NAhhh, no way, not even close".

[GD]

Overall Navarro is better and I don't think that's really up for debate. Kratz is a nice player to have on the bench, but doesn't fit on the roster at the moment. If you're going to say his receiving makes him the best catcher then you probably are buying into the hype that pitch framing is a huge deal.

 

It is a huge deal. Why wouldn't it be? A win is a win.

[reedjohnsonfan]

Unfortunately during the post game presser, Gibby was asked if Navarro was "close to a stint on the DL" and his reaction was as if he was asked the dumbest question ever. "NAhhh, no way, not even close".

 

He's probably fine but just a bit lazy when he feels any discomfort. At least he's a lot better than JPA.

[kgm1]

Starting to feel better about this team. The Starters are going longer (except Happ) BP with rest should sort itself out especially with casey back soon. Hitters all seem to be heating up (except Reyes which will come ) and the bench is stronger and with Gose getting on base the depth at AAA seems deeper than I thought. Stroman being ready and Nolin and Hendricks pitching well along with Morrow possibly coming back adds huge depth.

 

Add to that the injury God is hitting the competition hard. Tampa down Moore and Cobb, Yankees losing Nova and Pineda, O's with Weiters issues and Boston still not replacing Drew and Ellsbury. Suddenly the odds are much better

[reedjohnsonfan]

It is a huge deal. Why wouldn't it be? A win is a win.

 

It really depends. I'm not an expert on how you calculate pitch framing, but from what I've heard it seems to be pretty volatile from year to year. Maybe his defence is good, but I'm not buying into Kratz's bat. He's got some pop but there's holes there that will produce long slumps IMO.

 

He made some nice adjustments late as Zaun pointed out, but I would be quick to point out that he was outclassed more than the other hitters in prior at bats.

[kgm1]

He's probably fine but just a bit lazy when he feels any discomfort. At least he's a lot better than JPA.

 

Tampa and LA got rid of him because he got FAT and LAZY and his defense suffered. Kratz is a huge upgrade defensively.

[guylaroche5]

mcgowan + happ back to back vs the angels is scaring me..... gotta capitalize tomorrow

[reedjohnsonfan]

mcgowan + happ back to back vs the angels is scaring me..... gotta capitalize tomorrow

 

Ya. It's a shame Santiago is pitching tonight. Would've been fun to see the Jays tee off on him.

[ElNik2013]

The Jays won't bench their big FA signing in favour of Kratz, take it to the bank. Now every one likes Thole because he's hitting over .300 in his few AB's.

 

Navarro actually "outframed" Ruiz tonight if you paid attention to the game. Buehrle got some calls that Lee didn't. Umps are idiots, it is what it is.

 

Not saying Navarro is this great catcher, but he's not the terrible catcher some are making him out to be. Buehrle and Hutchison have been fine with Navarro catching them.

 

Anyway...

[ElNik2013]

Ya. It's a shame Santiago is pitching tonight. Would've been fun to see the Jays tee off on him.

 

 

This means Santiago will pitch on Monday against the Jays since it's a 4-game series.

[reedjohnsonfan]

This means Santiago will pitch on Monday against the Jays since it's a 4-game series.

 

Forgot about that. Thanks. Should be an easy win. Santiago brings some strikeout stuff but has shown he should be a reliever so far.

[ElNik2013]

Forgot about that. Thanks. Should be an easy win. Santiago brings some strikeout stuff but has shown he should be a reliever so far.

 

 

If they lose that game, we know who to blame.

[flafson]

His receiving makes him the best catcher on the roster imo.

 

He always screws up the low balls though, time after time we don't get the low balls called strikes. Whenever it's low and not exactly where he wanted it, he drops his glove and the umpire calls it a ball even though the pitch tracker called it a strike. Happens quite a bit.

[Terminator]

Where does Francisco fit in? He has likely guaranteed himself a spot for the first half now in AA's mind. They brought it up on the broadcast to DL Navarro when Lind comes back since he clearly isn't 100% and it seems likely IMO. I think we will now see a revolving door of DL stints for even the most minor injuries just so AA doesn't have to let anyone go.

 

I'd start Francisco at 3B and Lawrie at 2B. I feel that Francisco has a chance to post a 2-3 WAR season whereas whatever shitbag 2B AA wants to call up (whether it be Tolleson/Getz/Kawasaki/Diaz/Goins/etc.) is replacement value at best. This plan also kind of hinges on Lawrie being able to play 2B acceptably, something I'm not entirely sold on.

 

It's not ideal at all, but this roster has a gaping hole and I think it's the best way to fix it.

[crmr]

In this case it's them making him look good by being excellent locators. This is accounted for in BP's framing data. Buehrle is way easy to frame than say Loup.

 

Is there a place where I can find in season updated framing? Interested to see how everyone is looking in relation to last year

[crmr]

Is there a place where I can find in season updated framing? Interested to see how everyone is looking in relation to last year

 

For anyone interested, a nice write-up

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23503

[shortstop]

I'd start Francisco at 3B and Lawrie at 2B. I feel that Francisco has a chance to post a 2-3 WAR season whereas whatever shitbag 2B AA wants to call up (whether it be Tolleson/Getz/Kawasaki/Diaz/Goins/etc.) is replacement value at best. This plan also kind of hinges on Lawrie being able to play 2B acceptably, something I'm not entirely sold on.

 

It's not ideal at all, but this roster has a gaping hole and I think it's the best way to fix it.

 

 

with Francisco in the lineup and Lind back, and assuming Francisco remains consistent, this lineup would likely be one of the best 1 through 9.

 

Hopefully Lawrie is ok with playing 2nd against right handers to get Francisco in the lineup...problem with that is Lawrie would essentially be playing 2nd most of the time...could switch back to 3rd post 7th/8th inning taking Francisco out & moving backup utility guy to 2nd for defensive purposes.

 

Issue of course is what will be the impact on defense with Francisco at 3rd...

 

My sense is when Lind comes back, Francisco takes to the bench but Gibby will try to get him as many at bats as possible with Lawrie shifting over to 2nd or Lawrie having a day off...

[Smedley Butler]

.500 team back up to .500? Time to get our hopes up boys and girls!

 

Lolo