GDT (3/3): Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays - Archer vs. Hutchison - 1:07 PM ET

[BTS]

It's really difficult to see the team competing in all honesty.

 

It really is.

[CJ-Freeway]

With the Sox adding Cespedes and Castillo, and with us probably not adding a decent starter or 2B (based on the FO not doing s*** for the past year), I predict a very hard 2015. Sigh.

[Abomination]

I really disagree with your assessment with where the team is. You go into the season with the status quo rotation, a Pillar/Gose CF platoon, and Tolleson/Kawasaki at 2B you're probably looking at another sub-85 win "contention" season.

 

Wins need to be added. Real wins. scratching and clawing to get 1-2 wins out of multiple positions isn't going to cut it.

 

I'm saying Maicer / Kawasaki at 2B actually. I WOULD like to upgrade that, but I'm not sure it's as critical as other areas.

 

As for the SP, we are ranked 13th in WAR from our starters with additional help on the way sooner rather than later (and expected improvement from Hutch). If we can get a true staff ace, then fine. Otherwise, I'm not sure we can reasonably expect anyone who comes in to be an improvement over what we have.

 

At catcher there IS a perfect solution on the FA list: Russell Martin. Resigning Melky fixes LF, although if that falls through or costs too much Aoki could be interesting and probably wouldn't cost a ton. There's nothing obvious at 2b, but Headley at 3rd (coming off a poor offensive season that might make his salary reasonable) and moving Lawrie to second would work. I guess it all depends on cost and payroll.

 

For me though, addressing LF and C are the biggest issues. I don't see CF or 2B as quite as large a problem (again assuming Maicer comes back okay). Heck, Gose has put up 1.2 WAR this year in 205 PA. Extend that to 400 PA (probably the platoon limit) and we should be just fine in CF.

[GD]

Yeah, we don't need more depth guys.

 

I was gonna suggest Martin but I didn't know if he was an FA or not. What'll he command? Probably a fair bit. Perfect fit though. Making efficient signings like Aoki and Martin could go a long way but I still don't know if it's enough.

[BTS]

I'm saying Maicer / Kawasaki at 2B actually. I WOULD like to upgrade that, but I'm not sure it's as critical as other areas.

 

As for the SP, we are ranked 13th in WAR from our starters with additional help on the way sooner rather than later (and expected improvement from Hutch). If we can get a true staff ace, then fine. Otherwise, I'm not sure we can reasonably expect anyone who comes in to be an improvement over what we have.

 

At catcher there IS a perfect solution on the FA list: Russell Martin. Resigning Melky fixes LF, although if that falls through or costs too much Aoki could be interesting and probably wouldn't cost a ton. There's nothing obvious at 2b, but Headley at 3rd (coming off a poor offensive season that might make his salary reasonable) and moving Lawrie to second would work. I guess it all depends on cost and payroll.

 

For me though, addressing LF and C are the biggest issues. I don't see CF or 2B as quite as large a problem (again assuming Maicer comes back okay). Heck, Gose has put up 1.2 WAR this year in 205 PA. Extend that to 400 PA (probably the platoon limit) and we should be just fine in CF.

 

I think I just don't buy into the internal 2B guys (Maicer, Kawasaki, Goins, Tolleson) being reliable over a full season. Maicer is 34 in September, has maybe an 80 wRC+ true talent bat, and has graded as about an average 2B defender in his career, so we can probably expect him to be below-average going forward. Kawasaki is basically the same player, but from the left side. I see 2B as a huge hole.

 

Gose is intriguing, but I'm not really buying the 23 UZR/150 this year. Love him as a 4th OF, but an 80 wRC+ is going to make it very difficult for him to be a league average contributor overall.

 

I agree re: Martin. He would be perfect.

[GD]

If you guys are interested, I assembled a leaderboard of anyone who could even be considered remotely available via trade.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=945,1937,8709,718,8844,9015,126,2203,1837,1437,4054,225,512,7399,950,8155,375,1797,1534,6329,9272,4400,773,319,1118,4062,7287,6012,729,4720,4940,1841,3353,6230,6986,3815,1636,4604,7775,3390,9417,4316,2886,5975,3395,1514,2170,6274,5133,10586,2090,971,7620,2579,4089,6201,8280,7331,8258,9328,5032,7624,6876,3531,454,1679,4969,211,3917,4138,4298,5960,7293,7435,4949,639,9810,1965,7462,3364,9434,7531,12555,7872,10197

 

2B: Utley, Murphy, Zobrist, Dozier

OF: Smith, Stubbs, Byrd, Cuddyer, Trumbo?, Fowler?

C: Ruiz, Montero

[BTS]

Demond Jennings plz.

[GD]

Trade for Betts.

 

With what assets lol

[BTS]

With what assets lol

 

I wonder what Boston would move for Bautista. His value is just going to keep declining until his contract expires. Something like Betts + Cespedes + Owens would be a bit interesting.

[GD]

I wonder what Boston would move for Bautista. His value is just going to keep declining until his contract expires. Something like Betts + Cespedes + Owens would be a bit interesting.

 

That's certainly interesting. I dunno if they'd go for that honestly.

[Abomination]

Trade for Betts.

 

Yeah, he's blocked right now pretty good. There could be something there. As much as I don't want to deplete our SP depth now that we're starting to actually get some, Nolin might be a chip we could use in the right deal. I have to wonder if the Red Sox are ready to give up on Middlebrooks yet too? He rakes vs lefties, just can't hit righties.

[jaysfan2014]

With the Sox adding Cespedes and Castillo, and with us probably not adding a decent starter or 2B (based on the FO not doing s*** for the past year), I predict a very hard 2015. Sigh.

 

No guarantees. We haven't reached the offseason yet. And Boston also needs a number of players to rebound if they're even going to contend in 2015. Cespedes and Castillo can't do it alone, nor can whatever they add in a free agent starting pitcher, if they add any. Especially looking at David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia.. unless they rebound, Boston is still a ways away from being a contender again.

 

As for the Jays.. we need to resign Cabrera(or find a LF equivalent), get a 2B, and maybe another starter..

[BTS]

Red Sox have the prospects to acquire Bautista. Conversation has to start with Betts, though.

 

As much sense as it makes, I really can't see a deal like that happening. I don't think AA will be throwing the towel in.

 

It's actually kind of a perfect fit in that they have Cespedes, who would be expendable with Bautista + Victorino + Craig + JBJ in the fold. He'd allow the team to still compete this year, while cashing out on Bautista to acquire Betts + someone else.

[jaysfan2014]

Red Sox have the prospects to acquire Bautista. Conversation has to start with Betts, though.

 

As much sense as it makes, I really can't see a deal like that happening. I don't think AA will be throwing the towel in.

 

And the Jays would hang up the phone. Boston doesn't have the equivalent of Bautista in their system to make a trade. Plus, Jays won't trade in the AL East.. it's common sense not to trade within division.

[abola2121]

Trade JB back to Pittsburgh.

 

Pirates get: Jose Bautista/fillers

 

Jays get: Josh Bell/Alen Hanson/JaCoby Jones

[nextyear]

I was at the game this afternoon behind home plate in section 123L. It was an exciting game, however once again the Blue Jays couldn't come through when it matters, this time in the 10th.

 

This is my first time posting. So I just wanted to state a few impressions that I had from today and the past couple of months:

1) I think more than any other player, Juan Francisco has killed the Jays the past 2 months with all his strikeouts and lackluster defence (he plays like a tree at 3rd plate - on each play he seems to be firmly planted in one spot)

2) Players repeatedly make selfish moves to hurt the team and lose games - today Jose Bautista had to save face by childishly arguing with the umpire instead of accepting the strikeout in the 7th (being thrown out probably cost the Blue Jays the game).

3) The Blue Jays pitching looks good to me but the pitching can't seem to overcome the Jays' poor defence. I think the Blue Jays would have better pitching stats and more wins if they had kept Anthony Gose and Ryan Goins on the roster and unloaded Juan Francisco.

[jaysfan2014]

It's actually kind of a perfect fit in that they have Cespedes, who would be expendable with Bautista + Victorino + Craig + JBJ in the fold. He'd allow the team to still compete this year, while cashing out on Bautista to acquire Betts + someone else.

 

AL East team = NO. It's not smart to trade in division. And Bautista is more likely to stay with the Jays than be traded to Boston.

[jaysfan2014]

Trade JB back to Pittsburgh.

 

Pirates get: Jose Bautista/fillers

 

Jays get: Josh Bell/Alen Hanson/JaCoby Jones

 

Pittsburgh doesn't have the funds to take Bautista's contract, plus already have Marte/McCutchen/Polanco/Snider in their OF.

[GD]

Bell for Bau = grooooooooooooooooooooooss

[BTS]

Trade JB back to Pittsburgh.

 

Pirates get: Jose Bautista/fillers

 

Jays get: Josh Bell/Alen Hanson/JaCoby Jones

 

ewww

[havok24]

Trade JB back to Pittsburgh.

 

Pirates get: Jose Bautista/fillers

 

Jays get: Josh Bell/Alen Hanson/JaCoby Jones

 

 

That's awful.

[havok24]

And the Jays would hang up the phone. Boston doesn't have the equivalent of Bautista in their system to make a trade. Plus, Jays won't trade in the AL East.. it's common sense not to trade within division.

 

You're a moron.

[Atothe]

I wonder what Boston would move for Bautista. His value is just going to keep declining until his contract expires. Something like Betts + Cespedes + Owens would be a bit interesting.

 

Why would they give up Owens, he's pretty much their best pitcher. Would love that trade though

[GD]

Why would they give up Owens, he's pretty much their best pitcher. Would love that trade though

 

pitchers

[Atothe]

Trade JB back to Pittsburgh.

 

Pirates get: Jose Bautista/fillers

 

Jays get: Josh Bell/Alen Hanson/JaCoby Jones

 

Would stop watching until Alex is fired if that ever happened

[Atothe]

Bautista to Pirates requires Glasnow and Meadows

[GD]

groooooooosssss

[Atothe]

groooooooosssss

 

you're not getting Polanco

[GD]

you're not getting Polanco

 

glasnow + meadows doesn't really do much for us

[Atothe]

glasnow + meadows doesn't really do much for us

 

Glasnow doesn't anything for you? Dude is talented as hell