Blue Jays claim Justin Smoak off waivers.

[BTS]

Guys, Smoak is a 28-year old 1B-only bat who has a career 94 wRC+ over 2200+ PA and doesn't even play good defense. He isn't a major league player.

[Dr. Dinger]

Guys, Smoak is a 28-year old 1B-only bat who has a career 94 wRC+ over 2200+ PA and doesn't even play good defense. He isn't a major league player.

 

While this is probably true, I've read anecdotally that a lot of guys who had success as power hitters in the minors have been screwed up at Safeco and Petco because they find that they can't hit it out with their typical approach and then get pull conscious. Moving to a hitter's park and working with a new coach might let him tap into the talent that made him an elite hitting prospect.

 

Probably not, but maybe.

[Laika]

My issue with Smoak is that he never even displayed power in the minors. 31 homers in 1150 PA and an ISO just over .160 is thoroughly sub-par for a 1B prospect, especially a college 1B.

 

So it's not like Safeco f***ed up his power development and his confidence.... Well at least it's not likely. I think he just doesn't have power that plays at first base. The tool isn't there despite the frame.

[GD]

Why? AA trolls us, I troll the board... makes perfect sense. In any case season is over, I could care less.

 

Subtle yet effective.

[kgm1]

While this is probably true, I've read anecdotally that a lot of guys who had success as power hitters in the minors have been screwed up at Safeco and Petco because they find that they can't hit it out with their typical approach and then get pull conscious. Moving to a hitter's park and working with a new coach might let him tap into the talent that made him an elite hitting prospect.

 

Probably not, but maybe.

 

Certainly one of AA,s better waiver claims. I can see Safeco getting in his head and a new hitting coach and playing in the AL east ballparks turning him around . Sure it is a long shot but well worth the 25 k waiver cost.

[Jimcanuck]

Does this signal an active offseason? Sure hope so

 

Smoak seems to be a guy that will benefit from a change in scenery

 

Not a bad move to start off Smoak 1B and EE DH.... if Smoak shits the bed, EE can man 1B and DH by committee

 

Smoak could very well outperform Lind

[jaysblue]

Chris Davis was a forgotten bat when he went to Baltimore for nothing. Don't think Smoak will be as good, though he has the potential to come close to what Davis did in 2012 offensively.

[BTS]

Certainly one of AA,s better waiver claims. I can see Safeco getting in his head and a new hitting coach and playing in the AL east ballparks turning him around . Sure it is a long shot but well worth the 25 k waiver cost.

 

It's more the opportunity cost that concerns me. If they like Smoak as part of their 25-man, that's a roster spot that's not going to be filled by someone better than Smoak. Giving playing time to very probable replacement level talent is a big part of why this team has been bad in the last two seasons. Nothing to worry about yet, but him being on the opening day roster is not a positive thing at all.

[Deadpool]

Reimold redux?

[kgm1]

Chris Davis was a forgotten bat when he went to Baltimore for nothing. Don't think Smoak will be as good, though he has the potential to come close to what Davis did in 2012 offensively.

 

I like the waiver claim but I highly doubt he produces as much as Lind. That said I do think Lind is on his way out of TO and really AA is selling high on Lind if he moves him .

 

Wow Just looked at the #,s on Fangraphs Did not realize he was that bad, only glimmer of hope is his away numbers

[kgm1]

It's more the opportunity cost that concerns me. If they like Smoak as part of their 25-man, that's a roster spot that's not going to be filled by someone better than Smoak. Giving playing time to very probable replacement level talent is a big part of why this team has been bad in the last two seasons. Nothing to worry about yet, but him being on the opening day roster is not a positive thing at all.

 

Liked this claim a lot better before looking at his numbers.

 

Meh ! I'm already prepared for a cost cutting offseason so anything good will be a surprise for me.

[Boxcar]

It's more the opportunity cost that concerns me. If they like Smoak as part of their 25-man, that's a roster spot that's not going to be filled by someone better than Smoak. Giving playing time to very probable replacement level talent is a big part of why this team has been bad in the last two seasons. Nothing to worry about yet, but him being on the opening day roster is not a positive thing at all.

 

Jeeze, I remember when he was Texas' big piece to land Halladay. Yikes.

 

He has a couple of things going for him:

 

- He has a well above average walk rate while having a fairly average k rate

- He already has a couple of seasons with an above average offensive line

- Seattle is notorious for ruining perfectly fine hitters, making a breakout slightly more likely IMO

- He was good in AAA when sent down

 

Obviously I'd prefer that he be minor league depth but I'd be of having him on the 25 man. I could see him becoming a switch hitting Lyle Overbay, which is a fine player.

[Laika]

Whoooooooo Geeeeeeeefs A Faaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwk!

 

Pretty much everyone who is the type of person that makes an account and posts on a Blue Jays message board would geef a fawk.

[Boxcar]

K..........

 

MOUTH!!! meat

[Dick_Pole]

If Lind gets traded it's going to be for a relief pitcher. Demand is very limited for an injury-prone platoon DH even if he can provide good value for that role.

[Dick_Pole]

This post is filled with all sorts of dumb...that's why AA is going to do exactly as you predict.

 

Fixed

[jaysblue]

Jeeze, I remember when he was Texas' big piece to land Halladay. Yikes.

 

He has a couple of things going for him:

 

- He has a well above average walk rate while having a fairly average k rate

- He already has a couple of seasons with an above average offensive line

- Seattle is notorious for ruining perfectly fine hitters, making a breakout slightly more likely IMO

- He was good in AAA when sent down

 

Obviously I'd prefer that he be minor league depth but I'd be of having him on the 25 man. I could see him becoming a switch hitting Lyle Overbay, which is a fine player.

 

Yeah remember how people wanted Brandon Wood and Joe Saunders as the main pieces from the Angels as well lol. I recall if the Jays traded Doc to Texas, everyone wanted a package led by Smoak.

[Caper]

Man I had a dream last night that I was AA's assistant gm.... and he didn't even know who I was. The Seattle Mariners gm called me to try an work out a deal for Adam Lind.... I kept trying to text AA, but didn't know his number.... and I didn't know anything about any of the players being offered..... it was pretty bad actually.

[Angrioter]

Man I had a dream last night that I was AA's assistant gm.... and he didn't even know who I was. The Seattle Mariners gm called me to try an work out a deal for Adam Lind.... I kept trying to text AA, but didn't know his number.... and I didn't know anything about any of the players being offered..... it was pretty bad actually.

 

Are you hungry or something?

 

Smoak is a Corvette with a lawn mower engine.

[reedjohnsonfan]

This guy reminds me of Casey Kotchman. Big prospect who looked like he could turn into a huge power hitter because he was a big 1B with some plate discipline. Hopefully a pass.

[xposbrad]

Man I had a dream last night that I was AA's assistant gm.... and he didn't even know who I was. The Seattle Mariners gm called me to try an work out a deal for Adam Lind.... I kept trying to text AA, but didn't know his number.... and I didn't know anything about any of the players being offered..... it was pretty bad actually.

 

There better have been girls in bikinis or something somewhere in that dream.

[TheHurl]

The positive news is that he still tore apart the ball in the PCL last year, and, over the last 3 years he was in Seattle, he has passable numbers on the road.

The bad is that he's a below average defensive 1B and can't run at all. Essentially he can thrive in one scenario...the one where he is seeing mostly fastballs. So it's Juan Francisco with less defensive value, in a position of less need.

[Deadpool]

The positive news is that he still tore apart the ball in the PCL last year, and, over the last 3 years he was in Seattle, he has passable numbers on the road.

The bad is that he's a below average defensive 1B and can't run at all. Essentially he can thrive in one scenario...the one where he is seeing mostly fastballs. So it's Juan Francisco with less defensive value, in a position of less need.

 

If Smoak has even a modicum of plate discipline I don't really see the Francisco comp. At least he can work himself into fastball counts...

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

He has a higher fpct then Lind and played in probably more games in the last two as Lind has in the last three at the mlb level.

 

I would think he would be a upgrade over Francisco defensively as well too as he looks like he can touch his toes or at least see em!

[Angrioter]

He has a higher fpct then Lind and played in probably more games in the last two as Lind has in the last three at the mlb level.

 

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/250x250/54964823.jpg

[Maine Jays]

Question is what could we get for Lind?

If V-Mart leaves Detroit, maybe Devon Travis?

Don't know if the Brewers would part with Kris Davis or if they have any middle infield prospects.

[Angrioter]

Question is what could we get for Lind?

If V-Mart leaves Detroit, maybe Devon Travis?

Don't know if the Brewers would part with Kris Davis or if they have any middle infield prospects.

 

HARDTHROWER RELIVA!!

Maybe Tony Watson, Justin Wilson or John Holdzkom

[Angrioter]

@BKennedyStar

"Justin Smoak says in conf call that #bluejays suggested to him they won't pick up his 2015 option & will likely renegotiate or go to arb."

[Terminator]

So it's Juan Francisco with less defensive value, in a position of less need.

 

Agreed. I'd rather have Francisco.

[jaysblue]

http://www.nasorb.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Justin-Smoak-Fat-Ryan-Gosling1.jpg