Blue Jays talking to Brook Jacoby for hitting coach spot

[Angrioter]

Signing the likes of Pablo Sandoval or Russell Martin would represent a major shift from how the Blue Jays have approached the free agent market in recent years, FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi writes. Under Alex Anthopoulos, the Jays have signed only three free agents to multiyear contracts, none longer than three years (for Maicer Izturis) and none for more than $16MM (for Melky Cabrera). The Jays’ stated internal policy of not offering contracts longer than five years could play a role, though they’d almost certainly have to top that mark to sign Sandoval, who reportedly wants a six-year deal.

 

With Cabrera’s status still up in the air, Anthopoulos is doing his due diligence on possible replacements within Toronto’s lineup, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi reports. “We’ve thought about alternatives, you have to think about alternatives all the time for any position. I can’t speak for Melky specifically other than we’d like to have him back,” Anthopoulos said. “We may have a good sense right now of what the likelihood is of signing him or not signing him, but I’m sensitive to not talking about someone else’s free agency, and not divulging negotiations or things like that….That’s not to say we don’t want it to happen with Melky, but we’re also being real with this. There’s a good chance he doesn’t come back, we just don’t know.”

 

Also from Davidi, the Blue Jays are one of the 20 teams on Cole Hamels‘ no-trade list. The Red Sox are also known to be on Hamels’ block list, while the Cubs are not.

 

If the Jays can’t land Martin, Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun speculates that the club could pursue Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, “who is available” following a .220/.320/.362 performance over 435 PA in 2014. Saltalamacchia just signed a three-year, $21MM free agent deal with Miami last winter, though obviously it wouldn’t be the first time the Marlins have looked to deal a recent high-profile signing. I’m not sure I see Saltalamacchia as a fit for the Jays, as he costs a lot more than incumbent catcher Dioner Navarro but arguably isn’t an upgrade.

 

The Jays are talking to Brook Jacoby about becoming the club’s new hitting coach, Elliott reports. Jacoby is an assistant hitting coordinator for the Rangers and previously spent seven years as the Reds’ hitting coach.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/blue-jays-notes-melky-hamels-salty.html

[jaysfan2014]

Hopefully Jacoby can teach the Jays hitters to be more consistent..

[Dick_Pole]

I love it man...by the time the Jays have finally settled on a hitting coach, they'll have gone through my entire 1991 Topps Baseball Card collection....Seitzer, Jacoby...all these names from memory lane.

[Deadpool]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/blue-jays-notes-melky-hamels-salty.html

 

I know nothing about this person or his hitting philosophy... Hopefully he doesn't suck!

 

Also, how's Salty defensively these days? Framing? He's not an upgrade with the bat, but he has to be an upgrade behind the plate, no?

[KingKat]

I know nothing about this person or his hitting philosophy... Hopefully he doesn't suck!

 

Also, how's Salty defensively these days? Framing? He's not an upgrade with the bat, but he has to be an upgrade behind the plate, no?

 

IIRC, he's a negative fielder and framer.

[Angrioter]

IIRC, he's a negative fielder and framer.

 

and crappy hair style

[RealAccountant]

AA, the man without a plan.

[jayswin11]

AA, the man without a plan.

 

Have to agree

[Atothe]

Lol at Salty.

 

I'm glad you pointed it out, I was beginning to think everyone was ignoring the elephant in the room

[Jim_Ackers_balls]

Why don't' they re-hire the 'Sarge,' Gary Mathews Sr.? Didn't he help produce the highest batting average in team history?

[TheHurl]

I know nothing about this person or his hitting philosophy... Hopefully he doesn't suck!

 

was the hitting coach in Cincy from 2007 to 2012, where they were pretty much exactly league average in runs scored. They tried to fire him several times but Dusty Baker refused to do it.

[shortstop]

AA, the man without a plan.

 

Agreed - but he can salvage a lot with good signings ie Martin & IMO Aoki to balance out the lineup, improve defensively & thus plug some holes while bringing in winners & character guys.

[Angrioter]

Jacoby: "I'm big on working the middle of the field, I'm big on situational hitting. Those are some big cards in my deck.