Your 1 to 5 batting order

[JFD]

I don't think Melky is the right way to spend money anymore. Needs to go towards pitching

 

we need both. if we dont get Melky we need a lefty replacement bat.

[saskjayfan]

we need both. if we dont get Melky we need a lefty replacement bat.

 

I would resign melky if the price was right...but I'm interested to see what Dirks can do if anything.

[Jimcanuck]

we need both. if we dont get Melky we need a lefty replacement bat.

 

Yes, but not critical. As things stand the lineup can be 5 righties, 3 switchhitters, and a platoon.

[S33n]

I really can't see Martin batting 2nd with Donaldson in the fold... Donaldson has as much power as Edwin, and maybe as much as Bautista...

 

I think

 

Reyes

Donaldson/Bautista

Bautista/Donaldson

Edwin

Martin

 

Martin is great, but he's not a top 4 hitter in this lineup anymore...

 

I don't think he has quite that much power, does he? I know Oaklands stadium is big but I'm not sure. I'd also argue that EE has more power than Bau.

[S33n]

http://i.imgur.com/hbHlCu6.jpg

 

It made my lap tingle a bit.

[JTech780]

As it stands right now:

 

Reyes

Martin

Bautista

Encarnacion

Donaldson

 

But I also like

 

Reyes

Bautista

Encarnacion

Donaldson

Martin

 

Donaldson brings a lot of protection to Bautista and EE.

 

The more I think about it, I would be in favor of signing Markakis to play LF, and slot him in the 2 spot. He's another character guy along the lines of Martin and Donaldson.

[Atothe]

I wouldn't bother giving Melky Cabrera a 2 year deal now. His market isn't very big. Teams put an emphasis on defense now more then ever

[Jimcanuck]

I wouldn't bother giving Melky Cabrera a 2 year deal now. His market isn't very big. Teams put an emphasis on defense now more then ever

 

Exactamundo

 

As it is, the Jays do not need Melky's 1-dimensional play. A strong defense, average bat in LF is better for the Jays at this point. Plenty of cheap options for this that allows money to go to pitching.

[ineedsheet]

vs. lefties

ss- reyes

rf- jose

3b- donaldson

dh- EE

1b- valencia

c- martin

cf- pillar

lf- mayberry

2b- tolleson

 

vs righties

ss-reyes

c-martin

lf-jose

dh-EE

3b-donaldson

lf-dirks

cf-pompey

1b-smoak

2b-izturis

 

--

 

biggest hole is in LF imo

[Ultimate]

vs. lefties

ss- reyes

rf- jose

3b- donaldson

dh- EE

1b- valencia

c- martin

cf- pillar

lf- mayberry

2b- tolleson

 

vs righties

ss-reyes

c-martin

lf-jose

dh-EE

3b-donaldson

lf-dirks

cf-pompey

1b-smoak

2b-izturis

 

--

 

biggest hole is in LF imo

 

So you want to have 2 left fielders against righties?

[labadee]

What does FAPFAP mean?

 

you must be new to the internet

 

edit: that was a bit rude of me. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fap

[labadee]

So you want to have 2 left fielders against righties?

 

pompey will cover CF and RF. no prob

[burlingtonbandit]

vs. lefties

ss- reyes

rf- jose

3b- donaldson

dh- EE

1b- valencia

c- martin

cf- pillar

lf- mayberry

2b- tolleson

 

vs righties

ss-reyes

c-martin

lf-jose

dh-EE

3b-donaldson

lf-dirks

cf-pompey

1b-smoak

2b-izturis

 

--

 

biggest hole is in LF imo

 

I dunno 2B looks like horseshit. Tolleson and Izturis platoon is just garbage. It would be worse than last year.

[Spoonovic]

I dunno 2B looks like horseshit. Tolleson and Izturis platoon is just garbage. It would be worse than last year.

 

I think we could do a lot worse than that. Plus that platoon would only be until Devon Travis is called up.

[nutz003]

Now:

1)Reyes

2)Martin

3)Bautista

4)Donaldson

5)Encarnacion

 

If They Sign Cabrera

1)Reyes

2)Cabrera

3)Bautista

4)Donaldson

5)Martin

6)Encarnacion

[burlingtonbandit]

I think we could do a lot worse than that. Plus that platoon would only be until Devon Travis is called up.

 

Tolleson is terrible and should not be in the big leagues. He had a lucky month to start the season and regressed back to normal. He is a below average hitter vs LHP and cannot hit RHP whatsoever. Izturis cost the team 2 wins in 2013 and has gotten 2 years older with a major knee surgery since then. Not sure how you can do worse than that.

 

As it stands now I'd give Travis the job but I want someone more reliable than a guy who has never played above AA. Having a decent 2B option can be the difference of a division title or no playoffs for the 22 straight year.

[43211234]

I agree that 2B is a much bigger hole than LF. I'd love Jed Lowrie. Can spell Reyes at SS once or twice a week or if Reyes gets injured. He's a very good fit.

[Mikeleelop]

",,

Tolleson is terrible and should not be in the big leagues. He had a lucky month to start the season and regressed back to normal. He is a below average hitter vs LHP and cannot hit RHP whatsoever. Izturis cost the team 2 wins in 2013 and has gotten 2 years older with a major knee surgery since then. Not sure how you can do worse than that.

 

As it stands now I'd give Travis the job but I want someone more reliable than a guy who has never played above AA. Having a decent 2B option can be the difference of a division title or no playoffs for the 22 straight year.

 

The facts here are correct

 

Tolleson and mactier are defensive liabilities. I don't think either should be on the roster going forward. They don't hit enough to justify their abysmal defence.

 

At least goins provides above average defence to go with his putrid hitting

[Mikeleelop]

vs. lefties

ss- reyes

rf- jose

3b- donaldson

dh- EE

1b- valencia

c- martin

cf- pillar

lf- mayberry

2b- tolleson

 

vs righties

ss-reyes

c-martin

lf-jose

dh-EE

3b-donaldson

lf-dirks

cf-pompey

1b-smoak

2b-izturis

 

--

 

biggest hole is in LF imo

 

So four platoons? Pompey will not platoon w pillar.

 

And no Navarro?

What about the knuckleball lineup?.

[Dick_Pole]

",,

 

The facts here are correct

 

Tolleson and mactier are defensive liabilities. I don't think either should be on the roster going forward. They don't hit enough to justify their abysmal defence.

 

At least goins provides above average defence to go with his putrid hitting

 

I've been one of the bigger proponents of MIF upgrades on this board for the last two years. But given the offensive upgrade and reduced injury risk involved with adding Donaldson and Martin I can at least live with the idea that scrubs will take over 2B out of the spring.

 

My ideal scenario would be that the Jays get a legit MIF, Goins takes over Tolleson's role of late inning defense and is limited to 100-150 PA all year. The more useful of the two out of Izturis and Kawasaki stays to back up Reyes with the other guy DFA or MiLB depth and Tolleson gone.

 

The lucky scenario out of that is that Travis turns into that legit 2B.

 

The most likely scenario if no upgrades are found is that Izturis and Goins share the role and Travis comes on late in the year and the team wraps up Reyes in bubble wrap the entire season and hope he doesn't get hurt.

[BlueRocky]

pompey will cover CF and RF. no prob

 

You're underestimating him. Pompey will cover the entire outfield by himself.

Joey will hover around 2B incase whoever plays there needs instructions

 

 

Tolleson is terrible and should not be in the big leagues. He had a lucky month to start the season and regressed back to normal. He is a below average hitter vs LHP and cannot hit RHP whatsoever. Izturis cost the team 2 wins in 2013 and has gotten 2 years older with a major knee surgery since then. Not sure how you can do worse than that.

 

This man speaks the truth.

But yes you can do worse than that.

Imagine having Josh Thole at the plate every 5th day... Oh wait.

[TwistedLogic]

I've been one of the bigger proponents of MIF upgrades on this board for the last two years. But given the offensive upgrade and reduced injury risk involved with adding Donaldson and Martin I can at least live with the idea that scrubs will take over 2B out of the spring.

 

Exact same sentiment here. I don't know anyone that's begged for an upgrade at 2nd more than I have over the past few years, but with the recent additions, if they can get an LF, I'll have no problem rolling out trash at 2B until Travis is up.

[gruber92]

Now:

1)Reyes

2)Martin

3)Bautista

4)Donaldson

5)Encarnacion

 

If They Sign Cabrera

1)Reyes

2)Cabrera

3)Bautista

4)Donaldson

5)Martin

6)Encarnacion

 

EE batting sixth will not happen,not in this universe anyway. Martin or Melky will bat sixth, not EE.

[BlueRocky]

I was thinking about it in the morning.

Do you really want a high OBP low-mid power guy like martin (or even a melky) batting behind Edwin?

First world problems, but it just feels kinda weird

[Spoonovic]

I was thinking about it in the morning.

Do you really want a high OBP low-mid power guy like martin (or even a melky) batting behind Edwin?

First world problems, but it just feels kinda weird

 

No you dont. Are people forgetting who EE is? This is one of the best power hitters in baseball who doesnt know how to strike out and can take walks. Hes a better hitter than Martin.

[Stangstag]

EE batting sixth will not happen,not in this universe anyway. Martin or Melky will bat sixth, not EE.

 

Yeah that was a dumb lineup. Edwin is a WAAAY better hitter than Martin

[nutz003]

Yeah that was a dumb lineup. Edwin is a WAAAY better hitter than Martin

 

More powerful hitter than Martin, not better, there is a difference. If he was a better hitter he would have a higher BA and OBP. Some of EE`s walks were intentional, not due to his tremendous eye at the plate. All of Martin`s walks were earned.

 

Whether it goes Donaldson before Encarnacion or viceversa, I figured to maximize EE's/Donaldson's ability to drive in runs you would want Martin in that 5th spot given his OBP. He has some power as well. In the 5th slot behind Bautista and Donaldson would there be anyone left for EE to drive in. Putting Martin there would increase runners in scoring position in front of him, and not waste Martin's .400+ OBP. Didn't think it was that dumb of a thought...

[RealAccountant]

What we need is a strong bottom of the lineup as well. At least a regular consistent one. We can't afford to be cycling AAAA players through the bottom of the order

[Stangstag]

More powerful hitter than Martin, not better, there is a difference. If he was a better hitter he would have a higher BA and OBP. Some of EE`s walks were intentional, not due to his tremendous eye at the plate. All of Martin`s walks were earned.

 

Whether it goes Donaldson before Encarnacion or viceversa, I figured to maximize EE's/Donaldson's ability to drive in runs you would want Martin in that 5th spot given his OBP. He has some power as well. In the 5th slot behind Bautista and Donaldson would there be anyone left for EE to drive in. Putting Martin there would increase runners in scoring position in front of him, and not waste Martin's .400+ OBP. Didn't think it was that dumb of a thought...

 

No. Please stop. Martin will not have another .400 obp season. Edwin is a better hitter than Martin in every way. BA, obp, and extra base/home run power. Look past just their 2014 stats.

[RealAccountant]

. Martin will not have another .400 obp season.

 

How do you know that