play GM: 2016 Blue Jays Batting Order

[Zaun of the Dead]

How would you like the batting order and positions to look this year?

 

Devon Travis (2B)

Josh Donaldson (3B)

Jose Bautista (1B)

Edwin Encarnacion (1B)

Troy Tulowitski (SS)

Russell Martin ©

Michael Saunders (RF)

Kevin Pillar (CF)

Ben Revere (LF)

 

That's how I would do it.

 

Let's play GM while we wait for the rest of the sexy blue jays rankings!

[dineke]

I would pick it out of a hat

[Cyborg]

*Manager

 

Bautista RF

Donaldson 3B

Martin C

Edwin DH

Tulo SS

Colabello/Smoak 1B

Travis 2B

Saunders/Pompey LF

Pillar CF

[Nafro]

How would you like the batting order and positions to look this year?

 

Devon Travis (2B)

Josh Donaldson (3B)

Jose Bautista (1B)

Edwin Encarnacion (1B)

Troy Tulowitski (SS)

Russell Martin ©

Michael Saunders (RF)

Kevin Pillar (CF)

Ben Revere (LF)

 

That's how I would do it.

 

Let's play GM while we wait for the rest of the sexy blue jays rankings!

 

Not to state the obvious, but someone may object to two first baseman. I think that is potentially the best line up though, switching in and out Colabello and Smoak as well. This also makes the rather large assumption Travis and Saunders are healthy.

[KingKat]

How would you like the batting order and positions to look this year?

 

Devon Travis (2B)

Josh Donaldson (3B)

Jose Bautista (1B)

Edwin Encarnacion (1B)

Troy Tulowitski (SS)

Russell Martin ©

Michael Saunders (RF)

Kevin Pillar (CF)

Ben Revere (LF)

 

That's how I would do it.

 

Let's play GM while we wait for the rest of the sexy blue jays rankings!

 

You have two 1Bs. I'd probably have the same lineup with Bautista at DH instead of 1B and Pompey in one of the OF spots. I'm not expecting anything from Saunders but if he were healthy than Revere is probably expendable.

[RealAccountant]

LF Revere

3B Donaldson

RF Bautista

DH Encarnacion

1B Smoak

SS Tulowitski

C Martin

CF Pillar

2B Goins

 

 

This will be the lineup opening day. Book it.

[THANOS]

2B Devon Travis

3B Josh Donaldson

RF Jose Bautista

DH Edwin Encarnacion

SS Troy Tulowitski

1B Chris Colabello/Justin Smoak

C Russ Martin

CF Kevin Pillar

LF Dalton Pompey

 

That's my pick, assuming that Bautista would refuse to move to 1st in 2016 and that Revere is traded for a BP piece.

[Zaun of the Dead]

haha yeah I f***ed up mine I meant to have edwin at DH whoops

[theweave]

Okay for my first post here, go easy on me!

 

Start of 2016 (Travis on DL)

 

1. Revere LF

2. Donaldson 3B

3. Bautista RF

4. Encarnacion DH

5. Tuloi SS

6. Smoak or Colabello 1B

7. Martin C

8. Pillar CF

9. Goins 2B

 

When Travis comes off DL

 

1. Travis 2B

2. JD 3B

3. JB RF

4. EE DH

5. TT SS

6. RM C

7. JS/CC 1B

8. KP CF

9. BR LF

 

That would give you a bench of Barney, Pompey and maybe one more depending on how BP arms are there.

Edited December 31, 2015 by theweave

[L54]

I just want to remind everyone that the Blue Jay's starting shortstop has a "z" in his last name.

[Spanky99]

I just want to remind everyone that the Blue Jay's starting shortstop has a "z" in his last name.

 

lol

[theweave]

I just want to remind everyone that the Blue Jay's starting shortstop has a "z" in his last name.

 

I KNEW there was a reason why I just called him Tulo for short! Thanks, I edited it now.

[L54]

I KNEW there was a reason why I just called him Tulo for short! Thanks, I edited it now.

 

Was just a friendly jab, and you weren't the only one. Welcome to the board!

[Gorlak]

*Manager

 

Bautista RF

Donaldson 3B

Martin C

Edwin DH

Tulo SS

Colabello/Smoak 1B

Travis 2B

Saunders/Pompey LF

Pillar CF

 

You can't drive somebody in with a walk, for that reason Russel works better at other spots in the lineup. I would keep almost the same lineup as last season, but flip Bautista and Donaldson for the same reason. Leadoff goes to whichever of Tulo or Travis has the better spring, although I would lean towards Tulo.

[BigCecil]

You can't drive somebody in with a walk, for that reason Russel works better at other spots in the lineup. I would keep almost the same lineup as last season, but flip Bautista and Donaldson for the same reason. Leadoff goes to whichever of Tulo or Travis has the better spring, although I would lean towards Tulo.

 

Travis is expected to miss most if not all of the Spring recovering.

 

Martin BB rate was down from his exceptional 2014. But his lifetime OBP is .350 and wRC+ 107.

[L54]

I really hope we see a better version of Troy Tulowitzki in 2016. I don't want to remember him and his time in Toronto as the Tulo who was only a shell of his former self in Colorado.

[BigCecil]

I really hope we see a better version of Troy Tulowitzki in 2016. I don't want to remember him and his time in Toronto as the Tulo who was only a shell of his former self in Colorado.

 

Amen to that. Even as a shell of the previous Tulo he seemed like a huge upgrade over where Reyes was heading. But what we gave up for that upgrade wasn't cheap.

[Jimcanuck]

Against LH

 

Tulo SS

Donaldson 3B

Bautista RF

EE 1B

Martin C

Colabello DH

Travis 2B

Pillar CF

Pompey LF

 

Against RH

 

Tulo SS

Donaldson 3B

Bautista RF

EE DH

Martin C

Smoak DH

Travis 2B

Pillar CF

Revere LF

 

Dickey pitching, Thole catches and bats 9th, everyone below martin moves up

 

The above gets everyone involved save Goins, who will get his reps

[Dr. Dinger]

You can't drive somebody in with a walk

 

Yes you can. Also, I hope you realize our incumbent #3 hitter has the highest BB rate on the team. I also hope you realize that the 3-hole is actually not where you should slot your best hitter, but I somehow doubt you do.

[puphood]

Revere LF

Donaldson 3B

Edwin DH

Bautista LF

Colabello 1B

Tulo SS

Pillar CF

Martin C

Goins 2B

 

Hoping Edwin's surgery goes well or he could be out early.

Smoak trades off with Colabello for LH pitching

Barney possibly comes in for Goins

Tulo gets it together

Hoping Martin starts to hit

Travis comes back in June/july to 2b and takes Pillar's spot in the batters line up

Saunders doesn't see a game

Leave the room when Thole hits for Martin

[Brownie19]

I really hope we see a better version of Troy Tulowitzki in 2016. I don't want to remember him and his time in Toronto as the Tulo who was only a shell of his former self in Colorado.

 

He's one year removed from an extremely sexy wRC+ Of 170. 5 of his past 7 years have been 5+ WAR

[P2F]

I really hope we see a better version of Troy Tulowitzki in 2016. I don't want to remember him and his time in Toronto as the Tulo who was only a shell of his former self in Colorado.

 

He'll be fine. This is the Troy Tulowitzki we're talking about.

[P2F]

I feel like because Tulo's bat went cold when he came to Toronto, it hasn't quite sunk in yet for a lot of people that one of the best shortstops in baseball for the last 8 years (sophomore struggles in 2008 aside) is wearing a Jays uniform.

 

I can't wait for him to come out and put up a wRC+ north of 140 this season.

[RealAccountant]

^ He just needs to be an average bat and provide great D

[L54]

He's one year removed from an extremely sexy wRC+ Of 170. 5 of his past 7 years have been 5+ WAR

 

Over 91 games*

 

I know how good he's been, but there are definitely some concerns moving forward. I'm hoping he has a couple great seasons left in him.

[L54]

I feel like because Tulo's bat went cold when he came to Toronto, it hasn't quite sunk in yet for a lot of people that one of the best shortstops in baseball for the last 8 years (sophomore struggles in 2008 aside) is wearing a Jays uniform.

 

I can't wait for him to come out and put up a wRC+ north of 140 this season.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=3531&position=SS&type=&gds=2015-04-06&gde=2015-07-27&season=

 

It wasn't just in Toronto though. He was basically the player he was here while he was in Colorado last year too.

[L54]

DISCLAIMER: I do think Troy Tulowitzki will bounce back this season.

[Jimcanuck]

DISCLAIMER: I do think Troy Tulowitzki will bounce back this season.

 

to what

 

I see him being 3-4 war, steamer has him at 3.4

[L54]

to what

 

I see him being 3-4 war, steamer has him at 3.4

 

To basically that. I'd probably take the over on 3.4.

[P2F]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=3531&position=SS&type=&gds=2015-04-06&gde=2015-07-27&season=

 

It wasn't just in Toronto though. He was basically the player he was here while he was in Colorado last year too.

 

Not exactly. His wOBA and wRC+ in Colorado last year were .349 and 104, respectively. In Toronto, those numbers dipped significantly to .298 and 86. SSS aside, neither output is on par with his career norms, but I fully expect an offensive turnaround this season to something more on par with his career .377 wOBA and 123 wRC+. Actually, I'm expecting even better offensive numbers.

 

At least his defense is still fantastic, so even if he's a league average bat moving forward (which I've explicitly stated above is not what I expect) he'll still likely put up close to 3 WAR.

 

And yes, I realize I'm preaching to the choir here, as you've stated you believe Tulo will, in fact, bounce back this season. I suppose this is more intended as a general response, but I'm using your post as a catalyst for my argument.