My Theory on Why the Jays Are So Quiet Right Now

[Terminator]

So does anyone think Penny and Hernandez could be solid pieces out of the pen? I think Osuna stays up for the year as closer and Hutch and possibly Sanchez go to AAA as starting depth.

 

I don't really know how to gauge how well starters translate in to the bullpen.

 

Hernandez is a little bit better than replacement level as a starter. I also think with our elite infield defense and whatever effects the "slow turf" has makes him a good fit for our team since he has a good GB%. Could he be the long man for us? Probably not ideal but we could also probably do worse.

 

I'm not sure what to say about Penny. You'd think at this point he'd have tried relieving already if anyone thought he'd be any good at it.

[Dick_Pole]

This team is better starting 2016 than it was 2015. I wouldn't say I'm unhappy. Mgm approach to the big FAs and Estrada/Happ signings was reasonable.

 

I have concerns about our pen and I like the look of the RedSox and the Yanks sexy pen (yes, I have pen envy). But overall when you compare our assets to them, 2016 looks to be a ton of fun for us obsessed Jays fans. Can't wait.

 

Not gonna be an issue when the Jays are up 10-3 by the 6th inning in all of those games

[Dick_Pole]

The BP has been atrocious going into the season in prior years, but the difference is the Jays had several holes to fill across the diamond along with the BP. Unless an ace magically falls into their lap through a trade, pretty much all the time and excess cash resources between now and the end of spring training will be focused on improving the pen. I am not going to worry about it until mid-March and it still looks this bad.

[glory]

Loup is a LOOGY, I'm not sure why we're even discussing him as a central piece of our bellpen.

 

You said he sucks. I'm saying there's a good chance he won't next season. That doesn't mean anyone is saying he is a central part of the pen.

[Brownie19]

I remember that too, and it's the first thing I think of when I see his name. Came out pumping fastball after fastball.

 

We're old

 

I also remember this vividly...if only he could do that as a reliever...

[Brownie19]

So does anyone think Penny and Hernandez could be solid pieces out of the pen?

 

No. The answer is no.

[P2F]

I'm hopeful that Penny and Biagini can provide quality innings out of the bullpen this year if called upon. Penny, I realize, is a longshot, but he's still throwing heat and he was once a good pitcher. Injuries and years later have probably taken their toll on his arm, but you never know. Biagini, an apparent failed starter, has two average offerings that could prove to be a useful mix when he's shortened up out of the 'pen. Perhaps he adds a couple ticks to his fastball, bringing it up to the 95-96 MPH range, which then renders his change-up a little more effective.

 

Even if one of these guys contributes at the major league level at an average or better level, I'll be pretty content.

 

Let me have my optimism. Pleeeeaaaase.

[Boxcar]

They want to stop the bleeding in terms of taking from the future, and the RP market absolutely blew up this offseason.

 

I really wish they'd signed O'Day. At the price, he was a no-brainer. I wonder if they were in on him.

[FrozenRopes]

No money + no trade chips + Non-risk taking GM = Quiet Off Season

[Angrioter]

I don't think Sanchez sucks as a reliever, and Loup has been pretty solid outside of some ERA issues in 40 innings last year. Would be nice to acquire another reliable arm, but I don't think the current pen is bad.

 

Bad isn't the correct word. The Jays bullpen isn't in the Yanks, Royals, RSox (Main rivals) level, but Jays offensive hits the ball like a motherf***ers.

[ElNik2013]

I don't know why anyone would be surprised by the Jays being quiet this offseason.

 

Firstly, most of the roster was set going into next season. There were several moves made last off season, and very good ones, but they were also made early in the off season and things got quiet afterwards, maybe that's their MO, even After AA. Secondly, whether some want to admit it or not, the Jays are not a team FA have at the top of their wish lists, to say the least. Now, once a player has played in Toronto, then it's a different story, as evidenced by their ability to re-sign Estrada and to bring back Happ.

 

 

As far as the BP goes, it looks better to me going into 2016 ST than it did going into 2015 ST, some just have a short memory. I, for one, was glad the Jays made the moves they made last and this off seasons, especially if the alternative was to focus on the BP at the expense of other moves that were made.

[saskjayfan]

I really wish they'd signed O'Day. At the price, he was a no-brainer. I wonder if they were in on him.

 

the jays didn't want to spend the extra money on sending him and bats to couples counselling.

[Jonn]

Meh. Cecil, Osuna, Loup, and Sanchez are a pretty good anchor.

 

lol Loup...

[burlingtonbandit]

Aaron Loup vs RHB in 2015:

 

9.35 K/9 2.08 BB/9 48%GB rate

 

Thats likely better than any reliever the Blue Jays are going to acquire from now until Spring Training.

[Cyborg]

My theory: people spend the holidays with their families.

[Spanky99]

My theory: people spend the holidays with their families.

 

Thing is, the Jays haven't been quiet this OS, I don't get this regurgitated horseshit.

[Spanky99]

Lucky for the Dodgers they employ Friedman and a bunch of robots.

 

Cyborg's as well.

[FrozenRopes]

Aaron Loup vs RHB in 2015:

 

9.35 K/9 2.08 BB/9 48%GB rate

 

Thats likely better than any reliever the Blue Jays are going to acquire from now until Spring Training.

 

How did he do against lefties, who he is paid to get out?

[BTS]

How did he do against lefties, who he is paid to get out?

 

10.47 K/9, 0.55 BB/9, 66% GB rate

[Governator]

Aaron Loup vs RHB in 2015:

 

9.35 K/9 2.08 BB/9 48%GB rate

 

Thats likely better than any reliever the Blue Jays are going to acquire from now until Spring Training.

 

Let's just not talk about his hr rates.

[Boxcar]

Let's just not talk about his hr rates.

 

No reason to expect that to continue.

[OBPlover]

The Jays are falling into the Mediocrity trap with their pitchers. Too good not to take a chance on, yet highly unreliable.

 

For the Dickey-Estrada-Happ Money, I would have rather seen the Jays get a true #1 starter like Price or Greinke.

 

Then the rotation would be something like:

 

Greinke

Stroman

Chavez

 

For starters 4-5, well there are options, move Sanchez from the pen to the rotation or bring up someone from AAA. Having a couple of high risk young prospects really isn't the end of the world, when the rest of the team is awesome.

[Angrioter]

The Jays are falling into the Mediocrity trap with their pitchers. Too good not to take a chance on, yet highly unreliable.

 

For the Dickey-Estrada-Happ Money, I would have rather seen the Jays get a true #1 starter like Price or Greinke.

 

Then the rotation would be something like:

 

Greinke

Stroman

Chavez

 

For starters 4-5, well there are options, move Sanchez from the pen to the rotation or bring up someone from AAA. Having a couple of high risk young prospects really isn't the end of the world, when the rest of the team is awesome.

 

Boxy say!!

http://lovelace-media.imgix.net/uploads/862/253f73f0-866f-0133-980b-0a6c20e5e327.gif?

[burlingtonbandit]

Let's just not talk about his hr rates.

 

A 24% HR/FB rate is not sustainable at all and you know it.

[highhard2]

Aaron Loup vs RHB in 2015:

 

9.35 K/9 2.08 BB/9 48%GB rate

 

Thats likely better than any reliever the Blue Jays are going to acquire from now until Spring Training.

 

16.1 IP vs LHB - 26 IP vs RHB..........Gibby logic.

[OBPlover]

So let's say the Jays make it to the playoffs and the Jays' starters perform as well as everyone suspects.

 

Who would you want for the ALDS.

 

Stroman, Dickey, Estrada? Stroman Happ, Chavez?

 

I am a firm believer that in a best of 5, you need 2 reliable names. There are no guarantees of course. But with a great offense, it's ok if your n#4 and N#5 kind of suck as long as you find 3 top starters solid as hell.

 

That's modern baseball.

[Stangstag]

The Jays are falling into the Mediocrity trap with their pitchers. Too good not to take a chance on, yet highly unreliable.

 

For the Dickey-Estrada-Happ Money, I would have rather seen the Jays get a true #1 starter like Price or Greinke.

 

Then the rotation would be something like:

 

Greinke

Stroman

Chavez

 

For starters 4-5, well there are options, move Sanchez from the pen to the rotation or bring up someone from AAA. Having a couple of high risk young prospects really isn't the end of the world, when the rest of the team is awesome.

 

Eeeewww.

 

You realize the 4 and 5 starters make around 40% of the starts for the team over the course of a season?

 

Can't have junkballers pitching that many games if we expect to make the playoffs

[Stangstag]

So let's say the Jays make it to the playoffs and the Jays' starters perform as well as everyone suspects.

 

Who would you want for the ALDS.

 

Stroman, Dickey, Estrada? Stroman Happ, Chavez?

 

I am a firm believer that in a best of 5, you need 2 reliable names. There are no guarantees of course. But with a great offense, it's ok if your n#4 and N#5 kind of suck as long as you find 3 top starters solid as hell.

 

That's modern baseball.

 

No, that's wrong. You don't sniff the playoffs with crappy 4/5 starters

[GD]

The Jays are falling into the Mediocrity trap with their pitchers.

 

Elaborate on this mediocrity trap?

 

No, that's wrong. You don't sniff the playoffs with crappy 4/5 starters

 

Kansas City Royals

[Stangstag]

Elaborate on this mediocrity trap?

 

 

 

Kansas City Royals

 

KC had a pretty crappy rotation in general.