Spring Training

[Boxcar]

My eyes test tells me that KP is the better fielder and KK is the better thrower.

 

Can you even just imagine how much better Kiermaier would be if he were a Blue Jay?

[Laika]

Ok maybe that's a little too simplistic, perhaps LF to CF is like 2nd to SS. They are similar positions. CF and SS, you need a little more range and a little more arm. Most LFers can't play CF and most 2nd basemen can't play SS. The 2nd best SS is likely significantly better defensively than the best 2nd basemen in the league, same goes for CF. We've separated the infielders forever...why not the OFers?

 

There are a lot of technical differences between SS, 2B, and 3B. I think they play very differently. 3B is all reaction and athleticism. 2B is range, finesse, footwork. SS is everything - range, finesse, footwork, arm strength, rhythm, consistency.

 

There are a wealth of players that are good at 3B, but bad at 2B (or vice versa) despite the fact that the positions are equally important. Brett Lawrie is a good example.

 

Compare to the OF where every position entails largely the same thing - getting a read on a ball and running it down. The only real technical differences are the importance of a good arm, the fact that CF is simply bigger, and the fact that the angle changes.

 

The amount of LF or RF that could play CF and not even look that bad to the naked eye is pretty high. Remember when Bautista played a bunch of games in CF a couple of years ago? You might not even remember because it was rather uneventful. Look at Matt Kemp - a LF patrolling CF for years. He even won two undeserved gold gloves doing it! That's how easy it was for him to fake it.

 

Most of the top 3B or 2B would look out of place almost immediately at SS. If Toronto put Donaldson there for a whole game, or a whole series, you'd probably see a bunch of glaring misplays that a typical MLB shortstop makes.

 

I really don't think the disparate demands of the sets of positions are congruent at all.

[LGBJ29]

off topic: I dont know how big of deal this is, but I thought it's kinda dumb to have them play the Saturday in Montreal, when the season Opener is the next afternoon all the way in Tampa. Normally the season starts on Monday, so the Sunday start is kind of off to begin with but I figured you'd give them a day off before starting the season.

 

Looking at some of their other trips, the schedule makers kind of f***ed them. May 8th @ home vs LA and then the next night they play in San Fran. 2 Days off in 4 days on July 18th and 21st (1 week after the ASB) and then shortly after play 13 games straight.

[CrackerJack]

off topic: I dont know how big of deal this is, but I thought it's kinda dumb to have them play the Saturday in Montreal, when the season Opener is the next afternoon all the way in Tampa. Normally the season starts on Monday, so the Sunday start is kind of off to begin with but I figured you'd give them a day off before starting the season.

 

Looking at some of their other trips, the schedule makers kind of f***ed them. May 8th @ home vs LA and then the next night they play in San Fran. 2 Days off in 4 days on July 18th and 21st (1 week after the ASB) and then shortly after play 13 games straight.

 

yeah, it's a weird schedule.

 

I don't recall a July with so many home games: 19 home & 4 away.

[polar bear]

Pillar also implied that Kevin Kiermaier was overrated, and suggested that the GG voters use the "eye-test" instead of actual defensive metrics, because he "clearly deserved that win, and there was no better CF than him". He's as arrogant and deluded as they come.

 

Pillar,definately the best I saw last season.I don't mind people standing up for themselves.

[Brownie19]

Pillar,definately the best I saw last season.I don't mind people standing up for themselves.

 

and how many games did you watch KK play?

[Boxcar]

Pillar,definately the best I saw last season.I don't mind people standing up for themselves.

 

The problem with people who use "the eye test", and this should be obvious, is the question of how many of them watch every team equally? I would be willing to bet everything I own that you watched the Jays far more often than the Rays. I would even wager that the only time you watched the Rays is when they played the Blue Jays. How is the obvious bias here not apparent to you? Do you not think you're going to have a higher opinion of a guy whom you see make many nice plays all year compared to a guy you see maybe 20 games a year?

 

It's actually comical to me how people will actually argue this. Also simply amazing how many times the best defender at position X plays for their favourite team.

 

If Kiermaier was a Jay and Pillar was a Ray, I have no problems guaranteeing that your position would be reversed.

[Sammy225]

and how many games did you watch KK play?

 

My guess how ever many times he played Toronto.

[LGBJ29]

The problem with people who use "the eye test", and this should be obvious, is the question of how many of them watch every team equally? I would be willing to bet everything I own that you watched the Jays far more often than the Rays. I would even wager that the only time you watched the Rays is when they played the Blue Jays. How is the obvious bias here not apparent to you? Do you not think you're going to have a higher opinion of a guy whom you see make many nice plays all year compared to a guy you see maybe 20 games a year?

 

It's actually comical to me how people will actually argue this. Also simply amazing how many times the best defender at position X plays for their favourite team.

 

If Kiermaier was a Jay and Pillar was a Ray, I have no problems guaranteeing that your position would be reversed.

 

Don't tease us all like that

[Brownie19]

There are a lot of technical differences between SS, 2B, and 3B. I think they play very differently. 3B is all reaction and athleticism. 2B is range, finesse, footwork. SS is everything - range, finesse, footwork, arm strength, rhythm, consistency.

 

There are a wealth of players that are good at 3B, but bad at 2B (or vice versa) despite the fact that the positions are equally important. Brett Lawrie is a good example.

 

Compare to the OF where every position entails largely the same thing - getting a read on a ball and running it down. The only real technical differences are the importance of a good arm, the fact that CF is simply bigger, and the fact that the angle changes.

 

The amount of LF or RF that could play CF and not even look that bad to the naked eye is pretty high. Remember when Bautista played a bunch of games in CF a couple of years ago? You might not even remember because it was rather uneventful. Look at Matt Kemp - a LF patrolling CF for years. He even won two undeserved gold gloves doing it! That's how easy it was for him to fake it.

 

Most of the top 3B or 2B would look out of place almost immediately at SS. If Toronto put Donaldson there for a whole game, or a whole series, you'd probably see a bunch of glaring misplays that a typical MLB shortstop makes.

 

I really don't think the disparate demands of the sets of positions are congruent at all.

 

 

I guess. To me - SS is to 2nd what CF is to LF. You need more range/arm to play CF & SS....otherwise...pretty similar. Wasn't Goin's better defensively at SS than 2nd base last year? Either way, he didn't look out of place.

[intrigid]

Pillar,definately the best I saw last season.I don't mind people standing up for themselves.

As better as Pillar was than your average AAA callup, that's how much better Keirmeier was than Pillar.

[Brownie19]

The amount of LF or RF that could play CF and not even look that bad to the naked eye is pretty high. Remember when Bautista played a bunch of games in CF a couple of years ago? You might not even remember because it was rather uneventful. Look at Matt Kemp - a LF patrolling CF for years. He even won two undeserved gold gloves doing it! That's how easy it was for him to fake it.

 

 

Yeah, yeah - Jeter won a bunch of GG's at shortstop too when he should have been moved off to 3rd or 2nd too...

[burlingtonbandit]

off topic: I dont know how big of deal this is, but I thought it's kinda dumb to have them play the Saturday in Montreal, when the season Opener is the next afternoon all the way in Tampa. Normally the season starts on Monday, so the Sunday start is kind of off to begin with but I figured you'd give them a day off before starting the season.

 

Looking at some of their other trips, the schedule makers kind of f***ed them. May 8th @ home vs LA and then the next night they play in San Fran. 2 Days off in 4 days on July 18th and 21st (1 week after the ASB) and then shortly after play 13 games straight.

 

Yeah that really is dumb. They go from Tampa all the way up to Montreal for 2 days then have to come back to Tampa. There is probably a good case to hold some of the SP back since they won't be pitching in the series. I'm sure Stroman will want to see Montreal for the first time though.

[HERPDERP]

Sooo looks like Shatkins reworked Gibby's contract which could open up the possibility of a Wedge appearance?

 

Worst case scenario..

 

http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/03/21/ross-atkins-interview-john-gibbons-dalton-pompey-pitching/?utm_content=bufferccf7d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[burlingtonbandit]

Sooo looks like Shatkins reworked Gibby's contract which could open up the possibility of a Wedge appearance?

 

Worst case scenario..

 

http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/03/21/ross-atkins-interview-john-gibbons-dalton-pompey-pitching/?utm_content=bufferccf7d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

They probably gave him an extra year on top of his contract so its not like its easier for the Jays to fire him. Even if the Jays were to let him go I think Bud Black gets the job before Eric Wedge.

[jaysfan2014]

off topic: I dont know how big of deal this is, but I thought it's kinda dumb to have them play the Saturday in Montreal, when the season Opener is the next afternoon all the way in Tampa. Normally the season starts on Monday, so the Sunday start is kind of off to begin with but I figured you'd give them a day off before starting the season.

 

Looking at some of their other trips, the schedule makers kind of f***ed them. May 8th @ home vs LA and then the next night they play in San Fran. 2 Days off in 4 days on July 18th and 21st (1 week after the ASB) and then shortly after play 13 games straight.

 

Blame the season opener issue on ESPN--they're airing 3 Opening Day games on Sunday this season instead of the usual 1, and the Jays are on the list. That's what happens when the team makes a deep run in the postseason... more coverage in the US. Royals/Mets is even more oddball--only 2 games that week, and then both teams get multiple days off.

[burlingtonbandit]

Called it:

 

[flafson]

Called it:

 

 

I guess that means no extensions with Bautista and Edwin, they extend the next best thing...

[Governator]

I guess that means no extensions with Bautista and Edwin, they extend the next best thing...

 

Nobody can lean back in an office chair in a corner after a game like John Gibbons... you don't let those managers walk.

[RealAccountant]

I guess that means no extensions with Bautista and Edwin, they extend the next best thing...

 

Come on. We knew neither would get extended. These are AAs players not Shapiros. Shapiro and Company like to give multi year deal to the likes Swisher and such

[glory]

 

Osuna doesn't want to start and Sanchez doesn't want to pitch out of the pen. Soon Pillar is going to say he doesn't want to play center.

[Spanky99]

 

Osuna doesn't want to start and Sanchez doesn't want to pitch out of the pen. Soon Pillar is going to say he doesn't want to play center.

 

Too flipping bad, do what your told, kid.

[Governator]

 

Osuna doesn't want to start and Sanchez doesn't want to pitch out of the pen. Soon Pillar is going to say he doesn't want to play center.

 

 

That'll change when he realizes how much more $ he can make.

[HERPDERP]

It's not often a guy says he doesn't want to be a starter

[KingKat]

It's not often a guy says he doesn't want to be a starter

 

Chapman and Rzep off the top of my head.

[King]

He already said earlier in spring training he doesn't think his arm would be able to handle the workload of being a starter coming off tjs and then a full year in the bullpen.

[bendera3]

Chapman and Rzep off the top of my head.

 

Scrabble probably didn't want to be a starter because he would be viewed as depth and placed in the minors.

[G-Snarls]

He already said earlier in spring training he doesn't think his arm would be able to handle the workload of being a starter coming off tjs and then a full year in the bullpen.

 

Exactly

 

Though he was also just referring to this season

[G-Snarls]

Scrabble probably didn't want to be a starter because he would be viewed as depth and placed in the minors.

 

He still got traded for a country bumpkin CF

[HERPDERP]

Chapman and Rzep off the top of my head.

 

The former is obsessed with velocity and that's what makes him stand out - it wouldn't be as sexy as a starter.