Blue Jays 5th Starter: Aaron Sanchez

[G-Snarls]

He's left a quite the impression.

 

On the back of Hutchison's head??

[Brownie19]

If the FO believed in the workload inning limits theory Stroman would be on one as well wouldn't you think? I just think Gibby was dumbing it down in the press conference

 

I would say him making 30 starts is very unlikely as well but I don't see that impacting the decision to start him in the rotation. If Sanchez goes to the bullpen you lose him as a starting option as well? So your "8 starters" go to 7 just like it would if Floyd was starting.

 

I was assuming Sanchez was in AAA starting...but even if he's in the pen, it would be a lot easier to stretch him out (has options, young, etc.).

[burlingtonbandit]

I was assuming Sanchez was in AAA starting...but even if he's in the pen, it would be a lot easier to stretch him out (has options, young, etc.).

 

That never seemed to be considered. What does being young have to do with being easier to stretch out?

[Swervin81]

I'll give him credit, he's busted his ass off and his K and BB numbers have been outstanding this spring, so he definitely shut me up a little.

 

If he continues to pitch like this and is for real, I'd honestly rather skip his start here and there and even do a 6-man rotation (plugging Chavez/Floyd in) for a while if we really need to save his arm.

[intentional wok]

Has Sanchez at any point this spring faced a legit MLB lineup, even for once or twice through the lineup? Genuine question.

 

I'm sincerely hoping that whatever worked for him in ST holds up over the season but I have a tingling in my cockles that a rude awakening is coming.

[Jimcanuck]

Personally i'd rather Sanchez in the pen and a rejuvenated Hutch on the mound for the pennant race. Which is how it will likely shake out anyway.

[G-Snarls]

AARON SANCHEZ WILL BEGIN THE YEAR IN THE BLUE JAYS' ROTATION, BUT WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN TO THE BULLPEN

 

John Lott

March 28 2016 08:26AM

 

Aaron Sanchez will get his wish – for at least part of the season. “I’m thrilled,” he said after learning that he will open the Blue Jays’ season as a starter. “This is one of the days that I’ve been waiting for.” But Blue Jays manager John Gibbons also made it clear that the Jays will impose an innings limit on the 23-year-old right-hander. That will likely mean sending him back to the bullpen, where he excelled down the stretch last year, at some point later in the season. “I don’t see him pitching the whole year as a starter,” Gibbons said, “because I think it’d be harmful to him. We’ve got to be smart about this too – his future.”

 

Over six seasons in pro ball, Sanchez has never worked more than the 133.1 total innings he threw in 2014. Last year, between 11 starts and 30 relief appearances, he pitched 92.1 innings. Sanchez himself said he has not been advised of a specific innings limit or the timing of a move back to the bullpen. “The main key is just pitching all year and finding a way to do that,” he said. “I don’t know how that’s going to happen. I know we talked about maybe going down to the ‘pen. I feel like we’ll deal with that when the time comes. My main goal is to just pitch from start to finish.” I asked whether he means that he wants to go wire-to-wire as a starter. He replied simply that he wants to pitch all year. And when pressed, Gibbons refused to take the bait about how many innings the Jays have in mind. “We’re talking about that, but we’re never going to come out and reveal what that is. It gives you guys too much red meat,” Gibbons replied.

 

The starter-vs.-reliever debate provided plenty of red meat all spring for fans and media types. And in the Blue Jays’ front office, there was no unanimity about which way to go until the past few days. The decision smacks of a compromise of sorts. Sanchez, who stands 6-foot-4, added 20 pounds during a grueling workout regimen with his buddy Marcus Stroman in the off-season in hopes they could finally become rotation mates. Sanchez came to camp determined to start, and over five spring outings he allowed three runs in 20 innings with 19 strikeouts and three walks. But those who favoured a relief role figured that with Sanchez, Brett Cecil, Drew Storen and Roberto Osuna at the back of the bullpen, the Jays would have a better chance of protecting early leads. And with a strong offence, the argument went, the team could get by with Gavin Floyd, for example, in the fifth starter’s role.

 

By late summer, whether it’s Floyd, or Jesse Chavez, or the just-demoted Drew Hutchison, someone else will fill Sanchez’s spot. Or perhaps, at the trade deadline, another starter will become available, just about at the time Sanchez moves to the ‘pen. I asked Gibbons – who always wanted Sanchez to start *– whether there were strong views on both sides in the front-office debate. "Oh yeah," Gibbons said, "I totally understand it. I [acknowledged] too how much stronger that might make our bullpen possibly. If we didn't have guys like Jesse Chavez down there, I think [he's] going to be really big down there. He could pitch some late inning roles. I think even Gavin Floyd could pitch in some good roles down there late."

 

Floyd was Sanchez's main rival for the vacant starter's spot. He will pitch in middle relief. Hutchison, who also has pitched well this spring, was sent to Triple-A Buffalo. Sanchez said the strength he developed from his conditioning and weight gain has made his delivery more effortless and his fastball command more precise. “In terms of secondary pitches, I think I’ve made tremendous strides with everything,” he said. “The cutter is still lacking, but that’s something that’s a work in progress and will continue to be a work in progress. I think my three-pitch mix is right where it needs to be and I’m ready to attack 2016.” When he got the call to the office Monday morning, where was his anxiety level? “I think I had anxiety the last four days, just the suspense, man, of not knowing what I’m doing, feeling like I did everything I could do and just letting the chips fall where they may,” he said. “I’m thrilled about the news, but now it’s time to work.”

 

He said he has not been told where he will slot into the rotation. And Gibbons wasn’t saying either. Too much red meat, probably.

[G-Snarls]

That red meat comment is exactly the sort of thing I really like about Gibby. He doesn't GAF about upsetting reporters or anyone really.

 

Some managers are super dumn and will give the media too much inside information that they later regret handing out

[Atothe]

That red meat comment is exactly the sort of thing I really like about Gibby. He doesn't GAF about upsetting reporters or anyone really.

 

Some managers are super dumn and will give the media too much inside information that they later regret handing out

 

Where and when did he say this?

[G-Snarls]

Where and when did he say this?

 

This morning, in a press conference

 

See the Lott story above

[Brownie19]

That never seemed to be considered. What does being young have to do with being easier to stretch out?

 

sarcopenia

[Atothe]

This morning, in a press conference

 

See the Lott story above

 

Thanks

[GD]

Does anyone have a GIF of his mechanics from this spring?

[Krylian]

Does anyone have a GIF of his mechanics from this spring?

 

And more importantly...is 'GIF' pronounced 'jiff'? or 'giff'?

[GD]

And more importantly...is 'GIF' pronounced 'jiff'? or 'giff'?

 

Creator says jiff. English says giff

[Sammy225]

jiff

 

f*** you the G is for Graphic so its giff

[GD]

f*** you the G is for Graphic so its giff

 

Check my edit

[Sammy225]

Check my edit

 

No editing allowed

[GD]

let me live my life

[THANOS]

Has Sanchez at any point this spring faced a legit MLB lineup, even for once or twice through the lineup? Genuine question.

 

I'm sincerely hoping that whatever worked for him in ST holds up over the season but I have a tingling in my cockles that a rude awakening is coming.

 

I don't think so, but he has pitched against tougher competition than Floyd, as Hurl pointing out a few days ago.

[G-Snarls]

Wow we got nothin' vs Velasquez

 

Still no score after 5

[BigCecil]

Has Sanchez at any point this spring faced a legit MLB lineup, even for once or twice through the lineup? Genuine question.

 

I'm sincerely hoping that whatever worked for him in ST holds up over the season but I have a tingling in my cockles that a rude awakening is coming.

 

Not really. ST is what it is. Now that the decision is made I'm into acceptance mode and excited to see what he does with another shot. I'd so love to be wrong about him as a SP.

 

Hutch has to be upset but I hope he can turn that into motivation. Sometimes you find out the player you have with that kind of adversity.

 

Its not the same as Hutch I know, but I remember when both Delgado and Halladay got sent down. They turned out kinda decent.

[G-Snarls]

Not really. ST is what it is. Now that the decision is made I'm into acceptance mode and excited to see what he does with another shot. I'd so love to be wrong about him as a SP.

 

Hutch has to be upset but I hope he can turn that into motivation. Sometimes you find out the player you have with that kind of adversity.

 

Its not the same as Hutch I know, but I remember when both Delgado and Halladay got sent down. They turned out kinda decent.

 

Snider not so much, but he just didn't have the fortitude to deal with it I think

 

Edit: OK, OK and less SKILL

[intentional wok]

f*** you the G is for Graphic so its giff

 

I've been peer pressured into "jif" but before that I was a staunch "gif" man. Let's start the revolution. #nowweretwo

[OBPlover]

I have no problem with giving Sancheaz a try but...

 

This makes the offseason, as per their approach to pitching rather awkward.

 

They traded a good middle reliever for a decent enough starter with upside, as in th Chavez for Hendriks trade.

 

They pick up the option on Dickey, sign Happ, sign Estrada and sign Gavin Floyd.

 

If that's the plan why trade Hendriks for Chavez? Why not just go Stroman-Dickey-Happ-Estrada-Sanchez?

[Jonn]

I have no problem with giving Sancheaz a try but...

 

This makes the offseason, as per their approach to pitching rather awkward.

 

They traded a good middle reliever for a decent enough starter with upside, as in th Chavez for Hendriks trade.

 

They pick up the option on Dickey, sign Happ, sign Estrada and sign Gavin Floyd.

 

If that's the plan why trade Hendriks for Chavez? Why not just go Stroman-Dickey-Happ-Estrada-Sanchez?

 

It was a dumb trade in hindsight. But starting depth was a concern. I thought stretching out Hendriks could have made sense but he realy flourished in the reliever role but for whatever reason the odd man out Gibbons didn't use him a lot. Chavez will likely get starts for us this season. We aren't going to have all 5 starters healthy and Sanchez is leaving the rotation at some point. In terms of money and years of control bad decision but like Estrada he could suprise us and make a much larger contribution than expected.

[burlingtonbandit]

I remember people ripping on me for saying I hated the trade and it would turn out bad. Yet here we are...

[THANOS]

I remember people ripping on me for saying I hated the trade and it would turn out bad. Yet here we are...

 

I hated it from day 1. I would have preferred to see Hendriks get stretched out.

[P2F]

I remember people ripping on me for saying I hated the trade and it would turn out bad. Yet here we are...

 

Nobody likes a Hindsight Henry.

[BTS]

I remember people ripping on me for saying I hated the trade and it would turn out bad. Yet here we are...

 

Holy f*** posts like this are annoying. You were not the only person who didn't love that deal.