General 2016 Blue Jays discussion thread

[Spanky99]

Ya, thanks for the pep talk off the ledge. I'm feeling really beleaguered and morose with the season so far.

 

My expectations were high because of the talent here and I know:

 

1. Sans maybe Travis the solution to the current play will have to come from within. (the crazy thing is we have been relatively healthy and lucky DL wise so far 2016 and we still aren't playing well)

2. 2017 and beyond we wont have this kind of team with playoff aspirations for awhile.

 

Having said all that I tend to agree with you, BTS and Iwok that they need to grind this out and get production from those that they expected to produce pos WAR. I agree that it it should come...but its not looking good right now. There are no moves of consequence to be made. We are going to dance with the ones that brung us in 2015. I don't think that blowing this team up (even if they could) makes any sense.

 

Hey anytime, lol. I saw it in your face at the Dodger game... ugghhh.

 

Still a long way to go, mate. Travis is likely back in 2 - 3 weeks and some of these guys need/will pull up their socks, too much of a track record for this much fail. Our upcoming schedule is much better and it's time to start stepping on teams throats. Starting tonight...

[Spanky99]

It is up to them, but it's in their best self interests to accept a trade if the jays are out of it. It will substantially increase the amount they get via free agency with no draft picks attached to then. Don't think that bats isn't fully aware of this, he's a smart guy, and for sure he's let edwin know it's in his best interests financially as well.

 

Good point, I just don't see them far enough out of it to leave.

[THANOS]

I wonder if Pitch/FX confuses some of his 4 seams for cutters because the last few starts it looks like he's barely thrown any 4 seams but the cutter usage like he said is way up.

 

Or confuses 4SM with 2SM. Both scenarios are possibilities.

[Maahfaace]

Good point, I just don't see them far enough out of it to leave.

 

I don't either, but I could honestly for see a scenario where the jays are hovering a few games over .500 being a couple games back of the division, and bats requests a trade behind closed doors anyways for selfish financial reasons. Let's just say i won't be surprised at all if bats is moved prior to the deadline regardless of the jays record

Edited May 17, 2016 by Maahfaace

[Spanky99]

I actually agree with a lot of this, but let's not kid ourselves. Shatkins knew that any success this team had was going to be in the short term only and every move they have made, whether or not they have worked out, was predicated on the chance of achieving something this season and perhaps the next. Happ and Estrada were signed for 2-3 years only, Barney and Storen 1 year, EE was offered a 2 year contract and so on.

 

Shatkins has recognized that this organization has been raped by AA's trades and the farm needs to be restocked and the team either dismantled or simply allowed to slip away quietly into the night in the off season. We also know that the free agent class of 2016 is utterly shite and there are no short term fixes to be had down the road. Thus Shatkins plan has to be the rebuild, although I agree he would have preferred like all of us to see the team achieve close to the level it did last year and I for one am still hopeful that it will.

 

I'm pretty sure BTS understands and agrees with this post bruh, I think he thought you were of the Shapiro/Atkins haters ilk, hence blaming this mess on them. I misread your image also.

[Spanky99]

I don't either, but I could honestly for see a scenario where the jays are hovering a few games over .500 being a couple games back of the division, and bats requests a trade behing closed doors anyways for selfish financial reasons. Let's juse say in won't be surprised at all if bats is moved prior to the deadline regardless of the jays record

 

No way, if he does, so be it. lol

[Maahfaace]

No way, if he does, so be it. lol

 

Think about it spanks. If one thing is crystal clear, it's that he way over values his actual worth given his age and eventual declining abilities. He's made it abundantly clear that money is at the forefront of his mind with what most would deem a ridiculous valuation of himself (term). For him to get maximum value on the FA market, he would need to lose that draft pick attached to him. If he's positive the jays have no interest in him at the term he wants, why wouldn't he ask for a trade? Don't think for one second he has some sort of obligation to finish out a season in toronto that would cost him millions in FA.

[Spanky99]

Think about it spanks. If one thing is crystal clear, it's that he way over values his actual worth given his age and eventual declining abilities. He's made it abundantly clear that money is at the forefront of his mind with what most would deem a ridiculous valuation of himself (term). For him to get maximum value on the FA market, he would need to lose that draft pick attached to him. If he's positive the jays have no interest in him at the term he wants, why wouldn't he ask for a trade? Don't think for one second he has some sort of obligation to finish out a season in toronto that would cost him millions in FA.

 

With how weak the FA class is next season, a QO attached to either of them won't matter much. I do understand what you're getting at.

[Daniel Labude]

Think about it spanks. If one thing is crystal clear, it's that he way over values his actual worth given his age and eventual declining abilities. He's made it abundantly clear that money is at the forefront of his mind with what most would deem a ridiculous valuation of himself (term). For him to get maximum value on the FA market, he would need to lose that draft pick attached to him. If he's positive the jays have no interest in him at the term he wants, why wouldn't he ask for a trade? Don't think for one second he has some sort of obligation to finish out a season in toronto that would cost him millions in FA.

 

This is on point. If we are out of it come July, both EE and Bautista will happily aggree to a trade to any contender.

[fireballW]

Think about it spanks. If one thing is crystal clear, it's that he way over values his actual worth given his age and eventual declining abilities. He's made it abundantly clear that money is at the forefront of his mind with what most would deem a ridiculous valuation of himself (term). For him to get maximum value on the FA market, he would need to lose that draft pick attached to him. If he's positive the jays have no interest in him at the term he wants, why wouldn't he ask for a trade? Don't think for one second he has some sort of obligation to finish out a season in toronto that would cost him millions in FA.

 

Bats seems convinced all his stretching and nutrition is going to keep him flying high. What baffles me is, he must at least already notice he can't throw nearly as good as he used to.

[Spanky99]

This is on point. If we are out of it come July, both EE and Bautista will happily aggree to a trade to any contender.

 

You still need 2 teams to tango, if the return isn't worth the value of a comp pick, you don't move them. It's a lot harder than you guys think.

[HERPDERP]

Burns, Antolin optioned

 

Venditte, Paredes up

[BigCecil]

Love this story....little bandwagoners. Justin Morneau said he wanted to focus on baseball after watching the Jays became perennial contenders in 87. Hope the boys can get hot and pull off a run to keep up this momentum....

 

Calgary baseball diamonds see 'Blue Jays bump' as kids flock to little leagues

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/little-leagues-calgary-blue-jays-baseball-1.3581004

[King]

Love this story....little bandwagoners. Justin Morneau said he wanted to focus on baseball after watching the Jays became perennial contenders in 87. Hope the boys can get hot and pull off a run to keep up this momentum....

 

Calgary baseball diamonds see 'Blue Jays bump' as kids flock to little leagues

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/little-leagues-calgary-blue-jays-baseball-1.3581004

 

 

 

Calgary baseball diamonds see 'Blue Jays bump' as kids flock to little leagues

 

25-30% more kids signed up to play ball this year

 

By Judy Aldous, CBC News Posted: May 17, 2016 5:00 AM MT

 

 

Tony Zhao, 12, decided to pick up baseball this year. He's a Blue Jays fan. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

Lucas Shellborn leaps sideways, baseball glove extended, and falls flat to the ground. "It's the Pillar catch. Like Superman," he says dusting himself off.

 

It's the nine-year-old's imitation of the Blue Jays' outfielder Kevin Pillar, known for diving through the air to make unbelievable catches.

 

Lucas Shellborn, 9, demonstrates his 'Pillar superman catch' inspired by Blue Jays' Kevin Pillar. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

You'll be seeing a lot of these fancy moves on Calgary baseball diamonds this year as record numbers of kids are signing up to play ball, inspired by Canada's only professional team's success.

 

The Blue Jays made it to the playoffs in October 2015 — for the first time in 22 years.

 

They call it the "Blue Jays bump", says Calgary West Little League president Kevin Gerla.

 

"We have seen a 30 per cent increase in registration over last year. That equates to about 200 more kids."

 

Other leagues report increases of 20 to 25 per cent.

 

 

 

'All Jays all the time'

 

Herman Figueroa has the 'Bautista bat flip' down.

 

Herman Figueroa

Herman Figueroa, 11, demonstrates the 'Bautista bat flip', immortalized by Blue Jays hitter Jose Bautista. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

"Once you connect with the ball, then you take five steps before throwing the bat. It's all with the wrist," Figueroa says.

 

The move was immortalised by the Blue Jays right fielder, Jose Bautista after he hit a series-winning home run in October 2015.

■Blue Jays' Bautista bat flip heard around the world

 

Figueroa, who plays for the Blue Jays team in the Calgary N.W. Little League, says he watched the move on YouTube a dozen times before trying it himself.

 

He knows not to try it during a game, as the move is frowned upon by baseball purists, not to mention second basemen with the Texas Rangers. (Bautista was punched at second base during a game in Texas on the weekend. It was seen as retaliation for the now infamous bat flip).

 

Members of Calgary West Little League baseball team

Members of Calgary West Little League team, the 'Mets' (left to right): Kai Rempel, Eilis Clipperton, Calder Chin, Cameron Gerla, Kellen Gerla, Robbie Johannesen, Braydon Grenier, Jon Vinge (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

 

Nice Problem to Have

 

Calgary West Little League President Kevin Gerla says they had been warned that the surge would happen.

 

Kevin Gerla, president Calgary West Little League

Kevin Gerla, president of Calgary West Little League and team coach, encourages his pitcher from the sidelines. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

"Those people in our league that were involved in baseball in the 90s after the Blue Jays won the World Series then they saw a similar bump, so it wasn't an unexpected event," Gerla said.

 

Just because they were expecting it, doesn't mean they were prepared.

 

"It's a nice problem to have. But it does pose some challenges. We may have got 30 per cent more kids. But we didn't get 30 per cent more diamonds. And we didn't get 30 per cent more coaches."

 

Calgary N.W. Little League team, the 'Blue Jays'

Members of Calgary's N.W. Little League team, the Blue Jays (left to right): Tony Zhao, Lucas Shellborn, Sam Shellborn, Matthew Roveto, Herman Figueroa (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

Gerla says many of the newcomers don't come from baseball families, so it took a bit of encouragement to get the parents to sign up for coaching duties.

 

Back to ball

 

Tom Polmear has spent eight years standing on the side of baseball diamonds as president of Calgary North West Little League.

 

Tom Polmear, president Calgary NW Little League

Tom Polmear, Calgary N.W. Little League president, says many kids left baseball to play spring hockey and outdoor soccer, but are now flocking back to baseball teams. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

Polmear says five years ago, baseball numbers were down.

 

"Kids were encouraged to specialise at a young age and we saw an explosion in spring hockey," he said.

 

That lasted a few years and then kids starting to come back to the diamonds.

 

"The sports that go year round like hockey and soccer, the kids have tried it, they are great sports, but it just wasn't their cup of tea, so they've come back to playing little league," Polmear said.

 

Sam Shellborn

Sam Shellborn, 11, gets ready for his game. Shellborn plays with the Blue Jays - a little league team in the N.W. division. 'It's all Blue Jays all the time' at their house, his mom says. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

Basketball bump next?

 

Things aren't going so well for the Jays this year.

 

 

The Toronto Raptors, on the other hand ... in a year, maybe we'll be talking about a 'basketball bump'.

 

Calgary Little League team

'Safe at home' - an exciting moment at a Calgary Little League game. Calgary teams are feeling a 'Blue Jays bump' as the success of Canada's only major league team inspires young players here. (Judy Aldous/CBC)

 

Remove all the sidebar and advertisement stuf, come on Big C, you know better, this is unreadable.

[BigCecil]

Remove all the sidebar and advertisement stuf, come on Big C, you know better, this is unreadable.

 

Ya, I thought I did. Sorry. Just click on the link....its all there. I took the text out.

 

I'm 50 not 20....my computer skills suck compared to yours.

[King]

Ya, I thought I did. Sorry. Just click on the link....its all there. I took the text out.

 

I'm 50 not 20....my computer skills suck compared to yours. I'm not even on twitter.

 

Haha it's fine. Cool story.

 

It's nice to see baseball getting higher registration numbers after it's widely considered a "dying sport" by those who aren't fans.

[BigCecil]

Haha it's fine. Cool story.

 

It's nice to see baseball getting higher registration numbers after it's widely considered a "dying sport" by those who aren't fans.

 

Jays are huge here now with the youth. I see it coaching the little league. Tons of Jays blue everywhere. I just hope this years team can keep some momentum up.

[Cookie]

There are 18 kids in my son's tee ball team this year and an extra 2 teams worth of kids just on tue/Thur coach pitch alone. It's inconvenient sometimes but a nice problem. Edited May 17, 2016 by Cookie

[Governator]

There are 18 kids in my son's tee ball team this year and an extra 2 teams worth of kids just on tue/Thur alone. It's inconvenient sometimes but a nice problem.

 

I coached 2 years of T-ball last two seasons, I couldn't imagine 18 showing up for a game. That would kill me.

[Cookie]

I coached 2 years of T-ball last two seasons, I couldn't imagine 18 showing up for a game. That would kill me.

 

Yes, it's a bit of a s*** show. We split the teams in half and play two mini games so each kid actually has a chance to hit a few times. Less dog piles this way too.

[BigCecil]

I coached 2 years of T-ball last two seasons, I couldn't imagine 18 showing up for a game. That would kill me.

 

I had 14 the other night....its stressful!! All asking you questions about where they play....can they play here....can they pitch....can they catch. No matter how many times I tell them.

[HERPDERP]

I had 14 the other night....its stressful!! All asking you questions about where they play....can they play here....can they pitch....can they catch. No matter how many times I tell them.

 

I hope you didn't tell the fat kids to go play SS

[bendera3]

I hope you didn't tell the fat kids to go play SS

 

When I played I was the fattest shortstop in the league. Some fat kids are quick.

[HERPDERP]

When I played I was the fattest shortstop in the league. Some fat kids are quick.

 

True, but you're probably not being optimal. It's like putting prime Sandoval at SS instead of Crawford.

[HERPDERP]

Jeff Sullivan on Russell Martin

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/russell-martin-aint-right/

[Stangstag]

Jeff Sullivan on Russell Martin

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/russell-martin-aint-right/

 

TLDR: Martin's follow through on his swing looked different this April than it has in the past. The last week or so, it has looked more normal.

[HERPDERP]

I've never understood the important of the follow-through, even with pitchers. As long as all the stuff before you swing/release the ball is the same, you should be good, right?

[burlingtonbandit]

I've never understood the important of the follow-through, even with pitchers. As long as all the stuff before you swing/release the ball is the same, you should be good, right?

 

No because follow through helps explain how you got to that position. If your follow through is different than there is a real good chance your pre contact swing is different too.

[BigCecil]

I hope you didn't tell the fat kids to go play SS

 

I play everyone some in the OF and IF some and every kid sits some. These are 8-9-10 year olds.

 

But I never play the kids who aren't any good at 1B, Pitcher or catcher. Its beyond brutal if you do and they can get hurt. That doesn't mean they don't ask to do it....allllll the fking time.

[Spanky99]

I've never understood the important of the follow-through, even with pitchers. As long as all the stuff before you swing/release the ball is the same, you should be good, right?

 

Same thing holds true for the golf swing the finish is huge.