General 2016 Blue Jays discussion thread

[nmrch]

The Jays odds of making the playoffs have gone up 5.5% just from the 2-0 start. Given how many intra division games the Jays have in April, it is an unusually important month. A good April could draw us even with the Red Sox or maybe even surprass them if we do well in the 7 games against them this month.

[SpeedyGose]

Adam Lind ()

Logan Morrison

Derek Dietrich

 

Even Yonder Alonso is a career 112 wRC+ vs. RHP.

 

 

There's 4 more options. Some may have required a trade and some obviously weren't an option (Lind) - but you get the gist.

 

Yeah, I get the idea that there are a bunch of similar players but herpderp said I was content with settling for mediocrity and we could do better for the price.

 

All these guys are similar bats (Lind aside but as far as I know he wasn't available) for similar price. I don't see an upgrade for the same price or lower.

[Brownie19]

Yeah, I get the idea that there are a bunch of similar players but herpderp said I was content with settling for mediocrity and we could do better for the price.

 

All these guys are similar bats (Lind aside but as far as I know he wasn't available) for similar price. I don't see an upgrade for the same price or lower.

 

Lind was traded this year for a bag of balls. He was available (although given his history with the Jays - likely not an option). Jaso and Lind are 2 inexpensive options who are significantly better than Smoak vs. RHP. Your best argument is Smoak's defensive value makes up for how average his bat is.

 

Another option is James Loney, who's is a year removed from a 120 wRC+ season vs. RHP and he was just released from the Rays. You could get him for the league minimum and defensively, he's as good as Smoak.

[bones10]

Lind was traded this year for a bag of balls. He was available (although given his history with the Jays - likely not an option). Jaso and Lind are 2 inexpensive options who are significantly better than Smoak vs. RHP. Your best argument is Smoak's defensive value makes up for how average his bat is.

 

Another option is James Loney, who's is a year removed from a 120 wRC+ season vs. RHP and he was just released from the Rays. You could get him for the league minimum and defensively, he's as good as Smoak.

 

Wasn't Loney's ISO lower than .100? No thanks.

[King]

Marc Topkin ‏@TBTimes_Rays 2m2 minutes agoView translation

#Rays lineup: Forsythe 2b, Morrison 1b, Longoria 3b, Dickerson DH, Jennings lf, Miller SS, Souza RF, Kiermaier Cf, Conger c, Odorizzi p

[Angrioter]

Estrada to start Sunday against Red Suxx

[jaysfan2014]

You'd think Kevin Cash would make some changes in the lineup after losing 2 straight.. especially in the leadoff and #2 holes.. they're in danger of handing the Jays a series victory at the Trop--which is rare for us.

[Krylian]

Jays claimed Pearce 2 years ago and he didn't want to play for the jays.

 

I think a lot of players that didn't want to play for the Jays in 2014 have since changed their minds if you were to ask.

[KinofChaos]

I think a lot of players that didn't want to play for the Jays in 2014 have since changed their minds if you were to ask.

 

I don't understand how a guy like pearce wouldn't want to play here? It's not like he's a superstar, or even an all-star. Even in 14 the Jays offense was really good, good lineup to hit in. Hate Athletes who don't want to play in Toronto like it's some third world country.

[Angrioter]

You'd think Kevin Cash would make some changes in the lineup after losing 2 straight.. especially in the leadoff and #2 holes.. they're in danger of handing the Jays a series victory at the Trop--which is rare for us.

 

Forthyse is good. Only 7 AB

[Laika]

MEMORIES OF MARK: The thought struck John Gibbons before the season-opener Sunday that the last time the Blue Jays were at Tropicana Field, they started Mark Buehrle on short rest with the aim of getting the veteran lefty the two innings he needed for a 15th straight season of 200.

 

Buehrle didn’t make it out of the first, allowing eight unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning, to finish the season at 198.2 frames. The 37-year-old became a free agent at the end of last season and while he hasn’t officially retired, Gibbons said Buehrle planned to buy an RV and do some travelling with his family this summer.

 

"I talked to him a couple times during spring training, we plugged him in on FaceTime when we had our orientation meeting on the first day of spring," said Gibbons. "They had him up on the board, he had one of those big stocking caps on, a big ole beard, he ripped into a few of his buddies real good. He’s got to miss it a little bit but he doesn’t let on. He’s having a great time."

 

As for why Buehrle hasn’t filed retirement papers yet, Gibbons said, "He told me, ‘They keep writing stories about me, so I’m going to screw with them, man.’"

[HERPDERP]

Saunders isn't playing today, Carrera instead.

 

RIP Saunders

[G-Snarls]

Saunders isn't playing today, Carrera instead.

 

RIP Saunders

 

Short rest game, prob makes sense to swap him out

 

What about Martin?

[HERPDERP]

Short rest game, prob makes sense to swap him out

 

What about Martin?

 

[G-Snarls]

Who's got the GDT?

[Terminator]

Kind of a random ? but I figured this was the thread for it.

 

Is Smoak actually any better than Colabello at defense? According to the metrics he is but according to my lying eyes it seems like Colabello has decent range. Made a diving stop this season and in the playoffs he did pretty well. Is Cola really THAT bad at defense and is Smoak really any good at all?

[Governator]

Kind of a random ? but I figured this was the thread for it.

 

Is Smoak actually any better than Colabello at defense? According to the metrics he is but according to my lying eyes it seems like Colabello has decent range. Made a diving stop this season and in the playoffs he did pretty well. Is Cola really THAT bad at defense and is Smoak really any good at all?

 

As KingKat said the other day, Cola is underrated and Smoak is overrated.

 

Even if all things are equal though a capable left handed first basemen always has the advantage in throws to 2nd and not having to do backhand grabs for gap shots or swiping runners.

[Laika]

Kind of a random ? but I figured this was the thread for it.

 

Is Smoak actually any better than Colabello at defense? According to the metrics he is but according to my lying eyes it seems like Colabello has decent range. Made a diving stop this season and in the playoffs he did pretty well. Is Cola really THAT bad at defense and is Smoak really any good at all?

 

I think it's the type of thing that you can't really evaluate with eyeballs, at least not in a small sample (a few months). Colabello has made some diving plays but were his jumps bad? Smoak unquestionably has better hands around the bag. Both of them are better than Edwin though, probably.

 

You're probably talking about marginal differences either way. They should just treat it like a straight offensive platoon for now and ignore defense.

[HERPDERP]

I wouldn't look at all at diving plays. Those plays more have to do with positioning.

 

The better player is the one that can scoop the ball, which Smoak has shown that he has been able to handle.

[Terminator]

I think it's the type of thing that you can't really evaluate with eyeballs, at least not in a small sample (a few months). Colabello has made some diving plays but were his jumps bad? Smoak unquestionably has better hands around the bag. Both of them are better than Edwin though, probably.

 

You're probably talking about marginal differences either way. They should just treat it like a straight offensive platoon for now and ignore defense.

 

Well said. And yeah Smoak does seem to have better hands and he did make that nice throw to get the lead runner out earlier this season. Like you said though, small sample sizes and I can't trust my eyes really.

 

I think come trade deadline time this could be a position that is easily upgradeable. Hopefully they can prove me wrong.

[Angrioter]

Defensive spectrum say "1B suxxxx"...

Just hit the damn ball

[Laika]

Well said. And yeah Smoak does seem to have better hands and he did make that nice throw to get the lead runner out earlier this season. Like you said though, small sample sizes and I can't trust my eyes really.

 

I think come trade deadline time this could be a position that is easily upgradeable. Hopefully they can prove me wrong.

 

Yeah I don't particularly like either of them. Should trade for Tex after the Yankees bomb, lol. Carlos Santana only has 2016 + a team option left on his deal. Someone like John Jaso would have fit the team well.

 

I don't see many trade fits on teams that will very likely be sellers. The Braves can have whatever they want for Freddie Freeman.

[Angrioter]

Scott MacArthur ‏

Gibbons: Michael Saunders has tightness in his hamstring. Day off today + tomorrow = Should be fine. #BlueJays #MLB #Rays

[HERPDERP]

Of course

[Angrioter]

Saunders is hurt after only 3 games lol

[G-Snarls]

Not going to worry just yet but...

 

I've heard this one before

[Daniel Labude]

Who's got the GDT?

U should do it

[HERPDERP]

Not going to worry just yet but...

 

I've heard this one before

 

Aaron Loup is fine, he's just sore he'll be ready

 

~

 

Ends up missing ST and probably whole of April too.

[Governator]

Scott MacArthur ‏

Gibbons: Michael Saunders has tightness in his hamstring. Day off today + tomorrow = Should be fine. #BlueJays #MLB #Rays

 

lmao, he should join our health & fitness thread for some cardio tips.

[KingKat]

Yeah I don't particularly like either of them. Should trade for Tex after the Yankees bomb, lol. Carlos Santana only has 2016 + a team option left on his deal. Someone like John Jaso would have fit the team well.

 

I don't see many trade fits on teams that will very likely be sellers. The Braves can have whatever they want for Freddie Freeman.

 

Votto's not going to happen but the idea of adding him to this lineup...