Justin Smoak contract extension

[thatoneguy]

Well The brass claims it won't affect the EE negotiations - yeah ok. Every GM makes good and lousy moves. Happ = good. Storen = Horrible, Smoak = meh, Grilli = Good, not signing EE = will be stupid, Ortiz was worth every dime as a DH.

 

Storen for Revere has been largely a wash.

[Smoak Is Awful]

Sorry for bumping this, but my frustrations are at an all-time high and I refuse to make a thread given how whiny this post will come across to some, particularly Smoak supporters...if such a thing exists. But why the HELL is this turgid lard on this team when to this day, his incompetence remains a god damn meme amongst Seattle Mariners fans? How does someone as abominable as Smoak get a contract extension??!? I am aware that every major league team has subpar players on it. However, even mediocre to bad player usually fulfill some sort of niche. Let's take a look at the players on the Blue Jays roster that are largely considered to be, err, suboptimal.

 

Darwin Barney: Excellent defensive utility player (when not playing third base...) and capable backup infielder. Not a good hitter, but he doesn't need to be to fulfill his niche.

 

Ezequiel Carrera: Similar to Barney, except a little bit less good defensively. His speed can be useful in certain situations and although he's a terrible hitter with little power, he does somehow get on base more often than he should. Even when he started slumping, he managed to work some walks in some tough at bats. An OK 4th / 5th outfielder to have.

 

Gavin Floyd / Scott Feldman: Mediocre mop-up guys that effeciently, if not gracefully, eat up innings when the team is up or down by a lot. Hopefully Feldman can start pitching the way he did in Houston.

 

R.A. Dickey: Mediocre starter guy that effeciently, if not gracefully, eat up innings. Yea he's pretty bad, but no worse than most #5 pitchers around the league. His ability to randomly stymie Boston and Baltimore this year has been quite useful.

 

Melvin Upton Jr: A better Carrera. His bat is Smoak-level bad, but his above average outfield defense and baserunning ability makes him very useful as a sub late game. Obviously not a starting calibur outfielder on a contending team, and he doesn't need to be with us.

 

Ryan Tepera, Jordan Lake: Awful, but are not normally on the 25 man roster anyway. I hope Lake gives his annual salary to starving children in Africa because he sure as hell doesn't deserve it.

 

Josh Thole: Okay, Thole is brutal. But you know what? He has a TINY niche as a knuckleball catching specialist, even if you need an electron microscope to see it. I have no interest having him on the team after this year's regular season comes to a conclusion, but even then, he technically does SOMETHING.

 

Francisco Liriano: Potentially useful LOOGY come playoff time due to his ability to get strikeouts.

 

Smoak does nothing well. He is an average defensive first basemen with terrible plate discipline, below average power (especially for a frigging first basemen), a horrific batting average, and worst of all, absolutely no speed. That means that the few times Smoak somehow gets a single on a fastball down the middle, he will clog up the bases due to his inability to move. Let's not even talk about his inability to hit a breaking ball; Carol Channing would have a better chance of hitting a curveball than this useless insipid player. He has no niche, and contributes absolutely nothing to the team. There is no reason to pay him anything more than the league minimum unless you think there is the potential for him to improve, and he has been around more than long enough to know that improvement is never going to come. He is absolutely terrible. You don't reward failure, and this contract extension is an example of rewarding one of the biggest failures in not only major league baseball, but any professional sport.

 

And yes, I am a long time lurker and intended to lurk throughout my existence (and probably won't post much here even now that I have made an account, too shy). Smoak's inherent dreadfulness warranted me to temporarily overcome my shyness to vent my frustrations, because I couldn't take it anymore.

 

Have a fulfilling day.

Edited August 14, 2016 by Smoak Is Awful
meant 3rd base not 1st re: barney

[Jonn]

Sorry for bumping this, but my frustrations are at an all-time high and I refuse to make a thread given how whiny this post will come across to some, particularly Smoak supporters...if such a thing exists. But why the HELL is this turgid lard on this team when to this day, his incompetence remains a god damn meme amongst Seattle Mariners fans? How does someone as abominable as Smoak get a contract extension??!? I am aware that every major league team has subpar players on it. However, even mediocre to bad player usually fulfill some sort of niche. Let's take a look at the players on the Blue Jays roster that are largely considered to be, err, suboptimal.

 

Darwin Barney: Excellent defensive utility player (when not playing first base...) and capable backup infielder. Not a good hitter, but he doesn't need to be to fulfill his niche.

 

Ezequiel Carrera: Similar to Barney, except a little bit less good defensively. His speed can be useful in certain situations and although he's a terrible hitter with little power, he does somehow get on base more often than he should. Even when he started slumping, he managed to work some walks in some tough at bats. An OK 4th / 5th outfielder to have.

 

Gavin Floyd / Scott Feldman: Mediocre mop-up guys that effeciently, if not gracefully, eat up innings when the team is up or down by a lot. Hopefully Feldman can start pitching the way he did in Houston.

 

R.A. Dickey: Mediocre starter guy that effeciently, if not gracefully, eat up innings. Yea he's pretty bad, but no worse than most #5 pitchers around the league. His ability to randomly stymie Boston and Baltimore this year has been quite useful.

 

Melvin Upton Jr: A better Carrera. His bat is Smoak-level bad, but his above average outfield defense and baserunning ability makes him very useful as a sub late game. Obviously not a starting calibur outfielder on a contending team, and he doesn't need to be with us.

 

Ryan Tepera, Jordan Lake: Awful, but are not normally on the 25 man roster anyway. I hope Lake gives his annual salary to starving children in Africa because he sure as hell doesn't deserve it.

 

Josh Thole: Okay, Thole is brutal. But you know what? He has a TINY niche as a knuckleball catching specialist, even if you need an electron microscope to see it. I have no interest having him on the team after this year's regular season comes to a conclusion, but even then, he technically does SOMETHING.

 

Francisco Liriano: Potentially useful LOOGY come playoff time due to his ability to get strikeouts.

 

Smoak does nothing well. He is an average defensive first basemen with terrible plate discipline, below average power (especially for a frigging first basemen), a horrific batting average, and worst of all, absolutely no speed. That means that the few times Smoak somehow gets a single on a fastball down the middle, he will clog up the bases due to his inability to move. Let's not even talk about his inability to hit a breaking ball; Carol Channing would have a better chance of hitting a curveball than this useless insipid player. He has no niche, and contributes absolutely nothing to the team. There is no reason to pay him anything more than the league minimum unless you think there is the potential for him to improve, and he has been around more than long enough to know that improvement is never going to come. He is absolutely terrible. You don't reward failure, and this contract extension is an example of rewarding one of the biggest failures in not only major league baseball, but any professional sport.

 

And yes, I am a long time lurker and intended to lurk throughout my existence (and probably won't post much here even now that I have made an account, too shy). Smoak's inherent dreadfulness warranted me to temporarily overcome my shyness to vent my frustrations, because I couldn't take it anymore.

 

Have a fulfilling day.

 

TLDR

 

cf

[BTS]

Sorry for bumping this, but my frustrations are at an all-time high and I refuse to make a thread given how whiny this post will come across to some, particularly Smoak supporters...if such a thing exists. But why the HELL is this turgid lard on this team when to this day, his incompetence remains a god damn meme amongst Seattle Mariners fans? How does someone as abominable as Smoak get a contract extension??!? I am aware that every major league team has subpar players on it. However, even mediocre to bad player usually fulfill some sort of niche. Let's take a look at the players on the Blue Jays roster that are largely considered to be, err, suboptimal.

 

Darwin Barney: Excellent defensive utility player (when not playing first base...) and capable backup infielder. Not a good hitter, but he doesn't need to be to fulfill his niche.

 

Ezequiel Carrera: Similar to Barney, except a little bit less good defensively. His speed can be useful in certain situations and although he's a terrible hitter with little power, he does somehow get on base more often than he should. Even when he started slumping, he managed to work some walks in some tough at bats. An OK 4th / 5th outfielder to have.

 

Gavin Floyd / Scott Feldman: Mediocre mop-up guys that effeciently, if not gracefully, eat up innings when the team is up or down by a lot. Hopefully Feldman can start pitching the way he did in Houston.

 

R.A. Dickey: Mediocre starter guy that effeciently, if not gracefully, eat up innings. Yea he's pretty bad, but no worse than most #5 pitchers around the league. His ability to randomly stymie Boston and Baltimore this year has been quite useful.

 

Melvin Upton Jr: A better Carrera. His bat is Smoak-level bad, but his above average outfield defense and baserunning ability makes him very useful as a sub late game. Obviously not a starting calibur outfielder on a contending team, and he doesn't need to be with us.

 

Ryan Tepera, Jordan Lake: Awful, but are not normally on the 25 man roster anyway. I hope Lake gives his annual salary to starving children in Africa because he sure as hell doesn't deserve it.

 

Josh Thole: Okay, Thole is brutal. But you know what? He has a TINY niche as a knuckleball catching specialist, even if you need an electron microscope to see it. I have no interest having him on the team after this year's regular season comes to a conclusion, but even then, he technically does SOMETHING.

 

Francisco Liriano: Potentially useful LOOGY come playoff time due to his ability to get strikeouts.

 

Smoak does nothing well. He is an average defensive first basemen with terrible plate discipline, below average power (especially for a frigging first basemen), a horrific batting average, and worst of all, absolutely no speed. That means that the few times Smoak somehow gets a single on a fastball down the middle, he will clog up the bases due to his inability to move. Let's not even talk about his inability to hit a breaking ball; Carol Channing would have a better chance of hitting a curveball than this useless insipid player. He has no niche, and contributes absolutely nothing to the team. There is no reason to pay him anything more than the league minimum unless you think there is the potential for him to improve, and he has been around more than long enough to know that improvement is never going to come. He is absolutely terrible. You don't reward failure, and this contract extension is an example of rewarding one of the biggest failures in not only major league baseball, but any professional sport.

 

And yes, I am a long time lurker and intended to lurk throughout my existence (and probably won't post much here even now that I have made an account, too shy). Smoak's inherent dreadfulness warranted me to temporarily overcome my shyness to vent my frustrations, because I couldn't take it anymore.

 

Have a fulfilling day.

 

Yup, the reasons for that extension are a mystery. He just takes up space. No idea why they thought he should get 4+M a year to do it.

[intentional wok]

I think the rationale was simply to ensure a warm body at the position for next year instead of going into the off-season looking to fill four spots in the batting lineup. I can live with him as a backup, although I think they probably committed a bit more than necessary. I still don't want him seeing regular time, but I think retaining him is justifiable considering the cards on Shatkins' table.

[RealAccountant]

Sign Arod to the league minimum and have him DH. Probably a better option than Smoak

[frizzer1]

. I can live with him as a backup, although I think they probably committed a bit more than necessary. I still don't want him seeing regular time, but I think retaining him is justifiable considering the cards on Shatkins' table.

 

A back up should at least be able to pinch hit off the bench and at least sometimes contribute.

The only times Smoak can make contact is if for some unexplainable reason they don't throw him a breaking ball...

The guy has no value.....

[G-Snarls]

A back up should at least be able to pinch hit off the bench and at least sometimes contribute.

The only times Smoak can make contact is if for some unexplainable reason they don't throw him a breaking ball...

The guy has no value.....

 

Yeah. There will be guys as good as Smoak released during Spring Training and available on minor league contracts. It's not a ton of money but I also don't get it.

 

I guess it's just so they know they have SOMEONE in the spot

[intentional wok]

Yeah. There will be guys as good as Smoak released during Spring Training and available on minor league contracts. It's not a ton of money but I also don't get it.

 

I guess it's just so they know they have SOMEONE in the spot

 

Agreed. Shatkins have already shown that they are shrewd and clever. I really don't worry about them being able to find above average pieces to replace Jose, EE, or Saunders. I thought the offseason coming into April was pretty solid and I thought their deadline moves were excellent for what they were (acquiring controllable talent with decent upside that help at MLB now + restocking the farm + making some neutral but solid change-of-scenery depth assets).

[G-Snarls]

Agreed. Shatkins have already shown that they are shrewd and clever. I really don't worry about them being able to find above average pieces to replace Jose, EE, or Saunders. I thought the offseason coming into April was pretty solid and I thought their deadline moves were excellent for what they were (acquiring controllable talent with decent upside that help at MLB now + restocking the farm + making some neutral but solid change-of-scenery depth assets).

 

Yes

 

And I have good feeling about the payroll too

[Krylian]

Here's hoping.

[puphood]

First I don't even want Smoak as a backup at first base on a contending team and if you don't think his calibre of hitter at first baseman could not of been found in the off season you need help. Even Goins has a comparable batting average and at least has a defensive up side. Also the 4mill/year they could have been put towards a EE contract. This management team seems to think signing EE was a extravagance they could not afford and insulted him by offering him originally a one year contract. A 40 HR/year hitter that plays more than passable first base.......you don't want aggressively sign?.......

[Brownie19]

First I don't even want Smoak as a backup at first base on a contending team and if you don't think his calibre of hitter at first baseman could not of been found in the off season you need help. Even Goins has a comparable batting average and at least has a defensive up side. Also the 4mill/year they could have been put towards a EE contract. This management team seems to think signing EE was a extravagance they could not afford and insulted him by offering him originally a one year contract. A 40 HR/year hitter that plays more than passable first base.......you don't want aggressively sign?.......

 

I think the board needs to reconsider is ranking system. Labelling you as a "prospect" and dogg as an "all star" is very misleading.

[CrackerJack]

didn't this board love Smoaky last season? haha

[ProfessionalAtBat]

Atrocious

[G-Snarls]

Smoak hitless in his last 29 plate appearances with RISP

[CrackerJack]

Yes everyone wanted him over Colabello.

 

yeah, I recall the majority freaking out whenever Cola got the start at 1b over him.

 

who had more WAR between the two last season? (when you exclude Cola's OF "defense" haha)

[RealAccountant]

What a dumb post. Smoak played well last year he sucks this year so people don't like him.

 

Struck out 41 times in his last 86 games

[admin]

Should have given him five years.

[thatoneguy]

Smoak hitless in his last 29 plate appearances with RISP

 

DFA time is coming.

[Smoak Is Awful]

Absolute trash player. I really have nothing constructive to say at this point, nor do I see any reason to be civil to this sack of lard.

[bones10]

Pompey? Montero? No more Smoak... please.

[BTS]

Guy has a 92 wRC+ and his only position is an average 1B. I really wish he wasn't signed for next year.

[AdamLindsMom]

Since June 9 he's .161/.242/.375 with a 37.9% k rate.

[AdamLindsMom]

That's like having Josh Thole as your starting 1B

[Caper]

I'd give my left arm just to have a guy like a healthy David Cooper out there.

[Caper]

You could literally call up a guy like Rowdy Tellez and he would be more productive then Smoak.

[CrackerJack]

so they extend Smoak to cover themselves in the event that Edwin departs, but the reality is they've now given Edwino maximum leverage in contract negotiations because he can say "if I split, you're stuck with Smoak hahaha"

[Seanie]

Justin Smoak is the f***ing worst

[Belliss101]

Having Justin Smoak is worse than having Zika virus