Offseason Roster Thread 2016-17

[BTS]

Smoak at 1B and Carrera in LF against RHP is going to be brutal to watch when Pearce and Upton are better than both of them at practically everything.

 

I still say put Pearce at 1B full time and sign the best value LF you can find that can platoon with Upton.

 

That would be the best configuration, but the only desirable OF left on the market is Angel Pagan. It's looking more and more like Smoak is going to get a lot of playing time.

[Laika]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/punting-first-base-is-the-new-black/

 

Cameron calling Toronto's neglect of 1B egregious given the state of the market.

 

"The Blue Jays are probably the most egregious offender here, with Justin Smoak — himself a cautionary tale about 1B prospects who extract a lot of value from their walk rates despite average power — looking like the guy in line for the most at-bats at first base. With Vogelbach and Bell, you can at least bet on their youth and hope for power development, but Smoak is 29 and has a career wRC+ of 95 in nearly 3,000 plate appearances; he is what he is."

 

There really is no reason not to give Chris Carter 4M or so share 1B/DH with Morales.

 

Steve Pearce is probably the 1B right now though

[Bobthe4th]

Steve Pearce is probably the 1B right now though

 

Gibbons said the plan was Pearce and Smoak would platoon at 1B. He didn't comment on whether Pearce would then move to the outfield on days Smoak starts.

[intentional wok]

That would be the best configuration, but the only desirable OF left on the market is Angel Pagan. It's looking more and more like Smoak is going to get a lot of playing time.

 

Moss?

[glory]

Moss?

 

He signed with the Royals.

[BTS]

Moss?

 

Signed in KC

[intentional wok]

Starting to think my girlfriend is right about me losing my memory.

[glory]

How about Gregor Blanco? Coming off a down year but solid defensive LF, about average against rhp typically, and a 2.0-2.5 WAR player from 2012-15. Can't be worse than Carrera.

 

Edit: nvm, signed with the D-Backs. Wow, a minor league deal. I wonder why the JAys weren't on that. Well maybe they were but he didn't want to sign. I seriously would take anyone over Zeke at this point.

[Brownie19]

I think between Upton and Pompey - LF is covered. Screw Zeke. I still think Upton will be much better this year now that he's had an opportunity to adjust more.

 

Coghlan is still out there too. He posted 3.3 and 2.4 WAR seasons in 2015 and 2014. Appears he'll be dirt cheap and is LH. He seems like a good fit.

[saskjayfan]

Moss?

 

Gurriel?

[Bobthe4th]

Gurriel?

 

Yeah at this point is it worth giving a major league deal to any of the remaining free agents when all Carrera has to do is not be awful until either Gurriel or Pompey is ready or a better player is available on waivers or a salary dump at the deadline.

 

It'd be different if there was someone available who was a significant upgrade (i.e. not Jay Bruce!).

[Laika]

Gibbons said the plan was Pearce and Smoak would platoon at 1B. He didn't comment on whether Pearce would then move to the outfield on days Smoak starts.

 

Gibbons probably isn't even in the loop. They might platoon at first to go easy on Steve but in 3 weeks it'll be obvious that Pearce needs to play every day.

[G-Snarls]

[G-Snarls]

From interview on MLB Network

[Bobthe4th]

Gibbons probably isn't even in the loop. They might platoon at first to go easy on Steve but in 3 weeks it'll be obvious that Pearce needs to play every day.

 

Gibbons decides the line up so.......

 

I don't necessarily disagree with you though, Gibbons basically stopped using Smoak in 2015 and 2016 once it got close to playoffs and important games so it's not like he loves him for being a veteran or anything (unlike say Carrera).

 

It depends on how Pearce performs too. Gibbons (and the front office) may think Pearce needs protecting because he hasn't played a full time role before. But if Pearce plays some outfield on days he's not at 1B, and/or he's really good then yes I agree Smoak's playing time should all but disappear.

[Terminator]

I hate that Smoak and Zeke are looking at so much playing time. If we could do it over again I'd pass on Morales (or at least wait) and in his place I'd bring in Valbuena and Moss for similar money. Could probably add another cheap DH bat as well like Chris Carter or Pedro Alvarez. DFA Smoak and just let Zeke walk. As it stands we are giving way too many AB's to replacement level players.

[Abomination]

I hate that Smoak and Zeke are looking at so much playing time. If we could do it over again I'd pass on Morales (or at least wait) and in his place I'd bring in Valbuena and Moss for similar money. Could probably add another cheap DH bat as well like Chris Carter or Pedro Alvarez. DFA Smoak and just let Zeke walk. As it stands we are giving way too many AB's to replacement level players.

 

I think at this point we have to accept that something in Smoak's advanced stats has the organization believing that he will break out, and want to give him the chance to do so. With the contracts some of the other options seem to be looking at, it's really the only explanation.

[z3r0s]

Grab Pagan, a decent BP arm (Romo, Blanton?). Do we have the payroll to get that done?

 

2B - Travis

RF - Bautista

3B - Donaldson

DH - Morales

SS - Tulo

1B - Pearce

C - Martin

LF - Pagan

CF - Pillar

 

BN - Some backup C

BN - Smoak

BN - Barney

BN - Upton

 

SP - Sanchez

SP - Happ

SP - Stroman

SP - Liriano

SP - Estrada

 

CL - Osuna

SU - Blanton/Romo

SU - Grilli

RP - Biagini

RP - Barnes

RP - Bolsinger

RP - Howell

[glory]

Man, if Carrera and Upton are the LF options, then I think we all know who Gibbons will play more.

 

Ugh.

[jays4life19]

Man, if Carrera and Upton are the LF options, then I think we all know who Gibbons will play more.

 

Ugh.

 

Well Upton should really only play vs lefty pitching. So yeah, Carrera will get more playing time.

[Terminator]

Well Upton should really only play vs lefty pitching. So yeah, Carrera will get more playing time.

 

I'd prefer to play Upton full time over Zeke. Zeke is trash.

[jays4life19]

I'd prefer to play Upton full time over Zeke. Zeke is trash.

 

Allow me to fangraphs and I'll get back to you on that.

 

Edit: Hmmm they both f***ing blow vs righty pitching so sure why not.

[Brownie19]

Well Upton should really only play vs lefty pitching. So yeah, Carrera will get more playing time.

 

If I'm not mistaken, I think Upton really only excelled vs. LHP last year....he isn't a true platoon bat.

 

And doesn't Zeke hit LHP better than RHP (while hitting neither very well?).

 

 

Coghlan's the guy here. Cheap deal.....Zeke to AAA.

[glory]

They are equally bad against righties worst case, and Upton does everything else better.

 

Start Upton and use Zeke as a 4th of. Best case, Upton goes back to his Padres form and the Jays get pretty damn good value for one year.

 

No upside with Zeke at all.

[Terminator]

They are equally bad against righties worst case, and Upton does everything else better.

 

Start Upton and use Zeke as a 4th of. Best case, Upton goes back to his Padres form and the Jays get pretty damn good value for one year.

 

No upside with Zeke at all.

 

This is exactly my thought process. Start Upton and pray he puts up Padre-like numbers and nets us 1.5 WAR+. He really only needs to hit 90 wRC+ to go with his good defense and baserunning for that to happen.

[TholesWeirdEye]

This is exactly my thought process. Start Upton and pray he puts up Padre-like numbers and nets us 1.5 WAR+. He really only needs to hit 90 wRC+ to go with his good defense and baserunning for that to happen.

 

I'll take 2007 BJ Upton plz and thx.

[Orgfiller]

I'll take 2007 BJ Upton plz and thx.

 

I'll settle for the 2012 version, or the 2015 version scaled to 150 games or so.

[RealAccountant]

I think Upton will surprise people

 

Like if you look at last year he only struck out 28%, but history tells us he is capable of much much more. For example, in one of the seasons with the Braves he showed he is capable of striking out 34% of the time

 

So much potential.

 

I think this year he can put up K rates in the high 30s.

 

But Hey Shapiro got him for free, and if anything he loves shopping at the dollar store.

[Brownie19]

If you combine 2015 and 2016 Upton (while on the Padres), he's a 3 WAR player over a full season (playing similar to 2012 Upton). I don't believe he was being platooned in SD, so there is upside here. Much like Pompey (and Pillar) he could bring a lot of value to this team simply by playing good defense and running the bases well.

 

Bring in Coghlan as the 4th OF/insurance and jettison Zeke to AAA.

[reedjohnsonfan]

If you combine 2015 and 2016 Upton (while on the Padres), he's a 3 WAR player over a full season (playing similar to 2012 Upton). I don't believe he was being platooned in SD, so there is upside here. Much like Pompey (and Pillar) he could bring a lot of value to this team simply by playing good defense and running the bases well.

 

Bring in Coghlan as the 4th OF/insurance and jettison Zeke to AAA.

 

If you cherry pick stats, just about any player can look good. I get that it is a fairly recent performance for Upton, but he's not an everyday player IMO.