General 2017 Blue Jays Discussion Thread

[Sammy225]

WHo is more likely to regress to their norm, Pillar or Smoak?

[glory]

WHo is more likely to regress to their norm, Pillar or Smoak?

 

On offence, Pillar.

 

I expect Smoak to regress, but dude has a 18% K% and .294 babip (not a whole lot of luck there). If he's not striking out like a mad man, then he might be a changed hitter.

[Angrioter]

On offence, Pillar.

 

I expect Smoak to regress, but dude has a 18% K% and .294 babip (not a whole lot of luck there). If he's not striking out like a mad man, then he might be a changed hitter.

 

He looks like Edwin.. Low K with pop

[Brownie19]

On offence, Pillar.

 

I expect Smoak to regress, but dude has a 18% K% and .294 babip (not a whole lot of luck there). If he's not striking out like a mad man, then he might be a changed hitter.

 

Smoak is making way more contact than he's ever done before - in and out of the zone.

 

 

He's having a 2009 Mark Reynolds season so far!

[baseballsss]

The real question here is what in the world happened? Did Shatkins really know something no one else did? Or is this completly fluke to the extension he signed.

[THANOS]

Smoak is making way more contact than he's ever done before - in and out of the zone.

 

 

He's having a 2009 Mark Reynolds season so far!

 

Not sure I understand the 2009 Reynolds comparison. He had a 33% K% that season lol. Almost double what Smoak is putting up this season.

[Terminator]

With the emergence of Pillar and Smoak this lineup is looking top notch. The only weak out is whoever is in LF and batting #9 although when Pearce comes back that could change. If the injury situation continues to stabilize some this could be a dangerous team.

[metafour]

The real question here is what in the world happened? Did Shatkins really know something no one else did? Or is this completly fluke to the extension he signed.

 

One of the Fangraphs writers wrote an article before this season even started in which he revealed that Smoak's closest comp based off of his launch angle, exit velocity, and contact percentage last year was actually Freddie Freeman, so this was absolutely "known" to some degree. He's making way more contact this year and that natural angle/velocity is flourishing.

[Laika]

One of the Fangraphs writers wrote an article before this season even started in which he revealed that Smoak's closest comp based off of his launch angle, exit velocity, and contact percentage last year was actually Freddie Freeman, so this was absolutely "known" to some degree. He's making way more contact this year and that natural angle/velocity is flourishing.

 

Yeah, Smoak's batted ball information has always been strong. It's why the Blue Jays acquired him in the first place, and it's also why they extended him before he even had strong results.

 

His xwOBA a couple of years ago was up over .350

[glory]

Gibbons not playing Smoak consistently in 2015-16 was a sly move to make him cheaper to sign long-term. I see you, Gibby.

 

Seriously though, if Smoak turns into something good, then major props to the front office for seeing it.

[Terminator]

So the game starts in about 4 hours and the Jays still need to make a roster move to bring Happ back. Who gets removed from the 25-man?

[Brownie19]

Not sure I understand the 2009 Reynolds comparison. He had a 33% K% that season lol. Almost double what Smoak is putting up this season.

 

Just a massive outliner season that's never repeated again...that said...apparently Reynolds is having his own 2009 Mark Reynolds year right now too!

[Terminator]

So the game starts in about 4 hours and the Jays still need to make a roster move to bring Happ back. Who gets removed from the 25-man?

 

Looks like it's Leone.

 

[Jonn]

He has options so it made sense. To be honest they kept him around longer than they ever expected. It just sucks we have to roster Howell.

[nextyear]

Ricky Romero is still around, heading to the Mexican league https://jaysjournal.com/2017/05/30/blue-jays-ricky-romero-signs-mexican-league-team/. It is too bad that he never reached his full potential.

[Jays222]

Liriano will start Friday, according to Sportsnet.

[Spanky99]

Tue, May 30

 

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Steve Pearce (calf) is at least another 2-3 weeks away.

 

Advice: Pearce was sent to the Blue Jays' spring training complex earlier this month but apparently isn't doing much in the way of baseball activity at the moment. He landed on the disabled list May 15 with a right calf strain. Don't expect to see him back before mid-June.

 

More: Mike Wilner on Twitter

[Terminator]

Tue, May 30

 

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Steve Pearce (calf) is at least another 2-3 weeks away.

 

Advice: Pearce was sent to the Blue Jays' spring training complex earlier this month but apparently isn't doing much in the way of baseball activity at the moment. He landed on the disabled list May 15 with a right calf strain. Don't expect to see him back before mid-June.

 

More: Mike Wilner on Twitter

 

That sucks I was hoping to see him back sooner.

[Laika]

Tue, May 30

 

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Steve Pearce (calf) is at least another 2-3 weeks away.

 

Advice: Pearce was sent to the Blue Jays' spring training complex earlier this month but apparently isn't doing much in the way of baseball activity at the moment. He landed on the disabled list May 15 with a right calf strain. Don't expect to see him back before mid-June.

 

More: Mike Wilner on Twitter

 

You could tell when he got hurt that it was significant. He was lame af, like Donaldson, and IIRC he basically just took himself out of the game immediately.

 

With Pompey rehabbing and on fire (3/4 with a BB, 2B, and SB yesterday) there's a very small window but a non-zero chance that Dalton might get a chance to steal Pearce's starting job.

 

Coghlan is more or less useless to the team at this point

[TholesWeirdEye]

Tue, May 30

 

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Steve Pearce (calf) is at least another 2-3 weeks away.

 

Advice: Pearce was sent to the Blue Jays' spring training complex earlier this month but apparently isn't doing much in the way of baseball activity at the moment. He landed on the disabled list May 15 with a right calf strain. Don't expect to see him back before mid-June.

 

More: Mike Wilner on Twitter

 

It's impossible for Pearce to play an entire season.

[Brownie19]

Ricky Romero is still around, heading to the Mexican league https://jaysjournal.com/2017/05/30/blue-jays-ricky-romero-signs-mexican-league-team/. It is too bad that he never reached his full potential.

 

I'd argue Romero's 3 year run from 2009 - 2011 was his full potential. This guy was utter garbage in the minors, had a hot spring in 2009 with gave him an opportunity in the rotation (partially due to his draft position + pedigree). From there he exceeded everyone's expectations and managed to run with it for 3 solid seasons.

 

Interestingly enough, Sanchez is following a remarkably similar path. Biggest difference is he managed to throw in some dominate relief innings before a hot spring thrust him into the rotation, where he exceeded nearly everyone's expectations.

[vilifyingforce]

Now hopefully Sanchez's knees don't explode like Ricky's.

[Bobthe4th]

We've released Matt Latos, wonder if his agent thinks he can get him a MLB shot elsewhere.

[Brownie19]

We've released Matt Latos, wonder if his agent thinks he can get him a MLB shot elsewhere.

 

The next time anyone see's Latos, he'll be crushing ketchup pringles with Lawrie...

[glory]

We've released Matt Latos, wonder if his agent thinks he can get him a MLB shot elsewhere.

 

Depends how long Latos can milk being good many years ago.

[BTS]

You guys think there's any chance Joe Smith is retained next year if he stays healthy? Looks like a good chance he has his 7th year in a row with 50+ games, 50+ IP, and an ERA under 3.6. Guy is an absolute boss.

[Sammy225]

You guys think there's any chance Joe Smith is retained next year if he stays healthy? Looks like a good chance he has his 7th year in a row with 50+ games, 50+ IP, and an ERA under 3.6. Guy is an absolute boss.

 

There are always some dumb teams willing to throw big money at relievers...... If Joe stays the course i am afraid someone is going to throw a whack load of money at him.

[BTS]

There are always some dumb teams willing to throw big money at relievers...... If Joe stays the course i am afraid someone is going to throw a whack load of money at him.

 

Yeah, I could see him getting like 3/24 or something if he keeps it up, in which case I'd be out. I'd love to find a way to keep him around though. He's reliable, good, and gives teams a different look.

[Sammy225]

Yeah, I could see him getting like 3/24 or something if he keeps it up, in which case I'd be out. I'd love to find a way to keep him around though. He's reliable, good, and gives teams a different look.

 

Oh for sure in my eyes he is the guy i trust the most out of the pen including Osuna.

[Brownie19]

Is Joe doing something different this year? His K% has exploded, GB% is down and for only the 2nd time in his career his ERA is actually higher than his FIP + xFIP (he's historically been a FIP beater). He's been utterly dominant - but is doing it a lot different than in years past.