Blue Jays sign Joe Smith

[wamco]

I have no reason to believe that biagini would be anything special as a sp

[RealAccountant]

God I miss AA.

[RealAccountant]

I have no reason to believe that biagini would be anything special as a sp

 

There is actual indicators that he won't be a very good starter coupled with the fact that an organization that specializes in drafting and developing young starters didn't think he would make a good starter

[intentional wok]

But if the pen has any issues and a big need arises they can always just pull the plug and call Biagini up. Having him try to start actually makes the 40 man roster more robust.

 

Agreed. It seems like a pretty sound strategy that could pay off for both 2017 and 18. Biagini threw some huge innings last season but he's also no more proven than the two guys who were just signed, so this is probably less of a risk than some people perceive. I'd still prefer one more decent arm to get picked up before Biagini goes to stretch out, but even without doing that I think this is a good move. Best of all is that it's completely reversible if he struggles as a SP or if the 2017 BP really falters.

 

I have no reason to believe that biagini would be anything special as a sp

 

But why not try it? If it doesn't work out, chuck him back in the pen. It's not like the reverse situation we saw last year with the debate about Sanchez going to the pen. Much tougher to re-condition to a SP from a RP. There's a very low cost to converting in the other direction, though. And it's not like Biagini is a super reliever. Howell and Smith have much longer track records anyway.

[Laika]

Fans need to care more about having a robust 25 man and 40 man roster. I believe we saw two possibly competitive AA teams flounder at least in part because of fragility and rigidity at he MLB level

[Bobthe4th]

Fans need to care more about having a robust 25 man and 40 man roster. I believe we saw two possibly competitive AA teams flounder at least in part because of fragility and rigidity at he MLB level

 

TBF some people think that's achieved by having Biagini where he's already been effective, as a reliever.

 

If you believe Biagini fails as a starter then converting him does nothing to make the roster more "robust".

 

FWIW I'd try converting him if we sign one more warm body for the bullpen. I'm just pointing out that if someone wouldn't do that, it doesn't mean they don't care about squad depth.

[wamco]

Agreed. It seems like a pretty sound strategy that could pay off for both 2017 and 18. Biagini threw some huge innings last season but he's also no more proven than the two guys who were just signed, so this is probably less of a risk than some people perceive. I'd still prefer one more decent arm to get picked up before Biagini goes to stretch out, but even without doing that I think this is a good move. Best of all is that it's completely reversible if he struggles as a SP or if the 2017 BP really falters.

 

- I think the possibility to blow MLB games outweighs his potential as a sp. gonna be a tight race, can't afford unnessary losses

[Inklink]

Are we sure the PR department just didn't run a generic name generator and send out a press release?

[Ehjays]

God I miss AA.

 

said no-one ever

[Ehjays]

 

Last years spring training video on smith

[RealAccountant]

Fans need to care more about having a robust 25 man and 40 man roster. I believe we saw two possibly competitive AA teams flounder at least in part because of fragility and rigidity at he MLB level

 

We also had 2 opportunities to win a championship because of AA. Don't forget that.

 

Those were AAs team. Shapiro tried his best to destroy any chance of victory

[jays_fever]

Gives credit to AA a year later for his WC team

 

Doesn't give credit to Shaktins a year later for his team that was 1 run away from winning a WS

 

Why do you guys even quote him.

[intentional wok]

- I think the possibility to blow MLB games outweighs his potential as a sp. gonna be a tight race, can't afford unnessary losses

 

But why do you think Biagini is such a sure thing? He's not.

 

If he becomes a decent SP, that's 175 IP the FO might not have to hunt for at this time next year. That's pretty valuable, especially considering his 7th inning role can be filled by the proven guys who have just been brought in.

 

If Smith and Howell look awful coming out of ST and no one else steps up, then just put Biagini back in the pen for the time being. There's way more room to maneuver here than some people are acknowledging.

Edited February 6, 2017 by intentional wok

[Grant77]

I question whether Biagini has the ability to be an average starter, but the F.O. will have to make that determination for themseoves. If they conclude that he does, then I would accept a move to the AAA rotation. I think that this is an instance where they should consult the player as well. If he's dead set against converting back and/or going back to the minors then that should factor into their decision making process.

[FrozenRopes]

Estrada is a ticking time bomb with that back, it seems.

 

Biagini as a 6th SP makes a lot of sense. We had the best SP health in the MLB last year, it will be difficult to repeat that.

 

Liriano will be the security

[wk680]

I question whether Biagini has the ability to be an average starter, but the F.O. will have to make that determination for themseoves. If they conclude that he does, then I would accept a move to the AAA rotation. I think that this is an instance where they should consult the player as well. If he's dead set against converting back and/or going back to the minors then that should factor into their decision making process.

 

Yes excellent point about the player's preference. We tend to automatically assume that a young pitcher will prefer a chance to be an MLB starter. BUT we have already seen one case with Osuna where he appears to prefer the reliever role. Although he may not if he is not the closer.

[intentional wok]

I don't see how Biagini's preferences affect whether or not the move is a sensible idea. Obviously if he refuses the assignment (for some dumb reason) it's moot, yeah, but it's not like the strategy is somehow a worse idea just because he's whining. You can bring up player comfort in any discussion about strategy so I don't really see why it's suddenly relevant here.

[Grant77]

I don't see how Biagini's preferences affect whether or not the move is a sensible idea. Obviously if he refuses the assignment (for some dumb reason) it's moot, yeah, but it's not like the strategy is somehow a worse idea just because he's whining. You can bring up player comfort in any discussion about strategy so I don't really see why it's suddenly relevant here.

 

Obviouly you just make a move no matter what if it is necessary to do so, but I think that a player's mindset is worth considering in a move where it isn't at all clear that the strategy is a good one. If he's much more confident out of the bullpen then maybe we should leave him there. I'm certain that Osuna influenced his role with the team.

[glory]

The current sixth starter is Bolsinger, and after him it's probably Harrell and Oberholtzer. That's not particularly good. I think stretching Biagini out in AAA is a logical idea, assuming the team feels he can be an average starter or better.

[Bobthe4th]

The current sixth starter is Bolsinger, and after him it's probably Harrell and Oberholtzer. That's not particularly good. I think stretching Biagini out in AAA is a logical idea, assuming the team feels he can be an average starter or better.

 

If Floyd is fit he's likely ahead of Bolsinger. That's a big if though.

[G-Snarls]

Name is so anonymous he could be in the witness relocation program

[Laika]

Floyd can't start anymore. He got hurt last year as a reliever!!!

 

lmao @ placating to Biagini's desires.

[Jonn]

Didn't Shatkins already say they are going to strech out Biagini because he didn't see any harm in it. He would only factor in the rotation discussion if an injury situation occurred in Spring. Otherwise he will be a reliever.

 

One of him or Shapiro said that on the radio months ago when asked the question. I don't think they are going to option him to AAA to pitch as a Starter.

[Bobthe4th]

Floyd can't start anymore. He got hurt last year as a reliever!!!

 

lmao @ placating to Biagini's desires.

 

If it's a spot start here and there he can absolutely start for us.

 

If one of the 5 has a long term injury, then yes I'd be very worried about relying on Floyd. But if the worst came to the worst, I'd expect us to make a move to bring in someone else as Bolsinger isn't very good, and he shouldn't be counted on as a starter for anything other than spot starts either.

[G-Snarls]

[jays_fever]

You can use him for 1+ innings as a reliever and then stretch him out as needed. From what I remember that's what happended with Shaun Marcum years back

[Terminator]

Biagini might as well stretch out and prepare to be a starter. We've got Bolsinger and no one else as depth so if anyone gets hurt in ST we'll need Biagini. If we make it out of ST unscathed then perhaps Biagini could move back to the pen.

 

Also, quick question- can Bolsinger start off in the minors? Or does he have to be on the big league club?

[Maahfaace]

- They are fine signings on any budget

- They moved my needle...

 

I honestly thought you were talking about your penis the first time I read this.

[polar bear]

I have no reason to believe that biagini would be anything special as a sp

 

You can use him for 1+ innings as a reliever and then stretch him out as needed. From what I remember that's what happended with Shaun Marcum years back

 

If he ends up half as good as Marcum as a starter,wouldn't that be nice.

[Jonn]

Biagini might as well stretch out and prepare to be a starter. We've got Bolsinger and no one else as depth so if anyone gets hurt in ST we'll need Biagini. If we make it out of ST unscathed then perhaps Biagini could move back to the pen.

 

Also, quick question- can Bolsinger start off in the minors? Or does he have to be on the big league club?

 

Bolsinger is out of options.