Biagini could open 2017 as a starter in AAA

[Angrioter]

Joe Biagini's future with the Toronto Blue Jays could see him part of the club's starting rotation sooner rather than later.

 

The 26-year-old, who was one of the Blue Jays' most consistent relievers last year posting a 3.06 ERA with 62 strikeouts, could potentially start the season being stretched out as a starter in Triple-A Buffalo.

 

"There’s definitely that possibility, but I wouldn’t say we’re leaning that way by any means because he was so important to our bullpen a year ago," general manager Ross Atkins said, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

 

"We’ve talked about it. He really would like to be considered a starting alternative and he recognizes what that means. He recognizes that means he could potentially have to spend some time in triple-A."

 

Biagini's quick rise to success for the Blue Jays turned out to be one of the best story lines of last season as his confidence on the mound helped stabilize a Toronto bullpen that struggled in the early parts of 2016. Despite appearing in 60 games as a rookie reliever last season, Biagini was always a starting pitcher in the minors, appearing in 86 games across four minor-league seasons.

 

"If that’s going to be an opportunity at some point in my career, I would be glad to accept the challenge of doing it," Biagini said. "I’d be happy to try to it. But I’d be happy to do whatever - like last year, what I did was great. Obviously, I’m not complaining.

 

"If somebody’s saying, 'Hey, who wants an opportunity to start,' I would raise my hand, but I’m not campaigning for it."

 

If Biagini does in fact start the year in Triple-A, the Blue Jays could be in the market for an additional long relief option in the bullpen. The club has reportedly been "keeping tabs" on starters in free agency ahead of spring training.

[Terminator]

That would make some sense to me, especially after adding Smith who can take over Biagini's role. It would also give us an extra spot to try out Sparkman.

 

Biagini and Bolsinger aren't horrible SP depth, considering an already deep starting 5.

[RealAccountant]

Probablet scenerio

 

Biagini goes back to AAA is an average to below average starter moved back to the Bullpen but isn't the elite arm anymore.

 

Another in a succession of poor moves by this overexposed regime. It's going to be a horrible 4-5 years to watch as Shapiro destroys this fan base.

[RealAccountant]

Horrible just horrible to see how things are going. Not a day goes by that this franchise isn't being slowly destroyed Shapiro is like mold

 

Best day in Indians history the day they got rid of this cancer. Look they made it to the WS right after. Big surprise

 

Shapiro was like an anchor dragging them down

[Qwerty]

Good.

[gruber92]

Probablet scenerio

 

Biagini goes back to AAA is an average to below average starter moved back to the Bullpen but isn't the elite arm anymore.

 

Another in a succession of poor moves by this overexposed regime. It's going to be a horrible 4-5 years to watch as Shapiro destroys this fan base.

 

Horrible just horrible to see how things are going. Not a day goes by that this franchise isn't being slowly destroyed Shapiro is like mold

 

Best day in Indians history the day they got rid of this cancer. Look they made it to the WS right after. Big surprise

 

Shapiro was like an anchor dragging them down

 

Wow !!!!!!!!!!!

[Grant77]

Can't hurt to try, but we probably can't afford to lose him from a bullpen that is still rather weak.

[Orgfiller]

Wow !!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wtf are you doing gruber? Don't reply to the Dogg please.

[Laika]

Biastarter

[Maahfaace]

I wonder how many members have real accountant on block. Mods should post the number lol

[Ray]

He did put up pretty solid numbers in AA as a starter. Worth a shot, but I'd still rather see him in the bullpen unless someone really breaks out during Spring Training.

[Jimcanuck]

Maximizing player value is never a bad thing. Biagini as a back of rotation starter >> swingman >> reliever.

[Gary]

I wonder what Barry Davis thinks about this?

[GreekFatAss]

I wonder what Barry Davis thinks about this?

 

We like our team.

[glory]

Biagini in AAA, Floyd in the pen.

[puphood]

most of this forum thought Sancheeze couldn't start last year, now Biagini to AAA ?

[GeorgiaPeach]

Probablet scenerio

 

Biagini goes back to AAA is an average to below average starter moved back to the Bullpen but isn't the elite arm anymore.

 

Another in a succession of poor moves by this overexposed regime. It's going to be a horrible 4-5 years to watch as Shapiro destroys this fan base.

 

It doesn't take much to destroy the fanbase or bring it back.

 

It's kinda sad really.

[CrackerJack]

Probablet scenerio

 

Biagini goes back to AAA is an average to below average starter moved back to the Bullpen but isn't the elite arm anymore.

 

Another in a succession of poor moves by this overexposed regime. It's going to be a horrible 4-5 years to watch as Shapiro destroys this fan base.

 

I doubt that the Shapiro regime will last only the length of his initial contract with the Jays ... especially if it's true that his rapport with Edward Rogers is very good (unlike his predecessor's.)

[AdamGreenwood]

Maximizing player value is never a bad thing. Biagini as a back of rotation starter >> swingman >> reliever.

 

Let's turn all our relievers into starters. Then trade them for 3x their value. Then pick up more relievers. Then convert them into starters. Repeat.

[Jimcanuck]

Let's turn all our relievers into starters. Then trade them for 3x their value. Then pick up more relievers. Then convert them into starters. Repeat.

 

Doesn't work that way. Some relievers are candidates to become starters, most aren't. Surprised you don't know this.

[Spanky99]

Doesn't work that way. Some relievers are candidates to become starters, most aren't. Surprised you don't know this.

 

You sir, have just been, AG'd.

[Jimcanuck]

You sir, have just been, AG'd.

 

I know he was trolling. Badly.

[AdamGreenwood]

I'm not trolling. I'm using exaggeration to illustrate that maximizing a player's value isn't as simple as turning a reliever into a starter.

[Jimcanuck]

I'm not trolling. I'm using exaggeration to illustrate that maximizing a player's value isn't as simple as turning a reliever into a starter.

 

Holy s***, you were being serious.

 

Every decision about a player is about risk-reward, genius.

[wk680]

I noticed in his interview the other day that Pete Walker described Biagini as having a starter's build and a starter's mentality. So that was a hint about where the Jays are leaning with him. The only concern is if he struggles as a starter in the minors, will he be able to regroup mentally and successfully return to the reliever role. Most likely yes, but there is the woeful tale of Daniel Bard whose failed attempt at switching to starting seemed to trigger his complete collapse.

[Spanky99]

Holy s***, you were being serious.

 

Every decision about a player is about risk-reward, genius.

 

You sir, have just been, AG'd 2.0... shame on you.

[Spanky99]

I noticed in his interview the other day that Pete Walker described Biagini as having a starter's build and a starter's mentality. So that was a hint about where the Jays are leaning with him. The only concern is if he struggles as a starter in the minors, will he be able to regroup mentally and successfully return to the reliever role. Most likely yes, but there is the woeful tale of Daniel Bard whose failed attempt at switching to starting seemed to trigger his complete collapse.

 

This is where the idea has fruited from(in concerns of the writer), that interview. Anyhow, he's a starter prior to last season, don't expect a Bard situation, he just couldn't hit the SZ. Biagini's fine, in any capacity.

[reedjohnsonfan]

Doesn't work that way. Some relievers are candidates to become starters, most aren't. Surprised you don't know this.

 

lol it was a response to your post

 

"Maximizing player value is never a bad thing. Biagini as a back of rotation starter >> swingman >> reliever."

 

Implying that trying him as a starter is maximizing his value. Obviously it could backfire. I think it's a pretty poor decision to try him there. Name me one pitcher in recent memory that went from a good (not great) reliever to decent starter around his age. I can't recall any, would be glad to discuss examples that I'm missing.

[Jimcanuck]

lol it was a response to your post

 

"Maximizing player value is never a bad thing. Biagini as a back of rotation starter >> swingman >> reliever."

 

Implying that trying him as a starter is maximizing his value. Obviously it could backfire. I think it's a pretty poor decision to try him there. Name me one pitcher in recent memory that went from a good (not great) reliever to decent starter around his age. I can't recall any, would be glad to discuss examples that I'm missing.

 

Woody Williams, Derek Lowe, Ryan Dempster... to name 3 off the top of my head

 

edit - David Wells

[Laika]

Name me one pitcher in recent memory that went from a good (not great) reliever to decent starter around his age. I can't recall any, would be glad to discuss examples that I'm missing.

 

Why do you think it's unprecedented? This is a thing that happens all the time. Younger players commonly break into the league in relief, and it's also not exactly rare for older players with the right skillset to move to the rotation. Lots of arms also obviously bounce between roles at first.

 

I'll let you define good vs. great, who qualifies as a "reliever", and set the definition of "around his age" but:

 

Tanner Roark

Carlos Martinez

CJ Wilson

Marco Estrada (after 2011)

Drew Pomeranz

Chad Bettis

Danny Duffy

Jason Hammel (2008)

Carlos Carrasco

Junior Guerra

Lance Lynn (every other good Cardinal SP breaks in as a RP)

Justin Masterson

 

I'm sure there are many, many more notable examples if you go back more than a few years.\

 

Personally I think Tanner Roark and Biagini compare very well in terms of talent, stuff, ceiling.