Who's ON first?

[TheGrandslamMan]

My apologies but I haven't really been on top of what's going on with the Jays this off-season.

 

I was watching Sportsnet the other night and they were talking about how Justin Smoak is the starting first basemen. What are the details on this? Are the Jays that strapped for payroll that he's the best option they can find? He's been below replacement level for 3 of his last 5 years and has never been above .0.7 in his career.

 

1B in the AL East should be a top producing position. I don't wanna hate on the new front-office, but they don't exactly seem like they're trying to improve on the teams 2 back to back ALCS appearances.

 

Can someone fill me in?

[P2F]

Steve Pearce will (should) replace Smoak as the starting 1B, hopefully within the first couple weeks of the season.

[TheGrandslamMan]

I figured Pearce would be getting the majority of the starts, but the analyst was saying that Pearce wasn't expected to get much time there... Puzzling to say the least.

[TheGrandslamMan]

Is there some advanced metric that suggests Smoak is on the verge of breaking out?

 

I was confounded by the decision to sign him to the multi-year extension but rationalized that he'd be used as a bench piece/back-up plan, but they really seem all in on this guy. I can't for the life of me understand why.

[ChrisS]

I think they are going to give him his fair shake, maybe several weeks of regular playing time at first.

[TheGrandslamMan]

I just can't understand why though.

 

He's a Travis Snider type of player. Highly drafted, given up twice, and there's always a team that thinks they can "fix" him. The mans 30 years old. I don't know what else is really left to see from him. I could understand if the Jays were just thin and he was the best option for the time being but the contract extension and devotion to him is bewildering.

[TheGrandslamMan]

And if Smoak performs like I expect him to, Is Steve Pearce really good enough to be starting every day at first-base? That's a major question mark too.

[jays4life19]

And if Smoak performs like I expect him to, Is Steve Pearce really good enough to be starting every day at first-base? That's a major question mark too.

 

Yes. Pearce is quite good.

[Rajais Mitten]

No what's on second...

[TheGrandslamMan]

Eh...There's certainly more reasons to feel optimistic with Pearce than Smoak, but he's anything but a proven commodity.

[jays4life19]

Eh...There's certainly more reasons to feel optimistic with Pearce than Smoak, but he's anything but a proven commodity.

 

It's not his fault that teams were dumb and not giving him everyday AB's. He almost put up a 5 win season in 2014 in Less than 400 AB's. Zips Projects 129 wRC+, Steamers 113 wRC+. Above average D at 1st. He's probably a 3 Win player this year.

[CrackerJack]

What's the over/under on how many ABs (or PAs) Smoak will get this season?

[rydermike]

No what's on second...

 

I don't know's on third

[FrozenRopes]

I just can't understand why though.

 

He's a Travis Snider type of player. Highly drafted, given up twice, and there's always a team that thinks they can "fix" him. The mans 30 years old. I don't know what else is really left to see from him. I could understand if the Jays were just thin and he was the best option for the time being but the contract extension and devotion to him is bewildering.

 

His dad thinks he real good.

[Jonn]

What's the over/under on how many ABs (or PAs) Smoak will get this season?

 

Too many

[TheHurl]

300 PA's.

[CrackerJack]

Too many

 

maybe pitchers won't throw Justin any breaking balls this season?

[The Iceman]

Maybe Gibby will ask Smoak to lay a bunt down 3rd for an automatic hit until they take the shift off.

[Governator]

I don't think he'll be here all season to get 300 PA tbh. Unless he's outproducing Upton/Zeke/Pompey to force Pearce in the OF, I don't think he'll be around long enough to get 300PA. I imagine Smoke's role will be largely based on Pearce's health but they won't say it.

[saskjayfan]

maybe pitchers won't throw Justin any breaking balls this season?

 

yeah..it's pretty amazing juan francisco part deux still has a job.

[saskjayfan]

we could have had adam lind for 1 million dollars....a lind pearce platoon, with pearce playing some outfield would have been pretty sexy.....for those dollars.

[Brownie19]

I figured Pearce would be getting the majority of the starts, but the analyst was saying that Pearce wasn't expected to get much time there... Puzzling to say the least.

 

Rule #1. The people you hear on TV and the radio are stupid. Stop listening to them.

[Boxcar]

Why would Atkins be so elated about snagging Pearce if he was going to be a part time player? We spent more time trying to land him than anybody else.

[RealAccountant]

Steve Pearce will (should) replace Smoak as the starting 1B, hopefully within the first couple weeks of the season.

 

There is a greater probability that Smoak will break out and have an all star season than Pearce being healthy.

[closetjaysfan]

Smoak will be last season's Collabello with or without a positive test for banned substances.

[Dick_Pole]

Man you guys are gonna look so silly when Smoak hits .370 with 50 home runs this year...

[Zaun of the Dead]

bautista will be the starting 1st baseman by the allstar break

[Bobthe4th]

bautista will be the starting 1st baseman by the allstar break

 

I doubt that. I think it's much more likely Pearce is

[Laika]

Pearce will start @ 1B/DH and become a mostly OF

 

Bautista will start at mostly OF and become a 1B/DH

 

Morales will start at DH and become a part time 1B

 

Upton and Carrera will start at platoon LF and become rocket blasted into space cool times super fun therapeutic execution, f*** them, guillotine for giggles, high five thumbs up ANALYTIXXX

[glory]

The best internal option is Pearce at first and Upton in left.

 

So naturally, let's have Smoak at first, and either Pearce risking injury in the outfield, or Carrera (who can't hit righties) playing everyday against them.

 

The way to avoid Gibby hurting the team is to give him a dummy proof roster. Smoak and Zeke do not accomplish that, although Smoak's playing time might be the front office's idea.