Blue Jays prioritize diversity after scandal-Promote Anthony Alford to join Smith Jr.

[Terminator]

I've seen enough videos of his misplays in centre to not label him a good defender, though it's clear he has the range to cover a lot of ground.

 

That's what I have read. Potential to be a CFer is there but he needs to work on his reads.

[Jimcanuck]

I've seen enough videos of his misplays in centre to not label him a good defender, though it's clear he has the range to cover a lot of ground.

 

Not sure. He was labelled a good defender early in his pro career, but the last year or so have been some bonehead plays. It could be holdover concussion effects. Concussion effects can linger for a very long time.

[Spanky99]

Yes.

 

lol

[Jimcanuck]

lol

 

FFS man, I'm in Niagara Falls and attended a lot of Buffalo games this year.

[Spanky99]

He plays decent outfield it is not a strongest point.

 

I've seen enough videos of his misplays in centre to not label him a good defender, though it's clear he has the range to cover a lot of ground.

 

That's what I have read. Potential to be a CFer is there but he needs to work on his reads.

 

Not sure. He was labelled a good defender early in his pro career, but the last year or so have been some bonehead plays. It could be holdover concussion effects. Concussion effects can linger for a very long time.

 

It was confidence, apparently he's worked it out. Who knows.

[Spanky99]

FFS man, I'm in Niagara Falls and attended a lot of Buffalo games this year.

 

You didn't see him then, lol. You're a pathological liar.

[Grant77]

I see, I vaguely remember this rule, I thought that didn't come into play until next season, roster-resource has me fooled as It has both Smith Jr and Alford with 3 options left.

 

I don't think it has changed recently. The 15 extra guys on the 40 man are on optional assignment. Otherwise, you would be able to keep these guys in the minor leagues indefinitely. Some players like Albert Pujols never used their options and still have 3, which I find interesting.

[John_Havok]

Highly doubt he's fully ready for this, but what else can they do?

[wk680]

Highly doubt he's fully ready for this, but what else can they do?

 

Looks like the only other position players, beside Alford, on the 40 man roster and not already on the DL or MLB roster were Urena, Gurriel and Ramirez. So with any of these 4 you would have had a player not ready for prime time.

[John_Havok]

Looks like the only other position players, beside Alford, on the 40 man roster and not already on the DL or MLB roster were Urena, Gurriel and Ramirez. So with any of these 4 you would have had a player not ready for prime time.

 

No doubt, chances are he goes back down after Pillar comes back anyways, unless they figure he is going to be playing everyday due to all the injuries.

[Grant77]

No doubt, chances are he goes back down after Pillar comes back anyways, unless they figure he is going to be playing everyday due to all the injuries.

 

I could see a good game getting him a few more days until Tulo is back, but I agree in general.

[wk680]

I could see a good game getting him a few more days until Tulo is back, but I agree in general.

 

So is Tulo ruled out from a return this weekend ?

[Grant77]

So is Tulo ruled out from a return this weekend ?

 

They didn't come out and say that, but Jamie Campbell seemed to suggest it.

[Jonn]

How is this stupid? Alford is the last capable CF on the 40 man roster, and they need a fill in. Despite what has been written in this thread, calling him up for a few days (even if he doesn't get much playing time) is not going to stunt his development.

 

Jonn's dumn.

 

I don't recall saying anything about stunting development. I just don't like the idea of promoting a top prospect especially all the way from Double-A to fill in for a game. It just not the right thing to do. You call him up when your confident he has a chance to be successful and a chance to perform and play himself into a regular role.

 

Calling him up in September when the minor league season over is one thing. But it's Mid May.

 

Space can always be made on the 40-man. We have some s***** players unlikely to be claimed.

[Jimcanuck]

Looks like the only other position players, beside Alford, on the 40 man roster and not already on the DL or MLB roster were Urena, Gurriel and Ramirez. So with any of these 4 you would have had a player not ready for prime time.

 

Brett Lawrie is available

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

Brett Lawrie is available

 

At this point Lawrie wouldn't even be a bad option. Way better than Barney and Goins. Also he needs to reflyballize himself. He had a huge stretch in '11 where he hit alot of fly balls but then started to hit a ton of ground balls and became a league average bat.

[Maahfaace]

At this point Lawrie wouldn't even be a bad option. Way better than Barney and Goins. Also he needs to reflyballize himself. He had a huge stretch in '11 where he hit alot of fly balls but then started to hit a ton of ground balls and became a league average bat.

 

Why not add to the DL, couldn't hurt.

[Governator]

I don't recall saying anything about stunting development. I just don't like the idea of promoting a top prospect especially all the way from Double-A to fill in for a game. It just not the right thing to do. You call him up when your confident he has a chance to be successful and a chance to perform and play himself into a regular role.

 

Calling him up in September when the minor league season over is one thing. But it's Mid May.

 

Space can always be made on the 40-man. We have some s***** players unlikely to be claimed.

 

It's not like he's getting the Travis Snider treatment, he's probably ecstatic just to make MLB min pay for a few games and soak in the experience.

[KingKat]

I don't recall saying anything about stunting development. I just don't like the idea of promoting a top prospect especially all the way from Double-A to fill in for a game. It just not the right thing to do. You call him up when your confident he has a chance to be successful and a chance to perform and play himself into a regular role.

 

Calling him up in September when the minor league season over is one thing. But it's Mid May.

 

Space can always be made on the 40-man. We have some s***** players unlikely to be claimed.

 

Alford's call up was weird but think of the long line of options exhausted before getting to Alford...

 

- Pompey concussed NOT ELIGIBLE TO COME OFF THE 60 DAY DL UNTIL JUNE

- Pearce injured, Cecilliani called up

- Pillar utters a homophobic slur and gets himself suspended, Smith Called up and added to the 40

- Cecilliani injured

 

So they burned through a lot of options and even added a guy to the 40 before resorting to Alford. Clearly he was never plan A and I don't think it's fair to give the front office flak for a move that resulted from such a freak series of occurences.

[Atothe]

Alford's call up was weird but think of the long line of options exhausted before getting to Alford...

 

- Pompey concussed NOT ELIGIBLE TO COME OFF THE 60 DAY DL UNTIL JUNE

- Pearce injured, Cecilliani called up

- Pillar utters a homophobic slur and gets himself suspended, Smith Called up and added to the 40

- Cecilliani injured

 

So they burned through a lot of options and even added a guy to the 40 before resorting to Alford. Clearly he was never plan A and I don't think it's fair to give the front office flak for a move that resulted from such a freak series of occurences.

 

You're 100% right and that line of thinking makes complete sense

[Boxcar]

I gotta wonder if Lawrie is actually fixable. He's got talent, power and good bat to ball skills (or used to anyway) and is still in his prime. I think he might be a candidate to turn into another Justin Turner with a major swing overhaul.

[Jimcanuck]

I gotta wonder if Lawrie is actually fixable. He's got talent, power and good bat to ball skills (or used to anyway) and is still in his prime. I think he might be a candidate to turn into another Justin Turner with a major swing overhaul.

 

Needs a brain transplant.

 

Also, getting the call up and spending a few days with the big club is great for Alford. He now knows how close he is, if he didn't before.

[vilifyingforce]

Alford's call up was weird but think of the long line of options exhausted before getting to Alford...

 

- Pompey concussed NOT ELIGIBLE TO COME OFF THE 60 DAY DL UNTIL JUNE

- Pearce injured, Cecilliani called up

- Pillar utters a homophobic slur and gets himself suspended, Smith Called up and added to the 40

- Cecilliani injured

 

So they burned through a lot of options and even added a guy to the 40 before resorting to Alford. Clearly he was never plan A and I don't think it's fair to give the front office flak for a move that resulted from such a freak series of occurences.

 

With Zeke/Smith/Bautista and Pillar only gone for 2 games(and really it's just one game they were covering) why bother calling up a 4th OF though? Let Coghlan/Barney/Goins slough it out in LF in a pinch.

[wamco]

It's not like he's getting the Travis Snider treatment, he's probably ecstatic just to make MLB min pay for a few games and soak in the experience.

 

Yes, teams do this to give them the opportunity to get some of the "firsts " out of the way as well as to reward the player. Even if he goes 0-4 at the plate, there is only positives to this.

[Orgfiller]

With our luck this season, Alford will just end up getting injured himself before we have to worry about any of that.

 

Sigh

[Pendleton]

Sigh

 

You teased the baseball gods!