General 2018 Blue Jays Discussion Thread

[GreekFatAss]

It seems like players need to learn how the arbitration process works and not try to act like it's signing a long term deal.

[TheHurl]

I will be there for that series...usually buy the cheapest seats available and move down behind home plate.

 

I have behind home plate (owners seats...my years as the only Rays fan does pay off).

[Brownie19]

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/blue-jays-continue-sneaky-good-offseason-with-jaime-garcia/

 

This article pretty much sums up what most on here have been noting all off season.

[Ehjays]

https://futurebluejays.com/2018/02/16/lugnuts-goldberg-strassler-the-man-for-blue-jays-radio-job/

 

Possible replacement for jerry

[Ray]

So looking like we have solid/average depth all around the diamond now:

 

C: Martin, Maile, Jansen, McGuire

1B: Smoak, Pearce, Tellez

2B: Travis, Solarte, Diaz, Urena, Gurriel, Ngoepe

SS: Tulo, Solarte, Diaz, Urena, Gurriel, Ngoepe

3B: Donaldson, Solarte, Diaz

OF: Pearce, Granderson, Pillar, Grichuk, Alford, Hernandez, Carrera, DSJ, Pompey

 

SP: Stroman, Sanchez, Estrada, Happ, Garcia, Biagini, Borucki, Pannone

BP: Osuna, Tepera, Barnes, Loup, Ramirez, Mayza

 

The only real black hole in that lineup would be Maile. Adding another reliever would be nice too. Otherwise seems like a very competent average to above average MLB roster all the way down.

[Captain Adama]

https://futurebluejays.com/2018/02/16/lugnuts-goldberg-strassler-the-man-for-blue-jays-radio-job/

 

Possible replacement for jerry

 

I really hope JSG replaces him. He's a great guy to boot.

[Bobthe4th]

So looking like we have solid/average depth all around the diamond now:

 

C: Martin, Maile, Jansen, McGuire

1B: Smoak, Pearce, Tellez

2B: Travis, Solarte, Diaz, Urena, Gurriel, Ngoepe

SS: Tulo, Solarte, Diaz, Urena, Gurriel, Ngoepe

3B: Donaldson, Solarte, Diaz

OF: Pearce, Granderson, Pillar, Grichuk, Alford, Hernandez, Carrera, DSJ, Pompey

 

SP: Stroman, Sanchez, Estrada, Happ, Garcia, Biagini, Borucki, Pannone

BP: Osuna, Tepera, Barnes, Loup, Ramirez, Mayza

 

The only real black hole in that lineup would be Maile. Adding another reliever would be nice too. Otherwise seems like a very competent average to above average MLB roster all the way down.

 

For me the biggest weakness is the outfield. Pearce is a terrible outfielder (who should be strictly at 1B / DH) and Carrera isn't much better. Pillar is one step back on defense from being replacement level. Granderson is 50/50 whether he's completely past it and ready for retirement. Everyone else is unproven or not ready yet.

 

Still, if at least one of Hernandez and Alford emerge as genuine starters, it'll make the outfield look much better.

[Brownie19]

For me the biggest weakness is the outfield. Pearce is a terrible outfielder (who should be strictly at 1B / DH) and Carrera isn't much better. Pillar is one step back on defense from being replacement level. Granderson is 50/50 whether he's completely past it and ready for retirement. Everyone else is unproven or not ready yet.

 

Still, if at least one of Hernandez and Alford emerge as genuine starters, it'll make the outfield look much better.

 

I think between Grichuk, Alford and Hernandez - there is a strong probability that one of them is a solid starting OFer and a decent probability that there's 2 amongst that group.

[Bobthe4th]

I think between Grichuk, Alford and Hernandez - there is a strong probability that one of them is a solid starting OFer and a decent probability that there's 2 amongst that group.

 

Yeah, TBH I'm a bit disappointed we signed Granderson as I'd rather those 3 get more at bats to develop. He was truly awful for the Dodgers and didn't even make the World Series roster.

[glory]

Grandy/Pearce is the type of platoon a team runs when they are waiting for a prospect to come up. It's two old dudes who can hold the fort down until someone better comes up. Alford could probably use some more rips in AAA. It's really Hernandez who got screwed since he is what he is, although his K% after the trade was bad enough to not have complete faith in him.

[Sammy225]

Grandy/Pearce is the type of platoon a team runs when they are waiting for a prospect to come up. It's two old dudes who can hold the fort down until someone better comes up. Alford could probably use some more rips in AAA. It's really Hernandez who got screwed since he is what he is, although his K% after the trade was bad enough to not have complete faith in him.

 

I think both Alford and Hernandez could use some more AAA times. As you said i am not convinced of the Teoscar is not JPA in outfield form

[Brownie19]

Yeah, TBH I'm a bit disappointed we signed Granderson as I'd rather those 3 get more at bats to develop. He was truly awful for the Dodgers and didn't even make the World Series roster.

 

Grandy just provides a lefty bat. Despite tanking with the Dodgers, he posted a 114 wRC+ vs. RHP last year and if you prorated his time with the Mets, he was worth 2.9 WAR over 500 PA's. He very well could be done, but there's a good chance he's still got some juice left if used properly and he provides good depth if one or more of the young OFers we have isn't ready. That said, he's also not going to stand in the way of Alford or Hernandez if they prove they are ready for a full-time gig. He's an excellent fit for our current situation.

[SaskJaysFan_2]

Grandy just provides a lefty bat. Despite tanking with the Dodgers, he posted a 114 wRC+ vs. RHP last year and if you prorated his time with the Mets, he was worth 2.9 WAR over 500 PA's. He very well could be done, but there's a good chance he's still got some juice left if used properly and he provides good depth if one or more of the young OFers we have isn't ready. That said, he's also not going to stand in the way of Alford or Hernandez if they prove they are ready for a full-time gig. He's an excellent fit for our current situation.

 

If Alford stays healthy and hits like he can in Buffalo, I think he is up by June to stay. Pearce or Granderson will be traded (or more likelier, on the DL) by then to make room.

 

Toescar will have to have a stellar ST and 1-2 months in AAA to be called up. Or, an injury.

[spats]

I have behind home plate (owners seats...my years as the only Rays fan does pay off).

 

I'll message you when I get there...maybe we can meet up for a beer or two.

[Abomination]

Apparently the plan is to stretch Biagini out and have him in AAA, while signing one or two more arms for the pen. Oh would look pretty good in that slot

[Grant77]

Apparently the plan is to stretch Biagini out and have him in AAA, while signing one or two more arms for the pen. Oh would look pretty good in that slot

 

I wouldn't hate bringing back Brett Anderson or a guy like Trevor Cahill to compete for the long man spot if Biagini is indeed starting in AAA.

[Bobthe4th]

I wouldn't hate bringing back Brett Anderson or a guy like Trevor Cahill to compete for the long man spot if Biagini is indeed starting in AAA.

 

Liriano is still available too.

[SaskJaysFan_2]

Liriano is still available too.

 

Liriano > Anderson, but I think Anderson is way more likely to take a MiLB deal, which would be awesome.

[glory]

Anderson on a minor league deal would be nice, especially if Biagini is going to the pen.

[SaskJaysFan_2]

Anderson on a minor league deal would be nice, especially if Biagini is going to the pen.

 

As it is, Buffalo is going to have a pretty decent team I think.

 

I was listening to a Jays-related podcast recently (Jays From the Couch?) and they touched on the subject of keeping your affiliates competitive and successful. Otherwise you might get stuck with something in the PCL, maybe Las Vegas (ugh).

 

It was an interesting topic. The nearness of Buffalo to TO to shuttle players back and forth easily is sort of a big deal.

[Carlos Danger]

We still need a back up catcher.. Not just a pulse as we have now. Need much more BP help. Don't like the K rate of starting 9.

 

Why does Sportsnet and the Jays (apparently) consider Loup one of the BP locks. Loup needs to earn his way on the team and we need to cut bait if he does not perform. Need more lefties in pen not including Loup.

 

Good IF depth for once. Atkins should have realized that after 2016, for the 2017 season. It was obvious to any casual fan. However, I guess better late than never.

 

Very worried about Estrada's back, Sanchez blister, Happ's whatever... and which Osuna we will get.... Still need a lot more work.. Let's go!

[Orgfiller]

We still need a back up catcher.. Not just a pulse as we have now. Need much more BP help. Don't like the K rate of starting 9.

 

Why does Sportsnet and the Jays (apparently) consider Loup one of the BP locks. Loup needs to earn his way on the team and we need to cut bait if he does not perform. Need more lefties in pen not including Loup.

 

Good IF depth for once. Atkins should have realized that after 2016, for the 2017 season. It was obvious to any casual fan. However, I guess better late than never.

 

Very worried about Estrada's back, Sanchez blister, Happ's whatever... and which Osuna we will get.... Still need a lot more work.. Let's go!

 

I agree with most of what you said, but lol @ "which Osuna we will get". The 3 win one or the 1.8 win one?

[Carlos Danger]

I agree with most of what you said, but lol @ "which Osuna we will get". The 3 win one or the 1.8 win one?

 

Osuna blew a lot of saves last year during a stretch and then he had the psych issues.. Was not the same pitcher as 2016. As you know relievers are finicky and he is young. Don't believe we have enough margins to get anywhere without our 3 win closer. If this team is in a position to win a game we need to finish it. I would like to have another closer type just in case and if all is well use as set-up man. I don't see that in our pen now.

[Spanky99]

lol...

 

[bowld]

Who has higher winning percentage this year... Toronto or Buffalo??

[Spanky99]

MLBTR mentioned an extension similar to C-Mart... that'd be great.

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/marcus-stroman-interested-multi-year-extension-blue-jays/

[glory]

Man, I do not miss the days when Lawrie was one of the faces of the franchise. Turning him and pieces into Donaldson was a stroke of damn genius by AA.

[Captain Adama]

Man, I do not miss the days when Lawrie was one of the faces of the franchise. Turning him and pieces into Donaldson was a stroke of damn genius by AA.

 

Best trade in franchise history. IMO

[Dick_Pole]

lol...

 

 

Hey if that's how he wants to spend his retirement...

[jerb]

 

 

steve buffery‏ Verified account

@Beezersun

 

Josh Donaldson said he and his agent have talked to #BlueJays GM Ross Atkins about an extension but have essentially decided to suspend talks at this point and concentrate on the season. Said the Jays have expressed a sincere interest in signing him long term

 

steve buffery‏Verified account

@Beezersun

 

That being said, #Donaldson said he anticipates being a free agent when the 2018 season is over while adding that extension talks with the #BlueJays might heat up again during the season. He said they just don't see "eye to eye" at this point