Spring/Summer Training, 2020

[Laika]

Alford has been having better ABs the past couple of games. Driven the ball hard the other way twice, and a solid single yesterday. He's really going to have to tighten up the RIDICULOUSLY sloppy D to get that 26th man spot, though.

 

Nice. That'll move his +/- to a healthy -45874

[saskjayfan]

Nice. That'll move his +/- to a healthy -45874

 

It’s still early in spring training. If we’re getting on Alford we should be more concerned about Shaw because he’s actually guaranteed a spot on the roster

[Spanky__99]

Shun got rekt again today...

[Spanky__99]

Also, holy cow Miggy lost quite a bit of weight. (Just saw him on MLBN)

[Laika]

It’s still early in spring training. If we’re getting on Alford we should be more concerned about Shaw because he’s actually guaranteed a spot on the roster

 

I don't care about spring training stats. Travis Shaw projects to be decent. Alford projects to be terrible. That +/- was a running total since 2018 began.

[Terminator]

Pardon how in depth I get here but I just popped an Adderall and am itching for the season to start. The 26th man will depend on what the team does with the DH spot IMO. Seems like McGuire, Panik and Drury will make up 3 bench spots so there's one more to give out.

 

-They could elect to keep Tellez up and if they do that they might as well put him in the strong side of a platoon at DH. He hits the ball hard and Steamer projects him for 103 wRC+. Fisher becomes the 4th OF and the backup CF. Probably our best offensive team and leads to a very deep lineup. Every starter would be projected by Steamer for 100 wRC+ or better. But that's pretty bad OF defense. Grichuk I think is a sneaky capable CFer but he won't shine there and Teoscar and Gurriel are likely below average to terrible in the corners. Fisher could be ok in a corner but I don't think he's CF material, even as a backup. Throw in Vlad Jr's awful infield defense and we could be one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league or worse depending on how Bo and Biggio do. Yikes.

 

-If they elect to start Teoscar at DH that would open up RF for Fisher. That likely improves the OF defense some. Since Tellez bats left and Shaw is already on the team I don't think it makes sense to carry Tellez on the Opening Day roster which is fine since he has options. But who else would get the spot? Alford or Davis both suck ass. They both run well though (Alford extremely well). I think Alford is a decent OFer and I know Davis is. So I guess if the 26th man is a specialist pinch runner/defensive replacement it would make some sense, particularly when the OF defense is bad. They are both so putrid with the bats though that the WAR will never work out in the team's favor, you just have to believe that the specialization that they bring as a 26th man makes up for it some.

 

-The other option would be to sign Puig or even make a trade. Puig is solid defensively, probably a league average RF at this point which is probably better than any of the other options we have. He also is probably a better hitter than Tellez as well. For a 2 WAR player like him he also carries some star power for whatever that is worth. I can't imagine he'd command a ton at this point. Anywhere from a 1 to 3 year deal could get it done. I'd put him in RF, Fisher on the bench, Alford in the Mexican league, and Tellez in AAA. It would improve the defense, offense, and gives us more depth in case of injury. We'd also never have to hear the name Anthony Alford again. Doesn't seem like this will happen but one can dream.

[Daniel Labude]

Also, holy cow Miggy lost quite a bit of weight. (Just saw him on MLBN)

 

I think he has 3 HRs already as well

[saskjayfan]

I don't care about spring training stats. Travis Shaw projects to be decent. Alford projects to be terrible. That +/- was a running total since 2018 began.

 

that or he's gotten fat and just isn't very good anymore.

[Spanky__99]

Vladdy's jack today was a no doubter!

[z3r0s]

Also, holy cow Miggy lost quite a bit of weight. (Just saw him on MLBN)

 

I'm getting tingles

[Laika]

Pardon how in depth I get here but I just popped an Adderall and am itching for the season to start. The 26th man will depend on what the team does with the DH spot IMO. Seems like McGuire, Panik and Drury will make up 3 bench spots so there's one more to give out.

 

-They could elect to keep Tellez up and if they do that they might as well put him in the strong side of a platoon at DH. He hits the ball hard and Steamer projects him for 103 wRC+. Fisher becomes the 4th OF and the backup CF. Probably our best offensive team and leads to a very deep lineup. Every starter would be projected by Steamer for 100 wRC+ or better. But that's pretty bad OF defense. Grichuk I think is a sneaky capable CFer but he won't shine there and Teoscar and Gurriel are likely below average to terrible in the corners. Fisher could be ok in a corner but I don't think he's CF material, even as a backup. Throw in Vlad Jr's awful infield defense and we could be one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league or worse depending on how Bo and Biggio do. Yikes.

 

-If they elect to start Teoscar at DH that would open up RF for Fisher. That likely improves the OF defense some. Since Tellez bats left and Shaw is already on the team I don't think it makes sense to carry Tellez on the Opening Day roster which is fine since he has options. But who else would get the spot? Alford or Davis both suck ass. They both run well though (Alford extremely well). I think Alford is a decent OFer and I know Davis is. So I guess if the 26th man is a specialist pinch runner/defensive replacement it would make some sense, particularly when the OF defense is bad. They are both so putrid with the bats though that the WAR will never work out in the team's favor, you just have to believe that the specialization that they bring as a 26th man makes up for it some.

 

-The other option would be to sign Puig or even make a trade. Puig is solid defensively, probably a league average RF at this point which is probably better than any of the other options we have. He also is probably a better hitter than Tellez as well. For a 2 WAR player like him he also carries some star power for whatever that is worth. I can't imagine he'd command a ton at this point. Anywhere from a 1 to 3 year deal could get it done. I'd put him in RF, Fisher on the bench, Alford in the Mexican league, and Tellez in AAA. It would improve the defense, offense, and gives us more depth in case of injury. We'd also never have to hear the name Anthony Alford again. Doesn't seem like this will happen but one can dream.

 

Puig should be a Blue Jay. It has to only take like $5M at this point. Last year he had twice that salary and a competing team traded for him at the deadline... he’d be taking some playing time from Teoscar who could just slide to DH anyway, be a good OF insurance policy, and then Tellez gets bumped to AAA where he should be, earning playing time the hard way like his talent dictates.

 

Ugh. Puig!!!

[Terminator]

The other option is to sign Jose Bautista as a two way player! Do it Atkins you coward!!! Guarantee you he’ll out produce Alford’s sorry ass.

[Ex Player]

Vladdy's jack today was a no doubter!

Famous saying: "Dont believe anything you see in September or spring training"

[Spanky__99]

Famous saying: "Dont believe anything you see in September or spring training"

 

K............

[Boxcar]

Puig should be a Blue Jay. It has to only take like $5M at this point. Last year he had twice that salary and a competing team traded for him at the deadline... he’d be taking some playing time from Teoscar who could just slide to DH anyway, be a good OF insurance policy, and then Tellez gets bumped to AAA where he should be, earning playing time the hard way like his talent dictates.

 

Ugh. Puig!!!

 

Well, well, well

[max silver]

Puig should be a Blue Jay. It has to only take like $5M at this point. Last year he had twice that salary and a competing team traded for him at the deadline... he’d be taking some playing time from Teoscar who could just slide to DH anyway, be a good OF insurance policy, and then Tellez gets bumped to AAA where he should be, earning playing time the hard way like his talent dictates.

 

Ugh. Puig!!!

 

I'm not so sure Puig is worth the headaches the on the field shenanigans are inevitably going to lead to. He projects very similarly to Teoscar at this point, and bringing Puig aboard very likely leads to no room for Fisher or Alford on the roster as Puig leads to 4 MLB outfielders on the roster. I'd rather Fisher and/or Alford get a decent shot to prove themselves before most likely losing them to waivers. This team isn't expected to compete, so I think it makes more sense to see what the current crop of guys is capable of.

[glory]

I'm down for signing Puig, but Shatkins seems to really like Hernandez and Fisher, and signing Puig could cut into both of their opportunities. With Grichuk in CF, that opens up RF/DH for Hernandez and Fisher with Alford as a 4th outfielder (to the delight of many on this board).

[Spanky__99]

Well, well, well

 

lol

[Spanky__99]

Game isn't broadcasted, here's an Audio Link --> http://www.volokit.com/volostream/mlb-games/pirates-vs-blue-jays-audio-only/

 

[Spanky__99]

Hayes hit a shot off Chase.

 

Chase getting pounded again.

Edited March 6, 2020 by Spanky99

[Laika]

I'm not so sure Puig is worth the headaches the on the field shenanigans are inevitably going to lead to. He projects very similarly to Teoscar at this point, and bringing Puig aboard very likely leads to no room for Fisher or Alford on the roster as Puig leads to 4 MLB outfielders on the roster. I'd rather Fisher and/or Alford get a decent shot to prove themselves before most likely losing them to waivers. This team isn't expected to compete, so I think it makes more sense to see what the current crop of guys is capable of.

 

Puig is a huge projected upgrade on Alford.

 

Steamer 600:

 

Grichuk 2.0

Puig 2.0

Gurriel 1.5

Fisher 1.0

Teoscar 0.4

Alford -0.3

 

ZiPS:

 

Puig 1.8

Grichuk 1.4

Fisher 1.2

Gurriel 0.7

Teoscar 0.4

Alford -0.3

 

Teoscar and Fisher are the types that don't deserve to be gifted starting roles. They should fight for playing time.

 

Alford does not deserve a roster spot. All that signing Puig does is bump Alford from the projected 26 man roster and upgrade the team by at least a projected win. Seems like a no-brainer unless he wants significant money.

 

Teoscar can be pencilled in at DH, or in a DH platoon with Tellez if they have a 5 man bench. Gurriel-Grichuk-Puig-Teoscar are all RHB so Fisher can get a lot of playing time off the bench in a platoon role if any one of them struggle.

[Spanky__99]

Panik goes yard off of Musgrove for a 2 run jack!

 

Jays swinging it this inning!

 

Davis with a 3 run shot against the batters eye... 7 runs and counting.

Edited March 6, 2020 by Spanky99

[Spanky__99]

Grichuk goes yard!!!

 

10 spot on the board so far...

 

Wilner drooling over Kirk, too. lol

 

Zoinks suxxxxxxxxxxxx

Edited March 6, 2020 by Spanky99

[Brownie19]

We should absolutely sign Puig to something like one year and two team options.

 

Our payroll is actually still embarrassing.

 

Good luck with that. Big sign Puig to a 1 year deal and stick him in RF.

[max silver]

Puig is a huge projected upgrade on Alford.

 

Steamer 600:

 

Grichuk 2.0

Puig 2.0

Gurriel 1.5

Fisher 1.0

Teoscar 0.4

Alford -0.3

 

ZiPS:

 

Puig 1.8

Grichuk 1.4

Fisher 1.2

Gurriel 0.7

Teoscar 0.4

Alford -0.3

 

Teoscar and Fisher are the types that don't deserve to be gifted starting roles. They should fight for playing time.

 

Alford does not deserve a roster spot. All that signing Puig does is bump Alford from the projected 26 man roster and upgrade the team by at least a projected win. Seems like a no-brainer unless he wants significant money.

 

Teoscar can be pencilled in at DH, or in a DH platoon with Tellez if they have a 5 man bench. Gurriel-Grichuk-Puig-Teoscar are all RHB so Fisher can get a lot of playing time off the bench in a platoon role if any one of them struggle.

 

I just don't really see how Puig is a great fit for this roster. If he could play center field he would be a lot more interesting. Atkins is on record that he was amenable to bringing in outfield upgrades, but only if they were notable improvements on what was already on the roster. They have already passed on better options such as Marte and possibly Akiyama depending on he adjusts to MLB pitching, so bringing in Puig seems super unlikely at this stage. Gurriel likely outperforms Puig by several wins, only issue likely preventing this from happening would be health issues for Gurriel. Grichuk and Puig are likely to put up similar value by the end of the year, but Grichuk can play center field and is getting paid $10+ million already, so the Jays are sort of forced a little bit to play him regularly to attempt to salvage some value from that deal. I view Teoscar as not having hit his ceiling yet, and the potential he has shown with the bat leads me to believe this guy should play every day until you fully establish what he is capable of going forward.

 

This is still a development year at this stage, and bringing in a guy who is incredibly likely to be a marginal upgrade doesn't make a lot of sense when looking at things from more of a long term perspective. Yasiel Puig looks to be going backwards with the bat, and optimistic scenarios have him putting up a 2 win season, hence likely a marginal upgrade over guys already projected to start. I see no reason to completely write off talented young players before exhausting all options for major league playing time, and that is what happens to either Fisher or Alford for certain if you sign Puig. Sure it's possible that Alford and Fisher both end up flaming out completely, but they aren't there yet, and writing them off at this stage accomplishes nothing.

 

If we are to believe reports up to this point the Jays have likely exhausted most if not of their available payroll to start the season, there might not be money left to bring in Puig anyway. Perhaps jettisoning Drury off of the roster could save a little money, but that wouldn't free up enough cash to sign Puig in all likelihood. And we haven't gotten to the character related issues yet, this is likely the biggest reason aside from money that the guy hasn't found a job yet.

[Ryu In My House]

Just overpay him this year to get the options. He has no market.

 

Yeah, I would sign him for a 2-year, plus 1 year option. Not just one. But then again, even then they could get good value back in trade end of July if he's on pace for a ~2 WAR season.

 

Plus he is f***ing fun to watch. No offense to McKinney. Or drying paint.

[Spanky__99]

lol... Judge has been playing since last season with a broken rib? Holy s***.

[wilko]

I just don't really see how Puig is a great fit for this roster. If he could play center field he would be a lot more interesting. Atkins is on record that he was amenable to bringing in outfield upgrades, but only if they were notable improvements on what was already on the roster. They have already passed on better options such as Marte and possibly Akiyama depending on he adjusts to MLB pitching, so bringing in Puig seems super unlikely at this stage. Gurriel likely outperforms Puig by several wins, only issue likely preventing this from happening would be health issues for Gurriel. Grichuk and Puig are likely to put up similar value by the end of the year, but Grichuk can play center field and is getting paid $10+ million already, so the Jays are sort of forced a little bit to play him regularly to attempt to salvage some value from that deal. I view Teoscar as not having hit his ceiling yet, and the potential he has shown with the bat leads me to believe this guy should play every day until you fully establish what he is capable of going forward.

 

This is still a development year at this stage, and bringing in a guy who is incredibly likely to be a marginal upgrade doesn't make a lot of sense when looking at things from more of a long term perspective. Yasiel Puig looks to be going backwards with the bat, and optimistic scenarios have him putting up a 2 win season, hence likely a marginal upgrade over guys already projected to start. I see no reason to completely write off talented young players before exhausting all options for major league playing time, and that is what happens to either Fisher or Alford for certain if you sign Puig. Sure it's possible that Alford and Fisher both end up flaming out completely, but they aren't there yet, and writing them off at this stage accomplishes nothing.

 

If we are to believe reports up to this point the Jays have likely exhausted most if not of their available payroll to start the season, there might not be money left to bring in Puig anyway. Perhaps jettisoning Drury off of the roster could save a little money, but that wouldn't free up enough cash to sign Puig in all likelihood. And we haven't gotten to the character related issues yet, this is likely the biggest reason aside from money that the guy hasn't found a job yet.

 

Hernandez had over 1000AB in the bigs. You basically know what you're getting now. The only thing is if he can improve his D (doubtful IMO). I'd take Puig in a heartbeat! He'd inject some fire and crazy into this young team.

[Spanky__99]

This guy on the Bucs is throwing gas.

[max silver]

Hernandez had over 1000AB in the bigs. You basically know what you're getting now. The only thing is if he can improve his D (doubtful IMO). I'd take Puig in a heartbeat! He'd inject some fire and crazy into this young team.

 

Teoscar put up a 142 WRC+ in the second half last year, there is massive potential in his bat. Whether or not he can sustain anything close to that over an entire season remains to be seen of course.