General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2021)

[Jonn]

Will the Jays likely face Ohtani Saturday?

 

Must watch TV. Ohtani is spectacle. It upsets me greatly that I can’t watch him pitch live at Rogers Centre.

[RobinThicc]

If you actually listened to him talk, then you'd know that he was really hoping to stay in Oakland, or even sign an extension. And he said that in interviews after he signed with Toronto when he really didn't need to. He's not just after the most money. Comfortability is clearly important to him. These things are a case-by-case basis, even if the vast majority of times it does come down to money.

 

With Semien, he really seems to like being in Toronto, we can offer him a good amount of money, and we're going to be competitive for a while. It's as great of a free agent destination as anyone can ask for.

 

Comfortability is important so he signed with the team that could end up playing in 3 different cities this season and the team that made him switch positions. Makes sense

 

He obviously signed for money, just like everyone else.

[Grant77]

This is technically his age 30 season, but he turns 31 in September. I'd much rather look at a 3 or 4 year deal.

 

It will be interesting to see what they do with him with the likes of Martin, Orelvis, Groshans, etc. all coming along soon. While I agree - I love what he's brought - I'm not sure we'll be looking to lock up a MI spot for 5 years to a guy in his 30's. Lots can happen though between now and the end of the year.

 

I expect us to take the pick and reinvest the money in pitching next offseason if Martin and/or Groshans deserves a spot, but time will tell.

 

Martin to 3B and Biggio back to 2B would be really good for us if it all works out. Then you can probably add a ton of pitching.

[Laika]

Ross Stripling needs to figure it out. We haven't even caught a glimpse of what he is supposed to be yet. In almost every appearance he has had as a Blue Jay he has been quietly pummelled. Just has a knack for giving up a handful of hard hit balls and three our four runs in like four innings of work. Sneaky bad.

[Spanky99]

Yes, I think so. Unless they decide to skip a start. He did have that play at home that left him a little shaken, but by all indications he was fine.

 

Yeah, they've already said he won't miss a start.

[Ray]

Comfortability is important so he signed with the team that could end up playing in 3 different cities this season and the team that made him switch positions. Makes sense

 

He obviously signed for money, just like everyone else.

 

Well if you ever decide to crawl out of your hole and travel outside your basement, and are open minded enough to embrace ambiguity to be team player, maybe you'd realize that everybody has varying definitions of comfort.

[RobinThicc]

Well if you ever decide to crawl out of your hole and travel outside your basement, and are open minded enough to embrace ambiguity to be team player, maybe you'd realize that everybody has varying definitions of comfort.

 

Or maybe you just realize guys go where the money is.

[Deadpool]

[Stangstag]

 

Boooo. I mean good for the Jays but Ohtani already missing starts is bad for baseball

[Spanky99]

Yeah, they've already said he won't miss a start.

 

This did not age well, but "they did say it"...

[Spanky99]

Whoa... Ray's PIST!

[Jonn]

 

Blue Jays preparing for games in Buffalo. Another renovation.

[Ex Player]

Blue Jays preparing for games in Buffalo. Another renovation

That means its unlikely Jays will play the the dome this year.

 

Bummer!!

[The Cats Ass]

That means its unlikely Jays will play the the dome this year.

 

Bummer!!

 

That's not what that means. Means they're expecting to play some games in Buffalo. Baseball season is long in case you forgot.

[Jays24]

That's not what that means. Means they're expecting to play some games in Buffalo. Baseball season is long in case you forgot.

 

With the way we're vaccinating people, might not have the Jays here in 2022 either. #FedUp

[Stangstag]

With the way we're vaccinating people, might not have the Jays here in 2022 either. #FedUp

 

Im almost 100% sure they'll play in Toronto next season, with or without fans

[Ex Player]

That's not what that means. Means they're expecting to play some games in Buffalo. Baseball season is long in case you forgot

With the way the vaccine (st)rollout is going I dont see the Dome opening up until next season

[The Cats Ass]

They'll play their playoff games in Toronto.

[Jays24]

Im almost 100% sure they'll play in Toronto next season, with or without fans

 

You're probably right. I was just expressing how s***** of a job we're doing vaccinating people. Had so much time to plan the execution of this process but it's probably more important to go on CP24 daily to talk about nothing instead...

[Jimcanuck]

With the way we're vaccinating people, might not have the Jays here in 2022 either. #FedUp

 

Meh we are about a month behind the US and ahead of Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, etc. Middle of the pack as usual.

 

The US has production facilities and is practicing vaccine nationalism, not a good comparator.

[Spanky99]

[Spanky99]

[Laika]

Bo Bichette is a very bad shortstop. Sorry Bo. Time to slide over to second or third.

[Spanky99]

Bo Bichette is a very bad shortstop. Sorry Bo. Time to slide over to second or third.

 

Coach...

[G-Snarls]

Bo Bichette is a very bad shortstop. Sorry Bo. Time to slide over to second or third.

 

Who in the system among Groshans/Martin/ Beltre/Martinez will likely stick at SS and when might they realistically graduate to the majors?

 

And does that list of potentials prevent the front office from serious consideration of signing a big $ SS this off season?

[Laika]

Who in the system among Groshans/Martin/ Beltre/Martinez will likely stick at SS and when might they realistically get a shot at the MLB level

 

None of them are natural shortstops unfortunately. Bo probably has the best chance of all them.

 

In the system there are Rikelvin De Castro, Estiven Machado, and Leo Jimenez. One of them might be more of a pure SS.

[G-Snarls]

None of them are natural shortstops unfortunately. Bo probably has the best chance of all them.

 

In the system there are Rikelvin De Castro, Estiven Machado, and Leo Jimenez. One of them might be more of a pure SS.

 

Gut feeling says what?

 

Martin CF

Groshans 3B

Martinez/Beltre middle IF but maybe or maybe not top notch defenders?

 

I know it's impossible to tell at this point especially since we don't even get to see them play. Plus I recognize that Beltre is still a kid. It's just fun to think about.

[Laika]

Gut feeling says what?

 

Martin CF

Groshans 3B

Martinez/Beltre middle IF but maybe or maybe not top notch defenders?

 

I know it's impossible to tell at this point especially since we don't even get to see them play. Plus I recognize that Beltre is still a kid. It's just fun to think about.

 

Beltre may never play with some of these guys so maybe it doesn't matter where he plays relative to them. My gut says Bo is a good 3B/2B, Martin is a 2B/CF, Groshans is a 3B/RF/1B, and Orelvis is a 2B. Whether Bo is playing short should depend on if a superior option is on the roster. Right now there is one with Semien...

[G-Snarls]

Know what's nice?

 

Having a farm system that is expected to produce waves of talent at multiple premium positions like SS, C and SP

[saskjayfan]

Bo Bichette is a very bad shortstop. Sorry Bo. Time to slide over to second or third.

 

If you look at Bo's error. He had a slight bobble, but still got the ball fairly quickly to second. If you look at where the runner was going from 2nd to 3rd he was still along ways off the bag when Bo made the throw to second. Fowler must have had an incredibly large secondary lead and quick reactions to the hit to get to second as quickly to 2nd as he did. Even with the bobble, his throw to second would have been in time to get 95% of runners. Fowler doesn't get enough credit for that play. Still even with the bobble he had plenty of time to get the runner at first. These are the learning experiences young players go through. The throw to first later in the game was likely an over correction to get the sure out.

 

Bo has really good range. The diving play to his right he made the game before put that range on full display despite not getting the runner. He's quick too. He makes those diving plays and pops up. He has a solid arm. He might not have the best hands but I don't think he's a tire fire at short like Torres might be. Bo's very capable of making some highlight real plays, he just won't show the consistency like a tulowitzki did at short. He's more than capable of handling the position.

 

I'm more worried about Bo's at bats. He took a lot of walks in spring training and he's had zero in the regular season. He's just pressing, like many of the hitters. I have no doubt he's going to turn it around with the bat. There's a bunch of kids pressing. Vlad and Randall are carrying the team.