General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2021)

[BCZ]

I agree, same with biggio.

 

I can't think of any examples of another guy with Biggio's eye and BB rate that failed after already succeeding so young... just food for thought...

[G-Snarls]

Been too busy to watch or post but these are exciting times

 

We added a front line starter and solidified the bullpen

 

Manoah is back and looks legit

 

Springer is busting out

 

The homecoming stand couldn't have started any better

 

We play a pretty reasonable schedule the next few weeks

 

Boston and Tampa play each other *12* times the test of the way which should keep anyone from running away with the division while we try to climb up

[max silver]

Yeah, no.

 

The difference in performance level for Epsinal vs Biggio over the last 30 days is quite stunning. Espinal has produced a 168 WRC+ and 0.6 WAR with very solid contributions in the field and on the bases. Biggio for comparisons sake has produced a 29 WRC+ and -0.4 WAR. If you go back another month to June there is still a massive gulf in relative performance between the two players. Espinal has produced on almost the same level of July for the last two months, with a 173 WRC+ and 1.1 WAR, vs 95 WRC+ and 0.2 WAR from Biggio.

 

I don't expect Espinal to keep up this level of performance at the plate as so much of it seems to be BABIP driven without the corresponding hard contact to make it sustainable. However you definitely need to play the hot hand when there is such a performance disparity.

[max silver]

Been too busy to watch or post but these are exciting times

 

We added a front line starter and solidified the bullpen

 

Springer is busting out

 

We play a pretty reasonable schedule the next three weeks

 

Boston and Tampa play each other *12* times the test of the way which should keep anyone from running away with the division too

 

This team feels poised to go on a massive run. I see a level of talent that's easily comparable to the stacked 2015 team. This team isn't as good defensively but the offence is pretty comparable and the pitching staff is likely a bit better as currently constructed. I just hope that they didn't piss away too many victories early in the season when the bullpen really struggled.

[Stangstag]

Not sure why people want to dump Biggio already? Projections are nearly the same as Gurriel...

 

I think a lot of people have soured on him due to him playing out of position all season. He’s not so great at 3B/OF, really needs to be back at 2B full time. He can play 3B/OF in a pinch but he should be mainly at second.

[connorp]

The difference in performance level for Epsinal vs Biggio over the last 30 days is quite stunning. Espinal has produced a 168 WRC+ and 0.6 WAR with very solid contributions in the field and on the bases. Biggio for comparisons sake has produced a 29 WRC+ and -0.4 WAR. If you go back another month to June there is still a massive gulf in relative performance between the two players. Espinal has produced on almost the same level of July for the last two months, with a 173 WRC+ and 1.1 WAR, vs 95 WRC+ and 0.2 WAR from Biggio.

 

I don't expect Espinal to keep up this level of performance at the plate as so much of it seems to be BABIP driven without the corresponding hard contact to make it sustainable. However you definitely need to play the hot hand when there is such a performance disparity.

 

Yeah when you have someone as s***** as Biggio has been, you ride the hot hand. I’m not sure there’s anyone that is delirious enough to think Espinal and his 1hr power is a long term piece but guys can ride their way to whole fluke seasons. If he comes back to the mean and he’s more like a borderline .700 OPS guy, that’s what Biggio is anyway rn but Espanil doesn’t hurt you in the field

[connorp]

I think a lot of people have soured on him due to him playing out of position all season. He’s not so great at 3B/OF, really needs to be back at 2B full time. He can play 3B/OF in a pinch but he should be mainly at second.

 

Yeah I’m not a fan but if he’s the 2b next year if Semien walks, I won’t have the pitchfork out at least… well at least not April

[Spanky99]

The difference in performance level for Epsinal vs Biggio over the last 30 days is quite stunning. Espinal has produced a 168 WRC+ and 0.6 WAR with very solid contributions in the field and on the bases. Biggio for comparisons sake has produced a 29 WRC+ and -0.4 WAR. If you go back another month to June there is still a massive gulf in relative performance between the two players. Espinal has produced on almost the same level of July for the last two months, with a 173 WRC+ and 1.1 WAR, vs 95 WRC+ and 0.2 WAR from Biggio.

 

I don't expect Espinal to keep up this level of performance at the plate as so much of it seems to be BABIP driven without the corresponding hard contact to make it sustainable. However you definitely need to play the hot hand when there is such a performance disparity.

 

Yes, I'm aware of the numbers, as you mention it isn't sustainable, not to mention the brass aren't making that type of call anytime soon. I can't see them doing it.

[max silver]

Yes, I'm aware of the numbers, as you mention it isn't sustainable, not to mention the brass aren't making that type of call anytime soon. I can't see them doing it.

 

I'd really like to see Smith get a shot at third base at some point this season, but he very well may have to wait until 2022. It will be hard for Smith to get a decent shot with Espinal having been playing so well for the last few months.

[Spanky99]

I'd really like to see Smith get a shot at third base at some point this season, but he very well may have to wait until 2022. It will be hard for Smith to get a decent shot with Espinal having been playing so well for the last few months.

 

Might see him up in September. If they have room on the 40 by then, but I doubt it. He's rule 5 eligible, so they'll have to protect him on the 40 next season for sure, he excites me.

[max silver]

Might see him up in September. If they have room on the 40 by then, but I doubt it. He's rule 5 eligible, so they'll have to protect him on the 40 next season for sure, he excites me.

 

Protecting Smith on the 40 man roster is an absolute no brainer decision.

[Spanky99]

Protecting Smith on the 40 man roster is an absolute no brainer decision.

 

Yes.

[Spanky99]

It's official...

 

[Spanky99]

lol

 

[mellowgold]

So what are we looking at for the rest of the week here? They have a chance to swap Matz and Ryu and I hope they do it.

 

Berrios today.

 

Ray/Ryu/Matz/Stripling vs Cleveland, which would allow us to throw Manoah/Berrios/Ray/Ryu against Boston.

[Grant77]

lol

 

 

Nice to see Semien getting in on the fun.

[Stangstag]

So what are we looking at for the rest of the week here? They have a chance to swap Matz and Ryu and I hope they do it.

 

Berrios today.

 

Ray/Ryu/Matz/Stripling vs Cleveland, which would allow us to throw Manoah/Berrios/Ray/Ryu against Boston.

 

Yup good call, Matz should not face the Sox again. And definitely not Stripling

[InvincibleTiger]

Saucedo sent down is somewhat of a head scratcher. I know we have Mayza, Hand and Borucki, though...

[Daniel Labude]

No Vlad for Berrios' first start

[Spanky99]

Jose Berrios

 

1. George Springer ® DH

2. Teoscar Hernandez ® RF

3. Marcus Semien ® 2B

4. Bo Bichette ® SS

5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ® LF

6. Cavan Biggio (L) 1B

7. Randal Grichuk ® CF

8. Santiago Espinal ® 3B

9. Reese McGuire (L) C

[DigitalRock]

I know it's beating a dead horse, but this team is in first place if the Pen did not blow so many games, frustrating.

[DigitalRock]

No Vlad for Berrios' first start

 

Is he hurt? Or just a rest day?

[Daniel Labude]

Is he hurt? Or just a rest day?

 

I'm a little concerned. 670 days away from home, 0 days off this year and finally back 3rd game he rests on a 8 game hit streak with Berrios making his first start

[jaysguy44]

No Vlad for Berrios' first start

Uh oh...

[Daniel Labude]

He did seem a little frustrated yesterday, so maybe they decided a day off to just have fun in the dugout is needed

[Spanky99]

[saskjayfan]

It's official...

 

 

Did I just see a lineup with Vlad on the bench?

[Spanky99]

Did I just see a lineup with Vlad on the bench?

 

Day off, no big deal. Jays have a lot of baseball on the schedule.

[Spanky99]

So what are we looking at for the rest of the week here? They have a chance to swap Matz and Ryu and I hope they do it.

 

Berrios today.

 

Ray/Ryu/Matz/Stripling vs Cleveland, which would allow us to throw Manoah/Berrios/Ray/Ryu against Boston.

 

Yup good call, Matz should not face the Sox again. And definitely not Stripling

 

Pete Walker just mentioned that Ryu's pumped to debut in Toronto on Tuesday, so they aren't changing anything.

[mellowgold]

Perfect. So they did bump Ryu up ahead of Matz then. Pretty easy call, I suppose.