General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2021)

[Spanky99]

I want to give Bo some credit for drastically improving his defense from the start of the year. I, along with some others, were really hard on him but did realize there would be some growing pains required to know if Bo was really meant for the SS position. Good on him!

 

Ya, me too. I just didn't think he had the hands for it. But seems to have improved and played pretty well. On the play to his right on the backhand, he has been consistently good. The other day he took a look before unloading an off balance throw with zero chance at 1B. Loved to see that.

 

You boys have no patience...

[max silver]

Sooooo many things went big time right this year for the Jays.

 

Aside from Springer we were mostly healthy. Ray, Marcus, Matz exceeded all expectations. We have capitalize. I doubt any will be back and if they are its at a huge incremental cost.

 

Really the only disappointments were the pen (predictable), Ryu decline and maybe Biggio.

 

Can't say I agree with the mostly fully healthy comment as Springer was far from the only guy to miss a lot of time. The bullpen was basically decimated by injury. Yates missed the entire season, Phelps and Merryweather both missed most of the year, Borucki missed significant time as well. Pearson has had yet another season ruined by injury, Kirk missed a good chunk of time, and Biggio had his year pretty much ruined due to various injuries as well.

[max silver]

Semien and Ray have been laser focussed all year....... on that big Contract. Will they relax after signing a big Contract for 4/5 years. 2021 is a career year for both of them....... quite risky to sign both.

 

I have zero concern with either guy coasting after getting a well deserved large money contract. You likely won't find another individual more dedicated to his craft than Semien, and Ray pushed his body through twice a day offseason workouts to help get to the point where he is now. Each guy knows what it takes to reach peak performance and should accordingly do what it takes to maintain as much of that performance as possible as they age.

[Jimcanuck]

I have zero concern with either guy coasting after getting a well deserved large money contract. You likely won't find another individual more dedicated to his craft than Semien, and Ray pushed his body through twice a day offseason workouts to help get to the point where he is now. Each guy knows what it takes to reach peak performance and should accordingly do what it takes to maintain as much of that performance as possible as they age.

 

You know this how?

[max silver]

You know this how?

 

Pure speculation on my part just like with yourself. Has either of these guys given the slightest indication that they are lazy types who are going to sit on their asses during the offseason after getting paid? Semien is one of the more respected players in the game, and that's well earned. He plays every single day and is known for his meticulous preparation. Both Ray and Semien are known as lead by example types and as such are integral parts of this team given the amount of young players on the roster. What in the world gives you the slightest bit of concern that they are going to start resting on their laurels? Each guy has been lauded for their character and how they bust their ass every single day to stay prepared in order to perform at peak levels of performance. I simply see no reason why this won't continue based on everything we have heard about these players.

 

By the way this isn't Semien's career season, this is more like a return to the form he displayed in 2019.

[Jimcanuck]

Pure speculation on my part just like with yourself. Has either of these guys given the slightest indication that they are lazy types who are going to sit on their asses during the offseason after getting paid? Semien is one of the more respected players in the game, and that's well earned. He plays every single day and is known for his meticulous preparation. Both Ray and Semien are known as lead by example types and as such are integral parts of this team given the amount of young players on the roster. What in the world gives you the slightest bit of concern that they are going to start resting on their laurels? Each guy has been lauded for their character and how they bust their ass every single day to stay prepared in order to perform at peak levels of performance. I simply see no reason why this won't continue based on everything we have heard about these players.

 

By the way this isn't Semien's career season, this is more like a return to the form he displayed in 2019.

 

It's not unheard of for players to step down their effort level after signing a big contract. Not saying either Semien or Ray will do that, only that it is a risk. Hard to see Jays signing both when the higher priority is likely signing Vlad / Bichette long term. And yes there is risk there also.

 

Shatkins have some significant decisions to make this offseason.

 

I can see Ray being signed, Semien tendered (and signing elsewhere). There are just too many elite IF prospects on the Jays farm to justify 5/$140 or whatever it will take to sign Semien.

[max silver]

It's not unheard of for players to step down their effort level after signing a big contract. Not saying either Semien or Ray will do that, only that it is a risk. Hard to see Jays signing both when the higher priority is likely signing Vlad / Bichette long term.

 

The club reportedly opened extension talks with Semien recently so it's obvious they want to retain his services. Unfortunately they weren't able to come to an agreement, but there is obvious interest from the front office to do keep Semien going forward. Ray is the best pitcher on the roster and if he walks that leaves a Cy Young contender sized hole in the pitching staff. I think there is going to be a concerted effort to sign both. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen of course but the desire is certainly there.

[Jimcanuck]

The club reportedly opened extension talks with Semien recently so it's obvious they want to retain his services. Unfortunately they weren't able to come to an agreement, but there is obvious interest from the front office to do keep Semien going forward. Ray is the best pitcher on the roster and if he walks that leaves a Cy Young contender sized hole in the pitching staff. I think there is going to be a concerted effort to sign both. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen of course but the desire is certainly there.

 

Of course Shatkins will make an attempt to sign them.

[intentional wok]

The club reportedly opened extension talks with Semien recently so it's obvious they want to retain his services. Unfortunately they weren't able to come to an agreement, but there is obvious interest from the front office to do keep Semien going forward. Ray is the best pitcher on the roster and if he walks that leaves a Cy Young contender sized hole in the pitching staff. I think there is going to be a concerted effort to sign both. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen of course but the desire is certainly there.

 

Tbh it would look pretty bad on the Jays to not even have a brief extension chat with a guy who swoops in and hits 40 bombs for you. I'm skeptical that they're willing to go all in.

[Spanky99]

Tbh it would look pretty bad on the Jays to not even have a brief extension chat with a guy who swoops in and hits 40 bombs for you. I'm skeptical that they're willing to go all in.

 

It was reported over a month ago about extensions on both were offered/talking..

[John_Havok]

Oshawa is basically Toronto (as someone who has lived in both cities) Takes < 45 minutes to get downtown from here.

 

It's amazing when I hear things like this and have to think about how different life is for you guys in the GTA talking like it's not a big deal to travel 45 minutes to get to downtown. For me that's my total time to commute to and from work over 2 weeks.

[Spanky99]

It's amazing when I hear things like this and have to think about how different life is for you guys in the GTA talking like it's not a big deal to travel 45 minutes to get to downtown. For me that's my total time to commute to and from work over 2 weeks.

 

lol... Brandon's gas is like zero, though?

[John_Havok]

lol... Brandon's gas is like zero, though?

 

Was more thinking about time rather than gas costs. When I leave work or home, I'm at home or work in less than 5 minutes. If I catch the one stop light... maybe 6. Add that up over a year and it's pretty significant.

[Spanky99]

Was more thinking about time rather than gas costs. When I leave work or home, I'm at home or work in less than 5 minutes. If I catch the one stop light... maybe 6. Add that up over a year and it's pretty significant.

 

That's awesome... in BC right?

[Spanky99]

Was more thinking about time rather than gas costs. When I leave work or home, I'm at home or work in less than 5 minutes. If I catch the one stop light... maybe 6. Add that up over a year and it's pretty significant.

 

I can attest to that you're basically 1 hr from home to your seat. From nearly a 100K away. It's not bad.

[John_Havok]

That's awesome... in BC right?

 

Lethbridge Alberta, only 100,000 people so about the perfect sized city, except for the lack of pro sports teams in the vicinity

[Spanky99]

Lethbridge Alberta, only 100,000 people so about the perfect sized city, except for the lack of pro sports teams in the vicinity

 

That suxxxxx

[G-Snarls]

Lethbridge Alberta, only 100,000 people so about the perfect sized city, except for the lack of pro sports teams in the vicinity

 

I feel ya man

 

I live in Alberta now too, in a similar sized city

 

Don't really care about the NHL or the CFL

 

So.... considering roadtrips to Seattle and Vegas for MLB and NFL

[John_Havok]

I feel ya man

 

I live in Alberta now too, in a similar sized city

 

Don't really care about the NHL or the CFL

 

So.... considering roadtrips to Seattle and Vegas for MLB and NFL

 

You must live in Red Deer then, it's the only other city kinda close in population.

[Spanky99]

I feel ya man

 

I live in Alberta now too, in a similar sized city

 

Don't really care about the NHL or the CFL

 

So.... considering roadtrips to Seattle and Vegas for MLB and NFL

 

You left the Lobsters, since when?

 

That's cool.

[G-Snarls]

You left the Lobsters, since when?

 

That's cool.

 

A month ago

 

Saint John NB to Red Deer AB

 

Long fn drive LOL

[John_Havok]

A month ago

 

Saint John NB to Red Deer AB

 

Long fn drive LOL

 

But a beautiful drive! Right up until you get about 3/4 of the way through Manitoba....

[Brownie19]

Was more thinking about time rather than gas costs. When I leave work or home, I'm at home or work in less than 5 minutes. If I catch the one stop light... maybe 6. Add that up over a year and it's pretty significant.

 

I hear you. I only commute about 20 minutes to work and now that I'm adjusted to working from home - I'm not interested in wasting 40 minutes a day driving to and from work.

[BCZ]

K....

 

Will you take 1 out of 2 now?

[Spanky99]

Will you take 1 out of 2 now?

 

K.....

[max silver]

I want to give Bo some credit for drastically improving his defense from the start of the year. I, along with some others, were really hard on him but did realize there would be some growing pains required to know if Bo was really meant for the SS position. Good on him!

 

Bo took way more s*** early on than was deserved. There was a lot of complaining about his arm strength which hasn't been an issue, it was more his mechanics were so bad that he didn't give himself a shot to repeatedly make good quality throws. I'm encouraged that he has a chance to turn into an above average defender with time.

 

I think Gurriel deserves a lot of credit for how much he's improved lately as well. He's made a large number of very nice running catches lately which have him suddenly looking like a fully competent left fielder. He's come so far from earlier in the season where almost every ball that came his way turned into an adventure.

[Terminator]

Bo took way more s*** early on than was deserved. There was a lot of complaining about his arm strength which hasn't been an issue, it was more his mechanics were so bad that he didn't give himself a shot to repeatedly make good quality throws. I'm encouraged that he has a chance to turn into an above average defender with time.

 

I think Gurriel deserves a lot of credit for how much he's improved lately as well. He's made a large number of very nice running catches lately which have him suddenly looking like a fully competent left fielder. He's come so far from earlier in the season where almost every ball that came his way turned into an adventure.

 

I used to hate Gurriel's defense until Dickerson started a game in LF and there wasn't even an attempt to throw a runner out at home on a single to left with a runner on second. Gurriel's glove is a frying pan but he's not a complete statue and he has a cannon.

[keggy]

Bo took way more s*** early on than was deserved. There was a lot of complaining about his arm strength which hasn't been an issue, it was more his mechanics were so bad that he didn't give himself a shot to repeatedly make good quality throws. I'm encouraged that he has a chance to turn into an above average defender with time.

 

I think Gurriel deserves a lot of credit for how much he's improved lately as well. He's made a large number of very nice running catches lately which have him suddenly looking like a fully competent left fielder. He's come so far from earlier in the season where almost every ball that came his way turned into an adventure.

 

I hate being the negative guy here but Bo is one of the worst shortstops in baseball. He's made some good plays but he's still very, very bad by traditional and advanced evaluations.

[max silver]

I hate being the negative guy here but Bo is one of the worst shortstops in baseball. He's made some good plays but he's still very, very bad by traditional and advanced evaluations.

 

Pretty much the entire reason his defensive metrics show so poorly seems to be due to errors. Lately aside from the odd missed throw I have no other complaints about his defence. He's shown good range, made a lot of nice plays and his throws have improved a ton as well. I really don't think he's been performing badly at short stop lately but that doesn't improve his overall season numbers as a whole given how long he struggled for early on.

[Deadpool]

It's amazing when I hear things like this and have to think about how different life is for you guys in the GTA talking like it's not a big deal to travel 45 minutes to get to downtown. For me that's my total time to commute to and from work over 2 weeks.

 

Well, there's a reason I work from home. There's also a reason that when I get headhunted by companies with offices in downtown Toronto, I give them a ludicrous salary demand so they piss off and stop bothering me