Rosterbation Discussion Thread (2021)

[Laika]

That's what I've been calling for. Someone who plays from the 7th inning on (in the outfield) and covers 2b-3b as well. Espinal isn't enough as infield support.

 

It's a tough archetype to find especially right now.

 

In house, Biggio could do that role... if say Jose Ramirez took his job

[The_DH]

Do we really need to spend all of our prospect capital on Ramirez? Between Chapman, Groshans, Martinez and others I think we have the future covered in the infield. But our CF has no real future.

[Laika]

The future of CF is George Springer

[JaysAllMighty]

So our bench is:

Espinal

Tapia

Collins (probably)

 

There aren't many internal options to fill the final bench spot, but a bunch of guys are about to become available before opening day. What kind of player should we be looking for?

 

Gosuke Katoh instead of Collins.

[Grant77]

It's a tough archetype to find especially right now.

 

In house, Biggio could do that role... if say Jose Ramirez took his job

 

Mauricio Dubon on the Giants is out of options and could be available. Nick Gordon on the Twins may also be available, I'm not sure of his option status.

 

Neither is perfect, but the IF/OF defense combo is rare.

[Grant77]

Gosuke Katoh instead of Collins.

 

What exactly does a guy like Espinal but not as good add to this roster?

[Terminator]

I’d probably just use Katoh for a month or two and when he flops just bring up Otto Lopez who could use a little more seasoning in AAA anyway.

 

Collins

Tilapia

Espinal

Seat warmer/Lopez

[JaysAllMighty]

What exactly does a guy like Espinal but not as good add to this roster?

 

He can play all positions including LF/RF and left handed batter. Very good spring stats.

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/blue-jays-invite-infielder-gosuke-katoh-to-2022-spring-training

[John_Havok]

Gosuke Katoh instead of Collins.

 

Doubtful, Espinal is already a much better version of Katoh in that he's defensively plus at multiple infield positions, and we already know he can hit enough. Katoh is likely AAA bound and an emergency call-up at best.

[The_DH]

The future of CF is George Springer

 

I'm kind of concerned that Springer is on the decline and you can only expect 120 games a year at most in CF. And I hope Katoh gets dropped soon. I don't like watching him hitting.

[Grant77]

He can play all positions including LF/RF and left handed batter. Very good spring stats.

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/blue-jays-invite-infielder-gosuke-katoh-to-2022-spring-training

 

I'm unconvinced that he is an upgrade over Espinal or Tapia as a backup at any of those positions or that he can hit major league pitching in general. We'll find out if he makes the roster.

[The_DH]

I'm unconvinced that he is an upgrade over Espinal or Tapia as a backup at any of those positions or that he can hit major league pitching in general. We'll find out if he makes the roster.

 

Then maybe Katoh as a PR/defensive replacement type would be enough for a start. As long as he gets no more than 35 at bats in a month, blow outs aside.

[Grant77]

MLBTR states that the Dodgers are going with 16 pitchers and 12 position players. I thought that was against the rules, but we could definitely pull that off if not.

[Terminator]

MLBTR states that the Dodgers are going with 16 pitchers and 12 position players. I thought that was against the rules, but we could definitely pull that off if not.

 

I think the 13 pitchers rule isn't in effect in April.

[TwistedLogic]

Do we really need to spend all of our prospect capital on Ramirez? Between Chapman, Groshans, Martinez and others I think we have the future covered in the infield. But our CF has no real future.

 

People keep saying this as if it's a guarantee they're spending "all of their prospect capital." There's no reason to believe that until we actually get some information on their negotiations.

 

If the Guardians want major league talent, the Jays have plenty enough to facilitate it without giving up one of their top two prospects.

[TwistedLogic]

My guess is that the bench is going to be Espinal, Tapia, Katoh and Lukes, barring any other trades/pick-ups.

[The_DH]

My guess is that the bench is going to be Espinal, Tapia, Katoh and Lukes, barring any other trades/pick-ups.

 

I assume you have Kirk at DH?

[Grant77]

My guess is that the bench is going to be Espinal, Tapia, Katoh and Lukes, barring any other trades/pick-ups.

 

I find it extremely unlikely that we add 2 temporary bench players to the 40 man roster.

[InsideThePark]

My guess is Espinal, Tapia, Collins is the bench and they go with an 11 man pen.

 

My guess yesterday was Espinal, Tapia, McGuire and Bird but I guess they feel Collins can essentially fill the role of both McGuire and Bird since McGuire's only role was to exist in case of injury to allow Kirk to DH, not actually play and anytime Bird played we would have been downgrading the lineup so he wouldn't have played much either. Now Collins can be on the bench as a 3rd catcher so Kirk can DH a bunch, and play 1st on days when Vladdy gets a DH day and that's about it. I don't really see a need for anyone else off the bench right now. Any other option would be a significant downgrade to the point you'd just want them stapled to the bench so what's the point? Carry the extra arm instead.

[Terminator]

My guess is Espinal, Tapia, Collins is the bench and they go with an 11 man pen.

 

My guess yesterday was Espinal, Tapia, McGuire and Bird but I guess they feel Collins can essentially fill the role of both McGuire and Bird since McGuire's only role was to exist in case of injury to allow Kirk to DH, not actually play and anytime Bird played we would have been downgrading the lineup so he wouldn't have played much either. Now Collins can be on the bench as a 3rd catcher so Kirk can DH a bunch, and play 1st on days when Vladdy gets a DH day and that's about it. I don't really see a need for anyone else off the bench right now. Any other option would be a significant downgrade to the point you'd just want them stapled to the bench so what's the point? Carry the extra arm instead.

 

Could be the case! An 11 man pen is hilarious though. And when May starts they’ll have to cut 3 relievers and add one bench player I think to get to 26 players and 13 pitchers.

[Laika]

My guess is Espinal, Tapia, Collins is the bench and they go with an 11 man pen.

 

My guess yesterday was Espinal, Tapia, McGuire and Bird but I guess they feel Collins can essentially fill the role of both McGuire and Bird since McGuire's only role was to exist in case of injury to allow Kirk to DH, not actually play and anytime Bird played we would have been downgrading the lineup so he wouldn't have played much either. Now Collins can be on the bench as a 3rd catcher so Kirk can DH a bunch, and play 1st on days when Vladdy gets a DH day and that's about it. I don't really see a need for anyone else off the bench right now. Any other option would be a significant downgrade to the point you'd just want them stapled to the bench so what's the point? Carry the extra arm instead.

 

I dunno man, 3 man bench with expanded April rosters just seems weird.

[jerb]

 

Ben Nicholson-Smith

@bnicholsonsmith

 

Gosuke Katoh has made the #BlueJays

[TwistedLogic]

I assume you have Kirk at DH?

 

Yes. I want Kirk as the primary catcher and my initial guess was they'd DH Bird when Kirk caught and DH Kirk when Jansen caught.

 

But when I think of "Kirk catching" scenarios, I'm realizing why Bird was so expendable to the Jays.

 

There are just so many other combinations they'll probably be running.

 

IE:

 

- Kirk C, Tapia LF, Gurriel DH

 

- Kirk C, Gurriel 1B, Tapia LF, Vlad DH

 

- Kirk C, Espinal 2B, Biggio DH

 

Etc, etc.

 

With the relative versatility of the bench and main lineup, you really don't need a roster spot locked up on a one-dimensional guy like Bird unless you really believe in his bat.

 

I just really hope Montoyo and Atkins do consider Kirk an everyday player and we aren't seeing him benched on days Jansen is catching just because we need to get Katoh or Tapia's elite lefty bats into the lineup against RHP.

[InsideThePark]

So much for that then. I don't really see the need. They already have an extra outfielder and Biggio can play a corner spot, Espinal is backup at all the infield positions so I don't want Katoh to actually get into a game until someone gets injured. The fact that they have to have a 4 man bench by May probably impacts things. If Katoh has an opt out like Bird which he probably does and you want him on the roster in May as the 4th guy then might as well take him now I guess. I just hope he doesn't get much game action barring injuries.

[TwistedLogic]

Our first "Opening Day Roster" casualty:

 

[The_DH]

Yes. I want Kirk as the primary catcher and my initial guess was they'd DH Bird when Kirk caught and DH Kirk when Jansen caught.

 

But when I think of "Kirk catching" scenarios, I'm realizing why Bird was so expendable to the Jays.

 

There are just so many other combinations they'll probably be running.

 

IE:

 

- Kirk C, Tapia LF, Gurriel DH

 

- Kirk C, Gurriel 1B, Tapia LF, Vlad DH

 

- Kirk C, Espinal 2B, Biggio DH

 

Etc, etc.

 

With the relative versatility of the bench and main lineup, you really don't need a roster spot locked up on a one-dimensional guy like Bird unless you really believe in his bat.

 

I just really hope Montoyo and Atkins do consider Kirk an everyday player and we aren't seeing him benched on days Jansen is catching just because we need to get Katoh or Tapia's elite lefty bats into the lineup against RHP.

 

I think you might be right. So Tapia plays a little more, probably LF and CF.

[Laika]

So much for that then. I don't really see the need. They already have an extra outfielder and Biggio can play a corner spot, Espinal is backup at all the infield positions so I don't want Katoh to actually get into a game until someone gets injured. The fact that they have to have a 4 man bench by May probably impacts things. If Katoh has an opt out like Bird which he probably does and you want him on the roster in May as the 4th guy then might as well take him now I guess. I just hope he doesn't get much game action barring injuries.

 

I think there is a chance that Katoh is actually just a productive major league bench player.

 

Little bit of power, speed, and defensive utility. Minor league numbers are interesting enough last two seasons. I see the light.

[Stangstag]

Our first "Opening Day Roster" casualty:

 

 

Shocking

[wilko]

I think there is a chance that Katoh is actually just a productive major league bench player.

 

Little bit of power, speed, and defensive utility. Minor league numbers are interesting enough last two seasons. I see the light.

 

It's almost worth it just to hear Buck trying to pronounce his name.

[InsideThePark]

I think there is a chance that Katoh is actually just a productive major league bench player.

 

Little bit of power, speed, and defensive utility. Minor league numbers are interesting enough last two seasons. I see the light.

 

I think that's fair, Barring injuries I just don't see any situation where you want him starting. If Springer is DHing then Tapia plays CF. If Gurriel/Teo DH's Tapia or Biggio plays LF/RF. If Chapman/Bo/Biggio DH's then Espinal plays 3B/SS/2B. If Vladdy is DHing then I probably want Gurriel/Teo at 1st, and Tapia/Biggio playing OF. If Collins makes the roster then that could also be a spot for him to fill in at 1st. Same goes for any of those player getting a full day off rather than DHing. If Jansen is off then Kirk plays C.

 

You pretty much need 2 starters sitting to find any situation where Katoh starts. So is he a pinch runner/defensive replacement until someone gets hurt?