Official Spring Training 2021 GDT/discussion thread

[Eat My Shatkins]

I think people are too concerned with the pitching. I know they're just projections, but fangraphs has the Jays ranked pretty favorably in projected pitching WAR. The starters are ranked 4th in the AL behind the Yankees, White Sox and Twins if I remember correctly. Of course that's based on Ray bouncing back to his career norms and Pearson breaking out a little.

 

Other than Bauer there wasn't a lot out there in free agency this year that really moved the needle much from what the Jays already have.

[King]

Hi Spanky.

[Ray]

I think people are too concerned with the pitching. I know they're just projections, but fangraphs has the Jays ranked pretty favorably in projected pitching WAR. The starters are ranked 4th in the AL behind the Yankees, White Sox and Twins if I remember correctly. Of course that's based on Ray bouncing back to his career norms and Pearson breaking out a little.

 

Other than Bauer there wasn't a lot out there in free agency this year that really moved the needle much from what the Jays already have.

 

4th in the AL doesn't pass the smell test for me, but I absolutely think our starting pitching can be at least league average, and that's all you really need to reasonably compete if coupled with our projected bullpen and offense.

[Brownie19]

Fair retort. My suggestion to like 1 or 2 minor league affiliations would require a major overhaul to everything done today and seems a bit far fetched.

 

And yes, I do love baseball and have spent most of my life defending it from everyone I know. I do acknowledge there are some improvements the sport can undertake to attract the younger fanbase and simplifying things can help with that. Maybe it's just my social circle but the sport seems to be diminishing amongst the younger crowd

 

How does reducing the number of minor league affiliates (thus reducing the opportunities and making it harder to pursue baseball) attract a younger fanbase?

 

I'm reading between the lines here, but you started out by complaining there were too many players at camp and I think what you're struggling with is the shear number of players within the organization and trying to keep track of them all as a fan. I get that. When the Jays call guys up or make trades with minor league players involved, I get 4 or 5 texts from my buddies asking for my analysis. However, I can't imagine that's anywhere near the top of the list of the issues baseball has with the youth of America.

 

Personally, I love following the Jays farm system as much as I do the big league club. I've always loved the history of baseball and the statistics behind it. For me, the affiliates are all part of that and I love them.

Edited February 18, 2021 by Brownie19

[Virgil_Hiltz]

That's fair, as have I. I think we have all heard the "baseball is boring" arguments amongst family and friends. I have grown accustomed to it and stopped trying to argue it.

 

I feel like having minor league affiliates all across small town america is better for the sport than without though. An affordable and fun way to watch the game for families. I don't think reducing the minor leagues to one or two teams is going to help with that.

 

Maybe a lot more independent leagues will be popping up? Maybe even more teams for the unsigned players to play on and still get a pro contract??

[jerb]

[jerb]

[Krylian]

 

I'm kinda surprised Danny is though.

[The Iceman]

I would have liked them to sign bauer or paxton but the rest of the starting pitching market are gascans. Might as well see what the young guys can do now.

 

Walker was good enough to trade for last year for the stretch drive.

Probably exceeded expectations as a Jay.

 

Why not resign him???

[dineke]

Walker was good enough to trade for last year for the stretch drive.

Probably exceeded expectations as a Jay.

 

Why not resign him???

 

Last year most of our young pitchers were in the BP and couldn't be stretched out.

[jerb]

[Krylian]

When's the first spring training game?

[glory]

I think people are too concerned with the pitching. I know they're just projections, but fangraphs has the Jays ranked pretty favorably in projected pitching WAR. The starters are ranked 4th in the AL behind the Yankees, White Sox and Twins if I remember correctly. Of course that's based on Ray bouncing back to his career norms and Pearson breaking out a little.

 

Other than Bauer there wasn't a lot out there in free agency this year that really moved the needle much from what the Jays already have.

 

I don't mind the Jays going with what they have until the trade deadline. It's risky without expanded playoffs to do that, but there will likely be a lot of sellers by June/July, so if the Jays can get by until then and remain in playoff contention, then there will be real trade opportunities for starters possibly better than (or similar to) Odorizzi and Walker. The issue is can they get by for a few months with a bottom of the rotation including Diesel, Matz, Ray, Stripling, etc? Not having to face just AL/NL East teams will probably help.

[Brownie19]

Walker was good enough to trade for last year for the stretch drive.

Probably exceeded expectations as a Jay.

 

Why not resign him???

 

Because he isn't very good, is extremely injury prone and wants a multi year deal for $10M+ AAV?

[wilko]

When's the first spring training game?

 

Feb 28th's VS The Yankee's

 

https://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/toronto-blue-jays-4.htm

[jerb]

[Orgfiller]

 

Not surprising since it didn't work out for him at all, but we can see Ray using his usual long arm motion as he did with us last season.

[jerb]

 

Kaitlyn McGrath

@kaitlyncmcgrath

 

#BlueJays updates from Charlie Montoyo’s first avail:

- RHP Patrick Murphy is dealing with a shoulder injury. He is not active, but at camp.

-Ross Stripling has not reported yet because his wife is due to have a baby very soon

 

Kaitlyn McGrath

@kaitlyncmcgrath

 

- Team hopes to have a traditional five-man rotation but they’ll play by ear for now

- Montoyo said nearly every pitcher is competing for a job right now, both in the bullpen and rotation

- Main goal of pitching staff is to limit walks this year

 

Kaitlyn McGrath

@kaitlyncmcgrath

 

- In terms of catchers, it’s three guys (Jansen, Kirk and McGuire) competing for two jobs, Montoyo said

- During games, Both Biggio and Vlad will get reps at 3B; Hernández will spend time in RF/LF, Gurriel has been taking ground balls at 1B and 3B this offseason.

 

Kaitlyn McGrath

@kaitlyncmcgrath

 

- After a busy winter, Montoyo said the there is a good vibe in the clubhouse. Team feels “we can play with the big dogs in this division.”

- Main goal for spring training is for everyone to finish healthy and ready for the season

[King]

I can cross off Patrick Murphy shoulder issue on my Blue Jays Spring Training bingo card

[Laika]

Gurriel has been taking groundballs at 3B, eh....

[Jays24]

Gurriel has been taking groundballs at 3B, eh....

 

If this can happen, it would be awesome. Dude has a cannon for an arm.

[jerb]

[Jimcanuck]

I have to say, the new complex looks awesome

[BigCecil]

Manoah is big and strong.

[RustyTrombone]

Manoah is big and strong.

 

Pat Tabler approves this message.

[Krylian]

Patrick Murphy will be out for the season.

[Boxcar]

If this can happen, it would be awesome. Dude has a cannon for an arm.

 

How much more positional flexibility does this team need? Gurriel defied odds and became a good OF. His arm is of use there. I don't know why we would ever put him at third while we have Bichette, Panik, Semien, Biggio and even Vlad.

[Jimcanuck]

How much more positional flexibility does this team need? Gurriel defied odds and became a good OF. His arm is of use there. I don't know why we would ever put him at third while we have Bichette, Panik, Semien, Biggio and even Vlad.

 

We need Montoyo to use his maximum creativity.

[Orgfiller]

How much more positional flexibility does this team need? Gurriel defied odds and became a good OF. His arm is of use there. I don't know why we would ever put him at third while we have Bichette, Panik, Semien, Biggio and even Vlad.

 

Well two of those guys you ideally just don't want to see playing out there - Vlad and Panik, for different reasons obviously. Then Bo and Semien should have their set positions, would definitely have preferred that Semien chose 3B at his mainstay if he's not to play SS but it seems that was part of the reason he signed with us so you probably want to honour that agreement. Biggio is just a swiss army knife, he'll play wherever he's asked, so I hope he gets the bulk of PT at 3B but he should be available to move during the game and between games on a whim. Maybe there's a good lefty on the mound and you want to stack right handed hitters, if Gurriel is passable at 3B or 1B then you can play all of Grichuk, Teoscar, Gurriel, Springer and Vlad while not sacrificing too much on the defensive end.

 

I agree with you maybe it's overkill, but having the elite flexibility that this would allow us would present so many different lineup opportunities while still maintaining some excellent pieces on the bench along with injury insurance.

[Laika]

Well two of those guys you ideally just don't want to see playing out there - Vlad and Panik, for different reasons obviously. Then Bo and Semien should have their set positions, would definitely have preferred that Semien chose 3B at his mainstay if he's not to play SS but it seems that was part of the reason he signed with us so you probably want to honour that agreement. Biggio is just a swiss army knife, he'll play wherever he's asked, so I hope he gets the bulk of PT at 3B but he should be available to move during the game and between games on a whim. Maybe there's a good lefty on the mound and you want to stack right handed hitters, if Gurriel is passable at 3B or 1B then you can play all of Grichuk, Teoscar, Gurriel, Springer and Vlad while not sacrificing too much on the defensive end.

 

I agree with you maybe it's overkill, but having the elite flexibility that this would allow us would present so many different lineup opportunities while still maintaining some excellent pieces on the bench along with injury insurance.

 

If Gurriel can't play 3B and any of Bo/Semien/Biggio get hurt, Panik or Espinal becomes a starter or Vlad is bleeding runs at 3B again.

If Gurriel can just play an okay 3B then if any of those three get hurt Grichuk becomes a starter.

It might actually be a big benefit. Grichuk >>> Panik or Espinal.