Jays 2021/22 General Off-Season Discussion

[The_DH]

Is there an infielder who could also play cf available to pick up? I think we really need one as the last man on the bench.

[Grant77]

Is there an infielder who could also play cf available to pick up? I think we really need one as the last man on the bench.

 

That's a bit of a rare combination to find. I was pretty keen on Tyler Naquin as a CF option, but we had to take on Tapia's salary as part of moving Grichuk, so he's not really a fit any more. I guess for now we roll without a capable backup CF and try to address that need during the season if it arises. Maybe we bring up Palacios if Springer hits the IL.

[Dick_Pole]

yet Toronto one win ahead

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Standings

 

not sure how that makes any sense

 

Jays have a slightly easier schedule. They face the Phillies for four games. The Yankees face the Mets four games.

Jays have six games against the White Sox and Astros, Yankees have seven each.

Also, the Yankees have to face the Jays 19 times, but the Jays get to face the Yankees 19 times.

[jaysblue]

The bullpen will be such an important factor in the early going. If the bullpen gets off to a horrendous start blowing winnable games in April and May, the Jays missing the postseason or winning the division by one-two games would really hurt.

[Krylian]

The bullpen will be such an important factor in the early going. If the bullpen gets off to a horrendous start blowing winnable games in April and May, the Jays missing the postseason or winning the division by one-two games would really hurt.

 

Is this post from last March?

[The_DH]

That's a bit of a rare combination to find. I was pretty keen on Tyler Naquin as a CF option, but we had to take on Tapia's salary as part of moving Grichuk, so he's not really a fit any more. I guess for now we roll without a capable backup CF and try to address that need during the season if it arises. Maybe we bring up Palacios if Springer hits the IL.

 

I think this might be the highest risk on the team right now. Every position has a reasonable backup for an inning or two and some for a 10-day dl stint. Except CF and Springer's record is not the best. I watched Mallex Smith and his outfield reads don't seem adequate. Palacios is not a CF and usually played rf in the minors. I'd like to see how our new guy would fair in CF for a few games.

[Laika]

Is there an infielder who could also play cf available to pick up? I think we really need one as the last man on the bench.

 

Yeah a Kike Hernandez would be sweet

[Laika]

I think this might be the highest risk on the team right now. Every position has a reasonable backup for an inning or two and some for a 10-day dl stint. Except CF and Springer's record is not the best. I watched Mallex Smith and his outfield reads don't seem adequate. Palacios is not a CF and usually played rf in the minors. I'd like to see how our new guy would fair in CF for a few games.

 

I'm not sure it's fair to say that Toronto has no reasonable CF backup. Tapia is not a GOOD centrefielder and he is probably decidedly below average, but it's not like he is going to be a -20.

 

Playing mostly the corners he is an average outfielder by UZR and above average by OAA. He can probably cover CF and it won't be tooooooooooo painful depending on how long it is.

[The_DH]

I'm not sure it's fair to say that Toronto has no reasonable CF backup. Tapia is not a GOOD centrefielder and he is probably decidedly below average, but it's not like he is going to be a -20.

 

Playing mostly the corners he is an average outfielder by UZR and above average by OAA. He can probably cover CF and it won't be tooooooooooo painful depending on how long it is.

 

My guess is probably the same as yours, that he's okay for a pinch. I think we might need to plan for about 50 games worth of CF time though. Not sure he's good enough for that. I also figure somebody should come in on the late innings on a regular basis.

[Laika]

My guess is probably the same as yours, that he's okay for a pinch. I think we might need to plan for about 50 games worth of CF time though. Not sure he's good enough for that. I also figure somebody should come in on the late innings on a regular basis.

 

Yeah it's probably near the top of the wish list as far as in season upgrades go.

 

I would expect them to pick up a good defensive CF on a minor league deal later on in spring or early in the season, if there is one cut loose.

[The_DH]

Yeah it's probably near the top of the wish list as far as in season upgrades go.

 

I would expect them to pick up a good defensive CF on a minor league deal later on in spring or early in the season, if there is one cut loose.

 

I don't know if we need much of a bat, but if he could play a decent cf and maybe some 2b it would be awesome. I don't like having just one backup infielder

[Laika]

I don't know if we need much of a bat, but if he could play a decent cf and maybe some 2b it would be awesome. I don't like having just one backup infielder

 

I really hate the three catcher roster. I hope they don't carry McGuire forever. Otto Lopez or Palacios or even Smith or Lukes would be better IMO.

[Ehjays]

[max silver]

I think this might be the highest risk on the team right now. Every position has a reasonable backup for an inning or two and some for a 10-day dl stint. Except CF and Springer's record is not the best. I watched Mallex Smith and his outfield reads don't seem adequate. Palacios is not a CF and usually played rf in the minors. I'd like to see how our new guy would fair in CF for a few games.

 

Teoscar is fine to fill take over center field for a week or two at a time if necessary.

[Jimcanuck]

With Springer aging, CF is going to be a pressing need if not this season, then very likely next season. And no real CF prospects in the minors. Bullpen and CF are this team's achilles.

[G-Snarls]

MLB.com has ranked lineups and starting rotations this week

 

Jays rank:

 

#2 for lineup (Dodgers #1)

 

#3 for starting rotation (Mets #1, Brewers #2)

[Sammy225]

 

Buck just had a stroke.

[The_DH]

With Springer aging, CF is going to be a pressing need if not this season, then very likely next season. And no real CF prospects in the minors. Bullpen and CF are this team's achilles.

 

I'm afraid Springer is aged, not ageing. He may be past full time outfield duty. Memories of Paul Molitor when we had him.

[G-Snarls]

I'm afraid Springer is aged, not ageing. He may be past full time outfield duty. Memories of Paul Molitor when we had him.

 

He is not past full time OF duty

 

He just might not be plus CF defender much longer

[The_DH]

He is not past full time OF duty

 

He just might not be plus CF defender much longer

 

I hope you're right, but I just don't see 140 games of CF.

[jerb]

 

Mitch Bannon

@MitchBannon

 

The #BlueJays have one game on Apple TV's new Friday Night Baseball schedule (announced through June). They're free to watch, so far:

 

May 27th Jays @ Angels 9:30 pm ET

[John_Havok]

Buck just had a stroke.

 

Well it’s interesting that’s the case with Yimi, since the Latino language don’t even have a hard J sound in it. There’s some soft-ish sounding j sounds but they’re closer to the English pronunciation of treasure…kind of a soft j and soft g mixed together.

[jerb]

 

Arash Madani

@ArashMadani

 

Well, well. Here's something interesting:

 

Dexter Fowler has a locker with a nameplate in the Blue Jays clubhouse here in Dunedin.

[Dick_Pole]

 

Arash Madani

@ArashMadani

 

Well, well. Here's something interesting:

 

Dexter Fowler has a locker with a nameplate in the Blue Jays clubhouse here in Dunedin.

 

My 2008 fantasy team is intrigued. Is this dude even capable of anything now? Some guys just need to learn when to hang it up.

[Stangstag]

I hope you're right, but I just don't see 140 games of CF.

 

That’s fair, I agree he probably needs to move to RF sooner than later. Maybe we gotta trade one of Lourdes/Teo or let em walk. The team needs a plus defender in CF, something we’ve been lacking since Pillar left

[Grant77]

MLB.com has ranked lineups and starting rotations this week

 

Jays rank:

 

#2 for lineup (Dodgers #1)

 

#3 for starting rotation (Mets #1, Brewers #2)

 

Number 9 for bullpen, which is pretty bullish, pun intended.

[glory]

In Fowler's last full season (2019) he had a 103 wRC+ and 1.6 WAR, so perfectly acceptable 4th OF material using those numbers, but that was 3 years ago (only played 38 games since then) and now he's coming off an ACL injury. I wouldn't expect much other than being AAA depth.

[Grant77]

In Fowler's last full season (2019) he had a 103 wRC+ and 1.6 WAR, so perfectly acceptable 4th OF material using those numbers, but that was 3 years ago (only played 38 games since then) and now he's coming off an ACL injury. I wouldn't expect much other than being AAA depth.

 

If he proves to be a capable CF in AAA then some playing time may open up, but otherwise I don't think we see him in the big leagues this year.

[The_DH]

If it's just a shot to see if he's got anything left, I think it's a great idea.

[Ray]

Nice article on Julian Merryweather and how he’s revamped his offseason regiment to try and stay more healthy: https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/after-off-season-changes-merryweather-hoping-to-make-impact-for-blue-jays/