Your Expected Big IF Aquisition After Semien's Departure?

[gruber92]

We are going to trade for Jose Ramirez!

 

I hope so, or K.Marte.

[gruber92]

Gruber with more bad takes I see.

 

Why don't you read the BA report Jim posted you clown.

[gruber92]

Well, in any case he could absolutely brick as a prospect, but based on virtually every scouting report available on the kid, it wont be because he lacks bat speed.

 

From pre-season 2021:

 

Hit: Slightly open stance that squares on load; hands high above the letters; upright stance with a slight crouch and wide base. Busy pre-load; large leg lift on gather opens body up to clear hips on load; shortens to a smaller stride or toe tap when behind in the count. Quick trigger. Strong hands and quick wrists generate plus bat speed. Fluid swing with natural loft. Advanced feel; solid bat-to-ball skills; shows patience, grinding out ABs waiting for his pitch; occasionally more passive than you'd prefer to see. Utilizes entire field. Enough bat speed to handle premium velocity; occasionally exposed by chase up in the zone and above-average or better off-speed and breaking balls. Deficiencies should shore up a tick with further pro instruction. Grade: 55

 

Power: Plus raw in BP; shows average in game. Explosive hands and quick wrists generate plus bat speed. Fluid swing with natural loft. Good barrel control; stays within his swing, seldom selling out for power. Drives the ball with authority to all fields; drives the gaps; shows significant over-the-fence pop. Frame and physicality ideal for future power; should easily mature into an above-average asset. Grade: 55

 

Had some injury issues in 2021, but didn't seem to limit him at all. When healthy he still hit very well.

 

Thanks for posting this. From what I've seen he starts his swing early to compensate his lack of getting to above average fastballs, especially on the inner half. If this doesn't change somehow, MLB pitching will swallow him whole.

[John_Havok]

Thanks for posting this. From what I've seen he starts his swing early to compensate his lack of getting to above average fastballs, especially on the inner half. If this doesn't change somehow, MLB pitching will swallow him whole.

 

Yeah that could be an approach thing rather than a bat-speed issue. Getting his brain to start his swing slightly later would be what they are looking for in that scenario.

[gruber92]

Yeah that could be an approach thing rather than a bat-speed issue. Getting his brain to start his swing slightly later would be what they are looking for in that scenario.

 

Could be..

[BigCecil]

Kyle Seager

LH bat on a 2 year deal until Groshan is ready

 

Just can't do K Seager. Basically a LHH Grichuk in 21 with a 99 wRC+ and 24% K rate. Like a .280 OBP. I think we will find/have better options.

 

You wouldn't have to give him 2 years I don't think.

[max silver]

Or Ketel Marte. He can play a ton of positions, 3 more years under contract for 8, 10 and 12 million respectively. Probably not the same upside with the bat as Ramirez but he's no slouch either.

 

I would actually prefer Marte over Ramirez, for a lot of the reasons you've mentioned, plus he's several years younger and should require less of a prospect outlay. He's really an amazing fit for this roster as he would improve the club in so many ways and has an amazing contract.

[connorp]

I would actually prefer Marte over Ramirez, for a lot of the reasons you've mentioned, plus he's several years younger and should require less of a prospect outlay. He's really an amazing fit for this roster as he would improve the club in so many ways and has an amazing contract.

 

He’s a year younger but I’m with you in general

[Olerud363]

Just can't do K Seager. Basically a LHH Grichuk in 21 with a 99 wRC+ and 24% K rate. Like a .280 OBP. I think we will find/have better options.

 

You wouldn't have to give him 2 years I don't think.

 

Seager is not a Grichuk, 14 points higher in wRC+ last year (99 to 85) and 9 career (111 to 102). He's has horrible home splits.

 

There might be some hidden value there if you get him out of Seattle. There are better options of course, but I wouldn't be upset if they got him.

[Olerud363]

Thanks for posting this. From what I've seen he starts his swing early to compensate his lack of getting to above average fastballs, especially on the inner half. If this doesn't change somehow, MLB pitching will swallow him whole.

 

We heard the same thing about Espinal and Espinal did fine... I'm not even a huge fan of Espinal, and I don't think he'll be as good going forward as he was last year, but I think he'll hit roughly as his minor league stats predict.

 

Same with Groshans. Whatever weaknesses he has are already baked into the minor league stats, so going forward he'll probably end up as a .270 .320 .420 hitter or something, could play if he has good defense. Don't see him getting eaten alive, but unless he improves don't see him being a star either.

[43211234]

I don't understand those fine with Biggio 2B and Espinal 3B. You can't go into the season with Espinal as a starter. Who's even on the bench? Kevin Smith?

 

There has to be a significant infield add. How soon people forget teams like 2013, with a paper thin roster.

 

 

The front office has shown they value depth. I'm sure another infielder will be added. Chris Taylor might be too expensive. If you can get him for 2/36 that would be real nice.

[saskjayfan]

I would be shocked if Kirk is on our roster to start the year with Moreno likely up sometime this year it makes no sense right now to keep him or pigeon hole him as a dh. Now is the time to move him while his value is high. I'm thinking he will get dealt for a 3b or 2b and biggio/espinal will deal with the other.

 

Scott Mitchell tweeted a couple weeks ago that Moreno playing 3rd was a very realistic possibility. Kirk made strides defensively last year. He has a pretty good throwing motion, but was saddled with Ray who can't hold on runners. He has soft hands behind the plate and his blocking improved. Kirk's bat is legit. He has the ability to be a slightly above average defensive catcher imo. He just has to lose a bit more weight.

[jaysguy44]

We'll end up with Baez. We're a hot spot for hitter one year prove it deals.

Lol, very doubtful

[L54]

I don't understand those fine with Biggio 2B and Espinal 3B. You can't go into the season with Espinal as a starter. Who's even on the bench? Kevin Smith?

 

There has to be a significant infield add. How soon people forget teams like 2013, with a paper thin roster.

 

 

The front office has shown they value depth. I'm sure another infielder will be added. Chris Taylor might be too expensive. If you can get him for 2/36 that would be real nice.

 

There’s no way they don’t add an infielder. The pickings in FA are slim so it’ll be interesting to see who they acquire and whether it’s via a signing or trade

[Brownie19]

I don't understand those fine with Biggio 2B and Espinal 3B. You can't go into the season with Espinal as a starter. Who's even on the bench? Kevin Smith?

 

There has to be a significant infield add. How soon people forget teams like 2013, with a paper thin roster.

 

 

The front office has shown they value depth. I'm sure another infielder will be added. Chris Taylor might be too expensive. If you can get him for 2/36 that would be real nice.

 

I think this all hinges on the Front Offices evaluation of Moreno. If they believe he's ready and see him playing a lot of 3rd base, then I could see them go into the year with Moreno at 3rd, Biggio at 2nd and Espinal as the backup. You'd like to see them add a veteran who you could rely on if Moreno fails though.

[Jays24]

I don't understand those fine with Biggio 2B and Espinal 3B. You can't go into the season with Espinal as a starter. Who's even on the bench? Kevin Smith?

 

There has to be a significant infield add. How soon people forget teams like 2013, with a paper thin roster.

 

 

The front office has shown they value depth. I'm sure another infielder will be added. Chris Taylor might be too expensive. If you can get him for 2/36 that would be real nice.

 

Totally agree... there's 0 chance that you from Semien to Biggio and try to think the team gets better or even relatively the same. I'm confident we will make a significant add to 2B/3B

[Grant77]

I think that Matt Chapman is the player for us. If we learned anything last year, it's that we need a true 3B to anchor the defense. We're certainly looking at an above average infield if we land him and roll with a Biggio Espinal platoon at 2B.

[max silver]

I think that Matt Chapman is the player for us. If we learned anything last year, it's that we need a true 3B to anchor the defense. We're certainly looking at an above average infield if we land him and roll with a Biggio Espinal platoon at 2B.

 

If you are just worried about third base defence then there really isn't that much reason to switch from Espinal to Chapman as Espinal is a plus plus defender at third base as well. Maybe not quite in Chapman's league but Chapman is basically in a league all his own.

[G-Snarls]

If you are just worried about third base defence then there really isn't that much reason to switch from Espinal to Chapman as Espinal is a plus plus defender at third base as well. Maybe not quite in Chapman's league but Chapman is basically in a league all his own.

 

Or with Arenado

[max silver]

Or with Arenado

 

I dove into the defensive metrics a while back and Espinal actually graded above Arenado in the small sample that we've seen him so far. Arenados defensive numbers have been trending down over the years as appears to be last his peak defensively but obviously I can't definitely say Espinal is better given the very small sample of defensive metric numbers we have available for him.

[Spanky99]

Jays will trade with the Reds for Mahle.. As part of the conditions of the deal, Jays will need to eat salary of one of Reds 3B and he will also come over in the deal.

 

Imagine something like that, it would be epic. I think they ink Baez.

[Spanky99]

I also think Bryant would be the cheapest big target we can get. Jose Ramirez and Chapman will cost so damn much. I say let's go after Bryant and Schwarber at DH for his left handed bat. We can hope someone will take Grichuk off our hands if the MLB implements a salary floor in the new CBS

 

Bryant's getting paid man, as will Schwarber. They still need another SP too, there's only so much money.

[AdamGreenwood]

If we don’t make a move to replace some of Semien’s production we’re fielding a team that is worse than 2021 on paper.

 

Sure we can hope on a bounce back season from Biggio, and a healthier season from Springer, but a hell of a lot of things went our way in 2021.

 

We can’t go into a season with WS aspirations with a bottom 3 of Jansen, Biggio and Espinal.

 

Yeah, can't go into the season with a catcher who ranks top 5 in defense who posted an 1.165 OPS in the second half.

How could we compete?

 

As for an infielder, I think we trade for a veteran.

Can't tell you his name, but if you don't agree FYSMC

[Grant77]

If you are just worried about third base defence then there really isn't that much reason to switch from Espinal to Chapman as Espinal is a plus plus defender at third base as well. Maybe not quite in Chapman's league but Chapman is basically in a league all his own.

 

A big part of the appeal with Chapman is that he can replace some of Semien's power production as well. I like Espinal as a bench or platoon guy, but he projects as well below average at the dish. We're probably not getting a .353 BABIP again.

[saskjayfan]

A big part of the appeal with Chapman is that he can replace some of Semien's power production as well. I like Espinal as a bench or platoon guy, but he projects as well below average at the dish. We're probably not getting a .353 BABIP again.

 

Steamer has him at .308 next year though. A 91 wRC+ projection when you bring the defense he brings. There are worse things than having someone like that at the bottom of your lineup. He also has elite contact skills. He just has no power. Having a guy who gets on base and doesn't strike out at the bottom of your lineup, especially against elite pitching isn't the worst thing.

 

I know I'm in the minority, but I think come May 1 Moreno will be playing 3rd. Biggio at 2nd and espinal spelling both and starting the year at 3rd with Smith, Groshans and Otto Lopez providing depth. I'd rather put the rest of the money we had into pitching than signing a Kyle seager for 12 mil a year for 2 years.

[z3r0s]

I still wonder if Story takes the 1 year deal to get out from under the QC while hopefully putting up a more typical year. He's not exactly a comparable to Marcus, as he has a longer track record, but its at least imaginable.

 

Also 5 years of Braynt wouldn't break my heart.

[Jays24]

Bryant's getting paid man, as will Schwarber. They still need another SP too, there's only so much money.

 

Maybe getting both might be a stretch but we definitely need one of them and preferably Bryant as it's better to have the DH spot open. Im pretty sure our 5th starter will be a cheap reclamation project like Matz was or we just roll the dice with Stripling/Pearson.

[z3r0s]

If you want to sign another pitcher what is the list of realistic targets?

 

- Rodon

- Duffy

- Kikuchi

- Kim

- Bundy

- Wood

 

Dead-Cat Bounce Old Guys;

- Greinke

- Paxton

- Hamels

 

Certainly enough options (and prob more than I listed) that we could find someone good, or someone we can throw into the Pearson/Stripr pile and see who steps up.

[Carlos Danger]

If you want to sign another pitcher what is the list of realistic targets?

 

- Rodon

- Duffy

- Kikuchi

- Kim

- Bundy

- Wood

 

Dead-Cat Bounce Old Guys;

- Greinke

- Paxton

- Hamels

 

Certainly enough options (and prob more than I listed) that we could find someone good, or someone we can throw into the Pearson/Stripr pile and see who steps up.

 

I think you should add Tyler Anderson to that list as a guy with potential who could be a 5th type. Some decent metrics last year..

[glory]

I still wonder if Story takes the 1 year deal to get out from under the QC while hopefully putting up a more typical year. He's not exactly a comparable to Marcus, as he has a longer track record, but its at least imaginable.

 

Also 5 years of Braynt wouldn't break my heart.

 

If Story decides to take a 1 year deal, then I think he does it with the Yankees or Astros where he can stay at SS. He'd be a great target on a one year deal, though. Still see him getting a long term deal somewhere.