General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2022)

[Dagagad]

I always thought it was weird that they kept Pete walker on. They came from one of the 2/3 best pitching dev orgs in baseball and just kept the old pitching coach. They must rate him extremely highly. So, maybe the problem is the pitchers they are picking.

[jaysblue]

Tanner Roark had a significantly better track record of success than Matz and about as equal if not better than Ray. Matz was damaged goods entering 2021, Ray was inconsistent with flashes of brilliance mixed in with awful 5 BB performances. Kikuchi I'm pretty sure was well regarded coming out of Japan and had decent stretches in 2020 and 2021.

 

The difference of Roark vs Matz entering their respective Blue Jays careers was like a 2-3 win difference.

 

I'll give you Roark having a better track record of success than Matz, though Roark was not a better pitcher than Robbie Ray moving forward and the advanced metrics support that.

 

When the Blue Jays signed Roark, he was a 33-year-old durable innings eater for his entire career in the NL East and on the downwind of his career. I don't think the Blue Jays or any poster on here expected Roark to be a No. 1 or 2 starter. He was brought in for his durability and innings more than anything given the teams lack of MLB ready starting pitchers.

 

Ray showed glimpses of ace potential with Arizona and put together some very good seasons with the D'Backs. Ray was only 28 when the Blue Jays traded for him as well.

 

Roark had some solid years with the Nats early in his career for sure. His numbers weren't anything sexy and he was a solid 2-3 WAR pitcher. A lot of his value was tied into his innings. Otherwise, a career 7.29 K% and 4.24 xFIP. I think Roark could have been a valuable arm no doubt as an innings eater, though that never worked out. Regardless not losing any sleep over the signing.

[Spanky99]

Even if Kikuchi was just pitching like he did previously it wouldn't be that big of a deal. A 1 WAR #5 SP isn't the end of the world and they obviously thought there was some upside there. Instead he now throws strikes less often than your average high school pitcher. It's like he has the yips or something.

 

This. It's between the ears, dude's a mental midget, just look at him when he scuffles with the 4 seam fastball command, looks like he's going to break down and cry, doesn't trust his stuff, imo.

[Stangstag]

I always thought it was weird that they kept Pete walker on. They came from one of the 2/3 best pitching dev orgs in baseball and just kept the old pitching coach. They must rate him extremely highly. So, maybe the problem is the pitchers they are picking.

 

The front office should just poach all the coaches from the Rays and pay them double

[Orgfiller]

The front office should just poach all the coaches from the Rays and pay them double

 

Worked out great with Charlie Montoyo.

[Dagagad]

The front office should just poach all the coaches from the Rays and pay them double

 

Teams already do that. Where do you think the dodgers president came from? Lol. And the brewers… and the red sox CBO … you can go on and f***ing on in that direction if you want.. they are everywhere. 3 of the last 4 teams in last years playoffs.

 

I didn’t say they should have hired a different pitching coach. Im saying the fact they didn’t even though they literally came from the Cleveland f***ing Indians probably means they have a ton of faith in Pete Walker. Read more closely.

Edited August 9, 2022 by Dagagad

[Stangstag]

Jays singed JBJ to a major league deal, presumably for the minimum. Hopefully he replaces Zimmer I guess?

[Brownie19]

Apparently we signed JBJ to a MLB deal. Bye bye Zimmer.

[Laika]

It's probably a meaningless move, if it's JBJ over Zimmer. Pinch running downgrade, defensive push, better hitter?

[Dagagad]

I think id prefer Zimmer for that role. JBJ can get insanely hot though…

[Stangstag]

It's probably a meaningless move, if it's JBJ over Zimmer. Pinch running downgrade, defensive push, better hitter?

 

Its a running downgrade? I would have thought JBJ is faster and better at stealing bags

[Jonn]

Apparently we signed JBJ to a MLB deal. Bye bye Zimmer.

 

JBJ is about as smooth as they come in the OF. His speed definitely has dropped off. But he’s a better player than Zimmer. Despite borh of them being incapable of hitting.

[Laika]

Its a running downgrade? I would have thought JBJ is faster and better at stealing bags

 

check his sprint speed on statcast. it's below average now!

 

he has a negative BsR on Fangraphs!

[glory]

JBJ has vetrin presents over Zimmer, that's really the only tangible difference now that JBJ appears to be washed. Honestly, for a team as young as the Jays, having a vet in a harmless 5th OF/pinch runner spot probably isn't a bad idea, and with Charlie gone, there is no threat of him starting 3 times a week.

[Jonn]

Zimmer was faster but was actually a s***** base runner. Bradley would be pinch running for the likes of Kirk so not overly worried about it

[Stangstag]

check his sprint speed on statcast. it's below average now!

 

he has a negative BsR on Fangraphs!

 

Surprising

[Brownie19]

Its a running downgrade? I would have thought JBJ is faster and better at stealing bags

 

JBJ's sprint speed has really fallen off (45th percentile) and he's never really been a base stealer. And he can't hit.

[Brownie19]

JBJ is about as smooth as they come in the OF. His speed definitely has dropped off. But he’s a better player than Zimmer. Despite borh of them being incapable of hitting.

 

He's only better than Zimmer if he keeps his mouth shut and accepts the role of playing CF in the 9th inning a couple of games a week. Zimmer seemingly had that down pat (although we may not always hear about that kind of stuff).

[Dagagad]

It’s a defensive downgrade and a base running push. Zimmer did very little on the bases but does have speed. I doubt Bradley is as good in CF as Zimmer.

 

JBJ has has white hot hitting stretches though. Put one of them in the playoffs and it could be big.

[Laika]

You go from a 40% K rate to 20%.

 

At least JBJ can put the ball in play sometimes lol

[Dagagad]

You go from a 40% K rate to 20%.

 

At least JBJ can put the ball in play sometimes lol

 

I might be remembering wrong but I feel like for the Red Sox when he started for them, he’d have terrible stretches and really good stretches and even out to below average. I can see the upside of getting a role player who has the upside to get white hot though.. especially over Zimmer.

[Laika]

I dunno. I'm neutral on the move. I think JBJ is cooked so I'm not expecting much at all.

 

"streaky" is often just a euphemism for bad in baseball/sports.

[MikeM3]

JBJ at least has the potential for some fluke hot streak. Zimmer cannot even contact the baseball.

[Dagagad]

I dunno. I'm neutral on the move. I think JBJ is cooked so I'm not expecting much at all.

 

"streaky" is often just a euphemism for bad in baseball/sports.

 

There does seem to be a player type who is like that. But, yea it’s prob not predictive.

[Masterbather]

It's an upgrade. Not much of one, but a poor offensive player is still better than a complete black hole. Maybe lose a bit defensively, but not much. Given the choice, I'd have made the same one.

[MikeM3]

It’s a defensive downgrade and a base running push. Zimmer did very little on the bases but does have speed. I doubt Bradley is as good in CF as Zimmer.

 

JBJ has has white hot hitting stretches though. Put one of them in the playoffs and it could be big.

 

There's no chance that Zimmer does anything but s*** his pants if we actually make it to a playoff game in Yankee stadium. At least you know JBJ will catch the ball.

[mellowgold]

Somebody needs to check on Grant

[Terminator]

Curious move. They both suck ass and Steamer projects them both for a 73 wRC+. Zimmer seems to be the better baserunner and JBJ seems to be the better fielder. I like what Brownie said, given the low impact here you might as well keep the guy you have if he's comfortable with the limited role. But maybe Zimmer wasn't happy with his limited role? These guys often overestimate their own abilities.

 

Seems like the Jays always liked JBJ and tried to sign him at different times. Maybe they think there is something there that they can fix.

[JaysAllMighty]

I've seen enough of Zimmer. Happy if he's gone.

[Laika]

Is JBJ a good clubhouse guy?