Toronto Blue Jays Roster Discussion (2022)

[L54]

Yeah, 161 wRC+ vs lefties last year, 130 for his career. If he's the right price he could definitely be ideal.

 

I suspect though we'll see Merrifield out there against lefties with Espinal playing 2b.

 

You’re probably right, any $$ remaining probably go towards pitching

[John_Havok]

You’re probably right, any $$ remaining probably go towards pitching

 

I'm definitely not opposed to a Pollack signing though if he was willing to be a bench guy.

[Jonn]

I'm definitely not opposed to a Pollack signing though if he was willing to be a bench guy.

 

Considering he’s 35 and career trajectory has him in that role going forward he better be willing to accept it. He was fantastic against lefties. Terrible against Righties

[Terminator]

So here's where the lineup stands right now according to Roster Resource:

 

Lineup

RF- Springer

SS- Bo

1B- Vlad Jr.

C- Kirk

3B- Chapman

LF- Varsho (L)

DH- Jansen

2B- Whit

CF- Kiermaier (L) (listed in a platoon)

 

Bench

Espinal (listed in a platoon)

Biggio

Horwitz

Lukes

 

Espinal and Biggio are locks unless traded but Horwitz and Lukes, especially with both being lefties, are real iffy at this point. Otto Lopez might make it over those two.

 

I would think we sign another OF bat but it's going to have to be a guy who is willing to join a crowded outfield and accept a bench role.

[Laika]

I think they are done adding bats, unless they decide to trade Merrifield and bring someone else in.

 

Merrifield probably plays LF against all LHP and one of KK or Varsho sits. Probably KK. Espinal at 2B on those days.

 

Horwitz, Lukes, Barger, and Lopez all have options so they can fight for 2 spots in spring.

[Laika]

I believe they will remain "opportunistic" for SP upgrades and RP upgrades. But wouldn't really expect any other than MiLB signings.

 

One stud LHRP would sure be nice.

[Terminator]

Horowitz, Lukes, Barger, and Lopez all have options so they can fight for 2 spots in spring.

 

We will no doubt add some washed up bums like we did Greg Bird last year.

 

Hopefully everyone has learned their lesson from that whole fiasco because I really don’t feel like nuking anyone off the board again this Spring.

[glory]

Robbie Grossman seems like a realistic target.

[Laika]

This is absolutely the best pre-season Blue Jays team I have ever seen.

[Jimcanuck]

We will no doubt add some washed up bums like we did Greg Bird last year.

 

Hopefully everyone has learned their lesson from that whole fiasco because I really don’t feel like nuking anyone off the board again this Spring.

 

But you will anyway, you heartless bastard.

[Sorrow]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Robbie Grossman brought in as the 4th OF & Kiermier platoon partner.

 

I think I'd set the team with with:

 

LF. Springer

SS. Bichette

1B. Guerrero Jr.

DH. Kirk

RF. Varsho

3B. Chapman

C. Jansen

2B. Merrifield

CF. Kiermaier

 

Biggio, Espinal, Lopez/Horwitz and a 4th OF.

[Terminator]

Gross man would work but he’s not better than the Whit/Espinal/KK platoon.

[Dagagad]

Has Barger played in the outfield?

[Captain_Obvious]

This is absolutely the best pre-season Blue Jays team I have ever seen.

 

I really like the team.

[Sorrow]

Gross man would work but he’s not better than the Whit/Espinal/KK platoon.

 

 

SSS but Grossman, despite having a terrible season, had a 157 wRC+ against LHP in 2022. It's 122 career.

[Deadpool]

Has Barger played in the outfield?

 

Every infield position and DH, never in the OF.

[JaysAllMighty]

I really like the team.

 

It's going to be awesome to watch. Last season the outfield was awful to watch, always an adventure and crossing our fingers to hope they wouldn't f*** up the plays. Specially Teo... yikes.

 

Now we can seriously make a run for the championship.

[Terminator]

SSS but Grossman, despite having a terrible season, had a 157 wRC+ against LHP in 2022. It's 122 career.

 

I’d take him if he was willing to sign for like 4 mil and be a 25th or 26th man.

[Jays24]

To help Varsho avoid facing lefties, i think we should bat Varsho higher when going against a RHP starting pitcher. If we put at least one or two big lefty mashers behind him then itll be less likely other teams bring in a lefty from the pen to shut him down.

 

Now who he should bat in front of is the hard part. Maybe having Chapman/Jansen behind him is enough? Him being put ahead of the others is a tough call.

Edited December 24, 2022 by Jays24

[keggy]

To help Varsho avoid facing lefties, i think we should bat Varsho higher when going against a RHP starting pitcher. If we put at least one or two big lefty mashers behind him then itll be less likely other teams bring in a lefty from the pen to shut him down.

 

Now who he should bat in front of is the hard part. Maybe having Chapman/Jansen behind him is enough? Him being put ahead of the others is a tough call lol.

 

Splitting Varsho and Kiermaier in the 5-9 slots should be good enough because it prevents a lefty from facing both in a clean inning.

 

Having Espinal and/or Merrifield to counter a lefty reliever is really important too. Varsho deserves more rope against LHP than Kiermaier but at this stage neither one should be facing a lefty reliever when we're down late.

[wamco]

Varsho hit lhp better than rhp in 2021 I read somewhere

[Deadpool]

Varsho hit lhp better than rhp in 2021 I read somewhere

 

Yes, but SSS. 117 wRC+ v/ lefties, 92 v/ righties. 90 PAs v/ lefties, 225 v/ righties

[Laika]

His entire career is a SSS for platoon splits

 

It takes like 1000+ PA against LHP for a LHB’s talent to be apparent

[glory]

Varsho should play everyday. KK should be platooned. That’s the way I expect it to go as well.

[The Cats Ass]

Springer RF

Vladdy 1B

Bo SS

Kirk DH

Varsho LF

Jansen C

Chapman 3B

Biggio/Espy/Barger/Merrifield 2B

KK CF

 

That’s a deadly looking lineup. All the OFers can play center. A lot of our guys can play multiple positions. Possibly the best defensive outfield in the league.

[Stangstag]

Springer RF

Vladdy 1B

Bo SS

Kirk DH

Varsho LF

Jansen C

Chapman 3B

Biggio/Espy/Barger/Merrifield 2B

KK CF

 

That’s a deadly looking lineup. All the OFers can play center. A lot of our guys can play multiple positions. Possibly the best defensive outfield in the league.

 

Looks great to me. I think Varsho makes sense hitting 5th, high power low avg and the only lefty threat.

 

Could see the Vlad-Bo-Kirk portion being shuffled a few times throughout the season until they find something that works. I’d even think about having Kirk hit 2nd

[Omar]

Springer RF

Vladdy 1B

Bo SS

Kirk DH

Varsho LF

Jansen C

Chapman 3B

Biggio/Espy/Barger/Merrifield 2B

KK CF

 

That’s a deadly looking lineup. All the OFers can play center. A lot of our guys can play multiple positions. Possibly the best defensive outfield in the league.

 

This team won’t give up seven run leads to the Mariners.

2023 Jays > 2022 Jays.

Atkins getting it done again.

[TheHurl]

Springer RF

Vladdy 1B

Bo SS

Kirk DH

Varsho LF

Jansen C

Chapman 3B

Biggio/Espy/Barger/Merrifield 2B

KK CF

 

That’s a deadly looking lineup. All the OFers can play center. A lot of our guys can play multiple positions. Possibly the best defensive outfield in the league.

 

Assuming he is willing you have to play Springer in LF the majority of the time. Varsho was unreal in RF last year.

[The Cats Ass]

Assuming he is willing you have to play Springer in LF the majority of the time. Varsho was unreal in RF last year.

 

That might be ideal.

 

Wonder if they’ll also work Barger in OF. Reports seem to say he’d be fine out there.

[MikeM3]

You don't trade Moreno for a platoon bat. Varsho should play everyday and learn to hit LHP.