Team Strength 2022 vs 2023

[G-Snarls]

Just remembered that the Jays will be facing AL East opponents six less times this year. That should be good for another 2-3 more wins than if facing the 2022 schedule.

 

True

 

Helps the Yankees and Rays too though

[Stangstag]

Imagine multiple pages dedicated to an argument of hitting versus defense when the last game the Jays played they scored 9 runs, lost and blew an 8-1 lead with the final blow being a bloop defensive gaffe.

 

MORE OFFENSE NEEDED

 

cf

[jaysblue]

Just remembered that the Jays will be facing AL East opponents six less times this year. That should be good for another 2-3 more wins than if facing the 2022 schedule.

 

Also depends on who the Jays face more outside of the division. If its the Royals, Tigers, or A's fantastic! If it's better teams like the Astros, Mariners or Guardians...

[Jonn]

It would be lovely if they just balanced the schedule. None of Baseball’s rivalries are that interesting. Especially right now

 

Yankees vs Red Sox

 

Red Sox probably lose 100 games this year.

 

Cardinals vs Cubs

 

Cubs suck

 

It’s pretty much just Atlanta vs Mets and Dodgers vs Padres.

 

Rivalries are made in the playoffs.

[jaysblue]

It would be lovely if they just balanced the schedule. None of Baseball’s rivalries are that interesting. Especially right now

 

Yankees vs Red Sox

 

Red Sox probably lose 100 games this year.

 

Cardinals vs Cubs

 

Cubs suck

 

It’s pretty much just Atlanta vs Mets and Dodgers vs Padres.

 

Rivalries are made in the playoffs.

 

I guess it's all about TV contracts and money. Even though Boston sucks, those games against the Yankees generate a lot of TV revenue.

 

I agree, would rather watch the Braves vs. Mets or Dodges vs. Padres instead of Red Sox/Yankees or Cardinals/Cubs.

[John_Havok]

It would be lovely if they just balanced the schedule. None of Baseball’s rivalries are that interesting. Especially right now

 

Yankees vs Red Sox

 

Red Sox probably lose 100 games this year.

 

Cardinals vs Cubs

 

Cubs suck

 

It’s pretty much just Atlanta vs Mets and Dodgers vs Padres.

 

Rivalries are made in the playoffs.

 

A completely balanced schedule is not practical in terms of travel. West coast teams already get the travel shaft with divisional play as it is, with a balanced schedule it would be ludicrously different from central teams

[Spanky99]

A completely balanced schedule is not practical in terms of travel. West coast teams already get the travel shaft with divisional play as it is, with a balanced schedule it would be ludicrously different from central teams

 

The teams you face out of division it's pretty balanced because teams in the AL East will all play the same teams they each play, and so on, and it changes from year to to year, if I'm not mistaken. I can't quite recall it's been a long while since they used to do this.

[Boxcar]

It’s always better to have good hitters you f***ing meathead

 

I swear you have the IQ of a golden retriever

 

Golden retrievers are pretty smart.

[Deadpool]

Golden retrievers are pretty smart.

 

I feel like someone should have this quote as their signature.

[Jimcanuck]

Golden retrievers are pretty smart.

 

Good companion/comfort dogs too, if you need that.

[connorp]

Golden retrievers are pretty smart.

 

Yeah, it’s an odd burn really

[Laika]

Okay, Doug.

[Terminator]

I swear you have the IQ of a golden retriever

 

Oh s*** the dog insults are flying all over!

[TheHurl]

I also might add that Boxy probably makes a bad companion for the differently-abled. He's much more Chow Chow. I don't needed it pointed out that I chose an Asian breed making it racist.

[TheHurl]

I've had two discussions around 40 man rosters and the Jays. My argument is that the Jays have the best 40 man roster in baseball. The second is that this is the best 40 man the Jays have ever had.

 

First one I can see being argued. The second of course is looking at projected vs actual but I can't find an overall past team that has had this kind of depth

[Laika]

I've had two discussions around 40 man rosters and the Jays. My argument is that the Jays have the best 40 man roster in baseball. The second is that this is the best 40 man the Jays have ever had.

 

First one I can see being argued. The second of course is looking at projected vs actual but I can't find an overall past team that has had this kind of depth

 

Yeah it seems like it.

 

Also, great position versatility on the main roster.

And the first 4 SP seem quite "durable" as foolish as it can be to say that about pitchers.

Honestly, much of the pen seems safe and "durable" too.

 

There is real upside on the minor league side of the 40 man roster. Guys like Barger, Horwitz, Zulu, Pearson, Pop could all not just fill in but have significant impact.

Same could be said for a few guys not currently on the 40 man roster. Like Juenger and Tiedemann.

 

There are only 2 guys on the 40 who are non-contributors in 2023. Hagen Danner and Orelvis.

[Olerud363]

Yeah it seems like it.

 

Also, great position versatility on the main roster.

And the first 4 SP seem quite "durable" as foolish as it can be to say that about pitchers.

Honestly, much of the pen seems safe and "durable" too.

 

There is real upside on the minor league side of the 40 man roster. Guys like Barger, Horwitz, Zulu, Pearson, Pop could all not just fill in but have significant impact.

Same could be said for a few guys not currently on the 40 man roster. Like Juenger and Tiedemann.

 

There are only 2 guys on the 40 who are non-contributors in 2023. Hagen Danner and Orelvis.

 

Don't forget Otto Lopez (Canadian guy too, parents lived in Montreal for a while or something)

 

Espinal - .286 .340 .392 minor league hitter with 129/222 bb/k and 44/24 sb/cs 14 games in the outfield, 262 at shortstop

Otto - .305 .372 .420 minor league hitter with 163/265 bb/k and 77/33 sb/cs 109 games in the outfield, 127 at shortstop

 

There is a chance Otto is a faster better Espinal that can cover outfield but can't play short as well in a pinch.

[Jimcanuck]

don't sleep on Danner, the reports are the stuff is MLB calibre

[Laika]

I guess if he just dominates in AA and stays healthy they could bring him right up, if a need arises after several injuries.

[John_Havok]

Yeah it seems like it.

 

Also, great position versatility on the main roster.

And the first 4 SP seem quite "durable" as foolish as it can be to say that about pitchers.

Honestly, much of the pen seems safe and "durable" too.

 

There is real upside on the minor league side of the 40 man roster. Guys like Barger, Horwitz, Zulu, Pearson, Pop could all not just fill in but have significant impact.

Same could be said for a few guys not currently on the 40 man roster. Like Juenger and Tiedemann.

 

There are only 2 guys on the 40 who are non-contributors in 2023. Hagen Danner and Orelvis.

 

Zulueta perhaps as well.

[jaysblue]

Yeah this is one of the deepest rosters we have seen. In terms of depth, position versatility, lineup balance, behind the plate, defense, starting pitching and bullpen. Even last season on Opening Day, kind of felt this team had some holes and wasn't that complete. Really pleased with the job Atkins and company have done this offseason.

 

If majority of this team stays healthy, they'll be excellent in 2023. Even with some minor injuries, this team has enough quality depth to hold down the fort for a couple of weeks if they lose a big bat or starter. We won't be seeing 500 AB's wasted on Tapia, Zimmer in the lineup everyday for a stretch, or innings wasted on guys like Casey Lawrence.

[Terminator]

I'm fairly worried about the starting pitching depth.

 

If one of the Top 4 gets hurt then we'll have 40% of our games being started by Mitch White and Kikuchi.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I'm fairly worried about the starting pitching depth.

 

If one of the Top 4 gets hurt then we'll have 40% of our games being started by Mitch White and Kikuchi.

 

Hmmm. Interesting take.

 

I actually love the Jays SP depth this season.

[TheHurl]

I'm fairly worried about the starting pitching depth.

 

If one of the Top 4 gets hurt then we'll have 40% of our games being started by Mitch White and Kikuchi.

 

Not a problem for a month. If it's a season long, that's when a trade happens. Jays have the future assets to still make a move and enough space that they could add anyone after June 1 and not hit the next CBT level. Lucas Giolito is my guess.

[Jimcanuck]

I'm fairly worried about the starting pitching depth.

 

If one of the Top 4 gets hurt then we'll have 40% of our games being started by Mitch White and Kikuchi.

 

Agreed the SP depth is a real weakness. Kikuchi should be a depth piece after the season he just had, either in the bullpen, or on the Toronto Buffalo express. Still hopeful the Jays make one more move, and bump Kikuchi down.

 

There's always the chance ikuchi could correct himself and perform well in the starts he gets, and move back up into the rotation like Stripling last year. But I'm not betting on it.

[Carlos Danger]

I'm fairly worried about the starting pitching depth.

 

If one of the Top 4 gets hurt then we'll have 40% of our games being started by Mitch White and Kikuchi.

 

Same goes with the Pen... Romano gets hurt or Swanson and not looking so good... Also to your first point. We can't burn the pen out like we have been the past few seasons. That alll goes to starting pitching... Love our top 3. SP4 is a hoping based on past performance. SP5 is no predictive past performance and just hoping...

[spats]

I feel like someone should have this quote as their signature.

 

That would be my Golden Bo.

[Grant77]

Agreed the SP depth is a real weakness. Kikuchi should be a depth piece after the season he just had, either in the bullpen, or on the Toronto Buffalo express. Still hopeful the Jays make one more move, and bump Kikuchi down.

 

There's always the chance ikuchi could correct himself and perform well in the starts he gets, and move back up into the rotation like Stripling last year. But I'm not betting on it.

 

I think it's in the team's best interests to give Kikuchi a chance to start the year in the rotation, given his contract and very good stuff/velocity. A mid-season move to the lender is a lot easier than the other way around.

[glory]

Kikuchi gives up a lot of home runs and hard contact, and now the fences have been brought in a bit. I don't think it's going to end well for him, but maybe there's some Pete Walker magic in there somewhere. I agree it's better to give him a shot to see if he's salvageable in the rotation. Can't turn back time and give him a 1 year deal like he should have gotten last year, so try to make the best of it. Mitch White with better OF defense might be a solid #5 starter/swing man. Either way I hope the top 4 in the rotation are as durable as they appear to be.

[Laika]

Kikuchi will get a much shorter leash as a SP this year

 

The 7 SP on the depth chart Zach Thompson is pretty interesting to me

 

I think Toronto's AAA and AA depth will be a lot better this year. Finally we have some real prospects like Juenger and Robberse and Tiedemann at the upper levels. And Zulu.

 

Also, second half Ryu is a positive wild card...

 

It's not the best depth in baseball but if you weigh the durability of the top 4 SP then it looks pretty solid.