General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[John_Havok]

If Belt is on the IL for an extended period of time it might make sense.... Votto would def be an upgrade on Biggio if healthy.

 

That’s not a given at Votto’s age and him coming off shoulder surgery

[Jonn]

I actually forgot we had Brandon Belt. That’s kinda cool. Hopefully he does stay healthy.

[The_DH]

Wynton Bernard returned to Buffalo, Addison Barger optioned. So it's looking like either Lukes or Lopez as 26th man. Unless someone comes available from another team.

[glory]

Wynton Bernard returned to Buffalo, Addison Barger optioned. So it's looking like either Lukes or Lopez as 26th man. Unless someone comes available from another team.

 

I really hope Lopez wins the spot. Not sure what the club sees in Lukes.

[The_DH]

Lukes is getting reps in CF -- would probably be the best defensive 4th OF. I'm thinking Lopez but if they want a real OF then Lukes.

[Grant77]

Wynton Bernard returned to Buffalo, Addison Barger optioned. So it's looking like either Lukes or Lopez as 26th man. Unless someone comes available from another team.

 

I'd like to see a right handed bat added as other teams pare down their rosters. While I believe that Lopez has a future here, we also have an open 40 man spot and a great opportunity to add depth.

[Stangstag]

Lukes is getting reps in CF -- would probably be the best defensive 4th OF. I'm thinking Lopez but if they want a real OF then Lukes.

 

Do we need another plus defensive OF on the bench?? All 3 regulars (KK-Varsho-Springer) can play CF and we have Biggio and Whit to cover the corners if needed.

[Terminator]

Lopez aka Captain Canada is getting no respect. He was the star of Team Canada and deserves to play for Canada's other team. Lukes can go to AAA until KK gets hurt.

[Stangstag]

Lopez aka Captain Canada is getting no respect. He was the star of Team Canada and deserves to play for Canada's other team. Lukes can go to AAA until KK gets hurt.

 

Honestly yeah. Lopez looked decent in his short stint last season and looked great in the WBC. He can backup SS. Makes sense for him to make the team. Unless the FO thinks its better for him to be playing daily in AAA

[BigCecil]

I actually forgot we had Brandon Belt. That’s kinda cool. Hopefully he does stay healthy.

 

I am pretty sure Kirk could beat him in a sprint. He says he is healthy but he doesn't move very well. Fingers crossed.

[The Cats Ass]

Hopefully it Lukes. I'd rather see Lopez in the minors to begin the year so he's getting starts every day. Get him the most reps possible before he becomes our next super utility guy.

[Grant77]

Hopefully it Lukes. I'd rather see Lopez in the minors to begin the year so he's getting starts every day. Get him the most reps possible before he becomes our next super utility guy.

 

I don't see the fit for Lukes. How would you envision him being utilized? A right handed bat seems far more useful in my opinion.

[John_Havok]

Full list of the recent reassignemmets:

 

OF Zach Britton

OF Wynton Bernard

C Phil Clarke

UTIL Ernie Clement

LHP Brandon Eisert

RHP Julian Fernandez

LHP Paul Fry

RHP Drew Hutchison

RHP Jackson Rees

C Andres Sosa

 

Optioned:

INF Addison Barger

 

Hutchison appeared in three spring games with the Blue Jays, allowing 15 hits and nine runs over 7.0 innings. He recently sustained a minor oblique strain and was listed as day-to-day. The 32-year-old had a 3-9 record with a 4.53 ERA in 28 games (18 starts) with the Detroit Tigers last season. He spent most of the first four seasons of his career with the Jays, posting a 4.92 ERA over 73 starts.

Barger, 23, has impressed during spring training, hitting .294 with one home run and six RBI over 15 games. He slashed .308/.378/.555 with 26 home runs and 91 RBI across the minors last season

[Laika]

Hopefully it Lukes. I'd rather see Lopez in the minors to begin the year so he's getting starts every day. Get him the most reps possible before he becomes our next super utility guy.

 

I don't agree. I don't think Lopez is that type of player that you need to groom any further. He's basically a finished product so if he's the best fit he should be on the big team.

[The_DH]

I think there will be some management with KK, Springer and Belt which will mean using bench players more often. Lukes would be more reliable in CF. If he were a switch hitter he'd be the easy favorite.

[Laika]

I think there will be some management with KK, Springer and Belt which will mean using bench players more often. Lukes would be more reliable in CF. If he were a switch hitter he'd be the easy favorite.

 

With three starters who can handle CF they really don't even need a CF on the bench. They could instead use someone with more bat, like Horwitz or Barger, or someone with more utility like Lopez.

 

Espinal (3B/SS/2B)

Biggio (2B/1B/LF/RF)

Lopez (everywhere)

Jansen

 

Merrifield is the ostensible starting 2B but also the 4th OF. He can probably also play CF in a pinch.

 

Lukes is almost 29 and projects worse than Lopez or Horwitz with the stick. I don't really see how he functions for the team. Unless they are looking for a 4th bench player to just sit on the bench and rot and only play if Bo Bichette decides to sprint into left centre field and clothesline both Varsho and Kiermaier before giving Springer the People's Elbow off of the new elevated fan area in RF.

[The_DH]

I could see the bench coming into play a lot after about the 7th inning: pinch running for Belt and substituting for KK and Springer. Lopez and Lukes could do it. Barger probably has a role as a starter and should spend time in Buffalo. He could be the starting 3b after next year. Horwitz has no defensive use. So I think it comes down to Lopez and Lukes or a trade.

[Stangstag]

With three starters who can handle CF they really don't even need a CF on the bench. They could instead use someone with more bat, like Horwitz or Barger, or someone with more utility like Lopez.

 

Espinal (3B/SS/2B)

Biggio (2B/1B/LF/RF)

Lopez (everywhere)

Jansen

 

Merrifield is the ostensible starting 2B but also the 4th OF. He can probably also play CF in a pinch.

 

Lukes is almost 29 and projects worse than Lopez or Horwitz with the stick. I don't really see how he functions for the team. Unless they are looking for a 4th bench player to just sit on the bench and rot and only play if Bo Bichette decides to sprint into left centre field and clothesline both Varsho and Kiermaier before giving Springer the People's Elbow off of the new elevated fan area in RF.

 

Yeah if Lukes is playing CF at any point this year then something is very very wrong.

[Spanky99]

With three starters who can handle CF they really don't even need a CF on the bench. They could instead use someone with more bat, like Horwitz or Barger, or someone with more utility like Lopez.

 

Espinal (3B/SS/2B)

Biggio (2B/1B/LF/RF)

Lopez (everywhere)

Jansen

 

Merrifield is the ostensible starting 2B but also the 4th OF. He can probably also play CF in a pinch.

 

Lukes is almost 29 and projects worse than Lopez or Horwitz with the stick. I don't really see how he functions for the team. Unless they are looking for a 4th bench player to just sit on the bench and rot and only play if Bo Bichette decides to sprint into left centre field and clothesline both Varsho and Kiermaier before giving Springer the People's Elbow off of the new elevated fan area in RF.

 

lol...

[Jonn]

Lukes makes the roster so legit prospects don’t have to sit on the bench as the 26th man.

[The_DH]

Lukes makes the roster so legit prospects don’t have to sit on the bench as the 26th man.

 

Following that idea, I wonder if it would make sense if Lukes gets some roster time and if we face a couple of lefties, then we swap him for Lopez and allow Lopez to play some at Buffalo. Lukes' job would be to just come in for one of KK/Springer whenever we have a lead.

[John_Havok]

Lukes makes the roster so legit prospects don’t have to sit on the bench as the 26th man.

 

I like Lopez as the 26th man, but Lukes has been impressive and probably deserves a bench role as well.

 

I could see them going with Lukes initially since Lopez has options, and there would still be enough defensive flexibility that the roster wouldn't suffer, but it's really hard to say the Lopez wouldn't be the optimal 26th man given that he can play anywhere with average to above average D, runs well, and might run into a HR every month or so. Lukes for certain has the power edge over Lopez but even then it's probably below average power at the MLB level, but ... with only being an OF, when there's already ... 4 capable CF and 1 corner guy on the roster and he's not better defensively than any of them except probably Biggio... he'd basically be a pinch hitter/runner and never really see the field except in blowouts.

 

I'm on team Lopez, and I wish Lukes the best of luck in grabbing a bench role elsewhere if he ends up getting DFA'd

[Stangstag]

Following that idea, I wonder if it would make sense if Lukes gets some roster time and if we face a couple of lefties, then we swap him for Lopez and allow Lopez to play some at Buffalo. Lukes' job would be to just come in for one of KK/Springer whenever we have a lead.

 

You’re bringing in Lukes to replace one of the best CF in baseball if we’re leading??? What??

[Spanky99]

I like Lopez as the 26th man, but Lukes has been impressive and probably deserves a bench role as well.

 

I could see them going with Lukes initially since Lopez has options, and there would still be enough defensive flexibility that the roster wouldn't suffer, but it's really hard to say the Lopez wouldn't be the optimal 26th man given that he can play anywhere with average to above average D, runs well, and might run into a HR every month or so. Lukes for certain has the power edge over Lopez but even then it's probably below average power at the MLB level, but ... with only being an OF, when there's already ... 4 capable CF and 1 corner guy on the roster and he's not better defensively than any of them except probably Biggio... he'd basically be a pinch hitter/runner and never really see the field except in blowouts.

 

I'm on team Lopez, and I wish Lukes the best of luck in grabbing a bench role elsewhere if he ends up getting DFA'd

 

Why would he get designated? That would be idiotic.

[John_Havok]

Why would he get designated? That would be idiotic.

 

Oh yeah he's on a minor league deal so I guess a DFA wouldnt come into play.

 

He's probably the kind of guy though that could request his release and get it if another team came calling and had a spot for him on their 26 man roster. Or maybe a trade for cash or something other minor leaguer. He's not worth much in trade.

 

Edit... no I was right he is on the 40 man. They cant send him to the minors without exposing him to being claimed, so... he could be DFA'd

Edited March 21, 2023 by John_Havok

[The_DH]

You’re bringing in Lukes to replace one of the best CF in baseball if we’re leading??? What??

 

Yep! If we have KK/Springer playing a lot of innings that don't matter, then he'll break down. They've only got so many innings in them. If we're up 5 runs do you really want them busting out in the outfield?

[Grant77]

What kind of situations do you guys see Lukes being used? He's the 4th best CF on the roster, decent speed but not a burner, probably a mediocre left handed bat. He was almost certainly a better fit on last year's team. I'm just not seeing how he would get used at all.

[The_DH]

What kind of situations do you guys see Lukes being used? He's the 4th best CF on the roster, decent speed but not a burner, probably a mediocre left handed bat. He was almost certainly a better fit on last year's team. I'm just not seeing how he would get used at all.

 

Mop up work in the outfield, pinch run for Belt. Not much more than that.

[Jimcanuck]

What kind of situations do you guys see Lukes being used? He's the 4th best CF on the roster, decent speed but not a burner, probably a mediocre left handed bat. He was almost certainly a better fit on last year's team. I'm just not seeing how he would get used at all.

 

Injury fill-in is all he is

 

I doubt he's the 26th man

[John_Havok]

What kind of situations do you guys see Lukes being used? He's the 4th best CF on the roster, decent speed but not a burner, probably a mediocre left handed bat. He was almost certainly a better fit on last year's team. I'm just not seeing how he would get used at all.

 

I have the same thoughts. His only real plus over Lopez is slightly more power and left handed.