General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Jays24]

Who in our bullpen can be classified as an 'elite' arm?

 

Romano is obviously our best arm but the elite teams should have 3 of him... especially given how high our damn payroll is.

[Brownie19]

Romano is obviously our best arm but the elite teams should have 3 of him... especially given how high our damn payroll is.

 

I think you can argue Swanson, Bass and Romano were all elite arms last year. Will they repeat? I have no idea and nobody's been very good at predicting which relivers will succeed and fail from year to year. Then you add in the possibility that Pearson could be elite in relief, along with Chad Green returning (hopefully as the elite arm he's always been) and a handful of minor leaguers who could be used in the pen at some point this season. Top that off with the depth we have (Cimber, Garcia, Mayza, Pop, Richards) and I think most fans are pretty satisfied with the state of the pen entering the season.

[Jonn]

Assuming Chad Green returns healthy this Season. He instantly becomes the Blue Jays best reliever.

[max silver]

Assuming Chad Green returns healthy this Season. He instantly becomes the Blue Jays best reliever.

 

He'll have some very stiff competition from Jordan Romano and potentially Erik Swanson if he can repeat his 2022 success. Slider heavy second half Romano was a beast out of the pen, and Swanson was even more dominant, albeit in a lower leverage role.

[Jimcanuck]

Assuming Chad Green returns healthy this Season. He instantly becomes the Blue Jays best reliever.

 

Pearson will be if he can stay healthy. No one in the Jays bullpen comes close to the quality of Pearson's arsenal.

[The_DH]

Pearson will be if he can stay healthy. No one in the Jays bullpen comes close to the quality of Pearson's arsenal.

 

I wish it were so, but must disagree. The arm is top notch, the fastball is deadly but the slider is not as good.

[max silver]

Pearson will be if he can stay healthy. No one in the Jays bullpen comes close to the quality of Pearson's arsenal.

 

Time will tell if Pearson can command his arsenal sufficiently to maximize his potential. I was surprised that he was optioned to start the season but he and Pop can be easily flip flopped if necessary.

[Carlos Danger]

I think you can argue Swanson, Bass and Romano were all elite arms last year. Will they repeat? I have no idea and nobody's been very good at predicting which relivers will succeed and fail from year to year. Then you add in the possibility that Pearson could be elite in relief, along with Chad Green returning (hopefully as the elite arm he's always been) and a handful of minor leaguers who could be used in the pen at some point this season. Top that off with the depth we have (Cimber, Garcia, Mayza, Pop, Richards) and I think most fans are pretty satisfied with the state of the pen entering the season.

 

Bass can’t handle late inning high leverage and is only “Elite” in earlier innings less stressful situations. Therefore, I don’t believe Bass qualifies for that accolade.

[The_DH]

Bass can’t handle late inning high leverage and is only “Elite” in earlier innings less stressful situations. Therefore, I don’t believe Bass qualifies for that accolade.

 

I'm sure the computer programs will put the bullpen in order from early innings to the end.

[L54]

Pen looks fine if Green and Pearson are 80% of what they should be come September

 

That’s a big if though

 

I could see the Jays adding a big RP arm at the deadline this year. Can’t sit on the fence forever

 

I’ve been critical of the pen but I think it’s okay to start the season

[John_Havok]

Pen looks fine if Green and Pearson are 80% of what they should be come September

 

That’s a big if though

 

I could see the Jays adding a big RP arm at the deadline this year. Can’t sit on the fence forever

 

I’ve been critical of the pen but I think it’s okay to start the season

 

Agree with this 100%. The Jays are in a really good spot in that everyone is healthy except the swing man, and if a guy like Richards or Pop stinks it up early, they’ve got Pearson to go to right away, among others. If halfway through the season something happens, Green takes over and adds another level of filth.

 

Still would love to see a legit Lefty though. Just can’t shake the feeling not having one will bite them in the ass at some point in a really big spot

[Grant77]

Bass can’t handle late inning high leverage and is only “Elite” in earlier innings less stressful situations. Therefore, I don’t believe Bass qualifies for that accolade.

 

Anthony Bass xFIP

 

Low Leverage: 3.50

Medium Leverage: 3.27

High Leverage: 3.20

 

A good example of why we should ignore anecdotal evidence from chowderheads like this one.

[Spanky99]

lol

[Spanky99]

This breakdown of that Umpshow today is sublime, Jomboy rarely disappoints...

 

[Spanky99]

Cutch weighs in...

 

[Stangstag]

Anthony Bass xFIP

 

Low Leverage: 3.50

Medium Leverage: 3.27

High Leverage: 3.20

 

A good example of why we should ignore anecdotal evidence from chowderheads like this one.

 

Owned

[Solaxys]

I’m trying but there’s better bullpen options. Jay Jackson was one of them.

 

[Virgil_Hiltz]

Well looks like Jay Jackson signed with the Jays

[Laika]

lol

 

hOnEsTlY i WoUlD hAvE kEpT jAcKsOn OvEr PoP oR RiChArDs

[max silver]

Anthony Bass xFIP

 

Low Leverage: 3.50

Medium Leverage: 3.27

High Leverage: 3.20

 

A good example of why we should ignore anecdotal evidence from chowderheads like this one.

 

Digging into the numbers a little further shows that Bass was arguably the least effective in low leverage situations.

 

Low Leverage:

FIP 4.58 K/BB 2.89 HR/9 1.65

 

Medium Leverage:

FIP 1.58 K/BB 5.80 HR/9 0.00

 

High Leverage:

FIP: 2.78 K/BB 3.0 HR/9 0.60

[Pendleton]

Glad to see we could keep Jackson around for depth. He can be a big leader for Buffalo and provide a legitimate MLB option if needed.

[Solaxys]

 

Lukes is our 26th

[Captain_Obvious]

 

Lukes is our 26th

 

This makes sense in some way. I would not want Lopez to be a bench warmer who plays once a week.

[Laika]

If Lukes barely plays I guess it makes sense

 

But, they are better as a 26 man roster with Lopez on there IMO

[glory]

Had to figure Lukes was making it given how long he was on the 40 man roster. I hope his defense and base running is at least above average. Bernard would have made more sense as a seldom used bench player but the FO clearly sees something in Lukes or wants to reward him for something.

[Laika]

Simply put, the Blue Jays are not taking the best team north.

 

If Lukes over Lopez a big deal? No.

Does it really matter that Pearson is starting in AAA? Probably not.

 

But if the team does not get off to a fast start there will be some I-told-you-sos

[The_DH]

Unless there's an acquisition about to happen, I'm a bit surprised. I guess Lukes will basically serve as outfield late inning replacement.

[Brownie19]

Digging into the numbers a little further shows that Bass was arguably the least effective in low leverage situations.

 

Low Leverage:

FIP 4.58 K/BB 2.89 HR/9 1.65

 

Medium Leverage:

FIP 1.58 K/BB 5.80 HR/9 0.00

 

High Leverage:

FIP: 2.78 K/BB 3.0 HR/9 0.60

 

[Spanky99]

Jays rostering a nice lineup today, no TV...

 

[Jonn]

If Lukes barely plays I guess it makes sense

 

But, they are better as a 26 man roster with Lopez on there IMO

 

They want Otto Lopez to actually play and get at-bats. Having him on the roster to barely play makes no sense. One of Merrifield, Espinal or Biggio needs to be moved out. I’m assuming one of Merrifield, Espinal, and Biggio will be moved by the deadline. Having all 3 makes very little sense. Considering Espinal can play SS and 3B he would be least likely to move.

 

Would rather Otto Lopez get everyday at-bats. It appears the Blue Jays feel the same.