General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Spanky99]

Ah gotcha, I misread your post to say that it would be good for White to be bombed by the Rangers lineup based on the assumption he was firmly in the plans to be used today.

 

That's how I read it, too.

[93 Jays]

Article from the Athletic about the Jays offense, snippets only:

 

 

After play on Wednesday, they had a .695 OPS with runners in scoring position, which ranked 26th in the league.

 

The Blue Jays offence has been strange this year. The team ranks second in hits (635) and average (.265), behind only the Rangers, and third in on-base percentage (.334). But their slugging percentage (.422) ranks ninth and their runs scored (317) are 11th. This is a team that can hit as well as basically any team and should be more productive offensively, but they’ve not been making the most of opportunities with runners on. They’ve also not been able to rely on the home run to score in bunches as much, either. Their 79 home runs as a team rank 12th.

 

The Blue Jays have a .674 win percentage (31-15) against all non-AL East opponents. They have a .304 win percentage (7-16) against their own division.

 

The Blue Jays have played AL East teams more often on the road (13) than at home (10), so once that begins to even out, maybe that’ll tip the wins more in their direction. But they’re in tough spot trying to at least break even against their division. After Wednesday, they have 29 more games left against AL East teams. They’ll need to go 19-10 the rest of the way to be .500 against the division.

 

“You got to get it done against your division,” Schneider said. “You don’t want to put more pressure on these types of series at this time of year, but they all add up.”

 

“Guys do not feel the pressure,” said Schneider. “They are confident in themselves. It is a uniquely talented division. We’ve been saying that for a long time between Tampa, Boston, New York, Baltimore, us, it’s a uniquely talented division.”

 

 

THat was basically it, no analysis or anything, just declaring raw stats. When discussin gthe upcoming trade deadline they talked about the Jays needs... again pretty uninspired writing as anyone here could have come up with this:

 

"With uncertainty about when Manoah will return to the majors, acquiring a starting pitcher has to be the top priority for Toronto. Another bench bat, preferably someone who can mash left-handed hitting, would be another asset. That player could be a fourth outfielder type, but there is some flexibility with the position here. Lastly, relief help is always sought after at that time of year and the Blue Jays could use another reliable mid-to-late inning arm to shore up their bullpen for the stretch drive."

 

Mind boggling

[Dick_Pole]

I am not worried about this season. In fact, I'm so not worried that I just laid down some money on the Jays to win the division at +1200. You guys can continue to spend your time writing paragraphs at each other.

[Omar]

[DigitalRock]

Vladdy year-by-year (excluding 2021):

 

2019 - .272 AVG/.772 OPS

2020 - .262 AVG/.791 OPS

2022 - .274 AVG/.819 OPS

2023 - .281 AVG/.786 OPS

[Stangstag]

Vladdy year-by-year (excluding 2021):

 

2019 - .272 AVG/.772 OPS

2020 - .262 AVG/.791 OPS

2022 - .274 AVG/.819 OPS

2023 - .281 AVG/.786 OPS

 

Sad/disappointing

[Jonn]

Vladdy year-by-year (excluding 2021):

 

2019 - .272 AVG/.772 OPS

2020 - .262 AVG/.791 OPS

2022 - .274 AVG/.819 OPS

2023 - .281 AVG/.786 OPS

 

He is who he is.

 

21 was his anomaly season. Just be thankful they didn’t extend him after that.

[max silver]

He is who he is.

 

21 was his anomaly season. Just be thankful they didn’t extend him after that.

 

Now might good be a good time for a low cost extension. If he ever figures out how to lay off of pitches out of the strike zone he could be a serious bargain in the future.

[RustyTrombone]

Now might good be a good time for a low cost extension. If he ever figures out how to lay off of pitches out of the strike zone he could be a serious bargain in the future.

 

Do you really want to sign a player like this long term though, even if it for cheap? Assuming he never reaches his 2021 heights again and is just a slightly above average 1b for the next 10 years IMO that is not a player you want long term especially when you consider his body type will likely not age well.

[L54]

Now would be the time to try and extend Vlad

 

His career has been massively underwhelming to this point but this is his fifth season and he’s only 24. Some guys are just debuting at this age

 

All his batted ball stats are still bonkers. xBA over .300 and xSLG north of .500

[L54]

Now might good be a good time for a low cost extension. If he ever figures out how to lay off of pitches out of the strike zone he could be a serious bargain in the future.

 

Hadn’t refreshed my page so I didn’t see this but I agree with you

[Stangstag]

Now might good be a good time for a low cost extension. If he ever figures out how to lay off of pitches out of the strike zone he could be a serious bargain in the future.

 

Does he even accept a “low-cost” extension though?? Can he get past the idea that he’s not worth as much as his buddies like Tatis/Devers/etc.??

[Stangstag]

Vlad might be a situation that goes to free agency, but he signs back with us when he realizes nobody is giving him 300 mil. Or maybe 1 team does decide to overpay. Hard to see avlad accepting a lower offer

[bluejaysinternNo5]

Vlad might be a situation that goes to free agency, but he signs back with us when he realizes nobody is giving him 300 mil. Or maybe 1 team does decide to overpay. Hard to see avlad accepting a lower offer

 

I cannot see Vlad and his ego signing for cheap until he's literally forced to. This is the most likely scenario to me.

[Jonn]

Vlad might be a situation that goes to free agency, but he signs back with us when he realizes nobody is giving him 300 mil. Or maybe 1 team does decide to overpay. Hard to see avlad accepting a lower offer

 

If any GM offers Vlad 300 million in free agency the Owner will veto it and fire that GM on the spot.

 

I wouldn't even give him $100 million. The most hes looking at for me is 4 years and 80 million. Anymore than that I'm passing.

[gruber92]

It's baffling to me that Vladdy cannot stay is decent shape given all the amenities a pro team can provide, especially the Jays organization.

 

Immature and non professional approach imo, but he's still young enough to grow up and take his career seriously. I wouldn't hold my breath though. Same goes with Kirk and Manoah, but Vlad is more frustrating given that he trimmed down before but can't maintain it.

[gruber92]

I wonder if Shatkins would be savvy enough in trading Vladdy back to Anthopoulos in Atlanta this off season? Maybe Vladdy + for Riley and Albies?

[Stangstag]

I wonder if Shatkins would be savvy enough in trading Vladdy back to Anthopoulos in Atlanta this off season? Maybe Vladdy + for Riley and Albies?

 

That’s a pipe dream + why would they want Vlad? Olson signed long-term + Murphy/d’Arnaud/Ozuna

[BigCecil]

If any GM offers Vlad 300 million in free agency the Owner will veto it and fire that GM on the spot.

 

I wouldn't even give him $100 million. The most hes looking at for me is 4 years and 80 million. Anymore than that I'm passing.

 

Thats a harsh take Jonn given his age, ceiling and some of the deals given out the last couple years. But we don't have to jump off a bridge just because others did. Having said with his underlying numbers, I'd take a risk on 5/100M RFN. But he would never take that....even now. He will wait for '26 FA process.

[gruber92]

That’s a pipe dream + why would they want Vlad? Olson signed long-term + Murphy/d’Arnaud/Ozuna

 

Yeah, just spit balling. But I'd rather take Vladdy right now at first base over Olson.

[BigCecil]

I wonder if Shatkins would be savvy enough in trading Vladdy back to Anthopoulos in Atlanta this off season? Maybe Vladdy + for Riley and Albies?

 

Honestly how do you even value Vlad for a trade on either end now? Aside from '21 his 1B overall production is mediocre. As of right now he is the 17th best 1B in MLB. 17th Wrap your head around that for a minute.

[gruber92]

Honestly how do you even value Vlad for a trade on either end now? Aside from '21 his 1B overall production is mediocre. As of right now he is the 17th best 1B in MLB. 17th Wrap your head around that for a minute.

 

Yeah I know statistically it doesn't make sense, but maybe AA may think he can unlock Vlad. I'd even take Olson in return and his 21M annually which would stretch through his 29-35 age. They are both currently sitting at 1.1WAR but Vladdy should be perceived as having the higher ceiling. I'd love to get Albies here also somehow, maybe include Orelvis or something. IDK..

[max silver]

Do you really want to sign a player like this long term though, even if it for cheap? Assuming he never reaches his 2021 heights again and is just a slightly above average 1b for the next 10 years IMO that is not a player you want long term especially when you consider his body type will likely not age well.

 

I wouldn't offer him a 10 year extension by any means but I think 6-8 years would be a worthwhile gamble. His Statcast metrics are all remarkably close to his 2021 numbers, with the only sizeable difference being the increase in his chase rate.

 

His home and road splits are pretty crazy as well.

 

Home: 72 WRC+

Away: 160 WRC+

 

When you dig into this further, one thing really stands out:

 

Home vs RHP: 59 WRC+

Home vs LHP: 157 WRC+

 

Road vs RHP: 171 WRC+

Road vs LHP: 113 WRC+

 

How is it even possible for a player to crush right handed pitching to this degree on the road, yet be positively awful in the same split at home? If Vlad were anywhere close to hitting RHP at home like he was on the road we would be talking about how he's completely rediscovered his 2021 form, instead we are talking about what an epic disappointment he has been so far.

[Daniel Labude]

JRod is 91st in wRC+ and Witt 125th in wRC+

 

They aren't worth contracts either right lol

[Daniel Labude]

I wouldn't offer him a 10 year extension by any means but I think 6-8 years would be a worthwhile gamble. His Statcast metrics are all remarkably close to his 2021 numbers, with the only sizeable difference being the increase in his chase rate.

 

His home and road splits are pretty crazy as well.

 

Home: 72 WRC+

Away: 160 WRC+

 

When you dig into this further, one thing really stands out:

 

Home vs RHP: 59 WRC+

Home vs LHP: 157 WRC+

 

Road vs RHP: 171 WRC+

Road vs LHP: 113 WRC+

 

How is it even possible for a player to crush right handed pitching to this degree on the road, yet be positively awful in the same split at home? If Vlad were anywhere close to hitting RHP at home like he was on the road we would be talking about how he's completely rediscovered his 2021 form, instead we are talking about what an epic disappointment he has been so far.

 

If he figures out how to hit at home wow. I really think its the batters eye and pressing. He hits everywhere else and then not at home is about the craziest stat I have seen

[jaysblue]

I wonder if Shatkins would be savvy enough in trading Vladdy back to Anthopoulos in Atlanta this off season? Maybe Vladdy + for Riley and Albies?

 

You might have been able to trade Bo to ATL last offseason for Acuna since the Braves were looking for a shortstop after Swanson left and Acuna prior to this season was looking like he was made of glass.

 

Doubt the Braves would need Vladdy right now.

[Jays333]

Vladdy has had 3 and a half average seasons compared to 1 stellar season. The longer this goes on, and the more his weight becomes an issue, the more obvious it becomes that this is just who he is.

 

You can show me all the underlying numbers you want that show what he could or should be, they dont mean s*** until he actually "figures it out".

 

At this point I would offer him a low value contract, if he denies (which he likely would), let him go to FA. By 2026 were probably rebuilding with a new GM anyway lol

[Jonn]

Thats a harsh take Jonn given his age, ceiling and some of the deals given out the last couple years. But we don't have to jump off a bridge just because others did. Having said with his underlying numbers, I'd take a risk on 5/100M RFN. But he would never take that....even now. He will wait for '26 FA process.

 

Go year to year with him. No reason to extend him the way hes performing.

[Spanky99]

I wonder if Shatkins would be savvy enough in trading Vladdy back to Anthopoulos in Atlanta this off season? Maybe Vladdy + for Riley and Albies?

 

Yeah, just spit balling. But I'd rather take Vladdy right now at first base over Olson.

 

[Daniel Labude]

I wouldn't offer him a 10 year extension by any means but I think 6-8 years would be a worthwhile gamble. His Statcast metrics are all remarkably close to his 2021 numbers, with the only sizeable difference being the increase in his chase rate.

 

His home and road splits are pretty crazy as well.

 

Home: 72 WRC+

Away: 160 WRC+

 

When you dig into this further, one thing really stands out:

 

Home vs RHP: 59 WRC+

Home vs LHP: 157 WRC+

 

Road vs RHP: 171 WRC+

Road vs LHP: 113 WRC+

 

How is it even possible for a player to crush right handed pitching to this degree on the road, yet be positively awful in the same split at home? If Vlad were anywhere close to hitting RHP at home like he was on the road we would be talking about how he's completely rediscovered his 2021 form, instead we are talking about what an epic disappointment he has been so far.

 

I just looked up the ranks...

 

13th on the Road in wRC+

234th at Home

 

This probably shouldn't be statistically possible unless you played at some 1850s stadium with no fence lol

 

Randomly saw Kirk was 226th on the Road

 

Some of player splits just don't make sense