General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Jonn]

Putting a sponsorship patch on a Baseball jersey is a crime against nature.

[Stangstag]

 

Ughh

[wilko]

 

[John_Havok]

 

I think it looks fine. Clean look, not stupidly large or anything. Nothing they can do about the colours since TDs colours are green. It doesnt really take away from anything and if youre not looking for it, you probably wouldn't really notice it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

said nobody. ever.

 

 

Ugly as f***.

[Omar]

I think it looks fine. Clean look, not stupidly large or anything. Nothing they can do about the colours since TDs colours are green. It doesnt really take away from anything and if youre not looking for it, you probably wouldn't really notice it.

said nobody. ever.

Ugly as f***.

 

In 20 years the players will look like formula one cars.

[Omar]

I kind of want Gurriel to have a good series just to see the meltdown.

[Spanky99]

I kind of want Gurriel to have a good series just to see the meltdown.

 

Pina Power is the best!

[Ehjays]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/blue-jays-have-shown-interest-in-nelson-cruz.html

 

Blue Jays Have Shown Interest In Nelson Cruz

By Darragh McDonald | July 14, 2023 at 3:02pm CDT

 

Designated hitter Nelson Cruz is now a free agent after being released by the Padres earlier this week. The Blue Jays are looking for some more offense and have shown some interest in him, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

 

Cruz, 43, has a long track record of success in his lengthy career, having launched 464 home runs while playing for the Brewers, Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins, Rays, Nationals and Padres. However, his results have tapered off in recent years. He was still hitting well as recently as the first half of 2021, when he slashed .294/.370/.537 for a wRC+ of 142 with the Twins. But after he was dealt to the Rays, he hit just .226/.283/.442 for a wRC+ of 95 and hasn’t bounced back since. Between the Nationals last year and the Padres this year, he hit .237/.306/.352, 85 wRC+.

 

Despite that diminished production of late, it’s understandable why the Jays might be willing to take a shot on a bounceback. The right-handed hitter has generally fared better with the platoon advantage in his career, hitting .292/.378/.550 against lefties compared to .266/.329/.499 otherwise. He hasn’t hit well against either side here in 2023 but was fairly effective against southpaws last year, batting .248/.345/.383 for a wRC+ of 106.

 

The Blue Jays have been an above-average offensive club overall this year, with their collective batting line at .259/.326/.415, 107 wRC+. But against lefties, that line drops to .257/.325/.375 and a 96 wRC+. If the club feels Cruz can still contribute in that capacity, perhaps he could take the short side of a platoon. Cruz hasn’t played the outfield since since 2018 and only has eight career innings at first base, so he’s essentially only an option for the DH slot at this point of his career.

 

The Jays’ primary designated hitter is lefty Brandon Belt, who is hitting just .167/.250/.167 against southpaws this year. When the club has faced a lefty, they’ve generally given the start to either Alejandro Kirk or Danny Jansen, depending on who’s catching. Neither is an ideal platoon made for Belt right now. Jansen has reverse splits for his career, hitting just .189/.285/.391 against lefties, with an even worse showing this year. Kirk has hit southpaws well in his career but is struggling this year, batting just .208/.316/.229 against them.

 

Cruz is making a salary of $1MM this year, which the Padres remain on the hook for now that he’s been released. That means that the Blue Jays, or any club, could sign him and pay him only the prorated league minimum salary with that amount subtracted from what the Padres pay. With the trade deadline now two weeks away, Cruz could be given a bit of a window to see how he fares. If he can get back to anywhere near his previous form, it would be a nice buy-low move. If he can’t, he can be easily jettisoned at no financial cost and replaced with a deadline pickup of some kind.

[Ehjays]

[Terminator]

Trade Bassitt at the deadline and call up Ryu

[Jonn]

Trade Bassitt at the deadline and call up Ryu

 

I think Kikuchi is just going to be moved to the pen. He can work as a swing and miss lefty and throw multiple innings in relief. He hasn't been very good his last 2 times out either. Shorter stints would probably be more ideal for him.

[John_Havok]

 

He's in Toronto for the game tonight to, we'll probably see him wandering around.

[Jonn]

He's in Toronto for the game tonight to, we'll probably see him wandering around.

 

Just make sure if you do you chase him away from any concession stands. We need skinny Ryu to stick to his diet.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I think Kikuchi is just going to be moved to the pen. He can work as a swing and miss lefty and throw multiple innings in relief. He hasn't been very good his last 2 times out either. Shorter stints would probably be more ideal for him.

 

Kikuchi was a monster in the pen last season. If Manoah and Ryu prove to be solid starters moving Kooch to the pen makes the most sense IMO.

[Carlos Danger]

I think Kikuchi is just going to be moved to the pen. He can work as a swing and miss lefty and throw multiple innings in relief. He hasn't been very good his last 2 times out either. Shorter stints would probably be more ideal for him.

 

I think this is the best move. My pre-season prediction based on Kikuchi's history was that he would possibly be an All-Star first half, and he would be s***** second half. I have never seen the durability or sustainability from him for a full season.

 

I think your solution is the best way to get the most out of Kikuchi. SP first half, RP, second half.

[John_Havok]

I think this is the best move. My pre-season prediction based on Kikuchi's history was that he would possibly be an All-Star first half, and he would be s***** second half. I have never seen the durability or sustainability from him for a full season.

 

I think your solution is the best way to get the most out of Kikuchi. SP first half, RP, second half.

 

Gausman usually ssees a delcine in the second half too, not as bad as Kikuchi, but noticeable. Perhaps a 6 man rotation would help keep them both a little fresher and more in line with their 1st half results.

[Jonn]

Gausman usually ssees a delcine in the second half too, not as bad as Kikuchi, but noticeable. Perhaps a 6 man rotation would help keep them both a little fresher and more in line with their 1st half results.

 

I have never liked a 6-man rotation. You need your best Starters pitching as much as possible down the strech. Gausman and Berrios have really been the only consistent starters this season. I don't want them to pitch less to bring Ryu into the rotation and keep Kikuchi in.

[John_Havok]

I have never liked a 6-man rotation. You need your best Starters pitching as much as possible down the strech. Gausman and Berrios have really been the only consistent starters this season. I don't want them to pitch less to bring Ryu into the rotation and keep Kikuchi in.

 

I tend to agree. But, part of the reason for Gausman skipping the AS game and obviously not starting again right away after the break, is to ensure he's a little fresher. There's no reason not to have him pitching tonight if that wasn't their thought process.

 

Plus, no teams 5th starter is ever really consistent, that's why they are 5th starters. There is probably a way to keep Gausman and Berrios going more regularly, while juggling Ryu and Kikuchi back and forth from the pen to the rotation depending on how the schedule plays to give Gausman and Berrios an extra day here and there when they feel they need it.

[Carlos Danger]

Gausman usually ssees a delcine in the second half too, not as bad as Kikuchi, but noticeable. Perhaps a 6 man rotation would help keep them both a little fresher and more in line with their 1st half results.

 

We need to do something to keep our SPs fresh and not tax the pen.. There is a 100% symbiotic relationship with our pen success vs SP IPs per game. Short starts, bad pen.

[Jonn]

I tend to agree. But, part of the reason for Gausman skipping the AS game and obviously not starting again right away after the break, is to ensure he's a little fresher. There's no reason not to have him pitching tonight if that wasn't their thought process.

 

Plus, no teams 5th starter is ever really consistent, that's why they are 5th starters. There is probably a way to keep Gausman and Berrios going more regularly, while juggling Ryu and Kikuchi back and forth from the pen to the rotation depending on how the schedule plays to give Gausman and Berrios an extra day here and there when they feel they need it.

 

Problem is our #2 and #3 haven't been either. I guess Berrios would be considered #2. But going into the year it Bassit and Manoah. We all know Manoah's struggles. But Bassit has been either really good or really bad this year.

[connorp]

Kikuchi was a monster in the pen last season. If Manoah and Ryu prove to be solid starters moving Kooch to the pen makes the most sense IMO.

 

Was he a monster? Genuinely curious, no sarcasm

[John_Havok]

Was he a monster? Genuinely curious, no sarcasm

 

Are you incapable of taking 30 seconds to google easily found numbers?

 

Genuinely curious, no sarcasm.

[Ryu In My House]

I have never liked a 6-man rotation. You need your best Starters pitching as much as possible down the strech. Gausman and Berrios have really been the only consistent starters this season. I don't want them to pitch less to bring Ryu into the rotation and keep Kikuchi in.

 

Your best starters will be even better with an extra day's rest.

[Spanky99]

Are you incapable of taking 30 seconds to google easily found numbers?

 

Genuinely curious, no sarcasm.

 

*Burn*

[Ehjays]

[jaysblue]

That sucks, was looking really forward to that pitching matchup!

 

Hope Gausman is alright. Better to pay it safe anyways if he needs a couple days of rest.

[Jonn]

f*** I’m suppose to be going to this game. Between this in the rain I might just sell my seats.

[Stangstag]

f*** I’m suppose to be going to this game. Between this in the rain I might just sell my seats.

 

Quitter. Fake fan.

[Jonn]

Quitter. Fake fan.

 

Roof closed is no bueno. Especially with no Gausman.

[Stangstag]

Roof closed is no bueno. Especially with no Gausman.

 

I went to a roof closed game with Bassitt starting vs the Astros.

 

2 hour game and a W.

 

You’re just a fake fan, plain and simple