General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Laika]

You questioned why he would sign. He’s not getting anything like a Murphy contact so if he’s getting the money people are suggesting, he should take it.

 

"if they are going to overpay him then he should take it"

 

bloody genius!

[RobinThicc]

 

Looks like there will be bit less foul territory too

[jerb]

[Stangstag]

Of course he's better. What is your point, exactly?

 

Why would Toronto offer Jansen 70% of the Murphy contract when Murphy is twice the player, and Kirk is already under control?

 

Is Kirk really a quality catcher though? Are we betting on him being the QB of the team in our prime contention window?

[The Cats Ass]

Sandoval was amazing. Dude was f***ing MASSIVE at times.

 

I remember once with Boston he shed a bunch of weight and looked fit. It was exactly like when your fat buddy goes on a crash diet and drops 40 pounds. I think Sandoval had it back on and then some within 1 year.

 

He was in the Mexican league ending careers:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttqTgPt2SuU

 

That poor catcher. Didn't even faze Sandoval.

 

https://nypost.com/2015/06/18/red-sox-ban-sandoval-for-mid-game-instagram-flirting/

[Laika]

Is Kirk really a quality catcher though? Are we betting on him being the QB of the team in our prime contention window?

 

Seems good enough to me. Even with his noodle bat this season he is a competent catcher. Defensive remains solid. Bat projects well.

 

Obviously, depth is always good and I wish Kirk was hitting better...

[Stottlemyres_Bloody_Chin]

I'll never forget him taking a swing for the BoSox and he was so fat his belt exploded. Another case of buying high after a WS tear he went on. Mo, Prince, Vlad, Kirk - long term deals and bad body types usually dont age well.

 

I was sitting right near when that happened. Hilarious

[glory]

Kirk hasn’t hit for power in over a year. There’s a good chance this is the new norm for him, which is fine since at worst that’s a good backup, but I wouldn’t bet on that (combined with weight issues) being better than Jansen over the next 3-5 years. Re-sign Jansen and if Kirk’s power comes back, then it’s a good problem to have, but at this rate I’m not betting on a singles hitting fatty as my long term catcher.

[jaysblue]

The Jays are under absolutely no pressure to extend Jansen. Kirk is under control for 3 more years after this and probably projects better anyway.

 

How has Kirk been performing this season? Do you think he could hold up and catch 120-130 games over a full season? The guy can't even handle half a workload sharing the duties with Jansen.

[jaysblue]

Is Kirk really a quality catcher though? Are we betting on him being the QB of the team in our prime contention window?

 

Yeah after seeing his performance over the last year, the complete power outage and his physique, I have concerns of him catching 120-130 games per season. Having Jansen around or another solid second catcher is a must IMO.

[jaysblue]

Seems good enough to me. Even with his noodle bat this season he is a competent catcher. Defensive remains solid. Bat projects well.

 

Obviously, depth is always good and I wish Kirk was hitting better...

 

Can he catch 120-130 games?

[BTS]

Lost in this discussion about catchers is that Dalton Varsho should catch a meaningful number of games next year. Possibly a full backup workload. He Cody Bellingered his way to decent offensive numbers last year, but the luck evaporated and he's not actually a good hitter. He's a platoon defensive specialist. Save the starting OF spots for guys that can hit.

[Laika]

How has Kirk been performing this season? Do you think he could hold up and catch 120-130 games over a full season? The guy can't even handle half a workload sharing the duties with Jansen.

 

There is no evidence whatsoever that Kirk's issues offensively have anything to do with workload.

 

I don't know if he can catch 120 games. Only one way to find out.

 

But, paying Danny Jansen free agent money to catch ~80 games a year may not be smart.

 

Team could just pair Kirk with a savvy veteran who can catch and throw.

[z3r0s]

There is no evidence whatsoever that Kirk's issues offensively have anything to do with workload.

 

I don't know if he can catch 120 games. Only one way to find out.

 

But, paying Danny Jansen free agent money to catch ~80 games a year may not be smart.

 

Team could just pair Kirk with a savvy veteran who can catch and throw.

 

This is the play. Although Jano might not command that much with his inability to stay healthy, so he may end up being that savvy vet.

[Terminator]

Lost in this discussion about catchers is that Dalton Varsho should catch a meaningful number of games next year. Possibly a full backup workload. He Cody Bellingered his way to decent offensive numbers last year, but the luck evaporated and he's not actually a good hitter. He's a platoon defensive specialist. Save the starting OF spots for guys that can hit.

 

Yeah I thought for sure that Varsho would catch those Hiney-man games this year. Almost every team in the league runs out garbage 3rd catchers, most of which produce negative WAR. Putting a guy in there like Varsho who can produce positive WAR would have been an easy way to squeeze another half win or so out of him.

 

But they didn't do that this year despite having KK in the fold and Whit available to play LF. Makes me think they just install Varsho as the every day CF and forego him Catching again.

[Terminator]

Is Kirk really a quality catcher though? Are we betting on him being the QB of the team in our prime contention window?

 

He was #39 on Fangraphs' 2023 Trade Value List. Hard to top that.

[Jonn]

He was #39 on Fangraphs' 2023 Trade Value List. Hard to top that.

 

Sounds like we should trade him.

 

I have always wanted the Jays to have a young athletic catcher with a cannon for an arm. Maybe one day.

[BTS]

Yeah I thought for sure that Varsho would catch those Hiney-man games this year. Almost every team in the league runs out garbage 3rd catchers, most of which produce negative WAR. Putting a guy in there like Varsho who can produce positive WAR would have been an easy way to squeeze another half win or so out of him.

 

But they didn't do that this year despite having KK in the fold and Whit available to play LF. Makes me think they just install Varsho as the every day CF and forego him Catching again.

 

He’s a full 1.3 WAR behind his 2022 defensive and positional value. We’ve given up a lot playing him everyday in LF. Should be CF/C mix going forward. Hopefully they pivot.

[jaysblue]

He was #39 on Fangraphs' 2023 Trade Value List. Hard to top that.

 

I guess Fangraphs can get it wrong sometimes.

[Terminator]

I guess Fangraphs can get it wrong sometimes.

 

It’s possible. But I’m not sure extending Jansen or bringing in another quality Catcher is a “must.”

 

Aren’t you constantly complaining about the bullpen, pitching depth, etc. anyway?

 

The team doesn’t have infinite resources. Two quality catchers is a luxury and Kirk should be good enough to hold the position down for the remainder of his contract. We’ve got Jansen for another year and that’s fine to keep him but any possible extension money could be used to fill other needs.

[Terminator]

He’s a full 1.3 WAR behind his 2022 defensive and positional value. We’ve given up a lot playing him everyday in LF. Should be CF/C mix going forward. Hopefully they pivot.

 

I think he’s definitely a CFer next year. Just not sure about C.

[Stangstag]

Lost in this discussion about catchers is that Dalton Varsho should catch a meaningful number of games next year. Possibly a full backup workload. He Cody Bellingered his way to decent offensive numbers last year, but the luck evaporated and he's not actually a good hitter. He's a platoon defensive specialist. Save the starting OF spots for guys that can hit.

 

Im fine with him as the starting CF with occasional C backup duties.

[Laika]

I don't think Varsho ever catches again.

 

But as a fulltime CF he's fine. Even without improvement it's kind of like controlling prime Kiermaier. That type of hitter/fielder. D is probably a notch below, but offensive POTENTIAL might be higher. I dunno.

 

Ugh Varsho is tough to watch. Hit, I mean.

[Stangstag]

I don't think Varsho ever catches again.

 

But as a fulltime CF he's fine. Even without improvement it's kind of like controlling prime Kiermaier. That type of hitter/fielder. D is probably a notch below, but offensive POTENTIAL might be higher. I dunno.

 

Ugh Varsho is tough to watch. Hit, I mean.

 

Major disappointment this year for sure

[G-Snarls]

Major disappointment this year for sure

 

Yes

 

But I still think he has some better seasons ahead

[G-Snarls]

Something has to happen in the OF though either through self improvement or roster changes

 

Can't have Varsho and Springer both underperform offensively for years while both getting full playing time

[Jonn]

I just noticed on Daulton Varsho's mlb.com page it has a picture of Matt Chapman hitting lol

 

https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139

[G-Snarls]

I just noticed on Daulton Varsho's mlb.com page it has a picture of Matt Chapman hitting lol

 

https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139

 

The background one

 

Lol wtf

[Omar]

There is no evidence whatsoever that Kirk's issues offensively have anything to do with workload.

I don't know if he can catch 120 games. Only one way to find out.

But, paying Danny Jansen free agent money to catch ~80 games a year may not be smart.

Team could just pair Kirk with a savvy veteran who can catch and throw.

 

I don’t know but Kirk sure looked fatigued the last third of last season and his numbers took a corresponding down turn. It could have been a case of correlation does not imply causation but I highly doubt it. He is out of shape for a pro baseball player playing a physically demanding position. His cardio is likely slightly above par of an average middle aged man. If Jansen has another injury keeping him out a number of weeks, Kirk can’t be counted on to take on the extra workload.

[Jonn]

The background one

 

Lol wtf

 

Lol yea his mug shot is right but the little background picture is clearly a right-handed hitter and is Matt Chapman. Kinda funny to be honest.