General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[jaysblue]

Kooch?

 

My bad, he's still under control for 2024.

 

Still, Jays will have a lot of areas on the roster they'll need to add to. Won't be cheap. 4 out of 9 spots in their starting lineup (DH/2B/3B and LF) as well as some other spots mentioned before, plus raises for other players who are arbitration eligible.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I thought Whit, KK and Belt would be nice veteran depth to help put the Jays over the top, I sure as f*** didn't think they'd be 3rd, 4th and 5th in total position player fWAR after 2/3 of the season.

With Jansen (6th), Springer (7th), Kirk (8th), Varsho (9th) and Vladdy (11th LOL) in fWAR

 

At least Kirk and Jansen make a strong tandem with 2.7 total fWAR combined so far, and Springer isn't no spring chicken anymore, but woof to Vladdy. Just awful performance from him.

 

The good thing about the Jays line up is that the only regular PP under water is Espinal at -0.2 fWAR so they don't have too many guys sucking the life out of the team.

 

But DeJong....LOL, already a whopping -0.8 fWAR. Impressively terrible so far.

[jaysblue]

I thought Whit, KK and Belt would be nice veteran depth to help put the Jays over the top, I sure as f*** didn't think they'd be 3rd, 4th and 5th in total position player fWAR after 2/3 of the season.

With Jansen (6th), Springer (7th), Kirk (8th), Varsho (9th) and Vladdy (11th LOL) in fWAR

 

At least Kirk and Jansen make a strong tandem with 2.7 total fWAR combined so far, and Springer isn't no spring chicken anymore, but woof to Vladdy. Just awful performance from him.

 

The good thing about the Jays line up is that the only regular PP under water is Espinal at -0.2 fWAR so they don't have too many guys sucking the life out of the team.

 

But DeJong....LOL, already a whopping -0.8 fWAR. Impressively terrible so far.

 

Yeah Jays got lucky with the signings of Belt and KK and the Merrifield trade. Imagine if two of them or all three of them never panned out and went the other way, which was possible given their age and previous seasons. Great patch up and value signings during the offseason. Sometimes you hit on them, sometimes you don't.

 

Like you said, it's been the core pieces who have really held this team back. Guys like Springer, Vladdy, Kirk, and Varsho. If this season is a lost season for all of them, the Jays better hope at least 2 or 3 of them next season turn things around or else it's going to be another frustrating year.

[L54]

I agree I wouldn't go more than 2 years on Merrifield, though as well wouldn't pick up that mutual option at 18M.

 

18M for one year is a lot for a player like Merrifield and that money IMO could be better utilized towards a better player or pitcher. The Jays have to replace Chapman at third base, Belt at DH, KK in the OF, Ryu in the rotation, some BP pieces like Hicks, along with guys like Vladdy, Bo and others making more through arbitration.

 

Hope that the Jays could fill Merrifield's spot internally or Atkins can swing a trade or FA signing for a utility/multi-position guy who could give you around 400 ABs and provide 2 WAR.

 

All I’m saying is I’d rather have 1/18 than 3/45

[Brownie19]

Yeah Jays got lucky with the signings of Belt and KK and the Merrifield trade. Imagine if two of them or all three of them never panned out and went the other way, which was possible given their age and previous seasons. Great patch up and value signings during the offseason. Sometimes you hit on them, sometimes you don't.

 

Like you said, it's been the core pieces who have really held this team back. Guys like Springer, Vladdy, Kirk, and Varsho. If this season is a lost season for all of them, the Jays better hope at least 2 or 3 of them next season turn things around or else it's going to be another frustrating year.

 

Is this a breakthrough? The results we've gotten from Belt, KK and Merrifield are certainly well above average and there is an element of luck involved. Just the same as there was bad luck involved in the Brad Hand trade and the results we've gotten from DeJong and Hicks to date. Atkins isn't at fault because DeJong has 3 hits in 39 PA's for a -77 wRC+ since joining the Jays...

[Spanky99]

[jaysblue]

Is this a breakthrough? The results we've gotten from Belt, KK and Merrifield are certainly well above average and there is an element of luck involved. Just the same as there was bad luck involved in the Brad Hand trade and the results we've gotten from DeJong and Hicks to date. Atkins isn't at fault because DeJong has 3 hits in 39 PA's for a -77 wRC+ since joining the Jays...

 

Lmao I knew that would trigger you. Pitch forks already out!

 

I'm done talking about Atkins and the front office with you like I said in the other thread. Definitely will talk about other baseball related things or discussions in other off topic threads, but I'm done engaging with you when it comes to Atkins and the front office.

[mphenhef]

If Bichette is healing faster than anyone expected they definitely undersold the severity of that injury initially...which isn't shocking for the Jays org.

[L54]

At least for Hagen Danner he is making big league bucks while injured. Definite positive!

[Brownie19]

Lmao I knew that would trigger you. Pitch forks already out!

 

I'm done talking about Atkins and the front office with you like I said in the other thread. Definitely will talk about other baseball related things or discussions in other off topic threads, but I'm done engaging with you when it comes to Atkins and the front office.

 

Probably a good idea since you got f***ing rekt in the other thread. Hopefully you're learning a bit though.

[jaysblue]

Probably a good idea since you got f***ing rekt in the other thread. Hopefully you're learning a bit though.

 

I did for just offering rational criticism or questioning some moves the FO made?

 

Seriously, you're one of the most insufferable posters on this board. It's hilarious how you always attack me when I offer constructive criticism or question something. You get triggered so easily FFS!

[Stangstag]

I did for just offering rational criticism or questioning some moves the FO made?

 

Seriously, you're one of the most insufferable posters on this board. It's hilarious how you always attack me when I offer constructive criticism or question something. You get triggered so easily FFS!

 

You never responded to the other thread.

[John_Havok]

Y'all need to just f*** and get this over with.

[John_Havok]

Vlad had been meh for a damn long time now. Maybe he just is what he is. '21 was an aberration.

 

No, there's definitely something wrong with him this season. Even if all he really was was the 2022 version he would be still be fine. Guys who hit the ball as hard as he does as often as he does should have better results. A slight tweak to his mental approach and rediscovering that pulling the ball in the air isn't a bad thing would do wonders.

[glory]

Chapman sitting tonight, so we get the Espinal/DeJong 8/9 combo again. Wonderful. Not sure why they just don't take the defensive hit and play Schneider at 3B with DeJong sitting.

[Laika]

Chapman sitting tonight, so we get the Espinal/DeJong 8/9 combo again. Wonderful. Not sure why they just don't take the defensive hit and play Schneider at 3B with DeJong sitting.

 

Would rather sit Espinal but yeah I don't see a single reason to play Espinal over Schneids.

 

Sighhhhh.

[Laika]

Schneider has not played much 3B in the minors the last two years

 

The org must not think of him as a decent enough 3B defender

[Terminator]

Craig Biggio's son just HAS to be in the lineup and it just HAS to be at 2B.

[Benito]

DeJong is also 4-9 with 2 hr against Wheeler in sss. Probably made their decision easier to start him. But yeah, I'd prefer Schneider over Espinal in pretty much any circumstance.

[max silver]

Craig Biggio's son just HAS to be in the lineup and it just HAS to be at 2B.

 

I think the guy has been performing with the stick long enough that he deserves to be in the lineup most of the time. It's increasingly looking like he figured something out in May that's allowed him to have more success at the plate. He's quietly been the team's second most productive player in that time by WRC+ at 134 over a nearly 3 month span and he's hot in August with a 133 WRC+. For a team as starved for offense he's a guy that should at least be starting against right handed pitching. I don't agree with sitting Schneider so frequently for sure over the likes of Espinal but that's a separate discussion.

[Terminator]

I think the guy has been performing with the stick long enough that he deserves to be in the lineup most of the time. It's increasingly looking like he figured something out in May that's allowed him to have more success at the plate. He's quietly been the team's second most productive player in that time by WRC+ at 134 over a nearly 3 month span and he's hot in August with a 133 WRC+. For a team as starved for offense he's a guy that should at least be starting against right handed pitching. I don't agree with sitting Schneider so frequently for sure over the likes of Espinal but that's a separate discussion.

 

Well if Biggio can't play 3B either then it's between he and Schneider for who is getting ABs at 2B. Looks like the team prefers Biggio.

[Terminator]

And yeah, Biggio has been good since May. But it's 135 ABs with a .259/.346/.437 slashline. SSS and not exactly lighting the world on fire either as it's fueled by a .326 BABIP (career .295 BABIP).

[max silver]

And yeah, Biggio has been good since May. But it's 135 ABs with a .259/.346/.437 slashline. SSS and not exactly lighting the world on fire either as it's fueled by a .326 BABIP (career .295 BABIP).

 

The quality of contact is much better during this stretch compared to his career values so the BABIP may be earned/sustainable.

 

[G-Snarls]

We need a game to distract from the arguing............

[Spanky99]

We need a game to distract from the arguing............

 

Well, you're in luck.

 

Edited August 15, 2023 by Spanky99

[glory]

I think the guy has been performing with the stick long enough that he deserves to be in the lineup most of the time. It's increasingly looking like he figured something out in May that's allowed him to have more success at the plate. He's quietly been the team's second most productive player in that time by WRC+ at 134 over a nearly 3 month span and he's hot in August with a 133 WRC+. For a team as starved for offense he's a guy that should at least be starting against right handed pitching. I don't agree with sitting Schneider so frequently for sure over the likes of Espinal but that's a separate discussion.

 

I was looking up Cavan's numbers this season, and found this to be a combination of funny and extremely sad.

 

Since May 1:

Biggio: 0.5 WAR, 120 wRC+, 153 PA

Vlad: -0.3 WAR, 104 wRC+, 380 PA

[Grant77]

I just read that Edwin Encarnacion will be in uniform in the dugout from now on. That can only be good for the team, as the man is surely a hitting encyclopedia.

[Daniel Labude]

Well if Biggio can't play 3B either then it's between he and Schneider for who is getting ABs at 2B. Looks like the team prefers Biggio.

 

Schneider is headed back down soon unless they want to drop Espinal which seems unlikley right now

[L54]

I was looking up Cavan's numbers this season, and found this to be a combination of funny and extremely sad.

 

Since May 1:

Biggio: 0.5 WAR, 120 wRC+, 153 PA

Vlad: -0.3 WAR, 104 wRC+, 380 PA

 

f***ing brutal

[Spanky99]

Bo's slated to come back Friday according to reports... Noice!

 

Playing tonight in Buffalo.