Brandon Belt signing with the Jays

[Laika]

Classic situation of a guy being a jack of no trades in the field

 

He should be a platoon second baseman for someone. That's his actual ideal role.

[Jimcanuck]

Belt has played 93 games in the OF, 15 games in 2019.

 

Maybe with his repaired knee..... spot duty.

[Terminator]

Jays must love him. 10 mil gets you a pretty decent #5 SP but they chose him as a DH instead.

 

I suppose they could still sign someone like Cueto though. At this point they are going to clear the luxury tax I think so I wouldn't be surprised to see a move like that.

[Krylian]

I think it's safe to say that Craig Biggio's son is on the block.

 

Or All Star Santiago Espinal

[Terminator]

Belt has played 93 games in the OF, 15 games in 2019.

 

Maybe with his repaired knee..... spot duty.

 

Yeah if he got more than 10 games in the OF I'd be shocked. He's a DH/1B at this point.

[Terminator]

Or All Star Santiago Espinal

 

It's possible but Espinal is a better fit IMO seeing as we now have plenty of lefty bats and he can play 3B and SS.

[Stangstag]

Jays must love him. 10 mil gets you a pretty decent #5 SP but they chose him as a DH instead.

 

Yeah its definitely a head-scratching move at first glance

[Jimcanuck]

Yeah if he got more than 10 games in the OF I'd be shocked. He's a DH/1B at this point.

 

I'm just trying to figure out his role. Surely he is not a bench guy for $10M. If he's the primary DH that cuts into Kirk's playing time. It's a head scratcher, unless there is a trade in the works, like Kirk to Miami for pitching.

[max silver]

Biggio can only play all over the diamond if you squint so hard poo comes out

 

He's not a good 3B, doesn't seem like a natural OF, and probably isn't a great 1B.

 

He has more defensive value than Belt of course but perhaps not much more for Toronto in particular because Merrifield and Espinal can play 2B and Merrifield can play a better OF and Espinal a better 3B.

 

Interestingly enough Biggio has basically even splits for his career vs RHP/LHP. He's produced a 101 WRC+ vs LHP and a 106 WRC+ vs RHP. Recent seasons look pretty bad vs LHP though.

 

Neither Merrifield nor Biggio have enough outfield innings at this point to determine who is a better outfield defender at this point. Biggio has looked pretty good at first base in the limited time I've seen him play there, however Belt is far more experienced and almost certainly adds a lot more with the bat if he bounces back sufficiently.

[Krylian]

It's possible but Espinal is a better fit IMO seeing as we now have plenty of lefty bats and he can play 3B and SS.

 

Who has more value currently between the two?

[Terminator]

I'm just trying to figure out his role. Surely he is not a bench guy for $10M. If he's the primary DH that cuts into Kirk's playing time. It's a head scratcher, unless there is a trade in the works, like Kirk to Miami for pitching.

 

Well Jansen will be on the DL for at least half the year so there will be plenty of ABs to go around I'm sure.

[Jays24]

It's a 1 year deal and not my money so I'm happy with adding a good player. Dude helps balance our lineup a lot more. Main issue with the guy is that he can't stay healthy but hopefully that changes as a DH and backup 1B.

[MikeM3]

Biggio sucks, who cares about him.

[Jays24]

It's possible but Espinal is a better fit IMO seeing as we now have plenty of lefty bats and he can play 3B and SS.

 

Ya Espy is definitely staying on our team. He's the only one who can play a good 3B/SS.

 

Personally, I think Biggio stays too. His value is too low and with the shifts being banned, he can build his value back hopefully. It's friggin amazing having a stacked bench for once.

[Laika]

Best is probably strong side platoon DH. And backup 1B.

 

RHP

 

Kirk C - Jansen C (50/50)

Belt DH

 

LHP

 

Kirk DH

Jansen C

[Terminator]

This is probably the best bench the Jays have ever had.

 

Belt doesn't seem like the best natural fit but at the end of the day the ABs will likely work themselves out. So if you just stack the team with the best players you can get you're just solidifying your floor to help guarantee a WC spot even if s*** hits the fan.

[Jays24]

Best is probably strong side platoon DH. And backup 1B.

 

RHP

 

Kirk C - Jansen C (50/50)

Belt DH

 

LHP

 

Kirk DH

Jansen C

 

That's my thinking too. Also provides great injury insurance for when Jansen/Kirk go down with their usual DL stints lol.

[max silver]

Biggio sucks, who cares about him.

 

He's no star by any means but managed to produce 1.3 WAR in about 300 plate appearances. Since he came back from Buffalo in late May he produced 1.6 FWAR in 275 plate appearances. I'll take that any day of the week for a bench player.

[Terminator]

Biggio sucks, who cares about him.

 

I always knew I liked you Mike

[Spanky99]

Strange move. Hmmm...

[Terminator]

That's my thinking too. Also provides great injury insurance for when Jansen/Kirk go down with their usual DL stints lol.

 

Also helps if Vlad gets hurt.

[Spanky99]

Someone will want him. As little respect as I have for him as both a person and a player, bench infielders who bat left handed have some use. We could get an okay piece for him I bet.

 

You're an idiot. Shut up.

[Terminator]

You're an idiot. Shut up.

 

Wow bro that's a bit aggressive. Did you have money on TCU tonight or something?

[Jimcanuck]

So Biggio and Merrifield share 4th OF duties

[Carlos Danger]

This is probably the best bench the Jays have ever had.

 

Belt doesn't seem like the best natural fit but at the end of the day the ABs will likely work themselves out. So if you just stack the team with the best players you can get you're just solidifying your floor to help guarantee a WC spot even if s*** hits the fan.

 

The bench of Sprague, Tabler, Derek Bell, Winfield, (depending who was DHing) ,Mulliniks and Alfredo Griffin was pretty good.

[Jimcanuck]

This puts the Jays solidly over the luxury tax

 

Might as well sign Wacha now

[Terminator]

The bench of Sprague, Tabler, Derek Bell, Winfield, (depending who was DHing) ,Mulliniks and Alfredo Griffin was pretty good.

 

Tabler the bases loaded pinch hitting extraordinaire

[Spanky99]

Or All Star Santiago Espinal

 

Why'd they move their only backup SS?

[Terminator]

This puts the Jays solidly over the luxury tax

 

Might as well sign Wacha now

 

Yeah I agree Jim. If they are burning through the luxury tax threshold by signing platoon DH's for almost 10 mil it sure as s*** would make sense to sign a starting pitcher for that amount as well.

[max silver]

This puts the Jays solidly over the luxury tax

 

Might as well sign Wacha now

 

Might as well spend up to the end of the first tier of the CBT as the actual financial penalties are very small for doing so.