General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2024)

[Jimcanuck]

I don’t like the way this team is constructed right now. Whatever DH they sign basically replaces Belt, plus we lost Chapman.

 

Really feel like we need 2 more bats. Seems like every year the front office and fans know exactly what the glaring hole of the roster is going into the season and it has come back to bite us.

 

If they wanna wait until the deadline before assessing the weaknesses, fine. But they NEED to address those problems if they’re waiting til the deadline.

 

Adding a bat or 2 at the deadline last season would’ve made all the difference IMO. And in 2022, they should’ve added a solid RP.

 

I don't think they are prepared to go all in and start trading the limited prospect capital they have. When at the end of the day it might not make a difference.

 

As it stands the pitching is excellent, the bats as a whole average'ish with the potential to be quite good. Bellinger would push up the potential considerably.

 

Speaking of Bellinger, report out today says Cubs are high on PCA, and they are committed to Busch at 1B, their interest in a Bellinger re-sign is lowered as a result.

 

I suspect the Jays are holding out for a drop in Bellinger asking price.

[Brownie19]

This is so not true about last year.

 

Everyone thought pitching depth and RP quality was the weakness before the season. The offense being limp only emerged as an issue as the season rolled along and Vlad/Kirk/Springer never got hot. You can argue that they should have traded for a big hitter but... easier said than done, and most still expected the incumbents to hit better in the second half, reasonably.

 

This is spot on.

[Laika]

I don't think they are prepared to go all in and start trading the limited prospect capital they have. When at the end of the day it might not make a difference.

 

As it stands the pitching is excellent, the bats as a whole average'ish with the potential to be quite good. Bellinger would push up the potential considerably.

 

Speaking of Bellinger, report out today says Cubs are high on PCA, and they are committed to Busch at 1B, their interest in a Bellinger re-sign is lowered as a result.

 

I suspect the Jays are holding out for a drop in Bellinger asking price.

 

Chapman is a better fit for the Cubs anyway. I feel like between Happ, Suzuki, PCA, and Tauchman, they already have 2-3 WAR at the three OF positions.

 

I am not a Madrigal or Patrick Wisdom believer so I don't see the same quality at 3B for them. Not sure if they think about Morel or Michael Busch as 3B or OF options, though.

 

Chapman is also, of course, a better fit for Toronto than Bellinger, too.

 

Bellinger really not an amazing fit anywhere. Maybe the Rockies, hahaha.

[Jimcanuck]

Chapman is a better fit for the Cubs anyway. I feel like between Happ, Suzuki, PCA, and Tauchman, they already have 2-3 WAR at the three OF positions.

 

I am not a Madrigal or Patrick Wisdom believer so I don't see the same quality at 3B for them. Not sure if they think about Morel or Michael Busch as 3B or OF options, though.

 

Chapman is also, of course, a better fit for Toronto than Bellinger, too.

 

Bellinger really not an amazing fit anywhere. Maybe the Rockies, hahaha.

 

I don't consider KK a starting OF. He's great as a 4th OF. Will still get 400 PA in that role, with Springer getting plenty of DH days.

 

Varsho CF, Bellinger RF, and Springer LF would be excellent.

[Omar]

[Laika]

I don't consider KK a starting OF. He's great as a 4th OF. Will still get 400 PA in that role, with Springer getting plenty of DH days.

 

Varsho CF, Bellinger RF, and Springer LF would be excellent.

 

I don't think plenty of DH days for Springer is a necessity, nor a great idea necessarily.

 

Full season last year, 130+ games in the OF, he held up and had a positive UZR and OAA. Actually stole the most bases of his career. This is an everyday position player who just had a solid defensive year but with weirdly low power output. I wouldn't want him to all of a sudden have the DH "mental penalty" as a recurring part of the equation.

 

KK as a fourth OF would then be an awkward fit since he's be LHB along with Bellinger and Varsho. Lot of money for a defensive sub or pure backup.

 

meh.

 

Soler as the DH is a better roster construction. Maybe David Schneider as the 2B/LF wheel-man against LHP when KK takes a seat on the bench.

[Jays24]

I don't think plenty of DH days for Springer is a necessity, nor a great idea necessarily.

 

Full season last year, 130+ games in the OF, he held up and had a positive UZR and OAA. Actually stole the most bases of his career. This is an everyday position player who just had a solid defensive year but with weirdly low power output. I wouldn't want him to all of a sudden have the DH "mental penalty" as a recurring part of the equation.

 

KK as a fourth OF would then be an awkward fit since he's be LHB along with Bellinger and Varsho. Lot of money for a defensive sub or pure backup.

 

meh.

 

Soler as the DH is a better roster construction. Maybe David Schneider as the 2B/LF wheel-man against LHP when KK takes a seat on the bench.

 

Bellinger can also play 1B on the days Vlad DH's and is a left handed bat that could bat 3rd in between Bo and Vlad.

 

Adding him kinda kills us going after a DH and also means IFK is going to get scheduled for 600 ABs at 3B since we couldnt afford Chappy too. Soler/J.D. and Chappy would be my preference still.

[deanmike]

I’ll withhold judgement until I hear today’s budget update.

What you got for us Dean?

 

Judgement on what? U talking about that Soler+Chapman+Grichuk in, and Garcia+Espinal out idea I saw a page or 2 back?

[Jays24]

[Jays24]

[glory]

If the Jays are waiting for someone's price to fall, then it's more likely to be Chapman than Bellinger, IMO.

[Carlos Danger]

 

Sad to hear. Jimy was always given a bit of a high curve since he followed the footsteps of Bobby Cox and was proceeded by Cito Gaston. Definitely a big part of the experience when growing up a Jay’s fan.

Edited January 29, 2024 by Carlos Danger

[Jays24]

If the Jays are waiting for someone's price to fall, then it's more likely to be Chapman than Bellinger, IMO.

 

Both Chappy and Bellinger have picks tied to them correct? While it's not the main factor preventing teams from going after them, it's another layer that makes teams hesitant.

[Terminator]

Soler/J.D. and Chappy would be my preference still.

 

Chapman would be a good fit. And I know you guys are going to hate this but if we brought him back a DH signing wouldn't be totally necessary.

 

Horwitz is a lefty who projects for a 113 wRC+. It might be worth giving this guy a half season of ABs to see if he can do it. If not we can make a deal at the deadline.

 

Chapman at 3B frees up IKF to play all over. He can play plenty of 2B which frees up Schneider to DH more (who also projects for a 113 wRC+). IKF could also be the 3rd Catcher which would allow the team to feel more comfortable to bat Jansen (110 wRC+) and Kirk (122 wRC+) in the DH spot more.

 

Now compare the above names with everyone's favorite DH targets like Soler (projects for a 119 wRC+) and JDM (107 wRC+), both righties.

[Terminator]

 

He makes some sense as he provides another option at 3B. But at this point in his career is he even a better 3B than Schneider? They are both probably awful but if Schneider is comparable then it kind of kills the argument to bring Turner on board.

[Krylian]

Sad to hear. Jimmy was always given a bit of a high curve since he followed the footsteps of Bobby Cox and was proceeded by Cito Gaston. Definitely a big part of the experience when growing up a Jay’s fan.

 

All I can see is how you disrespected 'One M' with your spelling of his name. For shame....

[Jays24]

Chapman would be a good fit. And I know you guys are going to hate this but if we brought him back a DH signing wouldn't be totally necessary.

 

Horwitz is a lefty who projects for a 113 wRC+. It might be worth giving this guy a half season of ABs to see if he can do it. If not we can make a deal at the deadline.

 

Chapman at 3B frees up IKF to play all over. He can play plenty of 2B which frees up Schneider to DH more (who also projects for a 113 wRC+). IKF could also be the 3rd Catcher which would allow the team to feel more comfortable to bat Jansen (110 wRC+) and Kirk (122 wRC+) in the DH spot more.

 

Now compare the above names with everyone's favorite DH targets like Soler (projects for a 119 wRC+) and JDM (107 wRC+), both righties.

 

I'm already known for not being the biggest fan of future projections. There is no way I'd consider Horowitz close to JDM at the major league level.

 

If we were still rebuilding, I'd totally be with you but we are in a "win now" window before Bo and Vlad extensions have to be factored in. Let Horowitz work his way into a full time role by starting as a backup/pinch hitter/injury insurance for the upcoming season.

[Jays24]

He makes some sense as he provides another option at 3B. But at this point in his career is he even a better 3B than Schneider? They are both probably awful but if Schneider is comparable then it kind of kills the argument to bring Turner on board.

 

People aren't sure Schneider can play 2B at the major league level, 3B should be out of the question unless it's for emergency purposes. Also not sure how much you can expect Turner to play there at his age either. He'd be a DH who can play very little at 3B/1B imo.

[Terminator]

I'm already known for not being the biggest fan of future projections. There is no way I'd consider Horowitz close to JDM at the major league level.

 

If we were still rebuilding, I'd totally be with you but we are in a "win now" window before Bo and Vlad extensions have to be factored in. Let Horowitz work his way into a full time role by starting as a backup/pinch hitter/injury insurance for the upcoming season.

 

Well if we really are in "one bat only" territory and Chapman ends up being that guy then we may not have the luxury to sign JDM.

[Jimcanuck]

Chapman would be a good fit. And I know you guys are going to hate this but if we brought him back a DH signing wouldn't be totally necessary.

 

Horwitz is a lefty who projects for a 113 wRC+. It might be worth giving this guy a half season of ABs to see if he can do it. If not we can make a deal at the deadline.

 

Chapman at 3B frees up IKF to play all over. He can play plenty of 2B which frees up Schneider to DH more (who also projects for a 113 wRC+). IKF could also be the 3rd Catcher which would allow the team to feel more comfortable to bat Jansen (110 wRC+) and Kirk (122 wRC+) in the DH spot more.

 

Now compare the above names with everyone's favorite DH targets like Soler (projects for a 119 wRC+) and JDM (107 wRC+), both righties.

 

I hate DH only guys.

 

Also Barger would get a half season of AB before Horwitz.

[wamco]

Judgement on what? U talking about that Soler+Chapman+Grichuk in, and Garcia+Espinal out idea I saw a page or 2 back?

 

In regard to the next move. Wondered what sense of the budget you got from reading the tea leaves of Toronto going hard after joc Peterson

[Terminator]

Also Barger would get a half season of AB before Horwitz.

 

I guess there is a scenario where we sign a DH only, Horwitz gets pushed to AAA, Barger shines in ST and beats out the other glut of infield options to start the season as the everyday 3B?

 

Seems a lot less likely than Horwitz's various paths to playing time.

[Laika]

 

obviously not that hard, haha

[wilko]

obviously not that hard, haha

 

$12 million hard.

[Terminator]

People aren't sure Schneider can play 2B at the major league level, 3B should be out of the question unless it's for emergency purposes. Also not sure how much you can expect Turner to play there at his age either. He'd be a DH who can play very little at 3B/1B imo.

 

Correct

[Jays24]

obviously not that hard, haha

 

Ya, report makes it seem like Joc went for 500M over 10 Years. It wasn't really that hard to beat the contract he went for if they really wanted him lol.

[deanmike]

In regard to the next move. Wondered what sense of the budget you got from reading the tea leaves of Toronto going hard after joc Peterson

 

Joc's AAV with the DBacks is 12.5M, which even under BNS and Zwelling's 12M remaining estimate on their recent At the Letters pod, pretty much fits. They would have easily remained under the 2nd threshold too if they got Joc because they sit 18M clear at the moment (assuming Vlad goes to his arb hearing and wins).

[Jimcanuck]

People aren't sure Schneider can play 2B at the major league level, 3B should be out of the question unless it's for emergency purposes. Also not sure how much you can expect Turner to play there at his age either. He'd be a DH who can play very little at 3B/1B imo.

 

Internally Barger might be the only MLB ready guy that can handle 3B at least average. Barring a Chapman return, i see him playing the majority of 3B innings.

[Terminator]

Internally Barger might be the only MLB ready guy that can handle 3B at least average. Barring a Chapman return, i see him playing the majority of 3B innings.

 

With a good spring it could happen.

[deanmike]

With a good spring it could happen.

 

I agree, but it's probably easy for you to be optimistic here given his competition for the strong side of the 3B platoon is Biggio.