General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2024)

[deanmike]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/stress-testing-the-blue-jays-depth-at-all-nine-defensive-positions/

 

Positions with simple enough backup plans

 

Justin Turner, DH

 

Replacing Turner’s production? Not easy. He hit 23 home runs with an OPS+ of 114 last year. But replacing a DH in the lineup is never too hard. The Blue Jays would mix and match here with their catchers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Daniel Vogelbach likely getting starts.

 

Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk, C

 

Losing either Kirk or Jansen would be extremely costly for the Blue Jays, but it’s pretty obvious what would happen if one of the catchers were to go down: the other would play considerably more, just as Kirk did last September after Jansen fractured a bone in his throwing hand.

 

A subsequent move would also be needed, with the defensively skilled Brian Serven described by some as a leading candidate to get the call if needed.

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B

 

First base is where Turner played most often in 2023, so he’d likely be asked to contribute at times. But since keeping the 39-year-old Turner healthy is a priority, Cavan Biggio would likely start at first against some righties, and Spencer Horwitz would also be an option. In theory, Vogelbach’s an option — he continues to work out at first alongside Turner and Horwitz — but he’s barely played any defence in the last two seasons, a clear sign that the Mets and Brewers, at least, consider him a DH only.

 

Bo Bichette, SS

 

Obviously, there’s no substitute for Bichette’s talent, but it’s not too hard to see how the Blue Jays would respond here.

 

Santiago Espinal and Isiah Kiner-Falefa would likely share time at shortstop, and Ernie Clement could easily enter this mix, too. For now, Clement is ahead of prospect Leo Jimenez on the big-league depth chart, but Jimenez could push closer to the big-leagues before long.

 

Positions without clear backup plans

 

Cavan Biggio, 2B

 

Biggio’s shoulder issues are progressing, but if he were to miss time early in the season, the Blue Jays would likely rely on a combination of players including Espinal, Davis Schneider and Eduardo Escobar. It’s too soon for Orelvis Martinez, but he could put himself in this conversation by the summer, and he’s already on the 40-man roster, making a call-up that much simpler (Addison Barger is another option, but he’s more focused on third and right field this spring).

 

George Springer, RF

 

This is a tough one. For now, any absence by Springer would likely be covered by committee. Something like Biggio against righties and Schneider against lefties, with Espinal and/or Escobar taking regular reps at second base.

 

It’s also possible Clement and even Escobar could help cover a corner outfield spot, as both are getting reps there this spring. Within a couple of months, outfield prospect Alan Roden would ideally be ready to cover regular at-bats.

 

Daulton Varsho, LF

 

Replacing Varsho would look similar to replacing Springer, with one added wrinkle. The Blue Jays would also need to think about how to back up Kevin Kiermaier in centre field. Kiner-Falefa has played there before, but he is also needed on the infield, which could create opportunity for Nathan Lukes in a bench role.

 

Kevin Kiermaier, CF

 

Whenever Kiermaier was unavailable last year, Varsho covered centre field — and did so at an elite level on his way to 11 outs above average. But if Varsho is in centre, the Blue Jays would need someone — Biggio? Schneider? Escobar? — to cover left while also ensuring that they have someone available to back up Varsho just in case.

 

That could be Springer, who has started 400 career games in centre. And just in case? Kiner-Falefa still considers centre his best outfield position.

 

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 3B

 

Ideally, Escobar would hit well enough to warrant regular at bats at third base, or someone like Espinal would time a hot streak well. Otherwise, this would be an especially tough position to fill without overexposing players or depleting depth at other positions (Barger, while promising, likely needs seasoning in the upper minors for now).

 

Turner could fill in for a bit, but it’s been three years since he played a defensive position full-time. And now that Matt Chapman is off the market, there’s no easy solution outside the organization.

[Spanky99]

Escobar is 0/15 with 8 K's, would hopefully assume they put an end to that experiment soon

 

 

I honestly think he was on a show me spring, whether with the Jays or otherwise, a favour filler showcase, if you will. And he's fell on his face so far.

[The_DH]

Yeah there's a guy that needs to go to AAA and try to prove himself. Or off to Japan.

[Brownie19]

New pics of Jays Park Renovations:

 

Log into Facebook

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

---

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

 

Looks pretty good to me. Turning the seats in foul territory between 3rd base and the foul pole is going to make a HUGE difference. Those were some of the shittiest seats every. Surely every seat will have a cup holder now too.

 

Now we just need to add the LV sphere screens to the inside of the roof and the place will look awesome.

[Terminator]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/stress-testing-the-blue-jays-depth-at-all-nine-defensive-positions/

 

I'd say that the team has pretty good depth this year. Every position but for corner OF has pretty simple backup options but Barger is an option there too. Lukes isn't exactly replacement level either.

[deanmike]

I'd say that the team has pretty good depth this year. Every position but for corner OF has pretty simple backup options but Barger is an option there too. Lukes isn't exactly replacement level either.

 

Based on this, seems like the April batting order vs RHP is

 

RF Springer

SS Bichette

1B Vlad

DH Turner

2B Biggio

C Jansen/Kirk

LF Varsho

3B IKF

CF Kiermaier

 

Also again seems like Espinal is somehow still in the plans as a key backup at multiple infield positions in the orgs view, but the Vogelbach not making it idea with plenty of other DH options on the team was probably a good call, with Schneider making the team in his place. 3 non-C bench players to start are Espinal, Clement and Schneider.

 

Vogelbach not making it would also leave an extra 2M of wiggle room for the FO to better use elsewhere on in season additions.

[Laika]

[Terminator]

Based on this, seems like the April batting order vs RHP is

 

RF Springer

SS Bichette

1B Vlad

DH Turner

2B Biggio

C Jansen/Kirk

LF Varsho

3B IKF

CF Kiermaier

 

Also again seems like Espinal is somehow still in the plans as a key backup at multiple infield positions in the orgs view, but the Vogelbach not making it idea with plenty of other DH options on the team was probably a good call, with Schneider making the team in his place. 3 non-C bench players to start are Espinal, Clement and Schneider.

 

Vogelbach not making it would also leave an extra 2M of wiggle room for the FO to better use elsewhere on in season additions.

 

Yeah the 2 mil for Vogelbach isn't a huge deal, but when he's on the fence as is it can play a factor in his release.

 

Not sure why everyone hates on Espinal so much while Biggio is getting slotted into the 5th spot in the lineup. Espinal put up more WAR in 2022 than Biggio has in the last three seasons combined. Keeping him on the bench isn't the end of the world. There's a chance he's our best 3B or 2B right now. Just keep the 3 infielders on the bench and then when someone gets hurt, Horwitz can get the call up.

 

Also, BNS isn't gospel. He's a beat writer for the corporate owners so he plays everything really safe and rarely makes any bold claims. I like him but most of his takes merely put forward the same conventional wisdom and he carries it over year to year. So if the team hasn't gone beyond the 2nd payroll threshold yet, he'll write that they are unlikely to do so. He probably thought the team would never be a Top 5 payroll in MLB either but here we are. Schneider didn't get full reign last year, so he thinks he's on a leash again this year. The truth is (1) he doesn't know for sure and (2) things can change, we are only a week and a half into ST so far.

 

Take his offseason plans for the team, for example. He was pushing the team to sign Rosario all offseason and the team apparently wasn't even slightly interested.

[Terminator]

Do we have overhead renderings of what the new field looks like compared to the old one?

[Terminator]

 

I don't think he's going to be ready in time at this rate. Throw that fat bastard on the 60-man and use one of Bowden Francis or Mitch White as the #5.

[Laika]

Manoah is going to have shoulder surgery to prove a point isn't he

[deanmike]

 

I don't think he's going to be ready in time at this rate. Throw that fat bastard on the 60-man and use one of Bowden Francis or Mitch White as the #5.

 

RosterResource was already projecting him to start the season on the IL since before today.

[BTS]

I smell a Manoah non-tender coming in the offseason. He's going to pitch like 40 innings with an ERA over 6 and then get shoulder surgery

[MikeM3]

Give Richards a show me slider and stretch him to 5

[Laika]

Do we have overhead renderings of what the new field looks like compared to the old one?

 

Haven't seen any

 

I'd love to see an overlay

 

It looks like there is a significant reduction in foul territory, maybe 33% reduction.

The seats and dugout look 5-10 feet closer to the infield now.

The dugouts are bigger and further up the line.

That jut out towards the OF corners is pretty sharp! It's going to produce some funny bounces, some balls hooked down the line might even bounce back towards the infield? Tough to say from that angle though.

[Brownie19]

If Espinal is back to providing excellent defense, then I think he can be a valuable bench piece. If he plays defense like he did last year, I think he's useless. If he has options and can be sent to AAA - then we don't need to punt him into the sun, but I also think we have internal options like Clement and Leo Jimenez, who can simply replace what he provides.

[Laika]

I smell a Manoah non-tender coming in the offseason. He's going to pitch like 40 innings with an ERA over 6 and then get shoulder surgery

 

He just wants to be able to tell people his career was ended by an injury rather than a sudden loss of talent.

[BTS]

If Espinal is back to providing excellent defense, then I think he can be a valuable bench piece. If he plays defense like he did last year, I think he's useless. If he has options and can be sent to AAA - then we don't need to punt him into the sun, but I also think we have internal options like Clement and Leo Jimenez, who can simply replace what he provides.

 

I think they'd probably like to trade him, but don't have a taker and don't want to pay him almost 3M to not play

[Laika]

Give Richards a show me slider and stretch him to 5

 

Wes Parsons is popping on all the stuff+ metrics

 

He's the talk of spring

[MikeM3]

Wes Parsons is popping on all the stuff+ metrics

 

He's the talk of spring

 

I don't know if I ever even formed an opinion of him other than I thought we'd use him in April

 

Life would be easy if Francis could go 4 innings tonight

[Brownie19]

Haven't seen any

 

I'd love to see an overlay

 

It looks like there is a significant reduction in foul territory, maybe 33% reduction.

The seats and dugout look 5-10 feet closer to the infield now.

The dugouts are bigger and further up the line.

That jut out towards the OF corners is pretty sharp! It's going to produce some funny bounces, some balls hooked down the line might even bounce back towards the infield? Tough to say from that angle though.

 

100% it looks like balls ripped down the line (while hooking) will end up in the jut out area in kind of no-mans land. LF, SS and 3rd may all have to chase balls in that area.

[Brownie19]

I think they'd probably like to trade him, but don't have a taker and don't want to pay him almost 3M to not play

 

If he gets sent to the minors - do we still owe him $3M? or do we pay him a prorated amount - only for the days he's in the big leagues?

[Brownie19]

I smell a Manoah non-tender coming in the offseason. He's going to pitch like 40 innings with an ERA over 6 and then get shoulder surgery

 

What a f***ing s***** turn of events. I hope the Jays didn't actually turn down legit trade offers for him this offseason.

 

Let's add Domingo German or Michael Lorenzen please. German and Pete Walker can go see Loudermilk at AA meetings together.

[Laika]

If he gets sent to the minors - do we still owe him $3M? or do we pay him a prorated amount - only for the days he's in the big leagues?

 

I think his MLB salary is guaranteed unless they cut him, then only 30 days of it guaranteed.

[Brownie19]

I think his MLB salary is guaranteed unless they cut him, then only 30 days of it guaranteed.

 

Well then snip, snip. We need another SP option now.

[keggy]

 

An IL stint is officially MLB status, whereas getting optioned at the end of spring training is not. Just saying.

[Orgfiller]

Wes Parsons is popping on all the stuff+ metrics

 

He's the talk of spring

 

Is his stuff actually grading well or is this a meme?

 

I was genuinely surprised to see him hit 96 with a tight slider that apparently he's totally changed the shape of in the offseason. I was fully expecting him to be a junkballer sitting 90-91 and throwing the kitchen sink at hitters.

[wamco]

Magic 8 ball days “ absof***inglutely”

[Brownie19]

Is his stuff actually grading well or is this a meme?

 

I was genuinely surprised to see him hit 96 with a tight slider that apparently he's totally changed the shape of in the offseason. I was fully expecting him to be a junkballer sitting 90-91 and throwing the kitchen sink at hitters.

 

It is truly amazing how much change/improvement pitchers are able to achieve in the offseason these days. It's getting a lot harder to conclude that someone is "s***" as you never know what a new training regime, arm slot or lab is going to be able to do with them. It's almost alarming they haven't yet been able to fix Manoah or Pearson - but then again, the team isn't allowed to force them to train with them in the offseason.

[G-Snarls]

It is truly amazing how much change/improvement pitchers are able to achieve in the offseason these days. It's getting a lot harder to conclude that someone is "s***" as you never know what a new training regime, arm slot or lab is going to be able to do with them. It's almost alarming they haven't yet been able to fix Manoah or Pearson - but then again, the team isn't allowed to force them to train with them in the offseason.

 

If this org can't get major contributions over the next few years from at least 1-2 among Manoah, Pearson and Tiedemann it will be soooo disappointing/troubling