General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2024)

[Stangstag]

[Eat My Shatkins]

Numbskull

[wilko]

 

What a dumbass.

[Krylian]

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1788301718570115222/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1788301718570115222&currentTweetUser=Sportsnet

 

DS wants to kill Vlad

 

Well. Schneider is a "Dead" pull hitter. Give him a bat and lets see.

[Omar]

What a dumbass.

 

Even after Davis said, "No,no, no....only at home"

 

Vladdy: you don't want?

Davis: no.

Vladdy splashes him anyway.

 

Vladdy is like an eight year old delinquent.

Edited May 8, 2024 by Omar

[BCZ]

Vlad please do more shushes when you hit your next HR of the month... idiot

[The_DH]

Here's a thought about the stupidity of Vladdy: is it possible that he's hitting like s*** because he can't wear the home run jacket anymore?

[BCZ]

Here's a thought about the stupidity of Vladdy: is it possible that he's hitting like s*** because he can't wear the home run jacket anymore?

 

He's a talented idiot that doesn't know how to make corrections.

[5ToolPhenom]

People are literally jumping off a Cliff here. We are 4 games below .500 at the beginning of May. If we are still below .500 into June with 6 games vs the White Sox and 3 vs Tampa then we can seriously start talking about going into full rebuild. On the bright side, we could be the Astros right now.

 

True, I was thinking about that this morning. But on the other hand, it's early May and we're already 7.5 games back from both the O's and Yankees. Pretty brutal.

[Stangstag]

True, I was thinking about that this morning. But on the other hand, it's early May and we're already 7.5 games back from both the O's and Yankees. Pretty brutal.

 

I don’t exactly care how many games back they are, or where they sit in the standings.

 

The main issue is that the team looks lile s***. Offensive woes from last season + a tire fire bullpen right now. I can’t see this team winning a series against any competent team ATM

[mphenhef]

Even the Rockies win the odd series against competent teams

[BigCecil]

It's Jim Bowden so this is worse than trash, but I will paste it here anyway:

 

Bowden: Way too early MLB trades I’d like to see happen, plus Luis Arraez trade takeaways

 

...

 

 

2. Blue Jays trade 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Astros for 1B/OF Joey Loperfido and OF Kenedy Corona

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates after hitting a grand slam Sunday. (Geoff Burke / USA Today)

Guerrero will be a free agent after the 2025 season and the Blue Jays have yet to sign him to a long-term deal. They’d get a much better return in a trade now than they would in the offseason or in the leadup to next year’s trade deadline; therefore, they’ll need to seriously consider dealing him this July if they fall out of the race. Guerrero is still only 25 years old and just entering his prime years. Could you imagine him hitting between Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker over the next two seasons (at least)? Vlad Jr.’s best season was in 2021, when he led the majors with 48 home runs and topped the AL with a 1.002 OPS. He followed that up with a 32-homer season and a Gold Glove Award in 2022. However, the three-time All-Star’s numbers dipped last year to 26 homers and a .788 OPS, and this year he’s batting only .239 with four homers, 15 RBIs and a .711 OPS. A change of scenery, especially a move to Houston, could be a huge boost for him. The Astros need help at first base. José Abreu, who last week was optioned to the team’s spring training facility, appears to be in serious decline. Jon Singleton has played well for them, but he’s more of a solid bench player. Guerrero would solve first base for the Astros and really lengthen their lineup.

 

In return, the Blue Jay would get Loperfido, who could take over first base long term. He was leading the minors with 13 home runs when the Astros promoted him last week. Loperfido, 24, also can play left field. Corona, 24, can play all three outfield positions and profiles as a 20-home run, 30-stolen base, top-of-the-lineup type producer. He is hitting .185/.340/.309 this season in Double A with 10 steals in 11 attempts. Both players won’t be arbitration-eligible until at least 2027.

 

Listening to your good friend Jim Bowden now JD Bunkis show on 590 on what do you do about Shatkins and are they are the people to lead the next chapter.

 

His pre season prognostications on the Jays so far have been mostly spot on. Predicted this start etc.

 

"Its time to blow up. Farms too weak and current team can't get it done. So you are stuck with what you have - you don't have enough farm prospects or payroll room to make it better. The drafting and development record way too poor. Why? This team needs change. " (paraphrasing some, but thats the essence of it)

[Brownie19]

Yes the IL stint can be back-dated. Jays have essentially been running a 25-man roster for the last 10 days. And this 10-day stretch has been the worst of the season, so you could argue an extra arm might've helped, even just to soak up some innings.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't recall there have been many times in the past 10 days where the bullpen has been taxed and we didn't have out big guns available to close out the game (other than the big guns are hurt). I agree it seems like bizarre roster usage - I'm sure there's lots we don't know and probably a reasonable explanation - but I'm not so sure having Espino on the team the last 10 days would have had much impact. I guess they could have cut someone off the 40 man and pulled up a better arm from AAA - but it sounds like those guys are all s*** now too.

[vdartanian]

Listening to Blair and Barker eh.

 

Who? I have a job, don't have time to sit at home in the middle of the day listening to f***ing nonsense.

[glory]

I don’t exactly care how many games back they are, or where they sit in the standings.

 

The main issue is that the team looks lile s***. Offensive woes from last season + a tire fire bullpen right now. I can’t see this team winning a series against any competent team ATM

 

Yeah it’s not about how far back they are, it’s about realistically assessing the chances of them being good enough at the end. The eye test and run differential are telling the same story, and it’s not good. Maybe things will get better and we will be singing a different tune in 2 months but there’s not many positives that would indicate that this team has that type of run in them.

[Jimcanuck]

Not sure what he has left to prove in AAA. Defensively he should get the LF treatment, though.

 

 

Orelvis Martinez, 2B, Blue Jays – EV 90 108.5 mph

 

After a bounce-back 2023, Orelvis Martinez is taking another step forward in 2024. Not only is Martinez running the best in-zone contact rate of his career and an improved chase rate, but he’s also posting the highest exit velocities of his career. Martinez’s 108.5 mph 90th percentile exit velocity ranks as the fourth highest mark among hitters in Triple-A who meet the 40 batted balls sample, and it is playing out in his production. Martinez is hitting .287/.367/.574 with nine home runs and a 21.6% strikeout rate. He hasn’t even had batted-ball luck on his side, as his .310 BABIP is quite sustainable. It’s only a matter of time until Martinez is promoted by the Blue Jays.

[Eat My Shatkins]

KK with a .576 OPS

Springer with a .574 OPS

 

It's bad enough they're still in the everyday line up, but Springer still batting lead off...?

 

Vogelbach on the bench with a .400 OPS and -0.3 fWAR in 34 PA's...?

 

Then we have all these guys in AAA hitting the cover off the ball and I don't think they'd do any worse than these regulars that are sinking the good ship Blue Jay

[Terminator]

Not sure what he has left to prove in AAA. Defensively he should get the LF treatment, though.

 

 

Orelvis Martinez, 2B, Blue Jays – EV 90 108.5 mph

 

After a bounce-back 2023, Orelvis Martinez is taking another step forward in 2024. Not only is Martinez running the best in-zone contact rate of his career and an improved chase rate, but he’s also posting the highest exit velocities of his career. Martinez’s 108.5 mph 90th percentile exit velocity ranks as the fourth highest mark among hitters in Triple-A who meet the 40 batted balls sample, and it is playing out in his production. Martinez is hitting .287/.367/.574 with nine home runs and a 21.6% strikeout rate. He hasn’t even had batted-ball luck on his side, as his .310 BABIP is quite sustainable. It’s only a matter of time until Martinez is promoted by the Blue Jays.

 

I don't know what his deal is with the errors this year. In all of last season he had 19 errors while playing 3B and SS. This year he's got 10 while playing 2B.

 

Are they throwing errors? Fielding errors? Why more errors at 2B than at 3B and SS?

[Spanky99]

Not sure what he has left to prove in AAA. Defensively he should get the LF treatment, though.

 

 

Orelvis Martinez, 2B, Blue Jays – EV 90 108.5 mph

 

After a bounce-back 2023, Orelvis Martinez is taking another step forward in 2024. Not only is Martinez running the best in-zone contact rate of his career and an improved chase rate, but he’s also posting the highest exit velocities of his career. Martinez’s 108.5 mph 90th percentile exit velocity ranks as the fourth highest mark among hitters in Triple-A who meet the 40 batted balls sample, and it is playing out in his production. Martinez is hitting .287/.367/.574 with nine home runs and a 21.6% strikeout rate. He hasn’t even had batted-ball luck on his side, as his .310 BABIP is quite sustainable. It’s only a matter of time until Martinez is promoted by the Blue Jays.

 

Jim give me the link for that, please and thanks.

[Spanky99]

I don't know what his deal is with the errors this year. In all of last season he had 19 errors while playing 3B and SS. This year he's got 10 while playing 2B.

 

Are they throwing errors? Fielding errors? Why more errors at 2B than at 3B and SS?

 

I read it was he needed to improve his footwork and pivots, etc... that's likely causing throwing errors more than not. I think.

[glory]

Martinez in LF or 1B becomes a lot less valuable, but if he really is a butcher in the infield (2B/SS/3B), then they may not have a choice. The bat looks like it could be good and that's what matters more at this rate.

[Jimcanuck]

Jim give me the link for that, please and thanks.

 

It's BA https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/five-early-90th-percentile-exit-velocity-standouts/

[hanton]

I don't know what his deal is with the errors this year. In all of last season he had 19 errors while playing 3B and SS. This year he's got 10 while playing 2B.

 

Are they throwing errors? Fielding errors? Why more errors at 2B than at 3B and SS?

 

I'd like to see video of his fielding but all I get on youtube or milb is of him hitting bombs - it's understandable lol

[The_DH]

From thinking about defense infield, 2b errors are usually based on footwork, ss errors are on throws and 3b on arm and reactions. If his errors are up, maybe footwork is his weakness.

[Spanky99]

It's BA https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/five-early-90th-percentile-exit-velocity-standouts/

 

Thanks, mang.

[Jimcanuck]

From thinking about defense infield, 2b errors are usually based on footwork, ss errors are on throws and 3b on arm and reactions. If his errors are up, maybe footwork is his weakness.

 

I've read reports that his footwork at 3B was poor. Might be a general issue he has, and if that's the case, LF might be the best place for him. Don't want him all flustered because of errors, affecting his hitting.

[jaysblue]

KK with a .576 OPS

Springer with a .574 OPS

 

It's bad enough they're still in the everyday line up, but Springer still batting lead off...?

 

Vogelbach on the bench with a .400 OPS and -0.3 fWAR in 34 PA's...?

 

Then we have all these guys in AAA hitting the cover off the ball and I don't think they'd do any worse than these regulars that are sinking the good ship Blue Jay

 

I didn't mind bringing back KK, but not as an everyday player. Someone who maybe gives you 300 AB's. Jays needed some pop and had Varsho who could already cover CF.

 

Agreed with you on Springer. They need to shake things up with the lineup and move him down. Can't have him batting leadoff anymore.

[Dick_Pole]

Is there not some sort of Juan Pierre type who can be had relatively cheaply? The Jays used to try out those types of guys. I don't even care about the noodle bat that results in an 80 OPS+ and 2 HR on the year. As long as the OBP is above average and the guy steals bases. Sign him and put him leadoff. The Jays could use that kind of spark at the top of the lineup.

[Spanky99]

Is there not some sort of Juan Pierre type who can be had relatively cheaply? The Jays used to try out those types of guys. I don't even care about the noodle bat that results in an 80 OPS+ and 2 HR on the year. As long as the OBP is above average and the guy steals bases. Sign him and put him leadoff. The Jays could use that kind of spark at the top of the lineup.

 

IKF...Merrifield would be the closest to Pierre and no thanks.

[Spanky99]

It's been fugly but looking at the numbers to the fWAR total and how they got there, it isn't dire as it seems, IMO... FYSMC!

 

Through May 9th last season... Pitching - 15th, SP - 16th, RP - 19th

 

Through May 9th this season... Pitching - 28th, SP - 21st, RP - 29th <--- Well below league average

 

End of Season '23... Pitching - 5th, SP - 6th, RP - 9th

 

Through May 9th last season... Hitting - 7th

 

Through May 9th this season... Hitting - 15th <--- Slightly below league average

 

End of season '23... 7th

 

Through May 9th last season... Fielding - 10th, through May 9th this season... Fielding - 1st <-- Well above league average.

 

BSR, ISO, the BP and Dingers have been the main culprit, not too surprised by ISO, but the rest has been, Welp!

Edited May 10, 2024 by Spanky99