Jays sign IKF.... 2/15 LOL... F U Wacko!

[jaysblue]

The Jays just need to add a DH with 30 HR pop like Hoskins or JDM, sign a OF bat with some pop who could share time with KK, and trade for maybe a 3B like Polanco or Adames who could provide some offense. This along with some rebounds from other bats like Vladdy, Kirk, Varsho or Springer should be more than fine heading into 2024.

 

The Jays have addressed the run-prevention aspect of their team and solidified that more with the KK and IKF signings. Just need to add some more power to the lineup.

[Terminator]

It might be that they think ikf is a breakout candidate bc of his exit velo increase

 

Hmm yeah that's interesting. He's still young enough for a late career breakout. The exit velo increase is definitely there and his walks were up but his K's spiked.

[connorp]

Hmm yeah that's interesting. He's still young enough for a late career breakout. The exit velo increase is definitely there and his walks were up but his K's spiked.

 

AAA guys just as likely, or more likely, to be good

[Terminator]

AAA guys just as likely, or more likely, to be good

 

Possibly but if not IKF will be good to have around.

 

And with Espinal's D slipping the team probably no longer considers him a SS and most of the young guys outside of Leo Jimenez can play SS. I thought maybe Clement could be the 26th man/backup SS but I don't think the team really like him very much either.

[Carlos Danger]

If the result of IKF is they punt Espinal and trade Biggio, I will be ecstatic by the move. Even just punting Espinal will give me a woody.

[L54]

Espinal sucks ass. He’s terrible so I understand the utility of having IKF

 

If he’s your *fifth* infielder it’s fine. He’s a good defender who can cover SS which is important. Like the last two years the only reason Espinal has been on the team is because there is literally no one else to back up Bo. The Steve Pearce tree needs to be cut down now

 

If he’s the starting third baseman and you have to keep Espinal around because of it then this signing looks like s***

[deanmike]

I know Fangraphs projections aren't everything, but something about them projecting Biggio to get more 3B PAs than IKF in 2024 doesn't seem right to me. Although it is close to an even split between them, with Espinal still being projected to cover over 100 PAs at third as well.

[L54]

If the result of IKF is they punt Espinal and trade Biggio, I will be ecstatic by the move. Even just punting Espinal will give me a woody.

 

Biggio bats left handed so he’s safe sorry CD

[L54]

I know Fangraphs projections aren't everything, but something about them projecting Biggio to get more 3B PAs than IKF in 2024 doesn't seem right to me. Although it is close to an even split between them, with Espinal still being projected to cover over 100 PAs at third as well.

 

They just sprinkle all that playing time around whoever is available. Because guys will get hurt, have off days etc. Means nothing right now

[jaysblue]

Biggio bats left handed so he’s safe sorry CD

 

Yeah Biggio likely sticks around to share time with Schneider at 2B and someone who could also play multiple positions when needed.

 

Espinal is the one who needs to go with IKF in the fold now.

[jaysblue]

What about targeting one of Tommy Edman or Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals? Could either of those guys play some 3B sharing time with IKF while playing other positions in the infield and outfield? The versatility on this team would be surreal if they brought Edman or Donovan in.

[jaysblue]

Heck the more I think about it, target either Edman or Donovan as a super utility player and 3B is solved! Donovan posted 2.1 WAR and a 118 wRC+ last season. Edman 2.3 WAR with a 92 wRC+ last season but had a 5.6 WAR in 2022.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I'm actually quite excited about KK and IKF being signed the more I think about it.

 

I was concerned that the D was going to take a pretty substantial hit losing KK and Chapman and as a result would drag down the pitching some.

 

It's kind of a relief that they shored up the run prevention and kind of morphed Whit and Espinal into one single better option who can actually play high level 3B, but they've done it in a way that any prospects who actually break out won't be blocked.

 

Still time to make more improvements too.

[Carlos Danger]

What about targeting one of Tommy Edman or Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals? Could either of those guys play some 3B sharing time with IKF while playing other positions in the infield and outfield? The versatility on this team would be surreal if they brought Edman or Donovan in.

 

Would love Edman!!

[Laika]

I know Fangraphs projections aren't everything, but something about them projecting Biggio to get more 3B PAs than IKF in 2024 doesn't seem right to me. Although it is close to an even split between them, with Espinal still being projected to cover over 100 PAs at third as well.

 

They make these kinds of depth chart mistakes sometimes

 

Really, the only person on the Jays roster who can play a good 3B is probably IKF. He is on top of that depth chart right now

[BTS]

I'm actually quite excited about KK and IKF being signed the more I think about it.

 

I was concerned that the D was going to take a pretty substantial hit losing KK and Chapman and as a result would drag down the pitching some.

 

It's kind of a relief that they shored up the run prevention and kind of morphed Whit and Espinal into one single better option who can actually play high level 3B, but they've done it in a way that any prospects who actually break out won't be blocked.

 

Still time to make more improvements too.

 

It's not a bad pivot if they can't land an impact bat this year. People are thumbing their noses at run prevention, but they have a real chance to give up fewer runs than any other team this year. That's a pretty good foundation, especially given that the offense people are whining about was about average last year despite down years from some of their best players.

[Laika]

A plus 3B with decent BsR and an 85 wRC+ could literally be a 2 win player

 

Nothing to sneeze at

 

Go look at Maikel Garcia 2023.

 

Or various Ryan McMahon seasons.

[saskjayfan]

A plus 3B with decent BsR and an 85 wRC+ could literally be a 2 win player

 

Nothing to sneeze at

 

Go look at Maikel Garcia 2023.

 

Or various Ryan McMahon seasons.

 

Or Steamer that has him projected to have .5 wins in 379 PA. Projections are great except when they get in the way of you aplauding ever move Shatkins makes. If Shatkins goes and signs JD Martinez or Rhys Hoskins. I will be the first to agree with the move. You guys are tripping over yourselves to rationalize and approve of this garbage signing.

[saskjayfan]

I'm actually quite excited about KK and IKF being signed the more I think about it.

 

I was concerned that the D was going to take a pretty substantial hit losing KK and Chapman and as a result would drag down the pitching some.

 

It's kind of a relief that they shored up the run prevention and kind of morphed Whit and Espinal into one single better option who can actually play high level 3B, but they've done it in a way that any prospects who actually break out won't be blocked.

 

Still time to make more improvements too.

 

You need to make it to a strip club.

[Terminator]

Or Steamer that has him projected to have .5 wins in 379 PA. Projections are great except when they get in the way of you aplauding ever move Shatkins makes. If Shatkins goes and signs JD Martinez or Rhys Hoskins. I will be the first to agree with the move. You guys are tripping over yourselves to rationalize and approve of this garbage signing.

 

Steamer projects him to have .8 WAR in 379 PAs.

 

On top of it, I think the projections might all be out of whack because the Yankees played him in the OF so much last year.

 

If he's playing in the infield he seems to be about a 1.5 WAR player. Nothing wrong with that for a modest 2 year deal.

[Laika]

Or Steamer that has him projected to have .5 wins in 379 PA. Projections are great except when they get in the way of you aplauding ever move Shatkins makes. If Shatkins goes and signs JD Martinez or Rhys Hoskins. I will be the first to agree with the move. You guys are tripping over yourselves to rationalize and approve of this garbage signing.

 

Well if he projected for 2 wins he wouldn't cost 2/$15. He'd be getting more than Candelario, not a third of what Candelario got.

 

I'm not expecting 2 wins but it's within the realm of possibilities

 

Expecting more like 1.2 wins in 2/3 of the 3B playing time.

Edited December 28, 2023 by Laika

[Laika]

The more I think about the IKF signing the more I love it.

 

I wonder if he can hit leadoff?

[Dick_Pole]

It's actually a decent debate here. There are solid points made on the pro or con side.

 

The pro side being that the team increased the floor in case they absolutely fail to improve the infield between now and opening day. The con side being that they used a material amount of the budget to do so and lowered the ceiling.

 

The issue is with that "absolutely fail" part. People who are frustrated with this FO see the writing on wall or at least fear the writing on the wall and are rightfully pissed off about it. But may be overstating the uselessness of this deal in the process. Atkins hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt that he sees something with this guy at the plate that the team can unlock some potential or that this is merely a depth move. Base case right now is 500 PA at 3B of .650 OPS until Atkins proves otherwise.

[Omar]

Three guys I didn't want to see back on this club were Merriefield, Espinal and Chapman. We're two thirds of the way there. Espinal shouldn't be on the opening day roster if things go according to hoyle.

 

IKF and Biggio provide versatility to man every position on the field except pitching. Not bad.

[jaysblue]

Jays still need to add a big bat like Hoskins or JDM. Offensive struggles were a major issue last season and you can't head into 2024 without addressing that.

 

I don't have an issue with the KK and IKF signings (would have preferred 1 year with IKF but oh well). Jays still have time to add another power bat or two. If they fail to address the offensive issues from last season, then I'll be concerned.

[G-Snarls]

Jays still need to add a big bat like Hoskins or JDM. Offensive struggles were a major issue last season and you can't head into 2024 without addressing that.

 

I don't have an issue with the KK and IKF signings (would have preferred 1 year with IKF but oh well). Jays still have time to add another power bat or two. If they fail to address the offensive issues from last season, then I'll be concerned.

 

100% yes

[max silver]

He was 18% below league average in 21 and 16% below league average in 22. He was 18% below leaague avg in 23. What's your definition of hitting? He's dogshit. I have no doubt Martinez, Shneider and Biggio will be better than IKF.

 

What voodoo metric is this that you are referencing? Varsho was exactly average by wRC+ in 2021 and 7% above league average by wRC+ in 2022. You should chill out here, Varsho is a low average/high power hitter when he's at his best, but that is far from a terrible hitter despite your incoherent ranting.

[wilko]

Hoskins would be ideal as he can play some 1B and give Vladdy a day off/DH day.

[max silver]

Yes Varsho is a good defender. No one is questioning that. He's not a very good hitter. I don't think he will be a good hitter. He has too many holes. I think there's still trade value. People who think they can fix him. His contact rates just aren't there. I would love to see him traded. This team needs offense. I'd rather sacrifice run prevention for adding runs scored. We gave up 5 runs in 2 games in the playoffs and lost both due to a lack of offense. I also acknowlege we're not going to trade him. We're going to sign a DH and run the same team as last year out with IKF replacing Chapman and minus Hicks. That's depressing.

 

Varsho strikes out at approximately 1% higher than league average. You are acting completely irrational in nearly all of your posts lately, it seems like maybe somebody needs to get laid or something.

[Carlos Danger]

The more I think about the IKF signing the more I love it.

 

I wonder if he can hit leadoff?

 

You want him to hit lead off?

 

(Per MLBTR) Kiner-Falefa hit .242/.306/.340 over 361 plate appearances with the Yankees last season, essentially matching his .261/.314/.346 slash line over 2415 career PA at the big league level. This translates to an 81 wRC+ — tied for the fourth-lowest total of any player with more than 2000 PA since the start of the 2018 season.