GDT - Game #4 - March 31 1:40 ET - Jays @ Rays

[G-Snarls]

Well Varsho isÂ… IÂ’m saying in the current roster setup Lukes is a waste of a roster spot given he, Varsho and KK all hit LH. I feel like in a pinch Springer would be fine to play CF for a few games as well.

 

He was asking who the backup CF is if they DIDN'T have KK. (Meaning Varsho is already your every day CF).

 

I think Springer should still be adequate as his backup.

[Stangstag]

rough numbers

WAR/600

KK:

2020: 5.5

2021: 3.75

2022: 3.0

2023: 3.0

Projected: 2.0 to 3.0

 

Pham:

2020: 0.0

2021: 1.2

2022: 0.7

2023: 2.3

Projected: 0.7

 

Michael Taylor:

2020: -0.5

2021: 2.4

2022: 2.0

2023: 2.5

Projected: 1.2 to 1.8

 

O'Neill

2020: 1.6

2021: 5.8

2022: 1.8

2023: 1.7

Projected: 1.8 to 3.0

 

 

Interesting thing about most of the "they should have done this instead of signed KK" posts is that they ignore the fact that Kevin Kiermaier is just... plain better than all the commonly mentioned alternatives? Like, a lot better and consistently better.

 

Do you want to buy wins or not?

 

And KK's injury risk, his downside, is mitigated on Toronto because Varsho is such a perfect backup every day CF and there are LF thumper options to plug into LF.

 

My main point was that 10 million for KK is egregious, when we have a guy like Varsho, and we have an overall weaker lineup compared to the last few years. And it was our main problem in 2023.

 

The 2 guys I mentioned (Taylor and Oneil) were each about half the cost of KK. I personally would have stuck Varsho in CF everyday, sign a backup/platoon CF for the bench, then use the savings to sign a bigger bat for LF.

 

Bellinger was a great fit.

 

Idk, I probably would’ve rolled with Bellinger in LF (CF backup) and someone like Urshela or Rosario at 3B, and give DH to Horwitz/Schneider.

 

Much more balanced lineup, younger, more upside.

[G-Snarls]

All of our real Vetrin guys (KK, Springer, Turner) have lots of post season experiencez too.

[Stangstag]

All of our real Vetrin guys (KK, Springer, Turner) have lots of post season experiencez too.

 

Its true, KK got our only RBI in the postseason last year with a base hit.

 

Springer hasn’t done much in the 4 postseason games he’s played with us but… SSS.

[G-Snarls]

Its true, KK got our only RBI in the postseason last year with a base hit.

 

Springer hasn’t done much in the 4 postseason games he’s played with us but… SSS.

 

Yeah I dont dare look up his post season stats in Houston and compare them to what he's done here. Would probably make me cry

[Brownie19]

Good stuff... I'll take 2-2 at the trop. Only getting harder tomorrow though.

 

Just can't help yourself eh? Senior Wet Blanket

[Brownie19]

Yup 100%. And Lukes as a 4th OF makes equally no sense given he’s also a LHH. A guy like Tommy Pham would be much better.

 

Pham's still available I believe. Likely in part because he's a POS.

[mphenhef]

Pham's still available I believe. Likely in part because he's a POS.

 

Maybe he has a window to join a team after March madness brackets are done and before fantasy football season starts.

[L54]

Pham's still available I believe. Likely in part because he's a POS.

 

You don’t know that

[Brownie19]

You don’t know that

 

That's fair - I don't.

 

But I do know that since 2020, he's a .238/.325/.392 99 wRC+ hitter who doesn't play good defense. Now at age 36, I'm not sure I'd want him on the team taking at bats away from many other players on this team (on in our farm system).

[L54]

That's fair - I don't.

 

But I do know that since 2020, he's a .238/.325/.392 99 wRC+ hitter who doesn't play good defense. Now at age 36, I'm not sure I'd want him on the team taking at bats away from many other players on this team (on in our farm system).

 

Yup and his statcast page is bright red just like Vlad’s

[burlingtonbandit]

Pham's still available I believe. Likely in part because he's a POS.

 

Every team has POS... Its not about the have fun league its about winning actual games. The team had anthony bass last year who I'm sure wasn't popular.

 

Its not like these guys are all best friends anyways. Vladdy and Bo aren't going out to dinner with each other on the road lol.

[jaysblue]

I had no issue with the team bringing back KK early in the offseason for CF depth and to get around 300-400 PA's as long if they also acquired a more offensively minded bat for a corner OF spot/DH but they never did that.

[jaysblue]

Every team has POS... Its not about the have fun league its about winning actual games. The team had anthony bass last year who I'm sure wasn't popular.

 

Its not like these guys are all best friends anyways. Vladdy and Bo aren't going out to dinner with each other on the road lol.

 

Yeah in a clubhouse of 26 players + and coaches, training staff etc., doubt someone like Pham or a player who is considered a POS would even have an impact or get attention. I think a player like that would impact a basketball locker room more, given it's only a roster of 12 or so players.

[Brownie19]

Yup and his statcast page is bright red just like Vlad’s

 

Yeah it does! Well 2023 does. She's a little colder in 2022. It is interesting he's still unsigned and that his results don't seem to match the statcast page. Perhaps teams know something we don't.

[Brownie19]

Every team has POS... Its not about the have fun league its about winning actual games. The team had anthony bass last year who I'm sure wasn't popular.

 

Its not like these guys are all best friends anyways. Vladdy and Bo aren't going out to dinner with each other on the road lol.

 

Even if he's Mr. Rogers in the clubhouse, he's been a league average bat over the past 4 seasons and projects to be one again this year, without providing much defense. He isn't the big power bat everyone wants. Statcast page looks sexy, but there's probably a reason he's unsigned. Maybe he's holding out for big money - waiting for an injury? Who knows. Point is - he's still available!

 

Do you guys want him taking at bats away from Babe Schneider or Clement?

[Laika]

Pham probably just wanted too much $$ and was stubborn

 

Some old teammates really like him

[Laika]

My main point was that 10 million for KK is egregious, when we have a guy like Varsho, and we have an overall weaker lineup compared to the last few years. And it was our main problem in 2023.

 

The 2 guys I mentioned (Taylor and Oneil) were each about half the cost of KK. I personally would have stuck Varsho in CF everyday, sign a backup/platoon CF for the bench, then use the savings to sign a bigger bat for LF.

 

Bellinger was a great fit.

 

Idk, I probably would’ve rolled with Bellinger in LF (CF backup) and someone like Urshela or Rosario at 3B, and give DH to Horwitz/Schneider.

 

Much more balanced lineup, younger, more upside.

 

You can't pick who you would have signed after we all know what their final cost was.

 

Cheating! Not realistic!

[wamco]

They tried?? Soler was right there. Bellinger. Chapman. JDM. All these guys were cheap cheap.

 

Agreed. Atkins doesn’t get a pass because he tried and failed

[wamco]

Internet is hard, still having troubles with quotes you stupid neanderthal? lol

 

Ohtani, and every other son of a bitch they were in on, are you dense?

 

f*** off, you moron POS.

 

Get a job

[burlingtonbandit]

Even if he's Mr. Rogers in the clubhouse, he's been a league average bat over the past 4 seasons and projects to be one again this year, without providing much defense. He isn't the big power bat everyone wants. Statcast page looks sexy, but there's probably a reason he's unsigned. Maybe he's holding out for big money - waiting for an injury? Who knows. Point is - he's still available!

 

Do you guys want him taking at bats away from Babe Schneider or Clement?

 

He’s been pretty damn good against LHP the last few years even if he’s getting older. Also can provide speed/SB which is what you want in a bench bat. He’s be taking at bats away from IKF if anything, which is a good thing.

 

Clement at 3B

Schneider at 2B

Pham in LF

 

Is a whole lot better defensively than having Turner at 3B.

[Brownie19]

He’s been pretty damn good against LHP the last few years even if he’s getting older. Also can provide speed/SB which is what you want in a bench bat. He’s be taking at bats away from IKF if anything, which is a good thing.

 

Clement at 3B

Schneider at 2B

Pham in LF

 

Is a whole lot better defensively than having Turner at 3B.

 

He actually hasn't been pretty damn good v. LHP over the last few years.

 

2021 - 95 wRC+

2022 - 116 wRC+

2023 - 111 wRC+

 

Solid - but not spectacular.

 

But yes, if you want slightly more offense, that arrangement would work find. Of course that would mean Votto/Voggy can't be on the roster (which may be fine). Anyway - he projects to be a league average bat (100 wRC+). If he wanted to sign for $1-2M - sure, but it seems doubtful he does.

[burlingtonbandit]

He actually hasn't been pretty damn good v. LHP over the last few years.

 

2021 - 95 wRC+

2022 - 116 wRC+

2023 - 111 wRC+

 

Solid - but not spectacular.

 

But yes, if you want slightly more offense, that arrangement would work find. Of course that would mean Votto/Voggy can't be on the roster (which may be fine). Anyway - he projects to be a league average bat (100 wRC+). If he wanted to sign for $1-2M - sure, but it seems doubtful he does.

 

2023 numbers with a .254 BABIP, in which statcast said he underperformed his numbers, I’d say that’s pretty damn good. And then when you factor in the speed, how is he not a perfect bench bat? He would be taking over Lukes roster spot, so not sure why that affects the Votto/Voggy bench spot.

 

1 year/5M even would be great value. Plus he provides insurance against an OF injury (springer and KK are pretty old and have been injury prone in the past.

[Brownie19]

2023 numbers with a .254 BABIP, in which statcast said he underperformed his numbers, I’d say that’s pretty damn good. And then when you factor in the speed, how is he not a perfect bench bat? He would be taking over Lukes roster spot, so not sure why that affects the Votto/Voggy bench spot.

 

1 year/5M even would be great value. Plus he provides insurance against an OF injury (springer and KK are pretty old and have been injury prone in the past.

 

Lukes isn't on the roster man His speed was 61st percentile for the league last year and has been declining since 2019. Are you just looking at his SB's last year?

[Laika]

I like Pham but signing him would be moronic if it would cut into the playing time of DS or Ernie, even a tiny bit

 

I'm sorry but I don't think y'all appreciate what this late bloomer twosome are capable of

 

The nice thing about the current roster is DS and Ernie can steal as much playing time as their performance dictates as the year chugs along. Three roster spots are at least partially vulnerable:

 

- 3B, IKF could lose time

- 2B, could become less or a platoon

- OF, KK or Varsho could get more off days

[Jays24]

Just can't help yourself eh? Senior Wet Blanket

 

Wtf are you talking about. I said I was happy with the split at the Trop and that today's game is going to be tough. You're such a tbh lol.

[Brownie19]

Wtf are you talking about. I said I was happy with the split at the Trop and that today's game is going to be tough. You're such a fag tbh lol.

 

Wow - that's unacceptable. You're a piece of s***.

[burlingtonbandit]

Lukes isn't on the roster man His speed was 61st percentile for the league last year and has been declining since 2019. Are you just looking at his SB's last year?

 

lol I don’t know why I thought Luke’s was on roster but yeah I still think he would be a worthy roster spot. And I mean yeah even if his sprint speed is declining, he’s still a positive base runner which the team could use. SB are more of a skill than just speed..

 

22SB vs 3CS is f***ing good.

[L54]

Wow - that's unacceptable. You're a piece of s***.

 

Wahhhhhh

 

f***in WAHHH

[L54]