The Jays lineup with Cruz in it would be comical...
1. Semien, 2B
2. Bichette, SS
3. Guerrero, 1B
4. Cruz, DH
5. Springer, CF
6. Hernandez, RF
7. Gurriel, LF
8. Biggio, 3B
9. Jansen, C
The Jays just need a stretch where they reel off 7 or 8 wins in a row. I still believe that happens, but they need Borucki and Merryweather back first.
That is possible, but I would have to see evidence of that over a larger sample size before I came to the conclusion that Payamps can reliably induce weaker contact.
I'm not worried yet, and if his struggles are grip related he should benefit from the league using a legally mandated substance next year. His issues seem control related and not spin related which is at least a plus.