Brownie19

How quickly we all forget that Zimmer was a 1.5 WAR player in just 350 PA's in 2021 - with a 89 wRC+ bat. I think you'll find that most players struggle to hit when they get 3 at bats per month. I'm not in the clubhouse, but it seemed like Zimmer accepted his role as that defensive replacement/pinch runner, kept his mouth shut and was a good team player. Nobody should expect much from our 5th OFer.

I don't get your point. This still happens regularly. Pitchers throw at/near batters and benches clear so everyone can waste time yelling at each other.

This is a good point - we signed the equivalent to Toussaint last year in De Leon. Man he seemed like a can't miss prospect way back when.

Otto certainly looks like he has a chance to nap one of our open bench spots. He's not a real prospect like Barger is, so time for him to develop into a good bench/util guy.

Yeah I saw that and thought the same thing. Checked his stats though and it seems like a long shot he'll ever materialize into anything. Smart of him to get into the Cleveland organization as they seem to turn water into wine with pitchers.

time to lock up this thread?

It certainly was, but man, what a fun game to be at. So much offense with the teams going back and fourth all game. Hell of a game for my sons (7) first Leafs game. One neither of us will soon forget. Just need a f***ing save in the shootout unfortunately.

Pardon my resistance to adding another fast OFer from the Rockies who can't hit...

Fangraphs is suggesting he's a career 122 wRC+ hitter v. LHP (111 wRC+ v. RHP). https://www.fangraphs.com/players/ramon-laureano/17128/splits?position=OF&season=0 I worry that a guy like Pollack will be looking for a starting spot or a clear path to playing time. Could be wrong - maybe he wants to be on a winner. He's definitely my #1 choice. He's kind of like a right handed version of Michael Brantley. Duval is right there with him too. Duval, Grossman, Pham, Mancini, Pinder - there's probably enough of these types of players out there that we can land one on the cheap. Ramon hasn't been the same since he got off PEDs and he may no longer have anymore upside than these guys (you're hoping to find lightning in a bottle), but I doubt he costs much to acquire.

For sure - which increases the importance on having a solid 4th OFer. I think we can get by with a combination of Merrifield/Biggio/Espinal covering 2nd and the 4th OF spot - but 1 more solid LHP masher would really round out the bench nicely.

The only thing better than having 3 CFers on the team is having 4! He's actually be a great fit as our 4th OFer. RHB who hits lefties well and can play all 3 OF positions. Entering his age 29 season and has 2 more years of control. Sign me up at the right price. Varsho/Laureano/KK >>>> Teo/Gurriel/Tapia

Is this true? Is there data to back this up?

Jays re-sign Casey Lawrence to a minor league contract. Eric Hinske also hired as an assistant coach for the Mets.

It turns out that baserunning is a component of offense as well. 2022 Off Rankings Teo - 15.0 Varsho - 7.7 Gurriel - 3.8 KK - 0.7 Tapia - Negative 2.6 We got a combined 1.2 Off between Gurriel and Tapia last year. 2023 Projected Off Ranking Teo - 13.1 Varsho - 9.8 Gurriel - 7.2 KK - Negative 5.5 4th OFer Varsho is projected to replace about 2/3's of Teo's offensive production. Obviously that projection for KK is very pessimistic, while it's very optimistic for Gurriel - and we'll need to see who's used or add as the 4th OFer. However, this team was 2nd in MLB in both wRC+ and Off last year (7.4 Off ahead of #3 and a staggering 25.7 Off ahead of 6th place). Vlad alone is projected to produce 24.5 Off more than he did in 2022. The offensive downgrades of Teo/Gurriel/Tapia to Varsho/KK/4th OF isn't significant enough to tank this offense IMO.

I'd be happy if Francis was simply a solid #6 starter who provided some depth to the rotation.

I read this morning that he doesn't project to be a star... https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/baseball/mlb/player/70218/jung-hoo-lee

Thanks buddy - appreciate the tips!

I'm taking my 7 year old to the Buds game on Tuesday for his first ever game. Any suggestions? Do's and don'ts?

I know what you're saying, but your analogy should have referenced like U15 elite baseball - not Little League. The goal in Little League (which is local league) is simply to have everyone sign up to play baseball again the next season. It truly is about having fun. I've been through it for years now with my boys and as sad as it is - for FAR too many kids, the few hours a week they get to play baseball might be their best. It might be their only escape from a toxic home environment and/or could be some of their only physical activity or social interaction. It might be their first time being on a team of any sorts and it takes time for them to understand what that structure looks like and what it means to be a teammate. You need to create a warm, inviting, fun environment for everyone. The absolute last thing they need is some Tony LaRussa wannabe yelling at them like it really matters if they win this Tuesday night game against the neighboring Town. I didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it was when I first started out coaching in it and it took some time for me to adjust. The kids who succeed are those with families who have the time/desire (and often the money) to play baseball with their kids at home, between practices and games. Those kids typically all move on to Rep/Select programs to play with kids of similar talent. It's at that point you can start to set expectations and establish consequences. That said, it's 100% about development until they hit like 14 or 15. The last thing you ever want to do is take the love of the game from a child (which, unfortunately, I've seen all too much). You can rip this all you want. Make your jokes about participation trophies, but or some kids in Little League - that may be the only trophy they ever get. The twinkle in their eye when they get it is 100% worth it. There are LOTS of opportunities available to expose kids to competition - where winning matters and playing time is earned. That isn't in Little League or public school sports though. It never should have been.

I'd love to add Chad Green on a 2 year deal...stash him on the DL. I've always loved him and would love to see him in a Jays uni.

I enjoyed the Pentaverate.

Need to strip it down. Keep Scottie and OG and then you have 2 options: 1. Trade Siakam and get a f***ing HAUL like Utah did with Mitchell and Gobert. 2. Keep Siakam and re-tool around Siakam, Scott and OG. Trade FVV, Boucher, Trent, etc. - continue to tank this year and then rebuild through the draft.

It would be best to find opportunities to rest our 33 year old CFer (who's often injured). Vs. LHP makes a f***ton of sense.

Agreed. I think this team has a ton of versatility now and most are just really solid bench players / fringe starters. I wonder if we'll target certain skills with any remaining bench spots. Like a LHP or RHP masher, or a speedster. Someone who can really make an impact. AJ Pollock is another fit I think.

Your trophy is in the mail. Why on earth couldn't the Jays FO believe Moreno will become a quality regular and still want to trade him? We got a 4.6 WAR player - that's no a 'quality regular' - that's a star player. 26th best amongst all positional players in 2022. Your comment remains bizarre.