Blue Jays GDT: 2022 v3 | Next: Sun, May 1 | vs HOU | 1:30pm ET/10:30am PT | Valdez vs Gausman

[Natey]

Offense isn’t what was predicted but the pitching has been even better than predicted.

For the season? I think it's underperforming expectations a bit.

We're 15th in ERA, we've given up more hits than every other team except 4, we're in the bottom half in runs allowed.

I think it's improving though and it's going to look a lot better soon.

 

[Cloned]

Eh that feels awfully panicky to me. Team is picking up wins while a bunch of players are performing below expected or injured. That isn't a bad thing. Our first month is also ridiculously difficult in regards to the schedule.

Why? They’re 13-7 without Teo/Jansen, and Bichette is struggling.

I think you're reaching here.

Without one of our best players and same his players struggling;

We're 9th in OPS, 9th in average, 1st in Homeruns, 10th RBI, 12th in Runs, 3rd in Hits.

The goal is to win the WS and to do that we’re gonna need to match the Dodgers in all likelihood.

Chapman is better defensively but the team misses Semien’s power. I think they need another bat to fully synergize the lineup.

 

[red devil]

 

[Cloned]

The RS are always classier than the Rays. Remember what Kiermeier did last season.

 

[Nineteen67]

Another low scoring, 1 run ballgame, just as Manfred planned it.

Looks like they’re hitting a tennis ball into the wind.

 

[Eyedea]

The goal is to win the WS and to do that we’re gonna need to match the Dodgers in all likelihood.

Chapman is better defensively but the team misses Semien’s power. I think they need another bat to fully synergize the lineup.

But that’s more of a deadline concern rather than a now concern IMO. The team is meeting expectations W-L wise despite not firing on all cylinders. Once the team gets healthier (or potentially lose other guys) then they should re-evaluate where they stand in each department. I think they can strengthen the bench a bit, surely, and add a legit bullpen arm, but the market isn’t set yet.

 

[Cloned]

But that’s more of a deadline concern rather than a now concern IMO. The team is meeting expectations W-L wise despite not firing on all cylinders. Once the team gets healthier (or potentially lose other guys) then they should re-evaluate where they stand in each department. I think they can strengthen the bench a bit, surely, and add a legit bullpen arm, but the market isn’t set yet.

I don’t think it’s a immediate concern but it’s something that might need addressing down the line.

 

[Maestro84]

If I said it once I've said it 100 times, good pitching/defence ALWAYS beats good hitting.

 

[GoonieFace]

If I said it once I've said it 100 times, good pitching/defence ALWAYS beats good hitting.

Say it once more and I will believe it

 

[Suntouchable13]

Look it, it's much better to be +3 run differential and be 13-7 then to be +10 and be .500 like they were last year in April. All these wins matter. It's huge.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

The RS are always classier than the Rays. Remember what Kiermeier did last season.

Cora would never cheat

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

We let Urquidy off the hook last time. With Kikuchi on the mound, the bats need to explode tomorrow

 

[Puckstuff]

The goal is to win the WS and to do that we’re gonna need to match the Dodgers in all likelihood.

Chapman is better defensively but the team misses Semien’s power. I think they need another bat to fully synergize the lineup.

I know you mean Semien's 2021 production but fun fact, Chapman has displayed more power then Semien both this year and for career.

Chapman:
Career HR's per 162: 31.
Career slugging: .475

Semien
Career HR's per 162: 25
Career slugging: .440


This will be a fun comparison to look at by the end of the year.

 

[Natey]

The goal is to win the WS and to do that we’re gonna need to match the Dodgers in all likelihood.

Chapman is better defensively but the team misses Semien’s power. I think they need another bat to fully synergize the lineup.

Chapman has plenty of power. How do we miss his power when we are first in HRs? Not to mention, Seimen has a big old donut in the HR column this year. Chapman averages 30 HR a year. He'll be fine.

If you combine all the offense metrics, the Dodgers and Jays are very close.

 

[Cloned]

Chapman has plenty of power. How do we miss his power when we are first in HRs? Not to mention, Seimen has a big old donut in the HR column this year. Chapman averages 30 HR a year. He'll be fine.

If you combine all the offense metrics, the Dodgers and Jays are very close.

I meant his power last season. I’m not lamenting this version of Semien this year, but I think the team could use another big bat.

 

[SoupNazi]

Has Zimmer looked as bad at the plate as his 2 for 25 shows?

I know it's early, but I'm a little surprised he's not hitting better. I figured he was a guy that a change of scenery would work wonders for.

 

[Eyedea]

Has Zimmer looked as bad at the plate as his 2 for 25 shows?

I know it's early, but I'm a little surprised he's not hitting better. I figured he was a guy that a change of scenery would work wonders for.

He can work the count but I think he’s overcompensating and swinging an awful lot due to the lack of plate appearances. He just doesn’t see enough playing time to get in any sort of groove. Timing is off as pitchers are just blowing fastballs by him with ease.

 

[Discoverer]

I meant his power last season. I’m not lamenting this version of Semien this year, but I think the team could use another big bat.

When the team is healthy, the lineup is something like:

CF Springer
SS Bo
1B Vlad
RF Teoscar
LF Gurriel
DH Kirk
3B Chapman
C Jansen
2B Espinal

I don't even know what role another "big bat" would play.

 

[Tw1ster]

For the season? I think it's underperforming expectations a bit.

We're 15th in ERA, we've given up more hits than every other team except 4, we're in the bottom half in runs allowed.

I think it's improving though and it's going to look a lot better soon.

This was primarily the first 10 games. The last 10 they’ve been near the top in ERA and Opponent BA. Everyone got roughed up a bit in the first couple weeks it seemed.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Has Zimmer looked as bad at the plate as his 2 for 25 shows?

I know it's early, but I'm a little surprised he's not hitting better. I figured he was a guy that a change of scenery would work wonders for.

Yeah, he has looked truly awful. Plate discipline (contact %, whiff %, K %) are all career worst or close to it, and when he does make contact, it's not very good. (Even that HR was almost a unicorn as it would've been a HR in only 1 other park lol)

If he can get close to last year's offensive numbers, which is still below average but doesn't completely negate his defensive value, then I'll be happy.

 

[Discoverer]

Yeah, he has looked truly awful. Plate discipline (contact %, whiff %, K %) are all career worst or close to it, and when he does make contact, it's not very good. (Even that HR was almost a unicorn as it would've been a HR in only 1 other park lol)

If he can get close to last year's offensive numbers, which is still below average but doesn't completely negate his defensive value, then I'll be happy.

Yeah, he doesn't even have to do much with the bat to be valuable; the speed and defense alone make him an excellent asset to have coming off the bench. The problem is when you need to play him regularly because of injuries and you can't just pick and choose where to use him to maximize his strengths.

 

[SoupNazi]

Yeah, he doesn't even have to do much with the bat to be valuable; the speed and defense alone make him an excellent asset to have coming off the bench. The problem is when you need to play him regularly because of injuries and you can't just pick and choose where to use him to maximize his strengths.

Zimmer is one of those "what could have been" players to me. He came up in 2017 and most Cleveland fans, like myself, thought we found our CF of the future. He struggled in early 2018, was sent down for more seasoning, hurt his shoulder at AAA and just hasn't been the same since. He'd be a valuable piece in defensive and pinch running situations but I'm not sure at this point the shoulder injury would ever let him be the same again.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Zimmer is one of those "what could have been" players to me. He came up in 2017 and most Cleveland fans, like myself, thought we found our CF of the future. He struggled in early 2018, was sent down for more seasoning, hurt his shoulder at AAA and just hasn't been the same since. He'd be a valuable piece in defensive and pinch running situations but I'm not sure at this point the shoulder injury would ever let him be the same again.

Yeah I was tracking his minor league progress for fantasy/dynasty purposes because it looked like he could be a threat for 15-20HR/40SB at his peak, and maybe a floor of 10HR/20-25SB. K rate was high in the minors but you could live with it given the solid walk rate. Both rates got worse in the majors and, as you said, injuries took its toll. Really too bad.

 

[Cloned]

When the team is healthy, the lineup is something like:

CF Springer
SS Bo
1B Vlad
RF Teoscar
LF Gurriel
DH Kirk
3B Chapman
C Jansen
2B Espinal

I don't even know what role another "big bat" would play.

Probably an upgrade on Kirk.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Probably an upgrade on Kirk.

He's coming...just a few more weeks in AAA....