Blue Jays Discussion: Alright, no more discontent. Just baseball | ST in Mtl: StL @ Tor | Mar 26/27 7pm ET/4pm PT

[phillipmike]

Sickels says his Jays list is coming very soon;

Toronto Blue Jays organization discussion

 

[zeke]

Sounds like Osuna didn't enjoy that little velocity lull last year:

Arden Zwelling @ArdenZwelling
26s
Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker on a bulked-up Roberto Osuna: "His stuff’s fantastic. He’s as good as I’ve ever seen him right now."

 

[zeke]

Possible Bisons Opening Day Lineup out there today, save for Rowdy who's taking care of his sick mom:

1.LF Pompey
2.SS Urena
3.CF Alford
4.RF Hernandez
5.2B Gurriel
6.C Jansen
7.DH Smith
8.1B Leblibjian
9.3B Lopes

SP Pannone

 

[Eyedea]

I'm starting to buy bringing Lucroy in on a one year deal. Let Jansen sit in AAA, and potentially have a rental asset that we can flip at the deadline (allowing Jansen to start getting backup duties). Yeah, he was terrible defensively last year, but he was still above average the year prior, and his offence bounced back when he made the move to Colorado (whatever that means). Martin still has another year on his deal, so I'd rather not kill him this season, but I also want to retain that offensive pressure when the backup slides in.

 

[phillipmike]

I doubt Lucroy takes it. I still think he will get 7-10M per and a starting role. Not an earth shattering prediction but i think it will be the Nationals.

Major League Team Stats » 2017 » Catchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

Nationals were dead last when it came to production from their catcher by a large margin and it wasnt due to injury. I see Washington making a big splash in free agency by getting Lucroy and Arrieta. Last year of Harper, Murphy, and Gonzalez. There window is now.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

I'm starting to buy bringing Lucroy in on a one year deal. Let Jansen sit in AAA, and potentially have a rental asset that we can flip at the deadline (allowing Jansen to start getting backup duties). Yeah, he was terrible defensively last year, but he was still above average the year prior, and his offence bounced back when he made the move to Colorado (whatever that means). Martin still has another year on his deal, so I'd rather not kill him this season, but I also want to retain that offensive pressure when the backup slides in.

If the DH spot was open, I would do the signing.

All that said, I think Jansen could produce the 2017 Lucroy season in 2018.

 

[BlueForever75]

If the DH spot was open, I would do the signing.

All that said, I think Jansen could produce the 2017 Lucroy season in 2018.

I personally would give Jansen a shot. Let him catch about 60 games and lets see what we have. I don't think Maile should make this team.

 

[Eyedea]

I'd rather delay on Jansen's service time but not have Martin catching 3/4 games a series and have to sit and watch Maile play the other one. Also who cares about Morales blocking the DH, if he's struggling or guys need rest then he'll be on the bench or at 1B. This is the reason why Solarte and Diaz are on the roster, to have multiple super utils combat that lack of versatility. Even Pearce could, in a pinch, play 2B.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

I'd rather delay on Jansen's service time but not have Martin catching 3/4 games a series and have to sit and watch Maile play the other one. Also who cares about Morales blocking the DH, if he's struggling or guys need rest then he'll be on the bench or at 1B. This is the reason why Solarte and Diaz are on the roster, to have multiple super utils combat that lack of versatility. Even Pearce could, in a pinch, play 2B.

I mention Morales moreso from Lucroy's perspective. This is going to be a rebuild value year, and he's going to want as many AB's as possible.

 

[BlueForever75]

I mention Morales moreso from Lucroy's perspective. This is going to be a rebuild value year, and he's going to want as many AB's as possible.

Lucroy is not needed unless Morales is gone. It only becomes an option then.

75% of teams have a young up and coming catcher backing up their catcher. Having both he and McGuire in AAA has the same effect in at bats and playing time. Your better off getting him the experience slowly and ready for full time play in the even Martin is injured or digresses.

 

[Garlando]

8 swinging strikes through 15 pitches so far today for Thomas Pannone

 

[BlueForever75]

8 swinging strikes through 15 pitches so far today for Thomas Pannone

I think Pannone was a steal from the Indians for Joe Smith. I liked it when it happened, and I look forward to his development. Has top 3 rotation written all over him.

 

[phillipmike]

Taylor and Pannone was a fantastic deal for 2+ months of Smith. Potentially a backend rotation guy and a lottery ticket middle infielder with a lot of tools. I was hoping for Diaz when we heard that the Indians got Smith from us but that might have been wishful thinking. Still a great deal.

 

[Discoverer]

8 swinging strikes through 15 pitches so far today for Thomas Pannone

That seems a little insane. Is this based on the pitch tracker on Gameday? Because if so this is a good time for the annual reminder that Gameday doesn't actually track pitches in Spring Training games and just assigns the minimum number required for the given plate appearance result.

Regardless, it looks like Pannone had a really nice appearance considering he was going up against an actual major league lineup.

 

[phillipmike]

Jairo Labourt claimed by the Reds. He was in the David Price deal.

 

[phillipmike]

Padres get the top spot over the Braves;

Top 10 farm systems ranking by MLB Pipeline
MLB's Top 10 farm systems

Rank	Team
1.	San Diego Padres
2.	Atlanta Braves
3.	Chicago White Sox
4.	Tampa Bay Rays
5.	Philadelphia Phillies
6.	New York Yankees
7.	Oakland Athletics
8.	Cincinnati Reds
9.	Toronto Blue Jays
10.	Los Angeles Dodgers

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[phillipmike]

Red Sox left-hander Drew Pomeranz was limited to just 17 pitches in his Grapefruit League debut against the Cardinals on Friday, as he walked off the mound with left forearm tightness with nobody out in the second inning. Pomeranz will receive further evaluation on his left forearm on Saturday.

Sounds minor but you never like "forearm tightness."

 

[dredeye]

If Valencia and Lind can be picked up, its just a matter of time before Bautista signs with someone in the AL. If nothing more for his reputation and risk\reward factor depending on signing amount.

I see a deal with a team like KC, TB, Oak or Sea relatively soon.

They both got minor league deals. Jose will not sign a minor league deal I’m sure. He may sign a tryout at this point though

 

[dredeye]

Possible Bisons Opening Day Lineup out there today, save for Rowdy who's taking care of his sick mom:

1.LF Pompey
2.SS Urena
3.CF Alford
4.RF Hernandez
5.2B Gurriel
6.C Jansen
7.DH Smith
8.1B Leblibjian
9.3B Lopes

SP Pannone

Buffalo should have a dynamite year this year.

 

[dredeye]

Taylor and Pannone was a fantastic deal for 2+ months of Smith. Potentially a backend rotation guy and a lottery ticket middle infielder with a lot of tools. I was hoping for Diaz when we heard that the Indians got Smith from us but that might have been wishful thinking. Still a great deal.

Apparently Johnny Mac is crazy about Taylor.

 

[canucksfan]

Jairo Labourt claimed by the Reds. He was in the David Price deal.

Speaking of that deal, Norris sure hasn't developed well.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I heard Richard Griffin on Overdrive last night saying that it will take 90 wins to get the second wild card. Is he nuts? He said it's because of the weak teams in the AL this year. Jays don't have what it takes to win 90, but teams like Twins and Angels do? I just feel like he is crazy. No way the second wild card will need to have 90 wins.

 

[The Nemesis]

I heard Richard Griffin on Overdrive last night saying that it will take 90 wins to get the second wild card. Is he nuts? He said it's because of the weak teams in the AL this year. Jays don't have what it takes to win 90, but teams like Twins and Angels do? I just feel like he is crazy. No way the second wild card will need to have 90 wins.

Griffin is a crank.

exhibits A through... I'm not sure how many times he showed up here, but it's a lot: FIRE JOE MORGAN

 

[canucksfan]

Where Will the Top Prospects Play?

Looks at the top thirty prospects and where they will start playing this year.

 

[Nineteen67]

I heard Richard Griffin on Overdrive last night saying that it will take 90 wins to get the second wild card. Is he nuts? He said it's because of the weak teams in the AL this year. Jays don't have what it takes to win 90, but teams like Twins and Angels do? I just feel like he is crazy. No way the second wild card will need to have 90 wins.

90 + for the first WC is likely and I think one of Boston, NYY, Houston, Angels, Cleveland will grab it.

The 2nd WC won’t be too many games behind and 88 or 89 is reasonable.