Blue Jays Discussion: Joe Panik traded for the reliever we need.

[phillipmike]

The Jays have been one of the least effected teams by the substance ban;

 

[Garlando]

Lots of smoke around my boy Solometo. When I was pumping his tires I had no idea he was even on our radar so this is pretty cool. Trey Sweeney is an interesting name that I never really considered due to his ranking and school, but as a potentially underslot lefty-hitting, middle infielder with some power he is interesting. My only question is level of competition, but the profile reads like rich man's Biggio?

Sweeney is a guy I’ve had my eye on as an intriguing under-slot 1st round option.

He hit a posted a ridiculous batting line of .387/.505/.723 this season with 14 HRs and 3 SBs across 170 ABs. Perhaps most impressively, he truly controlled the strike zone, posting a crazy 20.35% walk rate against a minuscule 10.62% strikeout rate.

Then when you hear about his batted ball data from the guys over at Prospects Live, he truly stands out:

Sweeney’s max exit velocity in 2021 was 109.3 mph. That ranks in the 97th percentile of all college hitters who registered batted-ball events in TrackMan fitted fields. His average exit velocity of 100.6 mph is even more impressive, ranking in the Top 40 for all hitters, good for the 98th percentile.
He hits the ball hard, but it’s the pitches Sweeney doesn’t swing at that really boost his profile for me. His whiff rate, swings in which no contact is made, sits at just 13 percent. That is incredibly strong and would rank among the best of any hitter in the country. His 16 percent chase rate, swings at pitches outside of the zone, is also among the best in his class. That’s especially impressive for a guy of his archetype; a slugger. Sweeney also only swings at just 36 percent of pitches he sees. Some of all this can be chalked up to playing in a smaller conference that lacks premier arms, but the point stands. Sweeney absolutely dominated his competition all season.

Yes he played at a smaller school, Eastern Illinois, and against weaker competition, but he dominated and showed well against some of the premier arms in the draft. Add in that he’s a college SS that can likely play any corner infield or outfield spot well, and that he’s a lefty bat…he certainly is an intriguing fit as an under slot option.

 

[phillipmike]

Blue Jays Lead Betting Odds to Land José Berrios

If José Berrios is on the move, betting odds suggest the Blue Jays are a likely destination.

According to the latest MLB trade deadline and player movement odds, the Blue Jays are tied for the most likely Berrios landing spot with the New York Mets. The full MLB trade deadline odds, listed by Odds Shark, also position the Jays as potential landing spots for several of the other top names who could move at the 2021 deadline.

The trade odds have the Blue Jays as a top five most likely destination for other top trade chip Max Scherzer and a longshot destination for Chicago's Kris Bryant. The lines imply a 11.76% chance Toronto lands the Nationals' ace and a 7.69% chance Bryant is manning the hot corner for the Blue Jays in the future.

 

[BlueForever75]

Blue Jays Lead Betting Odds to Land José Berrios

Shapiro has already stated that reinforcements between now and the deadline should be expected. Reinforcements that will better the team significantly. He also stated that they would focus on run prevention rather then the offensive side of the game. This also makes lots of sense.

Personally I am totally ok with our rotation as it stands right now. Ryu, Matz, Ray, Stripling and Manoah have not been the issue with this team. The bullpen is where we need some shutdown arms. Our starters have consistently over the past month gotten us to the 6 inning with the lead or in a position to win. The bullpen has let us down.

Only way I would want an addition to the starting rotation, is if we can get someone to either supplant Ryu as the number 1, or acquire a 1B type of pitcher. I do not want another pitcher like the ones we already have.

Give me 2 shutdown arms in the bullpen and I would be perfectly fine with this club contending for a playoff spot.

Really people, if we had Springer all season what would our record be? Easily another 3-5 wins. Had we had a lockdown bullpen add another 3-5 wins to that as well.

We got our big splash at the deadline in getting Springer back. Now bring in bullpen help.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Sweeney is a guy I’ve had my eye on as an intriguing under-slot 1st round option.

He hit a posted a ridiculous batting line of .387/.505/.723 this season with 14 HRs and 3 SBs across 170 ABs. Perhaps most impressively, he truly controlled the strike zone, posting a crazy 20.35% walk rate against a minuscule 10.62% strikeout rate.

Then when you hear about his batted ball data from the guys over at Prospects Live, he truly stands out:


Yes he played at a smaller school, Eastern Illinois, and against weaker competition, but he dominated and showed well against some of the premier arms in the draft. Add in that he’s a college SS that can likely play any corner infield or outfield spot well, and that he’s a lefty bat…he certainly is an intriguing fit as an under slot option.

This is literally only the second time I've seen him hit (video is hard to find). I see massive leg kick and think, "Yup, he's a typical Blue Jays prospect."

 

[Hoverhand]

Blue Jays Lead Betting Odds to Land José Berrios

Please please please please bring me Max Scherzer. Having a playoff SP trio of Scherzer-Ryu-Ray would make me very comfortable against most teams in the American League. I've always loved his passion for the game and the fanbase would adore him.

I know they want to stretch out Hatch because I doubt they'll give Ray the money he wants in the offseason but if we do get another SP, I think you're doing a disservice to the current team by not adding an effective bullpen arm that's already in the system.

 

[phillipmike]

Reese McGuire is posting .556/.556/.833 in his last 7 games.

If someone offers you something good for Reese you taking and run but if no one buys into it and both Jansen and Kirk are back, perhaps Kirk goes to AAA. Or if Kirk is a hot commodity, you can move him for pitching help and let Jansen and Mcguire handle the duties and wait for Moreno.

I really like Kirk and dont want to move him but if McGuire and Jansen keep us afloat then Kirk+ for Marquez is the deal i would want. I may even consider Kirk and Groshans for Marquez and Story to play 3B.

 

[phillipmike]

Please please please please bring me Max Scherzer. Having a playoff SP trio of Scherzer-Ryu-Ray would make me very comfortable against most teams in the American League. I've always loved his passion for the game and the fanbase would adore him.

I know they want to stretch out Hatch because I doubt they'll give Ray the money he wants in the offseason but if we do get another SP, I think you're doing a disservice to the current team by not adding an effective bullpen arm that's already in the system.

So do i, Schrezer is my #1 target but i think he costs a lot and perhaps Washington doesnt trade him as they are only 4 GBs of the division lead.

 

[phillipmike]

 

[Canada4Gold]

Reese McGuire is posting .556/.556/.833 in his last 7 games.

If someone offers you something good for Reese you taking and run but if no one buys into it and both Jansen and Kirk are back, perhaps Kirk goes to AAA. Or if Kirk is a hot commodity, you can move him for pitching help and let Jansen and Mcguire handle the duties and wait for Moreno.

I really like Kirk and dont want to move him but if McGuire and Jansen keep us afloat then Kirk+ for Marquez is the deal i would want. I may even consider Kirk and Groshans for Marquez and Story to play 3B.

I'm fine carry all 3 catchers and getting Kirk a bunch of DH at bats, especially returning from injury. I'm not sure if it was mentioned here or somewhere else but I wouldn't hate getting Jansen some at bats in Buffalo to try to figure out his bat. It was better than this coming up though the system and obviously the focus at the big league level for a catcher has to be the pitching staff. Get him a month or 2 in Buffalo as a DH if you have to to just focus on hitting and see if they can improve his bat.

 

[Discoverer]

Scherzer also has no-trade protection, which obviously complicates things there.

 

[TGB]

Personally I am totally ok with our rotation as it stands right now. Ryu, Matz, Ray, Stripling and Manoah have not been the issue with this team.

Gotta think long term, too. Matz and Ray are unlikely to resign with the Jays, and neither will Stripling in a couple years. If trading one year of Matz helps in grabbing 3+ years of an equally good pitcher, go for it.

Reese McGuire is posting .556/.556/.833 in his last 7 games.

If someone offers you something good for Reese you taking and run .

HELL no. When choosing between the likes of Jansen, Riley, and eventually Kirk and Moreno, Reese offers something none of them don't: he's left handed. If you're going to settle on one player as the defensive guy, at least choose the guy who offers something none of the others don't. And let's not forget there could still be a year or two before Moreno and Kirk become more consistent. If you're going to deal someone, deal from the pool where you already have tons of depth. Right now, my choices are sucky offense catcher left or right. Might as well keep the left one than the right one with eye issues.

 

[TF97]

The Braves purchased the contracts of Jesse Chavez and Tanner Roark.

If this doesn’t make everyone feel just a bit better then I don’t know what will.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Hatch threw 77 pitches today, 4 IP, 4 K, 4 BB, 3 hits, 1 run.

Theoretically he could go 90+ next time which would be enough if we needed him for a spot start but with Matz back we might not pending the timing of Manoah's suspension being served/rescinded.

Smith's 2 for 3 with a double and a walk

Orelvis 2 for 4, OPS up to .844, Jimenez 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, Hiraldo 1 for 1 with 2 walks

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Dr.Funk]

I was just thinking about how im really impressed with Vladys defense. It must be really frustrating at 1B on the Jays team. You never know where the ball will be thrown. Ive seen many inaccurate throws scooped up by vlady and others. Very impressive.

Vladdy is starting to remind me of Carlos Delgao at 1st. Carlos was great a digging balls out of the dirt. Vladdy has a better stretch than Delgado did though.

 

[Lunatik]

Vladdy is starting to remind me of Carlos Delgao at 1st. Carlos was great a digging balls out of the dirt. Vladdy has a better stretch than Delgado did though.

This post makes childhood me all kinds of giddy.

Growing up my 2 favorite players were Delgado and Vladdy Sr.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Blue Jays' Shapiro 'very confident' winning pieces will be added | theScore.com

Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro is confident his team will make additions prior to next month's trade deadline.

"Those conversations are being had, they'll end up being the roots of the deals that we will make between now and July 30 and we will ultimately improve the team," he said Thursday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. "Some of that will come externally as I'm very confident we will add pieces that will help us win."

The executive said the front office is targeting run prevention, with the bullpen being an area of need. He added the club wouldn't make an emotional, short-term move.

"The decisions made emotionally, the decisions made with short-term momentum, often are bad decisions," Shapiro said.

The Blue Jays are in the midst of a four-game winning streak but are only 10-10 this month after struggling through a five-game losing skid between June 14-18 amid a slew of injuries. Despite sitting fourth in the AL East - six games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place - Shapiro believes the club is poised to contend.

"I feel pretty good about where we are, that we have a good run in us this year, and most importantly, I feel like this is a team positioned for a multi-year run of championship baseball and that excites me," he said.

 

[Morgs]

Some big scoring games tonight in Dunedin and New Hampshire. No Moreno or Groshans tonight.

Taylor - 2-5, SB, K
Lopez - 2-4, BB
Martin - 0-2, K
Martinez - 3-4, 2 2B
Hiraldo - 1-3, BB, K
Barger - 1-5, HR, K

Orlevis really heating up.

 

[Talks to Goalposts]

Some big scoring games tonight in Dunedin and New Hampshire. No Moreno or Groshans tonight.

Taylor - 2-5, SB, K
Lopez - 2-4, BB
Martin - 0-2, K
Martinez - 3-4, 2 2B
Hiraldo - 1-3, BB, K
Barger - 1-5, HR, K

Orlevis really heating up.

Orlevis is the best hitting 19YO in the Southeast league now, which is nice.

 

[Canada4Gold]

If there's 1 guy in our top 15 prospects I'd be most willing to trade for help now it's probably Kloffenstein. He still might have some decent value I had high hopes from him but his results have been BAD this year. I was hoping this year might be the year he'd take a step towards maybe being our 9th top 100 prospect but it's been the other direction entirely. Perhaps he'll put it together as it's only been a couple months of this, but he's walking a ton of guys and giving up a bunch of hits as well. Wonder if there's anything up.

He's likely still got a chunk of trade value just 3 years from being a high priced sign in the 3rd round out of HS. Of course if the team thinks he can figure it out by all means keep him. Just saying I wouldn't be torn up if they decided to cash out on him and move on.

 

[Emerica]

The Braves purchased the contracts of Jesse Chavez and Tanner Roark.

If this doesn’t make everyone feel just a bit better then I don’t know what will.

Damn thats a blast from the past

 

[Puckstuff]

Hatch threw 77 pitches today, 4 IP, 4 K, 4 BB, 3 hits, 1 run.

Theoretically he could go 90+ next time which would be enough if we needed him for a spot start but with Matz back we might not pending the timing of Manoah's suspension being served/rescinded.

Smith's 2 for 3 with a double and a walk

Orelvis 2 for 4, OPS up to .844, Jimenez 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, Hiraldo 1 for 1 with 2 walks

With Stripling playing so well and Manoah (we'll see how he works out ) showing potential where does Hatch fit?

1. Ryu
2. Ray
3. Matz
4. Stripling
5. Manoah

I think around the time they were stretching out Hatch to be a starter is when Stripling was really struggling and Manoah was not called up or maybe they always wanted him a starter? I can't recall. We would not want to move Stripling out of the rotation right now. Manoah has potential. Kay is another guy who is a decent #6 starter and is also stretched out. You would think one of Kay or Hatch would be moved to the bullpen at some point... We could really use Kay or Hatch in the bullpen but I get why they would want to convert Hatch to a starter based on not knowing how Manoah and Stripling will fare... If everyone in the rotation is good down the stretch it would be ideal to have Hatch on the big league team in the pen not AAA... but then they stretched him out for no reason... so do they just keep him in AAA as a starter the whole year until Manoah or Stripling crack and what if their good the rest of the year? Does he become the long man in the pen instead? I just know the pen is more of a need then the rotation right now... but that can also change in a second

 

[Lunatik]

With Stripling playing so well and Manoah (we'll see how he works out ) showing potential where does Hatch fit?

1. Ryu
2. Ray
3. Matz
4. Stripling
5. Manoah

I think around the time they were stretching out Hatch to be a starter is when Stripling was really struggling and Manoah was not called up or maybe they always wanted him a starter? I can't recall. We would not want to move Stripling out of the rotation right now. Manoah has potential. Kay is another guy who is a decent #6 starter and is also stretched out. You would think one of Kay or Hatch would be moved to the bullpen at some point... We could really use Kay or Hatch in the bullpen but I get why they would want to convert Hatch to a starter based on not knowing how Manoah and Stripling will fare... If everyone in the rotation is good down the stretch it would be ideal to have Hatch on the big league team in the pen not AAA... but then they stretched him out for no reason... so do they just keep him in AAA as a starter the whole year until Manoah or Stripling crack and what if their good the rest of the year?

They keep him in AAA until he's needed, same with Kay. Someone from the rotation will very likely end up on the IL at some point, that's why the adage "you can never have too much starting pitching" is a thing.

 

[canucksfan]

Orlevis is the best hitting 19YO in the Southeast league now, which is nice.

I listen to the Around the Nest podcast. It’s where the announcers of the Jays minor league affiliates discuss how the teams is doing. Two weeks ago I think recall the Dunedin guy saying Martinez has been hitting the ball hard and it’s only a matter of time until his numbers start to show it.

Management must be so excited about their farm system. So many guys have gone beyond expectations. Pearson is the only one that has been below expectations and mostly they is due to injuries.