I was the first to mention Biggio and I phrased it as a question. However, I would assume, another spot gets taken by OF that bats right. Belt takes away from Biggio playing first and a potential lefty pinch hitter. We've also had some rumors about the Jays trading an infielder for a reliever. Jays also have some infield depth in the minors that can fill in for injuries if they do occur.
Blue Jays Discussion: Off-season Edition II - Winter Meeting Madness
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Because players have to be soulless robots in order to win. Look how well it's worked for the Leafs!
In reality the real problem with Gurriel and Teo is they were both travesties defensively rather than daring to show emotion/have personalities. But sure, let's keep hyping on that narrative.
Eyedea
The Legend Continues
If Belt starts pulling the ball more he might go nuclear in the AL East
To some extent, I get it. Even as a bench piece, Biggio is a bit redundant. Merrifield is a better baserunner. Belt is a better LHB. Espinal is a better defender at 2B. They have two better LH OF now.
But I also think that's going to be the case with whoever replaces him, so aren't you better off keeping Biggio on the bench and Lopez in Buffalo instead of Lopez ok the bench and some minor league free agent or whatever in Buffalo?
Obviously it depends what other teams are willing to offer in return, but I don't know how high his trade value is now, and I think the amount of playing time that went to Zimmer/Collins/Bradley/etc. last year is a strong argument for making the bench as strong and deep as possible.
Kurtz
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Keep in mind that we still need to add an outfielder and someone else who can play all around the infield, as we don't really have a backup for the left side of the infield (assuming Espinal starts at 2nd).
We’re fine on the IF. Both Espinal and Biggio can cover Chatman’s occasional rest days. They have Merrifield at 2B also. One more RHB for the OF and the lineup is set.
Canada4Gold
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OF sure, but there's almost 0 chance we add another infielder. If Chapman or Bo get hurt/off day Espinal shifts over and Merrifield or Biggio play 2nd. You don't need 2 backup SS on the roster. Barger likely get a look if there's any long term injury.
Even if Espinal is the starting 2B, they'll just have him move to SS/3B when Chapman or Bo is off and plug Merrifield or Biggio in at 2B. They definitely don't need someone else to play the IF.
Right, Barger and Lopez gives them a couple depth options in AAA who are already on the 40-man. They're completely covered on the infield at this point.
Kurtz
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Biggio doesn't have the arm to play 3B. Espinal can do it but he's the lone guy who can cover the left side. I think they'd prefer more versatility for that than a guy like Biggio can give.
We'll see.
Yup. Biggio's skillset is redundant. However, one reason I think he stays is his value isn't high.
Kurtz
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You're stretching Espinal thin there when you ask him to start at 2nd and also be the sole big-league backup for both 3B and SS.
Considering that we already have Espy and Merrifield who are primarily 2B, wouldn't it make considerably more sense to get a more versatile infielder for that last spot rather than a guy who can only play 2B?
He was our starter at 3B two years ago, he’s not ideal, but he’s fine in a pinch. And Espy can cover 3B leaving 2B to Whit and Biggio. Point remains that we don’t need and likely won’t acquire another IF.
phillipmike
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What? Defensive metrics painted Espinal as a great 3rd baseman, and from what I remember the eye test backed that up.
I was hoping for a right handed hitting outfielder that mashes lefties to come in for KK or Varsho against LHP but this adds a bit of DH insurance if Jansen/Kirk goes down. Or if Vladdy or Springer go down, he will get more DH at bats. Especially if a catcher goes down. Sucks for Biggio though but this seems like a good move.
kb
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With Cueto apparently signing with the Marlins (huh?), you would have to think that one of their starting pitchers would be on the move now. They have Eury Perez on the horizon too.
I would really check in to see what they want for Trevor Rogers. With the Jays having 4 righty starters (Manoah, Gausman, Berrios, Bassett) all here for the next 3 seasons, I think he could be a fantastic fit as a LH #5 as buy lower candidate. I know the Marlins have more tantalizing arms than him, but he is a lefty arm under team control for the next 4 years, and he would not have to come in pitching like a mid rotation starter - he would just have to be a solid #5. This would raise the floor of the starting rotation.
He is 25 and one season removed from a season that saw him put up 3.5 WAR and 160 ERA+ with a 2.55 FIP. And he would provide insurance in case Berrios struggles again this season. In addition, this would allow Tiedemann more time and would not tempt the Jays into rushing him to the show in the even that neither Kikuchi nor White grab hold of that #5 spot.
I would really check in to see what they want for Trevor Rogers. With the Jays having 4 righty starters (Manoah, Gausman, Berrios, Bassett) all here for the next 3 seasons, I think he could be a fantastic fit as a LH #5 as buy lower candidate. I know the Marlins have more tantalizing arms than him, but he is a lefty arm under team control for the next 4 years, and he would not have to come in pitching like a mid rotation starter - he would just have to be a solid #5. This would raise the floor of the starting rotation.
He is 25 and one season removed from a season that saw him put up 3.5 WAR and 160 ERA+ with a 2.55 FIP. And he would provide insurance in case Berrios struggles again this season. In addition, this would allow Tiedemann more time and would not tempt the Jays into rushing him to the show in the even that neither Kikuchi nor White grab hold of that #5 spot.
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