Blue Jays Discussion: Off-Season V: Baseball's back and so are blockbusters (Jays send 4 prospects to A's for 3B Matt Chapman)

[Discoverer]

Yep, me too. Which would send Stripling to the bullpen and it's a bunch of really good, [mostly] unheralded guys:

Romano
Merryweather
Cimber
Richards
Mayza
Boruki
Garcia
Stripling

Yeah, I'm fine with it the way it is. But man, one more addition for the back-end would be huge. Unfortunately there aren't any free agents left who fit that role. At this point I think you just go with what you've got, or maybe you can sign a starter who hasn't been able to find a contract, throw him in the pen, and let Walker work with him.

 

[Morgs]

Yeah, I'm fine with it the way it is. But man, one more addition for the back-end would be huge. Unfortunately there aren't any free agents left who fit that role. At this point I think you just go with what you've got, or maybe you can sign a starter who hasn't been able to find a contract, throw him in the pen, and let Walker work with him.

Yep or look for another guy like Cimber or Richards who were money down the stretch and we got them for (with respect to Rowdy) virtually nothing.

 

[Kurtz]

I still really like the Cimber and Richards additions. Merryweather and Pearson are the wild cards who could really change the fortunes of the pen (though I think and hope Pearson starts the year as part of a 6-man rotation).

Those were good additions, but they are still ideally not super high-leverage guys. In an age where the smart organizations have 2-3 aces in their pens, we really only seem to have the 1.

 

[kb]

Fingers crossed that we have an improved bullpen. That's one area that we didn't aggressively pursue (with all due respect to Yimi).

Rumour was they were in on Jensen prior to him signing with the Braves.

I think they could get Kimbrel as the White Sox have a lot of arms there. And cost shouldn't be too much.

I would feel more comfortable to have a plan B for high leverage innings - injuries and ineffectiveness can hit anytime......

 

[phillipmike]

Potentially having to start the season with:

Romano
Merryweather
Cimber
Richards
Mayza
Boruki
Garcia
Stripling

Is better than a start of:

Romano
Merryweather
Dolis
Chatwood
Thornton
Payamps
Mayza
Borucki

 

[Morgs]

Those were good additions, but they are still ideally not super high-leverage guys. In an age where the smart organizations have 2-3 aces in their pens, we really only seem to have the 1.

I'm bullish on Merryweather personally being an 'ace'. Richards has a projected .8 fWAR, Mayza has a .6. Cimber .4 (but had a 1.2 last year). It's a very good, underrated pen. It's no White Sox pen, and one more arm like Kimbrel wouldn't hurt, but I'm not stressing about it like I was last year.

 

[Kurtz]

I'm bullish on Merryweather personally being an 'ace'. Richards has a projected .8 fWAR, Mayza has a .6. Cimber .4 (but had a 1.2 last year). It's a very good, underrated pen. It's no White Sox pen, and one more arm like Kimbrel wouldn't hurt, but I'm not stressing about it like I was last year.

I hope you're right, but Merry is over 30 and has had like 2 good weeks in the majors for his entire career. And he's always injured. You'd have to be a hopeless optimist to be bullish on him.

You don't really need to have the best bp in the world when you have potentially the top hitting club with a great starting rotation, but I still think that that's likely to be our biggest weakness.

 

[Morgs]

I hope you're right, but Merry is over 30 and has had like 2 good weeks in the majors for his entire career. And he's always injured. You'd have to be a hopeless optimist to be bullish on him.

You don't really need to have the best bp in the world when you have potentially the top hitting club with a great starting rotation, but I still think that that's likely to be our biggest weakness.

The guys stuff is incredible and no issues with control. Not too hard to be bullish on him if he can finally stay healthy.

 

[thehockeysong]

I think the plan should be to see how the bullpen arms perform for the first chunk of the year and then replace one with an A1 option at the deadline when one comes available (usually happens). That way it's a relatively sure-thing acquisition by bullpen standards. Price per inning absolutely skyrockets, but it's the price for a better playoff roster

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Of course it can change with a bigger sample but Bryant's career stat line in Colorado is below average; .263/.354/.404 with a 74 tOPS+. I like Gausman but his numbers coming back to the AL East should get worse.

Im a big believer in Kelenic but India's stats got better in the 2nd half. India played 34 games in AA in 2019 and jumped to the majors in 2021, he could have another level.

Kelenic will be a better player in the long run but India should have the better season next year if that helps. If you are thinking long term, take Kelenic. Sprays the ball over the field, good walk rate and fly ball percentage. Had an extremely lower BABIP last season. But if you need just 2022 production, i would keep India.

Pretty much. A couple notes on India:

-He was one of the best hitters vs 4-seamers (top 4 OPS). Wonder if he'll see fewer this year (and how he adjusts)
-Lineup behind him is worse

India should offer a safe floor, but I think last year's production is likely the ceiling.

 

[Bjindaho]

 

[ShaneFalco]

Is this good?

 

[Bjindaho]

Is this good?

Tapia is a LHH outfielder, who might be better or worse (walks more, strikes out less, faster but less power). Pinto is a 19 year-old who just decimated DSL in his first season (.360/.487/.543 with 38BB to 18K) as a 2B/SS/CF

 

[Cor]

No Brett Gardner and no more Grichuk.

Great trade.

 

[nilan30]

Is this good?

I'll miss Grichuk, always kinda liked him but felt this was coming. If I remember correctly this Tapia guy can fly. Did he hit in an inside the parker against the Jays a few years ago?

 

[Discoverer]

Tapia is a LHH outfielder, who might be better or worse (walks more, strikes out less, faster but less power). Pinto is a 19 year-old who just decimated DSL in his first season (.360/.487/.543 with 38BB to 18K) as a 2B/SS/CF

Pinto listed as 5'6", 156. Instantly one of my favourite prospects in the system.

 

[Morgs]

How in the hell did we get positive assets for Grichuk.

Rockies gonna Rockie LOL

 

[Bjindaho]

Is this good?

Looking at this from another perspective, Tapia projects as a quality 4th OF (who won't DH regularly).

If Bird is making the team, this is a logical extension of that (because Grichuk is similar to what we have as opposed to a true compliment).

 

[Bjindaho]

 

[Bjindaho]

Even if we have to eat to match the contracts, I'm not sure I wouldn't have done Grichuk and 6M for Pinto

 

[Kurtz]

Pinto listed as 5'6", 156. Instantly one of my favourite prospects in the system.

With that stature and name, it's almost frustrating how obvious his nickname will be.

 

[Bjindaho]

With that stature and name, it's almost frustrating how obvious his nickname will be.

The giant?

 

[ShaneFalco]

With that stature and name, it's almost frustrating how obvious his nickname will be.

Ford?

 

[Hoverhand]

Obviously a lot of us were hoping for an LHH with a better track record but I have no qualms with Tapia on the bench. I'm still holding out hope that Nathan Lukes or Greg Bird is going to make the team and provide some power from the left side.


Thrilled we got a neat prospect and glad Grichuk gets to go to a place with a chance to succeed. For all the hate the Rockies get, I like this deal from their pov especially with money exchanging hands.

 

[Eyedea]

Tapia is essentially Revere with an arm.