Blue Jays Discussion: post-deadline, back-at-home edition
- Thread starter The Nemesis
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That's pretty much where I stand at this point, too. Espinal still deserves more playing time, but I can stomach Valera way more than Panik. At least Valera can kinda play 3B, and there's a bit of intrigue with him - he's never been given a chance in the majors, has strong AAA numbers the last couple seasons, and has played really well in his few opportunities this year. Panik was never going to be more than a replacement level IF who couldn't hit and was playing a position he was clearly not capable of playing.
Still, though... Espinal as everyday 3B, Valera fills in when someone is DH or needs a day off.
Morgs
#16 #34 #44 #88 #91
Plus there's this guy, Kevin Smith, who's younger than both and having a better season at AAA than either player has ever had at any level of their career. Not to mention he may be the best defensively.
I don't know about the defensive thing, considering Espinal has been elite at 3B this season. And as much as I want Smith to get a shot soon, I can at least kind of understand being patient with him the way things stand right now: proper development is important, and Espinal playing so well means they don't have the same desperate need at 3B that they did when Biggio was struggling or Panik was playing there on a regular basis.
Morgs
#16 #34 #44 #88 #91
Espinal's defense is obviously nice, but we've been getting plus reviews on Smith defensively at SS for years, which makes me to believe there's at minimum plus at 3B too. Not to mention Espinal has only been slightly above average with the bat with a 105 wRC+. I'm inclined to believe the glove is at worst comparable, but Smith's bat is potentially much better.
Either way it should be Valera's spot he takes. Let the two of them split starts and fight for who starts in the playoffs. If you need lefty bat, use Biggio.
weems
Registered User
- Jul 3, 2008
- 18,856
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We're most likely going to be making another trade this offseason.
We have 4 catchers in McGuire, Jansen, Kirk and Moreno. Moreno is almost certainly not going anywhere unless its a deal for a elite player so that leaves 1 spot left between the other three. It was rumoured that Moreno wasnt far away from a promotion to AAA before his injury.
We have two of the four infield spots locked up in BO/Vlad and potentially three if they sign Semien. That leaves maybe 1 infield spot and all these players at AA or above who are most likely infielders... Biggio, Espinal, K Smith, O Lopez, S Taylor, Groshans.
We could still easily make a trade of quantity where you unload say Kirk+Biggio/Smith+Gurriel+prospect for established impact player and it doesnt hurt our big league team that much.
We have 4 catchers in McGuire, Jansen, Kirk and Moreno. Moreno is almost certainly not going anywhere unless its a deal for a elite player so that leaves 1 spot left between the other three. It was rumoured that Moreno wasnt far away from a promotion to AAA before his injury.
We have two of the four infield spots locked up in BO/Vlad and potentially three if they sign Semien. That leaves maybe 1 infield spot and all these players at AA or above who are most likely infielders... Biggio, Espinal, K Smith, O Lopez, S Taylor, Groshans.
We could still easily make a trade of quantity where you unload say Kirk+Biggio/Smith+Gurriel+prospect for established impact player and it doesnt hurt our big league team that much.
Yeah, I'm with you on the bat, it's just... "at worst comparable" to a guy who's basically been Matt Chapman at 3B when he's played is a little optimistic, even for me.
Morgs
#16 #34 #44 #88 #91
DRS, UZR, and Statcast all have him as elite this year. It's a little hard to judge based on the numbers because the sample is so small, but I would argue he's also looked elite at 3B.
BlueForever75
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2017
- 5,691
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I dont understand how there are so many pitchers on the Jays pitching staff that have suffered with oblique strains? Merrywether, Dolis, Borucki, Hatch, and now Stripling. Makes no sense to me.
Something must be going on with their CORE exercises that isnt working or putting too much stress on their bodies.
Something must be going on with their CORE exercises that isnt working or putting too much stress on their bodies.
Cams
Registered User
I would think he likes hitting at Rogers Centre, who wouldn't. Plus the Jays are pretty close to being a contender (if not already?). Wonder what kind of pay day Semien will be looking for. Rogers has the money. Hopefully covid related stuff really goes by the wayside so it doesn't effect "playing in Canada". I suspect guys like Semien will want to win and Toronto sure is a place where that could very well happen.
I assume there hasn't been any talk/rumours about what's up with Semien....... Also, isn't Ray on a 1 yr deal...you'd think the way Pete Walker worked with him he would sign a multi year deal to stay. That's quite a starting staff going into a full season next year!!!!
Stripling mentioned making mechanical adjustments with Pete Walker recently, but I don't think its that. Could be something taught at the player complex in Dunedin as Hatch, Merryweather and Borucki have spent a long time rehabbing there.
The shortened season last year is the likely culprit. The jump to a full season this year has taken a large toll on their bodies
Made his debut for the FCL short season club today.
Didn’t go well. Two runs, two hits, one BB, and a K in two thirds of an inning.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
Alejandro Kirk
MLB (21-22): 101pa, 8.9b%/15.8k%, .325bip/.300avg, .200iso, 135wrc+, 2.6war/650
AAA (22-22): 56pa, 8.9b%/16.1k%, .375bip/.347avg, .184iso, 142wrc+
AA (-----): ---
A+ (20-20): 276pa, 13.8b%/11.2k%, .317bip/.288avg, .159iso, 153wrc+
A (20-20): 96pa, 18.8b%/8.3k%, .299bip/.299avg, .221iso, 173wrc+
Last 2 seasons:
1. Guerrero 154wrc+
2. Springer 153wrc+
3. Kirk 135wrc+
4. Teoscar 134wrc+
5. Bichette 122wrc+
6. Semien 121wrc+
7. Gurriel 107wrc+
8. Biggio 102wrc+
9. Grichuk 100wrc+
10. Dickerson 97wrc+
11. Espinal 96wrc+
12. Jansen 75wrc+
13. McGuire 64wrc+
MLB (21-22): 101pa, 8.9b%/15.8k%, .325bip/.300avg, .200iso, 135wrc+, 2.6war/650
AAA (22-22): 56pa, 8.9b%/16.1k%, .375bip/.347avg, .184iso, 142wrc+
AA (-----): ---
A+ (20-20): 276pa, 13.8b%/11.2k%, .317bip/.288avg, .159iso, 153wrc+
A (20-20): 96pa, 18.8b%/8.3k%, .299bip/.299avg, .221iso, 173wrc+
Last 2 seasons:
1. Guerrero 154wrc+
2. Springer 153wrc+
3. Kirk 135wrc+
4. Teoscar 134wrc+
5. Bichette 122wrc+
6. Semien 121wrc+
7. Gurriel 107wrc+
8. Biggio 102wrc+
9. Grichuk 100wrc+
10. Dickerson 97wrc+
11. Espinal 96wrc+
12. Jansen 75wrc+
13. McGuire 64wrc+
Starry Knight
Tele-Wyatt
I get that he would be a valuable trade piece, but I can't rationalize trading a 22 year old catcher who hits this well. Yes, I know Gabe Moreno looks to be an elite catching prospect (with much better defence than Kirk), but Kirk has the MLB results that we can only hope Moreno will achieve with the bat in his hands.
justashadowof
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2020
- 4,025
- 4,230
Will Montoyo get canned if this team that has scored 124 more runs than it has allowed doesn't make the playoffs?
Not to defend Montoyo because I think he's pretty bad as an on-field manager, but that's not a Montoyo thing.
If the team misses the playoffs I can see him getting replaced.
Kirk is a top-5 hitting catcher in MLB right now and isn't close to finishing his development. If he's traded the return should be absolutely enormous.
His game-calling has also improved tremendously. We're 6-1 in the last 7 games he's caught and have allowed only 14 runs total. Back-to-back shutouts right now.
Garlando
Registered User
Over the last 162 regular-season games, the Jays have the 5th best record in the AL:
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