Blue Jays Discussion: post-deadline, back-at-home edition

[Hoverhand]

It's interesting though that Shi Davidi (i think) said they did discuss a 4 year deal with Semien but couldn't get the money to work for both sides. Did we offer like 4 years and $70 million and he went for a bit more on a 1 year deal to cash in one year later?

But it speaks to the fact they wanted him for 4 years without even knowing the player yet, so can't imagine they shy away from term now that he's been a great fit. Just comes down to money.

And if they were willing to go 4 years, likely means they feel OK with Bo at SS longer term.

The eye test says Bo has been much improved defensively after a lot of those early throwing and fielding errors. Do the advanced stats back that up?

The interesting thing we're going to see with the Semien negotiations is that the only thing he has working against him is age. He has outperformed Baez, C. Seager, Correa, and Story, so what happens when they all ask for contracts well over 100 million?

Semien at the very least demands 5/125, right? He's going to clear 6 bWar easily.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Discoverer]

In reality, how much they pay him is none of our concern. We just don’t know what the budget the Jays have to spend.

But we know they do have a budget, and, given the owner, we know it's not going to be particularly high relative to some other teams. Every dollar they spend means a dollar they won't be able to spend elsewhere, so as fans we should all want to see them spending wisely.

 

[SDig14]

The interesting thing we're going to see with the Semien negotiations is that the only thing he has working against him is age. He has outperformed Baez, C. Seager, Correa, and Story, so what happens when they all ask for contracts well over 100 million?

Semien at the very least demands 5/125, right? He's going to clear 6 bWar easily.

I wonder if one or two of them end up in a Dennis Schroeder situation where the money dries up and there are 2 people still left without contracts.

The Mets spent $300+ million on an infielder and the Yankees just spent nearly $100 million as well.

Outside of the Blue Jays, what teams will be paying a SS/2B $100-$150 million this offseason? There is Story, Baez, Seager, Semien and Correa. Houston didn't want to pay Springer, but their team is really good so if they don't pay Correa (who I think gets the most due to age) they will likely pay someone.

Dodgers have Turner now for next year, so they could do little or could pay Seager easily just because they're the Dodgers.

I think with the pandemic it may still hurt payroll for lots of teams so I'm hoping it's similar to last year where they go after someone hard and only so many teams willing to spend.

My top 2 position player targets not including trades would be Semien and Seager. Correa likely gets more than we are willing to spend, but I'd obviously take him as well.

 

[SDig14]

Semien doesn't have the injury risk of Seager.

 

[BlueForever75]

Being with the team already and bonding\leading this clubhouse. Semien should be the main focus this offseason. SIMPLE.

He and Springer will lead Bichette and Vladdy. Add in there Hernandez, Gurriel, Grichuk this lineup is stacked. One thru seven in lineup is complete.

The only position in the everyday lineup I would focus on after Semien is another Seagar and that is out of Seattle. Left handed bat, that plays a solid 3B. This would allow to free up Biggio in a trade to acquire pitching. Espinal for me is suffice over Biggio to handle utility duties and your OF is 4 starters deep not including Dickerson if you resign him.

 

[Hoverhand]

Being with the team already and bonding\leading this clubhouse. Semien should be the main focus this offseason. SIMPLE.

He and Springer will lead Bichette and Vladdy. Add in there Hernandez, Gurriel, Grichuk this lineup is stacked. One thru seven in lineup is complete.

The only position in the everyday lineup I would focus on after Semien is another Seagar and that is out of Seattle. Left handed bat, that plays a solid 3B. This would allow to free up Biggio in a trade to acquire pitching. Espinal for me is suffice over Biggio to handle utility duties and your OF is 4 starters deep not including Dickerson if you resign him.

I don't know if Seager is a great fit. His bat is creeping down to league average (102 wRC+, 104 OPS+ this season) and he's not strong as a platoon hitter either as he's actually been better against lefties than righties in 3 of the past 4 seasons.

Eduardo Escobar as a stop gap on a 1 or 2 year deal does intrigue me though.

Or, well, yknow...

 

[TGB]

The only position in the everyday lineup I would focus on after Semien is another Seagar and that is out of Seattle. Left handed bat, that plays a solid 3B. This would allow to free up Biggio in a trade to acquire pitching. Espinal for me is suffice over Biggio to handle utility duties and your OF is 4 starters deep not including Dickerson if you resign him.

Don't forget you still need to pay Ray and extend Berrios.

 

[Maestro84]

I’m just glad Springer seems to be OK and it’s only day to day. That could’ve been an absolute disaster for the Jays

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I know he's been terrible this year but any chance we pick up Marwin Gonzalez to replace Valera on the roster?

If we aren't giving Smith a chance I'd like to take a shot.

 

[Dr.Funk]

I know he's been terrible this year but any chance we pick up Marwin Gonzalez to replace Valera on the roster?

If we aren't giving Smith a chance I'd like to take a shot.

Biggio will be back shortly

 

[dredeye]

I don't know if Seager is a great fit. His bat is creeping down to league average (102 wRC+, 104 OPS+ this season) and he's not strong as a platoon hitter either as he's actually been better against lefties than righties in 3 of the past 4 seasons.

Eduardo Escobar as a stop gap on a 1 or 2 year deal does intrigue me though.

Or, well, yknow...

He better get a shot if not this year than next. He’s certainly earned it

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[dredeye]

That’s a pretty solid week

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Cloned]

Would it slow down the game too much to give each team one strike/ball call challenge per half inning? Is it even feasible?

 

[phillipmike]

What Impact Will Remaining Schedules Have on the MLB Playoff Race?

Basically the Ringer says the says the Jays have the 3rd easiest schedule of all the AL teams (only Houston and the White Sox are ahead), which also means they have the easiest schedule of all the teams battling for the wild card.

The Jays have the 3rd most games against some of the worst teams in the league; 12 in total - 10 vs Baltimore and 2 vs Washington. Only the Reds (19) and Phillies have more (13). Red Sox have 12 as well.

Which contenders have the best -- and worst -- schedules down the stretch?

3. Toronto's best hope is continued ineptitude from Baltimore.
Despite owning the second-best run differential in the AL and fourth-highest in MLB, the Blue Jays find themselves in fourth place in the East -- 7½ games back of the Rays, 4½ behind the Red Sox and two short of the Yankees. The clear weakness in their schedule comes via 10 games remaining against the salve that is Baltimore.
Since Aug. 1, the Orioles have been the worst team in baseball. They are 1-12. Over that baker's dozen, they are allowing 8.54 runs per game and scoring 3.31. As if losing by five runs per game weren't bad enough, opponents have posted a .964 OPS during that stretch against Baltimore pitching. Only five players in baseball this season have an OPS of at least .964 over a minimum of 350 plate appearances: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Tatis, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Bryce Harper.

The rest of Toronto's schedule also bodes well. Of the Blue Jays' final 43 games, 26 are at home. Seven of those are against Minnesota, a team that has played too well recently to warrant designation as a potential pushover but also a team barely on pace to crack 70 wins. All of that pales next to the fortuitousness of double-digit games against the team that currently has lost 11 straight, has a run differential of minus-201 and is trying to avoid a 110-loss season.

Basically the Jays have a very easy schedule which should give them an edge to get a wildcard spot. However, its just a matter if they do something with it or if Montoyo's "coaching" holds them back. Man, Montoyo is horrible.

 

[phillipmike]

2021 Midseason MLB Organization Farm System Rankings

10. Toronto Blue Jays
Top 100 Prospects (5): Gabriel Moreno, C (10); Nate Pearson, RHP (51); Orelvis Martinez, SS (54); Jordan Groshans, SS (77); Alejandro Kirk, C (79)

The Skinny: RHP Alex Manoah has graduated, but C Gabriel Moreno and SS Orelvis Martinez provide a next wave of big bats to follow up the recent arrivals in Toronto of 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., SS Bo Bichette and LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.​

It is nice to be still ranked in the top 10 after losing Manoah, Martin and SWR. Baltimore is ranked #2, the Rays are 7th, Boston is 9th and the Yankees are 19th.

If Franco, Wells and Brujan are graduates then there is no way im swapping the Jays system for Balitmore, Boston's or Tampas. I think the Jays are in a good spot in the top 10, but there are teams ahead of them that i dont agree have a better system than the Jays. I dont mind a free Red Sox prospects but they dont have a better system than we do. They are also underrating the Yankees system. A lot of their players had breakout years.

 

[weems]

Sounds like we've called up Otto Lopez

 

[Cloned]

Sounds like we've called up Otto Lopez

Smith is next, hopefully.

 

[aingefan]

What’s the corresponding move on Lopez?
Isn’t Biggio due back any minute?
Would be nice to see if KSmith’s new hitting approach sticks at the highest level.

 

[Cloned]

What’s the corresponding move on Lopez?
Isn’t Biggio due back any minute?
Would be nice to see if KSmith’s new hitting approach sticks at the highest level.

I'd assume Valera down, but with Montoyo maybe they'll send Espinal down instead.

 

[Anthrax442]

is Teoscar our Bautista #2?

 

[BlueForever75]

Good stretch run piece. Speed to burn and depth. Has some pop in bat.

But definite September call up, bench piece to be pitch runner in late innings or pitch hitter in 9th with 2 outs heading into extra innings. Will start off at 2nd and be at third by 2 pitches.

Nice pickup. Think Dalton Pompey in 2015.