Blue Jays Discussion: Spring Training Discussion: Countdown to the Season (Thursday at 3pm ET/noon PT)

[The Nemesis]

After yesterday with the Yankees broadcast basically pretending that it was a simulated game of New York guys vs a pitching machine, it's refreshing listening to this Jays broadcast give a lot of due to and info on the Pirates players and team progress.

 

[Jojalu]

After yesterday with the Yankees broadcast basically pretending that it was a simulated game of New York guys vs a pitching machine, it's refreshing listening to this Jays broadcast give a lot of due to and info on the Pirates players and team progress.

Soto lovefest yesterday!

 

[The Nemesis]

Good on the Jays to reward the bat boy with a chance to show his stuff on the mound..

 

[Forgotusername]

I did not think Robertson was going to make it to 3rd with the way he rounded second.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[The Nemesis]

Brian "The Beast" Serven strikes again. Now he just needs to grow a badass mustache and hold all the belts.

 

[LaP]

Tanner Morris looks like the bat boy ...

 

[LaP]

There are some people here who don't seem to understand that the difference between IKF and Turner at 3B is not that great (he's a much better hitter, but also a MUCH worse defender).

The larger gap is either IKF to Chapman (3.5 fWAR) or IKF to one of the young guys who forces their way up (Palmegiani or Barger).

Edit: The Espinal of 2 and 3 years ago is also a fairly sizeable upgrade on IKF.

A game of baseball is not played on paper. You could field 8 of the best defensive players in the league who are not good batters and have a relatively favorable advanced stats and you would not win a champ. At some point you have to have a little but of everything if you want to win. Strong defense. Guys who can run. Guys who can hit. If you focus too much on one aspect of the game you'll eventually fall to a more complete team. It's true in all sports.

 

[The Nemesis]

I like that this documentary is showing the one guy from that Million Dollar Arm program and what he's doing for baseball in India. Kind of a shame they aren't showing the other player from that show/movie. He doesn't play baseball anymore either. But he got super-jacked and is a pro wrestler now. I'm 100% serious

 

[Dr.Funk]

I like that this documentary is showing the one guy from that Million Dollar Arm program and what he's doing for baseball in India. Kind of a shame they aren't showing the other player from that show/movie. He doesn't play baseball anymore either. But he got super-jacked and is a pro wrestler now. I'm 100% serious

 

[The Nemesis]

yep.

It's hilarious too because the pictures of him with his Pirates gear look like he was a string bean. So he's not like Ultimate Warrior roided out shred monster now, but dude put in some work in the gym to get that far.

I did read an interview with him that he ended up quitting baseball due to injuries. He had to get TJ and then broke his elbow and that was pretty much it for him.

 

[canucksfan]

How did the Jays get Serven?

 

[Deebo]

How did the Jays get Serven?

waivers

 

[MK78]

Much better game today from the pitchers today vs Pirates, Kikuchi, Bassitt, Romano etc...

They got pasted in the first two games.

 

[Puckstuff]

Which prospect has the best chance to break camp?

Roden?
Martinez?
Barger?
Horwitz?

We could use a LF/3B to split time with IKF or Kiermaier. It would be nice if Roden and Martinez stepped up.

1. Springer
2. Bichette
3. Vlad Jr.
4. Turner
5. Kirk
6. Schneider
7. Varhso
8. Martinez
9. Roden

 

[canucksfan]

Which prospect has the best chance to break camp?

Roden?
Martinez?
Barger?
Horwitz?

We could use a LF/3B to split time with IKF or Kiermaier. It would be nice if Roden and Martinez stepped up.

1. Springer
2. Bichette
3. Vlad Jr.
4. Turner
5. Kirk
6. Schneider
7. Varhso
8. Martinez
9. Roden

Palmegiani has a chance at 3B/LF but I think he’ll be used as depth. Horwitz I think is the only one that makes it. Orelvis is playing 2nd.

 

[Nineteen67]

Which prospect has the best chance to break camp?

Roden?
Martinez?
Barger?
Horwitz?

We could use a LF/3B to split time with IKF or Kiermaier. It would be nice if Roden and Martinez stepped up.

1. Springer
2. Bichette
3. Vlad Jr.
4. Turner
5. Kirk
6. Schneider
7. Varhso
8. Martinez
9. Roden

Wouldn’t it be best for Barger and Martinez to play everyday, at least to start the season?

 

[Hellcat]

I was happy the starters all looked good Sat.

I am not worried at all about the pitching. Was tongue in cheek. I have 100% faith in Walker.

I also feel like Mattingly will make a huge difference this year now that he is more involved with the hitters

Exactly, often in spring training experienced pitchers are trying out different things, I doubt they will be as good as they were last year but when Reg season comes the pitcher will be ready. They have one of the best pitching coaches in the majors.

I thought it was telling when many fans were saying (mocking) last year there were too many hitting coaches and they admitted Mattingly's new job is make sure there is one message going to the hitters because last year there were different messages depending on which hitting coach you talked to.. Fans always know best

Palmegiani has a chance at 3B/LF but I think he’ll be used as depth. Horwitz I think is the only one that makes it. Orelvis is playing 2nd.

I would have thought Schneider is a lock for 2B?

 

[Bjindaho]

Exactly, often in spring training experienced pitchers are trying out different things, I doubt they will be as good as they were last year but when Reg season comes the pitcher will be ready. They have one of the best pitching coaches in the majors.

I thought it was telling when many fans were saying (mocking) last year there were too many hitting coaches and they admitted Mattingly's new job is make sure there is one message going to the hitters because last year there were different messages depending on which hitting coach you talked to.. Fans always know best



I would have thought Schneider is a lock for 2B?

Schneider isn't necessarily a lock. The Jays have many players for different positions.

Varsho/Kiermeier/Springer/Bichette/Vlad/Cavan/Espinal/IKF/Jansen/Kirk/Turner would be the first 10.

After that, 3 of Horwitz, Vogelbach, Escobar, Clement, Lukes, Schneider will likely make it (though there is a chance that one of Berroa/Eden starts the year as a baserunning/fielding sub)

 

[Jojalu]

Schneider isn't necessarily a lock. The Jays have many players for different positions.

Varsho/Kiermeier/Springer/Bichette/Vlad/Cavan/Espinal/IKF/Jansen/Kirk/Turner would be the first 10.

After that, 3 of Horwitz, Vogelbach, Escobar, Clement, Lukes, Schneider will likely make it (though there is a chance that one of Berroa/Eden starts the year as a baserunning/fielding sub)

If Martinez can start in AAA and cut down on his swing and miss, he could provide some big pop at either 2nd or 3rd later this year.

I still have high hopes from him

 

[Suntouchable13]

Is Chapman still really holding out for a 6 year deal more than 120 million smackeroos? He and Boras are insane. I’d sign him right now for 80M x 3 years, same as Belli.

 

[Bjindaho]

Is Chapman still really holding out for a 6 year deal more than 120 million smackeroos? He and Boras are insane. I’d sign him right now for 80M x 3 years, same as Belli.

There's no universe in which I would do that deal. That's insane money.

Paying 25+ for a short term gamble with warts is crazy talk. Paying 32M per year in actual pay is even worse (that's what it would work out to with the luxury tax bill).

I wouldn't do 80 over 3 for any of the Boras 4. And, if I'm being honest, I'm not sure I'd even offer Chapman the equivalent to his QO any more.

 

[Suntouchable13]

There's no universe in which I would do that deal. That's insane money.

Paying 25+ for a short term gamble with warts is crazy talk. Paying 32M per year in actual pay is even worse (that's what it would work out to with the luxury tax bill).

I wouldn't do 80 over 3 for any of the Boras 4. And, if I'm being honest, I'm not sure I'd even offer Chapman the equivalent to his QO any more.

Ok, maybe I am crazy. But Jays giving IKF that money for a below replacement level hitter is not insane? Going with him as your opening day 3rd baseman in a season where your window is supposed to be open? Dumb.

 

[Bjindaho]

Ok, maybe I am crazy. But Jays giving IKF that money for a below replacement level hitter is not insane? Going with him as your opening day 3rd baseman in a season where your window is supposed to be open? Dumb.

IKF at 7.5 is an overpay.

The thing about that is that Atkins didn't sound sure that IKF would be the Jays starter all year (just that that would be where he's penciled in now).

If Espinal bounces back, he's an upgrade on Chapman. If he doesn't bounce back, IKF is an insurance policy of middling 3B play while we wait for Barger or Palmegiani (or trade) to force a change.

 

[Discoverer]

There's no universe in which I would do that deal. That's insane money.

Paying 25+ for a short term gamble with warts is crazy talk. Paying 32M per year in actual pay is even worse (that's what it would work out to with the luxury tax bill).

I wouldn't do 80 over 3 for any of the Boras 4. And, if I'm being honest, I'm not sure I'd even offer Chapman the equivalent to his QO any more.

As much as there are concerns about a long-term deal for Chapman, he's never been anything less than a 3.5 WAR player with an above-average bat and elite defense. Describing him as "a short term gamble with warts" who you wouldn't want to sign to the QO deal is way crazier than wanting him on the Bellinger deal.