Blue Jays Discussion: The "So, How About Them Blue Jays?" Edition. [1.5 Games ahead of Yankees]

[Canada4Gold]

My playoff rotation

1. Price
2. Stroman
3. Dickey
4. Price (3 days rest)
5. Stroman

If we go 5 games in ALDS
1. Buehrle
2. Price
3. Stroman
4. Dickey
5. Buehrle
6. Price
7. Stroman

If we go 4
1. Stroman
2. Price
3. Buehrle
4. Dickey
5. Stroman
6. Price
7. Buehrle

If we go 3
1. Price
2. Stroman
3. Dickey
4. Price (3 days rest)
5. Buehrle
6. Stroman
7. Price (3 days rest)

I'm not going to go into like 12 different scenarios for the worlds series, but if Price is available on 4 days rest I start him game 1 and get him out there on 3 days rest twice in games 4 and 7. Stroman twice, probably 2 and 6, then 1 Buehrle, 1 Dickey in the 3 and 5.

If I can't get Price out there in game 1, I go Stroman/Price games 2 and 3, and get them back out there games 6 and 7 on 4 days rest, the other 3 go to Buehrle and Dickey

 

[Suntouchable13]

Buerhle is one of the guys I would worry about putting in the rotation. His velocity is lower and his health kind of worries me.

I still like him, but if I was him I'd retire after this season. He is about a season or 2 from being completely destroyed. Just retire when your numbers are still respectable.

 

[TootooTrain]

Great read if you have the time.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/big-read-josh-donaldson-bringer-of-game/

(this is just a snippet)

...

Then he’s off again, snatching a Gatorade on the way to Devon Travis’s locker where he sits down backwards in a chair, arms over the back rest, high-school-principal-trying-to-fit-in-with-the-kids style, for a long chat with the Blue Jays’ rookie second baseman. Donaldson has taken it upon himself to mentor many of the Blue Jays’ younger players and share what he’s learned about the game and life since he first reached the majors in 2010. But Travis gets special attention. “Probably because I ask so many dang questions,” he says. “But JD, man, that’s my guy. That’s my dude. From spring training on, he’s given me such a boost, always coming to me, helping me out. I’ll be 0-for-4, in a little rut, and he’s bringing me my glove, being like, ‘You’re doing good, man—keep going. It’ll come.’ And that’s an all-star right there saying that. I don’t know where I’d be without the guy.”

It’s hard to oversell just how valuable Donaldson has been to the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays, from the game-winning hits, to the next-level defence, to the 21 home runs he’d hit by the all-star break. But the 29-year-old’s work behind closed doors is the one area where he hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves. He’s a social animal, one who wants to be in the middle of the action in the clubhouse, just as he is on the field. Walk into the Blue Jays’ sprawling locker room on five straight days and you’ll find Donaldson talking to someone different each time. He knows no cliques; he cares not for any unwritten rules of rookies not talking to veterans or starting pitchers being left completely secluded on their start days. This kind of stuff can inch dangerously close to cliché, but Donaldson really is the kind of player who brings a clubhouse together, who provides the glue. “He’s a likeable guy. He’s fun-loving. Guys really respond to that,” says Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “It’s different than we’ve had here in the past. He’s always talking with someone, being good to the youngsters, taking care of his teammates. It makes a difference. It really does.”

...

 

[Mach85]

I still like him, but if I was him I'd retire after this season. He is about a season or 2 from being completely destroyed. Just retire when your numbers are still respectable.

What I worry about is the price he'll likely eventually pay for his durability. Every pitcher's arm is a ticking time bomb, it's just the nature of performing such an unnatural act, and he's never missed a start. Bronson Arroyo finally blew out after being similarly durable. James Shields is another one I worry about.

 

[theaub]

I think the better scenario is figuring out who makes the roster

Pitchers (11): Price (S), Dickey (S), Buehrle (S), Stroman (S), Estrada, Hendriks, Cecil, Hawkins, Lowe, Sanchez, Osuna
Catchers (2): Martin, Navarro
Infielders (6): Encarnacion, Goins, Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Smoak, Pennington
Outfielders (5): Bautista, Pillar, Revere, Pompey, Carerra
You can hit but please stay off the field at all costs (1): Colabello

Carrera is my pinch runner there, I don't believe Fields is eligible (and he stopped hitting anyways).

 

[Epictetus]

Definitely think Hutchinson should be on the roster.

 

[theaub]

My debate points were

- Hutch vs Hendriks (no need for 12 pitchers for a 5 game series, Hendriks has been awesome outside of Thursday)
- Thole vs Carrera (don't really see the need for a 3rd catcher)
- Kawasaki vs Carrera (I don't like Kawasaki but another MIF may be more valuable than a 5th OF so not sure on this one)

 

[barilko05]

Sorry, but all this "Oh, Stro will be the man come playoff time" is a just wack! Like it or not, he may see some BP time by then, but anyone who thinks a guy who hasn't pitched to MLB competition for almost a full year is going to get significant reps down the stretch, let alone start a playoff game, is out to lunch. While managers will rely on stats, and sometimes on gut feelings, for lineups and rotations, what they prize above all is LOYALTY. And Gibby is no exception. And that means this...unless someone is injured, or Buerhle or Estrada absolutely crater over the last month of the season, Marco Estrada will be the number 4 guy in the rotation. And even if either of them go down, Hutch will get the call before Stroman.

You go with the guys that brought you.

 

[tml19]

Sorry, but all this "Oh, Stro will be the man come playoff time" is a just wack! Like it or not, he may see some BP time by then, but anyone who thinks a guy who hasn't pitched to MLB competition for almost a full year is going to get significant reps down the stretch, let alone start a playoff game, is out to lunch. While managers will rely on stats, and sometimes on gut feelings, for lineups and rotations, what they prize above all is LOYALTY. And Gibby is no exception. And that means this...unless someone is injured, or Buerhle or Estrada absolutely crater over the last month of the season, Marco Estrada will be the number 4 guy in the rotation. And even if either of them go down, Hutch will get the call before Stroman.

You go with the guys that brought you.

No you go with the guy who is going to give you the best chance to win.

 

[Muston Atthews]

Going to the game tonight. Pumped.

 

[Longshot]

My debate points were

- Hutch vs Hendriks (no need for 12 pitchers for a 5 game series, Hendriks has been awesome outside of Thursday)
- Thole vs Carrera (don't really see the need for a 3rd catcher)
- Kawasaki vs Carrera (I don't like Kawasaki but another MIF may be more valuable than a 5th OF so not sure on this one)

That point works just as well in favour of Hutch.

With Osuna, Sanchez, Hawkins, Lowe and Cecil in front of him (then add in Estrada and possibly Stroman - I have a hard time believing he will start in the playoffs even if healthy) what are the odds Hendriks is going to be needed? They might think having two guys that are stretched out as starters (Hutch and Estrada) in the bullpen, might be more valuable then another 1-2 inning guy.

Roster as of now (in brackets the players that would be on the 25-man in the playoffs, they are beside the guy they would replace that is on the roster now):

Price
Dickey
Hutch
Estrada
Buerhle
Osuna
Sanchez
Hawkins
Lowe
Cecil
Hendriks
Schultz (Stroman)
Martin
Dioner
EE
Smoak
Colabello
Goins
Pennington
Tulo
Donaldson
Bautista
Pillar
Revere
Carrera (Pompey)

The wild card is Travis. If he is healthy he's at second. And then it's a choice between two of Pennington, Hendriks and Goins.

I choose Stroman over Schultz for obvious reasons. And Pompey over Carrera, because it makes way more sense for your 4th outfielder in the playoffs to be a guy that is going to be around awhile rather than a guy with no long-term future with the club. I look back to 1992 and their two keys bats off the bench were Sprague and Derek Bell. Both young, both went on to have decent careers - albeit, Bell with other teams.

 

[Longshot]

Going to the game tonight. Pumped.

I was at all three over the weekend. One of the most memorable weekends of my life!

I was there with a buddy, we had a stadium view room for Friday/Saturday (plus cheap tickets for batting practice). On Sunday we went to the game before heading home. It's 6-0 in the 4th inning yesterday and he turns to me and says: "Today isn't as good as yesterday."

I'm like: "Dude, how good was yesterday that you're disappointed in four homeruns and a six-run lead?"

 

[SDig14]

Stroman is simply better than anyone not named Price. He gives us a great chance to win.

It's not like he isn't going to be pitching before the playoffs either. If all goes well, he will be up to 85 pitchers in live action before even joining the team.

If he throws 90-100 pitches in a regular season game prior to the playoffs and looks like his old self I have no issues starting him as the #2 guy.

Obviously if he struggles from now till the end of the regular season, then you reevaluate everything.

 

[Discoverer]

Sorry, but all this "Oh, Stro will be the man come playoff time" is a just wack! Like it or not, he may see some BP time by then, but anyone who thinks a guy who hasn't pitched to MLB competition for almost a full year is going to get significant reps down the stretch, let alone start a playoff game, is out to lunch. While managers will rely on stats, and sometimes on gut feelings, for lineups and rotations, what they prize above all is LOYALTY. And Gibby is no exception. And that means this...unless someone is injured, or Buerhle or Estrada absolutely crater over the last month of the season, Marco Estrada will be the number 4 guy in the rotation. And even if either of them go down, Hutch will get the call before Stroman.

You go with the guys that brought you.

No, you go with whoever gives you the best chance to win. If that's Stroman, Stroman will start. If it's not, he won't.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

You need more starts from Price+Stro. You only ever use any other starters to get these guys a rest.

Even all world pitcher Madison Bumgarner only got 4 postseason starts unless you want to count the wildcard play-in game as another start for 5. The most starts a pitcher could conceivably make in the playoffs is 6.

 

[Longshot]

Sorry, but all this "Oh, Stro will be the man come playoff time" is a just wack! Like it or not, he may see some BP time by then, but anyone who thinks a guy who hasn't pitched to MLB competition for almost a full year is going to get significant reps down the stretch, let alone start a playoff game, is out to lunch. While managers will rely on stats, and sometimes on gut feelings, for lineups and rotations, what they prize above all is LOYALTY. And Gibby is no exception. And that means this...unless someone is injured, or Buerhle or Estrada absolutely crater over the last month of the season, Marco Estrada will be the number 4 guy in the rotation. And even if either of them go down, Hutch will get the call before Stroman.

You go with the guys that brought you.

Sorry, but that's ridiculous.

I agree it's a tad premature to be counting on Stroman for a major contribution at this point. However, he's on a re-hab program and if it works out and he's healthy and capable of pitching - then they need to use him in some role.

You don't bench one of the best pitchers in the organization because of "loyalty." Which, is a silly concept. What about loyalty to Stroman who worked his butt off to get healthy, rehab and be ready to help the team in Sept.? Are you suggesting he should be punished for doing that?

If you go with your argument, then I guess Price shouldn't pitch until later in any series. Because, you know, Hutch and Estrada have been here longer. Same for Travis. If he's healthy, he shouldn't play because Goins was the one that "brought them."

And Gibbons won't be the one making the final decisions. The playoff rosters will be a decision between AA and his assistants and the on field management/coaching.

 

[theaub]

As the old saying goes, what do they call GM's that are loyal?

Unemployed

 

[nilan30]

If the Blue Jays make the playoffs, can we see a broadcast with the Sportsnet crew or will all games be Fox, ESPN etc only?

Also, what are your plans for the wild card round if the Jays end up with weekday afternoon games? PVR? Call in sick? Suck it up and miss the games? Internet radio at work?

 

[Longshot]

If the Blue Jays make the playoffs, can we see a broadcast with the Sportsnet crew or will all games be Fox, ESPN etc only?

Also, what are your plans for the wild card round if the Jays end up with weekday afternoon games? PVR? Call in sick? Suck it up and miss the games? Internet radio at work?

Playoff games belong to the national broadcasters and would go to their crews.

And for those looking forward to this (no Buck and Pat), other than Dan Shulman, national baseball broadcasters pretty much suck.

And we will all learn very quickly that none of them have paid even the remotest attention to the Blue Jays all year.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

If the Blue Jays make the playoffs, can we see a broadcast with the Sportsnet crew or will all games be Fox, ESPN etc only?

Also, what are your plans for the wild card round if the Jays end up with weekday afternoon games? PVR? Call in sick? Suck it up and miss the games? Internet radio at work?

If the Jays play in the wildcard game that game will be on ESPN.

ALDS is either on FOX/FS1/MLB Network

ALCS is on FOX/FS1

You will not see the Sportsnet broadcast crew for any games

 

[rent free]

My playoff rotation

1. Price
2. Stroman
3. Dickey
4. Price (3 days rest)
5. Stroman

If we go 5 games in ALDS
1. Buehrle
2. Price
3. Stroman
4. Dickey
5. Buehrle
6. Price
7. Stroman

If we go 4
1. Stroman
2. Price
3. Buehrle
4. Dickey
5. Stroman
6. Price
7. Buehrle

If we go 3
1. Price
2. Stroman
3. Dickey
4. Price (3 days rest)
5. Buehrle
6. Stroman
7. Price (3 days rest)

I'm not going to go into like 12 different scenarios for the worlds series, but if Price is available on 4 days rest I start him game 1 and get him out there on 3 days rest twice in games 4 and 7. Stroman twice, probably 2 and 6, then 1 Buehrle, 1 Dickey in the 3 and 5.

If I can't get Price out there in game 1, I go Stroman/Price games 2 and 3, and get them back out there games 6 and 7 on 4 days rest, the other 3 go to Buehrle and Dickey

i'd take buehrle over dickey any day. he's consistenly been better over his career

 

[rent free]

Definitely think Hutchinson should be on the roster.

as a releiver 100%

 

[rent free]

I think the better scenario is figuring out who makes the roster

Pitchers (11): Price (S), Dickey (S), Buehrle (S), Stroman (S), Estrada, Hendriks, Cecil, Hawkins, Lowe, Sanchez, Osuna
Catchers (2): Martin, Navarro
Infielders (6): Encarnacion, Goins, Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Smoak, Pennington
Outfielders (5): Bautista, Pillar, Revere, Pompey, Carerra
You can hit but please stay off the field at all costs (1): Colabello

Carrera is my pinch runner there, I don't believe Fields is eligible (and he stopped hitting anyways).

why not use the regular roster as it is rn? or is this it

 

[ACC1224]

I just spent the past week in the US and the Jays got very little mention that I saw. I was forced to listen to Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole for highlights. Hard to imagine but they are even dumber in the US than they were while in Canada.

Met lots of Yankee fans though, that was fun.

 

[rent free]

My debate points were

- Hutch vs Hendriks (no need for 12 pitchers for a 5 game series, Hendriks has been awesome outside of Thursday)
- Thole vs Carrera (don't really see the need for a 3rd catcher)
- Kawasaki vs Carrera (I don't like Kawasaki but another MIF may be more valuable than a 5th OF so not sure on this one)

kawasaki isnt even a mlb player, carerra is probably a defensive replacement in a blowout or a pr or even ph in close games