Blue Jays Discussion: Turn out the lights, the season's over.

[The Nemesis]

Forgive a casual fan's question, but what's the dope on Reese McGuire? Is he decent behind the plate? A future starter? Analytics picture?

He was a 1st round pick of the Pirates that was regarded as somewhat of a failed prospect, allowing him to become a trade chip/payment to the Blue Jays in the deal that sent Francisco Liriano to Pittsburgh with the Jays eating a bunch of Liriano's salary in exchange for McGuire being in the deal. He's very good defensively. That's actually been the skill that has had him on track for major league over the last few years. As he rose up the prospect ranks there was generally a question of whether or not his bat would work at the big league level to make him an everyday catcher. The general expectation was that he would probably profile as a defence-first backup catcher who wasn't a complete black hole, and one that made the perfect counterpart to the offence-first Danny Jansen as the starter.

His breakout so far in the bigs this season is quite unexpected, and probably not a permanent thing. He has yet to even log 100 PAs this season and while he also raked in a small sample last season too, i remains to be seen if this is some sort of MLB-level breakou or he's just on an extended hot streak/pitchers haven't adjusted to him and his bat cools off with more time and exposure.

 

[Lindgren]

He was a 1st round pick of the Pirates that was regarded as somewhat of a failed prospect, allowing him to become a trade chip/payment to the Blue Jays in the deal that sent Francisco Liriano to Pittsburgh with the Jays eating a bunch of Liriano's salary in exchange for McGuire being in the deal. He's very good defensively. That's actually been the skill that has had him on track for major league over the last few years. As he rose up the prospect ranks there was generally a question of whether or not his bat would work at the big league level to make him an everyday catcher. The general expectation was that he would probably profile as a defence-first backup catcher who wasn't a complete black hole, and one that made the perfect counterpart to the offence-first Danny Jansen as the starter.

His breakout so far in the bigs this season is quite unexpected, and probably not a permanent thing. He has yet to even log 100 PAs this season and while he also raked in a small sample last season too, i remains to be seen if this is some sort of MLB-level breakou or he's just on an extended hot streak/pitchers haven't adjusted to him and his bat cools off with more time and exposure.

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for, only better. Much appreciated.

 

[BlueForever75]

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for, only better. Much appreciated.

Unfortunately he is totally wrong!!!

The Jays acquired Liriano, McGuire and OF prospect Ramirez from Pittsburgh in exchange for Drew Hutchison. It wasn't the Jays sending Liriano to the Pirates!!!!

The Jays acquired Liriano for the stretch run if I not mistaken, to give them the ability to move Sanchez to bullpen for the playoffs because he was on an inning count that season. All Toronto did in that deal was had to absorb the remainder of Liriano's 18 million dollar contract.

Hutchison was a bust, Liriano served a purpose that playoff run, we were able to flip Liriano the next season to Houston for Teoscar Hernandez and Aoki. Ramirez turned into an ok prospect and looked the most promising when we received him. But chose to go overseas and play in Japan when the Jays didn't have a place for him on the 40-man any longer. McGuire progress and matured as we see him today, and probably will be a part of the best 1-2 backstop tandems in MLB along with Jansen. At the time the Jays acquired McGuire its was spoken about as a huge overpayment by the Bucs to acquire Hutchison. McGuire was ranked number 6 in their prospect evaluations that year. So he was far from a bust

Hope this gives you a little more clarity and facts in regards to McGuire and how the Jays acquired him.

 

[thehockeysong]

Unfortunately he is totally wrong!!!

The Jays acquired Liriano, McGuire and OF prospect Ramirez from Pittsburgh in exchange for Drew Hutchison. It wasn't the Jays sending Liriano to the Pirates!!!!

The Jays acquired Liriano for the stretch run if I not mistaken, to give them the ability to move Sanchez to bullpen for the playoffs because he was on an inning count that season. All Toronto did in that deal was had to absorb the remainder of Liriano's 18 million dollar contract.

Hutchison was a bust, Liriano served a purpose that playoff run, we were able to flip Liriano the next season to Houston for Teoscar Hernandez and Aoki. Ramirez turned into an ok prospect and looked the most promising when we received him. But chose to go overseas and play in Japan when the Jays didn't have a place for him on the 40-man any longer. McGuire progress and matured as we see him today, and probably will be a part of the best 1-2 backstop tandems in MLB along with Jansen. At the time the Jays acquired McGuire its was spoken about as a huge overpayment by the Bucs to acquire Hutchison. McGuire was ranked number 6 in their prospect evaluations that year. So he was far from a bust

Hope this gives you a little more clarity and facts in regards to McGuire and how the Jays acquired him.

That one gets most (myself included) misremembering. Both of the deals were a bit wonky, so they get muddled together.

 

[phillipmike]

Sanchez likely to be non tendered.

Biagini likely to not be on the playoff roster. Also hasnt pitched since September 10th where he gave up 6 runs without getting an out.

Might turn out to be just Stevenson for Fisher.

 

[kb]

The Fisher Price is going down.

 

[Lindgren]

Unfortunately he is totally wrong!!!

The Jays acquired Liriano, McGuire and OF prospect Ramirez from Pittsburgh in exchange for Drew Hutchison. It wasn't the Jays sending Liriano to the Pirates!!!!

The Jays acquired Liriano for the stretch run if I not mistaken, to give them the ability to move Sanchez to bullpen for the playoffs because he was on an inning count that season. All Toronto did in that deal was had to absorb the remainder of Liriano's 18 million dollar contract.

Hutchison was a bust, Liriano served a purpose that playoff run, we were able to flip Liriano the next season to Houston for Teoscar Hernandez and Aoki. Ramirez turned into an ok prospect and looked the most promising when we received him. But chose to go overseas and play in Japan when the Jays didn't have a place for him on the 40-man any longer. McGuire progress and matured as we see him today, and probably will be a part of the best 1-2 backstop tandems in MLB along with Jansen. At the time the Jays acquired McGuire its was spoken about as a huge overpayment by the Bucs to acquire Hutchison. McGuire was ranked number 6 in their prospect evaluations that year. So he was far from a bust

Hope this gives you a little more clarity and facts in regards to McGuire and how the Jays acquired him.

What's your take on his offence? Is what he's doing a taste of things to come, or will his numbers inevitably plummet?

 

[barilko05]

The Fisher Price is going down.

Here that wooshing sound? That's the sound of Scott Boras running away in the other direction as fast as his janky little feet will carry him. I give it to spring training before the inevitable announcement that "Aaron Sanchez has parted ways with his agent..."

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

And I was like...BIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGIIIIIIOOOO

 

[Puckstuff]

It’s pretty crazy that Gurriel Jr, Bichette and McGuire all have better numbers with the Jays then Buffalo this year, regardless of the small sample sizes

 

[Suntouchable13]

Damn, it's been 4 years already since that magical run in 2015 to clinch the AL East. It's amazing how time flies. Wow.

 

[deletethis]

Sanchez likely to be non tendered.

Biagini likely to not be on the playoff roster. Also hasnt pitched since September 10th where he gave up 6 runs without getting an out.

Might turn out to be just Stevenson for Fisher.

That trade is going to turn out to be a big nothing burger for both teams.


P.S. Hey, I just noticed that Pillar is going to have the best season of his career after starting kind of flat after the trade. I still get why we moved on. Good for him nonetheless.

 

[Discoverer]

That trade is going to turn out to be a big nothing burger for both teams.


P.S. Hey, I just noticed that Pillar is going to have the best season of his career after starting kind of flat after the trade. I still get why we moved on. Good for him nonetheless.

86 wRC+ (second worst of his career), 1.5 fWAR (worst of his career).

He's been... slightly worse than normal, but mostly just regular Pillar.

 

[deletethis]

86 wRC+ (second worst of his career), 1.5 fWAR (worst of his career).

He's been... slightly worse than normal, but mostly just regular Pillar.

I'm not completely on the spectrum. It's his best OPS of his career.

 

[BertCorbeau]

That trade is going to turn out to be a big nothing burger for both teams.


P.S. Hey, I just noticed that Pillar is going to have the best season of his career after starting kind of flat after the trade. I still get why we moved on. Good for him nonetheless.

Happy for Pillar. Thought San Fran would be a good spot for him.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

It’s pretty crazy that Gurriel Jr, Bichette and McGuire all have better numbers with the Jays then Buffalo this year, regardless of the small sample sizes

Buffalo is a terrible place to hit. Juiced triple A ball or not.

I'm not completely on the spectrum. It's his best OPS of his career.

I think the principal take away is that Pillar remains a very mediocre, flawed hitter, who’s chief asset has continued its linear depreciation down the aging curve.

Though I wish him well. Would’ve liked to see him on a playoff team for one more run. Problem is, all the playoff teams have a proper CF, save for the Cardinals.

 

[deletethis]

Would the 2020's Blue Jays be a better team if they got Vlad Jr.'s aching bones off the field as soon as possible and have him concentrate entirely on hitting?

 

[Discoverer]

I'm not completely on the spectrum. It's his best OPS of his career.

That's fair, but it's also why we have stats like wRC+ that are adjusted for league/park/environment and stuff. Pillar's OPS is 21 points higher than last year, but the league average OPS has increased by 31 points.

 

[deletethis]

It appears that there could improved production in 2020 out of just about every position but that pitching staff is looking like a scramble. Will they buy some pitchers in the off season as the lineup is going to be insanely cheap? They really should use a selling line like "we're offering the most money and we're willing to move you at your request at any time".

 

[ER89]

just for fun, but with the red sox saying they will listen to offers on mookie, what would your competitive offer be?

 

[Discoverer]

It appears that there could improved production in 2020 out of just about every position but that pitching staff is looking like a scramble. Will they buy some pitchers in the off season as the lineup is going to be insanely cheap? They really should use a selling line like "we're offering the most money and we're willing to move you at your request at any time".

I mean... they could sign Gerrit Cole this offseason and Mookie Betts next offseason and still have the flexibility to make other smaller additions the next couple years and plenty of space to fit in arbitration raises and even extensions to the young stars in a few years.

I think they'll target better than the Shoemaker types, but it's going to be annoying when the biggest addition is mediocre filler when they're in a perfect position to make a huge splash (in terms of roster construction, contention window, financial position, future commitments, etc). It's frustrating that the best we can reasonably hope for (and even then it's a stretch) is someone like Zack Wheeler.

 

[Discoverer]

just for fun, but with the red sox saying they will listen to offers on mookie, what would your competitive offer be?

I don't think I could make a competitive offer. It's not worth trading any of the young guys for one year of Betts on a team that's not contending, and Boston wouldn't move Betts for a bunch of scraps.

 

[ER89]

I don't think I could make a competitive offer. It's not worth trading any of the young guys for one year of Betts on a team that's not contending, and Boston wouldn't move Betts for a bunch of scraps.

Fair enough, just on a fair value basis, would a pearson+biggio get the conversation started?

 

[Talks to Goalposts]

Would the 2020's Blue Jays be a better team if they got Vlad Jr.'s aching bones off the field as soon as possible and have him concentrate entirely on hitting?

Maybe, but there is huge upside in being able to slot in some relatively cheap good bats into the 1B/DH with an elite hitting 3B with passable defense. So they should see if that can be an option before moving Vlad over. One of the big potential things about having Vlad, Bo, Biggio and Jansen/McGuire+catching prospects is that they have the potential of providing good offense from most of the tough defensive positions in a time when good bats in the corner spots are relatively easy to get, which can lead to a great team offense.

 

[phillipmike]

Blue Jays minor league righty Luis Quinones received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drugs Nandrolone, John Lott of The Athleticreports. The ban will take effect at the beginning of the 2020 season. The 21-year-old Quinones was a 34th-round pick of the Jays this past June who produced stellar results in 36 2/3 innings between the rookie and low-A levels. He wrapped up his first professional season with a 2.95 ERA and 14.0 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9.

Well those results were too good to be true.