Blue Jays Discussion: Almost through the off-season - Bautista keeping his bat-flipping talents in Toronto

[habamillions]

Appears as if Greg Holland will be heading to Colorado

was hoping the jays woukd have gambled in him. But that is what he is a gamble

 

[Cor]

Assuming Shapiro and Atkins do the same thing as last year and try and improve the bullpen through early season deals, the only thing we'll probably see before Spring Training is a LF brought in.

Even then, the chances of that are probably lower than 10%.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I don't think they go into the season with Loup as their lefty specialist

 

[phillipmike]

All indications are they will bring in a lefty for the pen before the season. Would likely be one of Logan, Blevins or Howell.

Shapiro did say a few weeks ago that the team would look very different from then to Spring Training. Since then the Jays have added Bautista and Saltalamacchia.

I think they make at least 2 bullpen additions and maybe an upgrade in LF before ST. And a bunch of minor league deals.

 

[zeke]

It doesn't give him first dibs at all. His lack of options might, but a guaranteed contract for such a tiny amount doesn't.

All things being equal, he'll get the spot thanks to his contract.

 

[Discoverer]

All things being equal, he'll get the spot thanks to his contract.

And if all things are equal, there's no problem with that.

If someone clearly deserves the spot more than him, the contract won't prevent that player from taking the spot.

 

[Discoverer]

All indications are they will bring in a lefty for the pen before the season. Would likely be one of Logan, Blevins or Howell.

Shapiro did say a few weeks ago that the team would look very different from then to Spring Training. Since then the Jays have added Bautista and Saltalamacchia.

I think they make at least 2 bullpen additions and maybe an upgrade in LF before ST. And a bunch of minor league deals.

I think they only need one reliever (along with the obvious minor league depth). If they add a lefty, they can go with Osuna, Biagini, Grilli, Sparkman, Bolsinger, new lefty, Loup. I don't have a problem with that at all. And Barnes and Tepera would still be in Buffalo as depth along with the rest of the minor league contract guys.

If they can bring in someone else reliable, though, I would probably take the opportunity to start the season with Biagini stretching out in Buffalo. There are a lot of interesting options right now.

 

[tp71]

And if all things are equal, there's no problem with that.

If someone clearly deserves the spot more than him, the contract won't prevent that player from taking the spot.

If 1.2M or whatever is stopping you from giving someone else more deserving of a roster spot, you have bigger problems imo.

 

[Eyedea]

I think it's a great deal for the Jays. If Salty doesn't take the job in spring training, he'll start off in the minors and be able to provide some quality catcher depth in case AJJ falters or Martin gets injured.

Depends on whether or not he has an opt out.

 

[Brown Dog]

I disagree. It gives him first dibs. And a lengthy dibs most likely. The money is irrelevant really - 1mil or 4mil it's the same hurdle in the end.

He's a replacement player who should be earning every day he plays in the majors.

Disagree. Carrera is an ideal 4th OF. Adds a bit of speed and defense and even a little pop. Can't ignore either how he stepped up in the postseason when called on. Should be able to fill in competently at all OF positions.

Sure you don't want him playing every day, but he can certainly contribute in a p/t role. And for your 4th OF you dont want a guy where it would be better for him to be getting regular ABs at MiLB level. Also don't want a guy who will come in rusty or be a malcontent on the bench. Zeke checks a lot of boxes for the job and is cheap.

 

[Discoverer]

Disagree. Carrera is an ideal 4th OF. Adds a bit of speed and defense and even a little pop. Can't ignore either how he stepped up in the postseason when called on. Should be able to fill in competently at all OF positions.

Sure you don't want him playing every day, but he can certainly contribute in a p/t role. And for your 4th OF you dont want a guy where it would be better for him to be getting regular ABs at MiLB level. Also don't want a guy who will come in rusty or be a malcontent on the bench. Zeke checks a lot of boxes for the job and is cheap.

If they had three regular outfielders, then I would agree that he's a good option as the fourth. But they don't. They have two regulars and one (Upton) who needs someone to platoon with. And Zeke doesn't fit the platoon that they're looking for.

To me, they have three options:

1. Get a platoon OF and move Carrera.
2. Get a full-time OF and move one of Carrera/Upton.
3. Let Pompey have the job with on of Carrera/Upton as the backup and move the other.

Carrera/Upton doesn't make much sense in any scenario, and I really hope it's not on the table.

 

[zeke]

And if all things are equal, there's no problem with that.

If someone clearly deserves the spot more than him, the contract won't prevent that player from taking the spot.

i disagree - his guaranteed contract will give him an undeserved advantage in any roster decision.

 

[zeke]

Disagree. Carrera is an ideal 4th OF. Adds a bit of speed and defense and even a little pop. Can't ignore either how he stepped up in the postseason when called on. Should be able to fill in competently at all OF positions.

Sure you don't want him playing every day, but he can certainly contribute in a p/t role. And for your 4th OF you dont want a guy where it would be better for him to be getting regular ABs at MiLB level. Also don't want a guy who will come in rusty or be a malcontent on the bench. Zeke checks a lot of boxes for the job and is cheap.

I don’t think there's anything ideal about him - imo he has upside to be worthwhile but should not be handed playing time.

ideal 4th OFs are better than him, offensively and defensively.

He's a guy i like having in the mix, not a guy i like handing a roster spot to.

 

[zeke]

If 1.2M or whatever is stopping you from giving someone else more deserving of a roster spot, you have bigger problems imo.

it's not the money, it's the chance of losing the asset on waivers.

even if he's a slightly worse option, from an asset management point of view it still might make more sense to keep him up instead of risking losing the depth.

 

[Eyedea]

Sanchez on the cover of the Canadian version of MLB The Show. Only other pitcher that has been featured on a/the cover is Wei Yin Chen on the Taiwanese cover for the last 5 years.

 

[hockeywiz542]

toronto – as the toronto blue jays continue exploring the market for left-handed relievers, veteran southpaw craig breslow has emerged on their radar, according to an industry source.

The sides have been in touch in recent days and, as rob bradford of weei first reported, the blue jays were among the teams in attendance when breslow worked out for scouts monday.

like jarrod saltalamacchia, who agreed to a minor-league deal with the blue jays tuesday, breslow played on the 2013 red sox team that won the world series. Ben cherington, the gm of that red sox team, now works for the blue jays as their vice president of baseball operations.

along with breslow, the market features some higher-profile left-handed options. Jerry blevins, an excellent fit on paper, remains in contact with the blue jays, according to a source. beyond that there’s travis wood, who’s believed to be seeking a starting job, and boone logan. While blevins and logan seem well-positioned to land multi-year deals, breslow would be available more affordably on a one-year contract or perhaps a minor-league deal with incentives.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[deletethis]

Apart from lefty relievers, the more I examine the bullpen arms in the Blue Jays' depth chart the more comforted I am that the team will cobble together a competent if not above average bullpen this season. There are many reasonable possibilities to fill out the bullpen on the 40 man roster.

I see an offense that should be above average and a bullpen that will eventually be average once the hot arms are identified. The defense should be above average again. The starting staff was arguably the team's biggest strength in 2016. Can it be that again in 2017? Can Happ and Estrada have at least 80% of the years they had in 2016 to keep the starting staff as that strength? That's going to be the key. Looks like a formula for another playoff berth to me.

 

[FreeBird]

Assuming Shapiro and Atkins do the same thing as last year and try and improve the bullpen through early season deals, the only thing we'll probably see before Spring Training is a LF brought in.

Even then, the chances of that are probably lower than 10%.

Who will fill LF void, my bet is Orestes Minoso. You won't find many as capable as Minny.

 

[theaub]

Well Carrera is either gone or is just trolling people on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPvC9O5Dysk/

 

[habamillions]

probably thanking them for putting him on the bluejays winter tour

 

[Muston Atthews]

Probably just genuinely thankful to be a Blue Jay

 

[King Mapes]

What number will Morales wear? Any idea?

 

[Petes]

What number will Morales wear? Any idea?

8. Saw it on twitter yesterday.... can't remember where.

 

[phillipmike]

Yeah Morales is wearing 8. Pearce will be wearing 28.