Blue Jays Discussion: June 2017 Edition

[Suntouchable13]

What about Dwight Smith Jr.? If nobody is a perfect fit, why not try someone unproven? Has a pretty good slash line for the Jays in a limited showing, has some speed, even has some pop. Best thing is he has a .364 OBS in AAA this year.

It took him some time, but he's starting to finally look good enough to stick around full time.

Except that Pearce should stay in the lineup. He is heating up.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Why not Pearce at the top? Lifetime .333 OBP. A whole lot better than Pillar.

Not a horrible idea if he gets hot and is healthy. I made the recommendation that he should lead off vs. LHP prior to the season starting. Would still prefer Bautista as he gets on base more.

Martin - 2B and C
Donaldson - 3B
Bautista - RF
Morales - DH
Smoak - 1B
Pearce - LF
Tulo - SS
Maile - C or Goins 2B
Pillar - CF

Does Martin block balls anymore or does he only try to pick them?

Yikes.

What about Dwight Smith Jr.? If nobody is a perfect fit, why not try someone unproven? Has a pretty good slash line for the Jays in a limited showing, has some speed, even has some pop. Best thing is he has a .364 OBS in AAA this year.

It took him some time, but he's starting to finally look good enough to stick around full time.

Not a bad idea as he profiles as a possible future lead-off guy (though much more likely a 7,8,9 type). He'll get games to get Pearce off his feet every once in a while, however, you need Pearce's bat in the lineup, especially if he catches fire.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Pearce plays 2B right? Do you think he could potentially slot in for Goins if they feel like he's not an every day player at some point?

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Pearce plays 2B right? Do you think he could potentially slot in for Goins if they feel like he's not an every day player at some point?

Goins is not an every day player, which is why he'd be platooning with Barney (who is also a replacement level player), with both replacing Travis.

Pearce does play second, but its similar to how Bautista can play 3B. You don't actually want to be doing it full time.

People should just be comfortable with the glove first, zero bat approach at second, and hope the rest of the lineup plays up to their ~2 year wOBA\wRC+.

 

[zeke]

the question might become whether smith should play ahead of pillar.

 

[phillipmike]

Pearce plays 2B right? Do you think he could potentially slot in for Goins if they feel like he's not an every day player at some point?

Pearce would be an ideal full time 2B for the rest of the season in my opinion; better bat than Goins and probably average on D. However, i read Gibby say that Pearce is out of the question to play 2B.

 

[ShaneFalco]

the question might become whether smith should play ahead of pillar.

Right now I'd say yes. Go with a game to start. Maybe Pillar could use a day off

 

[SDig14]

So where would you guys be adding at the deadline?

I would think Stroman, Sanchez, Happ and Estrada is a solid playoff rotation.

Would you guys look to add a 2B? Another OFer that can play perhaps both sides? A pen arm or 2 would obviously be lovely as well.

Doesn't seem like we have room to add any real impact players though.

 

[zeke]

well if travis can't come back we need a 2B.

a lefty RP woule be nice too.

other than that not much.

 

[SDig14]

Brandon Phillips? I know most of the money he's owed is being paid by the Reds, so would cost us basically nothing in terms of actual money.

Can Kozart play 2B? No idea what he would cost as a rental, but I like the idea of trading for someone that's been hot offensively this year. Not sure how long his DL stint will be though...should be back before the deadline I'd think.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Well, you have a chance to add a top of the rotation SP, and ~1+ WAR set up man just by getting healthy. So...there's that.

A decent LHRP would be nice. Other than that, I'm fine, unless its an addition of Walker\Cabrera\Nunez\Kinsler for a song and dance (i.e. what was spent on Upton last deadline).

 

[phillipmike]

LF, LHP in the pen and potentially a 2B.

Jeff Beliveau has proven he can get lefties out. Howell is a wildcard, better to forget about him but he is still there nonetheless. And if all the starting pitching is healthy then you might have Liriano as an option in the pen. I dont want to play in this market at all as Preller stated that he wants a Will Smith type return for Hand.

2B would be nice to upgrade but with Goins, Barney, Pearce and even Coghlan on the roster it would be hard to make an upgrade might even be unnecessary as you still have a small chance Travis comes back or Gurriel/Urena could provide some help. In the end i think Goins is your guy or ideally Pearce if he is healthy and hitting then you can make your upgrade in LF. Though it doesnt sound like Gibby wants Pearce playing 2B or he cant.

For me i think LF is the biggest need and i would love to add a big bat LFer with control but that is easier said than done. If Pearce keeps hitting then it would be hard to take him out of lineup... add in Carrera and Smith and you have some depth. Barring injury i would rather see one impact move than a few nibbles like last year.. if you are gonna nibble then i rather stand pat.

If the Jays are in it i personally would like to see them add a big bat (LFer) but i personally dont see a lot of obvious options. In the end they might stand pat which probably makes some sense but i would feel that wouldnt be ideal.

 

[SDig14]

Well, you have a chance to add a top of the rotation SP, and ~1+ WAR set up man just by getting healthy. So...there's that.

A decent LHRP would be nice. Other than that, I'm fine, unless its an addition of Walker\Cabrera\Nunez\Kinsler for a song and dance (i.e. what was spent on Upton last deadline).

Liriano has the K ability to at least be that guy in the playoffs, but not sure you want to roll the dice on a reliever that walks a guy nearly 2 out of every 3 innings he pitches.

 

[zeke]

Pearce probably fills that "big bat LF" role better than most.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Liriano has the K ability to at least be that guy in the playoffs, but not sure you want to roll the dice on a reliever that walks a guy nearly 2 out of every 3 innings he pitches.

It could be better if he does not need to pitch as often.

Plus if he K's a lot then it may not even be that big of a deal.

 

[phillipmike]

His bat looks great as of late. 206 wRC+ in May and June (mind you only 44 PAs) and 306 since his return (11 PAs). Hoping Pearce from 2016 (Rays) is back.

I just worry about that defense in LF.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Its crazy how quickly we forget the days when Andrew Miller was walking 4+ guys per 9 innings (sometimes 5...sometimes 7).

 

[phillipmike]

It could be better if he does not need to pitch as often.

Plus if he K's a lot then it may not even be that big of a deal.

Agreed. I did say this about Liriano earlier;

Liriano this season;

vs RHB: 18.6% k rate, 20.4% walk-rate, 5.99 xFIP, 1.48 GB/FB, 55% strikes thrown

vs LHB: 34.6% k rate, 0.00% walk-rate, 1.39 xFIP, 3.00 GB/FB, 66% strikes

Those numbers more or less stayed the same.

vs RHB: 20.0% k rate, 15.9% walk-rate, 5.48 xFIP, 1.26 GB/FB, 57% strikes thrown

vs LHB: 36.6% k rate, 2.4% walk-rate, 1.94 xFIP, 1.57 GB/FB, 66% strikes thrown

Of course this only happens if Sanchez is healthy and Biagini can bounce back and become dependable again.

 

[Bad News Benning]

So where would you guys be adding at the deadline?

I would think Stroman, Sanchez, Happ and Estrada is a solid playoff rotation.

Would you guys look to add a 2B? Another OFer that can play perhaps both sides? A pen arm or 2 would obviously be lovely as well.

Doesn't seem like we have room to add any real impact players though.

High average/OBP left handed hitting lead off type that can play multiple positions.

Jays should be looking at guys in AA/AAA that might be blocked in other organizations. Travis for example was blocked by Kinsler in Detroit which is part of the reason we managed to steal him from the Tigers.

 

[zeke]

Rest of Season Projections

3B Donaldson 362pa, 141wrc+, 6.5war/650
C Martin 339pa, 103wrc+, 3.8war/650
*2B Travis 20pa, 101wrc+, 3.3war/650*
SS Tulowitzki 362pa, 102wrc+, 3.2war/650
RF Bautista 370pa, 123wrc+, 2.8war/650
CF Pillar 362pa, 90wrc+, 2.7war/650
LF Pearce 229pa, 113wrc+, 2.3war/650
1B Smoak 321pa, 111wrc+, 1.6war/650
DH Morales 362pa, 112wrc+, 1.3war/650

OF Carrera 48pa, 86wrc+, 1.4war/650
OF Coghlan 193pa, 88wrc+, 1.0war/650
OF Smith 141pa, 84wrc+, 0.5war/650
IF Barney 141pa, 66wrc+, 0.0war/650
IF Goins 281pa, 65wrc+, -0.2war/650
C Maile 37pa, 55wrc+, 0.0war/650


Stroman 18gs, 3.91era, 3.5war/32
Sanchez 13gs, 3.88era, 3.2war/32
Biagini 12gs, 4.05era, 2.9war/32
Estrada 18gs, 4.12era, 2.6war/32
Happ 13gs, 4.15era, 2.6war/32
Liriano 12gs, 4.27era, 2.3war/32


Osuna 37.0ip, 2.98era, 1.9war/65
Smith 37.0ip, 3.33era, 1.1war/65
Tepera 32.0ip, 3.79era, 0.7war/65
Loup 32.0ip, 3.73era, 0.5war/65
Barnes 20.0ip, 3.75era, 0.2war/65
Leone 17.0ip, 4.30era, 0.0war/65
Grilli 26.0ip, 4.54era, 0.0war/65

 

[Bad News Benning]

Saunders DFA'd by the Phillies....wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him bang to platoon with Pearce.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Saunders DFA'd by the Phillies....wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him bang to platoon with Pearce.

I'd rather go with Smith at this point

 

[phillipmike]

Id take Saunders on a minor league deal if he is released with Pompey, Alford and Ceciliani hurt and Smith with the big club.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Saunders DFA'd by the Phillies....wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him bang to platoon with Pearce.

Wow, that first half last season seems like such a fluke now.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Wow, that first half last season seems like such a fluke now.

Totally agreed. That, and the 1,284 plate appearances between 2012-2014.