Blue Jays Discussion: post-deadline, back-at-home edition

[metafour]

do they not do physicals pre draft?

He declined a voluntary MRI before the draft.

 

[MS]

Feel for Saucedo who has been excellent.

 

[Eyedea]

This team is giving me such 2015 vibes. I believe at the deadline in 2015, our record was actually a bit worse than it was at this year's deadline.

Yankees, Mariners and Red Sox are there for the taking. As long as we don't get in our own way.

The 2015 Jays also didn't have as much competition in their division (really just the Yankees), but that August run going 21-6 had a much tougher schedule than the current Jays do. Only 8 of their games that month were against teams under .500. This month they'll have 15 games against teams under .500, not including a 4 game set against the .500 Angels. Now's as great of a time as any to make a substantial run for a playoff spot.

 

[zeke]

 

[dredeye]

Guerrero 1st day off of the season

Man the jays are stupid sometimes. Maybe he’s just sore or something hopefully

 

[MikeK]

Still think they gave up too much but man does Jose Berrios look good. Jays could have a legitimate rotation finally.

 

[Eyedea]

Man the jays are stupid sometimes. Maybe he’s just sore or something hopefully

I don't know it seems like a perfectly fine time to give him a day off. Royals aren't good and the Jays have a big stretch coming up

 

[zeke]

Quality of opponent notwithstanding, it sure is more fun to watch games when you know your team is full on trying to win it all.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Bowden: MLB trade deadline grades for all 30 teams, from the Dodgers (A+) to the Rockies (F) - The Athletic

Toronto Blue Jays

Grade: A

Trades: Acquired RHP José Berríos from Twins for INF/OF Austin Martin and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson. Acquired LHP Brad Hand from Nationals for C Riley Adams. Traded 1B Rowdy Tellez to Brewers for RHP Trevor Richards and RHP Bowden Francis. Acquired OF Corey Dickerson and RHP Adam Cimber from Marlins for INF Joe Panik and RHP Andrew McInvale (June 29). Traded RHP Joel Payamps to Royals for cash. Acquired RHP Joakim Soria from Diamondbacks for two PTBNL.

The Blue Jays’ biggest needs at the trade deadline were to improve their starting rotation and the back end of their bullpen, which had blown 12 of 29 saves entering Friday’s action. Landing Berríos, a 27-year-old two-time All-Star who has the ability to start Game 1 or 2 of any postseason series, was their best trade, even if it came at a steep price of two high-end prospects (Martin, Woods Richardson). The Blue Jays also acquired closer Brad Hand from the Nationals, and they did it by taking advantage of their catching depth, trading the fifth-best catcher in their organization (Adams) to get the deal done. Hand posted a 3.59 ERA in 42 2/3 innings this season for Washington, with 21 saves in 26 opportunities. The Blue Jays are now poised to make a serious run at one of the AL wild-card berths (and more).

 

[Clark4Ever]

Amazing debut for Berrios today.

 

[The Nemesis]

Emilio Bonifacio playing for Dominican Republic at the Olympics

EDIT: Melky Cabrera too

EDIT 2: Bautista too.

Basically this is just the 2013 Blue Jays.

 

[TF97]

Emilio Bonifacio playing for Dominican Republic at the Olympics

EDIT: Melky Cabrera too

EDIT 2: Bautista too.

Basically this is just the 2013 Blue Jays.

You left out the most legendary of them all - Juan Francisco

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[phillipmike]

Yankees were down 1-0 to the Marlins. Of course Anthony Bass blows the game. Yankees win 3-1.

Seattle is beating Texas 3-1. Cleveland is tied 1-1 with the White Sox. Oakland is down 3-0 to the Angels.

Seattle is likely going to win. If the A's lose then we will be 2.5 GB of Oakland.

If Boston loses tonight to the Rays they will swept and the Jays will only be 5.5 GB of Boston for the 1st WC spot.

Jays are currently 7.5 GBs back of the division. A Tampa win means we are 8 GBs, a Red Sox win means we are 7.5 GBs back of Boston.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[canucksfan]

Just finished watching the game. Excellent game. The team needs to take three out of four at least against Cleveland.

 

[Hoverhand]

 

[phillipmike]

Yankees were down 1-0 to the Marlins. Of course Anthony Bass blows the game. Yankees win 3-1.

Seattle is beating Texas 3-1. Cleveland is tied 1-1 with the White Sox. Oakland is down 3-0 to the Angels.

Seattle is likely going to win. If the A's lose then we will be 2.5 GB of Oakland.

If Boston loses tonight to the Rays they will swept and the Jays will only be 5.5 GB of Boston for the 1st WC spot.

Jays are currently 7.5 GBs back of the division. A Tampa win means we are 8 GBs, a Red Sox win means we are 7.5 GBs back of Boston.

And Oakland scores 5 runs. Ill just stop talking.

 

[dredeye]

I don't know it seems like a perfectly fine time to give him a day off. Royals aren't good and the Jays have a big stretch coming up

The first game off three days into their return home is bad timing. They could have sat him for a game the day before they came back if they wanted to do it

 

[TheBeastCoast]

The first game off three days into their return home is bad timing. They could have sat him for a game the day before they came back if they wanted to do it

It is just a day off it really isn't the end of the world.

 

[ronzigato]

The first game off three days into their return home is bad timing. They could have sat him for a game the day before they came back if they wanted to do it

The team has enough talent now that they don't need to make sure Vladdy's out there to entertain the masses at all times. Good timing for a day off, schedule-wise.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied to bench by teammates - MLB.com

TORONTO -- George Springer and some of his Blue Jays teammates lived out the dreams of MLB pitchers everywhere by taping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the bench on Sunday afternoon.

Guerrero, receiving his first day off since the 2019 season, is always in the middle of some mischief in the dugout, especially when the Blue Jays are rolling like they were in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Royals. He had a little more free time, though.

“His teammates were telling me, ‘Please play him, please play him,’” said manager Charlie Montoyo. “He was driving everybody crazy, but that’s just who he is. He’s always having fun. He had a good day off and he earned it. He’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

You’re seeing Guerrero’s personality more and more as he mows his way through opposing pitchers and the Blue Jays’ record books in 2021. The American League MVP candidate is hitting .327 with 33 home runs, 83 RBIs and a 1.078 OPS through his first 101 games, putting himself on pace for one of the best offensive seasons the organization has seen.

In the background of some of these antics on Sunday, cracking a smile while trying to stay focused on his debut with the club, was José Berríos. The right-hander came over in a major deal prior to the Trade Deadline to help push the Blue Jays over the top, and a whirlwind past 48 hours was made easier for him by the win and the light mood in the dugout and the clubhouse.

“These guys like to have fun,” Berríos said. “They enjoy themselves and they motivate each other. That’s the most important thing for a team, when a team wants to have a lot of good days and future. I know I can still have fun out there with them. I’ve been having fun so far with this group.”

Guerrero is expected to be back in the lineup on Monday when Toronto welcomes Cleveland, where he’ll need to take brief breaks from dugout shenanigans to take a few at-bats.

 

[phillipmike]

2015 Jays vs 2021 Jays:

2015: John Gibbon's 3rd year as manager
2021: Charlie Montoyo's 3rd year as manager

2014-15 Off-Season: The Blue Jays add an Oakland A’s Star Josh Donaldson (top 3 in WAR) and make their biggest free agent signing, Russell Martin. Also added Michael Saunders, Devon Travis and struggling pitcher Marco Estrada.

Jays trade their left-handed hitting 1B Adam Lind to Milwaukee for pitcher Marco Estrada.

2020-21 Transactions: The Blue Jays add an Oakland A’s Star Marcus Semien (top 3 in WAR) and make their biggest free agent signing, George Springer. Also added Robbie Ray, Kirby Yates, Tyler Chatwood, David Phelps and struggling pitcher Steven Matz.

Jays trade their left-handed hitting 1B Rowdy Tellez to Milwaukee for pitcher Trevor Richards.

July 30, 2015: Jays make a trade with an AL Central Team to acquire a top starter David Price. Jays trade their #1, #11 and #19 ranked prospects.

July 30, 2021: Jays make a trade with an AL Central Team to acquire a top starter Jose Berrios. Jays trade their #1, and #6 ranked prospects.

2015: Jays move their prized top starting prospect, Aaron Sanchez from the rotation to the backend of the pen.
2021: Jays move their prized top starting prospect, Nate Pearson from the rotation to the backend of the pen.

2015: The series after the trade deadline the Jays face the KC Royals and won 3 games.
2021: The series after the trade deadline the Jays face the KC Royals and won 3 games.

2015 Record on Aug 1st: 53-52, +103 Run Differential – 6.0 GBs of the Division, 2.0 GB of the WC
2021 Record on Aug 1st: 54-48, +107 Run Differential – 8.0 GBs of the Division, 4.0 GB of the WC

2015 Top Players on August 1st: Jays have 3 players in the top 40 in fWAR: Josh Donaldson (3), Russell Martin (25) and Jose Bautista (40). Star player Edwin Encarnacian had a great second half to finish the season top 30 in fWAR.
2021 Top Players on August 1st:Jays have 3 players in the top 25 in fWAR: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1), Marcus Semien (3) and Bo Bichette (25). George Springer is having a great start to his 2nd half.

2015 Top Pitchers on August 1st: Jays have 1 player in the top 40 in fWAR: David Price (6)
2021 Top Pitchers in August 1st: Jays have 3 players in the top 40 in fWAR: Jose Berrios (20), Robbie Ray (37) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (38)

2015: After the series with KC the Jays have a 4 game set with an AL Central team, the Twins, a series vs the team they are chasing for the division, New York and series vs an AL West team, Oakland.
2021: After the series with KC the Jays have a 4 game set with an AL Central team, Cleveland, a series vs the team they are chasing for the division, the Red Sox and series vs an AL West team, Angels.

2015 MVP Race: Toronto Blue Jays Slugger Josh Donaldson is battling LA Angels star Mike Trout
2021 MVP Race: Toronto Blue Jays Slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is battling LA Angels star Shohei Ohtani

2015 Cy Young Race: Lefty David Price top 3 in AL bWAR among starting pitching
2021 Cy Young Race: Lefty Robbie Ray is top 3 in AL bWAR among starting pitching

 

[phillipmike]

2015 fWAR and Rank on August 1st:
Team Position Player: 20.4 (ranked 1st)
Team Starting Pitching: 5.7 (ranked 21st)
Team Relief: 2.5 (ranked 13th)
Total: 28.6 fWAR

2021 fWAR and Rank on August 1st:
Team Position Player: 17.5 (ranked 5th)
Team Starting Pitching: 5.0 (ranked 22nd)
Team Relief: 0.8 (ranked 24th)
Total: 23.3 fWAR

2015 Remaining Schedule (57): 11 vs AL Central, 32 vs the AL East, 5 Interleague, 9 vs AL West
2021 Remaining Schedule (60): 21 vs AL Central, 27 vs the AL East, 2 interleague, 10 vs AL West

To me it is clear the 2015 Jays offense was vastly better and their 2nd half was much better. I doubt the 2021 team closes the gap but with the Jays getting no production out of CF, C, LF and 3B, the Jays can do a lot of damage if Springer and Kirk continues what they are doing and Biggio, and Gurriel turn the corner.

Rotation and hitters were comparable. The big difference is the pen which the Jays addressed with 4 trades and potentially the return of Pearson and maybe Merryweather. Better starting pitching will make the 2021 Jays pen better.

The 2015 had less competition as they were really only battling the Yankees for a playoff spot, but they had a harder schedule to finish the season.

The 2021 Jays have an uphill battling trying to leap frog 3 teams in the AL East but they have a much much easier schedule and they are finally playing home games. The AL East is very unlikely but a WC birth is very possible.

Man that 2015 team was special. Hopefully we can do it again this year, but if not, this Jays core has a bright future.

 

[hoglund]

Man the jays are stupid sometimes. Maybe he’s just sore or something hopefully

Load management. The Raptors did it with Leonard.