Blue Jays Discussion: Spring training begins today!

[theaub]

Nice!

There is something to be said for this. Can't see the Jays just going out there to get a $12M sub-replacement player if they don't see something they think they can fix.

 

[Discoverer]

Unless Cincy is willing to eat a ton of Bruce's contract, yep. And even then, you're balancing Bruce's full season's worth of general awfulness against Saunders being a better player, just for far fewer games in the season because he's made of glass and paper mache.

Maybe the Reds eat 5-7m on Bruce's contract and get some minor prospect from the Angels in order to get out from under his deal this year. Maybe the Jays get another arm for the 7th bullpen spot pot luck. I just hope that the team isn't taking on full value for Bruce's contract for this year, even if it only is for this year.

Except that it's funny that a move like that comes on the heels of another round of crying over how Rogers is cheap yet again.

Exactly. Even if the money is sufficient to balance out the deals to the point where the Jays aren't taking on any salary, I still hate it unless there's something else involved. It doesn't have to be something huge, but it would be a downgrade for no reason.

 

[le_sean]

I guess Bruce is a LH power bat? I don't see why else they covet him. He was decent to good from 2010-2013.

 

[TF97]

I can live with it depending on how much money Cincy is eating (if any)

 

[theaub]

What is this a downgrade on? Michael Saunders and his 20 GP?

 

[TootooTrain]

At very least a replacement for EE next year at DH. (yes i know he can't hold a candle to EE) Aside from that, I need to see how things play out to make sense of it all.

 

[Cor]

Heh, I guess that new analytics department was just for show.

Analytics: "We don't think this should be a move we make"

Shapiro: "Yeah.... we are going to do it anyway"

 

[Discoverer]

What is this a downgrade on? Michael Saunders and his 20 GP?

Michael Saunders was more valuable last year for the Jays than Bruce has been the last two full seasons combined.

 

[TF97]

Twitter has gone silent, this is killing me

 

[Crysis]

Any chance this is a "replacement" for Jose when he gets moved for pitching prospects before the season?

Could see an outfield of Pompey - Pillar - Bruce if this goes down.

 

[Mitchy]

Hopefully, this is some sick joke and a Shapiro and Atkins are actually in the middle of fleecing Dave Stewart.

 

[TF97]

 

[Cor]

lol.

So nothing else coming our way?

 

[Discoverer]

Heh, I guess that new analytics department was just for show.

Analytics: "We don't think this should be a move we make"

Shapiro: "Yeah.... we are going to do it anyway"

It's certainly possible that their analytics see something in him, I just can't figure out what that is other than an interesting drop in K-rate.

The Jacoby connection is kind of interesting, too. Considering how much they've stressed that they want everyone to have input, I wonder if it's a situation where Jacoby said "I see what he's doing, and I think I can fix it."

I'm always open to the idea that it could work out, but I still don't like it at all.

 

[Pucker77]

The only thing that makes any sense for the Jays is that Bruce is a Left handed bat. As of right now I think the only lefty is Goins and he isnt even guaranteed an everyday spot.

I think part of this deal is also the fact that EE and Jose are free agents at years end. Having Bruce for an extra year may cushion the blow of losing one or both of them.

Im definitely not saying this potential deal is justified unless there is more to it (pitcher maybe?) but I think those points may have at least been considered for why to acquire him.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Lets hope nobody told Heyman about the 10 million that's also coming to the Jays. This is just burning money otherwise.

 

[Cor]

Jay Bruce projection's.... look at that OBP

 

[TF97]

The only thing that makes any sense for the Jays is that Bruce is a Left handed bat. As of right now I think the only lefty is Goins and he isnt even guaranteed an everyday spot.

I think part of this deal is also the fact that EE and Jose are free agents at years end. Having Bruce for an extra year may cushion the blow of losing one or both of them.

Im definitely not saying this potential deal is justified unless there is more to it (pitcher maybe?) but I think those points may have at least been considered for why to acquire him.

Smoak is a switch hitter and he'll be a part of Smoakabello

 

[Muston Atthews]

It's certainly possible that their analytics see something in him, I just can't figure out what that is other than an interesting drop in K-rate.

The Jacoby connection is kind of interesting, too. Considering how much they've stressed that they want everyone to have input, I wonder if it's a situation where Jacoby said "I see what he's doing, and I think I can fix it."

I'm always open to the idea that it could work out, but I still don't like it at all.

It's possible but is it the most negative thing that you could think of? Of course not. Analytics obviously said no to him

 

[Canada4Gold]

Smoak is a switch hitter and he'll be a part of Smoakabello

also Saunders himself is a left handed bat

 

[Discoverer]

Jay Bruce projection's.... look at that OBP

Don't worry, Steamer projects him at .305 and ZiPS at .311!

 

[The Podium]

The only thing that makes any sense for the Jays is that Bruce is a Left handed bat. As of right now I think the only lefty is Goins and he isnt even guaranteed an everyday spot.

I think part of this deal is also the fact that EE and Jose are free agents at years end. Having Bruce for an extra year may cushion the blow of losing one or both of them.

Im definitely not saying this potential deal is justified unless there is more to it (pitcher maybe?) but I think those points may have at least been considered for why to acquire him.

Smoak is a switch hitter. And I wouldnt really consider Goins. Even if he gets regular duty the guy couldn't hit a beach ball.

 

[Cor]

 

[The Nemesis]

Don't worry, Steamer projects him at .305 and ZiPS at .311!

Fangraphs' fan projections have him at .315!

So even an optimistic, fan-based projection still admits he's gonna be pretty awful.

 

[Swervin81]

I'd be livid if we traded for Bruce. He has been complete and total **** the last 2 years. -0.8 fWAR combined. Saunders, even with his injuries, is a significant upgrade in the wRC+, OBP, and defensive departments.