Blue Jays Discussion: The waiting game sucks, so things are happening (Jays acquire Donaldson for Lawrie+)

[weems]

This was only the second time he has posted a positive DRS since the 2008 season. His range seems to be the main culprit, and he even spent a couple of starts at first last season (for whatever that's worth).

I'm not exactly sure how defensive metrics are calculated, but I wonder if Adam Jones is somewhat responsible for the previously poor results? It's odd because Adam Jones finally put up a good season defensively, and it seems Markakis did along with him. I definitely think Markakis would be a better defensive option than Melky in LF though, for sure.

Yep.
Melky was straight up terrible defensively last season. He makes a few nice catchs here and there or a strong throw for outfield assists, but his range is brutal.

 

[weems]

Its refreshing to see such a focus by fans on defense. Its almost like our team traumatized fans to how costly bad defense can be.

I cant believe how bad Melky's defensive stats were last season.

 

[Mitchy]

Davidi was on MLB Tonight on MLB Network. Said the Blue Jays have 10-12M to spend.

 

[weems]

Davidi was on MLB Tonight on MLB Network. Said the Blue Jays have 10-12M to spend.

They need to shed Navarro and Happs salary.

 

[Woodman19]

Davidi was on MLB Tonight on MLB Network. Said the Blue Jays have 10-12M to spend.

I hope he means, after calculating the projected arb salaries of ALL candidates as well as the guys we will surely move like Happ and Navarro, that would leave us with a $145 million budget.

 

[Eyedea]

They need to shed Navarro and Happs salary.

Non-tenders alone could save up to 10m.

 

[TootooTrain]

I'm still a Lawrie fan, so I'll defend him right here.

Those comments by him were pretty bad, but I think that has more to do with how much he wanted to be a Jay. He keeps bringing up how he was a Canadian and how honoured he was to be playing for his favourite team and representing his country. I just think he wanted to badly be part of a Jays team that was a contender. He seems really disappointed and as a result bitter. I'll cut him a bit of slack.

Same. From the way AA described it, he was crushed by the news. He probably didn't mean it in those exact words. Emotions are flowing. I'll let it slide considering the circumstances.

 

[EscapeGoat]

[Markakis'] D has been every bit as bad as melky's, and his bat nowhere near as good.

lol no.

 

[Puckstuff]

Now heres Melkys defensive stats from last season

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.as...4&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

Reyes is uncomfortably low on that list. I really want Pennington for SS and Reyes to 2B. Defence is just so important and I don't want him playing that position. Sorry if you have an ego Jose you effing suck at defence now and this is the truth

 

[The Nemesis]

It's fairly hard to predict starting pitching consistently. Performance-wise, I think it is fair to predict regression.



Those numbers are most definitely not 'average'.

Maybe not worth 13+ million, but a lot of teams, including the Jays, would be happy with that production.

career wRC+ of 112. Last 5 seasons he's been 116/105/126/88/106.

1-2 WAR a year isn't "average" in the context of all MLB OFs, but it is for starters. Since his 2nd/3rd year he hasn't been above 2.5, which is in the range of role player to solid starter.

Again, it comes down to the fact that you have to look at what Markakis brings to the table? He doesn't hit for higher than normal average, he doesn't have power to speak of, he doesn't have speed worth mentioning, his defence is surprisingly underwhelming. The biggest thing you can say about Markakis is that he doesn't suck. If we're filling a hole in LF, I'd rather find someone that brings at least one remarkable tool to the table. Like Melky with his hit tool or someone with power or speed. at $13m or more a season, I'd want a guy that's better than a bunch of C+s across the board.

We might as well platoon Dirks and, I dunno, Mayberry in LF and get output approaching Markakis' for a fraction of the price.