2011 Blue Jays/MLB Thread

[Kin]

What really concerns me RE: Reyes is how far out of sync some of his numbers are with his career averages, especially being that he's doing so in a contract season. Now, it could be that, like Bautista last season, something has just clicked in for him this season, but, it's more likely that this season is an aberration and he'll go back to being the slightly above average bat he's been for most of his career while provide sub-replacement level defence and diminishing speed/injury prone legs.

I think there are two separate issues here. The first is whether or not the Jays need Reyes and, really, I'm not sure an argument can be made there. The second is whether or not Jose Reyes is being properly valued.

To me, the answer to both of those questions are an unqualified no. I just don't see how the Jays, who are realistically going to be limited to spending that kind of money on a couple players at best, can give Reyes 20 million or so a year. 

 

[bustaheims]

You could probably talk me into another year of Encarnacion on the team. What I'd have a bit of a problem with though is keeping him around as a plan A or, at the least, without a quick hook and a very good plan B in the wings. He's hit well in the second half. He still needs to be able to hit like an AL East DH all season long and I don't know how realistic that is.

Fair enough. He wouldn't be my #1 choice either, but, I'd certainly feel comfortable enough running with him as DH to start the season if the Jays missed out on the bigger fish. Ideally, I'd have the Jays sign Fielder and trade Lind, who's big 2009 season is looking more and more like an outlier. As long as there's no plan to put Encarnacion out in a defensive position on anything more than spot duty, giving him 2012 to raise his value on the trade market is fine with me.

 

[bustaheims]

I think there are two separate issues here. The first is whether or not the Jays need Reyes and, really, I'm not sure an argument can be made there. The second is whether or not Jose Reyes is being properly valued.

To me, the answer to both of those questions are an unqualified no. I just don't see how the Jays, who are realistically going to be limited to spending that kind of money on a couple players at best, can give Reyes 20 million or so a year.

I'm with you on both. Reyes is going to get a contract that will be too much for too long for a player who's greatest asset - his speed - is already starting to decline.

 

[Kin]

Ideally, I'd have the Jays sign Fielder and trade Lind, who's big 2009 season is looking more and more like an outlier. As long as there's no plan to put Encarnacion out in a defensive position on anything more than spot duty, giving him 2012 to raise his value on the trade market is fine with me.

That would be how I lean as well. What will be interesting is whether or not he's a better defensive 1B than Fielder. He rates as pretty bad in what I can find in his limited time there this year, and if Fielder wants to play 1B I'd be fine with letting him, but that may be the one argument for letting Encarnacion onto the field.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Especially considering this might be the best off season in a long time for 1B/DH types in free agency. Pujols, Fielder, Pena, Cuddyer, Kubel and Ortiz could all be on the market and all could provide an upgrade (though, in some cases, a marginal one). Though, with Encarnacion's 2nd half, I'd have to seriously consider giving him a full season as DH - especially since the Jays have a very affordable option year available with him.

Which of these, may I ask, would suit the Jays best?
Would an Ortiz equal another Bautista, since the Rogers Centre is a home-run hitters haven?
We would have to take into consideration their age, which is why a 'younger' player with a lot more years (and firepower, in more ways than one), would be best, say Fielder, for one.

 

[bustaheims]

Which of these, may I ask, would suit the Jays best?
Would an Ortiz equal another Bautista, since the Rogers Centre is a home-run hitters haven?
We would have to take into consideration their age, which is why a 'younger' player with a lot more years (and firepower, in more ways than one), would be best, say Fielder, for one.

Well, that all depends on what the Jays are trying to accomplish. If they're looking for a long-term guy, then, yeah, Fielder or Pujols (who will only be 32 by the time next season starts) are the way to go. If they're looking for someone to just hold the fort for a couple years until someone in the system emerges for that roles, then guys like Pena, Kubel and Cuddyer are the best bets, while, if they're looking to compete in the next years without making a real long-term commitment to anyone, then you're looking at Ortiz.

 

[Corn Flake]

Dustin McGowan activated for today's game.  Amazing.. he made it all the way back. Throwing 95+ mph fastballs too.

 

[maplesyrup]

Dustin McGowan activated for today's game.  Amazing.. he made it all the way back. Throwing 95+ mph fastballs too.

That's great news. Not sure he'll be able to go 6+ but still, good for him.

 

[Corn Flake]

Dustin McGowan activated for today's game.  Amazing.. he made it all the way back. Throwing 95+ mph fastballs too.

That's great news. Not sure he'll be able to go 6+ but still, good for him.

Probably not this year. I think he got up to 4 innings at AA though. He's close. 

I'm guessing a middle/long relief role for the rest of the year and go from there?  The only risk with that is the quick warmup could be a concern with him. Wouldn't want to toss him in a game in a rush and have the shoulder act up.

 

[maplesyrup]

Dustin McGowan activated for today's game.  Amazing.. he made it all the way back. Throwing 95+ mph fastballs too.

That's great news. Not sure he'll be able to go 6+ but still, good for him.

Probably not this year. I think he got up to 4 innings at AA though. He's close. 

I'm guessing a middle/long relief role for the rest of the year and go from there?  The only risk with that is the quick warmup could be a concern with him. Wouldn't want to toss him in a game in a rush and have the shoulder act up.

I thought he got up to 5 but either way, you're right. Time for confidence building now that his stamina is brought up to the point where he could be useful here at the very least. 

 

[Corn Flake]

Dustin McGowan activated for today's game.  Amazing.. he made it all the way back. Throwing 95+ mph fastballs too.

That's great news. Not sure he'll be able to go 6+ but still, good for him.

Probably not this year. I think he got up to 4 innings at AA though. He's close. 

I'm guessing a middle/long relief role for the rest of the year and go from there?  The only risk with that is the quick warmup could be a concern with him. Wouldn't want to toss him in a game in a rush and have the shoulder act up.

I thought he got up to 5 but either way, you're right. Time for confidence building now that his stamina is brought up to the point where he could be useful here at the very least.

4.2 IP and 76 pitches was the high, according to John Lott of the National Post.

Farrell says he will come out of the pen and will start at the top of an inning to make sure he gets long warmups.  Will look at him back in the rotation next year.

 

[maplesyrup]

Lawrie.    - Not really much to say other than that.

 

[Corn Flake]

Sept callups are coming:

@ShiDavidi Headed to Jays from Vegas: Adam Loewen (back to majors as OF); P Kyle Drabek; 1B David Cooper; P Chad Beck; P Daniel Farquhar; P Brad Mills

 

[L K]

Sept callups are coming:

@ShiDavidi Headed to Jays from Vegas: Adam Loewen (back to majors as OF); P Kyle Drabek; 1B David Cooper; P Chad Beck; P Daniel Farquhar; P Brad Mills

Excited to see Loewen and maybe Farquhar.  The rest are kind of meh for me right now.  Drabek got killed in pretty much every start in AAA after showing that he wasn't MLB ready earlier in the year and I don't think much of Cooper and Mills.

 

[Deebo]

Sept callups are coming:

@ShiDavidi Headed to Jays from Vegas: Adam Loewen (back to majors as OF); P Kyle Drabek; 1B David Cooper; P Chad Beck; P Daniel Farquhar; P Brad Mills

Excited to see Loewen and maybe Farquhar.  The rest are kind of meh for me right now.  Drabek got killed in pretty much every start in AAA after showing that he wasn't MLB ready earlier in the year and I don't think much of Cooper and Mills.

Cooper has pretty good batting numbers in AAA. I don't know much about Cooper, what about him is bad?

 

[hockeyfan1]

Lawrie.    - Not really much to say other than that.

Showed some quick-thinking defensive moves plus a solo home-run against the Bosox last night.  I particularly like Lawrie tagging a trapped runner then
picking off another by throwing to 3rd base.  Perhaps,  if
the Jays were as pumped up as Lawrie was after that
winning solo shot, they'd have had a better gung-ho
approach with some extra wins to go along with it!   

 

[L K]

Sept callups are coming:

@ShiDavidi Headed to Jays from Vegas: Adam Loewen (back to majors as OF); P Kyle Drabek; 1B David Cooper; P Chad Beck; P Daniel Farquhar; P Brad Mills

Excited to see Loewen and maybe Farquhar.  The rest are kind of meh for me right now.  Drabek got killed in pretty much every start in AAA after showing that he wasn't MLB ready earlier in the year and I don't think much of Cooper and Mills.

Cooper has pretty good batting numbers in AAA. I don't know much about Cooper, what about him is bad?

He projects as a Lyle Overbay with nowhere near the same defensive ability.  I'm fine with a guy who hits doubles, but it just isn't good enough production for a 1B/DH.  Also, I can't take AAA stats seriously in a league where there are 14 players with an OPS over .800 on the 51's, especially when it includes Mike McCoy, DeWayne Wise, and Jayson Nix.

 

[Corn Flake]

Sept callups are coming:

@ShiDavidi Headed to Jays from Vegas: Adam Loewen (back to majors as OF); P Kyle Drabek; 1B David Cooper; P Chad Beck; P Daniel Farquhar; P Brad Mills

Excited to see Loewen and maybe Farquhar.  The rest are kind of meh for me right now.  Drabek got killed in pretty much every start in AAA after showing that he wasn't MLB ready earlier in the year and I don't think much of Cooper and Mills.

Yeah I'm kind of surprised Drabek got the call at all. 

 

[leafs_fan89]

so am i about drabek to .

 

[Deebo]

Dustin McGowan is about to make his return to the majors, great to see him back.