2013 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[Deebo]

Josh Johnson signed with the Padres.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Jays have signed catcher Dioner Navarro. His stats: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3179&position=C

Seems like an upgrade over JPA, although not really a starter.

 

[L K]

Jays have signed catcher Dioner Navarro. His stats: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3179&position=C

Seems like an upgrade over JPA, although not really a starter.

Yeah, that's the thing.  He is absolutely NOT a starter.  He's a 50% playing time at best type of guy.  So the Jays look like they are going to run a very similar type of season just with a little less Arencibia.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Jays have signed catcher Dioner Navarro. His stats: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3179&position=C

Seems like an upgrade over JPA, although not really a starter.

Yeah, that's the thing.  He is absolutely NOT a starter.  He's a 50% playing time at best type of guy.  So the Jays look like they are going to run a very similar type of season just with a little less Arencibia.

Still better than running with JPA as your everyday starter I would think.

 

[L K]

Jays have signed catcher Dioner Navarro. His stats: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3179&position=C

Seems like an upgrade over JPA, although not really a starter.

Yeah, that's the thing.  He is absolutely NOT a starter.  He's a 50% playing time at best type of guy.  So the Jays look like they are going to run a very similar type of season just with a little less Arencibia.

Still better than running with JPA as your everyday starter I would think.

No doubt.  Hopefully his improved numbers are due to experience and not just a result of getting away from the American league.  If we get his Tampa production it isn't going to be much of an upgrade.

 

[cabber24]

Jays have signed catcher Dioner Navarro. His stats: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3179&position=C

Seems like an upgrade over JPA, although not really a starter.

Yeah, that's the thing.  He is absolutely NOT a starter.  He's a 50% playing time at best type of guy.  So the Jays look like they are going to run a very similar type of season just with a little less Arencibia.

Still better than running with JPA as your everyday starter I would think.

No doubt.  Hopefully his improved numbers are due to experience and not just a result of getting away from the American league.  If we get his Tampa production it isn't going to be much of an upgrade.

If he can call a decent game he could be an every day starter (over JPA). Going into last year with the best pitching on paper, I believe JPA should carry a lot of the blame for how bad it turned out to be.

 

[Peter D.]

Yeah, that's the thing.  He is absolutely NOT a starter.  He's a 50% playing time at best type of guy.  So the Jays look like they are going to run a very similar type of season just with a little less Arencibia.

Could this mean we see Thole catch a few more games this year instead of just being Dickey's personal catcher?  His offensive numbers were awful just as well, but I did find him to be adequate defensively and in calling a game. 

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah, that's the thing.  He is absolutely NOT a starter.  He's a 50% playing time at best type of guy.  So the Jays look like they are going to run a very similar type of season just with a little less Arencibia.

Yeah. Definitely a platoon guy, at best. We'll have a better idea of how the Jays look at him going forward tonight, as it's the non-tender deadline, and JPA might not be a member of the team tomorrow.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I'm completely removed from the sport of baseball, but how much does a catcher really 'call the game'? I always assumed it was kind of like a quarterback in the NFL. 95% of the QB's are told what to call from the sidelines and the other 5% are Brady and Manning.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm completely removed from the sport of baseball, but how much does a catcher really 'call the game'? I always assumed it was kind of like a quarterback in the NFL. 95% of the QB's are told what to call from the sidelines and the other 5% are Brady and Manning.

The manager makes the strategy decisions - how to arrange to defence, when to issue an intentional walk or pitch out, etc - but, outside of that, it's really between the catcher and the pitcher to decide on the types of pitches that are thrown and where to locate them.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I'm completely removed from the sport of baseball, but how much does a catcher really 'call the game'? I always assumed it was kind of like a quarterback in the NFL. 95% of the QB's are told what to call from the sidelines and the other 5% are Brady and Manning.

The manager makes the strategy decisions - how to arrange to defence, when to issue an intentional walk or pitch out, etc - but, outside of that, it's really between the catcher and the pitcher to decide on the types of pitches that are thrown and where to locate them.

Okay, cool. Good to know.

 

[maplesyrup]

Eh. So Thole/Navarro platoon?

 

[bustaheims]

Eh. So Thole/Navarro platoon?

Seems like that's the most likely route as things stand right now. The reports are that, if the Jays can't trade JPA today, he'll be non-tendered tonight.

 

[maplesyrup]

Eh. So Thole/Navarro platoon?

Seems like that's the most likely route as things stand right now. The reports are that, if the Jays can't trade JPA today, he'll be non-tendered tonight.

I'm not 100% sure this guy will be  better than JPA but I guess the odds lean in that favour. So now what? Try to sign a mediocre 2B and hold our breath for a miracle or two out of the rotation?

 

[Darryl]

Nice stopgap move until AJ Jimenez is ready.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm not 100% sure this guy will be  better than JPA but I guess the odds lean in that favour. So now what? Try to sign a mediocre 2B and hold our breath for a miracle or two out of the rotation?

Well, it's still really early in the off season. The winter meetings haven't happened yet, and that's usually where things really get going. A lot can still - and will - happen. That being said, it's a bit of a rough free agent market for the Jays. The teams that are looking for upgrades in the same offensive positions as the Jays are those that have been traditionally willing to spend a lot more money than the Jays. After Cano, it's also a pretty shallow crop of free agents who play 2B. The Jays may have to hope out for finding a diamond in the rough or for a quality trade opportunity to present itself.

 

[Kin]

I'm completely removed from the sport of baseball, but how much does a catcher really 'call the game'? I always assumed it was kind of like a quarterback in the NFL. 95% of the QB's are told what to call from the sidelines and the other 5% are Brady and Manning.

Ultimately it can vary. If the catcher is younger then there are managers who will call pitches from the dugout. Most veteran catchers, however, will call the game themselves although, ultimately, the pitcher still decides what to throw.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I'm completely removed from the sport of baseball, but how much does a catcher really 'call the game'? I always assumed it was kind of like a quarterback in the NFL. 95% of the QB's are told what to call from the sidelines and the other 5% are Brady and Manning.

Ultimately it can vary. If the catcher is younger then there are managers who will call pitches from the dugout. Most veteran catchers, however, will call the game themselves although, ultimately, the pitcher still decides what to throw.

That's kind of how I figured it went. I guess I haven't watched the sport with any interest for so long that I stopped really caring. I mean, I keep up on the Jays, but win or lose, I'm not really affected either way.

 

[bustaheims]

Looks like the Jays have cut bait and non-tendered JPA. He's now a free agent, and, I'd say he's unlikely to return to the Jays - though, stranger things have happened.

 

[cabber24]

Looks like the Jays have cut bait and non-tendered JPA. He's now a free agent, and, I'd say he's unlikely to return to the Jays - though, stranger things have happened.

Good riddance, this guy's whining was comparable to Vince Carter's, at least Carter had some talent. JPA's stats were horrific both offensively and defensively. It made me sick how happy this guy seemed all the time while personally sucking and the team losing. This team needs a culture change.