dlbalr Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 We are in complete agreement here, both with whats ailing Joey Bats and who might replace him. The only other guy that comes to mind is Rasmus. Like your concern for moving Lind, I would be similarly hesitant to move Rasmus because they are in such a good spot now. Davis but you can't get him in line up with both Lind and Encarnation raking.You will soon have to make choice if Batista doesn't shape up. They probably won't have to make a choice. Certain veterans get the benefit of the doubt for an awfully long time. If Bautista was still hitting 3rd when he was below .200, they'll have no qualms keeping him in the two hole until Reyes returns, even if his average dips another 20-30 points. That was quite the interesting game today, a horrible display of hitting with RISP for both teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 They probably won't have to make a choice. Certain veterans get the benefit of the doubt for an awfully long time. If Bautista was still hitting 3rd when he was below .200, they'll have no qualms keeping him in the two hole until Reyes returns, even if his average dips another 20-30 points. That was quite the interesting game today, a horrible display of hitting with RISP for both teams. If the Blue Jays have any hope for this season, they can't afford to leave Bautista in that spot batting like that; they have already lost too much ground. Yes in normal years they probably would leave him in. If Bautista doesnot come around quickly and they do not move him, they are conceding the season. I am not sure Gibbons has the nads to make that move. As for yesterday, I have a simple rule, if you can't bunt the ball you can't play for me, no matter who you are. PERIOD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 The Blue Jays are like a trout going up stream, fighting the current and the everyday perils. Who would of thought they would sweep the Rangers? Get back to .500 then we will see. In an interview with AA, he as much as stated that Kawaski will be the odd man out when Reyes returns, because he has options. The biggest news is the hiring of, I am going to say Evans, the weighted ball specialist. His efforts are starting to be recognized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I'm curious as to what the whole weighted ball program entails. It can't be as simple as just working with a weighted ball, I started doing that when I was 11 or 12, I'm sure a lot of others did too. There has to be more to it. It gets hyped as this revolutionary system but on the surface, it just seems overly obvious. Whatever it is, it's working and locking up the coach who developed the system makes perfect sense to me. That was a fun series to watch for sure, it was nice actually expecting good things to happen for once. I think a few players are hitting 'over their heads' at the moment, Reyes returning and upgrading Kawasaki's bat should help to offset that a little. I'm not surprised with Kawasaki being the one to go either (I didn't think he'd last this long). He has done well enough to be optioned down and kept on the 40-man though, I didn't think that would be the case two months ago (I thought he'd be a straight DFA). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I'm curious as to what the whole weighted ball program entails. It can't be as simple as just working with a weighted ball, I started doing that when I was 11 or 12, I'm sure a lot of others did too. There has to be more to it. It gets hyped as this revolutionary system but on the surface, it just seems overly obvious. Whatever it is, it's working and locking up the coach who developed the system makes perfect sense to me. That was a fun series to watch for sure, it was nice actually expecting good things to happen for once. I think a few players are hitting 'over their heads' at the moment, Reyes returning and upgrading Kawasaki's bat should help to offset that a little. I'm not surprised with Kawasaki being the one to go either (I didn't think he'd last this long). He has done well enough to be optioned down and kept on the 40-man though, I didn't think that would be the case two months ago (I thought he'd be a straight DFA). I am going to say I read it on Bluebird Aggregator but there was not much detail other than the hiring news and the four Blue Jays he has worked with. Cecil, Delabar, McGowan and somebody else. I believe that if Kawaski had had no options, somebody else would have gone. Go Jays Go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 An off-the-field story worth following is the Oakland-San Francisco saga, even if it is moving at slower than a snails' pace. The A's have long wanted to move to San Jose where they can get a new stadium earmarked for baseball (instead of playing in a multi-purpose facility) and to try and take advantage of some new fans in the San Jose area without alienating their current fans. It's not like they couldn't rebuild a stadium in Oakland either, the owner of the A's has shot down that proposal already; he wants San Jose badly. The Giants, who have territorial rights to the San Jose territory, want no part of it. The speculation is that if the owners approve the move that SF ownership could try to turn around and sue the league, something I think would be a first. So as it turns out, San Francisco isn't suing the league...San Jose got the jump on them and sued MLB themselves. The lawsuit was filed a day after there was a sewage backup at Oakland's stadium, I wonder if that was a coincidence? http://www.mercurynews.com/mark-purdy/ci_23485648/purdy-san-jose-takes-big-swing-at-major http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2013/06/18/san-jose-to-file-suit-to-move-the-athletics/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 From the comments Bautista made yesterday, I would predict that AA will assume the pretender position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Do you really want the Jays to sell more of the farm to go for it? They're not a player or two away this year - they're too far out for a player like that to make up that much of a difference. That said, I think they'll still be a buyer to a degree - perhaps not a rental but another player that has team control left that can help the team next year. Beyond that, hopefully they can move a couple of players with expiring deals and pick up a prospect or two to help restock the cupboards a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I mean they are going to try to pretend they still are in the race and will be buyers. Bad time of year to buy if you are not in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I mean they are going to try to pretend they still are in the race and will be buyers. Bad time of year to buy if you are not in it. Depends on what you're buying though. If it's a rental, it's really dumb but they've already said they aren't going after rentals. If it's someone that can help beyond this year, then it makes more sense. Consider the following: - The Jays keep using Lawrie at 2B the next couple of weeks and decide they'd like to keep him there and go after a new 3B (since there are more of those around that can hit than 2B's). - At the deadline, they deal prospects for either an established 3B with a few years left on his contract or a young 3B with arbitration eligibility left. Technically that's being a buyer and selling off young assets, but there's a longer-term view with the acquisition. These types of deals have been done by the Jays around this time of year recently (Escobar and Rasmus come to mind), I wouldn't be surprised if they look to do one of those for a 3B again. It can be sold as "we're not giving up this year" but it would solidify things in the next couple of years (where the majority of this team is signed through). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 What I am saying , if you are buying this time of the year you are paying a premium, no matter what you are getting. therefore this is the time of year to sell if you are not in it. AA goes against the grain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 What I am saying , if you are buying this time of the year you are paying a premium, no matter what you are getting. therefore this is the time of year to sell if you are not in it. AA goes against the grain. Not always. Ricky Nolasco, Miami's #1 pitcher, got dealt for a trio of so-so prospects, hardly a premium (heck, the Dodgers got an IFA signing slot as well in there). Boston got a power lefty in the bullpen for a AA outfield prospect hitting below .250 that wasn't a top ten guy in their system. There are bargains to be had. For the record, I am in agreement with you, the Jays should sell (the guys with expiring deals that probably won't be back), but I'm not against buying in the right situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Not always. Ricky Nolasco, Miami's #1 pitcher, got dealt for a trio of so-so prospects, hardly a premium (heck, the Dodgers got an IFA signing slot as well in there). Boston got a power lefty in the bullpen for a AA outfield prospect hitting below .250 that wasn't a top ten guy in their system. There are bargains to be had. For the record, I am in agreement with you, the Jays should sell (the guys with expiring deals that probably won't be back), but I'm not against buying in the right situation. AA is reportedly in Miquel Gonzales race. If he lands him "Cuban pitcher" everything else will become pale . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 The asking price for him is steep, 5 years and $60 million reportedly. He probably wouldn't go straight to the majors either. That's a big risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 The asking price for him is steep, 5 years and $60 million reportedly. He probably wouldn't go straight to the majors either. That's a big risk. Yeah. Might deflect a little Garza talk. However they don't expect to be in minors long .Just cost money no prospects. Don't know how that might affect signing allowances. Did I mention that AA have a tendency to swim upstream. Given what has happened so far for the Jays, publically-wise this would be a lift. When it comes to AA, never say never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Yeah. Might deflect a little Garza talk. However they don't expect to be in minors long .Just cost money no prospects. Don't know how that might affect signing allowances. Did I mention that AA have a tendency to swim upstream. Given what has happened so far for the Jays, publically-wise this would be a lift. When it comes to AA, never say never. The rules are different with Cubans - as long as they've defected and have at least three years of Cuban pro experience, they're not subject to the IFA rules (where there are slot allowances and signing caps). That's why the reported bidding is so high already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 It seems the honeymoon is over and in the realm of bouquets and roses AA is starting to take some arrows. Rightfully so. I am not saying anything is emminent but I think he has gained enough browny points to dismiss his underlings one more time before the train leaves the station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 The Biogenesis suspensions begin as Ryan Braun gets 65 games (the rest of the season) and he will not appeal. It's not like anyone actually believed him when he denied using PED's, it's nice to see that statement backfire for him. Who will be next? There's a report out there (although it has been denied publicly) that Alex Rodriguez and his lawyers were negotiating a suspension settlement similar to Braun although of a much longer variety (one report suggested 150 games). Matt Garza has been dealt to the Rangers for quite a haul. The Cubs get a quality 3B/OF prospect, a young starter, a decent pitching prospect, plus one or two pitching prospects to be named later. Garza's a rental player, that's a steep price. I'd love to see the Jays try to flip Josh Johnson for a similar (obviously lesser) package but I think they're committed to giving him the one year qualifying offer (around $13.8M) to get the draft pick compensation. Plus, it's not as if they'd actually sell despite being last in the division. It sounds like Miguel Gonzalez is down to five teams to choose from and the asking price keeps climbing. With that in mind, I think the odds of the Dodgers getting him continue to climb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 The problem with keeping JJ is that they have to run him out there every five starts. Do the fans and his struggling team mates deserve that? is that a recipe for turning the season around? They should just cut him loose, unless he will accept assignment to the minors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 The problem with keeping JJ is that they have to run him out there every five starts. Do the fans and his struggling team mates deserve that? is that a recipe for turning the season around? They should just cut him loose, unless he will accept assignment to the minors. Cut him loose now though and they lose the right to give him the one year QO, the question becomes what's better, a prospect return now, a draft pick, or him staying at a similar salary next year? There's no real easy answer there. If he were to clear waivers, he'd probably accept the AAA demotion (to keep his salary) but who replaces him? Romero, who lasted all of 1 inning last night in AAA? Or one of the career minor leaguers holding spots down while they wait for guys to come off the DL? There really isn't a better option right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Jays are having a "Players-only" meeting right now. ... it took them this long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Cut him loose now though and they lose the right to give him the one year QO, the question becomes what's better, a prospect return now, a draft pick, or him staying at a similar salary next year? There's no real easy answer there. If he were to clear waivers, he'd probably accept the AAA demotion (to keep his salary) but who replaces him? Romero, who lasted all of 1 inning last night in AAA? Or one of the career minor leaguers holding spots down while they wait for guys to come off the DL? There really isn't a better option right now. You are not going to get any value for him right now. It will cost you approx 13m next year to qualify him, that's a question? That's what I am hearing. Do you continue to damage the brand for that first round pick? The only scenerio that might work is you put him in the pen for the rest of season. Then you would have to fill that starter void Maybe you make a trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Jays are having a "Players-only" meeting right now. ... it took them this long? It's not their first one, they had one back in May I believe. You are not going to get any value for him right now. It will cost you approx 13m next year to qualify him, that's a question? That's what I am hearing. Do you continue to damage the brand for that first round pick? The only scenerio that might work is you put him in the pen for the rest of season. Then you would have to fill that starter void Maybe you make a trade. The qualifying offer will probably be somewhere between $13 and $14M; it's the averaged amount of the top-125 salaries (and I don't want to look them all up ). If you throw him in the bullpen and he does well, he'd still accept the QO as no team is going to forfeit a #1 pick for a guy whose best role in the AL is in the pen. The only way to increase his value to the point where he declines the QO and goes elsewhere is to simply keep throwing him out there as a starter and hoping that he reverts to old form. We just have to hope that Houston (his next start) gets him back on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueKross Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 It's not their first one, they had one back in May I believe. The qualifying offer will probably be somewhere between $13 and $14M; it's the averaged amount of the top-125 salaries (and I don't want to look them all up ). If you throw him in the bullpen and he does well, he'd still accept the QO as no team is going to forfeit a #1 pick for a guy whose best role in the AL is in the pen. The only way to increase his value to the point where he declines the QO and goes elsewhere is to simply keep throwing him out there as a starter and hoping that he reverts to old form. We just have to hope that Houston (his next start) gets him back on track. i would be more interested in regrouping the other 24 players and putting a decent product on the field the rest of the way, than worrying about a first round pick next year . Besides, your not going to offer him anything close to that money unless he comes a long ways back. The only way he turns down that money is if he thinks he can get more. He is nowhere close to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 i would be more interested in regrouping the other 24 players and putting a decent product on the field the rest of the way, than worrying about a first round pick next year . Besides, your not going to offer him anything close to that money unless he comes a long ways back. The only way he turns down that money is if he thinks he can get more. He is nowhere close to that. Johnson would still get good money if he were on the market now. Not to the extent of $13 million but 8-10 isn't unfathomable because of his past successes. Also, I'd disagree as to what's more important - I'd rather try and get his value to the point of increasing the likelihood of getting a third pick in the 1st round than turfing him in the hopes that his replacement might add one or two more wins. In terms of regrouping the others - he's a pitcher, he only impacts one out of every five games. Keeping or getting rid of him isn't going to do much of anything to rally the troops, especially considering the options to use aside from him (and it's certainly not worth trading for another starter at the moment). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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