2011 Blue Jays Season Thread

[bluejays]

I'm not a fan of this deal myself, but see why AA did it. I'd have stayed with Hill another year or so before dealing him simply because of the supply of quality 2nd basemen. He hasn't been the same for the past couple seasons, because of his concussion, but I'm thinking there's more to it. I'm far from a doctor, but he looks almost depressed, or simply stressed. I definitely hopes he makes a comeback, and of course, it'll be sad not having Johnny Mac in the Jays uniform. AA's just experimenting with this Johnson, but I'm sure it'll be a short stay for the guy.

[Caged Great]

Apparently Johnson was Escobar's only friend in Atlanta so there's that.

[Jason14h]

Hill is statistically the worst offensive 2nd baseman in the majors this season.......

Pretty sad when you get traded with J.Mac for a guy batting .200 and a million strikeouts, and you're the 3rd best offensive player in the deal!

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Good deal all considered. No clue why ARZ with playoff aspirations wants Hill at this time? Actually dont see what Arz gets out of this at all, except JMac to cover at SS for a bit.

Really like how proactive AA is on removing players he doesnt see as part of the big picture. Good trade.

[Tyler]

#yabuddy! #beastmode

[habernac]

Anyone else smiling last night when Bautista gave the pitcher the eff you stare after teeing off on one? Two inside pitches in a row from Hochevar, first one hit Escobar, second one inside to Jose. then he launches one and gives him the look.

Nice one by Lawrie as well.

[NoCupsIn40Years]

Originally Posted by habernac

Anyone else smiling last night when Bautista gave the pitcher the eff you stare after teeing off on one? Two inside pitches in a row from Hochevar, first one hit Escobar, second one inside to Jose. then he launches one and gives him the look.

Nice one by Lawrie as well.

Was it this?

[NoCupsIn40Years]

I was steaming the game last night and unfortunately I had the Royals broadcast.

They said some pretty funny things last night after Jose hit that home run

'Hochevar didn't stare you down when he made you look like a 4 year old when he struck you out on a slider in the 1st inning'

Jose Bautista, trolling Major League Baseball since 2010.

[NoCupsIn40Years]

Darin Mastroianni was immediately sent down today. AA was right when he said his stint in the major would be short.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by fleury

I'm not a fan of this deal myself, but see why AA did it. I'd have stayed with Hill another year or so before dealing him simply because of the supply of quality 2nd basemen. He hasn't been the same for the past couple seasons, because of his concussion, but I'm thinking there's more to it. I'm far from a doctor, but he looks almost depressed, or simply stressed. I definitely hopes he makes a comeback, and of course, it'll be sad not having Johnny Mac in the Jays uniform. AA's just experimenting with this Johnson, but I'm sure it'll be a short stay for the guy.

Hard to say, but it sounds like Johnson has been someone that AA has been after for along time. It's pretty amazing how once AA sets his targets on someone he basically gets them and does it in a variety of ways. At least they leave an option open to have Johnson here and if not i'm sure HIll would consider signing with the Jays again as I don't expect him to have a long list of suitors but I was with you I was wanting him back strictly because they had no other option. Hopefully Johnson gives them an option and if not at least they get a pick out of it. Really no loss in htis deal other than Johnny Mac and I'll be pretty suprised if he sin't back in the offseason based on how that presser went.

[Caged Great]

Lind is now one of the worst hitters on the team this season.

Lawrie - .338 Avg, 1.063 OPS
Bautista - .317 Avg, 1.109 OPS
Molina - .303 Avg, .809 OPS
Escobar - .286 Avg, .777 OPS
EE - .277 Avg, .796 OPS
Thames - .263 Avg, .767 OPS

Lind - .257 Avg, .749 OPS

Rasmus - .239 Avg, .730 OPS
JPA - .213 Avg, .713 OPS

Johnson not counted due to playing 1 whole game.

So, in effect, he's only ahead of a rookie catcher, and a CF who's having a rough year, but who's got a ton of upside. That won't cut it obviously. I think he is the next one to get dealt in the offseason, with the Jays probably going after one of Votto, Fielder, or Pujols.

[bluejays]

I agreed with you CG on Lind probably being the next one out. I really can't say I'm a fan, but if he's simply having an off year, I say keep him. Almost any team, as stacked, will have guys who have off years. He's proven what he can do, he's probably not injured, and it's more of lack of confidence, so I'd let him play his way off. Though, I'd be estatic if they were to get Fielder or Pujols in his place.

[Sylvanfan]

The thing is that I don't think Lind is having an off year per se. If you average out his production from the last three seasons, you'd end up with what you're getting this season less a bit in the batting average.

Although I think the offence the Jays have is good enough, they need to get more pitching. The Rays offence is nothing great, but they're still a fair ways ahead of the Jays right now thanks to their pitching. Mind you even the Jays offence and Tampa's pitching probably still can't keep up with Boston or New York.

[cross16]

[QUOTE=Sylvanfan;3255371]The thing is that I don't think Lind is having an off year per se. If you average out his production from the last three seasons, you'd end up with what you're getting this season less a bit in the batting average.

Although I think the offence the Jays have is good enough, they need to get more pitching. The Rays offence is nothing great, but they're still a fair ways ahead of the Jays right now thanks to their pitching. Mind you even the Jays offence and Tampa's pitching probably still can't keep up with Boston or New York.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately this is why I think they need to upgrade both. I agree that pitching is more important of an upgrade because not only do the need 1 more starter, and a high end one ideally, they need at least 2 more arms in their pen. I agree thought that Lind as a DH and one of their key bats is not enough to contend. I'd be ok if they want to keep Lind at 1st as I think he's been pretty solid defensivly and I think he is hitting below what he is capable of, but then I would hope they could get a Fielder/Votto type bat to be their DH, or rotate with Lind. More than likely in order to get a bat like that LInd would need to be invovled, but I think an upgrade at DH would help as well.

[Sylvanfan]

One of the sillier things a team can do is keep a guy around at first because they like his defence. If they want to spend the money to get a true slugger than by all means do it.

Two positions where teams should be getting offensive production though are 1B and DH. Lind as LF would probably be adequate, but those are two spots where I think you need 850 OPS, and no worse than 800. I'd suggest platooning him with EE at DH, but I think Lind actually has been better against left handers this year than he has against Righties.

[NoCupsIn40Years]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Lind is now one of the worst hitters on the team this season.

Lawrie - .338 Avg, 1.063 OPS
Bautista - .317 Avg, 1.109 OPS
Molina - .303 Avg, .809 OPS
Escobar - .286 Avg, .777 OPS
EE - .277 Avg, .796 OPS
Thames - .263 Avg, .767 OPS

Lind - .257 Avg, .749 OPS

Rasmus - .239 Avg, .730 OPS
JPA - .213 Avg, .713 OPS

Johnson not counted due to playing 1 whole game.

So, in effect, he's only ahead of a rookie catcher, and a CF who's having a rough year, but who's got a ton of upside. That won't cut it obviously. I think he is the next one to get dealt in the offseason, with the Jays probably going after one of Votto, Fielder, or Pujols.

I posted an article here which stated that the Reds may be shopping Votto next year since they may not have the dough to pay him. I'll assume the Reds could be interested in Lind to somewhat replace Votto. A package with Lind, and some of the top end pitching prospects for Votto is something I'd look for. It'll be a marketing gold mine to build around Lawrie, Bautista and Votto in a Canadian market.

[dustyanddaflames]

I would think the Reds are quite comfortable going forward with Yonder Alonso if Votto needs to be dealt due to financial constraints. Just my opinion.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

One of the sillier things a team can do is keep a guy around at first because they like his defence. If they want to spend the money to get a true slugger than by all means do it.

Two positions where teams should be getting offensive production though are 1B and DH. Lind as LF would probably be adequate, but those are two spots where I think you need 850 OPS, and no worse than 800. I'd suggest platooning him with EE at DH, but I think Lind actually has been better against left handers this year than he has against Righties.

I don't disagree and the only reason I mentioned keeping Lind is because IMO he is a better hitter than he is right now i'm not suggesting keeping him only because of defence. You can't have someone swinging the bat the way he is right now but I still think Lind is a solid bat. Ultimately though Lind would likely be required if they wanted to make a move anyway.

[NoCupsIn40Years]

ShiDavidi Shi Davidi



Travis d'Arnaud named Eastern League MVP, Sal Fasano wins manager of the year honours.

33 minutes ago

[chockfullofgoodness]

5-1 Rays. Jays pitching has been serving up batting practice the last little while.