2014 Blue Jays Regular Season Thread

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by evman150

Bautista does all the big flashy things that fans love. Homes runs! Outfield assists! Big upper cut hacks!

He also gets on base more than anyone else in the sport. But that doesn't matter when you can cherry pick average with the bases load, I suppose. It becomes obvious that any time spent responding to you is a waste, because it is clear that your only interest is bitching about a player for whom you clearly have an irrational hatred of.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Hopefully EE is back soon enough that this shouldn't really matter but I wouldlike to see Melky batting after Batista wiht the current lineup. I don't know, maybe not but the is no threat after the top 3, and no protection for Batista. There is no incentive to pitch to Batista when he is follwed by Navarro (thole) FrancisKo or Reimold. Goes at lead off, Reyes 2nd Batista 3rd and Melky clean up? Reyes is a true lead off batter but it just bugs how Gibbons doesn't ever tinker with the top of the order to try and stretch a little depth out of what they have now. Or Kawasaki bating 2nd (as he is excellent situational hitter), followed by Melky and Batista (or Vice viersa). It was hard watching them leave so many men on base yesterday I would like to see Gibbons try something to address that.

Agreed that Batista needs protection but I don't think you can move Melky out of the two-hole. He is perfectly suited for that role. Don't mess with the most consistent bat you've had all year.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by evman150

The .195 was his career average with the bases loaded. They flashed it on the screen during the game. Thought it was unbelievably low. He has four hits in his last thirty PAs with the bases loaded (three singles, one double). Not so hot. But ya, small sample size I know.

I never said he wasn't a good player. He has tremendous skill. He's just nowhere near a complete player.

For example, what on earth was that rundown last night? He almost blew the game. Jays got very very lucky on replay. I thought it was inconclusive. The guy deserved to be called safe just based on how boneheaded the play Bautista made was. That would have been an ugly play in little league, let alone the major leagues. But it's just another demonstration of his low baseball IQ.

Bautista does all the big flashy things that fans love. Homes runs! Outfield assists! Big upper cut hacks!

Watch for the little things though. He mucks them up routinely. That at bat in the 13th was a prime example. Bases loaded, a guy with six MLB games on the mound who just walked the last guy on four pitches (three of which were not close). What does Bautista do? Rolls over on the first pitch that was six inches outside. WTF? That is unbelievably bad baseball, and something the casual fan probably doesn't even notice.

This is true, but how much infield has he played the last few years, and how much first base? I think the fact that he is willing to play any position shows how much of a team guy he can be. And yes yesterday was not his best day at the plate, but there are very few "complete" 5 tool players in the league, you can rundown his "baseball IQ" but I'd take the 4 outta 5 tool player any day. He may have his short commings but he brings more to the team then going up plate and trying to hit dingers.

[Ne7en]

Originally Posted by evman150

I never said he wasn't a good player. He has tremendous skill. He's just nowhere near a complete player.

For example, what on earth was that rundown last night? He almost blew the game. Jays got very very lucky on replay. I thought it was inconclusive. The guy deserved to be called safe just based on how boneheaded the play Bautista made was. That would have been an ugly play in little league, let alone the major leagues. But it's just another demonstration of his low baseball IQ.

Bautista does all the big flashy things that fans love. Homes runs! Outfield assists! Big upper cut hacks!

The guy gets the out lastnight in the rundown, and you think its inconclusive (which it wasn't) so he is an in-complete player?
Jose has played 3rd, CF, RF, and 1st for us. What am I missing?

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

He also gets on base more than anyone else in the sport. But that doesn't matter when you can cherry pick average with the bases load, I suppose. It becomes obvious that any time spent responding to you is a waste, because it is clear that your only interest is bitching about a player for whom you clearly have an irrational hatred of.

I've already admitted that he is incredibly talented.

It's not my fault you can't grasp the subtlety of what I'm saying.

My entire point is that he doesn't do the little things.

Then all of you say "he does the big things!" as if to refute my argument.

Really, what your argument is is that the little things don't matter, or don't matter enough. This is where I disagree.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Just stop. He's a great player, any team would love to have a slugger like him on their team. You might as well leave the thread if you aren't going to appreciate the positive things Bautista does for this team.

[Resolute 14]

There's nothing subtle about what you are saying, Evman. You hate the guy, so you are cherry picking individual instances of him not succeeding (newsflash: baseball is a sport where everybody fails a majority of the time) while completely dismissing the multitude of things he does do well so you can justify your hate. There's a term for that. It's called confirmation bias.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by evman150

I've already admitted that he is incredibly talented.

It's not my fault you can't grasp the subtlety of what I'm saying.

My entire point is that he doesn't do the little things.

Then all of you say "he does the big things!" as if to refute my argument.

Really, what your argument is is that the little things don't matter, or don't matter enough. This is where I disagree.

Batista is not being paid to do the little things. Kawasaki, Tolleson, Gose are players who need to do the little things for the team to succeed and for them to personally in the majors. His job is to produce runs, no #3 hitter in the league is asked to lay down a sac bunt. The biggest little thing a player can do is work the count to get on base, and he is a master at this. I will watch more closely for the little things from him, and will find very few, other then grounding into to dp's, which is a flaw of every home run hitter. Any pitch up and in you have to be dodging, after the amount of injuries the Jays have had, the last thing they need is another hbp off the hands. Though he did fall, Francisco not running out the ground ball is a little thing that would drive anyone nuts and something Batista could get away with, though not something he would ever do.

The more I think about his ab in the 13th, he had to be thinking first pitch fast ball, down the middle after 4 straight balls to the previous batte. It was brave of a rookie pitcher to start with a slider and then be working form behind in the cout the whole ab. That guessing game is what makes baseball the chess match that it is. He simply guessed wrong and grounded out. It happens 7 outta ten times.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Batista is not being paid to do the little things. Kawasaki, Tolleson, Gose are players who need to do the little things for the team to succeed and for them to personally in the majors. His job is to produce runs, no #3 hitter in the league is asked to lay down a sac bunt. The biggest little thing a player can do is work the count to get on base, and he is a master at this. I will watch more closely for the little things from him, and will find very few, other then grounding into to dp's, which is a flaw of every home run hitter. Any pitch up and in you have to be dodging, after the amount of injuries the Jays have had, the last thing they need is another hbp off the hands. Though he did fall, Francisco not running out the ground ball is a little thing that would drive anyone nuts and something Batista could get away with, though not something he would ever do.

The more I think about his ab in the 13th, he had to be thinking first pitch fast ball, down the middle after 4 straight balls to the previous batte. It was brave of a rookie pitcher to start with a slider and then be working form behind in the cout the whole ab. That guessing game is what makes baseball the chess match that it is. He simply guessed wrong and grounded out. It happens 7 outta ten times.

Good post. I don't agree with everything, but thank you for making an effort instead of the "leave Jose alone" fanboy drive-bys.

I just watched it again, don't think it was a slider. Maybe a changeup. Still ballsy though, you're right.

[GirlySports]

you're watching parts of yesterday's game again to make arguments on the internet?

[evman150]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

you're watching parts of yesterday's game again to make arguments on the internet?

It's not exactly difficult on mlb.tv.

[seattleflamer]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Wish I was going to Seattle. Can't make it this year. If anybody from CP is there be extra loud for us all! Outside of the Sounders Seattle has got the bandwagon fans down to an art, hopefully they stay away and these are like 3 home games again.

What is this? Here's a snapshot: there were ~150K for 3 baseball and 1 soccer game on the weekend with a club not in a playoff position playing a mediocre Whitesox team on what was the nicest weekend of the year for outdoor stuff.

Seahawks have never played below 50K during decades of futility. All the while, there is a sudden surge of 12th man flags throughout the lower mainland with its media bragging about the impact of Canadians on the Seahawks record breaking season ticket base while its perfectly good local team in the Lions barely crack 25K in a 60K stadium.

Seattle has a rabid and loyal fan base compared to Vancouver's ankle breakers.

Oh yeah, tonight is going to have an awesome atmosphere with real consequences. Most meaningful series of the year if not of the past decade for M's fans. I'll be there but outnumbered by Blue Jay rooting family members.

[KelVarnsen]

I need to go to a series in Seattle next year.

[MyFlamesFirst]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I need to go to a series in Seattle next year.

I've been thinking the same thing. Never gone. Looks like a fun thing to be apart of.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Damn that Bautista. What a terrible player.

[Ne7en]

Another "me" at bat for Bautista. Can't do the small things.

[evman150]

Mike can do task A really well. Everyone knows this. Mike struggles with task B.

Mike demonstrates his ability to do task A.

LOOOK! Mike "can't" do task A. LOL.

LOOOOOKK!!!! Mike can do task B!!!!!!!!!111111111

Logic - it's tough.

[KelVarnsen]

Just go away

[ben voyonsdonc]

I'm sorry evman150, but I find it hard to criticize a guy who has done everything in his power to keep his team in the playoff hunt despite losing most of his protection in the lineup. He hits home runs, walks, plays good D, has a great arm and, from what I know, is well liked by his team mates. Does he have some holes in his game? Yep. But just about every single player does.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by seattleflamer

What is this? Here's a snapshot: there were ~150K for 3 baseball and 1 soccer game on the weekend with a club not in a playoff position playing a mediocre Whitesox team on what was the nicest weekend of the year for outdoor stuff.

Seahawks have never played below 50K during decades of futility. All the while, there is a sudden surge of 12th man flags throughout the lower mainland with its media bragging about the impact of Canadians on the Seahawks record breaking season ticket base while its perfectly good local team in the Lions barely crack 25K in a 60K stadium.

Seattle has a rabid and loyal fan base compared to Vancouver's ankle breakers.

Oh yeah, tonight is going to have an awesome atmosphere with real consequences. Most meaningful series of the year if not of the past decade for M's fans. I'll be there but outnumbered by Blue Jay rooting family members.

Jeez that's a low bar, maybe 1 NFL team a year has below 50K attendance.

I've just always though that the reputation of the Seahawks and the Mariners fans is that they are fickle even inside Seattle, may be wrong just a reputation I've picked up on from friends... here's an opinion piece in the times basically saying the same thing.

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion...fans15xml.html

Lets not turn this into me defending Vancouver fans because that ain't gonna happen

As mentioned in an earlier post, Sounders support is awesome, hopefully it stays that way once they have a couple bad seasons.

You're right, great atmosphere there tonight!