2015-2016 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Nobody was talking about power, the issue is can Goins sustain his second half from last season which showed improved patience, bat control, and a slight bump in power. Some players make a small adjustment half way through their careers, like those guys above, and the increased production (power or not) becomes sustainable.

Man, can't you ever just say "Good point, you're right"?

Your pessimism is exhausting.

I don't mind AO, he provides a different perspective. The only type of poster I don't like are the nonsensical ones. Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with a little negativity, but I've never been one to focus to much on it anyway. I think it would be really annoying if everyone was beaming with positivity all the time.

If you're waiting for a "Good point, you're right" from ANYONE, you may be waiting a while. Humility and the internet do not mix. I think I see someone conceding the point approximately once every few months on this site, and I'm on here every day.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Because it's not a good point and factually incorrect. Those guys didn't make adjustments, those guys are pedigree power hitters that moved to a power-hitting stadium at Rogers Center. Donaldson and Edwin produced almost instantly once on a major league roster. In his first two full major league seasons, Edwin hit .276 and .289 with 33 and 25 homeruns respectively. In his first two full major league seasons, Donaldson hit .301 and .255 with 24 and 29 homeruns respectively. Well before Donaldson became a Blue Jay the talk was that if he got out of Oakland with their massive outfield and foul zone, he would be ripping it up. Bautista is a better comparison, but he makes his money with pure power. His batting average and OPS have been very consistent since he became an MLB regular in Pittsburgh. The only thing that has really improved with Bautista is Homeruns and corresponding RBIs.

There's nothing pessimistic about what I said, I said he was likely the best fielding second baseman in baseball and that it was unfortunate that he's a bad hitter and I wouldn't expect him to be anything more than what he has shown to because he's 28 years old going on his 4th season with the Jays. Sure he had a pretty good last month or so of the season last year, but he outright sucked at the plate come the playoffs which suggests to me he is still a very poor hitter since he wilted with a steady diet of good pitching (BA - .139 OBP -.162)

You can call me pessimistic, but your approach of saying everything the Jays do is the greatest thing since sliced bread and everyone is going to have career years as just as tiring. I hope Goins rips it up, because if he did, him or Travis could be a piece we could move at the deadline to fill some holes if they need filling. I would actually prefer that Goins hits well enough to make Travis expendable, but I just can't see that happening. I would prefer an average hitting 2nd base with great defense over a good hitting 2nd basement with mediocre to suspect defense any day of the week.

They all did make adjustments though. Jose, after introducing the leg kick, was a completely different player. Same goes for Donaldson, who actually emulated Jose's leg kick and found tremendous success with it. Edwin lowered his hands and switched to a slide step.

All small changes, but absolutely were adjustments that made huge impacts on their approach.

Goins is a trickier one, because there was nothing really noticeably different with him in the batter's box, aside from his improved eye. I'm a little more skeptical with him sustaining success simply due to it being reliant on a more patient approach, when he's had zero track record of that in his career.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

They all did make adjustments though. Jose, after introducing the leg kick, was a completely different player. Same goes for Donaldson, who actually emulated Jose's leg kick and found tremendous success with it. Edwin lowered his hands and switched to a slide step.

All small changes, but absolutely were adjustments that made huge impacts on their approach.

Goins is a trickier one, because there was nothing really noticeably different with him in the batter's box, aside from his improved eye. I'm a little more skeptical with him sustaining success simply due to it being reliant on a more patient approach, when he's had zero track record of that in his career.

Yes, I guess saying making no adjustments isn't appropriate, but the point is that all of those guys had past success, and early in their MLB career (well except for Bautista but he was never given a chance until those final two years in Pittsburgh).

[ClubFlames]

On a side note, Izturis officially retired today.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Pompey crushed a home run today.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Goins was worth 2.73 war last year, which ranks 127th best by any player in 2015.

His defense is so good that his noodle bat doesn't matter. His .672 OPS last year is adequate, only slightly below average. If he maintains that, he'll be fine as an every day player. If he can improve, that'd be awesome.

I agree with this. I don't think Goins will ever get to the point where his bat is anything but below average, but his D is so good it doesn't matter. He started to see alot more pitches in the 2nd half and IIRC his walks went up which is a good sign. If you are going to hit in the 8/9 spot in this lineup jsut get on base.

That being said, with the potential bat and all around skills Travis flashed last year I'm very excited to see what he could do with a full season. Nice to see the Jays have such good middle IF options for once.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I don't mind AO, he provides a different perspective. The only type of poster I don't like are the nonsensical ones. Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with a little negativity, but I've never been one to focus to much on it anyway. I think it would be really annoying if everyone was beaming with positivity all the time.

If you're waiting for a "Good point, you're right" from ANYONE, you may be waiting a while. Humility and the internet do not mix. I think I see someone conceding the point approximately once every few months on this site, and I'm on here every day.

Good point

[TheAlpineOracle]

Two homeruns for Saunders today. Him and Pompey battling hard so far for that spot.

[Parallex]

Was thinking about Jose's contract today... I wonder if he would be down to get his big contract if it were heavily incentive based?

Year 1 + 2: 30M Guarenteed
Year 3 + 4: 15M Guaranteed + 15M in Performance Bonuses
Year 5 + 6: Vesting Option for 15M Guaranteed + 15M in Performance Bonuses

... he get's his big payday and the team get's risk management.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Apparently Goose Gossage is an angry old man.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14...ining-baseball

"Bautista is a f---ing disgrace to the game," Gossage told ESPN. "He's embarrassing to all the Latin players, whoever played before him. Throwing his bat and acting like a fool, like all those guys in Toronto. [Yoenis] Cespedes, same thing."

On a separate subject, Gossage, 64, said he does not like the trend in baseball to have people who never played at the highest level running the game.

"The game is becoming a freaking joke because of the nerds who are running it. I'll tell you what has happened, these guys played Rotisserie baseball at Harvard or wherever the f--- they went and they thought they figured the f---ing game out. They don't know s---."
Goose Gossage

"A bunch of f---ing nerds running the game. You can't slide into second base. You can't take out the f---ing catcher because [Buster] Posey was in the wrong position and they are going to change all the rules. You can't pitch inside anymore. I'd like to knock some of these f---ers on their ass and see how they would do against pitchers in the old days.

"Ryan Braun is a f---ing steroid user. He gets a standing ovation on Opening Day in Milwaukee. How do you explain that to your kid after throwing people under the bus and lying through his f---ing teeth? They don't have anyone passing the f---ing torch to these people.

"If I had acted like that, you don't go in that f---ing dugout. There are going to be 20 f---ing guys waiting for you."

[Senator Clay Davis]

[Sakic19]

Jamie Campbell was laid off yesterday. I wonder who they get to try to keep Zaun in check.

[REDVAN]

Wow that sucks, I usually liked him.

Is Zaun coming back for sure? I could do without him too.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Sakic19

Jamie Campbell was laid off yesterday. I wonder who they get to try to keep Zaun in check.

are you sure?

James Cybulski was in Vancouver maybe you are thinking him?

I thought all the Sportsnet layoffs were just the Vancouver group

[REDVAN]

I think Rogers has such a sweet deal broadcasting their own baseball team that they would not lay off their only non-PBP talent!

[Sakic19]

http://torontosportsmedia.com/sports...continue/20626

I don't know if all the facts are correct but the following is a quote from the article, "Jamie Thomas and James Cybulski were all let go."

[Alberta_Beef]

I really liked Jamie Thomas, that is a shame. Cybulski on the other hand, good riddance.

[TheAlpineOracle]

No Jamie Thomas? That's kind of shocking. Good riddance to Cybulski. Too bad they didn't can Caroline Cameron as well. Both are nauseating and make me want to turn the channel. Wannabe Jay and Dan with no talent or charisma.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Nm

[flames_fan_down_under]

I never like hearing about people losing their jobs. It sounds like Jamie Campbell still has a job though so I'm not sure if Sakic19 has some bad intel or what's going on there.