The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[howard_the_duck]

The same leaders are there that were said to have changed the team's mindset last year (Donaldson, Martin). I just don't think it's an emotional thing at all. You have Tulo hitting .160, Martin .170, and are stuck giving at bats to Goins until Travis is healed up.

It's the same offensive team on paper as last year just not performing anywhere near the same level. Starting pitching is our biggest concern, and it's starting to look like this group is the real deal.

Ultimately, you have a team that's had whatever can go wrong actually go wrong so far, and they're 1 game sub .500. It's hard not to let emotion creep into it as a fan, but it's such a long season. Things will sort themselves out.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

The same leaders are there that were said to have changed the team's mindset last year (Donaldson, Martin). I just don't think it's an emotional thing at all. You have Tulo hitting .160, Martin .170, and are stuck giving at bats to Goins until Travis is healed up.

It's the same offensive team on paper as last year just not performing anywhere near the same level. Starting pitching is our biggest concern, and it's starting to look like this group is the real deal.

Ultimately, you have a team that's had whatever can go wrong actually go wrong so far, and they're 1 game sub .500. It's hard not to let emotion creep into it as a fan, but it's such a long season. Things will sort themselves out.

Do I think the batting averages are going to improve? Yes. Do I think our production will be anywhere last year's? Nope.

Last year's production was due to a record pace for home runs. Even with the amount of runs we scored last year, the Jays has a very hard time bringing in the runs without the deep ball. Ultimately, that is what led to our loss to the Royals.

We can't expect the Jays to hit as many dingers this year as last year. It's just unrealistic and I don't see the Jays turning into a small ball team anytime soon. That said, the starting pitching (outside of Dickey) which would should reduce the amount of runs we need, but people are also forgetting that both Sanchez and Stroman are on innings limits.

[Dan02]

jesus at 815 game today??? stupid San Francisco.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Do I think the batting averages are going to improve? Yes. Do I think our production will be anywhere last year's? Nope.

Last year's production was due to a record pace for home runs. Even with the amount of runs we scored last year, the Jays has a very hard time bringing in the runs without the deep ball. Ultimately, that is what led to our loss to the Royals.

We can't expect the Jays to hit as many dingers this year as last year. It's just unrealistic and I don't see the Jays turning into a small ball team anytime soon. That said, the starting pitching (outside of Dickey) which would should reduce the amount of runs we need, but people are also forgetting that both Sanchez and Stroman are on innings limits.

The team, as constructed, is a power-laden offensive club. This roster doesn't have the pieces to play any sort of small ball, and a valid argument could be made that they need to adjust their offensive strategy long term so they're more agile to play this way when the weather turns cold in September/October.

That's part of the reason why signing Bautista/EE could be problematic for the Jays front office, as you'd be tying up a lot of resources into an aging core where the offensive identity of the club would not really change at all.

[Trolleydodger]

Originally Posted by Dan02

jesus at 815 game today??? stupid San Francisco.

I agree, The Giants are stupid.
Heh heh.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

That's part of the reason why signing Bautista/EE could be problematic for the Jays front office, as you'd be tying up a lot of resources into an aging core where the offensive identity of the club would not really change at all.

Don't worry the way EE and Jose are playing this year I don't think you're going to have to worry about anyone throwing them a big contract.

At this point Joses rumored 5/$150 is nothing short of comical.

[Dan02]

It's probably time for Jose to start thinking about moving into the DH role now anyways so I doubt both will be kept around, he's become a defensive liability in right the last 2 seasons.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Dan02

It's probably time for Jose to start thinking about moving into the DH role now anyways so I doubt both will be kept around, he's become a defensive liability in right the last 2 seasons.

I'd consider him a first base. Of the two, i'd go with Jose. Edwin is younger but seems to always have injury issues, and doesn't keep his body in anywhere near the shape Jose does.

[Jason14h]

Sure the offence hasn't played well but our bullpen has blown 10? Games . Any sort of normal bullpen and were in 1st. Enough storen . Forever

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Sure the offence hasn't played well but our bullpen has blown 10? Games . Any sort of normal bullpen and were in 1st. Enough storen . Forever

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't storen a "hopefully he turns it around with our club" signing and therefore can be attributed to part of being a budget team rather than bad luck?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't storen a "hopefully he turns it around with our club" signing and therefore can be attributed to part of being a budget team rather than bad luck?

Jays didn't sign him, they traded Revere for him, and no Storen was solid the last 2 seasons.

2-2 with 29 saves in 58 appearances last year.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Jays didn't sign him, they traded Revere for him, and no Storen was solid the last 2 seasons.

2-2 with 29 saves in 58 appearances last year.

The Jays traded for Storen because he only has 1 year left on his contract. They get a name people recognize that they don't have to continue to pay when they dismantle next season.What was ridiculous about the Storen trade was that it got held up for a couple of days because the Jays would not take his contact on unless the Nats compensated them for the difference between what Revere and what Storen made.

The Jays should have kept Revere and signed a bullpen arm. Best of both worlds, but you know, Toronto being such a small market team can't afford such luxuries.........

[GirlySports]

Woo 1-0. Lets break this open!

[flames_fan_down_under]

Tulo didn't even swing! OH my god 3 straight pitches and he just watches them go through the strike zone.

He is completely lost, and he is guessing. When is he going to figure it out?

[Dan02]

Tulo should just save everyone some time and start every at bat 0-2

[flames_fan_down_under]

Troy Oand2lowitzki?

[Machiavelli]

Making it easy on pitchers far too often this season

[flames_fan_down_under]

Duffy channeling Tulo.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Ya Edwin!!!!

[TKB]

Tulo, Martin, and Goins are just bad at hitting the ball.