The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[868904]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Bautista's days in the outfield are done, and Edwin is the better DH/1B option. Jays need to ensure they sign Edwin and let Bautista walk (unless he's willing to sign a one year deal given what transpired this year).

That said, in letting Bautista walk, the Jays have to invest in an adequate RF with the money they don't spend on Bautista. In no way, shape, or form is Upton an every day major leaguer anymore and not an adequate replacement for Bautista. Unfortunately, I think he was acquired with that in mind.

Article on Sportsnet today talked about how the jays were trying to acquire another OF at the deadline in addition to Upton. Specifically looking for a left handed batter who plays the outfield.

I think they are probably looking to lose both Bautista and Saunders and run with Pillar, Upton, and a new guy. Hopefully, the new guy is an upgrade on Bautista and Saunders.

So it doesn't have to be re-invested in RF, could push Upton to RF and bring in someone good in the LF who bats left, has some power, and is better than Saunders defensively. Not sure who that would be though.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by 868904

Article on Sportsnet today talked about how the jays were trying to acquire another OF at the deadline in addition to Upton. Specifically looking for a left handed batter who plays the outfield.

I think they are probably looking to lose both Bautista and Saunders and run with Pillar, Upton, and a new guy.

You're overthinking it. Not everything is a long-term move... I think the idea was more to just acquire a LH hitting outfielder to platoon with Upton so you could have Jose DH full-time.

[cross16]

I personally don't have a problem with Upton as a starting OF. Its an upgarde to speed and defence over Bautista and while yes it is a dramatic drop off offensivly the Jays offence is more than capable of handling that drop off.

YOu could do better sure, but you could also do a heck of alot worse. Free agency is a pretty ugly looking option this offseason and with the pitching and core of offence the Jays have (assuming you don't lose all 3 of Bautista/EE and Saunders) they are still a very good team even with Upton as a starter.

I also don't think Upton was brought in to necessarily replace Bautista he could also be here to replace Saunders who may look to cash in. Can't be overpaying Saunders based on his "All Star" season. He's depth for both.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Easier said then done. Slim pickins' for upcoming UFA's in terms of quality outfielders.

I am not worried Bautista is easily replaceable. He has mediocre fielding with a tremendous arm. Sure he has power but he is not hitting for average anymore.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Skaloper

I am not worried Bautista is easily replaceable. He has mediocre fielding with a tremendous arm. Sure he has power but he is not hitting for average anymore.

Well Upton doesn't hit for power or average. He's basically a Justin Smoak clone. The Jays can't start the season with two bench players starting at two of generally the highest offensive producing positions in baseball.

If there's no one out there to replace Bautista, you need to go big dollar value on a two year contract to Bautista. I can't see teams lining up to give him a 4-5 year contract after this year.

[mrkajz44]

It's going to be interesting what happens with Bautista. He's slashing .222/.349/.444 which is not terrible (thank goodness he still walks a lot), but it is his worst season by a fair margin in the last 5 or so. His fielding has always been a bit suspect and he no longer has that cannon arm ever since he hurt it early last season.

I doubt the Jays would just go QO, but might be able to get a 3 year deal done with him. His asking price at the beginning of the season is now unobtainable with his performance this year (including injuries), so maybe they are a lot closer at the end of the year than we might think.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Skaloper

I am not worried Bautista is easily replaceable. He has mediocre fielding with a tremendous arm. Sure he has power but he is not hitting for average anymore.

His arm is done. He used to have a great arm - but it is gone this season.
So now he is a below average fielder, with a below average arm.

[TheAlpineOracle]

####ing Dickey. Useless tit. Two straight walks followed by a double

[flames_fan_down_under]

Frustrating inning from Dickey.

[SportsJunky]

I like Dickey.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Classic. Two walks, A double, two strike outs.

[Caged Great]

Honestly, I would rather the Jays go and either sign an OF like Reddick, or promote Pompey than re-sign Jose. The money saved from moving on from Jose should go to EE. Sign EE to a 5 X 25 contract instead.

Jose has only been worth 0.3 WAR this year. Darwin Barney of all people has been worth 1.4 WAR just to illustrate how bad his year has been. Actually, to make it even more pathetic, JA Happ has been 0.3 WAR as a hitter this year. Seriously, look it up on Baseball Reference. That's bad

[TheAlpineOracle]

Smoak is such garbage.

[Jason14h]

I love Smoak. Like I love wasps and mosquitoes !

Did anyone not see a strikeout coming there

[TheAlpineOracle]

Smoak-Upton-Thole. What a steaming pile of ####. Unbelievable

[Jason14h]

Smoak 2.0 does his thing as well ! Only striking out 43% of his abs as a Jay!

[Inferno]

What a letdown. Smoak and Upton Jr. are useless.

[TheAlpineOracle]

And hear comes the usual 5th inning #### show from Dickey.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Well colour me surprised at that.

[Jason14h]

Sometimes dicky doesn't fall apart till the 6th. It's a coin flip