Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cleveland Indians - ALCS

[Jiggy_12]

Just as likely as a PH for Upton would be a PR for Bautista so that's really splitting hairs. You would still need a defensive replacement in that case.

To me it makes more sense to have Upton in the field for 7+ innings with a chance of Saunders for 2 then it does having the certainty of having Bautista in the field for 7+ innings in addition to Saunders are the defensive replacement for 2.

The first 7 innings of defense matter too. So Upton should be in RF, Bautista should be DH. Either way Saunders will come in to field so may as well have your best foot forward for the first 3/4 of the game, no?

Bautista is terrible in the field right now. Absolutely terrible.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

This is the only one I've heard and it's not that bad.

Bautista is a first rate ass clown. All that does is feed his ego and add some extra fire to the Indians today.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Bautista is a first rate ass clown. All that does is feed his ego and add some extra fire to the Indians today.

Yeah because the Indians weren't going to be fired up for an ALCS game already.

I never understood how people can make a big deal of a one line quote without even hearing the original question or entire interview for context. Do you think Bautista just grabbed a mic and had that one liner ready to go?

[corporatejay]

"Billboard material".

Yeah, like a trip to the world series isn't enough. Give me a break.

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Also, did anyone see Bautista bitching at Saunders when they went to do the post game high five celebration line up? It did not look friendly.

I saw it and I think its because Sanders stepped on the mound...looks like Bautista told him to back up and get off cause you can see Saunders move back. When the camera zoomed back you could see he wasn't on it.

Thats my guess anyways.

[mrkajz44]

The comment probably more-so to inject confidence in the players on the Jays - their hitting has been shaky, so he's just pumping up his own guys saying that could put up some crooked numbers and hit him hard.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Those comments are nothing that bad, though if Jose strikes out 3 times today against him he'll certainly be wearing those comments for a while.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by JayP

Yeah because the Indians weren't going to be fired up for an ALCS game already.

I never understood how people can make a big deal of a one line quote without even hearing the original question or entire interview for context. Do you think Bautista just grabbed a mic and had that one liner ready to go?

He should shut his mouth and focus on not striking out 4 times a game with runners on base. Why is it always him that feels the need to yap? Always putting himself in the limelight. I didn't see any of the other Jays feeling the need to say something like that. Always Jose.

The coward refused to talk to the media when they were down 3-0, but he's all talk today when we doesn't have to answer the tough questions. I bet he disappears tonight if they lose as well (though I fully expect a victory).

I'll forever admire that home run last year, but man oh man will I be glad when he is gone.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by zukes

Exactly, as bad as Bautista is these days in the OF, Saunders is worse and when the inevitable pinch hit for Upton situation comes up, you don't have to worry about Saunders in the field.

Does anyone have the UzR ratings for Saunders in right field? Saunders did have some issues at time in left field, but from what I remember he's been better in right. The first run in game 3 doesn't happen with a better right fielder than Bautista. Really Saunders issues were that he lost some balls in the lights in night games, or Houston where that park does have weird lighting. With a closed roof in Rogers center, I don't think it's an issue.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Does anyone have the UzR ratings for Saunders in right field? Saunders did have some issues at time in left field, but from what I remember he's been better in right. The first run in game 3 doesn't happen with a better right fielder than Bautista. Really Saunders issues were that he lost some balls in the lights in night games, or Houston where that park does have weird lighting. With a closed roof in Rogers center, I don't think it's an issue.

From a pure eye test (no stats), there's no way he can be any worse than Bautista in the field. Bautista is much slower and now has a weaker arm.

[Northendzone]

bautista is not here to talk about anything

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Does anyone have the UzR ratings for Saunders in right field?

Fangraphs does...

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx...on=OF#fielding

... the long and the short of it is this: Based on his career his best spot is RF, based on just this year his best spot is LF.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Just as likely as a PH for Upton would be a PR for Bautista so that's really splitting hairs. You would still need a defensive replacement in that case.
.

The likelihood you would PR for Bautista is basically zero. Down by 1 in the 8th or 9th inning is the only situation and even then I don't think you take Bautista's bat out of the lineup in that close a game ever. Talk all you want about his struggles this far, he can come up with big hits.

Bautista isn't Navarro or Smoak, he can get around the bases well enough to score.

[GirlySports]

It's pretty bad.


I know the Jays are our team.. and we like them because they're Canada's team 162 games on Sportsnet yeah yeah yeah.

But really if we were to be unbiased they're the Canucks.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

The comment probably more-so to inject confidence in the players on the Jays - their hitting has been shaky, so he's just pumping up his own guys saying that could put up some crooked numbers and hit him hard.

why do it on twitter?

[cross16]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

why do it on twitter?

He didn't put it on twitter, media did.

I don't like it mainly because when was the last time this lineup actually made someone "shake in ther boots"?

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by cross16

The likelihood you would PR for Bautista is basically zero. Down by 1 in the 8th or 9th inning is the only situation and even then I don't think you take Bautista's bat out of the lineup in that close a game ever. Talk all you want about his struggles this far, he can come up with big hits.

Bautista isn't Navarro or Smoak, he can get around the bases well enough to score.

So then Bautista can play defense for all 9+ innings? Even better.

There's no good way to spin having JB in the field. He's a complete liability.

DH him, put Upton out there and then you can still PH for Upton and throw Saunders in RF who while bad, I trust more than JB out there.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

So then Bautista can play defense for all 9+ innings? Even better.

There's no good way to spin having JB in the field. He's a complete liability.

DH him, put Upton out there and then you can still PH for Upton and throw Saunders in RF who while bad, I trust more than JB out there.

But thats the thing, you can only PH Saunders for him. What if you need a big hit woudln't you prefer using Navarro?

Upton as a DH allows you to PH anyone for him and not burn 2 players off the bench.

I don't think the liability from Bautista to Upton is as big as you do, Upton has struggled with defence since becoming a Jay. If i'm correct in what Gibby is thinking, I would prefer the matchup flexabilty i've got and take Bautista in the field because the difference in defensive calibre has not been all that different in the last month or so.

[Jiggy_12]

I mean, I get what you're saying. It provides a little more matchup flexibility later in the game (likely 1 at bat, maybe 2) versus the prospect of Bautista locked in RF all game.

I'd side with the defense as while Upton looks bad out there, his range gets him to places that Bautista can't reach.

We'll see how this plays out!

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Weitz

So bautista is still running his mouth? Saying Merritt is shaking in his boots? Just shut up already.

Says the d-bag who has doesn't #### in the series except whine, hope like hell the Indians make him eat his words today...