2019 Blue Jays Season Thread

[JTech780]

I have really enjoyed the way the Jays have been playing as of late. Using the whole field, sac bunts, advancing runners, getting quality pitching.

Montoyo is making a few weird choices, but overall I like the way he is managing. I am pretty sure Gibby just sat there and watched the game and didn't do much during the game.

[Roof-Daddy]

Hard core fans are already getting restless with Montoyo for his small ball tactics, especially the bunting. I get not wanting to bunt runners over mid game as although imroves your odds at scoring 1 run, it reduces your chances at multiple runs. But bunting a runner from 2nd to 3rd with nobody out in the bottom of 9 in a tie game is the right move. You don't need multiple runs in that spot.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hard core fans are already getting restless with Montoyo for his small ball tactics, especially the bunting. I get not wanting to bunt runners over mid game as although imroves your odds at scoring 1 run, it reduces your chances at multiple runs. But bunting a runner from 2nd to 3rd with nobody out in the bottom of 9 in a tie game is the right move. You don't need multiple runs in that spot.

This is probably the only acceptable time to bunt (and even then I'm not sure I agree given how poor guys are at actually executing sac bunts). All other situations just don't make sense.

My favorite note from one of the games I was scorekeeping was on a home run from some guy near the bottom of the order: "Don't bunt, hit dingers". I still chuckle every time I read that.

[Roof-Daddy]

The Jays are .500 but they also have a +11 run differential. Hopefully thats a sign that they can actually stay competitive.

I'm really looking forward to seeing of the pitching can hold up. They've been lights out and that's a great sign long term. Sanchez scares the crap out of me though. I hope he can be decent long enough that Atkins can get a decent return for him. At this point I think I really want to see a Stroman extension as opposed to trading him. And that really sucks Shoemaker got hurt like that. Good news is the Jays still have him under control. Hopefully Thornton keeps growing too. He's got great stuff when he had control and goes after hitters.

Looking forward to Borucki returning and also Merryweather getting started in AAA.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hard core fans are already getting restless with Montoyo for his small ball tactics, especially the bunting. I get not wanting to bunt runners over mid game as although imroves your odds at scoring 1 run, it reduces your chances at multiple runs. But bunting a runner from 2nd to 3rd with nobody out in the bottom of 9 in a tie game is the right move. You don't need multiple runs in that spot.

I get that people do not like to give outs away, but I think you have to know the personnel on the team too. This version of the Jays doesn't exactly have good hitters who can be relied on to always knock the dinger at the bottom of the order.

The last 3 years it was frustrating how many bad hitters just kept striking out to do what...try and hit 22 home runs to go with 55 RBI and your 280 on base. Some of these guys need to realize that 20 home run guys are dime a dozen in baseball right now, and once in awhile you best shorten that swing to do something productive with your bat when that fastball middle in that you were looking for hasn't come and you're down 0-2. It's like the whole lineup thought they were EE, JB, or JD...

[transplant99]

Yeah if people are getting on Montoya, then they are morons.

This is a very thinly talented hitting ball club and the way to equalize things is good pitching and defense along with well executed small ball.

They just dont have a team that can win swinging for the fences but they can win playing the way they have been and allowing the manager to make those decisions....sort of like what he was hired to do.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

This is probably the only acceptable time to bunt (and even then I'm not sure I agree given how poor guys are at actually executing sac bunts). All other situations just don't make sense.

.

Oh I disagree, the squeeze play is a excellent move.

Tampa used this technique all of the time and its a play the defense cannot stop.

Jays used this type of bunt last weekend.

(i.e. runner at 3rd, they bunt to 1st)

Bunting is a great tool, the managers need to use it way more....

[GirlySports]

Thats why they immediately got rid of Pillar.

Sub .250 15 home run guy, never walks, swinging for the fences.

[JTech780]

If 65-75% of AB's result in an out, doesn't it make sense to play the odds and make sure that that out actually accomplishes something. Especially because most hitters now don't actually know how to hit anyways.

Nothing drives me crazy like watching a team shift and a pitcher pitch outside, only to have the hitter pull the ball into the shift. Sometimes you have to take what the pitcher and defense give you.

[bluejays]

Got a score mobile alert that the jays will try and deal Stroman, Sanchez and Smoak. To me all guys should gain significant value in return. Smoak maybe so at the deadline. This is what leadership will be judged on. There will be little significant to deal after that.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by fleury

Got a score mobile alert that the jays will try and deal Stroman, Sanchez and Smoak. To me all guys should gain significant value in return. Smoak maybe so at the deadline. This is what leadership will be judged on. There will be little significant to deal after that.

Who is going to pitch for this team if they trade Stroman and Sanchez?

They have no starters in AAA.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Who is going to pitch for this team if they trade Stroman and Sanchez?

They have no starters in AAA.

Yeah. Only Waguespack has looked decent down there.

There is time though I guess.

They must be expecting Paulino and SRF to turn things around plus Richard, Borucki and Merryweather should be healthy and ready to pitch at some point.

Probably a few free agents kicking around still too. Nobody who's very good obviously but you never know I guess.

Keuchel is still out there too and will probably sign when there is no longer a pick lost by the team that signs him. June sometime I think? Maybe the Jays have a tentative deal worked out with him? I dunno.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Who is going to pitch for this team if they trade Stroman and Sanchez?

They have no starters in AAA.

It doesn't matter, they've committed to a rebuild. Don't hold back assets that won't be here for the fruits of the rebuild to save some wins now.

[browna]

I figured they'd wait until closer to the all star break to do the final gutting and/or get some more "feel good time" now that the golden goose is uo from the minors, but the timing of this leaking out is not conicidental with the announcement a week ago.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeah. Only Waguespack has looked decent down there.

There is time though I guess.

They must be expecting Paulino and SRF to turn things around plus Richard, Borucki and Merryweather should be healthy and ready to pitch at some point.

Probably a few free agents kicking around still too. Nobody who's very good obviously but you never know I guess.

Keuchel is still out there too and will probably sign when there is no longer a pick lost by the team that signs him. June sometime I think? Maybe the Jays have a tentative deal worked out with him? I dunno.

I do not understand a free agency system that penalizes a team for signing 30 year old players. Why does a team have to give up a draft pick to sign a solid MLB pitcher in Dallas Keuchel?

Keuchel has started 26 or more games in 5 of the last 6 years, and won a Cy Young. If you don't think he's a Cy Young winner, fine, but it's embarrassing for the sport to have a player this good to not have a job.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by browna

I figured they'd wait until closer to the all star break to do the final gutting and/or get some more "feel good time" now that the golden goose is uo from the minors, but the timing of this leaking out is not conicidental with the announcement a week ago.

There's nothing Shapiro and Atkins, and Rogers, for that matter, hate more than feel good anything. Don't you dare get excited or attached to anyone. This team runs off a spreadsheet, now give us your ####ing money.

[Roof-Daddy]

Vladdy sure seems to be pressing trying to make things happen. Awesome plate discipline all through the minors but he's going up there hacking right now. Take your walks Vladdy. Make them come to you.

[Roof-Daddy]

Hack hack hack. 5 Ks in a row now for the Jays just swinging at everything. Get a clue you guys.

[vegasbound]

Drury!

[flamingred89]

Drury with another oppo shot!