2022 Toronto Blue Jays Off-season Thread

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Kasi

I did post a while back a comparison to how many outs the new OF would have gotten us over our old one.



It’s not some massive number but it is significant.

Thank you for this. This is actually a bigger gap than I would have guessed

[KelVarnsen]

David Phelps has retired
https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/david-phelps-...jays-1.1907982

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Thank you for this. This is actually a bigger gap than I would have guessed

Yeah basically they never got the hard plays, they turned 50/50 into 1/4 and turned easier flyballs into 50/50s.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I think infield defence is important as they get higher volume. OF, is the question of how many great plays truly save runs. I don’t have facts on it, it’s just my own theory that as long as you’re solid in the OF, greatness isn’t needed at the expense of a bat. I think in the OF a good bat should be the first aim, with average defence being acceptable. Subpar bat with great defence (which may be the case here) doesn’t seem like a good approach considering the amount of the pool they could’ve chosen from in OF.

I don't know, the way the game is these days with everyone trying to lift the ball and get a launch angle, it seems that outfield defense is even more important than ever. Making an out instead of a ball landing and getting a single or a double is a big deal in the flow of a game. Homeruns aren't going anywhere anytime soon, but keeping men on base down is key to having that homerun count for 1 run and not 2 or 3. Taking an extra base away because you can cut off the gaps or make a strong throw is even more important because it allows your pitcher to throw more strikes or be more aggressive with the batter, or even the next batter if the guy is held to just a single. A double that you turn into a long single is a great way to keep runs against down.

This is one of those things that works well on aggregate, like OBP. You won't always limit runs by having good outfield defense, but as the season goes on, it works well.

[bluejays]

Totally fair. Ultimately we’ll see what both guys do for the team day to day. I personally see KK as a sure out, but I could very well be wrong. He’s the guy I’m most concerned about day to day.

[Kasi]

I’d be more concerned about his health and less about the sure out which has never been true for him in his career. (Well 2019 was pretty bad but he’s rebounded well since) Certainly not in any of his time playing in Rogers. I’m more worried about his health holding up at ~100 games in CF.

[Roof-Daddy]

I wish the Jays would bring in another decent OFer, although I imagine they have been trying to. Probably not easy getting a decent guy to come to the Jays with the outfield they currently have.

But if KK and Springer, who are both high injury risk, miss any decent amount of time then the jays outfield suddenly becomes:

CF Varsho
LF Merrifield
RF Biggio/Lukes (?)

[Jason14h]

While you’re not wrong , I’m
Sure we can find a Springer or Bradley if that happens for free

[Inferno]

Looks like the Cubs already DFA'd Kay after signing Mancini.

[Kasi]

And tbh didn’t worse happen last year? Teo was hurt to start the year. Gurriel missed a bunch of time. Didn’t Springer miss time too? We had a lot of Tapia in the OF last year. And a non zero amount of games where it was Tapia, Bradley/Zimmer and Teo. Springer had that elbow issue and did get forty games at DH so we had some pretty bad OFs.

[Roof-Daddy]

Hopefully by the end of this season guys like Dasan Brown and Gabriel Martinez are knocking on the door.

[Jiggy_12]

New field dimensions leaked!

https://twitter.com/user/status/1616800105431973888

For some players this will play really well for. RCF is right in Bichette and Varsho’s power alley. Vlad has some great Oppo power too

[KootenayFlamesFan]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1616879290645385216

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

https://twitter.com/user/status/1616879290645385216

Barriera at #9

Hopefully he goes all "Ricky Tiedemann 2022" this year.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

New field dimensions leaked!

https://twitter.com/user/status/1616800105431973888

For some players this will play really well for. RCF is right in Bichette and Varsho’s power alley. Vlad has some great Oppo power too

The higher walls will keep some balls in the park. But holy moly is Rogers going to be a bam box.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Belt’s power is largely pull side so I expect that he will play at least 100 games this season. Going from SF to the Rogers Centre matchbox is going to be good for him. I worry that the new design will feel a bit gimmicky but hopefully the gimmick helps us.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Belt’s power is largely pull side so I expect that he will play at least 100 games this season. Going from SF to the Rogers Centre matchbox is going to be good for him. I worry that the new design will feel a bit gimmicky but hopefully the gimmick helps us.

Agreed it’s gimmicky, but in a division with Fenway and Yankee stadium, it’s fair game. Jays should have done this sooner - they’ve always been a team built on power and HR’s

[bluejays]

Yeah, it's a marketing gimmick but it's sports entertainment. In baseball HR's are what brings the fans in. I think baseball this upcoming year is going to be great specifically because of the larger bases (and subsequent return of the steal). It's going to be like minor league baseball where you'll probably see a lot of overthrows and guys ending up at third.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Yeah, it's a marketing gimmick but it's sports entertainment. In baseball HR's are what brings the fans in. I think baseball this upcoming year is going to be great specifically because of the larger bases (and subsequent return of the steal). It's going to be like minor league baseball where you'll probably see a lot of overthrows and guys ending up at third.

And the new rule about the shift will have an impact too

[Sylvanfan]

One time Jays 3rd Baseman Scott Rolen elected to the Hall of Fame.

A bit surprised as his numbers were not that eye popping. He was a good defender. I still remember the groans when he was traded for Encarnacion...everyone hated E5 and wanted unknown Cuban future star Yonder Alonso.