2023/24 Blue Jays Off Season Thread - Page 76 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bluejays · 01-03-2024, 11:35 AM

Looks like a mediocre lineup to me. Again, my worst case scenario is the Jays sign a FA from this years' class to a long term deal. They haven't done that, so that's a positive. But to go into the season with so many question marks on the batting side would be difficult to comprehend. The IKF one bothers me so much because he has a high chance of being mediocre at bat. Why not sign Urshala to split the time with IKF to see if he comes back from injury? Their DH has to be a grade A signing, because this lineup has so much uncertainty.

bluejays · 01-03-2024, 11:43 AM

Even signing Tim Anderson at 2B and moving Biggio to 3B makes more sense than having IKF as your starter. Drives me crazy.

KelVarnsen · 01-03-2024, 11:46 AM

Well maybe this will finally cost Atkins his job. So that's a plus.

bluejays · 01-03-2024, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Well maybe this will finally cost Atkins his job. So that's a plus.

Perhaps ownership sees the writing on the wall and doesn't want to give him a ton of money now that Ohtani is out, which IMO, is smart. It'll be like this years' Flames to see where they are in the first couple months and go from there. I'm just ecstatic Atkins hasn't strapped them with bad long term contracts. Those in any sport, are killers. I know the bar isn't high but that's a huge plus. They can sign guys, they can deal one of their big two. There are options after this upcoming season.

Jason14h · 01-03-2024, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejays

Even signing Tim Anderson at 2B and moving Biggio to 3B makes more sense than having IKF as your starter. Drives me crazy.

I love the Tim Anderson idea as a reclaim

The Jays fan also just trade for some bats at the deadline . Always surprises available from teams out of it .

Jiggy_12 · 01-03-2024, 01:16 PM

Ross just says words...don't read in to it

Parallex · 01-03-2024, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I love the Tim Anderson idea as a reclaim

The Jays fan also just trade for some bats at the deadline . Always surprises available from teams out of it .

They could have done that last year... but they didn't. I don't see why they'd be inclined to do it this year while passing on last.

Cali Panthers Fan · 01-03-2024, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

As of right now IKF mostly. He's a very good 3B so that's not the issue, his bat isn't great though.

So...basically Chapman. I don't see the problem here.

bluejays · 01-03-2024, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

So...basically Chapman. I don't see the problem here.

Chapman did have some promise on his bat from his early Oakland days. It turned out to not be so good, but there was promise there. In many ways I'm glad they're balking on him as he's not worth his price in term and cost, for the long term. IKF has little chance at his bat being amazing. I really don't see why the Jays would be willing to have a black hole in the lineup in the name of defence.

Roof-Daddy · 01-03-2024, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

So...basically Chapman. I don't see the problem here.

Haha, well...

One has a career 81 wRC+ (2415 PA's), the other has a career 118 wRC+ (3588 PA's) so I'm gonna go with no, not basically Chapman.

There's a reason Chappy is looking for $150 million + and IKF just signed for $15 million

Jason14h · 01-03-2024, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parallex

They could have done that last year... but they didn't. I don't see why they'd be inclined to do it this year while passing on last.

Last year was weird were there wasn’t really any good options . But usually there are a lot of bats available .

And the Jays didn’t have clear “open” spots to
Replace like they do this year (DH and 3B)

They were banking on Chapman , Belt , Varsho and Vladdy figuring it out (and they didn’t - it was the wrong choice )

If they go internal for DH and 3rd it’s easier to replace if it doesn’t work then replacing Belt and Chappy who were already the veteran big bats (in theory)

bluejays · 01-03-2024, 04:11 PM

Am I missing something with Belt? I'm not pointing the fingers but he's been mentioned a few times now and I didn't think anything of him coming in, or while he was here. Was he supposed to be a big bat?

Roof-Daddy · 01-03-2024, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejays

Am I missing something with Belt? I'm not pointing the fingers but he's been mentioned a few times now and I didn't think anything of him coming in, or while he was here. Was he supposed to be a big bat?

He was a big bat

He led the team in wRC+ and offensive WAR

He ended up 3rd highest fWAR among position players behind only Bo and Chapman and that fWAR came all with the bat as he provided no defensive value.

KelVarnsen · 01-03-2024, 05:10 PM

Belt was fine after the first month. I had no problem with him.

DoubleK · 01-03-2024, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

There's a reason Chappy is looking for $150 million + and IKF just signed for $15 million

Does the fact that Chapman hasn't signed yet mean that the Jays are still in the mix?

I'd almost overpay to keep him. It's really gonna suck not having him at third this year.

Roof-Daddy · 01-03-2024, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Does the fact that Chapman hasn't signed yet mean that the Jays are still in the mix?

I'd almost overpay to keep him. It's really gonna suck not having him at third this year.

I was actually really worried about the D dragging the pitching down a bit after losing KK and Chappy, but now that they actually re-signed KK and brought in IKF I'm much more comfortable with the D and pitching again.

I'm sure they are still talking to both Chapman and Bellinger. But my bet is the Jays are now prepared to move head without either unless their contract demands come down a bit. Just my opinion.

DoubleK · 01-03-2024, 06:51 PM

I wanted your opinion, so thanks for obliging

Kasi · 01-03-2024, 06:57 PM

Thing is after Ohtani there just isn’t any real great options for bats in FA. I would have liked the guy Seattle picked up (Garver) but I don’t think sinking 5-6 years into Chapman or Bellinger is going to work out. The problem with the jays hasn’t been them not going into FA or trades. They have on both the problem is their minor league system has not produced enough quantity of mlb players. There is a few standouts but not enough quantity of players on both sides of the ball.

flames_fan_down_under · 01-03-2024, 09:46 PM

Damiano Palmegiani is someone who has been exceeding expectations in the minors. Put up a 941 OPS in Arizona Fall League. Could be some surprises in there, but ya, no one really knocking down the door to the big league team.

Roof-Daddy · 01-03-2024, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Damiano Palmegiani is someone who has been exceeding expectations in the minors. Put up a 941 OPS in Arizona Fall League. Could be some surprises in there, but ya, no one really knocking down the door to the big league team.

He's a 3B too. Would be so nice to have a surprise break out like that.