2021 Blue Jays Season Thread

[bluejays]

Again, I believe management brought in the current set of relievers for getting one out. Instead because of the new rules, they have to face three batters. I guarantee you Atkins and co are knocking on every door but when there's blood in the water the cost is probably sky high. I don't like Montoyo but he probably can't handle a starter getting injured with an extended start, as that puts more pressure on RP, and he can't rely on his relievers even without injuries. Tough place to be but a veteran added can do wonders as the relievers look like their confidence in themselves is getting from bad to worse. I'm positive they'll get a small piece very soon, but you can't break the bank when you're at your worst. GM's will bend you over.

[Kasi]

No the current relievers were brought in for one inning. They certainly weren’t brought in for one out. That rule went in last year so anyone signed this offseason was definitely signed for one inning performances. Dolis was the only FA signing in relief we had who we got before last year. The rest were either acquired last offseason or were from our farm system. Now you can make the argument that they have too many relievers who can only go one inning and only one (Thornton) who can really go two. Payamps sometimes I guess can go two as well but the rest are pretty much one inning guys.

I do agree that it’s going to be very expensive to acquire relievers but I don’t think it’s more expensive for us. The main thing is that players across baseball are being injured like crazy. Expect this to go up with the new pitching rules on substances. Glasgow already blames it for his UCL injury. Pitchers are going to be dripping like flies and anyone of any quality is going to be expensive. One thing that does hurt us more than most is we have a deep system so a 8-12 ranked guy in our system is actually pretty damn good. I’ve noticed teams with deep farms seem to lose better talent than trades.

Anyway I’d say expect a trade for a mid level relief help at best. It really depends on what they plan to do with Hatch and how far off are Borucki and Merryweather. Glad to see Murphy up since I think he’s pretty good. What I expect them to do is burn through a bunch of older relief pitching prospects in AA/AAA til they find one or two who stick.

[nieuwy-89]

With Springer waiting in the wings it seems even more imperative to stay in the race and position the team for a wildcard spot.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm still very optimistic about the rest of the season.

- they will be adding Springer and Kirk to an already top 5 offense
- they have the 6th easiest schedule remaining
- there is help coming for the bullpen
- the starting 5 have been very solid for about a month now
- they still have the 4th best run differential in the AL despite everything


I think they're poised for a strong second half.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm still very optimistic about the rest of the season.

- they will be adding Springer and Kirk to an already top 5 offense
- they have the 6th easiest schedule remaining
- there is help coming for the bullpen
- the starting 5 have been very solid for about a month now
- they still have the 4th best run differential in the AL despite everything


I think they're poised for a strong second half.

It reminds me a bit of the Jays the year they trade for Price and Tulo. They were a very good team playing .500 ball and then after those trades they were the best team in MLB.

Their numbers and talents say they should be better, but they are missing the IT factor. Someone who knows how to win and knows how to instill the "We're better and we know it" culture

Maybe Springer will be that guy.

I would love to see a swing for the fences trade though.

[ForeverFlameFan]

How many one run differential games have we lost and won now? We’ve definitely lost more than won those close games.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

It’s what we’ve got while Springer is healing.

Maybe this is the year we can sell high on him... I’m not sure what others think of that.

Grichuck is absolutely the sort of player you sell high on.

Springer, Teoscar and Gurriel is your outfield. You don’t want a $10M 4th outfielder.

I wouldn’t trade him until the off season though - Springer’s not reliable at this point and we could have a lot worse options than Randal. No need to do him dirty.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

How many one run differential games have we lost and won now? We’ve definitely lost more than won those close games.

5-9 in 1 run games.

[Kasi]

One run games is partly on luck and minorly on some usage mistakes by Montoyo but it’s mostly a mix of poor bullpen and poor hitting in late close games. We need both to be better. Springer coming back should be great for the latter.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

It seems like this team just needs to gut out the next week or two and stay above .500 because lots of guys are coming back soon to give them a boost.

Expected date of return for each player:

June 17-Danny Jansen (Hey, that's today!) *Say what you will about his offense, but he handles the pitching staff very well. That would instantly help out the bullpen.
June 18-George Springer
June 19-Rafael Dolis




June 24-Thomas Hatch
June 25-Ryan Borucki



June 29-A.J. Cole and Steven Matz

July 1-Julian Merryweather and Tommy Milone
July 2-Alejandro Kirk

Schedule up to July 2 starting tomorrow:
3 games @ Baltimore
2 games @ Miami
4 games vs. Baltimore at home
3 games vs. Seattle at home

I'm sure with opponents like that they can eek out a few wins above .500 record to stay in it until they get healthy. However, I still think they need a high leverage reliever in a trade at some point this year.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm still very optimistic about the rest of the season.

- they will be adding Springer and Kirk to an already top 5 offense
- they have the 6th easiest schedule remaining
- there is help coming for the bullpen
- the starting 5 have been very solid for about a month now
- they still have the 4th best run differential in the AL despite everything


I think they're poised for a strong second half.

Agree 100%, which is why I have been so frustrated with the blown games and stupid managing. This is a playoff-caliber team that SHOULD make the playoffs. Blowing a bunch of games early is creating a much bigger hill to climb than they should be facing.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Great article about Marcus Semien on the Athletic by one of the best in the business, Ken Rosenthal.

https://theathletic.com/2657352/2021...s-winning-big/

Semien shows up for optional batting practice. He shows up for optional infield practice. He draws Montoyo’s appreciation for running out every ball and setting a positive example for the Jays’ younger position players, just as he did with Olson, Pinder and Matt Chapman in Oakland.

When Bichette struggled defensively early in the season, he sought out Semien for guidance. Semien told him, “Shortstop is tough. Errors come with playing shortstop. You’ve just got to learn how to bounce back from them quickly.” At other times, Semien can lead without saying a word.

“People watch him from the moment he gets to the field to the last out of the game and even after,” Pinder says. “People want to follow Marcus. People want to do what he does. People just respect him. He’s probably the most respected person in any clubhouse I’ve ever been a part of.”

[Jiri Hrdina]

Sign that man. PAY HIM NOW

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Sign that man. PAY HIM NOW

Yes, sign him for term please

[flames_fan_down_under]

A guy like that with an incredible work ethic, leadership skills, and also happens to be very good, ya they don’t come around that often.

[transplant99]

LOL...what a comedy of errors...just ridiculous.

[Samonadreau]

Holy hell that was hard to watch

[Samonadreau]

ugly

[flames_fan_down_under]

TJ Zeuch sucks.

[transplant99]

This team may have a contending offense, but they are weak on pitching and flat out brutal with defense and base running.

Giving the Pirates a run for their money on having no idea how to play the game at times.