I think there is a glut of RH batters out there that could be picked up that could fit in. Grossman, Peralta, Belt, Pollock, Profar, Duvall, Longoria, etc. One of them would be fine for that fourth OF role.
We have a number of fly ball pitchers and not having so many doubles or triples drop in will help. Could save us a few close games.
Fascinating - thanks for that.
And I would add to it that every out helps/saves the pitching staff. How many times last year did we watch a bad defensive play result in the pitcher having to throw 10-20 more pitches that inning? And every time that happens, that's another bullpen arm that is required that day. And each bullpen arm needed means working your way down the list to lower and lower quality arms.
The easiest way to improve your bullpen is to reduce the number of innings required (because you're going to use the good arms the same amount, but you're going to use the weaker arms less), and the way to reduce bullpen innings is to improve starting pitching (which they did) and to improve defense, which they now have.
The Jays score enough runs, if they want to be a better team, they need to have garbage relievers on the mound less often. These moves will do that (firing Montoyo and his quick hook will also help this year)
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Article came out that Ryu’s recovery is going well and he should be back at all star break. He could be a great second half pickup as our fifth starter.
Yeah the Jays have a really strong roster and they even have a few wild cards looming in the background that might end up being difference makers, but the key is the teams success isn't dependant upon these wild cards.
Ryu is one, Pearson and Merryweather would be a couple more.
Well right now Pearson is healthy, and he has been pitching in the Dominican Winter League and lighting it up. The Jays have likely moved him into a full time bullpen role, and could step in and be that guy with the strike out ability that we need at the back end. Granted he has only been in 12 games he has been keeping his walks down and striking out guys at a high rate. I am optimistic.
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I am more than supportive of acquiring players like Fernandez. Low acquisition cost and a potential high reward. I must be losing my mind but I am still optimistic that Kikuchi will be a useful piece out of the pen as well.
I am more than supportive of acquiring players like Fernandez. Low acquisition cost and a potential high reward. I must be losing my mind but I am still optimistic that Kikuchi will be a useful piece out of the pen as well.
I think the Jays currently have Kikuchi penciled in as the #5 starter.
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Well right now Pearson is healthy, and he has been pitching in the Dominican Winter League and lighting it up. The Jays have likely moved him into a full time bullpen role, and could step in and be that guy with the strike out ability that we need at the back end. Granted he has only been in 12 games he has been keeping his walks down and striking out guys at a high rate. I am optimistic.
With Pearson I have very little doubt in his physical ability. To me it's how he picks himself up when he goes through tough times. If he's not seeing a psychiatrist and learning to cope with failure, it's over for him as a Blue Jay. Resilience is key for any athlete but it's particularly affected him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy
Yeah the Jays have a really strong roster and they even have a few wild cards looming in the background that might end up being difference makers, but the key is the teams success isn't dependant upon these wild cards.
Ryu is one, Pearson and Merryweather would be a couple more.
They do have a strong roster but there are a lot of question marks. I do think Espinal is the way for 2nd base, but with Merrifield deserving of some vet time, and Biggio probably wanting some looks there seems to be an unnecessary depth there. I'm hoping they deal Biggio before season begins.
3rd base offense is also a question. Traditionally Chapman was really solid offensively but this past season puts that in question.
There's also the question if Kiermaier and Varsho can get on base enough to make a difference. I know many are citing their great defence, but you need much more from your OF to make a difference and I hope they can get above that .255 mark. Someone has to score runs and getting them on base to steal will be important. Regardless that they're likely the bottom of the lineup, when the team has RISP, someone has to cash them in and I'm hoping this new experiment works out.
Chapman had a 117 wRC+ last season which is well above league average offensive production, and he did that while also providing stellar defense at 3rd base once again. He's no question mark in my eyes, nor should he be. 4.1 fWAR is excellent, and it's possible he provides even more next season if he avoids the slow start he had in 2022.
I expect Merrifield and Biggio to also get some starts in the OF. KK and Springer will need their rest days and are also often injured. Both of those guys are shaping up like solid utility players who can spell out 2B/1B/OF one of them a righty and the other a lefty. And when it comes to Biggio I wouldn't forget the shift change rules and how they might help him get back on track as a LHB pull hitter.
To me the Jays might give up a little on offense, so instead of being top 1 or 2 in pretty much every offensive category as a team, maybe they drop to just merely being a top 5 offensive team. But that can easily be off set by going from being a middle of the pack defense to potentially a top 5 defensive team. Plus, keep in mind the positive effect being a strong defensive team can have on you pitching overall, as the pitching staff as a group shouldn't have to attain so many more extra outs with the defense not giving them away like candy. That means less pitches being thrown by lower quality arms over the course of a long season.
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