2023 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[Cowboy89]

Blue Jays low RISP OPS is killing this team's playoff chances (28th in the League). They would be elite with better situational hitting. Is this simply luck, how the Jays approach RISP situations, or how other teams manage them in RISP situations?

Blue Jays MLB Ranking - RISP OPS

2023: 28th
2022: 8th
2021: 3rd
2020: 10th
2019: 28th
2018: 15th
2017: 27th
2016: 9th
2015: 1st
2014: 15th
2013: 7th
2012: 13th
2011: 18th
2010: 7th

My take on this - It's August now so the RISP issue is now statistically significant. One place that doesn't show up in individual OPS or OPS+ stats is GIDP. The Jays have 3 of the top 10 in MLB in (GIDP) which is a run production killer: George Springer 4th (17), Alejandro Kirk 6th (16), Vladimir Guerrero 10th (15).

They have addressed Springer by replacing him at leadoff with Merrifield, but something needs to be done with Kirk and Vladdy. Kirk to me is so frustrating that I would almost DFA him at this point. It's not just the GIDP, it's whenever he's on base in any capacity he messes up the rest of the team. Espinal getting caught against Boston on the weekend, him having to be the ghost runner in the 10th because Jansen is DH and they would lose the DH if they pinch ran him, etc. In my mind his WAR is negated by what the rest of the team has to put up with having him clog up the basepaths and being an automatic DP with any ground balls with a runner at first when he's at the plate.

Vladdy's the other elephant in the room. It's between the ears with him and I don't imagine Schneider has the organizational capital to properly address Vladdy's performance through either coming down on his approach at the plate or moving him down in the order to send a message. He's talented enough to be a MVP if he bears down, but I get the impression that the coaches and managers can't really manage him because ultimately Atkins is going to try to sign him long term and won't bat an eye firing Schneider if they miss the playoffs this year.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Blue Jays low RISP OPS is killing this team's playoff chances (28th in the League). They would be elite with better situational hitting. Is this simply luck, how the Jays approach RISP situations, or how other teams manage them in RISP situations?

Blue Jays MLB Ranking - RISP OPS

2023: 28th
2022: 8th
2021: 3rd
2020: 10th
2019: 28th
2018: 15th
2017: 27th
2016: 9th
2015: 1st
2014: 15th
2013: 7th
2012: 13th
2011: 18th
2010: 7th

My take on this - It's August now so the RISP issue is now statistically significant. One place that doesn't show up in individual OPS or OPS+ stats is GIDP. The Jays have 3 of the top 10 in MLB in (GIDP) which is a run production killer: George Springer 4th (17), Alejandro Kirk 6th (16), Vladimir Guerrero 10th (15).

They have addressed Springer by replacing him at leadoff with Merrifield, but something needs to be done with Kirk and Vladdy. Kirk to me is so frustrating that I would almost DFA him at this point. It's not just the GIDP, it's whenever he's on base in any capacity he messes up the rest of the team. Espinal getting caught against Boston on the weekend, him having to be the ghost runner in the 10th because Jansen is DH and they would lose the DH if they pinch ran him, etc. In my mind his WAR is negated by what the rest of the team has to put up with having him clog up the basepaths and being an automatic DP with any ground balls with a runner at first when he's at the plate.

Vladdy's the other elephant in the room. It's between the ears with him and I don't imagine Schneider has the organizational capital to properly address Vladdy's performance through either coming down on his approach at the plate or moving him down in the order to send a message. He's talented enough to be a MVP if he bears down, but I get the impression that the coaches and managers can't really manage him because ultimately Atkins is going to try to sign him long term and won't bat an eye firing Schneider if they miss the playoffs this year.

First of all, you don't DFA Kirk even if he's batting .101 this year as you chose him over Moreno. Second, you have to take the base running limitation with him, it is who he is.

You also don't lose the DH unless you use the DH in the field. You can absolutely pinch hit or pinch run for your DH, so long as the replacement also plays DH.

[Blaster86]

Kirk is an elite bat who could easily fix some of his other issues. DFAing him would be a colossal mistake rarely seen in professional sports. Dude is 24.

[Jason14h]

DFA Kirk ? And who is your other catcher hahah

Jays also hit into a lot of double play because they get a lot of base runners- and more so a lot of singles and walks

[KelVarnsen]

Kirk like Vladdy can hit the ball really hard. When it's a grounder its a easy DP.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

DFA Kirk ? And who is your other catcher hahah

Varsho?

[KelVarnsen]

What an AB! Summer of George! 13 pitch AB results in a HR

[Skaloper]

13th pitch HR Springer!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Amazing at bat by Springer. He just kept working him and fouling off the tougher pitches. Great approach.

And then Guerrero follows up by swinging at a pitch near his eyes....sigh.

[KelVarnsen]

Christ Vladdy

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Christ Vladdy

Stares at a 91 mph fastball down the middle for strike 3.

[nixon45]

A Springy Dingy is a nice start

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Christ Vladdy

It's tough to watch.

[KelVarnsen]

Maybe the Jays should DFA Vladdy and keep Kirk.

[Beninho]

What a catch!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

What a catch! Merry!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'm loving the patience by these guys to draw walks. That's how you'll get to a pitcher who nibbles at the corners.

[jayswin]

Dejong looks so hopeless at the plate, lol. It looks like he uses a random generator to swing or take before the pitcher even gets set.

[KelVarnsen]

DeJong is just so very terrible

[Beninho]

Dejong is fn terrible