2022 Toronto Blue Jays Off-season Thread

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

The pickup of Belt seems to make Biggio even more superfluous. Gotta be the end of the line for him as a Jay. Maybe he can be moved for some bullpen help.

Heh, no it doesn't. The pickup of belt demonstrates how in the jays are on addressing handedness... they're not going to toss the LHH middle-infielder. Biggio will play (at least against righties).

Given that the Jays are basically running out 3 legit CF as regulars his (and merrifields) ability to play a passible corner OF also let's them not have to carry a prototypical D first 4th outfielder on the bench.

[ben voyonsdonc]

We’ll see. Maybe they’ll keep Biggio and move Espinal. I think it will be tough to find a place for both Biggio and Espinal.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Heh, no it doesn't. The pickup of belt demonstrates how in the jays are on addressing handedness... they're not going to toss the LHH middle-infielder. Biggio will play (at least against righties).

Given that the Jays are basically running out 3 legit CF as regulars his (and merrifields) ability to play a passible corner OF also let's them not have to carry a prototypical D first 4th outfielder on the bench.

Belt also can play OF…Probably not at a high level as he hasn’t done it since 2019 but maybe at a similar level to Biggio.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Espinal and Merrifield both hit RHPs better than Biggio.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

We’ll see. Maybe they’ll keep Biggio and move Espinal. I think it will be tough to find a place for both Biggio and Espinal.

I don't think it's a big deal... anytime Merrifield get's a rep in the OF Espinal will be at 2B and Espinal can play short so he'll get reps there and at 3rd anytime Bichette/Chapman is off. None of them will be full time players but they'll each get more playing time then your standard utility player.

Plus injuries... guys get hurt.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Espinal and Merrifield both hit RHPs better than Biggio.

Not last year they didn't. Biggio had a WRC+ of 103 vs RHH last year Merrifield and Espinal had 85 & 86 respectively.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I was mainly looking at his batting average but you are correct that the WRC+ for Biggio is better than Merrifield and Espinal vs RHPs.

We’ll see what the Jays do but I think Belt’s ability to play first and OF pushes Biggio to play more 2nd which is pretty crowded.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

The pickup of Belt seems to make Biggio even more superfluous. Gotta be the end of the line for him as a Jay. Maybe he can be moved for some bullpen help.

My thoughts exactly. Biggio is the 1B replacement when Vladdy is DHing, and now that will presumably be Bell.

Biggio can play 1st, 2nd, or outfield. But there are now other options ahead of him to sub in for each of these positions.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

We’ll see what the Jays do but I think Belt’s ability to play first and OF pushes Biggio to play more 2nd which is pretty crowded.

I think your overestimating his ability to play OF... he hasn't played in the OF since 2019 and he's been a pretty bad fielder in general his whole career (good bat though until last year) I think Belt will basically be confined to mostly DH and occasionally give Vlad a day off fielding at 1B.

Be honest... you don't really want the guy nicknamed Baby Giraffe running around on the carpet do you? I don't think that would be good for his health.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

My thoughts exactly. Biggio is the 1B replacement when Vladdy is DHing, and now that will presumably be Bell.

Biggio can play 1st, 2nd, or outfield. But there are now other options ahead of him to sub in for each of these positions.

None that hit lefthanded.

[Roof-Daddy]

Still lots of off season but at this point Merrifield looks like the 4th OFer and occasional 2B

I'd say Espinal and Biggio get the most reps at 2B with Espinal getting time at 3B and SS as well.

Things are getting crowded, especially if they bring in another OFer, but it's good to have depth in case of injury.

I really hope they can sign Alex Reyes for the BP, but the Jays are probably looking less and less appealing for a bullpen arm that has to prove himself after missing a year.

Jays also only have one lefty in the pen with Mayza if they plan to try Kikuchi in the rotation again. I'm a little surprised they haven't signed another lefty reliever yet. Chafin would be a solid option.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

We’ll see. Maybe they’ll keep Biggio and move Espinal. I think it will be tough to find a place for both Biggio and Espinal.

I would hate it if they moved Espinal. I think he's a hell of a player and a tough competitor who is just about to become a permanent every day player. He improved so much last year and got a lot stronger too. He has a great work ethic and instinct for the game.

Biggio I'm a little more meh about.

[Kasi]

I think Merrifield is more the starting 2b and backup CF (when Varsho was interviewing after joining the team he talked about D up the middle and he mentioned Bo and Whit not Espinal) than backup 2b and 4th OF. Espinal yes will get time at 2b but pretty sure less than Merrifield. But he’ll also be backing up both Chapman and Bo. As for Biggio I imagine he’ll pinch hit a lot. He will get some occasional corner OF and 2b. Maybe even a few 1B. Will be nice to have some good pinch hitting options though.

Also players will get injured and It’s nice having competent backups for most positions.

[Cheese]

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired pitcher Zach Thompson from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for outfielder Chavez Young, the team announced on Tuesday.


Thompson, 29, played 29 games with the Pirates last season, including 22 starts, recording a 3-10 record with a 5.18 ERA. The right-hander was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2014 and made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2021. In 55-career games (36 starts) with the Marlins and Pirates, the Burleson, Texas native owns a 4.44 ERA.


https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news...n-from-pirates

https://twitter.com/user/status/1612871097590112256




and


Junior Fernandez DFAd

https://twitter.com/user/status/1612866957673467905

[KelVarnsen]

Thanks for the all the memories Junior Fernández

[Roof-Daddy]

Thompson is good starting pitching depth to have waiting down in AAA. Still has options and also has MLB experience.

Was hoping to see Junior Fernandez figure it out with the Jays but at least we still have Julio Fernandez kicking around lol

[ben voyonsdonc]

Thompson could also act as a middle relief/long man in case Kikuchi gets the fifth spot and want to leave White stretched out as a starter in triple A.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Thompson is good starting pitching depth to have waiting down in AAA. Still has options and also has MLB experience.

Was hoping to see Junior Fernandez figure it out with the Jays but at least we still have Julio Fernandez kicking around lol

I honestly don't think my OCD could handle them both being on the same team. The uniforms would have to be Jun. Fernandez and Jul. Fernandez. Maddening.

[bluejays]

Merryweather DFA’d. Personally the guy was special when he wasn’t coming off an injury. So I’m sad to see a talent go, but the uncertainty is high with him right now. Could bite us but in the bullpen more certainty is needed. Seemed to be a long shot he’d return to form.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Thompson could also act as a middle relief/long man in case Kikuchi gets the fifth spot and want to leave White stretched out as a starter in triple A.

Does White have options?