2020 Blue Jays Season Thread

[Roof-Daddy]

Apparently the Jays are targeting Pirates starting pitchers Trevor Williams and Chad Kuhl.

Not exactly front of the rotation guys so while it would help the depth, especially with Shoemaker, Pearson and Thornton out, I don't see how it moves the needle much, especially long term.

Also Shatkins would have to tread carefully, because Cherington and Sanders should have a pretty good feel for the Jays farm system, and might be able to cherry pick some diamonds in the rough better than other orgs.

[Enoch Root]

I don't see the point in acquiring a couple 4-5 guys for the rotation. They need another top guy.

In the playoffs, you need 3 studs, that's how you win. Having a busload full of 4-5 guys is fine for the regular season but is ultimately pointless.

The Jays are going to make the playoffs, so let's add those key pieces that will actually help them when they get there.

[Jiggy_12]

I’m happy with either or both of those guys. It helps the bullpen as much as it helps the rotation, they need arms if they want to stay in this.

But you also don’t want to fast-track what seems to be an effective rebuild, with solid organizational depth coming in waves.

The appeal to these guys is they are also signed next year so they aren’t rentals.

They aren’t awful pitchers either.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I’m happy with either or both of those guys. It helps the bullpen as much as it helps the rotation, they need arms if they want to stay in this.

But you also don’t want to fast-track what seems to be an effective rebuild, with solid organizational depth coming in waves.

The appeal to these guys is they are also signed next year so they aren’t rentals.

They aren’t awful pitchers either.

Yeah, they're just fine but I have visions of Clevinger and Plesac dancing around in my mind haha. Guys like that slot right into the 2 hole of the rotation but you're right, they would also cost a lot of prospect capital to acquire. A lot more than the Pittsburgh guys.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

With Pearson, Thornton and Shoemaker all in IR you might just make a trade for healthy bodies at this point.

You don't want to move quality prospects at this point. The rebuild is still on.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I’m happy with either or both of those guys. It helps the bullpen as much as it helps the rotation, they need arms if they want to stay in this.

But you also don’t want to fast-track what seems to be an effective rebuild, with solid organizational depth coming in waves.

The appeal to these guys is they are also signed next year so they aren’t rentals.

They aren’t awful pitchers either.

They don't move the needle though. If they are needed in order to make the playoffs, then miss the playoffs (they'll make it anyway). I don't want to give up prospects and rush the rebuild, just to get wiped out in the first round.

If you're going to add to the team, get someone that will make them a better team. Get a top pitcher and/or a top bat.

Otherwise, don't spend assets.

[Enoch Root]

Also, the Jays have tons of depth pitching already. Those 3 won't be on IR all season and next season.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Also, the Jays have tons of depth pitching already. Those 3 won't be on IR all season and next season.

I believe the Jays only have Ryu and Roark signed through next year as far as SP’s go, you can likely count Pearson too but they may or may not want him on the big club in a starters role for a full season, I could see him being more of an RP next year at least for part of the year.

You can maybe resign Shoemaker, but they will actually be pretty thin at SP I believe, I’m going off memory though so I could be wrong.

There also aren’t a lot of teams selling this year, but lots of teams buying.
Not a recipe to make a big splash as far as trades as the prices should be high.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I believe the Jays only have Ryu and Roark signed through next year as far as SP’s go, you can likely count Pearson too but they may or may not want him on the big club in a starters role for a full season, I could see him being more of an RP next year at least for part of the year.

You can maybe resign Shoemaker, but they will actually be pretty thin at SP I believe, I’m going off memory though so I could be wrong.

There also aren’t a lot of teams selling this year, but lots of teams buying.
Not a recipe to make a big splash as far as trades as the prices should be high.

Jays also have a club option on Anderson for $9.5 million.

Early projections of the Jays 2021 rotation would be:

Ryu
Roark
Anderson
Pearson
XXXXX

For me, if the Jays add a pitcher via trade, I'd rather he slot in at or near the top as opposed to the middle or bottom. But I do agree that depleting the prospect base is not a good idea for any starting pitcher that the Jays can't control for multiple years.

[Enoch Root]

Good points, but it doesn't change my view.

They have Pearson, Hatch, Kay, Shoemaker to go along with Ryu and Roark. Get a stud or don't bother spending the assets IMO. Go big, or just stick to the rebuild.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I agree with others mostly; as long as the stud pitcher has years of control then I am not interested in seeing the Jays expending valuable assets, even then I don't see names like Groshans, Martin, Martinez or Woods-Richardson going anywhere. Personally I would still rather see this team stick to the rebuild, continue to pile up prospects, and make bigger moves when the roster is closer to being a top team.

It doesn't seem to be Atkins' M.O. to trade away assets for anything short term either.

Whenever Atkins and Shapiro talk they mention 'flexibility' and 'years of control'. They could be targeting teams that are very much out of the playoff picture and use that 'flexibility' on taking on an expensive contract, and these contracts are pro-rated so the Jays wouldn't be taking on too much of a burden this year. Nathan Eovaldi is someone that Jays might be able to nab from the very bad Red Sox, who are also a team that is all of a sudden very conscious of their perceived lack of financial flexibility.

[flames_fan_down_under]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article...g-growth-2020/

Perhaps more significant than Vladdy’s contact gains — especially in a small sample — is his improved plate discipline. Guerrero Jr. has seen his walk rate jump and strikeout rate fall this year, improving his BB/K to 0.71 — which ranks 28th among 159 qualified hitters.

Particularly impressive has been the significant drop in his chase rate on pitches outside the zone, from 28.9 per cent last year (just a hair above league average) to 22.6 per cent this season. He’s not quite Cavan Biggio, but for the first time he looks like a guy whose ability to lay off pitchers was supposed to be the antithesis to his father’s free-swinging ways.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Apparently the Jays are targeting Pirates starting pitchers Trevor Williams and Chad Kuhl.

Not exactly front of the rotation guys so while it would help the depth, especially with Shoemaker, Pearson and Thornton out, I don't see how it moves the needle much, especially long term.

Also Shatkins would have to tread carefully, because Cherington and Sanders should have a pretty good feel for the Jays farm system, and might be able to cherry pick some diamonds in the rough better than other orgs.

They are also apparently looking at Bundy, La Stella and Castro of the Angels per Morosi.

[GirlySports]

Dont touch any Angels. Those guys are like Oilers stench. Trout is still not going to make the playoffs this year when they take 16 out of 30.

[Enoch Root]

Interesting that they were talking about Vladdy taking grounders at 3rd base in warmups. I was actually going to bring this up - IMO, he should be continuing to work at 3rd because I think that is the best place for him. Use it as a motivating tool for him to get into better shape.

The reason I think they should keep this door open is that it is a lot easier to find a good bat that plays 1st than one that plays 3rd.

An infield of Guerrero, Bichette, Biggio, <good1stbaseman> is the core of a champion

[flamingred89]

Vladdy just hits the ball so damn hard. 99/100 that ball trajectory is a single. Came off the the bat at 110mph and carried to centre field. Bananas haha.

[Enoch Root]

just bad luck there, should have been a hit

[Enoch Root]

but that's why I am not concerned about Vladdy - with his bat speed, it's just too much talent not to come together

[Enoch Root]

Gurriel! Beautiful

[Enoch Root]

Jansen finally gets a hit and score 2 more