2024 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by flambers

In other news,

"Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen has been diagnosed with a fracture of the pisiform bone in his right wrist, manager John Schneider revealed to reporters today (X links via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com).

He was hit by a pitch during the Jays’ Grapefruit League game earlier this week.

The team currently expects him to miss a “couple weeks,” though he has a follow-up appointment today that could reveal more information."

Man. I think Jansen is materially better than Kirk, but he sure does seem to miss a lot due to injuries.

I wonder what it would take to get Moreno from Az...

[ben voyonsdonc]

Jansen really leaves his hands out in a vulnerable spot at the plate and doesn’t seem to be willing/able to pull them back when a pitch is inside. As a catcher, he’s definitely got good reflexes and sees the ball well so I don’t know why he reacts so slowly to pitches inside.

[puffnstuff]

Can Votto catch?

[activeStick]

Excited for the regular season to start. Going to the home opener too!

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Jansen really leaves his hands out in a vulnerable spot at the plate and doesn’t seem to be willing/able to pull them back when a pitch is inside. As a catcher, he’s definitely got good reflexes and sees the ball well so I don’t know why he reacts so slowly to pitches inside.

It'll be interesting to see who they keep on the roster for catcher #3, because that is someone who will get into games (after they pinch run for Kirk, for example).

Brian Serven has an OPS of 1.389 with 3 HR in 16 at bats so far this spring. Obviously that's totally unsustainable (I doubt he suddenly became a league leading power hitter at 28...) but he seems like he'd have potential for a few AB in the regular season.

But Patrick Henry has 5 hits in 13 AB so far, so he could challenge for the spot as well.

Both are older with undistinguished previous stat lines, so there's no obvious "pedigree" pick for the spot.

[flamingred89]

Another year, another why the #### is spring training sooooo long? Still 11 days until opening day. And they've been playing baseball for a month already. Could easily shorten it by 2 weeks and no one will bat an eye.

[flamingred89]

Votto homered to centre field in his first AB!!!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

lol

https://twitter.com/user/status/1769411953263313022

[Roof-Daddy]

Votto was dealing with injuries and didn't hit well the last two years.

It'll be interesting to see what the Jays do if he's actually still good, especially with Turner on the team and also still a good hitter.

They may need to put Vladdy at 3B sometimes to get all three bats into the line up more often.

[browna]

Whatever Votto paid the Phillies pitcher or catcher to serve one up down the middle on pitch 1, well worth it.

All the other bench players he competing with could go 3/4 each game the rest of the offseason, but the fans and media will be drawn to Votto who, remember, hit a HR on his first pitch.

Vlad looking real comfortable so far this spring, and hitting over .400. That's a bigger story.

[flamingred89]

Yeah Vladdy has quietly had a monster spring. Granted he hasn't played much due to injury. But he's barrelling a ton of balls.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yariel Rodriguez pitched today and was apparently very good. Stuff grades out really well.

[flamingred89]

Looking at the Jays offense I'm thinking this is the opening day roster

Springer RF
Bichette SS
Vladdy 1B
Turner 3B
Votto DH
Varsho LF
Kirk C
Biggio 2B
KK CF

Bench
IKF 3B, 2B, SS
Schneider 2B, LF
Serven C (until Jansen gets back)
Vogelbach 1B, DH
Lukes OF

Not too shabby. And Votto, Vogelbach, Lukes atleast give some lefty options off the bench and to throw into the lineup from time to time.

[Roof-Daddy]

Jays apparently lead ST in homers

Springer, Vlad, Kirk and Varsho all look poised to bounce back with better offensive numbers. If that happens this team should be a serious threat to win the division.

And they are also looking ridiculously DEEP on the pitching front. Both for starters and relievers.

Hopefully it's a fun year and we get a deep playoff run.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

Looking at the Jays offense I'm thinking this is the opening day roster

Springer RF
Bichette SS
Vladdy 1B
Turner 3B
Votto DH
Varsho LF
Kirk C
Biggio 2B
KK CF

Bench
IKF 3B, 2B, SS
Schneider 2B, LF
Serven C (until Jansen gets back)
Vogelbach 1B, DH
Lukes OF

Not too shabby. And Votto, Vogelbach, Lukes atleast give some lefty options off the bench and to throw into the lineup from time to time.

Vogelbach likely doesn’t make the team if Votto does. I expect it will be one of the other. Vogelbach really can’t play first any more - Votto can spot start when needed. It’s still not clear whether Votto will break camp with the team or if he needs some time with Buffalo.

Turner likely plays DH 90% of the time with IKF playing third. Votto will be more of a bench guy.

Here’s my projected lineup:

Springer RF
Bichette SS
Vlad 1B
Turner DH
Varsho LF
Kirk C
Biggio 2B
IKF 3B
Kiermaier CF

[ben voyonsdonc]

I think Ernie Clement, Joey Votto, Brian Serven, and Davis Schneider will come off of the bench. Clement is a lock to make the team IMO.

Espinal will probably move on.

[psyang]

In that clip of Vottos HR, it shows it was Wheelers 3rd pitch. How is that possible with the count 0-0 and no outs in the first? Just a mistake in the display?

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by psyang

In that clip of Vottos HR, it shows it was Wheelers 3rd pitch. How is that possible with the count 0-0 and no outs in the first? Just a mistake in the display?

The graphic has a white circle (underneath the diamond) and a black circle, indicating there is 1 out.

[flamingred89]

Somehow missed this yesterday but Votto apparently stepped on a bat in the dugout and rolled his ankle hence why he only had one AB. Should be good for Tuesday though.

[browna]

Gotta say, Votto with textbook social media and PR this offseason in aiding him in getting a big league job...knowing the Jays offseason was lackluster and that SNet as Jays broadcaster, portal to the fans, and network owned by Rogers, needs this feel good story and will be all over it.

Today it's an apology letter to the time he ripped Canadian baseball a while ago.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article...-social-media/