2015-2016 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Ya Sanchez has nailed down that starter spot with some impressive spring starts.

Sanchez gets the spot based on age and ceiling , but in all honesty I would prefer Floyd assuming they were going to send Sanchez down to start in AAA for half the year. That said, I don't ever want to see Sanchez in the bullpen again.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Id say their rotation is a lock at this point.

Stroman
Estrada
Dickey
Happ
Sanchez

Floyd will be the fill in guy for any injuries.

I don't think it's locked yet by any means. Floyd has looked Sanchez's equal and is out of options, and has been pretty vocal about not pitching as confidently out of the pen. There's also been unsubstantiated rumours that he was promised a spot in the rotation when he signed (Shapiro's dad is his agent).

I'd really like to see the 5th spot go to Sanchez as I think he has potential to be the Jays best starter, but credit to Floyd who has pitched outstanding this Spring and will not go down without a fight.

[jayswin]

^^^^^

Better than Stroman?

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by jayswin

^^^^^

Better than Stroman?

If he can continue to limit the base on balls, yes I could see him surpassing Stroman as the Jays best starter at some point this season.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

If he can continue to limit the base on balls, yes I could see him surpassing Stroman as the Jays best starter at some point this season.

That is a bold prediction since Stroman looks like a legitimate ace.

[jayswin]

Yeah, I mean if he did surpass Stroman and became our number one pitcher I'd say that would have more to do with us being in serious trouble with our starting rotation than Sanchez miraculously supplanting everyone.

[Trojan97]

Sanchez has Cy Young stuff. It's no stretch to think that if he puts it all together he will bypass Stro. It's a very big if though.

[Roof-Daddy]

Would be a great problem to have if both Sanchez and Stroman turn into ace type pitchers.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

That is a bold prediction since Stroman looks like a legitimate ace.

I'm admittedly pretty bullish on Sanchez but we've all seen his stuff...it's otherworldly. Before he went down to injury last year he seemed to have put it together for about 5 straight starts where he looked in control and wasn't walking near as many hitters.

His Spring stats are very impressive with only 3 BB allowed so far. If he can continue to limit the base on balls there is very little in the way of him becoming a front line pitcher for the Jays in the near future, IMO.

I love Stroman, and his repertoire is incredible as well, but Sanchez has Halladay-esque stuff if he could only put it together. I think if given the chance this year, he would run with the opportunity to be a starter.

[Cappy]

Sanchez can be an Ace. Not number 1 starter; an Ace. He has the stuff.

It will be interesting to see how he does later in the spring as he goes through an order 2 or 3 times. That has been his problem.

[calculoso]

What would you guys think of Osuna moving back to the starting rotation. Has that ship sailed for him and he's targeted as a closer?

[mrkajz44]

I have a bad feeling that Floyd is going to get the nod over Sanchez. Floyd's been pitching quite well in the spring too, so its not like one or the other is a slam dunk. I wonder how Bautista and EE fit into the decision if upper management thinks that this may be "the year". Keep Sanchez in the bullpen for one more year as he was super effective there last year. Could be their best shot at making the postseason and going on a run.

Personally, I think Sanchez should be in the rotation to start the year, but I'm doubtful at this point.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Sanchez can be an Ace. Not number 1 starter; an Ace. He has the stuff.

Partially. He has amazing fastball stuff but his curve and change aren't plus, at least not yet. He's also had issues with his command. If those aren't solved then he's a reliever.

I think right now I'd give him a shot at the rotation and I'd have Floyd be the long-man out of the pen but I'm not wedded to that and I'd be willing to change that around quickly if it doesn't show well out of the gate.

[Roof-Daddy]

How has Happ been?

Is he a lock for the rotation because he's the only lefty?

If Sanchez and Floyd have both been really good why can't both be in the rotation?

[ClubFlames]

Stroman named opening day starter.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

How has Happ been?

Is he a lock for the rotation because he's the only lefty?

If Sanchez and Floyd have both been really good why can't both be in the rotation?

He's been decent. Not outstanding, but decent. Right or wrong, I don't think the Jays paid Happ 13 mill per to come out of the bullpen. he is a lock in the rotation IMO.

Stroman
Estrada
Dickey
Happ

Are all locks so only 1 open spot. I personally would vote Sanchez. I agree with what was said above, he was already starting to put it together as a starter last year so I view this spring as a continuation of that. I think he can be solid at a minimum and potentially a top end guy if he keeps it up and thats just too much potential to waste in the pen for me.

[Roof-Daddy]

Well, in the end there will be injuries, so it's nice to know there is depth in that area.

Even Chavez has started over 20 games the last couple seasons.

Stroman
Estrada
Dickey
Happ
Sanchez
Floyd
Chavez

Maybe it's just because the season is almost here, but I'm starting to feel optimistic that the pitching won't be that bad, and combined with the hitting and defense the Jays have, it should be a fun year.

[Jiggy_12]

Sanchez hit 99mph today during his start. Wow.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Well, in the end there will be injuries, so it's nice to know there is depth in that area.

Even Chavez has started over 20 games the last couple seasons.

Stroman
Estrada
Dickey
Happ
Sanchez
Floyd
Chavez

Maybe it's just because the season is almost here, but I'm starting to feel optimistic that the pitching won't be that bad, and combined with the hitting and defense the Jays have, it should be a fun year.

You're forgetting Hutchison - for all his struggles, he's still a capable MLBer and a huge step up on the Scott Copeland's and Felix Dubront's the Jays usually trot out there when the injury bug hits.

I can't remember a time when the Jays actually had 8 guys on the roster that were all viable big league starters. Typically it's crapshoot whether they even have 5 guys that don't have major question marks surrounding them. The guys who don't make the opening day starting rotation are going to get a lot of starts - probably in the range of 30+. Having quality depth is going to pay big dividends when you aren't throwing away games throwing below replacement pitchers out there like we usually do.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Apparently got hit in the hand today against the Mets. X-rays negatives but knuckles bruised, swelled, and cut up.

I hope this guys' injury history was left behind in Denver. Hopefully it turns out to be nothing.