2011 Blue Jays Season Thread

[secol]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

So is Bautista headed back to RF everyday now with Lawrie's arrival ?

definitely

[Gozer]

Snider is playing worse than Thames - this is a move I'm fine with.

That said, I want Snider to be handed the full-time gig in LF next year; with the kind of respect/loyalty/opportunity they extended to Reyes this year.

[Caged Great]

Snider needs to rebuild his swing and approach at the plate. There's just something not right in how he's moving through when he swings. The guy has all the talent in the world, but he's got to figure out how to use it properly. Having the AAA coaches work with him the rest of the way and have him work over the offseason on a new swing approach will help him develop properly.

Thames forced this move as he's been doing fairly good until recently. As for EE, if he's the full time DH and plays like he has since the move, then he can stay next year. 3.5 million for a 900+ OPS guy is nothing to shake a stick at (Only 23 guys in the MLB have those kind of #'s and EE's been at that level for two months)

[Gozer]

I wouldn't pay EE 3.5 - I spent the first half of the season waiting for him to be released.

He can be a depth guy for under 1.5 or find another team. Too inconsistent, little versatility on defense, and with the potential for 4 OFs deserving playing time next year, we don't need a full-time DH.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Snider is playing worse than Thames - this is a move I'm fine with.

That said, I want Snider to be handed the full-time gig in LF next year; with the kind of respect/loyalty/opportunity they extended to Reyes this year.

I think the likelihood that Snider is traded has increased yet again. What is nice is that AA has done a good job with acquiring prospects and that they can now move some for other prospects that fit better or indeed for a guy in a key position that they need filled.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Gozer

I wouldn't pay EE 3.5 - I spent the first half of the season waiting for him to be released.

He can be a depth guy for under 1.5 or find another team. Too inconsistent, little versatility on defense, and with the potential for 4 OFs deserving playing time next year, we don't need a full-time DH.

He's got a 3.5 mil option next year, with a 500K buyout.

I agree with you that I was hoping for him to get bought out, but ever since he stopped being played anywhere but DH, he's been one of the better players in the league (scary I know) and if he keeps it up through the rest of the year he'll have over an .800 OPS for the season. At that rate, you can either keep him or include him in a trade easily.

It's worth seeing as you might be able to get away with having him at DH next year instead of spending through the nose for a guy like Fielder and redirect that cash towards getting an ace or something like that.

[flambers]

Jays have totally miss-handled Snider, Thames is on the same type of a slump as Snider. I believe Thames is 0 for 22 or something like that.

In a year that means nothing I can not believe they are keeping around a guy like E5 and sending Snider to AAA. Which will do absolutely nothing for him, he will go down and hit .350.

Snider is out of options once this year is done, AA will need to either show some confidence in him or let him go.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Thames forced this move as he's been doing fairly good until recently. As for EE, if he's the full time DH and plays like he has since the move, then he can stay next year. 3.5 million for a 900+ OPS guy is nothing to shake a stick at (Only 23 guys in the MLB have those kind of #'s and EE's been at that level for two months)

Thames is in a bad slump same as Snider...

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by flambers

Thames is in a bad slump same as Snider...

Thames has been struggling but, post all-star break, he has better AVG SLG and OBP.

Thames is also top 5 in OPS for the season (on the Jays). Snider was sent down because he needed to correct his fundamentals. Since coming up, he hasn't had a Base on Balls. Mission not accomplished.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jays have totally miss-handled Snider, Thames is on the same type of a slump as Snider. I believe Thames is 0 for 22 or something like that.

In a year that means nothing I can not believe they are keeping around a guy like E5 and sending Snider to AAA. Which will do absolutely nothing for him, he will go down and hit .350.

Snider is out of options once this year is done, AA will need to either show some confidence in him or let him go.

The problem with Snider is his swing mechanics are out of whack, his hands and hips aren't arriving at the same spot at the same time and that's leading to the inconsistencies. Since his recall, he only has 1 walk, and 32K's

He needs to adjust himself in order to get everything in line together and be able to properly hit.

Thames is on a bit of a bad streak as well, but he doesn't have issues with his mechanics. He just kind of sucks at the moment.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Thames has been struggling but, post all-star break, he has better AVG SLG and OBP.

Thames is also top 5 in OPS for the season (on the Jays). Snider was sent down because he needed to correct his fundamentals. Since coming up, he hasn't had a Base on Balls. Mission not accomplished.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=373208

Quote from AA... not a really positive statement on either player.

Snider is out of options (end of the season)... hopefully this guy is moved as I bet he will be a really good player with a team that shows just a little confidence in the player.....

"When you look at the numbers and the performances to date they both haven't done all that well in the last week or so," said Anthopoulos. "Even in the month of July they both have comparable numbers.


"Eric Thames is probably a little bit ahead of (Snider) in July, but on the season, overall, Eric's played a little bit better than Travis."

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Thames is on a bit of a bad streak as well, but he doesn't have issues with his mechanics. He just kind of sucks at the moment.

Lacks zone discipline too, IMO.
MLB hitters can't get away with lousy plate discipline for any length of time. Other teams learn fast and exploit it.

Swings at pitches out of the zone (%)
League average: 30%
Thames: 39%
Snider: 37%
Joey Bats: 26%
Escobar: 19% (wow!)
-Fangraphs

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by flambers

Snider is out of options (end of the season)... hopefully this guy is moved as I bet he will be a really good player with a team that shows just a little confidence in the player.....

Why do you hope he's moved then, rather than hoping the Jays show confidence in him?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Why do you hope he's moved then, rather than hoping the Jays show confidence in him?

For the simple reasons, once this season is done there are no more options.

Snider I bet has zero confidence, its all mental for the guy. If and when he hits a slump next year.... Jays at that point have to make a tough decision....

Jays should work with him at the Pro level and allow him to make the adjustments.

Triple A will do nothing for him, he will go on a tear down there... then what is the next step?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Jays show confidence in him?

Quite clear that is not going to happen.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Thames has been struggling but, post all-star break, he has better AVG SLG and OBP.

Thames is also top 5 in OPS for the season (on the Jays). Snider was sent down because he needed to correct his fundamentals. Since coming up, he hasn't had a Base on Balls. Mission not accomplished.

Yup, JP Ricciardi's 'moneyball' thinking about getting hitters that know the strike zone, know how to take a walk (making the pitchers throw more pitches) is correct.

Let Snider go to AAA and hit .450 (if he can), he can use the confidence. There is no reason to give him the F/T LF job next year, I think him, EE and Thames could platoon at DH and LF next season.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Yup, JP Ricciardi's 'moneyball' thinking about getting hitters that know the strike zone, know how to take a walk (making the pitchers throw more pitches) is correct.

Let Snider go to AAA and hit .450 (if he can), he can use the confidence. There is no reason to give him the F/T LF job next year, I think him, EE and Thames could platoon at DH and LF next season.

I doubt the Jays will keep 5 outfilelders next season (Baustista, Rasmus, Thames, Davies........Snider). One has to go.

[Caged Great]

Norris and Comer apparently have been practising with one of the Jays farm teams. That likely means both will sign.

Also Lawrie drove in a run in his first AB.

[Karl]

Nice! Rasmus bunts for a single to load the bases with nobody out in the top of the 8th.

[Karl]

And Rauch holds on by the skin of his teeth to (barely) save a 5-4 win.