2012-2013 Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

I'm not nearly as worried about the catcher as I am about 2nd base. I am no baseball expert just a guy when not much is happenning sitting down with a cold beer to watch. Didn't Lawrie come to us from the Royals as a 2nd basem and was moved to 3rd base? What about Encarnacion at 3rd base and move Lawrie over to 2nd base? Then have Gose, Cabrera switch around in Left Field for the DH position. Even move Bautista over to be the 3rd bagger again leave Encarnacion and Lind to switch around from DH to 1st Base still, and Gose Right Field and Cabrera Left Field.

I think Lawrie (from the Brewers) is a lock to start the season at 3rd and play everyday. I don't understand the concern at 2B, especially considering the disaster that it was last year. Bonifacio and Izturis are solid there and both can play multiple positions.

Truly, JPA and Thole are my only concerns because neither are good defensively. JPA is a lot of "all or nothing" offense and Thole is a slap hitter with little else. They'll be fine and will likely bat 8th, and are only concerns relative to the rest of the team.

To be honest, after catcher, I'm concerned with Rasmus and Lawrie before 2B. Both need to have a bounce back year.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Both Izturis and Bonifacio are good 9th batters at 2nd. If they can platoon to hit .270 from the 9 hole we will be fine. They are the least of the question marks for this season

Definitely. Good speed at the bottom of the order. I've read that Bonifacio/Izturis might be a decent 2B in order to move Lawrie down. Mine would look something like:

1. Reyes
2. Lawrie
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Cabrera
6. Lind
7. Rasmus
8. JPA/Thole
9. Izturis/Bonifacio

JPA may bat 6, Lind 7, Rasmus 8, 2B 9th. Lots of flexibility in that order too.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

I think Lawrie (from the Brewers) is a lock to start the season at 3rd and play everyday. I don't understand the concern at 2B, especially considering the disaster that it was last year. Bonifacio and Izturis are solid there and both can play multiple positions.

Truly, JPA and Thole are my only concerns because neither are good defensively. JPA is a lot of "all or nothing" offense and Thole is a slap hitter with little else. They'll be fine and will likely bat 8th, and are only concerns relative to the rest of the team.

To be honest, after catcher, I'm concerned with Rasmus and Lawrie before 2B. Both need to have a bounce back year.

I am admit I'm a Blue Jays fan and not really a Baseball Fan the flaws from the TSN scouting report aren't great for Emilio Bonifacio.
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/teams/players/bio/?id=6449

FlawsHas serious defensive deficiencies at several positions that can limit his playing time in the big leagues. Also strikes out far too much for a player who lacks power. Is also impatient at the plate.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

I am admit I'm a Blue Jays fan and not really a Baseball Fan the flaws from the TSN scouting report aren't great for Emilio Bonifacio.
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/teams/players/bio/?id=6449

FlawsHas serious defensive deficiencies at several positions that can limit his playing time in the big leagues. Also strikes out far too much for a player who lacks power. Is also impatient at the plate.

I wouldn't worry too much about what TSN says with their scouting report. They stopped doing it for hockey because it was so irrelevant/inaccurate/outdated.

Edit: LOL. Look at the "scouting report" for Dickey: http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/teams/players/bio/?id=1628

- Assets: Can start or pitch in several different relief roles. Is always willing to log a ton of innings, which helps a pitching staff tremendously.
- Flaws: Like most knuckleballers, he can lack control of the pitch at times. Serves up too many home runs, so using him in crucial situations is always a very risky proposition.

Pitch in "several relief roles"? Amazing he won the Cy Young coming out of the 'pen so much. "Lack control of the pitch at times" - 54 walks in 233.2 IP. 1.053 WHIP.

Pretty outdated stuff.

[dustyanddaflames]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Definitely. Good speed at the bottom of the order. I've read that Bonifacio/Izturis might be a decent 2B in order to move Lawrie down. Mine would look something like:

1. Reyes
2. Lawrie
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Cabrera
6. Lind
7. Rasmus
8. JPA/Thole
9. Izturis/Bonifacio

JPA may bat 6, Lind 7, Rasmus 8, 2B 9th. Lots of flexibility in that order too.

My guess at it:

1. Reyes
2. Cabrera
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Lind
6. Lawrie
7. Rasmus
8. JPA/Thole
9. Izturis/Bonifacio

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

My guess at it:

1. Reyes
2. Cabrera
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Lind
6. Lawrie
7. Rasmus
8. JPA/Thole
9. Izturis/Bonifacio

Looks good too. I like the idea of Lawrie batting down in the lineup. I chaulk a lot of his struggles last year to the pressure of having to be on of the main guys offensively (especially after Bautista went down). If Lind gets his stroke back and Cabrera's performance wasn't all juice, that's a tough 1-9 with plenty of power and speed.

[Jiggy_12]

I hope Lind doesn't start the season anywhere near the heart of the order. Maybe later in the year if he comes around, but I wouldn't start him there.

1. Reyes
2. Cabrera
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Lawrie
6. Rasmus
7. JPA
8. Lind
9. Bonifacio


I would also imagine if Bonifacio has some everyday success you could see something like this

1. Bonifacio
2. Reyes
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Cabrera
6. Lawrie
7. Rasmus
8. JPA
9. Lind

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

I think Lawrie (from the Brewers) is a lock to start the season at 3rd and play everyday. I don't understand the concern at 2B, especially considering the disaster that it was last year. Bonifacio and Izturis are solid there and both can play multiple positions.

Truly, JPA and Thole are my only concerns because neither are good defensively. JPA is a lot of "all or nothing" offense and Thole is a slap hitter with little else. They'll be fine and will likely bat 8th, and are only concerns relative to the rest of the team.

To be honest, after catcher, I'm concerned with Rasmus and Lawrie before 2B. Both need to have a bounce back year.

I thought Thole was supposed to be pretty solid defensively? If he isn't then that is a concern for me too.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

I think Lawrie (from the Brewers) is a lock to start the season at 3rd and play everyday. I don't understand the concern at 2B, especially considering the disaster that it was last year. Bonifacio and Izturis are solid there and both can play multiple positions.

Truly, JPA and Thole are my only concerns because neither are good defensively. JPA is a lot of "all or nothing" offense and Thole is a slap hitter with little else. They'll be fine and will likely bat 8th, and are only concerns relative to the rest of the team.

To be honest, after catcher, I'm concerned with Rasmus and Lawrie before 2B. Both need to have a bounce back year.

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I thought Thole was supposed to be pretty solid defensively? If he isn't then that is a concern for me too.

Thole was attained to catch Dickey's knuckleballs which was the case while in the Mets org.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I thought Thole was supposed to be pretty solid defensively? If he isn't then that is a concern for me too.

He's Dickey's personal catcher. He had a rough year defensively (some of that can be attributed to Dickey's knuckler), but he's far from an everyday guy. If JPA gets comfortable with Dickey, and vice-versa, I could see Thole become less than an once every five days catcher.

[jschick88]

Good news!!

Sergio Santos told us there is a 100% chance that he will be ready by opening day for the Blue Jays. Santos has been throwing for 4 months

https://twitter.com/JimBowdenESPNxm

[CaramonLS]

Josh Thole actually has a better career OPS vs RHP than JPA does - less power, more OBP. He had a pretty bad year, but it isn't out of the realm that Thole might be used in a little more of a platoon role.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I hope Lind doesn't start the season anywhere near the heart of the order. Maybe later in the year if he comes around, but I wouldn't start him there.

1. Reyes
2. Cabrera
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Lawrie
6. Rasmus
7. JPA
8. Lind
9. Bonifacio


I would also imagine if Bonifacio has some everyday success you could see something like this

1. Bonifacio
2. Reyes
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Cabrera
6. Lawrie
7. Rasmus
8. JPA
9. Lind

Regardless of how well Bonifacio may or may not play, I don't see how he bats lead off if Reyes is healthy. Batting him second runs the risk of nullifying his most important attribute, his base stealing.

Now, hit Bonifacio second, and if they both get on, it's gonna be absolute chaos pitching to Bautista and Encarnacion; the threat of double steals are gonna give those guys a plethora of fastballs to crush.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Good news!!

Sergio Santos told us there is a 100% chance that he will be ready by opening day for the Blue Jays. Santos has been throwing for 4 months

https://twitter.com/JimBowdenESPNxm

Hands up if you forgot Sergio Santos was a blue jay.

This is huge too, he's absolutely filthy.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Both Izturis and Bonifacio are good 9th batters at 2nd. If they can platoon to hit .270 from the 9 hole we will be fine. They are the least of the question marks for this season

I agree. Most areas such as rotation, lineup/playing positions and even the bullpen are more than fine if not great. The only worry is the closer role. Janssen did a fab job last year but Santos was brought in for that. If Santos who is currently pitching can fully recover with no further injuries, then he and Janssen plus one more closer of a lesser role (preferably a lefty) will platoon as stoppers, then the Jays will be quite solid.

[d_phaneuf]

From an ESPN chat today

Ron (NYC)
Klaw, do you see TDA continuing at C long term, or do the Mets need to think of him in the outfield or first base (and trading / mivng Ike Davis). If he can stay healthy and at C, the Dickey trade was a no brainer for the Mets, but if not ...


Klaw (3:05 PM)
d'Arnaud is a catcher. He's not Posey where the bat might play elsewhere and still make him a star

Also even after the trades (he had it 1st last off-season)

Iain (Toronto)
So where do you rank Toronto's farm system now? 1-30

Klaw (3:06 PM)
I haven't done firm rankings yet, but top of my head I'd say 16-20 range.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I hope Lind doesn't start the season anywhere near the heart of the order. Maybe later in the year if he comes around, but I wouldn't start him there.

I know he has no power but I think Cooper should get significant playing time again next year after he hit .300 over a good long audition last year. His splits were good and the Jays don't need 30 HRs at first... I think even if he hit .280-.290 with 10-15 HRs it would be better than Lind hitting .240-.250 with 25 HRs. OBP was down a bit for Cooper last year but I think it was an anomaly, he's shown a good eye/patience at every level. I think he's a better pure hitter than Lind and a better fielder.

Also agree that Lind should be bottom third if he is the opening day 1B

[whosurnabby]

I'm not nearly as worried about the catcher as I am about 2nd base. I am no baseball expert just a guy when not much is happenning sitting down with a cold beer to watch. Didn't Lawrie come to us from the Royals as a 2nd basem and was moved to 3rd base? What about Encarnacion at 3rd base and move Lawrie over to 2nd base? Then have Gose, Cabrera switch around in Left Field for the DH position. Even move Bautista over to be the 3rd bagger again leave Encarnacion and Lind to switch around from DH to 1st Base still, and Gose Right Field and Cabrera Left Field.

Oh god, tell me you just didn't suggest that Edwin move from 1st to everyday 3B. He is one of the most awful 3rd baseman (defensively/nicknamed EE5 in 2011...go figure) that I've ever seen play that position. Let's leave Lawrie at 3rd...dude has an AMAZING range and arm for a 3rd baseman. I was really surprised how capable he is, defensively, as a full time 3B. As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't mind giving Bonifacio a shot to play 2nd full-time for two reasons...1) speed, 2) possible chemistry with Jose Reyes. We had a pretty legit infield D last year, so let's keep it as it is + the new additions. I don't want to see our 2013 infield become the "Detroit Tigers of the AL East." Hell no!

I know he has no power but I think Cooper should get significant playing time again next year after he hit .300 over a good long audition last year. His splits were good and the Jays don't need 30 HRs at first... I think even if he hit .280-.290 with 10-15 HRs it would be better than Lind hitting .240-.250 with 25 HRs. OBP was down a bit for Cooper last year but I think it was an anomaly, he's shown a good eye/patience at every level. I think he's a better pure hitter than Lind and a better fielder.

Also agree that Lind should be bottom third if he is the opening day 1B

Have you seen Cooper play D? Yuck. Dude is a standing PYLON in 1B. Yeah he can hit, but he's also one of the most unathlethic guys to play for the team. Let's have Edwin play 1B day-to-day and platoon Lind with a Rajai Davis for full-time DH. Remember when Gibby masterfully platooned Reed Johnson and Frank Catalanotto that one year? I am sure he'll come up with another effective platoon scheme next season.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by dammage79

isnt that the same ###### who fubard the Expos?

No. That was Donald Fehr.

[The Big Chill]

I'm on my phone right now and can't post it myself, but you guys have to check out the gif of Dickey's knuckleball on DJF. Maybe someone can post it on here.

It is just nasty, I have no idea how you would even start to try and hit that thing.