Your Toronto Blue Jays

[overthere]

Two minor pitching moves at the deadline for the Jays.

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-jays-trade-rhp-chavez-to-dodgers-1.536414

Trading Chavez for a guy with a huge ERA doesn't seem to make sense. I'm looking forward to seeing this Scott Feldman guy though. Interesting that they got him from the team they visit tonight. And the Astros are chasing them for the Wildcard.

There was no point in keeping Chavez, who has lived up to his billing as a borderline MLB player.

Bolsinger will head straight to Buffalo, on the hope he can play someday for the big team.

Feldman is interesting in that he might start at some point, but most likely work from the pen. He might also replace Stroman in the rotation for a while. The question I have is : why did the contending Astros dump him for so little, a prospect far from playing in MLB?? Is their pitching that great?

The key guy is Liriano, who was once expected to be elite but has fallen pretty hard from grace in recent years. Hutchison is another guy who may or may not remann major league player, so I guess the Jays are not risking much in a reclamation project. If they move Sanchez to the pen now, Liriano will get maybe 12 starts. If the Jays make the playoffs, they will bring Sanchez back as a playoff starter to join Happ and Estrada. They'll be auditioning Stroman, Liriano and perhaps Feldman for the fourth starter position, and might move one or more of them into a bullpen that will be weakened when Sanchez moves out of it. I like that Liriano is a lefty.

The Jays may or may not have gotten better, once again they have acquired some reclamation projects and bordlerine talent, and hope one or more becomes Chris Colabello in a big hurry. I am glad that they did something, anything rather than sit on their thumbs. And goodbye to Chavez and Morales.

[Boges]

So I guess essentially the 2 moves equate a trade of Chavez for Feldman.

I don't think you can re-stretch out Sanchez as a starter. They didn't do it last year when they really did need a starter before Stroman came back.

In theory, the Bullpen is quite good once Sanchez gets there. Feldman, Biagini, Grilli, Sanchez and Osuna are all capable of locking an inning down late.

The key is if Liriano can contribute to an already solid starting rotation. He's had success with Russel Martin before. Dickey has been weak recently, Stroman has been scuffling and Estrada's back is a constant question. You don't have Floyd, Hutch and Chavez as back-ups anymore.

But still, the starting pitching is still far and away better than Boston and Baltimore. The starting pitching rarely loses them a game. The offense not scoring runs (like yesterday) looses them games.

Edited August 2, 2016 by Boges

[Boges]

This Jay Barns guy looks pretty good. Glad AA didn't trade him last year.

[overthere]

It is great to see the Jays win a close game, which is rare. They just are not capable of manufacturing runs. Or who knows, since they just never try. Hats off the Dickey, who was awesome last night.

Liriano is the key to the whole pitching formula. He will start maybe 10 games . The Jays need 6 wins from him, or 8 decent starts.If he can give them that, in theory, Sanchez can give them some quality innings from the pen until he starts again in the playoffs. It is not clear who takes his bullpen innings in the playoffs, but that is for another day.

Barnes looked good in his pro debut, he came in and threw strikes to the best of the Astros order.

The Astros have had two wonderful long relief outings from their pen. Who would fill that role for the jays this season? Best play in the series: Altuve bunts for a base hit, and could have stopped for a beer on the way to first. Imagine, their #3 hitter and the best in baseball this year, doing whatever to get on base in a close game I'd love to see the Jays try something, anything like that but I know it will never happen. The Jays are hanging in against some good teams, despite not hitting their best, nice job overall.

[Boges]

Shapiro has said that Sanchez will not start in the playoffs.

Liriano will start Friday and Sanchez will start Saturday. So I guess we'll see a 6-man rotation for awhile. That would help Estrada out with any back issues.

Gotta give credit to the Astros pitchers. They had a guy make his major league debut (originally a jay) who struck out 7 Jays. I suspect the Tomato cans the Royals currently have won't be nearly as dominant this weekend.

I actually do think the bullpen is a lot better now that Storen, Floyd and Chavez are gone. Cecil is also back to being, at least, decent. Biagini put in two solid innings in the last 12 inning game and it was only because they had to force Scott Feldman into the game a day after throwing 38 pitches.

The big debate is Sanchez, lots of people think sending him to the Pen will be a catastrophic decision. I kind of agree. But I guess Shapiro/Atkins see him as the future of the team and would rather not sacrifice that even though the team is in Win Now mode.

Altuve is right there with Josh Donaldson as one of the best players in the entire league. I suspect he might be up for the MVP in lieu of giving JD back to back titles even though he's having a much better year.

[Boges]

Wow. So Atkins has backed down. No immediate plans to move Sanchez to the Pen. They'll go with a 6-man rotation. Liriano will start tonight in KC followed by Sanchez. This lightens the load on everyone. I support the decision, the Jays don't know what they have with Liriano yet. He's led the league in walks.

Jays brass must have been catching Hell for this. Ownership might have gotten involved.

It is pretty crazy to essentially bench the best pitcher in the AL so far.

[overthere]

Shapiro has said that Sanchez will not start in the playoffs.

Liriano will start Friday and Sanchez will start Saturday. So I guess we'll see a 6-man rotation for awhile. That would help Estrada out with any back issues.

Gotta give credit to the Astros pitchers. They had a guy make his major league debut (originally a jay) who struck out 7 Jays. I suspect the Tomato cans the Royals currently have won't be nearly as dominant this weekend.

I actually do think the bullpen is a lot better now that Storen, Floyd and Chavez are gone. Cecil is also back to being, at least, decent. Biagini put in two solid innings in the last 12 inning game and it was only because they had to force Scott Feldman into the game a day after throwing 38 pitches.

The big debate is Sanchez, lots of people think sending him to the Pen will be a catastrophic decision. I kind of agree. But I guess Shapiro/Atkins see him as the future of the team and would rather not sacrifice that even though the team is in Win Now mode.

Altuve is right there with Josh Donaldson as one of the best players in the entire league. I suspect he might be up for the MVP in lieu of giving JD back to back titles even though he's having a much better year.

Altuve is having a an epic year and certainly deserves the MVP if it was awarded right now. Not only does he hit for an insane average, he is a Gold Glove fielder and steals bases. He is an inspiration to small men too. He is built like a brick outhouse, but only 5'6 tall! I wonder about roids........ Why do you think Davidson is having a better year than Altuve? Their stats are similar in some categories, but Altuve has a much higher batting average. He'd win the MVP easily. And he has a big advantage in that regard in one way- his team is weaker at the plate than the Jays. Opposing teams can try and pitch around Altuve, and he still hits like a demon. They cannot with Donaldson, who is always foillowed in the lineup by some serious bash.

The Jays are certainly in Win This Year mode, they have no choice with the imminent departure of EE and the clear quick collapse of Bautista as a position player.

I think the Jays were influenced by people like Russ Martin, who more or less politely and publicly called out management after a game in Houston. And Donaldson, who when asked post game smirked, said "we like our team" and took off- meaning he wanted their best pitcher to keep pitching.....The six man rotation only works if they get quality starts from Stroman, Dickey and now Liriano. It does help give everybody a bit more rest, What a great deal it could be if Liriano turns out to be a quality starter, it gives the Jays options now and in the playoffs.

Playoff lineup(and yes I know I'm getting ahead of myself). Starters: Happ, Estrada, Sanchez, Liriano. Send Stroman to the pen for solid long relief. Feldman too. Or Stroman(assuming he gets his mojo back and keeps it) as a starter and Liriano as a much needed, strong lefty in the pen- I like that scenario best.

What is up with Upton? His at bats seem to mostly consist of 3 disinterested hacks, then go sit down.

[Boges]

That could have been the most disappointing 4-3 Road stand I've ever seen.

If there's any question of the pitching chops of this team, I point you to the Jays last 7 games. 4 amazing starts in Houston, a decent debut from Francisco Liriano and then Sancez and Stroman get thrown to the Wolves because the rest of the team decided to quit hitting.

Gotta make hay at home against Tampa and Houston. Then they go on the road against a Yankee team that's given up.

[Guest]

This isn't a good hitting team, really just a power hitting team. At 22nd in the league in batting avg and 12th in obp, I expect this problem to get worse in the post season.

6th in ERA and 4th in opponent batting average is pretty damn good though!

Edited August 8, 2016 by Guest

[Boges]

This isn't a good hitting team, really just a power hitting team. At 22nd in the league in batting avg and 12th in obp, I expect this problem to get worse in the post season.

6th in ERA and 4th in opponent batting average is pretty damn good though!

Perhaps, but then their starting pitching becomes a huge asset.

Especially considering 2 of these 6 guys move into the bullpen. No Mark Beuhrle that's can't cross the finish line and never pitches in the bigs again.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

Perhaps, but then their starting pitching becomes a huge asset.

Especially considering 2 of these 6 guys move into the bullpen. No Mark Beuhrle that's can't cross the finish line and never pitches in the bigs again.

It does, but I think the ability to manufacture runs or string hits together is necessary for a legit contender.

[Boges]

Devin Travis has rounded into form. Imagine if he was healthy last season?

The bats woke up last night against a very good pitcher.

If the Jays continue to be a Top 5 pitching team, I'm optimistic the bats will be there. They're still Top 10 in OBP, and have the league's RBI leader.

[Guest]

Devin Travis has rounded into form. Imagine if he was healthy last season?

The bats woke up last night against a very good pitcher.

If the Jays continue to be a Top 5 pitching team, I'm optimistic the bats will be there. They're still Top 10 in OBP, and have the league's RBI leader.

That was nice to see. Seven runs and I think only one came by way of the long ball.

[Boges]

http://www2.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.aspx?Blue%2BJays%2Bon%2Bpace%2Bto%2Bend%2Bthe%2BYankees%25e2%2580%2599%2B13-year%2Brun%2Bof%2Bleading%2BAL%2Battendance&id=586580

The Jays are set to lead the AL in attendance.

[Boges]

Rotating Cy Young candidates goes to J Happ today. 16 wins already this year.

3 starters under 3.00 ERA.

Bats is on the DL again. He's following Pillar, who go put on the DL earlier this week. Now a scrub will have to play in the outfield with Upton and Saunders will have to be every day players. Carrerra is also injured. That Upton trade looks prophetic in retrospect.

Doesn't seem to hurt to bad, they now have sole possession of first place with Baltimore getting swept in Oakland.

Edited August 11, 2016 by Boges

[Boges]

Good series on the weekend against a contending team. If you can win 2 of every 3 games that'll be just fine. Now they visit a New York team that's given up. That stadium will be full of Jays fans.

[Boges]

All the pessimistic Jays talk seems to be drying up.

If they can win a series on the road against First place Cleveland, WATCH OUT!!!

It's followed by 6 home games against the awful Angels and Twins.

In September they're almost exclusively playing the AL East (That includes 2 series' against the Rays and getting the Yankees again at home). They do have a 7 games west trip against the Angels and Mariners. Pretty even road:home game ratio.

Now the Orioles have a massive 11 game homestand in September but end the season on the road. The Red Sox who've been the better team lately plays the end of the season mostly on the road.

[Big Guy]

Meanwhile, Bautista may be watching the numbers on his next contract slowly going south.

[Boges]

Meanwhile, Bautista may be watching the numbers on his next contract slowly going south.

MAY!!!! He's certainly lost a boatload of money.

I've heard speculation that he may be forced to take a Qualifying Offer assuming the Jays even offer it.

[Boges]

Two tough L's on the road against a great Cleveland team. Taking leads into the late innings and having the bullpen blow the game. Negating impressive starts from Stroman and Liriano.

Offensive struggles seem to be the team's biggest obstacle, even though they still have impressive outbursts on occasion. Upton seems to have woken up.

So the Sanchez decision has been made. He's been optioned to the Single A club for 10 days to just chill while the Jays play AL bottom-feeders Anaheim and Minnesota. He's scheduled to return in a pivotal series against Baltimore at the end of the month.

He hasn't looked nearly as dominant his last few starts, the rest will hopefully improve him. The good news is that Liriano hasn't been a complete dumpster fire so he's not essential to the team's plans to make the playoffs.

[Guest]

It was nice of Sanchez to voluntarily take the pay cut so he could be optioned to Dunedin for some rest. That's a team player!

What's up with Russ Martin? Aren't catchers supposed to be beat up and broken down by this point of the season?

Imagine if the other contending teams were able to add players like Bats and Pillar?

Edited August 22, 2016 by Guest

[Boges]

Bautista comes back tomorrow. It'll be interesting to see how he'll be used. They have a better fielder in Upton, They have a better lead-off man in Travis and they have Martin red-hot right now hitting clean-up (at least last night night anyway).

I guess he'll go back to 3rd behind Edwin. But I really think he should play in the field less, not more.

[Boges]

So Estrada sucks now? Seems he's been largely awful since being named to the Allstar game.

[overthere]

Glad to see there is consensus now that the value of Bautista the Player Formerly Known as an Asset has been squandered.

[overthere]

Love the acquisition of Navarro.

He wasn't hitting for the White Sox, but he is an immediate upgrade to Thole. This is a weakness filled, and hopefully he can add some leftie hitting.