Your Toronto Blue Jays

[Big Guy]

Just saw yesterdays game. It appears that the Blue Jays have so many pitchers that they are now using them for target practice. There was a direct hit on the target on the back of Hutchinsons head and the catcher won the pool for the day.

[overthere]

Well their success post trade deadline can certainly be attributed to bringing in Price. But that could just mean they actually had a quality starter. You could argue that success would have happened without having to bring in one of the best starters in the league that later got a 7 year contract. Much of last year they were bringing in tomato cans as their 5th starter. Remember Daniel Norris, Scott Copeland, Matt Boyd and Felix Dubront?

Dickey got much better and Stroman essentially replaced Hutch in September.

So this year Price gets replaced by Happ and Buerle gets replaced by Sanchez. You'd think Happ is a downgrade even though he was as good as Price at the end of last season but Sanchez is a HUGE upgrade. Dickey, Stroman and Estrada are back from the team that was winning 70% of their games.

Estrada has been dealing with back trouble. It's possible that Floyd actually starts the season as the 5th starter.

Breaking news today is that Sanchez has been named a starter and Hutch was sent to Buffalo. So you have 6 starters up with the team and 2 in Buffalo ready to go (Chavez and Hutch). The starter depth is rather deep, MUCH deeper than last year's 50-50 Jays pre-trade deadline.

Price plus the return of Stroman

I'm not sure why you'd think Hutchson and Chavez are an upgrade from anything. Or why Sanchez is more than a prospect as a starter. Neither Price or Buerhle -proven veteran pitchers with solid records as opposed to persons who are neither-have been replaced, not yet. I hope it goes well and maybe it will.

[Boges]

Hutch and Chavez prove to provide decent depth. Much more depth than last year.

Sanchez was a decent starter last year and returned from injury to be a great setup man. He's added 20 lbs of muscle and has been great this spring.

The X factors are Happ and Estrada.

[Boges]

Your 2016 (In April at least) Toronto Blue Jays!!!!!

Notable. Jesse Chavez is on the team and Estrada is starting the season on the DL. Also I have no idea who

Joe Biagini and Arnold Leon are.

Darwin Barney and Ezequiel Carrera are not strong back up fielders.

Roberto Osuna will also be the closer to start the season.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/biagini-carrera-make-blue-jays-25-man-roster-takes-shape/

Starting Lineup (9)
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
Russell Martin, C
Chris Colabello, 1B
Ryan Goins, 2B
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Michael Saunders, LF
Kevin Pillar, CF
Jose Bautista, RF

Bench (4)
Josh Thole, C
Darwin Barney, IF
Ezequiel Carrera, OF
Justin Smoak, 1B/DH

Starting Rotation (4)
Marcus Stroman, RHP
R.A. Dickey, RHP
Aaron Sanchez, RHP
J.A. Happ, LHP

Bullpen (8)
Roberto Osuna, RHP
Drew Storen, RHP
Brett Cecil, LHP
Gavin Floyd, RHP
Jesse Chavez, RHP
Ryan Tepera, RHP
Joe Biagini, RHP
Arnold Leon, RHP

Edited March 30, 2016 by Boges

[overthere]

That is pretty funny- a team with so much pitching depth has four(4) starters?

And Barney is a weak fielder?. He won a Gold Glove a few years ago. Average hitter, but good enough.

One clear weakness is Thole as backup catcher. He will have to play at least 30 games and that is a disadvantage wherever he hits in the lineup.

[Boges]

That is pretty funny- a team with so much pitching depth has four(4) starters?

And Barney is a weak fielder?. He won a Gold Glove a few years ago. Average hitter, but good enough.

One clear weakness is Thole as backup catcher. He will have to play at least 30 games and that is a disadvantage wherever he hits in the lineup.

They have 4 starters cuz Estrada starts on the DL. I'd assume Chavez gets sent down when Marco is ready.

Barney was picked up off the scrap heap when Tulo missed time in September because of a broken shoulder blade. He's had a good spring but I'm not confident with him in the long term. Devon Travis can't return soon enough

Back up catcher is certainly a weakness. Thole is Dickeys Caddie and that's pretty much it. I don't believe there's a realistic option in Buffalo. A trade may need to be made if Russell Martin goes down for any extended time.

I will say, it appeared Martin suffered having to catch Dickey last season. He may have a better year not having to worry about him.

[Big Guy]

Looks like a start to a perfect season!

[Boges]

Tulo is on pace for 162 home runs

[Big Guy]

Tulo is on pace for 162 home runs

Looking forward to it and Stroman going 40-0.

[overthere]

Too bad they cannot sign Encarnacion now, he should get around 324 RBIs this year.

Good start for the Jays in a park where hey have real trouble winning.

[Boges]

Dickey wasn't terrific, did get out of a few jams though. But he got the job done for 5 innings.

Bullpen was pretty good. Making Osuna the closer was clearly the correct move.

[overthere]

A difference last night was the defence.

We did get three HRs, but the D bailed us out of some awkward situations.

[Boges]

Wow the Jays just lost after it appeared they took the lead on an error.

There's a new double play rule that you can't really break up a double play attempt. Bautista kind of reached for the players leg but slided straight. I think it's highly speculative that it's what caused the errant throw.

So a walk off reversal for the Rays

Rough way to lose their first game.

Edited April 6, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

Sorry, I didn't see this post and I commented on it in the updates. (deleted now)

I only saw the highlights but it looked like a deliberate attempt to trip. The new rule states a slide is legal if the runner:

• (1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;
• (2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
• (3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and
• (4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

It looked like the runner broke #4 in that he stuck his arm out initiating contact with the fielder. It's harsh, no doubt, especially as it ended a game. But if it's up to the interpretation of the Umps, it's going to happen.

Edited April 6, 2016 by bcsapper

[Boges]

Sorry, I didn't see this post and I commented on it in the updates. (deleted now)

I only saw the highlights but it looked like a deliberate attempt to trip. The new rule states a slide is legal if the runner:

• (1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;

• (2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;

• (3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and

• (4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

It looked like the runner broke #4 in that he stuck his arm out initiating contact with the fielder. It's harsh, no doubt, especially as it ended a game. But if it's up to the interpretation of the Umps, it's going to happen.

He didn't change his pathway, he was sliding straight to the base. He did touch the players foot but he had his arm out. Was his arm supposed to be tight to his body?

I can see fielders trying to use this to their advantage by flopping at even the slightest touch from a base runner. The spirit of the rules was to prevent injury, there was no threat of injury there.

Edited April 6, 2016 by Boges

[overthere]

I watched it a bunch of times and have concluded that if Bautista had not given a wee tug on the fielders foot on the way by, it would have been an easy double play. Bautista did slide slightly on the infield side of the base which is OK, and he did reach out for the ankle, which is not OK under the new rule. The guy didn't step on his hand or trip over it, Bautista reached out and it threw his balance off enough to make a bad throw.

I really hope the Jays come out for todays game in dresses as threatened.

Was his arm supposed to be tight to his body?

Yes, it is...... Having coached high performance baseball, players are taught to keep their arms close to their center for two reason. First, it allows you to 'pop up' from the slide, which matters if the ball goes by, you can advance because you are on your feet already. The second reason is that extended limbs mean broken fingers. It is why coaches grit their teeth on those arms extended, face first slides. Looks great on TV, not so good when the player takes 8 weeks off for rehab.

C'mon, the replay shows he reached out....

[Big Guy]

Gibbons still fuming about the call and the new rule to protest players commented that "Maybe we should come out in skirts for the next game."

Well the phones lit up. The feminists are going nuts.

[Boges]

Gibbons still fuming about the call and the new rule to protest players commented that "Maybe we should come out in skirts for the next game."

Well the phones lit up. The feminists are going nuts.

He didn't back off. Clearly Gibbons is Transphobic

[Boges]

Damn Bullpen blew 2 straight games.

Offensive has been rather average too with lot of Strikeouts. Guess that can be attributed to Tampa's pitching more than anything.

[Boges]

*3 straight games. That first loss to the Red Sox on Friday was an atrocity. Cecil and Storen completely crap the bed after Stroman and Chavez give a grand slam. Piss poor late game pitching has to get better or this team is going nowhere.

The Dickey loss happens, especially early in the season, he either has it or he doesn't.

Estrada pitched amazing yesterday and Osuna has been Osuna. I'm looking forward to seeing if Sanchez can continue his success against the Yankees tomorrow.

[Boges]

I'd say the starting pitching has been quite good so far this season. BUT!!! The Bullpen has been dreadful. Cecil can't be given a high leverage situation anymore. 3 games so far this season he's coughed up the go ahead run late in the game.

Last year he was named the closer and sucked, so perhaps he just doesn't come into form until June, but right now he can't be trusted to face anyone with the game on the line.

[overthere]

Maybe one or two good seasons is all that Cecil has in him. He looked to be out of baseball a few years back when he had butterball physique. Like I said many times: the Jays have suspect pitching. Storen has been pretty bad so far too.

[Boges]

Cecil had a good inning last night. Storen gave up a bomb. Seems he can't face lefties, kind of a weakness.

I am happy with the starting pitching, only one crappy outing so far this season.

The bats really haven't woken up.

Edited April 14, 2016 by Boges

[overthere]

I'll parrot the traditional baseball meme: good pitching beats good hitting. The Jays still need to leverage their roster into improving the pitching.

One thing that is excellent on the Jays (barring serious injury) is their defence. Going through it position by position, they have only a couple of minor weaknesses. Thole is at best OK on defence other than catching the knuckler. His offence is weak, so the Jays are lesser threats when he hits. The defence at first is great when Smoak plays, average at best with EE and Cola in there. The rest of infield, outfield and catcher range from really good to really great.

And that maters because baseball is a subtle game. The Jays are going to win big and l,ose big, but evn those games as well as close ones often hinge on small , defensive events. A relay missed or made, a double play not turned, a baserunner advances or holds up...... Definitely an advantage for the Jays lineup.

When is Travis back. With the way Goins is playing and hitting.... what a tough but great choice the Jays have ahead..... Is Goins for real at the plate? Is he the Kevin Pillar of 2016?

[Boges]

When is Travis back. With the way Goins is playing and hitting.... what a tough but great choice the Jays have ahead..... Is Goins for real at the plate? Is he the Kevin Pillar of 2016?

He came on at the end of last season. It's also partly because of where he is in the lineup, being 9th he's sort of protected by the bats coming up behind him, he'll always get pitches to hit, no one wants to walk him with the big boys coming up.