Toronto Blue Jays 2011

Casa_Nova

Whatever...
Feb 12, 2002
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Don't tell that to Jose. I was cringing both with his sliding catch against the war and his slide to home...both plays could've easily gotten him hurt. That guy is a competitor no matter what the situation is.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
51,231
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Disagree with your no defense, Bautista's grab in right was outstanding.
Last time I looked Bautista is MLB not NBA, which Mervyn mentioned has no "D" in the ASG.

In baseball, the pitchers throw as hard, batters swing as hard, baserunners run as fast etc., etc. What may be lacking is hard slides into second to break up a DP, pitchers not throwing at batters, and aside from Pete Rose no hard collisions at home. Otherwise the essence of the game is not changed as it is in the other 3 sad excuses for an entertaining professional sporting event.

The fact players play short times is a minor downside as their replacements are still excellent players.
 

maurice93

Well-known member
Mar 29, 2006
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Last time I looked Bautista is MLB not NBA, which Mervyn mentioned has no "D" in the ASG.

In baseball, the pitchers throw as hard, batters swing as hard, baserunners run as fast etc., etc. What may be lacking is hard slides into second to break up a DP, pitchers not throwing at batters, and aside from Pete Rose no hard collisions at home. Otherwise the essence of the game is not changed as it is in the other 3 sad excuses for an entertaining professional sporting event.

The fact players play short times is a minor downside as their replacements are still excellent players.
The one thing you get in all star games is pitchers giving it their all as they do not have to conserve energy for multiple innings. Tell a starter he only needs to go an inning or two and there stuff can be pretty nasty.
 

Doc Holliday

The One & Only
Mar 11, 2004
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Aaron Hill looks like a lost soul out there. He's good defensively, but what the hell is he doing hitting in the middle of the lineup? He should be hitting 8th or 9th.

Also, when Bautista gets back, they should put him back in right field & send Davis to the bench. Encarnacion is playing better at 3rd base.
 

Mervyn

New member
Dec 23, 2005
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Don't be so quick to accept Encarnacion's performance at 3rd base as being indiciative of how he will perform there long term , while lately he's been fine there , he has a much longer history of being a defensive liability.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
51,231
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Aaron Hill looks like a lost soul out there. He's good defensively, but what the hell is he doing hitting in the middle of the lineup? He should be hitting 8th or 9th.

Also, when Bautista gets back, they should put him back in right field & send Davis to the bench. Encarnacion is playing better at 3rd base.
It's gonna be JB in right and Lawrie at third.
 

Mervyn

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Dec 23, 2005
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Were talking baseball....good!
I see Lawrie at second and Hill traded, depending on who or what they get for Hill.
I don't seem them getting much for hill, maybe a long term prospect. Which is really sad as Hill had so much promise :(
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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I don't seem them getting much for hill, maybe a long term prospect. Which is really sad as Hill had so much promise :(
I wouldn't give up on him yet.

Granted his production is not what it was, but 2B is a middle infield position for which good defense is still the primary function and any offense is a bonus. Let him bat 7th or 8th and who's to say he might not return to being a .260-.270 hitter and maybe 15 HR's. Still respectable for second.

Now 3rd base is considered an important power position and the Jays have been sadly lacking. If the choices are Bautista or Lawrie, I see JB in the field (which is his preference) and give Lawrie a shot. If Jose is in the outfield and Lawrie at 2nd, who's on third (or is it "I don't know").
 

The Oracle

Pronouns: Who/Cares
Mar 8, 2004
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On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Greece
I wouldn't give up on him yet.

Granted his production is not what it was, but 2B is a middle infield position for which good defense is still the primary function and any offense is a bonus. Let him bat 7th or 8th and who's to say he might not return to being a .260-.270 hitter and maybe 15 HR's. Still respectable for second.

Now 3rd base is considered an important power position and the Jays have been sadly lacking. If the choices are Bautista or Lawrie, I see JB in the field (which is his preference) and give Lawrie a shot. If Jose is in the outfield and Lawrie at 2nd, who's on third (or is it "I don't know").
When the time comes move Escobar to third and hope like hell that Adeiny Hechavarria can develop into your shortstop.

Michael McDade is looking great at first in AA and is only 22. But Lind is entrenched at first.
 

The Oracle

Pronouns: Who/Cares
Mar 8, 2004
25,495
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On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Greece
Aaron Hill looks like a lost soul out there. He's good defensively, but what the hell is he doing hitting in the middle of the lineup? He should be hitting 8th or 9th..
Seriously he has been terrible defensively this year. Not Edwin Terrible but almost.
 

Dawgger

Active member
Jan 3, 2005
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When the time comes move Escobar to third and hope like hell that Adeiny Hechavarria can develop into your shortstop.

Michael McDade is looking great at first in AA and is only 22. But Lind is entrenched at first.
Lind is a work in progress. Currently he is a defensive liability. He needs a lot more work before he resembles a defensive first baseman.
 

Dawgger

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Jan 3, 2005
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I wouldn't give up on him yet.

Granted his production is not what it was, but 2B is a middle infield position for which good defense is still the primary function and any offense is a bonus. Let him bat 7th or 8th and who's to say he might not return to being a .260-.270 hitter and maybe 15 HR's. Still respectable for second.

Now 3rd base is considered an important power position and the Jays have been sadly lacking. If the choices are Bautista or Lawrie, I see JB in the field (which is his preference) and give Lawrie a shot. If Jose is in the outfield and Lawrie at 2nd, who's on third (or is it "I don't know").
Jose stays at third, unless the trade yields a quality third or second baseman.
I don't think Hill is a lost cause. He gives you steady play at second, nothing flashy. His base stealing is improving and his hitting while no where near what it was. isn't horrid either.
I think there will be a contending team that see him as a piece to their puzzle and believes the change will get him to either up his average or his home run production or both. I think the Jays see him as expendable and have no intention of signing him next year.
 

Perry Mason

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2001
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Trades?

So as minds turn to trade deadlines and potential trades, what will the BJ's do?

I think Hill, Encarnacion, Patterson, Davis and McCoy are trade bait.

Also a couple of pitchers from the several they have that fit into that 4th or 5th starter category: Litsch, Reyes or Mills down at AAA.

And any 1 or 2 of the 3 relievers they signed this year, Dotel, Rauch and Francisco.

So what can they get/need back? A consistent DH, a closer, a 2nd baseman, a long man to replace Villanueva if he remains in the starting lineup, as he should.

Let's see what AA comes up with... whether or not he is the GM they say he is...

Perry
 

Mervyn

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Dec 23, 2005
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I don't know if we could get much back for any one of those guys, so would probably have to trade away 2-3 to get something decent in return.

Having said that AA has managed to trade away the Contract of Wells, Rios and Rivera when none of them were having great years.

I can see any and all of Dotel, Rauch and Francisco being traded, as I've always felt they were picked up for that purpose.
 

maurice93

Well-known member
Mar 29, 2006
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So as minds turn to trade deadlines and potential trades, what will the BJ's do?

I think Hill, Encarnacion, Patterson, Davis and McCoy are trade bait.

Also a couple of pitchers from the several they have that fit into that 4th or 5th starter category: Litsch, Reyes or Mills down at AAA.

And any 1 or 2 of the 3 relievers they signed this year, Dotel, Rauch and Francisco.

So what can they get/need back? A consistent DH, a closer, a 2nd baseman, a long man to replace Villanueva if he remains in the starting lineup, as he should.

Let's see what AA comes up with... whether or not he is the GM they say he is...

Perry
What exactly do you expect in return for that pile of crap?

I'm not even sure if any of them nabs a B level prospect. And for most it would be better to have a rook who will do as good for less money.
 

Dawgger

Active member
Jan 3, 2005
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So as minds turn to trade deadlines and potential trades, what will the BJ's do?

I think Hill, Encarnacion, Patterson, Davis and McCoy are trade bait.

Also a couple of pitchers from the several they have that fit into that 4th or 5th starter category: Litsch, Reyes or Mills down at AAA.

And any 1 or 2 of the 3 relievers they signed this year, Dotel, Rauch and Francisco.

So what can they get/need back? A consistent DH, a closer, a 2nd baseman, a long man to replace Villanueva if he remains in the starting lineup, as he should.

Let's see what AA comes up with... whether or not he is the GM they say he is...

Perry
In my opinion their first priority should be a centerfielder.They need a take charge guy that can go and get the ball and has some offensive potential.
Catching needs to improve defensively and offensively.
I wouldn't trade Bautista, pretty well everyone else is available for the right price. That doesn't mean you want to trade everyone it just means you will
consider a trade if you feel you can better the team. I am not suggesting a fire sale as the Pirates did the past few years, sometimes you have to give up
a good player to get the one you want.
 
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