The Blue Jays' agreement with Las Vegas (AAA) expires after this season. There has been some discussion about placing the team in Ottawa, or somewhere in the northeastern U.S.A.
Blue Jays 2012
- Thread starter Perry Mason
- Start date
The Blue Jays' agreement with Las Vegas (AAA) expires after this season. There has been some discussion about placing the team in Ottawa, or somewhere in the northeastern U.S.A.
Ottawa couldn't support the Lynx, so why would this work? One of the best parks in the league to watch a game and the team failed.
My predictions are:
Jays will miss the WC and post-season this year but be improved from last year. They'll finish either 3rd or 4th with about 85 wins.
Bautista will have another strong year. Lind will be a little better largely because he'll be protected by Lawrie who will be very strong. Johnson and Rasmus will have decent years but nothing stellar as they are not flashy players. The pen is much better and will blow less saves. The starters will all be better but the Jays will still need a legit #2 guy. Snider will be the 4th outfielder and would have finally matured enough to stay in the Bigs but just not yet at the level that he was hyped up at.
The minors will continue to get better and increase their value. Come the Trade Deadline, AA will package some of these players for another trade or 2 that will be praised around the league. One will be a #2 pitcher and one will be a bat and both will have some years of control beyond this year and next.
In the offseason, AA will find those filler roles (beefing up the pen again as some of the older guys are lost, and a few role playing utility guys in the batting line-up). EE will likely be back in 2013 on the cheap as a DH but not in 2014. Johnson will be kept through the end of the year then left to walk in favour of the draft pick. Escobar will try some games at 2nd in 2012 in preparation of Hecchavaria coming up in 2013.
D'arnaud will see playing time in Sept 2012 and be with the team in 2013 backing up Arencibia. They'll keep both until Yan Gomes comes knocking on the door then 1 of them (likely Arencibia) will have to convert to a 1B/DH/OF or be traded. If not traded before the deadline, expect to see some of the other prospects to show up in September if only to show they're stuff and increase their value (to the Jays or as trade bait in the offseason).
The Jays will compete in 2013 and 2014 after a couple of nice tuck-in deals or FA's (e.g. Carlos Pena as DH or backup 1B and a veteran pitcher)
Jays will miss the WC and post-season this year but be improved from last year. They'll finish either 3rd or 4th with about 85 wins.
Bautista will have another strong year. Lind will be a little better largely because he'll be protected by Lawrie who will be very strong. Johnson and Rasmus will have decent years but nothing stellar as they are not flashy players. The pen is much better and will blow less saves. The starters will all be better but the Jays will still need a legit #2 guy. Snider will be the 4th outfielder and would have finally matured enough to stay in the Bigs but just not yet at the level that he was hyped up at.
The minors will continue to get better and increase their value. Come the Trade Deadline, AA will package some of these players for another trade or 2 that will be praised around the league. One will be a #2 pitcher and one will be a bat and both will have some years of control beyond this year and next.
In the offseason, AA will find those filler roles (beefing up the pen again as some of the older guys are lost, and a few role playing utility guys in the batting line-up). EE will likely be back in 2013 on the cheap as a DH but not in 2014. Johnson will be kept through the end of the year then left to walk in favour of the draft pick. Escobar will try some games at 2nd in 2012 in preparation of Hecchavaria coming up in 2013.
D'arnaud will see playing time in Sept 2012 and be with the team in 2013 backing up Arencibia. They'll keep both until Yan Gomes comes knocking on the door then 1 of them (likely Arencibia) will have to convert to a 1B/DH/OF or be traded. If not traded before the deadline, expect to see some of the other prospects to show up in September if only to show they're stuff and increase their value (to the Jays or as trade bait in the offseason).
The Jays will compete in 2013 and 2014 after a couple of nice tuck-in deals or FA's (e.g. Carlos Pena as DH or backup 1B and a veteran pitcher)
Guys, don't forget this about the bullpen, we essentially have two closers....
Santos, as was illustrated before, was a steal, and should be great in the closer role.....
But, we also have Francisco Cordero who is a proven closer in this own right pitching the 8th, or the 9th if they need to rest Santos.
If our pitchers can get us to the 6th or 7th inning, things look very promising.
Santos, as was illustrated before, was a steal, and should be great in the closer role.....
But, we also have Francisco Cordero who is a proven closer in this own right pitching the 8th, or the 9th if they need to rest Santos.
If our pitchers can get us to the 6th or 7th inning, things look very promising.
I never said Gomes has more upside than D'arnaud. Every team needs a starting catcher and a backup. D'Arnaud and Arencibia can't both be the starting catcher. You'll want both bats in the line-up everyday as well so the backup role is not a fit for either one in the long-run. One will either be moved or traded. Gomes shear verstality as a C/1B/(maybe even 3B) will make him a potentially attractive backup/utility role which will then push along the D'Arnaud/Arencibia decision. Mathis is just a stop-gap measure now. I agree, no way does Gomes have the same upside as either of them but he can still influence the decision due to his versatility.
Another way to look at it is that this guy has been blocked by Arencibia and D'Arnaud at every stage. Yet, he's played the backup role well and found relevance by being able to play 1B and DH. He throws out more base stealers than D'Arnaud (32% over his minor league career versus 24%). This kid just seems to have the right attitude and works hard which makes him a good fit with the Jays. He's an underdog for sure but I think he could be another Johnny Mac or Mike McCoy type of player. He just works hard, is ready all the time, knows his role and has the rigth attitude. They Jays just seem to find a fit for those types of guys.
Agreed, not putting big money on Gomes but he is about 3-4 years older than Jimenez or Perez and playing more advanced ball. Not saying either won't push Gomes out a couple of years later. That's just the "layering" effect that AA has been building put into practise.
Doesn't matter, as long as the players get their work in, and are prepared for the regular season.
There are very few open spots. Left fielder, 5th starter, utility infielder and maybe a bullpen spot. Of those, LF is the only everyday/very important battle.
I think baseball has the least correlation between training camp results and regular season.
You have to build a winning mentality. Sure getting innings in is important, but don't ever under estimate the value of winning. You need the combination of work ethic and desire.
shack...i wish Centre Field was up for grabs too (it isn't though) since I think this guy Rasmus is a dud.
13-18
11-19
Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training record in their World Series winning years.
It means nothing.
I say they give Rasmus a go. But I bet it's sooner rather than later that Gose is the full-time starter in CF for the Jays.
