2011 Blue Jays/MLB Thread

[Kin]

The Yankees and Red Sox always have drafted strong regardless of spending. I don't see how this will change things too much from them.

It won't. It will change things for the smaller market teams who'd been using the draft as a way to close the gap between them and the Yankees and Red Sox.

 

[Trolloc]

The Yankees and Red Sox always have drafted strong regardless of spending. I don't see how this will change things too much from them.

It won't. It will change things for the smaller market teams who'd been using the draft as a way to close the gap between them and the Yankees and Red Sox.

You could be right, but, I disagree.

They can reallocate money into scouting and just draft better then the Yankees/Red Sox.

 

[Kin]

They can reallocate money into scouting and just draft better then the Yankees/Red Sox.

Scouting doesn't really work that way. Even so, those teams are investing heavily in scouting anyway. The reality, though is you can't just pour money into scouting and get better results. It's why teams like the ones we're talking about have favoured getting as many high level prospects as possible. This takes away that option.

 

[Trolloc]

They can reallocate money into scouting and just draft better then the Yankees/Red Sox.

Scouting doesn't really work that way. Even so, those teams are investing heavily in scouting anyway. The reality, though is you can't just pour money into scouting and get better results. It's why teams like the ones we're talking about have favoured getting as many high level prospects as possible. This takes away that option.

In case of the Jays good scouting has revamped their system.

AA described them creating rankings for every player and simply drafting the best players available. So having smart scouting and a lot good scouts (IE spending money on the best) can turn poor farm systems around.

Nothing is absolute of course.

 

[maplesyrup]

We just acquired 2B Luis Valbuena from the tribe for cash.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381358

Not sure if the plan is for him to be our regular 2B or utility infielder...

 

[Trolloc]

We just acquired 2B Luis Valbuena from the tribe for cash.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381358

Not sure if the plan is for him to be our regular 2B or utility infielder...

Don't know much about him.

However, from everything I am reading he seems like a great pick up.

 

[maplesyrup]

We just acquired 2B Luis Valbuena from the tribe for cash.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381358

Not sure if the plan is for him to be our regular 2B or utility infielder...

Don't know much about him.

However, from everything I am reading he seems like a great pick up.

I'm still reading and I'm still not sure what this means? I mean, is the plan to go inexpensive at 2B with a guy like this and spend larger elsewhere?

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

We just acquired 2B Luis Valbuena from the tribe for cash.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381358

Not sure if the plan is for him to be our regular 2B or utility infielder...

Don't know much about him.

However, from everything I am reading he seems like a great pick up.

I'm still reading and I'm still not sure what this means? I mean, is the plan to go inexpensive at 2B with a guy like this and spend larger elsewhere?

I can't see this as more than a depth/platoon type pickup.

 

[maplesyrup]

We just acquired 2B Luis Valbuena from the tribe for cash.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381358

Not sure if the plan is for him to be our regular 2B or utility infielder...

Don't know much about him.

However, from everything I am reading he seems like a great pick up.

I'm still reading and I'm still not sure what this means? I mean, is the plan to go inexpensive at 2B with a guy like this and spend larger elsewhere?

I can't see this as more than a depth/platoon type pickup.

Okay, thanks.. Again, I know very little about the player.

 

[L K]

We just acquired 2B Luis Valbuena from the tribe for cash.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381358

Not sure if the plan is for him to be our regular 2B or utility infielder...

Don't know much about him.

However, from everything I am reading he seems like a great pick up.

I'm still reading and I'm still not sure what this means? I mean, is the plan to go inexpensive at 2B with a guy like this and spend larger elsewhere?

I can't see this as more than a depth/platoon type pickup.

Okay, thanks.. Again, I know very little about the player.

Yeah, -1.1 career defensive WAR
Career 72 OPS+

He's depth, and if he is playing regularly in the field we aren't finishing anywhere near the playoffs.

 

[Kin]

He's depth, and if he is playing regularly in the field we aren't finishing anywhere near the playoffs.

I can't make much of a case for him other than he hit ok as a 23 year old and hit pretty well in the minors last year. That said, yeah, he's probably not a starter.

 

[Deebo]

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/blue_jays_after_heath_bell/8444311

 

[bustaheims]

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/blue_jays_after_heath_bell/8444311

I don't love the idea, but, depending on the contract, I don't necessarily hate it either. With the new CBA, the Jays won't have to surrender a draft pick if they sign him, so, on a shorter term, reasonable money deal, why not?

 

[maplesyrup]

Sounds like the Marlins are going to be major players this off season.  They apparently have a good chance of signing Reyes, they've courted Pujols, and Buehrle has paid a visit as well (not to mention the Guillen connection).  I didn't realize they were getting a new ballpark next season -- looks pretty awesome.

I'd wait until they actually sign someone big before I really believe they'll be big players. A lot of times teams in the position they're in get players to take meetings/use their deep pockets and willingness to spend money to jack up the offers they get from the clubs they really want to sign with. It's still not an organization that's held in really high regard.

Also they have done this before.  Sign a bunch of players and then trade them a year later because Loria pretended that he cared about baseball for 15 minutes.  This is the same Marlins team that was essentially forced to sign a pitcher to a new contract by MLB/Selig because they were avoiding paying anyone like the plague.  Next to the joke of the Dodger's former ownership, Loria is quite possibly the worst owner in baseball.  He pockets revenue sharing payments like candy.

Looks like you're right, Peter... They've begun with Bell.

 

[L K]

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/blue_jays_after_heath_bell/8444311

I don't love the idea, but, depending on the contract, I don't necessarily hate it either. With the new CBA, the Jays won't have to surrender a draft pick if they sign him, so, on a shorter term, reasonable money deal, why not?

3/27 million with an option for the 4th year.  Not an amazing deal, but hardly the 5/47 contract the Jays gave BJ Ryan.  I'm really not expecting that the Jays purse strings open up this year and I think it is going to be a huge mistake.  They are going to waste Bautista's best years.

 

[maplesyrup]

Mills for Mathis, eh? Well, I suppose we didn't acquire him for his bat.  :-\  I suppose I can live with it for the ~35 games... and we certainly didn't give up much.

 

[L K]

Mills for Mathis, eh? Well, I suppose we didn't acquire him for his bat.  :-\  I suppose I can live with it for the ~35 games... and we certainly didn't give up much.

Yeah, I don't even think you can even refer to him as anything more than an automatic out.  Career .194 batting average with a .257 OBP....he going to be someone Jays fans are going to get annoyed with if he plays more than spot 8th/9th inning defensive duty/ 1-2 games a week at maximum.

 

[Trolloc]

Mills for Mathis, eh? Well, I suppose we didn't acquire him for his bat.  :-\  I suppose I can live with it for the ~35 games... and we certainly didn't give up much.

Yeah, I don't even think you can even refer to him as anything more than an automatic out.  Career .194 batting average with a .257 OBP....he going to be someone Jays fans are going to get annoyed with if he plays more than spot 8th/9th inning defensive duty/ 1-2 games a week at maximum.

Suprised they didn't stick with Molina if this was the best they could do.

 

[bustaheims]

Suprised they didn't stick with Molina if this was the best they could do.

I'm sure they tried to re-sign Molina, but, he chose to leave for TBay.

 

[Peter D.]

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=381952

I have my reservations on the accuracy as I don't want to get too excited, but this would be a great first step into showing that ownership is willing to spend money to contend.  I'd love to see Fielder's bat in our lineup.