2013 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[Peter D.]

What was corcerning for me, particularly with Lawrie out, is that the batting lineup doesn't look as great as thought.  The top four is obviously very good. 

But Lind-Arencibia-Rasmus-Izturis-Bonifacio leaves a lot to be desired.  Once Lawrie's back he'll take Lind's spot, who is misplaced in the 5th spot.  Arencibia and Rasmus are a little too inconsistent.  And Izturis and Bonifacio aren't going to provide much; granted, as #8 and 9 hitters they probably shouldn't be expected to, but hopefully they don't illicit the 'automatic out' type of feeling.

Doesn't Lawrie replace Izturis? I can't imagine they'll put Izturis or Bonifacio in at DH.

Yes.  Good point -- I was more concentrating on displacing Lind from the 5th hole. 

 

[Kin]

Yes.  Good point -- I was more concentrating on displacing Lind from the 5th hole.

Oh gotcha. I was confused.

Interestingly, Bill James once took a look at spots in the line-up and which situations they faced most often and found that the #5 spot leads off more innings than any position other than #1. So maybe the #5 guy should be Bonifacio if he can put up 2011-ish numbers.

 

[Peter D.]

Oh gotcha. I was confused.

Interestingly, Bill James once took a look at spots in the line-up and which situations they faced most often and found that the #5 spot leads off more innings than any position other than #1. So maybe the #5 guy should be Bonifacio if he can put up 2011-ish numbers.

I didn't articulate it properly, so I understand the confusion.

Bonifacio would be an interest option at #5.  Although I think it's Lawrie's spot -- can't remember if Gibbons suggested as such.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What was corcerning for me, particularly with Lawrie out, is that the batting lineup doesn't look as great as thought.  The top four is obviously very good. 

But Lind-Arencibia-Rasmus-Izturis-Bonifacio leaves a lot to be desired.  Once Lawrie's back he'll take Lind's spot, who is misplaced in the 5th spot.  Arencibia and Rasmus are a little too inconsistent.  And Izturis and Bonifacio aren't going to provide much; granted, as #8 and 9 hitters they probably shouldn't be expected to, but hopefully they don't illicit the 'automatic out' type of feeling.

Would you have said these things if the bottom-half of the lineup had a great night?

 

[Peter D.]

Would you have said these things if the bottom-half of the lineup had a great night?

Nope.  But we as fans are bi-polar on a night-to-night basis.

That said, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think the concerns of Lind/Arencibia/Rasmus and their flaws/inconsistencies are illegitimate.   

 

[Kin]

Would you have said these things if the bottom-half of the lineup had a great night?

Nope.  But we as fans are bi-polar on a night-to-night basis.

That said, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think the concerns of Lind/Arencibia/Rasmus and their flaws/inconsistencies are illegitimate. 

They're not. Cumulatively those five players combined for a 4.7 oWAR according to Baseball Reference last season. Considering that with DH, C and 3B represented there we're not even talking about positions where offense is considered above and beyond it's a real question going forward.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Would you have said these things if the bottom-half of the lineup had a great night?

Nope.  But we as fans are bi-polar on a night-to-night basis.

That said, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think the concerns of Lind/Arencibia/Rasmus and their flaws/inconsistencies are illegitimate. 

Fair enough! I agree with that.

 

[#1PilarFan]

The Jays can probably eat the lack of production from JPA and Rasmus if the defense is there, but Lind is a problem. He's been terrible for years now and he's at a position where you expect some offense. I really wish there was another option.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

The Jays can probably eat the lack of production from JPA and Rasmus if the defense is their, but Lind is a problem. He's been terrible for years now and he's at a position where you expect some offense. I really wish there was another option.

Wasn't he alright once he came back from AAA last season?  I had it in my mind that Mottola helped him figure things out.

 

[bustaheims]

Wasn't he alright once he came back from AAA last season?  I had it in my mind that Mottola helped him figure things out.

He wasn't awful, but his production was still pretty poor as far as DHs go.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Wasn't he alright once he came back from AAA last season?  I had it in my mind that Mottola helped him figure things out.

He wasn't awful, but his production was still pretty poor as far as DHs go.

Yeah, I just thought it was good enough considering he wouldn't have to be "the guy," but maybe not.

 

[Kin]

The Jays can probably eat the lack of production from JPA and Rasmus if the defense is there, but Lind is a problem. He's been terrible for years now and he's at a position where you expect some offense. I really wish there was another option.

Admittedly I've been beating this one into the ground but I don't know why Cooper wouldn't get the nod to start the year. He wasn't setting the world on fire either but he hit a sight better than Lind.

 

[bustaheims]

Admittedly I've been beating this one into the ground but I don't know why Cooper wouldn't get the nod to start the year. He wasn't setting the world on fire either but he hit a sight better than Lind.

Probably because he has a career threatening back injury and was released by the team. He had off season surgery and won't play at all this season.

 

[Kin]

Admittedly I've been beating this one into the ground but I don't know why Cooper wouldn't get the nod to start the year. He wasn't setting the world on fire either but he hit a sight better than Lind.

Probably because he has a career threatening back injury and was released by the team.

Well there you go.

 

[Deebo]

@ShiDavidi: Bautista on ump reax: ?Sometimes I have trouble more than others dealing with my production being affected by somebody else?s mediocrity."


Oh shut up Jose, you're not helping yourself here.

 

[L K]

@ShiDavidi: Bautista on ump reax: ?Sometimes I have trouble more than others dealing with my production being affected by somebody else?s mediocrity."


Oh shut up Jose, you're not helping yourself here.

Yeah, he really needs to keep his mouth shut.  (that being said, the umps inability to be impartial at their job is annoying).

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I enjoyed how frank he was.

 

[TML fan]

It's not going to help his case with borderline calls. He really does need to shut up.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Doubt it will make a difference.

Jays have had some rotten luck (and suspect D) on some of these weak-ly hit balls through 2 games.

 

[Derk]

Yeah, Jose not doing so well so far. It isn't so much the 1 for 6. It is more the two strikeouts and two double plays he has grounded into.

1-1 going to the 8th. Hitters still haven't gotten it going with 4 hits, and Lind and Rasmus are batting a combined zero to start the year (two guys I'd rather they replaced).