2013 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Jays are starting to climb back into things. 8.5 back of the division, 5.5 back of the wild card. They will need to start hopping over divisional opponents next.

Adam Lind has been pretty incredible - his average is now up to .350 with another three hits yesterday. I was pretty down on him early in the season, but he seems to have it back together. Hopefully he stays that way (and healthy!).

Yup, it's encouraging.

They have been hitting everything lately and with Reyes back soon it's going to get even better.  Now that the SP's have started to finally put up some solid performances, things are looking up.

As good as the record has been recently, they need to go on a big run here to get back in the hunt.

Anyone heard an ETA on Reyes? They keep showing him out in the field running, etc.. seems like it's been weeks.

Speculation on yesterday's broadcast was that he'll play on Friday's opener against the Orioles.

Looking forward to seeing what this club can do with Lind/EE/Bautista all in mid season form and Cabrera/Reyes getting on base. Any production from Lawrie (when he's back)/Arencibia/Rasmus will be gravy. The lineup that Gibbons was running out at the beginning of the year, at this point in the season should produce big results (too bad everybody was cold at the start of the season, save for Reyes).

I think the 2b issue needs to be addressed via trade (Aaron Hill where are you now?). The sooner the better. We've been lucky to keep our heads above water with Izturis/Kawasaki/Bonifacio but they're an offensive black hole (though Kawasaki actually sees a lot of pitches in his at bats and wears the opposing pitching down a bit).

If the team can keep its health (mainly the pitchers) then this team should still make the playoffs.

 

[Deebo]

Jays are starting to climb back into things. 8.5 back of the division, 5.5 back of the wild card. They will need to start hopping over divisional opponents next.

Adam Lind has been pretty incredible - his average is now up to .350 with another three hits yesterday. I was pretty down on him early in the season, but he seems to have it back together. Hopefully he stays that way (and healthy!).

Yup, it's encouraging.

They have been hitting everything lately and with Reyes back soon it's going to get even better.  Now that the SP's have started to finally put up some solid performances, things are looking up.

As good as the record has been recently, they need to go on a big run here to get back in the hunt.

Anyone heard an ETA on Reyes? They keep showing him out in the field running, etc.. seems like it's been weeks.

He played in simulated games on the weekend, could start his rehab assignment today.

 

[Corn Flake]

Speculation on yesterday's broadcast was that he'll play on Friday's opener against the Orioles.

Looking forward to seeing what this club can do with Lind/EE/Bautista all in mid season form and Cabrera/Reyes getting on base. Any production from Lawrie (when he's back)/Arencibia/Rasmus will be gravy. The lineup that Gibbons was running out at the beginning of the year, at this point in the season should produce big results (too bad everybody was cold at the start of the season, save for Reyes).

I think the 2b issue needs to be addressed via trade (Aaron Hill where are you now?). The sooner the better. We've been lucky to keep our heads above water with Izturis/Kawasaki/Bonifacio but they're an offensive black hole (though Kawasaki actually sees a lot of pitches in his at bats and wears the opposing pitching down a bit).

If the team can keep its health (mainly the pitchers) then this team should still make the playoffs.

If Kawasaki can play 2B I think he gets the job.  His at bats, like you said, are at the very least ones where he takes a lot of pitches, plus he seems to have a knack for clutch hits.  Izsturis has been hitting well as of late too though.  DeRosa is probably the best overall but apparently he can't hit lefties..

Lawrie.. when this guy comes back I hope they read the riot act to him about his behavior.  I really wonder without him in the lineup if that's a reason why they have been a lot better.  He needs to act like a professional both on and off the field.  Grow up.  It's not just "oh he's just a high energy guy".. he's immature and just looks like a spaz with a temper problem.

 

[KoHo]

Speculation on yesterday's broadcast was that he'll play on Friday's opener against the Orioles.

Looking forward to seeing what this club can do with Lind/EE/Bautista all in mid season form and Cabrera/Reyes getting on base. Any production from Lawrie (when he's back)/Arencibia/Rasmus will be gravy. The lineup that Gibbons was running out at the beginning of the year, at this point in the season should produce big results (too bad everybody was cold at the start of the season, save for Reyes).

I think the 2b issue needs to be addressed via trade (Aaron Hill where are you now?). The sooner the better. We've been lucky to keep our heads above water with Izturis/Kawasaki/Bonifacio but they're an offensive black hole (though Kawasaki actually sees a lot of pitches in his at bats and wears the opposing pitching down a bit).

If the team can keep its health (mainly the pitchers) then this team should still make the playoffs.

If Kawasaki can play 2B I think he gets the job.  His at bats, like you said, are at the very least ones where he takes a lot of pitches, plus he seems to have a knack for clutch hits.  Izsturis has been hitting well as of late too though.  DeRosa is probably the best overall but apparently he can't hit lefties..

Lawrie.. when this guy comes back I hope they read the riot act to him about his behavior.  I really wonder without him in the lineup if that's a reason why they have been a lot better.  He needs to act like a professional both on and off the field.  Grow up.  It's not just "oh he's just a high energy guy".. he's immature and just looks like a spaz with a temper problem.

Kawasaki played 6 games at second base for the Mariners last season. He should definitely get the job. His numbers beat out Bonifacio and Izturis' and he possesses the same speed Bonifacio does.

Bonifacio: .237 OBP
Izturis: .253 OBP
Kawasaki: .337

Kawasaki actually has a bettter OBP than Melky, Lawrie, Rasmus, and Arencibia. The power's not there but Izturis and Bonifacio have little to no power themselves. We don't even need a power hitting second baseman on a team stacked with home run hitters. His defense is also much better than the other guys.

 

[Corn Flake]

Bonifacio: .237 OBP
Izturis: .253 OBP
Kawasaki: .337

Kawasaki actually has a bettter OBP than Melky, Lawrie, Rasmus, and Arencibia. The power's not there but Izturis and Bonifacio have little to no power themselves. We don't even need a power hitting second baseman on a team stacked with home run hitters. His defense is also much better than the other guys.

Yeah given the power already in the lineup I would take a high OBP guy at 2B for sure. If you have him at #9 and Reyes at #1 that gives you some great potential for baserunners with the heart of the lineup right behind them. 

Bonifacio has been better but man oh man is this guy a disappointment in just about every way.

Lawrie may never have a high OBP. He has the patience of a hamster when he's at bat.

 

[cabber24]

Jays have won 5 in a row and 8 of their last 10. Perhaps this is finally their turning point. I hope so.

I know eh?

I loose my friggin mind and rant on here and Jays promptly win 5 in a row as if they were telling me to shut up. Maybe I should rant more often about them on here.

I still cannot believe JPA struck out three times in a row with a runner on third with one out or less in the same game. That's enough to send any fan over the edge, especially given the season to date.

 

[cabber24]

Jays are starting to climb back into things. 8.5 back of the division, 5.5 back of the wild card. They will need to start hopping over divisional opponents next.

Adam Lind has been pretty incredible - his average is now up to .350 with another three hits yesterday. I was pretty down on him early in the season, but he seems to have it back together. Hopefully he stays that way (and healthy!).

Yup, it's encouraging.

They have been hitting everything lately and with Reyes back soon it's going to get even better.  Now that the SP's have started to finally put up some solid performances, things are looking up.

As good as the record has been recently, they need to go on a big run here to get back in the hunt.

Anyone heard an ETA on Reyes? They keep showing him out in the field running, etc.. seems like it's been weeks.

Can't wait to they get Reyes back, a gigantic addition to the lineup. Exactly what they need.

 

[Darryl]

Six in a row now.

 

[Deebo]

7th straight win, only 2 below .500 after being 11 below a month ago.

An important part of the schedule coming up with 10 straight against AL East opponents starting Friday.

 

[KoHo]

Jays are only 1.5 games behind the Rays with a weekend series against them coming up. Would love to see Toronto move ahead of Tampa and out of the basement by week's end.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Jays are only 1.5 games behind the Rays with a weekend series against them coming up. Would love to see Toronto move ahead of Tampa and out of the basement by week's end.

I have faith in the Jays in accomplishing that.  I think this team has so far, turned their fortunes around and is clicking on all cylinders, so to speak.  They could even their w/l record to. 500 with just a few more wins. Doable and probable.

 

[Derk]

And incredibly, only 4.5 out of the second wild card entering play today.

 

[Corn Flake]

Other than the hitting coming around and the starters finally providing decent outings, this team has a much better attitude than they did going into this season.  They've had more of a quiet confidence during this streak vs. the combo of "we are going to sail through this season so let's just goof around, along with some seriously selfish and lazy play at times.

I'm still worried that when Lawrie comes back he's going to disrupt things. Hoping the leadership on the team sets him straight right away.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Other than the hitting coming around and the starters finally providing decent outings, this team has a much better attitude than they did going into this season.  They've had more of a quiet confidence during this streak vs. the combo of "we are going to sail through this season so let's just goof around, along with some seriously selfish and lazy play at times.

I'm still worried that when Lawrie comes back he's going to disrupt things. Hoping the leadership on the team sets him straight right away.

I don't know why Lawrie is the guy that supposedly will disrupt the team when Bautista can do just as many things that are immature and the team wins 7 straight.

 

[Kin]

Other than the hitting coming around and the starters finally providing decent outings, this team has a much better attitude than they did going into this season.  They've had more of a quiet confidence during this streak vs. the combo of "we are going to sail through this season so let's just goof around, along with some seriously selfish and lazy play at times.

I'm still worried that when Lawrie comes back he's going to disrupt things. Hoping the leadership on the team sets him straight right away.

I don't know why Lawrie is the guy that supposedly will disrupt the team when Bautista can do just as many things that are immature and the team wins 7 straight.

Well, it's one thing to be immature when your OPS is .843, another to be that way when you're being outhit by utility infielders.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Not going to continue, and he at least provides elite D still on a club that's struggled defensively all season.

 

[L K]

Apparently having a son was a turning point for Adam Lind. 

Pre-son:  .244 AVG  .396 OBP  .713 OPS        3 doubles, 0 HR, 2 RBI
Post-son: .370 AVG  .413 OBP  1.022 OPS    11 doubles, 9 HR, 26 RBI

 

[KoHo]

Apparently having a son was a turning point for Adam Lind. 

Pre-son:  .244 AVG  .396 OBP  .713 OPS        3 doubles, 0 HR, 2 RBI
Post-son: .370 AVG  .413 OBP  1.022 OPS    11 doubles, 9 HR, 26 RBI

Didn't the same thing happen with Grabovski a couple of years ago?

 

[armche123]

Apparently having a son was a turning point for Adam Lind. 

Pre-son:  .244 AVG  .396 OBP  .713 OPS        3 doubles, 0 HR, 2 RBI
Post-son: .370 AVG  .413 OBP  1.022 OPS    11 doubles, 9 HR, 26 RBI

Didn't the same thing happen with Grabovski a couple of years ago?

Yes.

His daughter was born December 30, 2010. That year he scored his career high in goals

Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP S S% TOI ATOI
2009-10 59 10 25 35 3 10 7 2 126 7.9 991 16:48
2010-11 81 29 29 58 14 60 19 10 239 12.1 1568 19:22
2011-12 74 23 28 51 0 51 18 5 163 14.1 1303 17:36

 

[Kin]

Apparently having a son was a turning point for Adam Lind. 

Pre-son:  .244 AVG  .396 OBP  .713 OPS        3 doubles, 0 HR, 2 RBI
Post-son: .370 AVG  .413 OBP  1.022 OPS    11 doubles, 9 HR, 26 RBI

And just like that the Blue Jays employee health plan no longer covers birth control.