Jays in 30 Thoughts: June 6 Edition

R.A. Dickey
R.A. Dickey

Jays In 30…Thoughts

30 thoughts from the week that was for the Toronto Blue Jays

5/29/2016 – 6/05/2016

 

1) That Was Quick. Jimmy Parades was designated for assignment after only 15 at bats. The main issue with Jimmy was that he could not play defense. His bat was nice off the bench but it is tough to carry a one-dimensional player…much like Ryan Goins.

 

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2) Why Did He Pinch Hit? Before he was DFA’d Parades hit for Ezequiel Carrera in a tie game when Carrera had been 3-3 in the game. I didn’t like it and still don’t like it. The Jays lost the game in extras to the Red Sox.

3) Giving Away Outs. Why bunt Josh Thole when Russell Martin is sitting on the bench? I am not a fan of giving up one of the precious three outs you are given in an inning. These guys are paid millions of dollars and should be able to hit away in a fashion that at least advances the runner…or just pinch hit for him?!

4) Close But No Cigar. The team missed the sweep at home versus Boston by losing the final game in extra innings. As stated above there were some questionable managerial calls in the game. I am not saying that the result would have changed but, hey, it might have.

5) Third Times…Not The Charm. R.A. Dickey gets hit the third time through the lineup. It seems like hitters get a read on the knuckler and get their timing down. It is tough for Gibbons to leave him in there much more than twice through the lineup but his best trait is eating innings…the game has to be out of hand one way or another.

6) 100%. Jose Bautista broke his silence. He felt Rougned Odor was trying to hit him while throwing to first base.  I think it was obvious. The whole thing is ridiculous and needs to go away in my opinion. Its over.

7) Looking The Same. Aaron Loup was Aaron Loup on Monday. I remember sitting in Seattle watching a game go into extra innings when Loup was announced into the game. I looked at my wife and said “oh no – it’s over” – he then proceeded to give up a walk off home run. Classic.

8) Clean and Quick. Marco Estrada was Marco Estrada in the first game against the Yankees.

9) I’d Be Stupid. This week Bautista also opened up on his pending free agency. He stated that he would be stupid to leave Toronto but also would not take a “home town discount” to get a deal done.  No matter what he is asking I really feel as if he is a DH primarily going forward and he isn’t getting any younger…

10) Bullpen Issues. It looked good on paper and I think all the team can do is wait it out. Some players coming back from injury will help and hopefully Storen is starting to turn things around…

 

11) Some Help! Jason Grilli was acquired on Tuesday from the Atlanta Braves. The 2013 all-star was traded for and will look to help a struggling bullpen. Not sure how many bullets the 39 year old has left in his arm. 

12) Our Lady Peace Was Wrong! OLP sang that Superman is Dead. For Jays fans he is alive and kicking and Kevin Pillar showed it Tuesday night with another spectacular catch!

13) The Purple Dinosaur Darwin Barney continues to swing a hot bat and showcase his gold glove. What a problem for the Jays to have – too many middle infielders! At least the one who is hitting under .200 has options.

14) Hitting The Big Ones. First Craig Kimbrel, then Aroldis Chapman and on Tuesday, Dellin Betances. I think the Jays shorten up and take what is given to them when the tough relievers come in. Keeping it simple may be the way to go.

15) The Purple Dinosaur. Darwin Barney is on fire with both the bat and the glove. This is a guy who was stuck in the minor leagues last season and couldn’t find a spot on a MLB roster. How great has this pickup been?

16) Shut Outs and Sweeps. The Jays finally got their first series sweep, via the shutout, against the New York Yankees. The Yankees seem destined to be a seller this season and start getting some younger (and cheaper) players in their lineup. The most expensive player they have will likely be a Yankee for the remainder of his contract…we all know who that is…

 

Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista

17) If It Works Don’t Fix It? Having Jose Bautista as the leadoff hitter has produced great results in the win column but I still don’t like it. He is a premier run producing bat and should be lower in the lineup to have more chances to hit with runners in scoring position…but I guess it is hard to argue results.

18) First Game Pressure. Jason Grilli got thrown to the wolves in his first game with the Jays. With a runner on 2nd base he threw a pickoff attempt wide and into centre field. He did get the final out of the inning by inducing a fly ball to centre in the tight game versus the Yankees. It was quite the debut.

19) Playing To The Fans. Ross Atkins made an appearance at a “Pitch Talks” event recently and spoke of a conversation that he had, with John Gibbons, in regards to Jason Grilli and his first appearance. It was a light-hearted and funny take on the talk. It earned some points for Atkins in my books.

20) Another Deal. Jimmy Paredes’s affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays officially ended when he was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash or a player to be named later. It would have been nice to have his bat on the bench but the guy just couldn’t play defense and that makes it hard to keep him on the roster in the American League.

21) Will He Be Back? Chris Colabello is in the midst of his 80-game suspension. We haven’t heard a thing from him or about him. Will he ever be in a Blue Jay uniform again?  There isn’t much sense this year especially if the team is rolling and have sights on a playoff spot. 

 

Drew Hutchison
Drew Hutchison

22) Bullpen Help? The idea of having Drew Hutchison in the bullpen has come up over the past week. It isn’t going to happen, in my opinion, he is too valuable as the #6 starter and will be needed in case of injury or when Aaron Sanchez reaches his innings limit. Keep on letting the man pitch in the minors.

23) New First Baseman? It has been reported that Ryan Goins has been taking balls at first base. With a 3 man bench this is necessary – if Smoak gets hurt or is replaced by a pinch runner the Jays can’t afford to lose their DH spot if they had to put Edwin on first.

24) Only The Lonely. With the Grilli acquisition Chad Girodo was sent down leaving Aaron Loup as the lone lefty in the bullpen. Not the ideal setup. Franklin Morales and Brett Cecil are not near returning either so this could really hurt the Jays for matchups in the future.

25) A New Ace In Town. I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about the Marco Estrada trade for Adam Lind, heck I’ll even admit that I thought the wheels were going to fall off at any given time last season but after another great outing in Boston on Sunday the man looks like an ace.

26) What’s The Issue? Marcus Stroman doesn’t look good lately. In his last 4 starts his ERA has ballooned from 3.54 to 4.82.  Will he turn it around?  I think so but at the same time the pressure may have hit the guy – he is young…and human.

27) The Price Is Wrong. The Jays beat David Price – even though they only scored 2 runs against him – it still feels great to beat the former Jay.

28) First One In A Long Time. Devon Travis hit his first home run since his long trip back from his shoulder injury. It was great to see and had too feel great for the up and coming 2nd baseman! 

29) Dingers! 4 home runs on Sunday versus the Red Sox. Between that and Estrada pitching a no hitter into the 8th made for an exciting game – it got a little too exciting in the 9th for my liking though!

30) Getting There. Only 2.5 games back! Things are getting tight in the AL East.

 

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The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is coming April 3! Visit the Handbook page for more information!

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