Blue Jays Daily: August 21st 2012

This is basically an injury update because thats all the news we really get these days when you're a Blue Jays fan, but there is some stuff about prospects as well.

Morrow Penciled in for Saturday's Start

Brandon Morrow, who up until Felix Hernandez's perfect game last week led the league in complete game shutouts, will return to the mound for the Blue Jays this Saturday. Brandon will face the Orioles, who need to fade, because they aren't good. No decision on who will be sent down to make room for Morrow has been made, but you have to think its going to be Henderson Alvarez or Ricky Romero.

Bautista/Lind Play for the Dunedin Blue  Jays

Blue Jays All Star Jose Bautista and the man who is in the process of losing his job due to David Cooper's success , Adam Lind, are both playing for the Blue Jays High-A team tonight. They should be back with the big league club at the earliest by Friday. Jose should be leading off tonight, and Lind should be batting 2nd, but the game is currently being delayed because of rain. Hopefully they get the game in so our injured players can get some ABs.

Lawrie Shut Down...Possibly for Good

Brett Lawrie has been shut down from his rehab stint, and will need at least a week before he is allowed to rehab again in minor league games. Lawrie's ribcage is sore again, and that is the reason for this setback. Blue Jays Skipper John Farrell did not rule out shutting him down for the rest of the season so he will be ready for next year.

Yorvit Arrives

Recently signed Catcher Yorvit Torrealba is in Detroit and is ready to play if needed tonight. AA said last week that he and Jeff Mathis will split the catching duties if/when JP Arencibia comes back this season. Yorvit told reporters before the game that many teams offered him contracts, but because the Jays were able to promise him playing time, he chose to sign with them. Torrealba was 5-12 with 3 walks in 4 games played with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats(AA) while preparing to come up to Toronto.

Norris Heading to Vancouver

The crown jewel of AA's 2011 MLB Draft, Daniel Norris, has been called up to the Vancouver Canadians(SS A). Norris announced this via his twitter account today. Daniel had a 7.97 ERA in 35.0 IP in BlueField this season, which makes you wonder why exactly he has been called up. But, he is a top-100 prospect in the game for a reason. He has great stuff. I'm sure he will do just fine while playing for the Canadians. 

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Blue Jays Mid-Season Grades:Part 1

Time flies; Right? It seems like just yesterday that JPA won the longest game in Opening Day history with his 3 run home run in the 16^th inning against the Cleveland Indians on April 5^th. Tonight will mark the 81^st game for the Jays this season, and, as expected, they have hovered around .500 the entire season. The fact that they have been able to be .500 is astounding due to the fact that they lost 3 starting pitchers in 1 week, have had no offensive production from C,1B and LF(in the case of C, there has been no defensive production either), and have had minimal offensive production as well from SS and 2B. The 25 man roster I will be grading is the 25 players with the most action (PA for batters, IP for pitchers).  Here are the highest 5!

Darren Oliver-A+

Oliver has easily been the most reliable
pitcher this season for Toronto.

The 41 year old Oliver has been untouchable this season for the Jays. He has pitched to a 1.59 ERA, a 270 ERA+, and a FIP of 2.80. The lefty Oliver, who sits in the high 80’s with his fastball co-leads the Jays with 8 Shutdown appearances, to go along with just 3 meltdowns. He has 100% been the best pitcher on the staff this season, and is the best off-season move by AA to this point. In a bullpen that has not produced to what was expected, Oliver has been a constant success, a pleasure to watch, and has quickly become a fan favorite. If the Jays do go into sell mode before the deadline, Oliver will probably be moved, as he has a lot of value on the trade market, but if not, which is more likely, I don’t see any reason why his $3 million 2013 Anthoption will not be picked up at the end of this season.

Jose Bautista-A

The lone Blue Jays 2012 All Star is coming off of one of the best months that I can remember as he hit 14 home runs this past June. Bautista’s June raised his stats to A level, as his OPS is back above .900, he is on pace for 54 home runs, and is also on pace to break 100 walks again. The average isn’t there, but who really cares about average anyways? His OBP is very good at .361, nowhere near last year’s unsustainable mark of .447, but above .360 is great for anybody. He, along with the other 3 players in the top of the order, has kept the Jays in the playoff hunt, and has spoken out recently that he wants the Jays to be buyers, and to try to contend this year. This grade would have been an A+ if he put up these same numbers by averaging them out per month, but because of his horrible April, it is only an A.I can see him finishing the year with around 50 home runs, 100+ RBI, and an OBP of close to .400 if not more.

Bautista and Encarnacion have been the most
 powerful 3-4 punch in all of Baseball this season.

Edwin Encarnacion-A

EE was keeping the Jays afloat in April and May until Jose regained his robotic form, and has been one of the most consistent players to play for the Jays so far this season. Edwin is among the league leaders in HRs, OBP, SLG, OPS, and for some strange reason, HBP. Encarnacion has been hit by 8 pitches this season, but has also been walked 32 times. I believe Edwin should have been an All-Star, but because he plays for the Jays, who get no recognition by the MLB at all, he is not. He has also added a bit of a speed element to his game, as he has stolen 8 bases so far this season, while only being caught twice. The only thing keeping him from being an A+ in my opinion is his defense, which has been below replacement level this season.

Brett Lawrie-B+

The major league leader in WAR (According to Baseball-Reference, not FanGraphs) has been very consistent this season, but has not had the power we expected from him. Since moving into the leadoff spot he has been seeing a lot more pitches, and as a result of this, he has seen his power numbers go up a little. His defense has been stellar at third, and his incredible athleticism has let the Jays use him in unconventional shifts that have been the reason for him leading the league in DRS and WAR. In order to get into the A- to A+ level by the end of the year, I think we need to see Brett start hitting for power, and to get on base more, as his .337 OBP is not very good for a leadoff hitter. Even though his power numbers have not been there so much this season, Brett has been somebody the Jays can count on all season long offensively and defensively.

Rasmus and Lawrie have sparked the offense
since moving into the 1 and 2 spots in the lineup.

Colby Rasmus-B

Since being moved into the #2 spot in the lineup, Rasmus is raking, and has made Tony La Russa look like a complete idiot, or shall I say made him look like a bigger idiot. After a great June that saw Colby hit 8 home runs, Rasmus hit a ball 448 feet last night off of the 5^th deck at Rogers Centre. That home run defined how well Colby is seeing the ball of late. When he gets his pitch, he does not miss. He has changed his stance, and due to that change he is now one of the best offensive center fielders in baseball. For Colby to improve this grade, he is going to need to get on base more, which he has been doing of late, but he still needs to work on it, and he needs to get better reads/jumps on balls,. His defense has been slightly above average, but it could definitely be better.

What do you guys think of the grades so far? Would you have graded them differently? Leave a comment below with your opinion!

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Blue Jays – From a Fantasy Baseball Perspective

Can the Toronto Blue Jays finally play meaningful ball in September?  This will probably be the year.  Could they win 90 games?  If they played in any other division, then yes, but since they don’t, they will probably win 85 or so.  It’s fun to talk about how the team will do in 2012; it’s been exciting this spring training.  What if we were to look at each position and break down how they stack up against other teams, you know for fantasy baseball purposes. 

I have been playing fantasy baseball for over 10 years now and have loved every minute of it.  this is the first season in a while where I am putting trades out there where I am trying to purposefully trade for Blue Jay players.  There are a few who are valuable for fantasy teams, and will help Toronto get to 85 wins in 2012 as well.  Below is a breakdown of each position, with projected stats, and how they rank against others at that position

C – JP Arencibia – I still can’t believe the guy hit 23 HR and 78 RBI’s in his rookie season.  He should put up similar numbers in 2012, and I actually have him and the majors 8^th best catcher.  2012 – 60-25-80. 

1B – Adam Lind – I would love to have his 2009 numbers where he hit 35 HR and 114 RBI’s.  He has the ability to do that again, but injuries stand in his way.  He could be one of the top-15 fantasy first basemen.  2012 – 80-30-90.

2B – Kelly Johnson – is one year removed from 93 runs and 26 HR’s.  He could bat either 1^st, 2^nd or 6^th and steals bases as well.  His value is flying under the radar as a top 10 2B in 2012.  2012 – 85-25-75-15.

SS – Yunel Escobar – 2009 was also a good year for Yunel.  SS is traditionally a weak position offensively, and Yunel’s spot in the order, is primed for another solid season.  He could be a top 12 SS offensively at the end of 2012.  2012 – 90-15-70-5.

3B – Brett Lawrie – it’s a surprise to see he is only 21.  This is the type of player you build a team around.  Who is Shawn Marcum again?  His rankings at 3B are skewed only because of his teammate – Jose Bautista, who also qualifies at 3B in 2012 for some reason.  He will finish as a top 10 3B in baseball.  2012 – 90-30-90-15.

LF – Eric Thames – wants us to all remember he is only 25 as well.  Last year he began the season in the minors.  In his first full season, he could put up good numbers in the #7 slot in the batting order, and will be in the top 100 for outfielders.  2012 – 65-20-60.

CF – Colby Rasmus – he also is only 25.  Even though there is some negativity surrounding him, he had a great  2010.  He has potential for a great season, with everything behind him now.  He should be a top 50 OF but could be much higher.  2012 - 85-25-80-15. 

RF - Jose Bautista – is one of the best players in all of baseball.  I have him down as the 3^rd best OF in baseball behind Kemp and Braun.  I took him ahead of Pujols in one mock draft a week ago.  2012 – 105-45-110-10. 

DH – Edwin Encarnacion – like Lind and Johnson is a question mark but could produce this year.  He needs to put up great numbers if the Blue Jays have hopes of improving on their 81 wins from last year.  Most teams have had more production from their DH who make the playoffs.  2012 – 70-20-75-10. 

Bench – Rajai Davis will steal 40 this year in a limited role.

    

Pitching Staff

1. Ricky Romero – the Ace of the staff has come a long way from the emotional rookie who learned how to be a big leaguer from Roy Halladay.  He has won 14 games on average over the past 3 seasons.  2012 – 16-9 185 K’s. 
2. Brandon Morrow is doing things right this spring.  He has allowed just 1 ER and John Farrell has predicted big things from Morrow in what he calls his 3^rd season as a starter.  I expect big things from him this year.  2012 – 14-12 215 K’s.    
3. Henderson Alvarez – is like Lawrie in that he is only 21.  It is hard to believe when you see him pitch a game; he is what they call mature beyond his age.  2012 – 12-9 150 K’s. 
4. Dustin McGowan just resigned another great deal for Toronto.  He is the big question mark heading into 2012.  He has the stuff to win 15 games, but might not win 5.  He is 30 now and no one really knows what 2012 will bring, but anything will be a plus.  2012 – 8-10 120 K’s. 
5. Brett Cecil – is can be hard to believe that he won 15 games in 2010.  He fell off the map last year and is needed to have a great season if the Jays will move ahead in the standings this year.  Again, who knows what 2012 will bring?  2012 – 12-11 130K’s. 
6. Kyle Drabek – is on this list because he has looked good all spring and will begin by spelling McGowan who is on the DL.  He like McGowan has the stuff to win 15 games, but is only 24.  He is on the upswing.  2012 – 7-5 80K’s. 

Closer – Sergio Santos – besides having the best contract in all of baseball, was one of the biggest suprises all off-season.  He is a converted SS and was a former Jays prospect.  I am glad to have him back, that’s for sure.  2012 – 35 saves, 95 K’s.  He could end up being a top 3 closer in the AL. 

The Blue Jays have at least 10 guys now who are reasonable fantasy players.  There are only 4 real question marks, offensively in 2012.  Could the Jays win 90 games?  They will need more than a few things to go their way.  But this is one year where they will have a few players on their roster put up some good stats.  Whether you’re watching the Blue Jays for the wins, for fantasy purposes, or for both, 2012 will be a fun year.

Your Comments are welcome below!

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Some Changes Coming to the Playoffs?

Sorry, I haven't blogged in a few weeks,I've been very busy, and this next blog will have everything that I've missed.Bud Selig said that he has no opposition to increase the amount of teams going to the playoffs. Selig,the commisioner of the MLB proposed an idea of expaning the playoff format to 5 teams from each lesgue,adding one more wild card spot in each league. You might be thinking to yourself,ok they'll have the best team having a bye to the second round.So how about the second round,there is going to need to be another bye.So,as just explained,this a ridiculous format. I personally like the football playoff system better than the hockey and basketball ones, that are the other options. The NFL has six teams from each league make the playloffs, with the top two seeds receiving byes. This system would work because a team won't have to be a 90 game winner to make the playoffs. Instead the amount of wins needed to make it in will be around 86 to 88 because there is 3 wild card playoff spots, in each league. We will see what transpires this season, but Selig said that the change wouldn't take place until at least 2012, when the MLB and MLBPA's agreement is up.As you already know Jason Frasor accepted arbitration, while Miguel Olivo, Scott Downs, and Kevin Gregg all declined. Downs was a "Type A" free agent, which means that when Downs signs with another team the Jays will receive that teams first round pick, and a sandwich round pick in between the first and second round of the 2011 First Year Player Entry Draft. A "Type B" player will earn his former team a sandwich round pick, an only that. John Buck was a "Type B" player, and after he signed with the Marlins to a 3 year $21 million contract,the Jays received a sandwich pick.The Blue Jays did not offer contracts to Brian Tallet, and Fred Lewis, so they became free agents. Tallet wasted no time by signing with the Cardinals from St. Louis earlier last week.Last Friday AA made a move to strengthen the core of the Bluebirds bullpen when he acquired Carlos Villuaneva, from the Brewers for a player to be named later. This is just the first of many moves by AA this winter that will involve the bullpen, because of the departure of Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg, and Brian Tallet, to free agency.AA pulled off a surprising move today as he once again made a trade with the Brew Crew, but this one was involving Shaun Marcum. Marcum was traded to Milwaukee for Brett Lawrie, a 20 year old second baseman who was the # 1 prospect in the Brewers System. Lawrie had 30 steals last season while hitting .285 for AA-Huntsville. He might just be a prospect that KC wanted,which could bring Zach Grienke to Toronto. Rumors were swirling on Monday afternoon that Carlos Pena is being highly pushed at by the Jays. A GM of another team pursuing Pena, told espn that, and it has been a hot topic since.Well that basically sums everything up, enjoy the Winter Meetings!!!!!