2011 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread

[lijon912]

I know that we will probably lose Frasor, Downs, Gregg but I think its worth it(2 type A, 1 type B).
I think our pen will still be solid

Camp - best sinker in our bullpen (probably closer)
Carlson - hard throwing lefty
Purcey - hard throwing lefty
Janssen - has been reliable for us in the pen
Tallet - always been better in the pen then a SP
Accardo - hard thrower, potential bounce back season
Stewart - temporary RP, but in the long run will be a SP

Overall, I think it will survive and be decent and I would take the picks over resigning Frasor/Downs even if they are our best RP from '10 considering how deep the '11 draft will be

[WpgPage]

I think Accardo and Tallent will both be non tendered, and i think they will let Stewart start in AAA. If the Jays offer Frasor Arb he will probably accept as I cant see many teams giving up a pick for him would have been much better for him to be a type B.
Some possible options could be turning Jo-Jo Reyes into a reliever, we also have Buchholz who has been pretty good. I would also expect some of the fringe starter candidates like Listch Mills, and Bell to be converted to see if they are a better fit there.

[DonYon]

There always seems to be someone that failed as a starter or comes from the minors that gets bullpen spot and somehow lights it up outta nowhere. I think it's safe to expect a few of that this season.

I'm pulling for Farquhar to make the team. I want to see this guy pitch.

[darth_federer]

Richard Griffin mentioned that Accarodo's wife is the niece if Phil Lind (one of the big executives at Rogers.) Whatever he did to piss off Cito must have been big.

[SharoneWright]

What kind of shot does Roenicke get? I'd leave the door wide open for hiim - but I suspect I'm in the minority on this one..

[WpgPage]

What kind of shot does Roenicke get? I'd leave the door wide open for hiim - but I suspect I'm in the minority on this one..

Great arm but has to figure out that hole Strike Zone thing

[Randle McMurphy]

I think Scott Richmond would make a very good reliever, especially against right-handed batters.

[Randle McMurphy]

Richard Griffin mentioned that Accarodo's wife is the niece if Phil Lind (one of the big executives at Rogers.) Whatever he did to piss off Cito must have been big.

He stormed out of Cito's office and threw his Jays hat in the trash after receiving the news that he was being sent down.

What kind of shot does Roenicke get? I'd leave the door wide open for hiim - but I suspect I'm in the minority on this one..

Roenicke should get every shot to be a major BP guy.

[LittleOzzy]

Late innings suit Camp just fine

Shawn Camp is often overlooked when discussing the veterans in the Blue Jays' bullpen. So much focus is put on the experienced arms that are eligible for free agency this winter for Toronto, leaving Camp quietly in the background.

There is no denying that the Blue Jays have some big holes to fill with the possible losses of late-inning relievers Scott Downs, Jason Frasor and Kevin Gregg on the open market. There are two setup roles available, one closer job up in the air and a pile of pitchers in the mix.

The Blue Jays will surely address the need for veteran help through a trade or free agency, but the club will almost just as surely hand one of the vacant jobs to Camp. Over the past two seasons, the right-hander has gained experience, worked more important innings and seen had his stock rise, internally.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... r&c_id=tor

[satyr9]

I know it's a couple days old now, but can someone explain why T.Buchholz was on waivers? Where was he being moved from? I don't understand what's going on in this part of the offseason at all. It's certainly not a big deal or anything, but how long had he been on waivers and why would he need to be put there? What precipitated the move? His contract status? Adding Olivo? Something totally different?

[zilby]

I think Scott Richmond would make a very good reliever, especially against right-handed batters.

Yeah, that's true.

Whatever happened to Scotty last year?

[WpgPage]

In the off season most teams will put almost all players on waivers if a team claims the player the players current team has the right to remove them and not allow them to be claimed. I would guess that Buchholz was probably allowed to leave in order to save money, and make additional space on the 40 man roster. Apparently AA ether didn't like what he saw in sept. or just didn't feel he was worth what the tender would cost.

[satyr9]

In the off season most teams will put almost all players on waivers if a team claims the player the players current team has the right to remove them and not allow them to be claimed. I would guess that Buchholz was probably allowed to leave in order to save money, and make additional space on the 40 man roster. Apparently AA ether didn't like what he saw in sept. or just didn't feel he was worth what the tender would cost.

I know it's not that confusing, but the whole waivers and pull back system in baseball always makes everything seem complicated. Throw in the 25, the 40 man, rule V, tendering offers, FA type compensation, and the arbitration process and it feels like you've gotta take a course to understand what and why your team does what it does in the offseason.

I do think a lot of it helps to making sure the proper guys make teams on the bench and guys don't get blocked or trapped for too long, but as someone who likes the development process and the story of a franchise's growth and development, it can be a little tiresome to figure out what rule caused a decision.

But that's just me whining. xD

[DonYon]

If Mcgowan manages to come back with 80-90% of his stuff this season he's a closer candidate I would think.

[luvtheteam]

Koji Uehara was not offered arbitration by the Orioles. He had a SO/9 ratio of 11.3 last year over 44 innings, and a SO/BB of 11. Nice combo of punch outs and control. He made $5mm last year.

I don't recall seeing him pitch. Anyone with any opinions on him?

[DonYon]

Koji Uehara was not offered arbitration by the Orioles. He had a SO/9 ratio of 11.3 last year over 44 innings, and a SO/BB of 11. Nice combo of punch outs and control. He made $5mm last year.

I don't recall seeing him pitch. Anyone with any opinions on him?

interesting name you brought up.

his fastball tops out at low 90s, good movement on it though. He's basically a two pitch guy out of the bullpen (fastball & forkball/split-finger) and like you said, has very good control. He can be very hittable at times and is kind of prone to home-runs (bad news if you're pitching at the rogers center). Not sure how his age will affect his production at this point. I don't think I'd pay 5m for this year but he's got experience in the AL East and could be a very nice 7th inning guy.

[WpgPage]

some solid relief names not offered Arb by their respective teams some could be good pick-ups

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/a ... ffers.html

I like a few of the guys the twins didn't offer.

im bored in class so ill post any Jays bullpen related stuff from the MLBTR chat today

[luvtheteam]

Tomorrow's the day for the players to accept or reject arbtration. Should be interesting. Might be one of those midnight deals, but maybe we'll hear some news in the day.

I guess most are thinking Gregg & Downs reject, while Frasor accepts (relievers only). I'm still leaning towards all 3 rejecting...but Frasor is the toughest to call.

Stay tuned...and if you hear anything, please post.

[LittleOzzy]

Jesse Crain: Mutual interest between Crain, Blue Jays

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, there is "strong mutual interest" between the Blue Jays and Jesse Crain.
Peter Gammons reported over the weekend that nine teams have interest in the 29-year-old right-hander. Though Crain has no closing experience, the Blue Jays could look at him as a solution for the ninth inning. Crain, who was born in Canada, posted a 3.04 ERA and 62/27 K/BB ratio over 68 innings with the Twins this past season.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... 318&spln=1

[dagger]

More Morosi

#BlueJays showing interest in reliever Matt Guerrier, source says. #Jays also on Jesse Crain. Look out, #Twins.