2012 Jays Spring Training Discussion Thread

[Tyrone Slothrop]

With McGowan out for the first few starts, we're looking at Cecil and Drabek on the back end of the rotation. Cecil's not going to lose his spot based on spring, but he will be on a short leash and it wouldn't surprise me (or upset me) if he's gone once McGowan comes back.

except he sucked for most of last year.
he'll lose his spot based on 1+ years of suspect stuff.

I would agree with this if it wasn't Laffey who would be taking his spot. He hasn't exactly been lights out this spring (or last year, for that matter) either. I think Cecil makes the club, they give him a couple of starts, and then, assuming he's as bad as we all expect, they go with 4 starters until McGowan's back (I THINK they have enough rest days in April to pull this off.

[Michael Bradley]

I am guessing that Drabek will start the 3rd game of the season (saving Alvarez for the home opener is probably a good idea given the alternatives), but if the last spot in the rotation is between Cecil and Laffey, I'd go with Cecil and hope he keeps his head above water before McGowan comes up. Cecil scares me, but he is still likely a better option than Laffey.

[hyper316]

i'm just hoping hutchison gets called up soon. do not want to cecil out there again

[flatjacket1]

i'm just hoping hutchison gets called up soon. do not want to cecil out there again

I would rather us stick it with Cecil for 15ish starts TBH just not to rush and potentially stint the development of Hutch.

I would rather us exercise patience and lose a few games than panic ruin another pitchers career (Drabek, 2011)

[SharoneWright]

Whoever sucks the most - Cecil or Drabek - gets replaced by McGowan after 4 starts. Its really not too bad.

[flatjacket1]

Whoever sucks the most - Cecil or Drabek - gets replaced by McGowan after 4 starts. Its really not too bad.

I'm open to this.

[dballislife]

Whoever sucks the most - Cecil or Drabek - gets replaced by McGowan after 4 starts. Its really not too bad.

I'm open to this.

and with multiple struggles, hutch is ready

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Apparently so was Drabek last year. You're saying Hutch is ready on what basis?

[ItsDanger]

If Cecil is hitting 85-87 now which is lower than last season where I saw him at 87-90, he's likely to get hammered this season.

1. Marcum throws slower
2. His secondary stuff has been dominant in previous years (According to Fangraphs pitch values)

Velocity is nice but its not nearly as important as people make it seem. Many soft tossers have had very successful careers and if you mix Cecils 2011 curve ball with Cecils 2010 changeup, you got a filthy pitcher.

Hmmm, wrong on that call huh? Now you know most of those stat driven models are garbage. They are just trying to avoid actually watching games. Historical data doesnt predict the future.