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2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread

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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#101 » by satyr9 » Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:41 pm

Looks right, although I think Rogers/Lincoln all flip-flopable for long man duties (both recently failed starters). Also, Carreno cleared waivers and is in AAA, although it's possible they still want to try to start him, but I wouldn't expect that. AAA bullpen is likely to be pretty solid. Sneak a guy like Jeffress through waivers, which isn't totally absurd just not the most likely outcome, and there are more than enough arms to weather the storms.
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#102 » by LittleOzzy » Sat Feb 2, 2013 3:59 am

Santos eager to retake role of closer

Despite all of the upgrades the Blue Jays have made this offseason, it's last year's prized acquisition who has a chance to become the difference maker.

Sergio Santos was acquired last winter to solve all of Toronto's woes at the back end of its bullpen. At the time of the trade, which cost the Blue Jays pitching prospect Nestor Molina, it was heralded by many as one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.

Unfortunately for Santos and the Blue Jays, the deal has yet to pan out. Santos appeared in just six games before being lost for the season with a right shoulder injury, but he has since recovered and is looking forward to putting that disappointing 2012 season in his rear-view mirror.

"It's so exciting, and I think that's what I'm looking forward to most, knowing that when I get to Spring Training, I can close the chapter on 2012," Santos said. "I'm going to use it as a humbling year, gain some experience that way. This is a very humbling game, and now I have the fight and hunger more than ever to get back and prove who I was in 2011."

Santos arrived in Toronto on the heels of a season that saw the Blue Jays finish tied for the American League lead in blown saves, with 25. Santos was tabbed as the guy to solve that problem.

The converted shortstop has the ability to throw in the upper-90s, with a devastating slider and changeup combination that leads to a high number of strikeouts. It is the type of overpowering skill set that is ideal to have in late-innings situations.

The problem is that Santos has yet to display his high-ceiling talent in a Blue Jays uniform. He managed to pitch just five innings before succumbing to a shoulder injury. The ailment was originally supposed to keep Santos out for a couple of weeks, but the shoulder failed to improve.

Over the course of the next three months, Santos repeatedly attempted to get back onto the mound, but progress was always closely followed by setbacks. It was a frustrating and confusing time for Santos, who didn't know what was wrong with his shoulder until late in the year, when he underwent exploratory surgery by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

"I rehabbed for three and a half months in Florida, and I gave it my best go two different times," Santos said. "I was able to go off the mound, and I was able to let it go, but I just couldn't recover. You get a little bit nervous; my arm, my shoulder, that's my livelihood.


http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... r&c_id=tor
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#103 » by Santoki » Sat Feb 2, 2013 3:52 pm

As of today, what's the bullpen shaping up to look like?

Janssen
Santos
Oliver
Delabar
Rogers
Lincoln
Cecil?
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#104 » by satyr9 » Sat Feb 2, 2013 10:25 pm

Santoki wrote:As of today, what's the bullpen shaping up to look like?

Janssen
Santos
Oliver
Delabar
Rogers
Lincoln
Cecil?


I would put it just a tiny bit differently:

Janssen
Santos
Oliver
Delabar
Rogers
Cecil (these last two first as they're out of options and would have to have quite bad camps to not get the nod over optionable players to start)
Lincoln/Happ/Loup/Jeffress/etc...

Lincoln would assuredly be the frontrunner, but say Jeffress looked fantastic, then maybe they start Lincoln down just to try and hold assets for the inevitable injuries. If anyone among the top 7 is on the bubble I'd argue it's Lincoln over Cecil or Rogers, just because of waivers.
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#105 » by RyderMike » Sun Feb 3, 2013 6:07 pm

Lincoln is going to make the transition to a starter during Spring Training
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... b&c_id=mlb


If true, guess Lincoln will assuredly start in AAA as opposed to a long relief role
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#106 » by RyderMike » Fri Feb 8, 2013 4:02 pm

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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#107 » by LittleOzzy » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:31 pm

Who should be the Blue Jays' closer?

The case for Janssen

The 31-year-old Janssen flourished in the role after taking over from an injured Santos last April, posting a career-best 22 saves in 25 chances along with a 2.54 earned-run average in 63 2/3 innings pitched.

“Sergio missed the whole [2012 season], and that’s big in this case,” said Gibbons, who returns for a second stint as Toronto's manager. “It’s always good to have more than one guy to do those jobs. He’s only been [closing games] for a couple of years.”

Actually, not even that long, skip.

Santos, 29, entered the closing discussion in 2011 while a member of the Chicago White Sox. He showed he could handle the job with 30 saves and a 3.55 ERA while striking out 92 batters in 63 1/3 innings.


The case for Santos

When healthy, Santos has shown the ability to throw a 97-mile-per-hour fastball, complemented by a nasty slider. He said time away from the game has him more determined this spring.

“I’m coming out with a lot to prove,” he said. “I challenge myself to prove those critics wrong and to prove I’m only going to get better. Since November and into December I’ve pretty much been back to a normal throwing schedule.”

Unlike Santos, Janssen is not the fireballer type. He’s your classic non-closer who attacks hitters aggressively.

Five years ago, Janssen had surgery to repair a torn labrum that cost him the entire 2008 season.


http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/s ... oulos.html
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#108 » by LittleOzzy » Wed Feb 20, 2013 11:44 pm

Santos drawing rave reviews

There was a distinct difference between the two Toronto Blue Jays pitchers who alternated throwing live batting practice on the main diamond at the Bobby Mattick complex in Dunedin Tuesday morning.

First came veteran Mark Buehrle, painting corners and snapping off beautiful breaking balls, and after he'd thrown an "inning" of work against Jose Reyes, Maicer Izturis and Emilio Bonifacio, out came once-and-future closer Sergio Santos throwing absolute BBs.

After Santos's first delivery, a good, hard fastball strike to Bonifacio, a coach leaning on the batting cage said, "That's a little different from Buehrle, huh?"

It is, and it's great news for the Blue Jays that Santos, limited to just five innings of work in 2012 because of shoulder problems that required surgery, is popping the catcher's mitt again, looking free, loose and easy out on the mound.

"I feel just as good (as before the injury)," says Santos, "if not even better. I feel so good, I feel healthy, the ball is coming out great, I feel like I'm in the best place I need to be -- where we have a month and a half to fine-tune a couple of things and get ready for the season."

The batters he faced thought his pitches looked as good as he felt, and let him know, which Santos appreciated.

"I got positive feedback from all three of those guys, and it's always nice when your peers give you that positive reinforcement. It's been a lot of work to get to this point and I'm just happy that I'm feeling great."

Manager John Gibbons is impressed, as well, saying that he's seen Santos look "very, very good" in the early spring, and that he plans on using him the same way he would use any other reliever in camp, while still being mindful of the fact that "(Santos) he missed that whole year … he's gotta get his feet wet, get back out there and get that feel again."

Santos, who didn't get to pitch much last spring because he was working in the bullpen refining his change-up (he still swears up and down that that was the case, not that they were hiding his shoulder issues, which he insists didn't really crop up until the season started), was thrilled to hear that he'll be used normally during this year's Grapefruit League season, saying, "I wanted to put myself in a position where I would be just like any other guy, where this is my day to throw, I'm throwing. That's why I busted my butt this whole off-season, and so far, so good -- it's paid off."


http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2013/0 ... _training/
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#109 » by LittleOzzy » Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:00 pm

Australian pitcher savours baseball journey that led to the Blue Jays

Rich Thompson is easy to pick out in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse.

The Aussie accent stands out, for one. Then there’s the Athens 2004 Olympic tattoo on the back of his shoulder.

The 28-year-old right-handed reliever signed a minor-league contract with the Jays in December that came with an invitation to spring training. He arrives from a brief stint with Oakland and a lengthy spell in the Angels organization.

It’s another chapter in a baseball career that has taken Thompson around the globe. He’s starting his 12th season in pro baseball.

The Aussie pitcher is not to be confused with the American outfielder Rich Thompson, whose career includes stints in the Toronto, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Arizona, Boston, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay organizations.

This Thompson signed with the Angels when he was 17.

“It’s been a long road, but hopefully we can get some more time in the big leagues. And get some more Aussies in the big leagues,” he said.

When he came over to North America in 2002, he wasn’t sure what to expect. But he knew just signing a pro contract wasn’t the end of his journey.

“It was always my goals to get to the big leagues. And stay for a long time. And it’s been pretty good so far. I’m still getting a uniform,” he added with a smile.

Thompson had a good 2011, spending the entire season with the Angels. He went 1-3 with a 3.00 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 20 walks in 54 innings.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/b ... le8952744/
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#110 » by LittleOzzy » Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:42 pm

Toronto Blue Jays worry about closers Casey Janssen and Sergio Santos

Casey Janssen’s mantra through spring training went something like this: “he’s a little behind schedule in his preparation as the Jays closer, but he’s shooting for Opening Day . . . ”

The Jays accepted this explanation because they essentially have to, and because they have full confidence in Janssen as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery.

Behind the scenes, though, there is a level of nervousness over Janssen and the closer’s role. There has to be.

Janssen inspired confidence in the coaching staff, and while he was anointed the closer at the opening of spring training, there is no 100 per cent guarantee he will be fully recovered or ready for Opening Day.

The situation with the closer — which also includes the recovering Sergio Santos — raises uncomfortable but necessary questions: can Janssen repeat his 2012 performance and sparkle once again as the closer? Or will the Jays resort to a 1A and 1B plan with Janssen and Santos, and go with the one who carries the so called hot hand.

It’s almost impossible to answer those questions, even though Janssen appears locked to open the season as the closer.

Already, Janssen was shut down during the first week of March to guard against some minor flare up with his shoulder. Santos, whose 2012 season ended in spring training over a shoulder problem that eventually led to surgery, was also shut down briefly. Santos’ problem was some tightness in his triceps muscle, but he returned, apparently in fine form, and appears to be throwing his full pitch repertoire all out, pain free.

Janssen has also unleashed his fastball during spring, and fastball command is the cornerstone of his attack on hitters. He is working on his breaking pitches, and should have them under control before the end of spring training.

If they are fully healthy and up to form, Janssen and Santos could remind Jays fans of Henke-Ward from the 1992 World Series team. That’s the sunny day scenario.

But bullpens are often a fluid dynamic of a pitching staff. With six or seven pitchers in specialist’s roles, it’s the single largest segment of the team, and it’s a constant worry for pitching coaches, managers, and general managers.

A generality in baseball sees hitters well ahead of pitchers coming out of spring training. The pitchers — starters in particular — catch up by late May, but closers have no such luxury. Their world is a one-inning pressure cooker of 12-15 pitches maximum — and they have to be prepared mentally and physically from the outset of the season.


http://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/ ... antos.html
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#111 » by LittleOzzy » Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:21 pm

Blue Jays have dueling options at closer

While there are no changes to the Closer Identifier Algorithm results until the season starts, there are a few situations in flux, so let's take a look at them and see what the Algorithm predicts.

Toronto Blue Jays- There is a battle between Casey Janssen and Sergio Santos, at least in theory. The Jays waffled between the two because of health issues, and in a season where they have aspirations of greatness such indecision does not bode well. However, CIA is very decisive; it thinks that Janssen is a sure thing if he is healthy.

The latest reports indicate that Janssen will be ready for the opener. Janssen put up a superlative 2012 with a 6.1 K/BB and a 149 BPV. The BB rate is likely to regress a bit, since his 1.6 BB/9 was easily the lowest of his career. However, it can regress a lot and he will still best CIA minimums by a fair margin.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fa ... s/2021455/
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#112 » by b0na f1de » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:06 pm

Blue Jays are 6th on Fangraphs' bullpen power rankings

Santos returns to the fold this year — although, it’s not as though Toronto entirely foundered in his absence. Casey Janssen (65.0 IP, 72 xFIP-, 1.7 WAR) and Darren Oliver (56.2 IP, 86 xFIP-, 1.1 WAR) both pitched well in high-leverage roles, and deadline acquisition Steve Delabar (29.1 IP, 70 xFIP-, 0.6 WAR) was rather effective, as well. The July departure of Francisco Cordero, as well — who began 2012 as the Jays closer — is a real, live instance of addition by subtraction.



But ****, we need a closer™! and did fangraphs even look at their spring training statz? All but 5 have been stinking up the place.
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#113 » by SharoneWright » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:10 pm

Considering the Romero demotion, the Happ promotion, the Lincoln and Jeffress concerns,,, I'd be more than happy to start with:

Santos
Janssen
Oliver
Delabar
Loup
Rogers
and..........
Stroman

Best 7 imho.
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#114 » by s e n s i » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:13 pm

SharoneWright wrote:Considering the Romero demotion, the Happ promotion, the Lincoln and Jeffress concerns,,, I'd be more than happy to start with:

Santos
Janssen
Oliver
Delabar
Loup
Rogers
and..........
Stroman

Best 7 imho.


stroman still has to serve like 40 games for the banned supplement suspension
galacticos2 wrote:MLB needs to introduce an Amnesty clause. Bautista would be my first victim.

Bautista outplays his contract by more than $70 million over the next four seasons (2013-2016).
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#115 » by SharoneWright » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:16 pm

well,, if it wasn't for that... lol :oops:

(He's allowed to pitch in the spring?)
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#116 » by s e n s i » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:19 pm

yea, exhibition games don't count against the suspension apparently. i heard he'll be eligible to play in actual minor league games in mid-may.
galacticos2 wrote:MLB needs to introduce an Amnesty clause. Bautista would be my first victim.

Bautista outplays his contract by more than $70 million over the next four seasons (2013-2016).
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#117 » by SharoneWright » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:24 pm

I'm on both your bandwagons... :thumbsup:
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#118 » by Santoki » Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:37 pm

s e n s i wrote:yea, exhibition games don't count against the suspension apparently. i heard he'll be eligible to play in actual minor league games in mid-may.


He might be a perfect mid-to-late season guy to call up if there are some bullpen issues. Hopefully there are no issues, but you know there will be an injury or two and some performance issues at some point.
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Re: 2013 Jays Bullpen Discussion Thread 

Post#119 » by LittleOzzy » Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:14 pm

WHO SHOULD BE THE JAYS' CLOSER?

With the pressure on, late in a close game, one of the key ingredients of a contending Major League Baseball team is having a closer to bring into the action and nail down the final three outs.

Prior to the 2012 season, the Blue Jays sent pitching prospect Nestor Molina to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for closer Sergio Santos, expecting him to assume the same role in Toronto.

Santos was coming off a 30-save season for the White Sox but was only able to close out two games for the Blue Jays - posting a 9.00 earned-run average - before a shoulder injury kept him on the sidelines and eventually forced him to have season-ending surgery in July.

Reliever Casey Janssen stepped into the role and finished the season with 22 saves in 25 opportunities and a very strong 2.54 ERA.

However, during the off-season Janssen had minor surgery to repair soreness in the joint at the top of the shoulder, where the blade meets the collarbone.

He was also forced into a 10-day shutdown at the beginning of March, once again due to soreness in his shoulder.

Santos and Janssen both appear as though they should be healthy and ready for opening day which could give the Jays a very strong end of the bullpen tandem, assuming they are used in that fashion.

The last element in any closer debate is the possibility of looking outside the organization for a veteran arm.


http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=419214

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