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Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 4:58 pm
by MGD24
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fantasy-roto-arcade/pressing-questions-toronto-blue-jays-184639032.html;_ylt=Am1cZQgqME.BRWmm2Sp3RkK5bZ8uSo, all things considered, you have to be impressed by the progress this franchise has made. Yes, the Jays are still stuck in a ridiculously difficult division, but the MLB playoff field is about to expand. These days, Toronto fans should be feeling optimistic.
What's happening in left field for the Jays?
Well, Travis Snider and Eric Thames are both still in the team photo, and both still have options. One of 'em figures to open the season in left field for the Jays, while the other will head to Triple-A Las Vegas. So that's that. Rajai would appear to be an in-case-of-emergency outfield option, a guy who can fill multiple spots. He and Ben Francisco should get at-bats against left-handers, no matter who regularly starts in left and center.
You mentioned Travis d'Arnaud up at the top. When will we see him? Are there any other Toronto prospects to consider?
It shouldn't be long before d'Arnaud's arrival forces Arencibia onto the trade block.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 6:03 pm
by J-Roc
So it's true JPA is really on his way out some time this season?
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 6:11 pm
by Schad
J-Roc wrote:So it's true JPA is really on his way out some time this season?
If d'Arnaud has a strong season, I'd think that Arencibia would be traded at the end of the year, yes. He has value as a slugging catcher, but d'Arnaud is a much more complete player.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 6:11 pm
by satyr9
I don't think anyone can say anything about it for certain. You can say if D'Arnaud keeps his pace and progression it's likely JP will lose his spot and need to be moved, but it's not like they cost anything. AA could decide a year of platoon in 2013 is fine too. The trade market could make it more palatable to move D'Arnaud as he'd likely bring back more in a trade too. I'd say it's like 60/40 in favour that JP is moved in the next 12 months. That's hardly a strong prediction I know, but I doubt even AA could say what he's going to do about it for sure as so much is dependent on D'Arnaud's progression in the minors and how JPA does behind the plate this year.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 6:32 pm
by Lateral Quicks
There's an interview with d'Arnaud on milb.com linked from bluejays.com, and I have to say I was extremely impressed by what he had to say about his approach behind the plate. Sal Fasano seems to be doing a great job down in AA. I can't wait to see this guy in the bigs - he has perennial all-star type talent for a catcher.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 10:03 pm
by Skin Blues
satyr9 wrote:I don't think anyone can say anything about it for certain. You can say if D'Arnaud keeps his pace and progression it's likely JP will lose his spot and need to be moved, but it's not like they cost anything. AA could decide a year of platoon in 2013 is fine too. The trade market could make it more palatable to move D'Arnaud as he'd likely bring back more in a trade too. I'd say it's like 60/40 in favour that JP is moved in the next 12 months. That's hardly a strong prediction I know, but I doubt even AA could say what he's going to do about it for sure as so much is dependent on D'Arnaud's progression in the minors and how JPA does behind the plate this year.
Opportunity cost. Sure, you can keep them both really cheap, but you could also have d'Arnaud take over as the full-time catcher at the end of the season and get a nice haul for Arencibia. Or vice-versa. So we lose out on whatever coudl be in that haul. However, you'd have to think Arencibia's relationship with Larwie and Romero will make it harder for AA to pull the trigger on a deal to send JPA out of town.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Wed Feb 1, 2012 11:17 pm
by tiger7
Will be nice to get to see D'Arnaud in place of Arencibia just to see the differences. I like Arencibia as far as pitch calling but as was said above D'Arnaud seem like he is just more of a complete player.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Thu Feb 2, 2012 3:47 am
by satyr9
Skin Blues wrote:Opportunity cost. Sure, you can keep them both really cheap, but you could also have d'Arnaud take over as the full-time catcher at the end of the season and get a nice haul for Arencibia. Or vice-versa. So we lose out on whatever coudl be in that haul. However, you'd have to think Arencibia's relationship with Larwie and Romero will make it harder for AA to pull the trigger on a deal to send JPA out of town.
Well during that season you do, but unless platooning them destroys their value you don't lose the value as the deal just happens a year later. And to be clear, I don't think that's how it'll go nor do I think it'd be AA's favourite route, but who'se going to be the long-term C is a hard question to answer now and there are a lot of ways it could remain a hard question to answer a year from now. Especially if every GM assumes one has to go and tries to the leftover on the cheap, then AA could just say let's use the year to be sure and help D'Arnaud adjust. Giving him a year with 2 pitchers and part-time duty to learn the hardest position in baseball probably wouldn't hinder his development.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:19 pm
by BobbyBoy
Why don't we make JP our full time DH. We could move EE or he could play left because he is playing left in the winter league. But we could get a decent prospect for EE.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:28 pm
by Schad
BobbyBoy wrote:Why don't we make JP our full time DH.
Arencibia has negative value as a DH. He was well below league-average offensively in this past year, something that's kinda tolerable in a catcher, but wouldn't fly as a DH.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:31 pm
by LBJSeizedMyID
BobbyBoy wrote:Why don't we make JP our full time DH. We could move EE or he could play left because he is playing left in the winter league. But we could get a decent prospect for EE.
Ugh...no thank you. Everyone complaining about EE as a DH, but Arencibia would be better? He'd be a lot worse. He has more value to a team as a catcher as Schad mentioned.
Re: Yahoo: Pressing Questions: The Toronto Blue Jays
Posted: Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:54 pm
by Relentless88
Yeah Arencibia's .282 OBP would be embarrassing at DH.