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What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:46 pm
by BobbyBoy
Just curios. Also we can come back on opening day and see who made it and who didn't.

also Shi Davidi tweeted that Farrell would like Johnson behind Escobar and before Bautista/Lind

My batting order would look like this:
1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
6. Colby Rasmus L CF
7. Brett Lawrie R 3B
8. Eric Thames L LF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Bench:
Rajai Davis L OF
Ben Francisco R OF
Travis Snider L OF
Jeff Mathis R C
Omar Vizquel S IN

Rotation:
1. Romero LHP
2. Morrow RHP
3. Cecil LHP
4. Alvarez RHP
5. McGowan RHP

Bullpen:
Sergio Santos RHP
Francisco Cordero RHP
Darren Oliver LHP
Jason Frasor RHP
Casey Janssen RHP
Carlos Villanueva RHP
Luis Perez LHP

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:25 pm
by Santoki
That bench is so awful. I still don't see how we've addressed any of the lineup issues from last season. I really can't watch Bautista get pitched around to see Lind hack away for 162 games. I have no other real qualms about the lineup you proposed.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:33 pm
by satyr9
Unless something out of the ordinary happens in ST I really think EE has the #4 spot.

IMO to start the year it's

Escobar R SS
Johnson L 2B
Bautista R RF
Encarnacion R DH
Lind L 1B
Lawrie R 3B
Rasmus/Thames L CF/LF
Arencibia R C
Rasmus/Thames L CF/LF

Can't pick between Rasmus and Thames right now. Also, if player's are anything close to their prior year performance I think it's Bautista/Lawrie/EE/Thames 3-6 pretty quickly (by May). I don't have a problem batting 3 righties that can hit righties in order. Lineup balance is nice, it's not that important, although order isn't really either.

Bench won't have 3 OF on it. One of Snider or Thames will be in LV or traded:

Mathis C
Vizquel 2B/SS/3B (but who knows any of like 4-5 guys could steal this spot if something happens)
Francisco OF
Davis OF

Pitching is the same for me. Give Drabek a tiny chance of making opening day, but I doubt it.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:03 pm
by Wally West
BobbyBoy wrote:Just curios. Also we can come back on opening day and see who made it and who didn't.

also Shi Davidi tweeted that Farrell would like Johnson behind Escobar and before Bautista/Lind

My batting order would look like this:
1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
6. Colby Rasmus L CF
7. Brett Lawrie R 3B
8. Eric Thames L LF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Bench:
Rajai Davis L OF
Ben Francisco R OF
Travis Snider L OF
Jeff Mathis R C
Omar Vizquel S IN

Rotation:
1. Romero LHP
2. Morrow RHP
3. Cecil LHP
4. Alvarez RHP
5. McGowan RHP

Bullpen:
Sergio Santos RHP
Francisco Cordero RHP
Darren Oliver LHP
Jason Frasor RHP
Casey Janssen RHP
Carlos Villanueva RHP
Luis Perez LHP


I would think the reason why Farrell would want Johnson in the two spot instead of Rasmus/Thames/Snider is probably because we're trying to do whatever we can to make this a career year for Johnson. The more he hits infront of Bautista, the more fastballs he'll see, the more homeruns he'll hit, the more likely he'll turn down the 12.5 million in the offseason for one year netting us two compensation round picks. Just a theory but it actually makes sense the more you think about it.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:04 pm
by Wo1verine
Still think Lawrie is the best option batting 4th age/experience shouldn't matter, but it likely does for Farrell and Co.

Escobar
Johnson
Bautista
Lawrie
Encarnacion
Lind
Rasmus
Arencibia
Thames

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:54 pm
by CapeCrusader
I want to see Lawrie bat in the 4th or 5th spot.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:02 pm
by Wo1verine
Just read Farrell said Lawrie either batting "6th or 7th" :roll:

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:06 pm
by WpgPage
1. Escobar
2. Johnson
3. Bats
4. EE
5. Lind
6. Lawrie
7. Rasmus
8. Thames/Snider
9. JPA

Offense will be fine they will be top 5 in runs scored, the offense is not the problem on this team.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:07 pm
by baulderdash77
BobbyBoy wrote:Just curios. Also we can come back on opening day and see who made it and who didn't.

also Shi Davidi tweeted that Farrell would like Johnson behind Escobar and before Bautista/Lind



I love your 26 man rotation. That would give us a major competitive edge.

I can't see Lawrie hitting later than 5th and ultimately I think that Drabek is going to beat out McGowan for the 5th rotation spot. I'd like to put Litsch in there, but the 2nd LHR spot would be nice to have so Perez gets it.

My batting order would look like this:
1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Brett Lawrie R 3B
6. Eric Thames L LF
7. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
8. Colby Rasmus L CF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Bench:
Rajai Davis L OF
Travis Snider L OF
Jeff Mathis R C
Omar Vizquel S IN

Rotation:
1. Romero LHP
2. Morrow RHP
3. Cecil LHP
4. Alvarez RHP
5. Drabek RHP

Bullpen:
Sergio Santos RHP
Francisco Cordero RHP
Darren Oliver LHP
Jason Frasor RHP
Casey Janssen RHP
Carlos Villanueva RHP
Luis Perez LHP

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:12 pm
by BobbyBoy
baulderdash77 wrote:
BobbyBoy wrote:Just curios. Also we can come back on opening day and see who made it and who didn't.

also Shi Davidi tweeted that Farrell would like Johnson behind Escobar and before Bautista/Lind



I love your 26 man rotation. That would give us a major competitive edge.

I can't see Lawrie hitting later than 5th and ultimately I think that Drabek is going to beat out McGowan for the 5th rotation spot. I'd like to put Litsch in there, but the 2nd LHR spot would be nice to have so Perez gets it.

My batting order would look like this:
1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Brett Lawrie R 3B
6. Eric Thames L LF
7. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
8. Colby Rasmus L CF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Bench:
Rajai Davis L OF
Travis Snider L OF
Jeff Mathis R C
Omar Vizquel S IN

Rotation:
1. Romero LHP
2. Morrow RHP
3. Cecil LHP
4. Alvarez RHP
5. Drabek RHP

Bullpen:
Sergio Santos RHP
Francisco Cordero RHP
Darren Oliver LHP
Jason Frasor RHP
Casey Janssen RHP
Carlos Villanueva RHP
Luis Perez LHP

Lol, my bad. Take away Snider Via trade.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:27 pm
by dagger
Adam Lind cleanup? Barf. That officially makes the offseason a dud. One of the keys was getting some protection for Jose.

Kelly Johnson better have a bounceback season to help set the table for Jose, because we may have the bus boy hitting right behind him again.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:52 pm
by flatjacket1
Wo1verine wrote:Just read Farrell said Lawrie either batting "6th or 7th" :roll:


I don't think we should throw the kid into the fire heading into his first opening day game. I like the idea of starting him 6th or 7th, and moving him up if he proves last year wasn't a fluke.

I know it was a short stint but if Lawrie plays like he did in the last half of his time with the Jays he should stay 6th or 7th.

I wouldn't mind seeing EE or KJ batting cleanup. If EE can play like he did the 2nd half of last year, he should get some consideration at least.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:21 am
by SharoneWright
Escobar
Johnson
Bautista
Rasmus
Lawrie
Lind
EE
Snider
JPA

Let's go!!

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:35 am
by silverhill27
I know this will never happen but this is what I'd like to see:

R Escobar
R Lawrie
L Lind
R Bautista
L Rasmus
R Encarnacion
L Thames / Snider
R Arencibia
L Johnson

- One of Lind's problem is laying off the breaking ball; he would see more fastballs hitting ahead of Bautista.
- Lawrie's combination of speed and gap power is better served at the top of the order IMO.
- Johnson serves as a quasi-leadoff hitter with high OBP at the 9 spot.
- Rasmus can hit for power and draw a walk. If he realizes his potential, he'll make pitches think twice about pitching around Joey Bats.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:38 am
by flatjacket1
silverhill27 wrote:- One of Lind's problem is laying off the breaking ball; he would see more fastballs hitting ahead of Bautista.


Thames actually saw a lower % of fastballs than Snider did over his career even though Thames hit ahead of Bautista. I think that this is a false belief among many people.

Where Lawrie hits is 100% opinion based so I'm not going to bother debating that.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:07 am
by Hendrix
Can we platoon the 4 spot in the lineup and switch Lind or EE at cleanup depending on if it's a LHP or RHP? I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make, but atleast there would be an 800+ops guy behind Jose night in and night out instead of having Lind put up a .600 ops against lefties.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:16 am
by baulderdash77
flatjacket1 wrote: Thames actually saw a lower % of fastballs than Snider did over his career even though Thames hit ahead of Bautista. I think that this is a false belief among many people.


One of the ongoing storylines with Thames last year was the adjustment pattern between him and the pitchers. He came up and saw a lot of FB, which he could hit. Then they gave him a steady diet of breaking balls out of the zone, which gave him trouble for a time then he adjusted and started to shorten his swing.

The whole season was a steady adjustment period between pitchers & Thames' adjustments as his diet of pitches changed. The good thing is that they have to pitch him honest now and there's no single hole in his swing.

Snider had a lot of problems catching up to high fastballs but could hit a curveball, so they just kept feeding him fastballs until he couldn't adjust and got sent down to work on his swing.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:01 am
by flatjacket1
baulderdash77 wrote:
flatjacket1 wrote: Thames actually saw a lower % of fastballs than Snider did over his career even though Thames hit ahead of Bautista. I think that this is a false belief among many people.


One of the ongoing storylines with Thames last year was the adjustment pattern between him and the pitchers. He came up and saw a lot of FB, which he could hit. Then they gave him a steady diet of breaking balls out of the zone, which gave him trouble for a time then he adjusted and started to shorten his swing.

The whole season was a steady adjustment period between pitchers & Thames' adjustments as his diet of pitches changed. The good thing is that they have to pitch him honest now and there's no single hole in his swing.

Snider had a lot of problems catching up to high fastballs but could hit a curveball, so they just kept feeding him fastballs until he couldn't adjust and got sent down to work on his swing.

Yeah I watched the season, I'm just looking at the numbers. Hitting in front of Jose gets you more breaking balls is a myth.

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:25 pm
by Strav
baulderdash77 wrote:
BobbyBoy wrote:Just curios. Also we can come back on opening day and see who made it and who didn't.

also Shi Davidi tweeted that Farrell would like Johnson behind Escobar and before Bautista/Lind



I love your 26 man rotation. That would give us a major competitive edge.

I can't see Lawrie hitting later than 5th and ultimately I think that Drabek is going to beat out McGowan for the 5th rotation spot. I'd like to put Litsch in there, but the 2nd LHR spot would be nice to have so Perez gets it.

My batting order would look like this:
1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Brett Lawrie R 3B
6. Eric Thames L LF
7. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
8. Colby Rasmus L CF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Bench:
Rajai Davis L OF
Travis Snider L OF
Jeff Mathis R C
Omar Vizquel S IN

Rotation:
1. Romero LHP
2. Morrow RHP
3. Cecil LHP
4. Alvarez RHP
5. Drabek RHP

Bullpen:
Sergio Santos RHP
Francisco Cordero RHP
Darren Oliver LHP
Jason Frasor RHP
Casey Janssen RHP
Carlos Villanueva RHP
Luis Perez LHP


burying Rasmus in the order like that wouldn't do any good for him or the team. I would like to see him 6th in the order behind Lawrie, but since our manager is insistent on placing Lawrie 6 or 7th, I'd love to see Rasmus 2nd in the order.

1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Brett Lawrie R 3B
6. Colby Rasmus L CF
7. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
8. Eric Thames L LF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Farrell's likely opening day line up (right, left, right, left throughout):

1. Yunel Escobar R SS
2. Kelly Johnson L 2B
3. Jose Bautista R RF
4. Adam Lind L 1B
5. Edwin Encarnacion R DH
6. Colby Rasmus L CF
7. Brett Lawrie R 3B
8. Eric Thames L LF
9. J.P Arencibia R C

Re: What could the Blue Jays Lineup Look Like Opening Day?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:35 pm
by LBJSeizedMyID
I see Lind and Rasmus being changed up if Rasmus can get it going like he's done before.