Transitioning Lind to first intrigues Jays

[LittleOzzy]

The Blue Jays don't appear to have any interest in acquiring a premium free-agent first baseman unless it's someone who is willing to spend time in the designated hitter role as well.

The main reason for that decision is Anthopoulos does not want to stunt the development of Adam Lind. The 27-year-old Lind played 11 games at the position last season and, for now, the Blue Jays believe they owe it to themselves to see if he would be a long-term fit.

"We're getting a little more intrigued by it," Anthopoulos said of transitioning Lind into a first baseman. "We're not ready to commit to it right now, but we would like to have a scenario where at least we can continue to find out about Adam at first."

Lind is under contract for the next three seasons at a total of $15 million. The Blue Jays also have three club options from 2014-16, which are valued at $22.5 million. With Toronto potentially committed to him on a long-term basis, it would benefit the club to utilize Lind at a position in the field. That way, it creates the possibility of adding a veteran hitter later on to fill the DH spot.

"The upside for us long term in finding out about Adam, there's huge value to that," Anthopoulos said. "Just for the roster construction going forward. So, to find someone that can be a little bit more of a hybrid role -- whether they're DH and play some first -- that's the ideal scenario for us."

"To go sign a bona fide first baseman that you're going to have to promise everyday at-bats ... we can sit here the following year and say: 'You know what, we still haven't truly found out about Adam Lind because we had an established first baseman that needed to play the position.'"

Lind spent some time at first during college but has yet to receive a regular opportunity to play there in the Majors. During his brief stint in 2010, there were some glaring weaknesses in his abilities at first.

He struggled with a lack of range and his footwork around the base. Those skills could potentially improve with enough repetition, though, and Lind shows great hands with an ability to pick the ball, which is a key component of the position.

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

[ItsDanger]

He's got a LONG way to go IMO. I wonder if he even has the tools to pull this off. Not much choice now unless we pull a trade off.

[tecumseh18]

Too bad this is the impediment to getting Man-Ram. Alex has said that because Lind would be an experiment at first, any DH signed would have to be able to play first if Lind can't handle it. And Manny can't.

[augustine]

Too bad this is the impediment to getting Man-Ram. Alex has said that because Lind would be an experiment at first, any DH signed would have to be able to play first if Lind can't handle it. And Manny can't.

Or, on the contrary, it indicates they want a non-first base playing DH such as Manny. Last week when Pena was on the market, the Jays did not fully pursue him because they want to see if Lind can stick at first, and signing a Pena type will not allow them to pursue this. Therefore, a Manny type is ideal.

[LittleOzzy]

Too bad this is the impediment to getting Man-Ram. Alex has said that because Lind would be an experiment at first, any DH signed would have to be able to play first if Lind can't handle it. And Manny can't.

Or, on the contrary, it indicates they want a non-first base playing DH such as Manny. Last week when Pena was on the market, the Jays did not fully pursue him because they want to see if Lind can stick at first, and signing a Pena type will not allow them to pursue this. Therefore, a Manny type is ideal.

If you click the link it's right in the article.

That should safely put an end to the constant Manny Ramirez rumors that have been circulating around Toronto. Ramirez has been spotted north of the border several times during the offseason, but it's pretty clear his appearances have had nothing to do with the Blue Jays.

"The priority would be -- in an ideal scenario -- a DH/first baseman, someone that we know can play the position," Anthopoulos said. "I don't know that we're comfortable at this stage just handing someone a job that is strictly a DH that doesn't have the ability to play first base."

[Randle McMurphy]

I don't care, sign Manny. Jose Bautista and Jose Molina can both play 1B if Lind totally bombs, and there are always guys available in FA. Seriously, it's 1B...you don't need a defensive whiz out there.

[augustine]

On Wilner's live blog last week I asked him if the Jays should sign a DH/1B, and he responded by saying it doesn't give Lind much confidence if we get another 1B (I.e., he makes one error and the fans say 'put in x instead'). Wilner could be wrong. But, IMO we need a legit DH, so we shouldn't be ruling the best DH out because he doesn't play first as well. I'll admit that this seems to go against AA's quote. But, maybe AA is trying to drive down the contract for Manny with that quote.

[Raps in 4]

I don't care, sign Manny. Jose Bautista and Jose Molina can both play 1B if Lind totally bombs, and there are always guys available in FA. Seriously, it's 1B...you don't need a defensive whiz out there.

+1

[satyr9]

He struggled with a lack of range and his footwork around the base. Those skills could potentially improve with enough repetition, though, and Lind shows great hands with an ability to pick the ball, which is a key component of the position.

If that's true, I can live with it. I certainly don't remember excellent hands, but if he doesn't make the other defenders cover more ground AND need to make better throws, I think you can survive him at 1B.

Also, if they really are going to go with this experiment, I think someone like Manny is preferable to an obvious 1B/DH type for the reasons mentioned above. I think if you've got yourself a LF/DH type, then Lind has to really boot it around before you move Snider to RF and Bautista to 1B (although if we ever end up with multiple games with Jose Molina starting at 1B that will prove they made a horrendous mistake with Lind IMO) and that's better than the first time Lind has a poor game, you get every call in show calling for Lind to get moved back. There's also 3B still right? Lots of ways to have a Manny type DHing and still cover-up Lind without explicitly signing his failure back-up.

[augustine]

I don't care, sign Manny. Jose Bautista and Jose Molina can both play 1B if Lind totally bombs, and there are always guys available in FA. Seriously, it's 1B...you don't need a defensive whiz out there.

I agree with the sentiment. The problem: we sign Manny, Lind fails at 1B, we then solve the 1B problem with Bautista (waste of arm, but OK). But now one of Lind/Manny is out of the lineup. Unless Lind goes back to LF. I guess we just hope Lind succeeds at 1B. I recall that he was fine last year.

[Skin Blues]

Seriously, this is first base. You could teach a mule to play there in a few months, I'm sure Lind will have no trouble getting acclimated. As long as he's comfortable there by 2012 then I don't see the issue.

[LittleOzzy]

Looks like he is going back to class.

Toronto Blue Jays OF Adam Lind will participate in five days of instruction at first base over the winter, and the lessons will continue in January as the team prepares to play Lind at first base next season, according to MLB.com's Larry Millson. "It will be like a five-day crash course and then some more work in January," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on Wednesday. "The more work he can get done ahead of time, the more prepared he will be for Spring Training." However, the team has yet to commit to Lind full time as their first baseman.

http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=687054 ... first-base

[ItsDanger]

Seriously, this is first base. You could teach a mule to play there in a few months, I'm sure Lind will have no trouble getting acclimated. As long as he's comfortable there by 2012 then I don't see the issue.

LOL, not that easy. Scooping bad throws and turning the 3-6-3 DP is difficult. Overbay, despite his awful bat, was an excellent fielder.

[J-Roc]

Or maybe they're not....

[Msgrv32]

He's got a LONG way to go IMO. I wonder if he even has the tools to pull this off. Not much choice now unless we pull a trade off.

If Lind played 1b in College then there shouldn't be any doubt as to whether or not he could become a good first baseman.

He doesn't have a LONG way to go. He's got to have a full preseason working with a veteran to learn the position... to make it his own. The kid isn't a poor fielder, he'll be fine at 1st.

[hyper316]

isn't OF harder to play than 1B? Lind started off playing LF. if Lind can't even do 1B at his young age now, then this is concerning

[baulderdash77]

Now that we've signed EE to platoon with Lind at 1B, I feel confident about sigining Man-Ram.

Lind/EE is a really good smashing mix for us at 1B.

[ItsDanger]

LF is easier than 1B. Lot more responsibility in the infield. Lind needs to work at 1B a LOT. There is no room for error(s). I question whether he has the footwork to be just below average defensively. Hopefully, he can improve his play there as it was was lacking late in the season.

[OldNo7]

Lind should have manned up and offered to play 1B in Winter Ball to get some experience before training camp.

[wlujaysfan55]

Lind should have manned up and offered to play 1B in Winter Ball to get some experience before training camp.

yeah, was listening to Bob Elliott of the Sun on McCowan's show on the 590 today. Wasn't too high on Lind's defensive potential to put it kindly...soft hands but has trouble going to his left, right and has a tendency to back peddle on grounders. Got a chuckle from McCowan & Brunt...