Series thread: Angels @ Blue Jays (Sept 19-22)

[BigLeagueChew]

what a game

[Parataxis]

E5.

He sunk their battleship!

[hyper316]

what a fitting win for last game at home. i wish every home game goes to extra inning next season. 81-0 home record here we go!

[jaymeister15]

Great way to end the year at home

[Homer Jay]

The fact the Angels could not execute against our pitching in a must win game shows that even if they get to the playoffs they likely won't go far. They need some better OBP guys in that lineup.

[tsherkin]

E5!!! Love it!

[Randle McMurphy]

The fact the Angels could not execute against our pitching in a must win game shows that even if they get to the playoffs they likely won't go far. They need some better OBP guys in that lineup.

The Jays are probably a better team than the Angels.

[Skin Blues]

This is an example of why SV% is a lousy stat for judging a bullpen. 5 guys go out and protect a tied game into the 12th against a team on the brink of elimination and will probably be forgotten about because there's no fancy stat to put beside their names.

[Randle McMurphy]

Encarnacion's pushed his OPS up to .801, 3rd on the team after Bautista and Lawrie. For me, the question is what role he's going to play on next year's team because there is little doubt that his option will be picked up at this point.

I wouldn't be upset at all if he was given the full-time DH spot, but then where do you put Lind? I certainly don't want him starting full-time in 2012 and the team still needs a major upgrade at 1B.

[PimpHandStrong]

Encarnacion's pushed his OPS up to .801, 3rd on the team after Bautista and Lawrie. For me, the question is what role he's going to play on next year's team because there is little doubt that his option will be picked up at this point.

I wouldn't be upset at all if he was given the full-time DH spot, but then where do you put Lind? I certainly don't want him starting full-time in 2012 and the team still needs a major upgrade at 1B.

The Jays need to add a first baseman. Lind, Encarnacion and new first baseman can share time at 1st and DH, with Encarnacion spelling Lawrie at 3rd (and perhaps getting some time in left...along with Lind...eek).

[Santoki]

I think, defensively, Lind has passed all expectations of him at 1B this season. I wouldn't be in any rush to see him back in LF. It's Thames position for now, but I think a platoon situation out there would be best.

There are a ton of holes to fill this offseason - moreso than we think. The team as it is, even with the addition of a Fielder, is still not good enough to get a wildcard (and perhaps not even the 2nd wildcard). I think the greatest concern will be the starting rotation next season. The bullpen has evolved and will have struggles next season, but they'll be far from bad.

So many things to delve into this offseason. A question for you guys. Rasmus has been rather pedestrian since his arrival in Toronto. How long of a leash is he given next season? And also, has Johnson done enough to warrant a one-year contract next season to be the full-time 2B?

[Homer Jay]

I think, defensively, Lind has passed all expectations of him at 1B this season. I wouldn't be in any rush to see him back in LF. It's Thames position for now, but I think a platoon situation out there would be best.

There are a ton of holes to fill this offseason - moreso than we think. The team as it is, even with the addition of a Fielder, is still not good enough to get a wildcard (and perhaps not even the 2nd wildcard). I think the greatest concern will be the starting rotation next season. The bullpen has evolved and will have struggles next season, but they'll be far from bad.

So many things to delve into this offseason. A question for you guys. Rasmus has been rather pedestrian since his arrival in Toronto. How long of a leash is he given next season? And also, has Johnson done enough to warrant a one-year contract next season to be the full-time 2B?

Rasmus is only 23, so he gets some slack there. Also missing that time with the wrist problem set him back. Johnson has not been spectacular, but has been an improvement over Hill regardless. There probably is not a cheap option to address 2B besides him this offseason. I'll take a .700 ops from our 2B as long as he can field the position and we address the bigger hole at 1B.