Blue Jays giving Hechavarria reps at second

Post #1 » by **LittleOzzy** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 10:21 pm

The Toronto Blue Jays are planning to give Adeiny Hechavarria some work at second base during spring training to prepare the touted shortstop prospect in case an injury to Kelly Johnson creates a need there.

Manager John Farrell made the surprise revelation Wednesday, after earlier in the day conducting his annual pre-season interview with the young Cuban.

With shortstop Yunel Escobar signed through the 2013 season at US$5-million per, and two club options beyond that, Hechavarria's path to the majors seems to be blocked, but the Blue Jays have long ruled out moving him to second base permanently.

Although Johnson is eligible for free agency after the season, Farrell insisted that little beyond emergency planning should be read into the move.

"That doesn't mean we're looking to move him," Farrell said. "But in the event that we need some flexibility, he's our premier defender in the minor-leagues, so we're going to get him some reps at second base, but we still view him clearly as a long-term and elite kind of shortstop.

"If there was a six-week, or two-month injury, it's not a long-term positional switch for him but he would be a clear-cut candidate."

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/ ... -at-second

flatjacket1 · Post #2 » by **flatjacket1** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 10:52 pm

Good to hear, it's always better to be able to play two positions plus defensively.

SharoneWright · Post #3 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:33 am

THIS is the play.

Kapono · Post #4 » by **Kapono** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:44 am

Hech's ceiling is probably Mike McCoy with better defense.

His bat is horrible.

flatjacket1 · Post #5 » by **flatjacket1** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:45 am

Kapono wrote:Hech's ceiling is probably Mike McCoy with better defense.

His bat is horrible.

I agree. Unless he surprises us all with his bat I don't even see him being a MLB regular.

SharoneWright · Post #6 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:47 am

flatjacket1 wrote:
Kapono wrote:Hech's ceiling is probably Mike McCoy with better defense.

His bat is horrible.

I agree. Unless he surprises us all with his bat I don't even see him being a MLB regular.

2nd base until Yunel regresses or we can't afford his next contract. bam.

flatjacket1 · Post #7 » by **flatjacket1** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:52 am

SharoneWright wrote:2nd base until Yunel regresses or we can't afford his next contract. bam.

I think it was mentioned that they won't perm. move him to 2nd (which is smart, he has more value as a SS). I hope we trade him while he still has value, he could be good for a team not looking to compete for a while, he might turn into a regular if he gets enough reps in the MLB (even though I said he wouldn't in the last post

)

Yunel won't regress much IMO.

SharoneWright · Post #8 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:55 am

flatjacket1 wrote:
SharoneWright wrote:2nd base until Yunel regresses or we can't afford his next contract. bam.

I think it was mentioned that they won't perm.

I'd wish they'd change 'their' minds...

flatjacket1 · Post #9 » by **flatjacket1** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:57 am

Hechavarria's path to the majors seems to be blocked, but the Blue Jays have long ruled out moving him to second base permanently.

"That doesn't mean we're looking to move him," Farrell said.

I don't make things up. They said they won't move him perm, read the article.

SharoneWright · Post #10 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 2:01 am

flatjacket1 wrote:
Hechavarria's path to the majors seems to be blocked, but the Blue Jays have long ruled out moving him to second base permanently.

"That doesn't mean we're looking to move him," Farrell said.

I don't make things up. They said they won't move him perm, read the article.

Hey man, relax. I read it. I just don't agree with the strategy. And apparently you don't either. ie. "the smart play". We agree, so enjoy the synergy!

flatjacket1 · Post #11 » by **flatjacket1** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 2:02 am

SharoneWright wrote:
flatjacket1 wrote:
Hechavarria's path to the majors seems to be blocked, but the Blue Jays have long ruled out moving him to second base permanently.

"That doesn't mean we're looking to move him," Farrell said.

I don't make things up. They said they won't move him perm, read the article.

Hey man, relax. I read it. I just don't agree with the strategy. And apparently you don't either. ie. "the smart play". We agree, so enjoy the synergy!

My bad, I just hate when people think I make things up for the heck of it. Half the stuff I can't put a finger on where I found it but was said in one of the countless articles I read of interviews I listen too.

SharoneWright · Post #12 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 2:05 am

flatjacket1 wrote:
SharoneWright wrote:Hey man, relax. I read it. I just don't agree with the strategy. And apparently you don't either. ie. "the smart play". We agree, so enjoy the synergy!

My bad, I just hate when people think I make things up for the heck of it. Half the stuff I can't put a finger on where I found it but was said in one of the countless articles I read of interviews I listen too.

No prob. Its the internets. People assume people are trolling for a fight...

I've been enjoying your contributions.

flatjacket1 · Post #13 » by **flatjacket1** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 2:06 am

SharoneWright wrote:
flatjacket1 wrote:
SharoneWright wrote:Hey man, relax. I read it. I just don't agree with the strategy. And apparently you don't either. ie. "the smart play". We agree, so enjoy the synergy!

My bad, I just hate when people think I make things up for the heck of it. Half the stuff I can't put a finger on where I found it but was said in one of the countless articles I read of interviews I listen too.

No prob. Its the internets. People assume people are trolling for a fight...

I've been enjoying your contributions.

This is very true, and thanks. I enjoy you and the rest of this forum community, much more knowledgeable than most communities.

You think Hech ends up on our team or playing for another by 2013-2014?

SharoneWright · Post #14 » by **SharoneWright** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 2:10 am

flatjacket1 wrote:
This is very true, and thanks. I enjoy you and the rest of this forum community, much more knowledgeable than most communities.

You think Hech ends up on our team or playing for another by 2013-2014?

I suffer the same sentimental attachment as any fan. We identified and signed him. We contributed to his development. He IS blocked by YE, but there is enough of an age difference where we could make him our SS of the future ie. 2015+.... but we need to get him there. And that would entail giving him time at 2b to develop his bat.

It all hinges on his bat, as you say. But I'm not prepared to trade him away yet. We have time. He can go AAA this year. We could have him rove (ala Vizquel-role) this year. Or hand him the full time 2b job next year and instead spend all our FA money on a 1B (votto or other). (My preference)

Bottom line. its too early to wash our hands of him. imo.

flatjacket1 · Post #15 » by **flatjacket1** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 2:20 am

SharoneWright wrote:I suffer the same sentimental attachment as any fan. We identified and signed him. We contributed to his development. He IS blocked by YE, but there is enough of an age difference where we could make him our SS of the future ie. 2015+.... but we need to get him there. And that would entail giving him time at 2b to develop his bat.

It all hinges on his bat, as you say. But I'm not prepared to trade him away yet. We have time. He can go AAA this year. We could have him rove (ala Vizquel-role) this year. Or hand him the full time 2b job next year and instead spend all our FA money on a 1B (votto or other). (My preference)

Bottom line. its too early to wash our hands of him. imo.

Personally I believe he can develop his bat at either 2B or SS. I like that he can defend 2 positions now. I'm open to trading him if he has a decent year at AAA in a package for either a uber prospect or maybe even a Santos type deal which would land us a good-great reliever and a B-/C+ prospect.

Lateral Quicks · Post #16 » by **Lateral Quicks** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 5:33 am

It's way to early to forecast a Mike Mccoy worthy offensive career. He's turning for 23 this April and has played two years of pro ball.

For one thing he's got two inches on McCoy and when he matures (apparently he added a fair bit of muscle this off-season) I expect he'll hit for much, much more power than McCoy ever would. Reports suggest he has some decent pop in his bat.

The Jays didn't ahnd him all those millions based on the glove alone. Yes, AA values defense up the middle, but he also values two-way players. They must have seen potential with the bat to hand out that money, and there's still time for Hech to develop. He's fallen on prospect charts for good reason, but you just never now with young talented players.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #17 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 1:09 pm

Something obviously clicked since his promotion to the PCL. To write him off as a Mike McCoy is way too premature whether it was an anomaly or perhaps growth.

flatjacket1 · Post #18 » by **flatjacket1** » Sat Mar 3, 2012 12:20 am

LBJSeizedMyID wrote:Something obviously clicked since his promotion to the PCL. To write him off as a Mike McCoy is way too premature whether it was an anomaly or perhaps growth.

It is called the "PCL effect". Anybody can hit .300+ with ease. One of the best hitters leagues in the world.

I agree though, but I'll have you know I'm not writing him off, I just think he can be moved for another asset we could use (SS is blockaded). I think a Mike McCoy comparison might be a little premature but his bat is currently at that level, and there is much more of a chance of his bat staying at that level rather than becoming a star.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #19 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:42 pm

flatjacket1 wrote:
LBJSeizedMyID wrote:Something obviously clicked since his promotion to the PCL. To write him off as a Mike McCoy is way too premature whether it was an anomaly or perhaps growth.

It is called the "PCL effect". Anybody can hit .300+ with ease. One of the best hitters leagues in the world.

I agree though, but I'll have you know I'm not writing him off, I just think he can be moved for another asset we could use (SS is blockaded). I think a Mike McCoy comparison might be a little premature but his bat is currently at that level, and there is much more of a chance of his bat staying at that level rather than becoming a star.

Didn't mean just the PCL. Even in the AFL he was showing growing power trends.

vaff87 · Post #20 » by **vaff87** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:00 am

I'm of the belief that Hech can hit. His ridiculous hand-eye coordination, 20/5 vision, bat speed, and 44 extra base hits last year, lead me to believe that. He just hasn't been very selective at the plate, and has had a few mechanical issues with his swing. I wish people would give him time, and stop writing him off like he's the second coming of Rey Ordonez or something.