EE = New Bautista?

[Santoki]

I've been loving EE as much as the next guy so far this season and he's been carrying our offense much like Bau did the past two seasons, but isn't this narrative being started a bit too soon? I know I've joked with friends about it, but when I started hearing it in the media, I start to worry. EE has always been either on fire or slumping mightily - just this year his hot streak seems to be at the beginning of the year.

I just think it's far too soon to compare him to the home run king of the past two seasons and we should just temper expectations of Edwin. Let's enjoy it while it lasts, but I'm not ready to crown this guy the new Bautista after one month.

[J.Kim]

I'm more inclined to believe this is a hot streak. At least with Bautista, when he went on that hot streak in September we kept hearing about his new approach, how he retooled his swing and added several elements. With EE, we haven't heard anything about this... and it doesn't really seem like he's changed his approach much.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

EE is prone to hot streaks like this. Remember he did something similar a couple years back during interleague play

[Brinbe]

I don't think he's the new Bautista or anything, but I do think this production is for real. Edwin is 29 now, right in the middle of his prime, clearly looks a lot more comfortable here/with his teammates, and has been swinging quite well since Spring Training. No reason to think he'll completely drop off now.

[HangTime]

EE is prone to hot streaks like this. Remember he did something similar a couple years back during interleague play

I just hope he bats 3rd or 4th while on this streak.
---
Also, how many teams would make a waiver claim on Adam Lind if we tried to send him to AAA? (I assume he's out of options)

We should call up d'Arnaud and let him catch, while JPA plays DH and works on his swing.
or
Call up Yan Gomes to play DH/C/1B, I am interested to see what he can do at this level.

[Drake_02]

EE is prone to hot streaks like this. Remember he did something similar a couple years back during interleague play

I just hope he bats 3rd or 4th while on this streak.
---
Also, how many teams would make a waiver claim on Adam Lind if we tried to send him to AAA? (I assume he's out of options)

We should call up d'Arnaud and let him catch, while JPA plays DH and works on his swing.
or
Call up Yan Gomes to play DH/C/1B, I am interested to see what he can do at this level.

I would assume he would be claimed.

[pinklemo]

if he continues a great year and bautista falls off from his last two years, its gonna be tough for AA to decide on EE's future. I hope he continues his hot start till July and try to trade him for something.

[kavan]

Looks like EE just got himself a PayDay but good for the Jays Joses numbers got him 7.5mill so EE wont be getting much more then 4-5milli unless he is looking to go else where but I think his relationship with Jose and Yunel should keep him around. Especially if we start winning. I think his contract is on his mind and he wants to continue to rip the stat sheet up but lets wait it out till the allstar break!

[Geddy]

EE has always had the power to mash them out. The big difference I see this year is that he is a lot more patient at the plate and laying off outside pitches.

[Raps in 4]

I think EE is just on a hot streak. I don't expect this to carry on for the rest of the season, or into future seasons.

[BigLeagueChew]

Definitely a hot streak, his numbers right now project over 162 games as 193 hits/50 doubles/58 home runs/50 RBI's/.307avg/.367obp/1.016ops.

[Homer Jay]

Yeah definitely a streak. However he is quite capable of maintaining a .850+ OPS for the season. I'll take that from our DH any day.

[Drake_02]

Well this hot streak has been going on for over 2 months (dating back into last season).

[flatjacket1]

Yeah definitely a streak. However he is quite capable of maintaining a .850+ OPS for the season. I'll take that from our DH any day.

Being an .850 OPS DH would tie him for 4th best DH in the league by OPS.

Just looking at the past, here were our opinions on EE pre season:

I think it's all the real EE. He's got 900 OPS potential in has bat at any given moment, but he's a streaky guy who will suffer long bouts of the bleh's. I do think he's destined for at least a couple .850ish OPS seasons with fewer cold bouts, but I can't imagine how one can determine when that's going to be.

He was the second best hitter on the team last year, and is an average to slightly above average DH going forward. I can't complain about that too much, especially for what he's getting paid. If he can somehow be more consistent, he has plenty of pop to put up a .850 OPS or better season.

I think EE will turn the most heads in 2012. I am feeling a 2.5 fWAR season at DH.

A lot of people said .850. I think it's looking like he might have the .900 OPS season referenced by satyr.

[S-centz]

That's exactly how I've seen EE this season as well, but the smart thing to do is to wait it out. But, I'm extremely happy someone picked up Joey Bat's slack

[Relentless88]

EE has been a pleasant surprise since the 2nd half of last season. I remember when the Jays demoted Snider last year (after losing the job to Thames), many people (me being one of the many) were upset they didn't release Edwin and keep Snider up. At the time, Edwin was just starting to get hot and I don't think any of us thought he could keep it up.

Anyways, I'm glad I was wrong, and he's here and giving us elite production. Imagine our record/offense this year without EE.

[Drake_02]

Jose needs to get it going. Right now, I would think about putting EE in the three hole.