The Grapefruit League season is underway, exciting developments are happening in Dunedin, prospects are playing, jobs are being fought for, and Blue Jays fans across Canada are being left in the cold — literally and figuratively. I’d really love to stop grousing about such things, but the Jays-Yankees game on Wednesday was the club’s second contest in a row to not be broadcast on TV or radio, meaning we missed a wonderful debut from Simeon Woods Richardson, a pair of high-octane innings from Alek Manoah, Gabriel Moreno getting some time in behind the plate (and smashing the hell out of a ball), Jordan Groshans, and, more generally, baseball!
I think what a lot of fans miss in this Grichuk/Tellez debate that the front office gets is this: when your 4th OF can cover centre with a wRC of 102, and your backup 1B/DH may OPS .900, your team is awesome, and there’s no need to make a trade to worsen yourself. Grichuk will be modestly overpaid for 3 more seasons, but it works because Gurriel/Hernandez will be underpaid. No need to make a move. Similarly, Biggio is likely a versatile utility IF in the future. The only thing left to sort out positionally, is whether Bichette can stay healthy and effective at SS and what Vlad will be (I think they know it’s 1B). Next offseason or prospects will solidify the lineup.
I heard Shulman interviewed on The Fan this week and he certainly didn't sound thrilled about the simulcast situation. He acknowledged how difficult and untested it is and he made it seem like he would try for both audiences but isn't sure how it'll go.
Mail bag: On the Jays' broadcast mess, Tellez vs. Grichuk, Cavan Biggio, Charlie Montoyo, lineups, and more!
I think what a lot of fans miss in this Grichuk/Tellez debate that the front office gets is this: when your 4th OF can cover centre with a wRC of 102, and your backup 1B/DH may OPS .900, your team is awesome, and there’s no need to make a trade to worsen yourself. Grichuk will be modestly overpaid for 3 more seasons, but it works because Gurriel/Hernandez will be underpaid. No need to make a move. Similarly, Biggio is likely a versatile utility IF in the future. The only thing left to sort out positionally, is whether Bichette can stay healthy and effective at SS and what Vlad will be (I think they know it’s 1B). Next offseason or prospects will solidify the lineup.
I heard Shulman interviewed on The Fan this week and he certainly didn't sound thrilled about the simulcast situation. He acknowledged how difficult and untested it is and he made it seem like he would try for both audiences but isn't sure how it'll go.
Great stuff as always!