Three centre fielders in the outfield now, how do you see the alignment shaking out?
v RHP:
Varsho, Kiermaer, Springer
v LHP:
?, Kiermaier, Springer
?, Varsho, Springer
Same as v RHP?
Or something else? Kiermaier actually has better splits against LHP than Varsho on his career (who's been pretty bad v LHP), do they hide Varsho against lefties or let him try to work on that? Seems like having both Varsho and Kiermaier in the lineup against lefties would be a bit rough. Merrifield maybe?
I don't see signing Kiermaier and not giving him most of the reps in CF when he's healthy, his bat doesn't play in the corner and he would presumably be ticked off riding the bench as a (really expensive) PR/4th outfielder.
Do they still have a need for an offense-first outfielder, probably a righty who can platoon Varsho/Kiermaer, especially considering Springer and Kiermaier are probably best considered part-time players (at least in the field)? It's really feeling like Hernandez or a similar player would be the perfect fourth... Maybe they jumped the gun on the Swanson trade? Varsho, Kiermaier, Springer, Hernandez would have been a pretty impressive outfield.
I'd platoon him. But think they try to give Varsho some run vs LHP. Just a year ago (2021) he was better against lefties than righties (.819 OPS / 123 sOPS+ vs LHP). There's a lot of small-sample-size in both his 2021 and 22 seasons vs LHP: 90 and 129 PAs respectively. So they may want to give him some runway, knowing that he's going to be giving them value with the glove out there and giving the lineup a different look. Still, they are going to have guys that they need to get ABs (like Merrifield), so a platoon wouldn't surprise me. I'm wondering if Adam Duvall might become an interesting bench bat to target. Not sure how his wrist is though.
Nice write-up! Do you think that given the Jays went huge with this outfield defence move, they might have just been better off keeping Teoscar and not signing Kiermaier?
I love this trade. Moving G.M. made the most sense for a win now team. Godspeed young man. The last few years were very disappointing in the final results, so the idea of running it back and hoping for better luck seems pretty silly. And Gurriel...He just wasn't good enough, not really sure why people are so upset about losing him.
Gadzooks! Big ass trade! We've got our CF for the next half decade. And we're set behind the plate, as we had just about the best catching tandem in the league last year that we can run back. Extend Janny Dancin' and we'll be set there for the next half decade too. Strong up the middle. The FO believes in Kirk. So do I.
High cost depending on how you value prospects (in general, and Moreno in particular), but also a good return. I think the point about team culture is important, too. I don't object to them having fun - I love the home run jacket, for example - but there are countless examples of where Hernandez failed to leg out a play, and Gurriel isn't exactly the most focused defender. These are positive changes, IMO.
Agreed. I love the fun dugout stuff too and I'm not a fan of cliches about baseball IQ or whatever, but turning the dial a little more towards extreme focus and competence in the field and on the bases seems like it will help.
Varsho is a great player, but I get a strong feeling that Moreno will also be a great player. It's a lot to give up with Gurriel in there as well - do you think there's a little element of desperation? They absolutely needed to get an outfielder and the remaining free agent options are not appealing. I think they have done well, but a steep price. With Gurriel and Hernandez gone there will certainly be a different dynamic in the dugout. And less seeds and hair.
Three centre fielders in the outfield now, how do you see the alignment shaking out?
v RHP:
Varsho, Kiermaer, Springer
v LHP:
?, Kiermaier, Springer
?, Varsho, Springer
Same as v RHP?
Or something else? Kiermaier actually has better splits against LHP than Varsho on his career (who's been pretty bad v LHP), do they hide Varsho against lefties or let him try to work on that? Seems like having both Varsho and Kiermaier in the lineup against lefties would be a bit rough. Merrifield maybe?
I don't see signing Kiermaier and not giving him most of the reps in CF when he's healthy, his bat doesn't play in the corner and he would presumably be ticked off riding the bench as a (really expensive) PR/4th outfielder.
Do they still have a need for an offense-first outfielder, probably a righty who can platoon Varsho/Kiermaer, especially considering Springer and Kiermaier are probably best considered part-time players (at least in the field)? It's really feeling like Hernandez or a similar player would be the perfect fourth... Maybe they jumped the gun on the Swanson trade? Varsho, Kiermaier, Springer, Hernandez would have been a pretty impressive outfield.
(I see Atkins confirmed Kiermaier as CF and Varsho LF, but is that also v LHP?)
I'd platoon him. But think they try to give Varsho some run vs LHP. Just a year ago (2021) he was better against lefties than righties (.819 OPS / 123 sOPS+ vs LHP). There's a lot of small-sample-size in both his 2021 and 22 seasons vs LHP: 90 and 129 PAs respectively. So they may want to give him some runway, knowing that he's going to be giving them value with the glove out there and giving the lineup a different look. Still, they are going to have guys that they need to get ABs (like Merrifield), so a platoon wouldn't surprise me. I'm wondering if Adam Duvall might become an interesting bench bat to target. Not sure how his wrist is though.
Nice write-up! Do you think that given the Jays went huge with this outfield defence move, they might have just been better off keeping Teoscar and not signing Kiermaier?
Long time, first time.
I love this trade. Moving G.M. made the most sense for a win now team. Godspeed young man. The last few years were very disappointing in the final results, so the idea of running it back and hoping for better luck seems pretty silly. And Gurriel...He just wasn't good enough, not really sure why people are so upset about losing him.
Gadzooks! Big ass trade! We've got our CF for the next half decade. And we're set behind the plate, as we had just about the best catching tandem in the league last year that we can run back. Extend Janny Dancin' and we'll be set there for the next half decade too. Strong up the middle. The FO believes in Kirk. So do I.
Also - Happy Xmas, Stoeten.
High cost depending on how you value prospects (in general, and Moreno in particular), but also a good return. I think the point about team culture is important, too. I don't object to them having fun - I love the home run jacket, for example - but there are countless examples of where Hernandez failed to leg out a play, and Gurriel isn't exactly the most focused defender. These are positive changes, IMO.
Agreed. I love the fun dugout stuff too and I'm not a fan of cliches about baseball IQ or whatever, but turning the dial a little more towards extreme focus and competence in the field and on the bases seems like it will help.
Varsho is a great player, but I get a strong feeling that Moreno will also be a great player. It's a lot to give up with Gurriel in there as well - do you think there's a little element of desperation? They absolutely needed to get an outfielder and the remaining free agent options are not appealing. I think they have done well, but a steep price. With Gurriel and Hernandez gone there will certainly be a different dynamic in the dugout. And less seeds and hair.
Honestly, I just don’t think Gurriel is great — or isn’t s great fit on a RH-heavy team where a lot of DH at-bats are spoken for.
I agree. He’s had his moments, but overall he’s easily replaceable.