Jays Spring Training Observations

Jays Spring Training Notes

Brett Lawrie

Lawrie’s big spring is creating a debate (although admittedly I don’t know that anyone who makes decisions for the Jays is actually debating) that he is ready to start the year in Toronto. I have to think this is a bad idea for a few reasons. First off, there is that handy little CBA rule that states the clock on a player’s club controlled years don’t start ticking until the he has reached 170-something days on a Major League roster. Secondly, I know Lawrie is tearing it up, but think of the sample size; his well timed spring training hot streak doesn’t mean he is ready to face Major League pitching everyday for the next six months. Further to that point, I know people are saying he looks good at third base, but I have to think that it takes more than a couple weeks to become comfortable and proficient at a new position if you’re expected to play that position in the Major Leagues. Different story if you’re playing in my softball league. Give BLaw a month and a half in Las Vegas and if he is still killing it, there will be no question he is ready for the show.

Pitching Injuries

Injuries to Octavio Dotel and Frank Francisco have (at least temporarily) opened up a couple slots in the Jays’ bullpen. It goes to show that depth really is never a bad thing. The bad news is that while Dotel should rebound quickly, according to Mike Wilner, Frank Francisco (one of the Jays better relief options) is on a more uncertain timetable, out with an undiagnosed shoulder injury. Gulp. Regardless of what happens to the injured relievers, I would like to see Jo-Jo Reyes go North with the team in some capacity. He is still only 26, has less than 200 big league innings to his name, and it wasn’t that long ago that he was a highly touted prospect. He can start, pitch in relief, or take the now departed Brian Tallet’s job as swing man. Gambling on Reyes’s upside is a better move than handing the job to an older pitcher with a lower ceiling or a younger pitcher with minor league options left.

Jose Bautista and Defensive Alignment

While there has been plenty of discussion on what kind of offensive player Bautista will be moving forward, I am wondering what kind of defensive contributions he can make. We all know about the great arm, but the metrics suggest he has never been a plus defender at either third base or right field and a player turning 31 is most likely going to start regressing if he hasn’t already. Is it actually possible that playing Edwin Encarnacion at third with Bautista in the outfield (where he’s a bit better) is Toronto’s most efficient defensive alignment? Playing E5 at third, and Bautista in right would allow Juan Rivera to move to DH. This may be the most optimal situation seeing as it gets Rivera out of the field and moves Bautista to the position where he provides the most value. I’m not sure, but it’s something to argue about.