MLB 2012 - The Toronto Ban Jays

[Griever20]

Originally Posted by jparker2112

This is awesome!!!!

Ty This is more like, fooling around with the idea than anything Else, but I really enjoy this one. Bit more 'gamey' than others, but i need to restraint myself from trading from time to time and 2012-2014 was when I really got into Baseball

[Griever20]

Development Lab:
MLB SP Marcus Stroman(21, 2.5/3.5*) Improve Movement
AAA SP Chris Archer(24, 2/3.5*) Improve Control
AAA SP Noah Syndergaard(20, 2/3.5*) Improve Control
AAA LF Nick Castellanos(20, 2/4*) Quality of Contact
Short A LF Jesse Winker(19, 1.5/4*) Improve Outfield Defense
R SS Jim Hatfield(20, 1.5/4.5*) Gap Power
R 1B Adam Brzezinski(23, 1.5/4*) Generate Batspeed
R 2B Dave Cardenas(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Infield Defense

First Update: Dec. 12th
FINISHED: R 2B Dave Cardenas(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Infield Defense SUCCESSFUL
STOPPED: Short A LF Jesse Winker(19, 1.5/4*) Improve Outfield Defense
ADDED: R C Carlos Perez(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Defense at Catcher
ADDED: R 2B Leon Guadarrama(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Infield Defense

Second Update: Dec. 30th
STOPPED: R C Carlos Perez(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Defense at Catcher
STOPPED: R 2B Leon Guadarrama(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Infield Defense
ADDED: R CF Luis Garcia(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Outfield Defense
ADDED: R 2B Jesus Lopez(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Infield Defense

Third Update: Feb. 4th
FINISHED: R CF Luis Garcia(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Outfield Defense SUCCESSFUL
FINISHED: R 2B Jesus Lopez(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Infield Defense OUTSTANDING
ADDED: R 3B Tony Constancio(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Infield Defense
ADDED: AAA 3B Anthony Rendon(22, 2.5/4*) Improve Infield Defense

Total Update:
FINISHED: MLB SP Marcus Stroman(21, 2.5/3.5*) Improve Movement SUCCESSFUL
FINISHED: AAA SP Chris Archer(24, 2/3.5*) Improve Control SUCCESSFUL
FINISHED: AAA SP Noah Syndergaard(20, 2/3.5*) Improve Control NO IMPROVEMENT
FINISHED: AAA LF Nick Castellanos(20, 2/4*) Quality of Contact OUTSTANDING
FINISHED: R SS Jim Hatfield(20, 1.5/4.5*) Gap Power NO IMPROVEMENT
FINISHED: R 1B Adam Brzezinski(23, 1.5/4*) Generate Batspeed NO IMPROVEMENT
FINISHED: R 3B Tony Constancio(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Infield Defense SUCCESSFUL
FINISHED: AAA 3B Anthony Rendon(22, 2.5/4*) Improve Infield Defense SUCCESSFUL
FINISHED: R CF Luis Garcia(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Outfield Defense SUCCESSFUL
FINISHED: R 2B Jesus Lopez(16, 0.5/2.5*) Improve Infield Defense OUTSTANDING
FINISHED: R 2B Dave Cardenas(16, 0.5/3*) Improve Infield Defense SUCCESSFUL

We decided to do something a bit different as we kept two spots open for defensive improvements… and with some luck, we managed to get Anthony Rendon up to a 55D at third base and got some good bats that lack defense to improve from our AAA guys… we will continue down that path eventually.

International Amateur Discovery Additions and Update:
RHSP Javier Guzman(16, 3*) 55/50/50 65 Stamina from Kansas City Royals.
RHSP Etelson Velez(16, 3*) 40/60/80 70D from Minnesota Twins.
1B Sergio Betancourt(16, 3.5*) 45/45/80/60/35 45D at 1B from Miami.
2B Ed Diaz(16, 3.5*) 80/45/35/45/75 45D at 2B from Milwaukee Brewers.
2B Tony Morales(17, 3*) 55/60/55/65/55 50D at 2B from Baltimore Orioles.
3B Tony Costancio(16, 3*) 65/45/55/55/70 40D at 3B from Baltimore Orioles.
CF Pippo Angloma(16, 3*) 70/70/50/40/85 40D at CF from St. Louis Cardinals.

Well we got some good guys here. We will have to run some of them through our defensive drills next offseason and hope for some luck, but there is potential in here!

[Griever20]

Your 2013 Toronto Blue Jays:

Starting Pitching

RHSP Henderson Alvarez III(22, 2.5*) 9-15 3.86 84K 32GS 189IP 1.5WAR // 10-18 3.78 124K 42GS 252.2IP 2.2WAR (career)
Alvarez had a nice 2012 under the radar with a 3.86ERA and is one of the guys that deserve a bit more run support. His calling card is control, groundballs and the ability to throw a lot of pitches. He isn’t something special, but with a lot of team control left, Alvarez will be around for a while.

RHSP Chris Archer(24, 2/4*) 11-9 4-82 169K 29GS 162.1IP 1.8WAR (AAA) // DNP (career)
At age 24, Archer was the obvious choice to make the MLB roster to replace Davies, but even with his successful work at the development lab, the control of his pitches is a big issue. Having walked 3.9 per nine in AAA, his 2013 my be similar to Marcus Stroman’s… trying to develop at the MLB level with a lot of pain. Acquired via trade from TBR in 2012.

RHSP Carlos Carrasco(26, 2.5*) 11-12 4.58 141K 34GS 3.7WAR // 21-27 4.76 275K 67GS 374.4IP 5.0WAR(career)
Carrasco had a solid, but unspectacular 2012 and at age 26, our scouts have decided that the ceiling has come down and the floor will not come up. The concerning thing about him is his stamina, which has come down to a 40… which is close to unacceptable for a starter. We will run him out there for the start of 2013… but his days may be limited. Sad.

LHSP Scott Kazmir(29, 2.5*) 7-21 3.50 173K 193.0IP 34GS 3.2WAR // 73-82 4.07 1166K 214G/213GS 1215.0IP 17.9WAR (career)
The most random thing about Kazmir is… the 2x All-Star had his best season since 2007 and led the league in losses. Unbelievable. Promoted to Opening Day starter, the lefty really was eye opening in 2012, pitching off his changeup and utilizing our outfield defense in clever ways to get outs. Signed to the end of 2014.

RHSP Marcus Stroman(21, 2.5/3.5*) 7-16 4.84 125K 30GS 158IP -0.1WAR // 7-16 4.84 125K 30GS 158IP -0.1WAR (career)
Our extreme groundballer was forced to develop at the MLB level and did a good job, flashing his potential from time to time, and wasn’t hurting too much for us. The development lab increased his control and there is still movement and control potential, and since he has a great work ethic and is a Blue Jay with his heart, we expect another jump this season… right Marcus… RIGHT???

Relief Pitching:

RHRP Al Alburquerque(26, 2.5*) 1-6 7SV 6.58 70K 67.0IP 80G -1.1WAR // 7-7 7SV 4.73 137K 110.0IP 121G 0.2WAR (career)
Alburquerque was a hot mess last season and honestly, we are pretty down on him this season as well. The 26-year old has close to unfixable control issues, walking 6.6 per nine last season and while his stuff is elite, opponents only need one hit to drive in a run as he probably walked the first batter he faced. If we find a better reliever, he is in big danger. Trade acquisition from DET in 2012.

LHRP Bobby Cramer(33, 2.5*) 9-3 5SV 3.25 79K 99.2IP 76G 0.5WAR // 11-5 5SV 3.08 98K 85G/4GS 131.2IP 0.5WAR (career)
Cramer was not only or lone All-Star last season, but a revelation last season as he performed admirably out of the pen and somehow has thrown 99.2IP last season. At age 33, he may not be around forever, but we hope he will be around for another couple of years at least. There was talk about stretching him out as a starter, but we wanted to give the innings to a young arm… and we don’t have a good lefty for the pen to replace him.

RHRP Tyler Duffey(22, 2/3*) 2-3 0SV 5.83 28K 29.1IP 6G/6GS 0.2WAR (AAA) // DNP (career)
There was a lot going on with Duffey in Minnesota before we got him in the Rule 5, and not a lot that makes sense. The kid has a stamina of 35, yet was started a total of 15 times last year in the minors… That being said, he isn’t MLB ready and only here because of his potential that he may not even reach… there is a lot of work… but we have to take chances. Acquired via the Rule 5 draft in 2012.

RHRP Yoslan Herrera(31, 2.5*) 3-7 4SV 5.25 54K 61.2IP 70G -1.3WAR // 4-8 6.30 64K 80IP 75G/5GS -1.2WAR (career)
Herrera was discovered on the street before our clubhouse last year, and he pitched just like that last season. Yet, he is the best we can get here in this spot. Nothing to see here, move on.

LHRP Mario Lujan(24, 2/2.5*) 1-0 1SV 0.00 14K 8.1IP 4G/0GS 0.5WAR (R) // DNP (career)
Party! Our 2012 draft class has arrived. Replacing Luis Perez who has had an abysmal spring and little room for growth, our 21st rounder in last years draft got the job based on… a bit more potential and a 3.24ERA in spring training. Out of University of Kansas, he was a late find and features a four seamer, a sinker and a cutter with low 90’s velocity. Lujan is described as a sparkplug in the clubhouse, so a good guy to have around… he will get hit a lot tho.

RHRP Joakim Soria(28, 3.5*) 2-2 8SV 2.50 74K 72IP 72G 1.5WAR // 15-17 168SV 2.42 415K 370G 387.1IP 7.3WAR (Career)
Featuring a deep arsenal of a fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and cutter, the 2x All-Star signed a 3y$12.26M contract this offseason to stay around until his age 31 season, and we are veery excited and happy about having ONE good pitcher in the bullpen.

RHRP Arodys Vizcaino(22, 2.5*) 2-0 2SV 4.95 27K 40IP 35G -0.3WAR // 3-1 2SV 57.1 44K 57.1IP 52G -0.2WAR (career)
Vizcaino held up in the games we got him in and wasn’t a complete train wreck, which is about what we hoped. Through spring, he got his velocity up a tick and got the a bit of spin on his curve, nearing his full potential. Control needs to improve, as with most of our pitchers, but we think he is worth keeping around through his arbitration years.

RHRP Blake Wood(27, 2.5*) 0-0 0SV 5.56 33K 45.1IP 35G -0.1WAR // 6-6 1SV 4.65 126K 164.2IP 141G 0.4WAR (career)
Wood was a disappointment last season as he had a good 2011 and we hoped for him to lead the middle relief core ,Throwing 91-93, there is nothing too special in him and he struggled to get the job done but… well, we lack better options.

Catcher

C Travis d’Arnaud(24, 2.5*, R) .221/.275/.313 2HR 9RBI 52G/32GS 0.2WAR // .221/.275/.313 2HR 9RBI 29H 7R 52G 0.2WAR (career)
d’Arnaud was good enough as a backup catcher, but long term, we would like to get someone in that has a bit better defensive ratings. His bat hasn’t played up to his minor league numbers as well… but he is a warm body that can catch and amass a bit of WAR.

C Devin Mesoraco(24, 3.5/3.5*, R) .263/.315/.451 19HR 59RBI 139G 4.0WAR // .255/.307/.442 21HR 65RBI 139H 67R 157G 4.0WAR (career)
Mesoraco was eye-opening last season as he led all batters in WAR in our team, and we expect him to be the guy behind the plate for us for years. His bat is now fully developed and 70 grade power sounds soo juicy. Expect us to keep him around for a looong time. Acquired from CIN in 2012 offseason.

Infield

1B David Cooper(26, 2.5*, L) .257/.311/.358 9HR 49RBI 136G/115GS -1.2WAR // .251/.307/.363 11HR 61RBI 130H 51R 143G -1.1WAR (career)
Pure desperation. The lefty is just plain bad for a first baseman, but our options are too limited to not have him on the roster. Cooper will get a lot of AB’s against right-handed pitching but don’t expect more than an empty .270 out of him.

1B Eric Thames(26, 2.5*, L) .247/.310/.401 16HR 65RBI 160G/159GS 0.0WAR // .253/.311/.423 28HR 102RBI 237H 117R 255G 255G 1.8WAR (career)
Light and shadows. There were stretches last season where he looked like a potential 30HR guy, and there were stretches where he looked like he had no chance to hit a baseball. That equalled a net 0.0WAR season and we hoped for a bit more. At age 26, development is done, but there may just be one good season in Mr. Thames.

2B Eduardo Escobar(24, 2.5/3*, S) .253/.323/.373 7HR 52RBI 158G/149GS 0.9WAR // .253/.322/.372 7HR 52RBI 137H 57R 167G 0.9WAR (career)
Escobar had a good year in his rookie season, but I still have issues with him. At 50/80, his gap power, which is where his potential rating of 3* stems from, will never be reached, and his defensive ratings are average… at best. We missed the chance to pull him through a development lab because I fudged up, so we may have to do this next winter… Acquired via trade from CWS in 2012.

IF Adeiny Hechavarria(23, 2.5*, R) .282/.315/.371 2HR 18RBI 7/8SB 94G/36GS 0.6WAR // .282/.315/.371 2HR 18RBI 48H 12R 94G/36GS 0.6WAR (career)
Hechavarria is pushing hard to be the everyday second baseman and if he continues to perform with the bat like he did last season, he may soon have that job. A contact bat with a lot of singles and good speed on the basepaths and better defense than Escobar, he may even be the better 2B right now… but we want to see if Escobar can get his potential fulfilled.

3B Anthony Rendon(22, 3/3.5*, R) .383/.474/.685 34HR 101RBI 135G/125GS 7.1WAR (AAA) // DNP (career) #20 prospect
Having destroyed AAA pitching last season and finally (in the second try) improving his 3B defense juust a bit, Rendon got the call to be our 3B for the foreseeable future. With some parts of his bat still in development (Contact 50/70, Power 50/60, Avoid K’s 55/70) there will be some growing pains, but we have no reason to not start his MLB career. Acquired via trade from WSH in 2012.

3B Scott Sizemore(28, 2.5*) .190/.289/.308 9HR 48RBI 156G/150GS -0.4WAR // .214/.309/.344 23HR 118RBI 222H 121R 314G 1.9WAR (career)
Sizemore was a hot mess last season and that lost him his third base job… well and Anthony Rendon coming up. We signed Sizemore for his ability to hit .250 with a high OBP and got nothing out of him, which means he is relegated to platoon against LHP.

SS Ryan Goins(24, 1.5/2*, L) .286/.343/.408 3HR 52RBI 101G 2.5WAR (A) // DNP (career)
Can play 2B and short with great defence. We don’t talk about the rest. PLEASE! Just kiddin. His bat is work in progress and barely MLB ready, but we lack a good shortstop and the next best guy is more a center fielder than a shortstop so…

Outfield

LF/RF Jordan Danks(26, 2.5*, L) .207/.288/.321 11HR 43RBI 155G 25/31SB 0.8WAR // .207/.288/.321 11HR 43RBI 119H 58R 155G 25/31SB 0.8WAR (career)
The Chicago White Sox left us with a Gold Glove left fielder that held his own… but needs to improve his hitting if he want to keep his job in the next years as his base stealing numbers suggest he could dramatically improve his scoring if he does so. That being said, he is a 45 contact ability guy… no reason to expect more than a .230 hitter.

LF/RF Travis Snider(25, 2.5*, L) .229/.296/.390 22HR 67RBI 155G 14/18SB 1.8WAR // .240/.302/.409 50HR 171RBI 333H 183R 387G 30/41SB 4.1WAR (career)
Snider led our team in home runs while batting around his career numbers of .240, and honestly, I’m fine with that. Yes, we are paying him $3.3M this season for those numbers, but he is also one of the team leaders and has become very vocal in the clubhouse, AND similar to Thames, there may be a career season in him one day.

CF Jake Marisnick(22, 2.5/3*, R) .212/.262/.330 8HR 46RBI 22/28SB 153G 2.0WAR // .212/.262/.330 8HR 46RBI 99H 40R 22/28SB 153G 2.0WAR (career)
Marisnick’s bat has still ways to go, but his 80 rated center field defense alone is worth his butt in gold. He really helped out our flyball orientated pitchers like Kazmir and I personally think he got robbed a gold glove, but there will be one in the future. Our scouts bumped him up to a 3* potential, so some good news.

CF Kevin Kiermaier(22, 2/2.5*, L) .274/.347/.431 13HR 70RBI 34/45SB 137G 1.0WAR (AAA) // (career)
Another defensive ace, Kiermaier was slated to start the year in AAA but an injury to Anthony Gose and the fact that Kiermaier is on the 40-man and simply better than Gose made this call easy. Kiermaier has good speed, can play Gold Glove defense and has a solid bat in the making. Acquired via trade from TBR in 2012.