The Blue Jays designated right-hander Robert Ray for assignment to create 40-man roster space for Eric Thames, according to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm (on Twitter). The Blue Jays placed Adam Lind on the 15-day disabled list and called on Thames to take Lind's 25-man roster spot.
Ray, 27, appeared in a handful of games for the Blue Jays in 2009 and 2010. He is currently on the 7-day DL in Triple-A and has not yet appeared in a game this year. In parts of six minor league seasons, he has a 4.19 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9.
Thames, 24, has a .342/.419/.610 line in 167 plate appearances at Triple-A with 17 doubles and six homers as an outfielder. He hit 27 homers at Double-A last year and has a .303/.381/.529 line over the course of three minor league seasons.
According to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays called on Thames rather than Brett Lawrie, since they wanted a left-handed bench bat in Lind's absence (Twitter link). When Lawrie gets the call, he'll join the team as an everyday player.
Isn’t he still injured?
Robert Ray was a perennial AAAA player. Occasionally being called up to the majors, but he wasn’t good enough to stay there. This makes room for some new talent. being called up to the majors, but he wasn’t good enough to stay there. This makes room for some new talent.
So i’m guessing Thames will be used primarily at DH, Patterson in LF, EE 1b, Rivera to the bench?
I’d put Thames in LF, Rivera DH, EE 1B and Patterson bench
me too but I think farrell has a hard on for him in the 2 spot…him and his .293 career OBP… ugh
no wonder Jbau has 11 Solo HR’s
some baseball people like to have a left handed bat in the two spot to take advantage of the hole created by the 1B holding the leadoff baserunner
I actually like Patterson a lot more then Rivera right now. His speed works well with how we are trying to play right now and he has been hitting the ball pretty well. I say keep him in left and put Thames at DH for the time being.
Anyone see Patterson being traded in a package with him upping his value so far this season? Of course only if Thames works out.
Patterson pretty much has no trade value
According to Farrell, he will play LF and DH.
Good news to see Thames up here.
Bas news to see Lind’s injury is serious than they expected.
Hopefully Thames leaves his mark so we can say good bye to Rivera.
I don’t think Lind will be out for full 15 days, it’s until May 24 or so I’ve heard so it’s not as bad.
Jays badly needed an outfielder.
Its retroactive beginning May 8, he is eligible for return May 23rd. Farrell said he fully expects him to be available then.
Robert Ray was in his final season of minor league assignment options.
Wonder who goes when Brett Lawrie is added to 40-man roster? Richmond, Roenicke, Rivera, or Mastroinanni?
Edit: Add Luis Perez to list
Since they say that when Lawrie comes up he’ll be an everyday player
It would make sense if it was Nix
You could be right. But, I think they hold onto Nix. Maybe even package him in a trade. I see another AAA pitcher in his last year of options getting designated for assignment.
No one will give up anything of value to get Nix. He’s a bench player.
agreed, hopefully after the allstar break Jays will have Thames, Snider and Lawrie in the lineup everyday.
Davis CF
Escobar SS
Bautista RF
Lind 1b
Hill 2b
Snider LF
Lawrie 3b
EE/Thames DH
Arencibia C
would be my lineup going forward, assuming Thames makes an impact
(R)Escobar SS
(L)Thames DH
(R)Bautista RF
(L)Lind 1B
(R)Hill 2B
(R)Lawrie 3B
(L)Snider LF
(R)Arencibia C
(R)Davis CF
Bench:
Petterson, Nix, Molina, Encarnacion/McDonald
This is much better lineup going forward, I prefer Davis at number 9th spot. Thames or Lawrie in 2nd spot in lineup would help them do more damage because they will likely see a lot more meaty fastballs because of Bautista. The right and left handed hitter combination will be deadly for other teams.
I wouldn’t put Thames or Lawrie at the 2 spot for this year with them being so inexperienced. Also if you are looking for a true l/r lineup you failed by having 3 righties in a row with JP Davis and Escobar. I would rather have someone a lot fast then Escobar batting first and Escobar seems to be a pretty good 2nd guy in the order.
Escobar’s GB/FB is 3.2 and line drive rate is down to 13%, so he’d probably be a double play machine right now in the 2 hole. Walks are up, OBP is up, and there’s no need to ‘create’ runs with Jose a batter away. Rajai’s a career 320 OBP guy with a lot of speed that can create runs with slap singles hitters behind him, not an ideal high on-base lead off guy in a power lineup. In the end, Davis wreaking havoc on the bases can buy the younger players (and johnny macs) some ‘cheapies’ at the backend of the lineup somewhere 6-9, and all the extra fastballs for the no. 2 guy would be an ideal place for a line drive hitter with a little speed/pop combo (Hill ’09 or developed Thames/Lawrie-types). We’re stuck with Patterson for now, but they’ll probably rotate between he, Nix, Hill and maybe give the rooks a look here and there in the 2 hole throughout the season.
That’s exactly was my thought behind it. I think Lawrie/Thames or even Hill might be a better #2 hitter if he returns to his 09 form. Hitting ahead of Bautista has its advantages. Remember when Vernon Wells used to hit infront of Carlos Delgado?
I don’t agree with inexperienced hitters shouldn’t bat top of the order. This is rebuilding year, let them get accustomed to spot where they are projected to hit. Manager Leyland was hitting Andy Dirks top of the order in his debut!!!!
actually yesterday on the blog getting blanked, Parkes did an analysis of the pitches thrown to corey patterson when he’s in front of bautista or when he’s elsewhere in the lineup, and there was litterally no difference.
Same amount of 4 seams and 2 seams thrown.
that’s what researchers have found virtually every time they’ve checked. if anything players hitting in front of monster bats get pitched too harder than they otherwise would. the only thing that changes consistently stat-wise is that they walk less
other than that, lineup protection is not a real thing. and in all those proposed lineups, jose bautista should probably be hitting 4th for the jays
if anyone still believes in line up protection. explain to me how Jose Bautista’s last week has happened with Edwin Encarnacion and Juan Rivera hitting behind him
It would make sense if it was the 8th pitcher in the pen.
thats the 25 man roster not the 40
I am excited for Thames, I would like to see Lawrie on the big team before the end of July. But going forward unless AA can find a willing trading partner for Rivera, EE, Nix, Patterson, I see them staying on the roster until the end of the season. Rivera, EE, and Cooper would be the trade candidates. (Note: I view cooper now being blocked by lind for a few years so why not see if we can trade him for another Gose type guy.) It does not make sense to release Rivera when there is a decent chance if he plays he becomes a type B free agent. I do not like him but it does not make sense to release a guy like that either. Also Rauch, Fransisco, and Dotel are our worst 3 pitchers in the pen statistically so lets look to move them as well.
Rauch is the only guy that has looked good closing, Francisco has a big power arm. Those 2 arent going anywhere. Dotel on the other hand should be sent to the glue factory!