Major League Baseball’s investigation into domestic violence allegations against Mets closer Jeurys Familia could be nearing a conclusion, according to Ken Davidoff and Matt Puma of the New York Post. The Mets excused Familia from their pitchers and catchers workout Saturday (and he won’t be in attendance Sunday), which is related to the league’s case, two sources informed Davidoff and Puma. Mets manager Terry Collins doesn’t expect Familia to miss any more time this spring beyond Sunday, but the league could hand the reliever a 30- to 50-game regular-season suspension in the coming weeks, Davidoff and Puma suggest.
More from the East Coast:
- While there’s interest across the majors in utilityman Brock Holt, the Red Sox aren’t looking to trade him, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. “Many clubs like him a great deal,” said president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Since debuting in the majors with Pittsburgh in 2012, the versatile Holt has seen action everywhere but catcher and pitcher, though Boston doesn’t have an obvious place to put him this year. Most of Holt’s playing time last season came in left field, where ballyhooed rookie Andrew Benintendi will line up in 2017. Even including 2016, though, the majority of Holt’s big league experience has come at third base, but the Red Sox are banking on a revival at the hot corner from fellow lefty-swinger Pablo Sandoval. Thus, barring another poor showing from Sandoval – which is quite possible, of course – Holt could struggle to find reps. Nevertheless, Holt told Cafardo he’s “extremely happy” to be in Boston. The 2015 All-Star is under Red Sox control through the 2019 season.
- Justin Smoak manning first base and Steve Pearce handling left field on an everyday basis would be the “best-case scenario” for the Blue Jays this year, general manager Ross Atkins told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. “A lot could change, a lot could evolve,” continued Atkins. “(Melvin Upton Jr.) is a very good major-league player and he very well could be the guy that’s playing regularly in left field for us. What we’d like to do is to have a spring training that gives us that choice to make.” Hoping the 30-year-old Smoak carves out an everyday role seems unrealistic, as the former top prospect has underwhelmed in the majors and is coming off a subpar season. After signing a two-year contract extension in mid-July, the switch-hitting Smoak posted a .184/.283/.368 batting line in 99 second-half plate appearances. Should the lifetime .223/.308/.392 hitter’s issues continue in 2017, Pearce would primarily take the reins at first, which would open up left for Upton and Ezequiel Carrera.
- With Sean Rodriguez set to miss most or all of the season, the Braves are trying to find an in-house backup for star first baseman Freddie Freeman, details David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Right fielder Nick Markakis, utilityman Chase d’Arnaud, infielder Jace Peterson and catcher Tyler Flowers are all candidates to slot in behind Freeman – who missed just four games last year and has appeared in no fewer than 147 contests five of six full seasons. If Atlanta doesn’t settle on any of those four as a reserve first baseman, it could turn to free agent Kelly Johnson, as he and the team are still in touch, tweets O’Brien. Another go-around in Atlanta would be the fourth for Johnson, whom the Braves drafted in 2000 and then signed as a free agent in each of the two prior winters. The club subsequently traded the journeyman to the Mets during both the 2015 and ’16 seasons.
Like to see Marco Hernandez worked out at 3b in pawtucket long term and become the future all infield utility player since he’s already decent at SS/2b, then try LF next season perhaps over ST, or winter ball. his bat seems to be better than that of holt and the glove isn’t shabby at either SS/2b, if could get just fair at a couple other p[laces, they would have a replacement for holt when he gets expensive.
Like to see Devers get to Paw Sox and play 3B for 2 years and then take over in Boston.
Devers is supposedly on the 1 stop at a year train, so he’s almost certainly slated to spend most of the year at AA Portland. nobody really at Pawtucket prospect wise, just multiple retreads Boston signed over the winter to play there in 2017 and Rutledge was a rulev guy that has to be offered back to Colorodo if he doesn’t make the 25 man roster.
IMO.. Hernandez could be really valuable in another year or so.
I agree, and for the sake of depth he should certainly start the year in AAA since he has options, and you start with a bench of Vasqy, Holt, Rutledge and Young.
I’d agree with Hernandez getting time in at other positions, specifically third, but feel like Holt’s bat had a bit more impact. If memory serves me correctly he prospered more at the plate with somewhat limited ab’s.
Smoak full time at 1st is a best case scenario? What’s the worst case? Jays having to play the whole season using only Leafs players? Rogers Centre burning down with the team in it? Rogers Centre burning down WITHOUT Shapiro in it?
Our worst case scenario is having Smoak and Upton in the same lineup.
I’m pretty sure there hoping on a breakout there. How realistic that is is debatable. I wish they’d go with Pearce all the time at first unless they’re facing a tough righty like archer or tanaka with Upton in left
JDGoat gets it at least. Can’t wait to see a few others eat crow.
Check the splits, Smoak is decent against RHP. With regular ABs to correct the holes in his swing a bit, he could be good against RHP. For the price, that would be fantastic. Not unreasonable. Blows my mind to see some people so confidently dismiss the guy.
Check the game logs too. As a Blue Jay there has been about 10 weeks where he has seen above half time duty. May 2016 is the only stretch of consistent ABs this guy has seen as a Blue Jay. He was the 2nd best bat in the lineup during that stretch. Wouldn’t have made the playoffs without that. Remember how bad everyone was hitting???
Give him a real chance and the Jays got a bargain. Majority of AB vs RHP and the ability to find a groove could mean a season of about 450AB, .800 OPS, and 25HR/80RBI not out of reach. I’m firmly on board the Smoak bandwagon. Will be glad to admit if I’m wrong, but from what I’m seeing, I think I’ll be doing some bragging by October as long as the playing time is above half.
And over the past 5 years, he’s been above average every second one. He’s coming off an 87 ops plus last year, so if history repeats itself it’ll be over 100 this year
Coincidence or not– that’s the spirit!!
Everyone can get lucky with a hot streak. Smoak is the same at the plate as Colby Rasmus was, dead red pull hitter.
His saving grace is that he can pick it at first base fairly decent & he hasn’t shown up with dreadlocks yet…lol.
If Smoak can learn how to hit consistently, stop swinging for the a dinger every at bat & be a better first baseman, I’ll jump on board.
But I’ll never be happy that Encarnacion is not our primary 1st baseman. He should be a Blue Jay & I’m still pissed that Shatkins gave up on him so quickly & signed Morales out of spite.
Well said HarleyQuinn.
Colby signed for 5mill. Very good comparison.
I’d also consider Moreland and Carter as similar to Smoak in terms of skill and recent signed contracts.
Looking around the league, I can’t see how so many people can be this down on Smoak. He’s at least close to those names, and in my mind has potential to perform above his contract.
Shows flashes of Chris Davis type performance, which can be great and terrible at the same time.
But at a quarter the price, it’s worth the shot.
I really wish that Edwin was brought back too.
St Louis survived losing Pujols, and that is the closest comparison to Edwin that I can think of.
To sign Edwin would mean:
-a large contract for an aging player,
-no compensation pick,
-no Morales (which seemed to be attached with the Gurriel signing- check their agents…),
-and searching for even cheaper options to fill the bullpen and outfield.
In the choice between Edwin + garbage vs Kendrys + shinier garbage, I’m torn but not close to pissed. I don’t mind wading through the shiny garbage looking for treasures.
The money spent on Bautista was a shock but the outfield market after Fowler wasn’t overly attractive. Seemed that Fowler preferred getting to play CF so the Jays didn’t really stand a chance? Bautista looked good in his last return, so it’s not such a bad fallback scenario.
What if the Jays committed to Edwin and then a pitcher got TJ surgery? The ability to pull the plug and rebuild is what impresses me most about the current roster makeup. So much flexibility. After six weeks, we’ll see prospects or trades depending who starts hot or cold. After 2-3 weeks, Smoak could see bench for Upton, then 2-3 weeks until Carrera. Then prospect or trade time? I prefer prospects. Start with Pompey, then Rowdy, then Alford.
Spring will throw a wrench into all this, but for now it seems like the bases are pretty covered for backup plans. Smoak is plan A. We might end up liking plan C or plan J best, but I find it difficult to criticize this regime considering the budget they are likely trying to maintain.
If Gibby can get the left/right lineup platoons settled, the current roster makeup has what it takes. The sum can be greater than the parts. My biggest fear, outside TJ surgery from someone key, is that Gibby will mess up guys’ playing time again.
Said I wouldn’t ramble, oops… But that’s all for my night baseball fans!
Worse case I see is Rogers burning down WITHOUT the team in it.
Justin Smoak can’t hit a curveball/offspeed pitch unless he makes a mistake in his swing and opposing teams know this fact. U can get this guy out 9 times out of 10 by throwing fastballs low and away or eye level then following with off-speed that drops out of the strike zone. He is decent with the glove, the best defensively the Jays have at 1st which doesn’t say much. I wonder why the Jays are paying him like they are. He is way overpaid. Terrible trade bait too.
He wouldn’t of got a major league deal this offseason if he didn’t sign that extension
I know he’s not that great defensively, but Tulo and the others have praised him about being one of the best at picking up bad throws in the league. If he’s even average at the plate and gives the infielders more confidence, it’s not thaaaat bad of a contract
James Loney is better and cheaper
Loney would be better if used as a bench player.
As a starter, Smoak still has the upside. No shame in rolling the dice.
Alternative options for now would be Upton or Carrera playing more? Or sign Pagan?? I’d try Smoak first. Loney can be had in June? Or add an outfielder and let Pearce do it.
So much flexibility right now and haven’t spent money or prospects really. Still wiggle room to improve in-season. And a whole bunch of lottery tickets to watch fight it out during spring. Sky isn’t falling Jays fans.
Groundhogs day starring Kelly Johnson.
Your username is pretty dang finny, I have to admit..Kudos for the cleverness..lol
I hear the Braves have been scouting the Mets farm system in preparation for signing Johnson again.
John Gant (now in STL (Jaime Garcia trade)), Rob Whalen (now in SEA (Alex Jackson trade)), Akeel Morris (organizational #25 prospects all from Kelly Johnson trades.
Johnson should get almost as much credit for rebuilding the farm system as Coppy.
Yes, I think it is pretty crazy what the Braves have gotten for some of their “minor” bench and bullpen pieces as of late.
Like you said, basically just Kelly Johnson alone has netted the Braves John Gant, Rob Whalen, and Akeel Morris…
Now, while neither Whalen, Gant, nor Morris really look like future stars, Whalen and Gant proved to be pretty steady contributors that ended up becoming pivotal pieces of bigger trades. Which those two guys, along with a couple of other minor pieces, netted the Braves Jaime Garcia and Alex Jackson.
Garcia could end up becoming a relative steal for the Braves, if he proves to be healthy this year, and Alex Jackson is an extremely talented prospect. While Jackson has yet, to truly tap into his power stroke and hit tool, he still is very young and does have some solid upside.
I find it very intriguing the Braves are deciding to move Jackson back to his high school position of catcher, and if he can prove to be even a decent receiver, it will definitely help him long-term in regards to regaining his status as a top prospect…Either way though, he still has a looong way to go..
Also, it was pretty crazy to think that Coppy not only turned a couple years of KJ into those players, but the fact that he was also able to turn minor league signees Dario Alvarez and Lucas Harrell into one of this year’s top AFL performers in Travis Demeritte.
TD had a relative breakout year last season, and definitely capped it off making some serious noise during his time in the AFL. Yes, TD was/is well known for his tremendous bat speed leading to his excellent power numbers, but when scouts were able to get a long and hard look at Demeritte during the AFL, they all came away with nothing short of rave reviews for his defense!!
A 2B prospect that has the potential and ability to hit 20-25 HR’s, steal 15-20 bases, hit a good amount of doubles and triples, one that runs the bases well, and to get an infield prospect that gets rave reviews for his defense…ALL FOR Lucas Harrell and Dario Alvarez?? lol…That is an excellent trade in anyone’s book, whether you like Coppy’s work or not..
Yes, TD does come with some concerns about his strikeout numbers, but if he can get those down to even say, just the low 20’s, then the Braves will have one heck of a future 2B/3B prospect on their hands…
Even though, TD has drawn some excellent reviews for his defense at 2B, it will be interesting to see what the Braves decide to do with him in the future. Obviously, 2B is locked up in Atlanta, with Phillips currently, and Albies coming up soon either later this season or next…BUT the Braves do have a pretty big hole at 3B, with only the following in-house options:
*S-Rod, who is currently out for the year, but signed on also for next season.
*Adonis Garcia, who is basically a solid bench 3B/LF option currently functioning as a relatively below average starter
*Rio Ruiz, who is still fairly young, but for whatever reason the Braves have not deemed him ML ready, even though he had a pretty solid, albeit unapectacular, showing at AAA, facing mostly all older competition.
So there is definitely a spit there for TD, if he takes it
Anyone who uses the words “Justin Smoak” and “best case scenario” in the same sentance knows NOTHING about baseball.
Wow, Atkins is beyond stupid.
If this is how the Blue Jays are now run, I really hope they totally tank and lose a 100 games so there can be a major house cleaning.
Ya, having a below average player who COULD hit 20 homers who’s getting paid peanuts in today’s mlb leads people to believe a teams doomed.
No one believes the Jays are doomed because they have and hope Smoak is their full-time 1st basemen. But it is a good indicator of how poor a lineup is when you have a vastly overpaid spare part as your full-time 1st baseman, traditionally one of the expected top production positions.
Ok but over the past half decade we’ve had one of the best offences in the league with our 1st basemen consisting of Justin smoak, Chris colabello, and Adam Lind.
Oh please, EE played an average of 70 games at first base every year since 2012, Colebello had 1 year PED supported, Lind had one good year-2011 at first base, the rest of the time he was hurt or dh’ing against righties. and Smoak was pathetic spare part. We were good at 1st base because of EE. .
That’s exactly my point. Over that time Edwin played less than a third of the time at first. That means 2/3 of the time we had a bad to mediocre first baseman and we still had a great offense. Those teams didn’t lose because of the first baseman.
Vastly overpaid? I’m not even gonna look that up, Smoak must be among the cheapest 1B in the league. World Series have been won with worse 1B options. And not just in old tymey days.
Smoak is pathetic as a spare part. But check the game logs and you might be surprised. If he didn’t have to give up his spot to Donaldson at first, then Bautista multiple times, Smoak might have been less terrible. But a new year, with a chance at the heavy half of the platoon has the feel of something good to me. If he can get 15AB per week, he will be average. More AB means he’ll creep closer to .800 OPS in my mind. It’s really hard to hit in part time duty. Give the guy a break. He’s no Mientkiewicz. Or Moreland. Could be better.
Justin Smoak is not an every day player in any way, shape or form. Atkins is delusional if he thinks Smoak is an every day player. He is an absolute awful hitter. I’d rather have Ryan Howard on a 1-year contract at $1 million than Smoak on a 2-year deal that pays him $4.125 million a season. I don’t know why the Jays signed him to an extension in the first place.
Just curious – has Sandoval given up switch-hitting? He’s referred to in this article as a “lefty swinger,” and while he was always much better from that side of the plate, I didn’t think he’d given up switch-hitting completely.
I think he gave it up in the first season with the Sox because while he was bad from the left, he was even worse from the right. If he starts to hit well this year, we might see it come back.
Apparently he’s already picked it back up and will be switch-hitting again this year.
I think Holt starts a lot of games just to give someone a day off. It’s a nice advantage to be able to do that without having a significant drop in production.
Yes sir.
Would prefer Holt in a utility role – all eyes on Panda.
Not sure what illegal substance you ingested prior to any of your postings but Smoak is the least productive .184 hitter in the MLB. You absolutely cannot believe even half of the trash you post !!! Paying Smoak even the MLB minimum would be too much for a rapidly declining, pathetically slow, overpaid minor leaguer… In addition , he’s playing a position that historically is one that demands production . Smoak has had way too many chances to work on his swing , to quit swinging at offspeed, low and away pitches but he believes he’s good — and for that lack of intuition alone he needs to be outright released!!! Right now, Smoak would not even be hired as grounds crew!!!
I like your style giddyup. But I’m still firmly on the Smoak bandwagon.
Some indisputable facts to point out. I’ll hold off on too much of a ramble….
Batting requires finding a rhythm.
A long power swing requires a bit more time to find that rhythm.
BP and simulation ABs aren’t the same as the real thing.
Smoak has only seen one stretch with playing time above halftime as a Blue Jay.
He hit quite well during that stretch.
The potential is there.
Simple, no?
PS:
I checked since posts earlier. 20th highest paid 1B.
Last year’s performance says he should be DFA’d.
But anyone that watched the Jays regularly from April to October knows that Smoak didn’t get a true chance to find a rhythm.
Easy potential that he is among the top 20 1B.
Exact same profile as Moreland. Less glove, but more pop. Moreland signed for $5.5? Loney for peanuts isn’t a terrible proposal, but the upside with Smoak can’t be ignored if you actually look at his game logs as a Blue Jay.
PPS:
Position that demands production?
Last 10 World Series winners featured 1B production from Lowell, Huff, Belt, Belt. Nice to have a Pujols, Hosmer, Howard but something average has gotten the job done in the past. Call it the Giants blueprint.
Last 10 World Series runnerups featured 1B production from old Helton, Pena, Moreland, Adams, Duda. Cards got there after letting Pujols go in favour of Adams.
Jays are trying a hybrid of the Giants and Cards blueprints. And don’t tell me it won’t work in the AL East. Maddon perfected it with the Rays. Made the World Series with Carlos Pena starting at 1B?!
All for now. Go Jays!
Rizzo is terrific
We’ll have to agree to disagree on Smoak. I can already see myself yelling at the TV set You see! You see how bad he is! – as he strikes out over and over and over again with men in scoring position. They might even send him down this year or release him, you watch.,
Can’t imagine anyone would agree with me on Smoak after checking last year’s stats and remembering the last half of last year’s games.
I just feel strongly that his swing will benefit greatly from regular ABs. Because I know that nobody can deny that he did pretty well in his only stretch of consistent playing time as a Blue Jay. Only about 6 weeks worth of stats, but it tells me a lot more than what the results as a pinch hitter tell me. This stretch includes good and bad- I’m not trying to cherrypick, just trying to decide whether it’s worth a shot on the guy in fantasy this year tbh….
He will still strike out and strand runners. But given the chance he can still crush mistakes. Chris Davis strikes out and strands runners all the time. I’d be bold enough to compare Smoak to Chris Davis, or Khris Davis. But that’s crazy pants, I’d rather be slightly less bold and try Chris Carter, or Moreland or Rasmus- similar priced players.
If Smoak can get 12 AB per series instead of 12AB per week, then I feel safe to say he can approach 25HR/80RBI and .800 OPS.
He had 87AB post ASB. He had 94AB in May. It is simply not fair to judge a guy based on part time stats is all I’m mostly getting at. Not running a Smoak fanclub, just wanting to point out how crazy pants I think it is to suggest Smoak will be a dud because he’s always been a dud. Give a guy real playing time, and sometimes he’ll surprise.
I know on here asking for a “realistic trade proposal” is next to nearly impossible, with obviously any trade being proposed being just a relative “dream case scenario,” along with the fact it is next to impossible for fans of particular teams being able to agree on player “x’s” trade value or prospect “y’s” value.
Even with that being said, I am still curious as to what value the Red Sox could get back if they were to entertain a trade for Brock Holt??
I fully realize Brock Holt is not a superstar, but he does have quite a bit of value. Holt is the type of player that every contending team needs, and his versatility is almost priceless when it comes down to a GM and coach finalizing their 25-man roster.
Holt is the type of player that can allow a team to use a 8-man bullpen if necessary, or he could allow his team the luxury of carrying 3 catchers, etc.
Holt not only brings solid defensive versatility to any team, but he is also a gritty ballplayer, that does all the right things to help his team win. He can make quality outs by getting a runner over, getting a bunt down, and he can also steal you an extra base, and get from first to third on a single. Not to mention also his obvious abilities at the plate..
I, personally, love me some Brock Holt, and I would love for the Braves to trade for him. If the Braves were to trade for Brock Holt, what would a fair trade look like??
I might propose something like:
Braves get: Brock Holt
Red Sox get: Rio Ruiz, Matt Wisler, Luis Gohara, and Mike Soroka…
That would be 2 relative top 100 prospects, with Soroka being a big-time sleeper prospect, and then a quality, young 3B prospect with AAA experience in Rio Ruiz, and a 4th-5th type of starter in Matt Wisler.
Is that a fair/realistic trade?? Or is that overvaluing Brock Holt, or is it possibly undervaluing Holt??
What are you guys’ thoughts/opinions??
Think you might be over valuing him abit
I probably did overvalue Holt a bit in retrospect. In trying to make a fair trade, I think I over compensated Boston quite a good bit.
I think Gohara, Ruiz, and Wisler would be more in-line towards a “fair” trade, rather than adding in Soroka also.
So, Holt for Gohara, Ruiz, and Wisler…I would definitely be curious as to who would hang up first…Atlanta or Boston??
But, as the post below suggests, by DavidCoonce74, I do not think Jace Peterson is anywhere close to Brock Holt, in terms of talent level. Yes, Jace can play multiple positions, and yes he is indeed younger, but Jace is way too streaky and unreliable at best… Jace simply cannot be counted on to fill-in as a starter for any length of time; whereas, with Holt, I would be more than comfortable starting him for any period or length of time.
Then again, DavidCoonce74, you and I both know, as the old saying goes, “to each their own.” lol
Peterson’s offensive numbers are better because he gets on base more. Holt’s line last year of 255/322/373 is pretty mediocre. I don’t know why any team would trade anything of value for that. Kelly Johnson can do the same job as Holt for probably less money.
Why would Brock Holt be worth more than one decent prospect. Exactly what he is.
I wouldn’t venture a guess on trade value but your observations are spot on.
I wonder how much interest the Jays would have in flipping Upton for Nick Franklin. They’d have to eat the money, but they would be getting back four years of a guy that hits righties pretty well and can play all over. Carrying multiple gloves seems to have hurt his defense, but if he had to fill in for Devon Travis for a while at 2B you might see that play up a little bit. Rays could certainly use Upton a lot more than the Jays can.