The Blue Jays have informed veteran infielder Joe Panik that he’s made the club’s Opening Day roster, tweets Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The Jays won’t make the move official until next week, however, so there’s no corresponding move for selecting his contract just yet.
Panik, 30, turned in an 8-for-29 showing (all singles) with a pair of walks and just one strikeout with the Jays during Spring Training. He’ll make the club as a backup infielder for the second straight season and look to improve upon last season’s .245/.340/.300 batting line (141 plate appearances).
The Jays have a full infield with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, Marcus Semien at second base, Bo Bichette and shortstop and the versatile Cavan Biggio lined up at third base. Panik can back up all around the diamond and give the club a plus defensive option with solid career walk and strikeout rates (8.4 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively). In 2842 career plate appearances, Panik is a .269/.334/.380 hitter.
Wonder how Jays fans feel about this guy. In his later years with the Giants he would always be a sure bet to make contact but it would always be really weak contact, which would be frustrating to watch as a spectator.
Generally feel the same. He was half decent last year as a bench bat/defensive replacement type but not thrilled that he makes the starting roster. They must feel like his veteran clubhouse presence brings some value. Still I imagine they are all tired or hearing about the double play all the time.
Garyeave…Who could be tired of that double play? Lol.
As a Jays fan, I think he’s a suitable 4th infielder. You’re not going to get many all-stars for the bench.
I think hes basically just the last man on the bench who will get a few AB’s per week. Hard to feel anything positive or negative from this move. I do like that it means Espinal will get everyday AB’s in Buffalo, I think it would’ve been a mistake to glue him to the bench in the majors.
Totally agree. Espinal needs regular ABs to reach his full potential.
I think I’d much rather watch Espinal play than Panik. But it’s all about options. By starting the season with Panik they stash Espinal in AAA to come up after an injury, whereas if they carry Espinal to start the season they lose Panik on waivers.
The Giants are my NL/local team, so I’ll always be thankful for 2014, but Panik just isn’t a very interesting player these days.
Oh don’t get me wrong I like Espinal more and he definitely has more of a future with the team. But he’s barely played at AAA. Maybe one more half season of regular AB’s turns his below average bat in the majors to league average, which will be fantastic for a controllable utility player. For the amount of time the backup infielder is going to get off the start, I don’t think there was any doubt this is what they would do.
There’s an argument for that, sure. He’s 26 years old, though. His physical prime is right now. Despite the lack of AAA at bats, I think he’s too old to preemptively send down for development when he’s playing better than the other utility guy option — although you’re never too old to be sent down for not playing well.
Except for the options situation. Because of that, and the fact that I can’t think of a second infielder in Buffalo I’m comfortable with, I realize they have to stash him in AAA at the start of the year to maintain depth. I expect he’ll end up with at least a hundred MLB at bats this year in the end.
You touch on a key point, if they let Panik go and put Espinal on the Roster who gets called up in the event of an injury , especially this early in the season. This move is all about keeping depth. It’s a marathon not a sprint.
Time to panic in Canada.
He was on the team last year too bro
Nice
Not really, since they’re playing in Dunedin.
No new material yet? 0 points for originality. Hmmm 11 years – 2.2 billion on salary and 0 WS appearances. That has gotta hurt.
Weak-minded Markkko riled up by a harmless joke. Try a new approach. A thoughtful one this time.
The clownshow trolling and showing his arrogance . Yawn.
I love that he’s a veteran on this team and he’s only 30! The future is bright in Toronto!
If one of the Jay’s infielders go on the IL they won’t have to Panik now.
Good for Joe!
I remember when he came up in 2014 and MLBTR writers were making fun of him in the chats and articles. I watched the guy play and figured he could help a team at 2B (and maybe elsewhere) because he just tried to put the ball in play. Was a smart player that did little things to maximize the talent he had – similar to what Brewers manager Craig Counsell was as a player.
Now Joe’s going into his 8th season. That’s amazing. For all the “starting the service time clock” talk, the truth is that most MLB players last between 2.5-3.5 years. They never see 6 years. Joe has a chance of making 8 and deserves credit. He understands the game. Perhaps in the next 10 years he’ll become a ML manager.
I liked him on the Giants, he was my go to guy for “Beat the Streak”
I’m glad he’s back for a second year, can’t wait for the season to begin!
Trade bait that’s all
No plans to trade him at all. He’s a utility infielder. If he’s hurt or someone else is, then Espinal is called up. If the team is in contention he stays. If the team is out by the deadline they may deal him for the little they’d get, but trade bait he’s certainly not.
No chance he’s on the 40 man come September. No way
Safe bet for a bench player. Good vet to have on the team.
Me while Watching dodger giants games: Don’t panic, it’s just joe panik.
These pathetic moves won’t do anything to stop the power house clubs like LA.
We’ll just get him to fly out in a RISP situation.
Moving in a poor old deck chair on the titanic. Meh.
Better have Espinal up in the Majors learning. He can’t learn anymore in the minors.
Yeah, 28 games in AAA. 26 in the majors.
Couldn’t possibly improve in AAA
Keep on whining Jimmer/ Guests! Someday you will be GM.
Assuming Panik takes Valera’s spot on the 40-man, and Espinal is on the taxi squad. Having Semien means they have two players who can play SS, leaving Espinal as the odd man out. Panik has a month to sink or swim.
LOL! Right on cue! The Clowncar rolls in!
Le Grande , you called it ! lol
Even in a non-baseball take you manage to still be incorrect Markkko. I blame the Yankee fans for getting you upset enough to wet your pants. Find a clue next time, troll.
I know Valera can pick it, but there are so many who can pick it and hit a little bit. Why are the Jays so in love with Valera?
Look Jimmer, I would have cut Panik and Valera but with AAA starting a month from now I suppose it’s ok. Espinal is a better player. Having Panik on the team is a decision made by a team that’s ok with not having their best 26 guys.
Panik will have a month to show off, Espinal will be waiting for his chance to show that he can be in the majors. Numbers don’t lie. Espinal won the job because of his work every day and I know that this decision by Panik was not Montoyo’s idea.
As a Giants fan, having seen him play, it’s hard not to root for the guy. Glad he’s still contributing.
Hey Pete I root for him too even with his brief stop in NY as Mets fan
He’s more of a backup coach than a reserve player. It’s a good move with the youth on the team.
Good player, it seems like he made contact with everything when he was with the giants.
Panik on the streets of Dunedin…Tampa, Boston, Baltimore…
Burrrrn down the DIS-co…
Myself, I was hoping to see Panik in Detroit…
Bummer. Was hoping to see Panic in Detroit. Guess ill have to travel thru the streets of London (Ontario) to see him
Much needed lefty bat to have around
Good utility guy. Jays fans have low expectations after having the pleasure of watching Ryan Goins, Munenori Kawasaki, and a 45 year-old Omar Vizquel in the same capacity.