The Blue Jays have placed third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right middle finger, per a team announcement. Infielder Ernie Clement has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take his spot on the active roster. Chapman exited yesterday’s game with discomfort in that finger, and manager John Schneider revealed after the game that it had been bothering Chapman for several weeks after a weight room accident.
Chapman’s season began with a blistering hot streak that saw the former A’s slugger briefly regain the MVP-caliber form he’d displayed earlier in his career. Through the end of April, the two-time Platinum Glove winner posted an outrageous .384/.465/.687 batting line with a 12.3% walk rate and 22.8% strikeout rate. That checked in 115% better than league average, by measure of wRC+, but Chapman’s previous strikeout woes have since come roaring back since that time. In 406 plate appearances dating back to May 1, he’s batted .211/.303/.360 with a 30% strikeout rate.
The past few weeks have indeed been particularly difficult; Schneider didn’t place an exact date on Chapman’s injury, but he’s hitting .194/.256/.278 since the trade deadline — a far cry from the month of July, when he looked to be on the upswing (.247/.402/.506). Chapman averaged a hefty 94.2 mph off the bat with a massive 59.3% hard-hit rate through Aug. 1 of this season, but since the deadline he’s been at 89.5 mph and 41.3%, respectively, in those regards. It seems rather clear that something hasn’t been right.
It’s not presently known just how long Chapman will be sidelined, though the Jays will certainly hope for a swift return. Even as his bat has fallen off, Chapman has continued to play his customary brand of excellent defense at third base. His batted-ball profile also creates some consistent hope for a turnaround at the plate. Players who can consistently make high-end contact at Chapman’s rate tend to eventually see their production line up with those batted-ball trends. Toronto is currently 2.5 games out of the American League Wild Card hunt as well, and getting a healthy Chapman back into the lineup would be a boon as they look to chase down the Rays, Rangers and Astros — who currently hold those three Wild Card spots.
A speedy return to the lineup will also be of importance to Chapman himself, who’s slated to become a free agent for the first time at season’s end. The month of August hasn’t gone as he’d hoped following a productive July, and the ideal scenario for him would be to allow that barking hand to heal and finish out the season on a productive stretch. A qualifying offer for Chapman appears quite likely, and provided he can return and finish out the season with a strong performance, he’d have little hesitation in rejecting it in favor of a multi-year deal. Up-and-down as his season may have been, Chapman is currently batting .248/.338/.431 on the whole — production that’s about 13% better than league average, per wRC+. Coupled with his standout glovework and the general upside of his batted-ball profile, he’d still be one of the market’s most sought-after free agents — albeit not to the extent that he’d have been had he maintained his plus offensive output all season.
Karma gets this guy. Never fails. Gave his manager the finger , ever since…
Schneider uses schoolyard bullying tactics to intimidate and is a sorry excuse to have direct reports of any kind as a manager, whether it is an MLB team or a 7/11.
Whats your issue with Schneider? Never heard anything like that before…
You obviously never watched Ted… would you like a link for a Ted talks on schoolyard bullying tactics?
Some people get the nicest people in the world to cuss them out, like of all the Colors that you shine, this is surely not your best… you should know these colors that you’re shining on? Surely not the best, colors that you shine
Like when Marlyin Manson would take exception to silly questions in interviews? The interviewer would almost always get flipped off by his answer… And by silly you KNOW the type of condescending moronic question I’m referencing? Same BS that KFC and Budlight are dealing with? Yeah
Chapman is doing exactly what he was paid to do, hitting around .240, fielding well, leading the AL in doubles. Maybe that middle finger is aimed at everyone who expected so much more.
He’s on pace for his second lowest SLG% and has a sub .700 ops so far in the second half when his team is absolutely desperate for offense.
Outside of his first month, he’s been one of the worst everyday batters in baseball.
Guess that middle finger was pointed at you, Dusty
People are numbers can’t you see
That you and I should get along so different
I know you want platinum and I brought you gold
The only difference is the silver that your plate holds
Can’t you understand what makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
My boss is super lazy and he *itches at me
I’d like to see him stab a line drive going 103
I know he’s super fat and can’t bench press more than me
But I’m suppose to jump off a cliff chasing him?
Can’t you understand what makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
I was exploited for my talent and it injured me
I didn’t have 5 years of eligibility
So the carrot they dangled is mocking me
When there’s no push it always comes to shove
Makes me understand why Josh Hamilton
Illustrated a booked called drugs not hugs
Can’t you understand what makes man
Hate another man
Help me understand
I don’t follow Chapman or the Jays closely, but it was noted how poorly he had performed since the trade deadline, reversing an “upswing” in July, and also that the finger had been bothering him for “several weeks.” These periods overlap significantly, perhaps totally, and might explain his week performance in August.
I think he ment to bite off his finger and spit it at the camera
Like what a better way to say “there gonna hang me for this so let me censor my ‘wash my mouth out with soap’ for you”
Chomp on this *deliberately bites own middle finger off and spits it at the camera like a *bleeping* filthy animal*
You’ve been able to see it in his eyes every at bat. He’s got dollar signs in his eyes as he’s been trying to play for a mega contract all year..
@Buff Barnacles
You must have the new HDTV. Mine can’t pick up the dollar sign eyeballs at all. Does yours also display how confident he is ?
NOSAINT
He bought his from a Foreigner? Don’t you know Jukebox heros illuminate all the stars in people’s eyes? Like they come alive?
And they said I was ethnocentric…
The number of ladies he’s scored with displays his confidence level duh Duffis smdh isn’t this 2023? Where you get labeled for labeling?
Jukebox hero… a dead poetry much to soon
R.I.P. CULTURE
… He would be dumb to reject a QO.
Interesting, would the Jays risk it ?
I wouldn’t Risk it as the Jays, I would offer 3/$30
If I’m not the Jays, this is one of the few times I’d rather have the draft pick and see anywhere at all else there isn’t any 3B help
If I’m Matt Chapman, that $20something million is my peak earning possibility, I’m taking it
In a perfect world, I’d rather be the Jays than Matt Chapman, Chapman rejects the QO and I sign Jeimer Candelario
Yes. Let’s just sour a perfectly good relationship by low balling him for 10 mil per season. Real dimwitted approach.
LOL
He’s going to get min 150 mil, outside of Ohtani there is no sure things.
Second TJS on the table for Ohtani says he’s not a “sure thing” either.
I don’t think Chapman breaks the bank in free agency but he’ll have teams interested. The offensive down turn shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering that outside of Bo Bichette and Whit Merrifield the rest of the Jays lineup has underperformed terribly
Don’t think he’ll get that. 25 x6 ? Not worth it
He’s a top 5 free agent this year at a position many big spenders are weak in.
It’s a very opportunistic time for him to hit the market. Teams are going to spend and despite his flaws he will command a very healthy contract
Chapman’s not getting $150-mil over 6. Preposterous take.
Want to bet ?
Oh yeah, we’re going to bet over a comment section. Smart idea. Almost as bad as your Chapman comment.
You can say I told you so if some organization wants to throw their money away. Chapman is not a $150/6 guy even in this market. He’s not a $25-mil per year player and if the barometer is Arenado, Chapman isn’t getting the absurd dollar amount you think he will.
Sure thing… that’s as guaranteed as banks that are “to big to fail” and FDIC
After the debacle contracts last couple of years , I think teams may start getting weary of these long term albatross type deals.
Chapman certainly an albatross risk. Poor man’s Josh Donaldson written all over him. Hmmm now that I think of it probable got his schooling from JD way back in As camp. Lol
I think only the true studs will get those big deals.
Who would you sign ? Candelario oh chapman
This off-season ? And how much will u invest ?
Neither
Addison Barger is on his way.
Barger has played 17 games at 3B in AAA. Currently sporting lacklustre statistics. He’s not the guy. Jays would have groomed him by playing him at third every day in Buffalo.
It’s pretty likely he’s ticketed for 2B next year, given Whit is likely gone.
But I can also see Orelvis playing 2B.
The better of the 2 defenders will be playing 3B next year, its not going to be Chapman at his asking price.
Candelario isn’t very good with his glove either.
Can’t go back to the days of Edwin (E3) playing 3B. Watching Espinal is bad enough.
No other options in FA as it’s a weak class
2B could be Cavan. Orelvis has played primarily left side infield. I think he’s more likely to land at 3B. IF the Jays don’t acquire one.
I’m not hoping Cavan is the 2B. Just a gut feeling.
Will be interesting to see how the Jays handle OF.
Neither , not because of anyone in AAA , coz they both are not worth an investment.
The Yankees or Cubs will overpay for him. A 5 yr deal for his 31-36 yr old declining skill set.
This is the get it done league! They are not getting it done. The vibe ain’t good.
Another travesty of grammar and syntax by Steve Adams.
“Up-and-down as his season may have been” is not proper English. How can a writer be on this site, getting paid, not knowing basic grammar? You can’t just not have “as” at the beginning of the sentence.
Because it’s an advertising supported baseball blog not the New York Times.
Basic standards of English and editing don’t require large sums of money.
Why do you need “in those regards” after you already say respectively? Just being verbose. “In those regards” adds nothing to the sentence and is redundant.