Rosterbation: Starters Settled in Time to Head North
A few things were finally settled this week before the Jays head to Montreal before the official start of the season.
Logic prevailed and Aaron Sanchez was named fifth starter. Sanchez pitched so well this spring, after working hard in the off season to bulk up and prepare to be a starter, the Blue Jays basically didn't have a choice. Obviously performance is the biggest thing that should determine who pitches where but the Jays wouldn't be remiss if they decided they wanted to reward someone who put the extra effort in, especially a player they see as part of their future.
Remember, also, they kept Sanchez instead of Noah Syndergaard in the Dickey deal four years ago. It's not a point to say they are desperate to see Sanchez succeed because the other one pitched in the World Series in 2015, but they probably do want to see what they have here.
There has been some argument made on 590 The Fan this week that the Jays are throwing fans a bone with this choice, but I'm not seeing that. Probably just as many newer fans wanted Sanchez in the bullpen because it's a known quantity and that's the way it was later in 2015. Throwing raging fans a bone seems like a stupid way to run an organization.
I made the argument earlier in the spring that if Sanchez pitches to his potential, the loss of David Price becomes much less of an issue (and a hell of a lot less expensive.)
Arden Zwelling wrote about Sanchez and his off season for Sportsnet.
“I wasn’t able to do the things I needed to—I didn’t have the stability,” Sanchez says. “That’s been in the back of my mind all off-season. I just keep telling myself, ‘You’ve got to be durable. You’ve got to be able to get the job done.’”
Here is Russell Martin talking to TVA Sports before the final decision was made.
P.S. Russell also says his goal is a World Series. Awesome.
Now it's time for your reminder that some of us speak French in this country.
Martin speaks Joual, which is the French that comes out of Montreal. I find Joual to be charming. I'm sure it makes proper French speakers grit their teeth. Martin "Frenchifying" the word "upside" is a hallmark of Joual. It's nifty a Blue Jay can do this.
Here's Martin, this time in English, forced to speak to Steve Simmons from the Toronto Sun.
“You have to play the right way, competing every single pitch, learning from your mistakes. I feel we have a dedicated group willing to pay the price. It’s not one guy. It’s everybody. You have to be resilient. You have to be tough. Veterans, young guys, everyone. Last year was a process of becoming who we want to become. We know we’re better. Now we know what we have and have to take advantage of it.”
You get one "play the right way", Russell. I hope you enjoyed it.
Osuna was also named closer, a decision that got a lot of press but is a little less of a big deal. Storen is going to get plenty of innings. It did give lots of fuel to the people that like to harp on about how Gibby likes to sow divisions in a united clubhouse. Which is funny.
Here also is the "Know your Blue Jay" video for Drew Storen, who seems very game.
Also, here is Tulowitzki 's. Massive hat tip to the editor who left the emo pauses at the end, like Troy was doubting his answers.
Bob Elliot covers the traditional state of the union address given each year at the end of camp by the longest serving Blue Jay. This year it was Jose Bautista. Bautista had a lot to say.
“We had a turnover and I’m not criticizing the game of the guys who left, but certain personalties might not have jelled here,” Bautista said. “It was refreshing to see Donaldson come in. He hates to lose. Before, we had guys who liked to win, but didn’t hate to lose. It was a different style. Now we have guys who love to win and hate to lose.
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Also hilarious, Bautista incredulous that Bob Elliot didn't know when the Super Bowl was. Add in a Diet Coke, and it's a very Bob Elliot moment.
John Lott, for Blue Jays Nation, writes about the new trilingual interpreter for the Jays, Josue Peley
“If a player says something wrong or something bad, I’m just there to give the message,” he says. “Just like if you interview Tulowitzki and he tells you what he’s thinking in English, that’s what I’m going to try to do. I’m not there to change the idea or change whatever they’re trying to say. I’m just there to help them and try to bring the message they want to tell the media.”