In this week’s edition of Blue Jays Central: Ask the Insiders, they answered several fan questions including whether the Jays are messing up Brett Lawrie by moving him between second and third, and how the Brewers will handle Ryan Braun’s return next season after being lied to.
Greg asks: Are you concerned with this back-and-forth plan of Brett Lawrie at 3rd and then at 2nd and then back to 3rd again? It sounds like he’s staying at 3rd but seems like the front office is very indecisive and is kind of messing with the kid.
Buck Martinez: Greg, I couldn’t agree more. Brett is very gifted physically and could pull it off but at what cost? He is a young inexperienced player that needs to be put into situations in which he can enjoy success. He has the perfect makeup to play third, see the ball off the bat and go get it. At second there are many more things to deal with, who has the bag on a steal, who takes the throw from the pitcher on comebackers, how far to my left do I range, and which balls are double play balls and which aren’t. Brett could play second, but I think if you are going to try that, do it in the offseason in winter ball or spring training.
Pat Tabler: I think the Jays should put Brett Lawrie at third base and leave him there. He is an outstanding defender. It just isn’t right to ask a young player (who is struggling right now) to “ping-pong” back and forth between two positions. Believe me, I did it and it is really hard. Brett might have played second base in the minors a few years ago but relearning the position at the major league level is not a good decision. You have to give your team the best chance to win. That is the object in the bigs. Now, if the Jays want to go to spring training next season with Brett at 2B then he will have six weeks to relearn the position under less stressful times.
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Gregg Zaun: Greg, I am concerned with all the back and forth. I am also concerned that they have brought him back too soon after his ankle injury. I would have preferred to see him get 50 at-bats in triple-A before they brought him back. He hasn’t looked sharp at the plate. I think even Brett could lose confidence if his struggles persist.
Jack Morris: I don’t think it’s that big a deal, most guys can move around. Eventually he’ll stay in one spot. But he has great instincts at third and it takes a lot of time to learn the second base responsibilities. But he can play either position. I think John Gibbons likes him at third base.
Mike Wilner: I don’t have a real problem with it, and in fact I think it’s a positive that the Blue Jays are willing to explore every avenue that might make the team better. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to try something new and if it doesn’t work, change direction. I don’t believe changing back and forth has messed with Lawrie, and we’ve seen him to back to third base and continue to be the defensive standout he was before they moved him. Remember, he was drafted as a catcher, the Brewers moved him to second and the Blue Jays moved him to third.
Shi Davidi: Concern is probably too strong a word, but the frequent flip-flopping on this probably isn’t helping Brett Lawrie. I believe it stems from an organizational split on where Lawrie is more suited and will ultimately be resolved by Alex Anthopoulos’s ability to acquire a regular second or third baseman. Lawrie’s versatility gives the Blue Jays the option of expanding the number of players they look at and selecting the best fit. In the interim, Lawrie is probably best served by sticking in one spot.
Brent Berger asks: With the Jays unlikely to make the playoffs, why are they not trading some of the higher priced players as some other teams have done?
Buck Martinez: Brent, I don’t think there are many players right now on the Jays playing well enough to attract attention from the contenders. Even the relievers that have been so good all season are in need of a break. The players that may attract attention are Bautista and Encarnacion, two cornerstones of the club. Do you want to move them? The last two trades with Houston and Miami the Jays have gone for established players in an effort to make a run at the postseason, giving up a number of top prospects. I don’t see them switching gears right now and trading away experience for someone else’s prospects.
Gregg Zaun: Brent, in my opinion, they should listen to offers for everyone except Reyes, Bautista, Dickey, Janssen, Delabar, Cecil, and maybe Rasmus. Teams are likely to overcompensate for players at the deadline. Their value is highest right now.
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Shi Davidi: Teams typically trade high priced stars bound for free agency when they are looking to rebuild. The Blue Jays are not in that mode. Their pricey guys are part of the core, and Josh Johnson is the only big name headed to free agency (so too is Darren Oliver) and the big right-hander hasn’t exactly had the season he’d like. A contender can’t afford to roll the dice and hope he recovers. As for the other guys, the Blue Jays are looking to them for 2014 and beyond.
Mike Wilner: Brent, the Blue Jays weren’t built as a “2013 or bust” team. Even though it hasn’t worked out this year, most of their better and more expensive players are under contract beyond this season and expected to be able to help next year and the year after. There’s absolutely no reason to trade Jose Reyes or Edwin Encarnacion, for example. It’s not as though they can leave after this season like, say, Matt Garza. The Blue Jays wouldn’t get value for R.A. Dickey or Melky Cabrera if they traded them now, and Josh Johnson is a whole other story altogether. The way he’s pitched this year, though, the Blue Jays should be looking to move him to anyone who shows interest.
Francis asks: Seems like Ryan Braun’s teammates are pretty upset that he lied to them for an entire season. How will this play with his teammates in spring training? Is it really that simple that as long as he plays well all is forgiven or in this case does it run deeper?
Buck Martinez: Francis, only the Brewers players know how that will all play out. Braun looked everyone in the eye and thumbed his nose at them. Ball players have long memories especially when one of their own thinks he is above the fray. Braun will never “get passed this, and move on.”
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Jack Morris: I think he’s just like Rafael Palmeiro. I don’t think anyone will ever trust him again. It’s going to be very difficult when he rejoins the Brewers next season.
Pat Tabler: I don’t think it is as simple as Ryan Braun playing well and all is forgiven. Why? Because he lied to his teammates a few years ago and told them he didn’t take these PED’s. He looked into the camera and told everyone he didn’t, even scolded them for even thinking he took PED’s. The players who are clean and trying to do it the right way should be mad and should not except his apology. I think he is getting off easy!
Mike Wilner: I would be very surprised if it ran deeper, but Braun has been so completely vilified that it might. Players have welcomed back drug cheats with open arms ever since testing began. They mobbed Marlon Byrd when he got a walk-off hit for the Mets, they’re crazy about Bartolo Colon and his “mysterious resurgence” in Oakland, and the Blue Jays don’t have a problem with having Melky Cabrera around. It’s hard to imagine Braun will be blackballed when he’s eligible to return.
Shi Davidi: Ryan Braun will have to rebuild some trust here and while monster numbers will help, repairing relationships will be crucial. Remember, Braun was adamant about being clean when the first positive test surfaced and many of his teammates publicly supported him. To be lied to isn’t fun, nor is the long-running distraction he’s been since. But given his contract, they must find a way to co-exist productively.
Daniel asks: This Alex Rodriguez-New York Yankees drama is something else. Can you remember a more awkward public battle between a player and his team than this? How do you think it ends?
Buck Martinez: Daniel, I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this between a club and a player. A-Rod much like Ryan Braun thinks he is above the rules and policy of the Yankees and that he can dictate when and where he plays. The Yankees of course are exploring ways to get out from under the ridiculous contract they agreed to. Who can feel sorry for either of them?
Shi Davidi: No one does soap opera better than Alex Rodriguez, who has left the Yankees with quite a mess to deal with. To be honest, I’m not sure how it ends, but my guess is discipline from the commissioner’s office for PED use ends up providing the tipping point.
Rob asks: What do you think AA does with Adam Lind following this season? Seems to me he has shown enough to get one of his team options picked up. What are your thoughts?
Buck Martinez: Rob, I think Lind has shown enough for the club to pick up an option. He has played ok in the field and at times has shown signs of being the hitter he was in 2009. He is a Blue Jay and is signed at a decent price so my take is that they bring him back.
Pat Tabler: Yes, I do. I think Adam has proven that he is healthy and that he can produce. The Jays do not have many left handed hitters to complement their righties, so picking up the option on Lind’s contract makes a lot of sense. Lind has had some big games for the Jays this season. I believe it is a fair option for both the ball club and the player.
Gregg Zaun: Rob, I definitely think AA could get some value for Adam at the deadline and should if there is real interest. Then again, he and EE make a nice platoon at 1B and DH. I just wish the Jays had a more slick fielding one-bagger. Wouldn’t James Loney look good in T.O. next year?
Mike Wilner: Rob, I think he’s shown enough as well, but there are still a couple of questions. We’ve seen wonderful half-season from Lind before – how will the last two months of his season go? And once it’s all over, the biggest question is: If Adam Lind were a free agent, would you want to bring him back on a one-year deal for five million dollars? If the Blue Jays think he’s worth that (and remember Melky Cabrera is making eight million, so if he’s worth that….) then they’ll bring him back. Really, it’s up to Adam and how the rest of his season goes.
Shi Davidi: Tough to read this one. One of AA’s key business beliefs is in not letting assets die out and even a reasonably productive Lind is worth keeping around. But given that the team has about $109 million committed to 12 players for next year, I’m not sure how he fits into the salary structure without a payroll bump that may or may not be forthcoming. So at this point things need to play out more.