Jays Journal » Juan Rivera

How the Blue Jays Spend Money

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:33:11 +0000

Last month Alex Anthopoulos dropped a bombshell when he announced during the winter meetings that the Jays had “payroll parameters.” It shouldn’t have been shocking news. Every team in baseball has a payroll limit, just as the resources of every business are finite. It was disappointing for many Jays fans though, as many felt as [...]

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Jays Notes: Tinoco, Rivera, Carlson, McCoy

Jared Macdonald — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:51:39 +0000

Belated congratulations to Jose Bautista for winning a Silver Slugger award again this year and to Mel Didier for being recognized recently as one of baseball’s top scouts. Here are some additional Jays nuggets from today:

The Jays signed 16-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Jesus Tinoco this morning, according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. Badler goes on to mention that the 6’3″, 198-pound Tinoco possesses a heavy fastball that already touches 91 mph and, in addition to being projected to be a power pitcher, he has an advanced feel on his mid-to-high 70s curveball. Tinoco is the third international youngster the Jays have signed who has trained with Ciro Barrios. (more…)

Half Way Through: Blue Jays Position Players W.A.R

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:04:01 +0000

Just over the half way point of the season, it is a great time to take a look at how our individual Blue Jays have faired. Today I will examine the stat: Wins above replacement player (war).

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The Lesser of Two Evils: Edwin Encarnacion or Juan Rivera?

Jared Macdonald — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:36:05 +0000

Few Blue Jays have been less popular this season than Edwin Encarnacion and Juan Rivera. They have certainly struggled at times and fans have been clamoring to ship them out of town, whether it be in a trade for a bucket of balls or an outright release.

Both players have managed to contribute at times and seem to be turning the corner, but both have been hard to watch other times. There are pros and cons to to retaining each player, which are outlined here to better prepare you for this inevitable question:

If you could release one of them today and HAD to hold on to the other, which one would you send packing and why?

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Possible Jays Trade Targets: Adrian Cardenas

Mat Germain — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:28:39 +0000

It’s a strange time to be bringing up trade chatter, but there are some moves that will soon have to be made by Alex Anthopoulos, and other GMs, that could shake up the depth of teams across MLB. The A’s recently acquired Scott Sizemore from the Detroit Tigers in return for ex-Jays reliever David Purcey, which got me considering what Oakland’s next move may be. Why? Well, if you look at their depth, they have Mark Ellis playing 2B, Kevin Kouzmanoff playing 3B, and both Adam Rosales and Scott Sizemore soon to join or replace them (one from the D.L., and one who is the heir apparent at 3B). Add Cliff Pennington who has taken hold as the SS the A’s needed, and Grant Green who isn’t far away in AA, and you’ve got a fairly clogged infield for the A’s overall. Aside from 1B, that is. (more…)

1/4 through 2011: Blue Jay Hitters

Mon, 23 May 2011 19:13:37 +0000

Just over a quarter of the way through 2011, the Blue Jays sit at .500 (23-23). Is this where you expected they would be?

As with any team in any season, there have been ups and downs for the 2011 Jays. The team has dealt with significant injuries (Morrow, Lind, Hill, Davis), and seen a number of players struggle (Snider, Encarnacion, Rivera, Hill). On the positive side, Jose Bautista has been the best hitter in all of baseball (wOBA .549), and the bullpen has been strong. (more…)

Juan Rivera Must Be Traded or Cut Loose By Jays

Mat Germain — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:23:52 +0000

Alex Anthopoulos needs to be credited for doing something that many people across MLB thought was absolutely impossible: he moved Vernon Wells and his albatross contract. However, what he inherited in the process was a catcher and first baseman named Mike Napoli, later flipped for Frank Francisco, as well as one giant Angels headache in left fielder Juan Rivera.

Since the season began, Rivera has played in more games (34) than any Jays player aside from Yunel Escbar. He has 125 ABs to his repertoire. What has he done with those ABs? (more…)

Edwin Encarnacion: The Unproductive DH On The Block?

Mat Germain — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:12:40 +0000

Now that the Jays are beginning to slide a little from the AL leaders, some people are starting to point fingers. Some say it’s the fault of GM Alex Anthopoulos for not bringing the young guns up earlier. Some say it’s due to the many games lost to injury combined with “needed” demotions. Others say that it was just meant to be. And the pointing goes on. Having read and listened to all that has been put out there, there are only 3 things that I know as factual: it’s NOT the pen’s fault, it’s NOT Jose Bautista‘s fault, and Edwin Encarnacion has been a near disastrous signing as the Jays DH. (more…)

Jays Journal Series Preview: April 29-May 1 vs. New York Yankees

Jared Macdonald — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:46:52 +0000

After a solid series in Texas that saw the Jays take three of four courtesy of some unexpected offense, the Jays roll into Yankee Stadium for the first time this season in a three-game set.

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Jays Options Regarding Juan Rivera

Mat Germain — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:14:01 +0000

The Jays did get rid of a huge amount of cash when they dealt Vernon Wells to the Angels, but they also inherited what may be a huge $5.25 million headache in Juan Rivera. With Edwin Encarnacion back to a full-time DH role and the Jays placing Jayson Nix at 3B in his place, the Jays have little use for Rivera at this point. Even if they did “have use” for him, they likely wouldn’t get much from him. His stats thus far in 2011?

39 ABs / 4 hits / NO EXTRA BASE HITS / 4 TB / 7 BB / 6 SO / .103 AVG / .239 OBP

Ugly doesn’t even begin to describe the line above, but it’s not the worst of it. The lack of effort Rivera has shown on the field is an even bigger issue. At this point, the Jays might as well be trying to unload another Vernon Wells like contract in trying to get a team to take a chance on him, because he’s not even worth the spot on the bench on this point and is making way too much money.

So, if you’re Alex Anthopoulos and the Jays, what do you do with Juan Rivera? (more…)