Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

For the third time this week the Bisons walked off Lehigh Valley. On Sunday it was Christian Colon who hit a ground rule double with the bases loaded in the tenth inning to win the game. Lehigh decided to intentionally walk Kevin Smith in the tenth to setup the double play. But Gregory Polanco also walked to set the stage for Colon.

Buffalo trailed 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh. In that inning Otto Lopez doubled in a pair of runs to make it a one run game. Then in the bottom of the eighth Rodrigo Vigil doubled in the tying run.

Anthony Kay started for Buffalo and pitched two shutout innings. But Jacob Waguespack and Fitz Stadler each allowed a pair of runs. Bryan Baker recorded the last six outs, in a row, to get the win.

Otto Lopez was the only hitter with two hits. Gabriel Moreno played four innings at catcher and then took the rest of the game off.

Three Stars

Third Star - Bryan Baker

Second Star - Otto Lopez

First Star - Christian Colon

Posted by Gerry on Sunday, September 26 2021 @ 11:06 PM EDT.

Another Walk Off | 22 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

92-93 - Monday, September 27 2021 @ 10:48 AM EDT (#407653) #

Biggio is hitting .227/.300/.386 in September with 5 walks and 15 strikeouts in 50 PA. Seems like he just can't get it going.

Chuck - Monday, September 27 2021 @ 11:12 AM EDT (#407656) #

The moment Semien signs his huge free agent deal with the Angels, Biggio will have won back his old second base job by default. He can then spend the off-season preparing accordingly.

92-93 - Monday, September 27 2021 @ 11:32 AM EDT (#407661) #

It's unlikely the Jays let Semien walk and don't bring in a 2B/3B that slots ahead of Biggio, who is currently behind Espinal, on the depth chart.

finch - Monday, September 27 2021 @ 07:42 PM EDT (#407681) #

Biggio will not be the starting second baseman for this team next season. I expect the Jays will sign another high profile SS to move to 2B. I�m not saying it�ll be a one year deal, but an overpayment for 3-4 years until Vladdy and Bo become really expensive.

John Northey - Monday, September 27 2021 @ 09:18 PM EDT (#407682) #

2B/3B is complicated.

ML: Semien, Espinal, Valera- Valera & Semien free agents.

AAA: Biggio, Smith, both have some ML time but Biggio had just an 83 OPS+ this year, 106 lifetime now; Smith a 6 OPS+ in just 36 ugly PA.

AA: Lopez, Capra - Lopez 22 2B/CF/LF/SS 318/382/442 between AA/AAA/ML, Capra 24 3B/SS/LF 316/390/531 AA/AAA - both looking good. Lopez also 21-3 in SB-CS

AA: Taylor, Groshans (both only in AA) - Taylor 22, Groshans 21. Taylor 2B/LF/3B 294/385/503, Groshans SS/3B 291/367/450

Those 4 kids who spent a big part of the year in AA all look really good to me. Lopez I figure has the first shot (already has ML experience) but the others all will have time in spring to impress. Biggio, Smith, Espinal will all fight it out but most likely for a backup slot, not an everyday one. Espinal getting a shot right now to impress.

In the end I agree the Jays will sign someone to be at 2B or 3B - ideally Semien but who knows? Possiblities are Chris Taylor (free agent, Dodgers, used in CF/2B/LF/SS this year and made the ASG, 111 OPS+, 2.9 WAR),
Kris Bryant (3.1 WAR at 3B/LF/RF/CF/1B this year, no compensation). Lots of SS's who might move over like Semien did, but more expensive. A trade is more likely but would be expensive. It'll be interesting to see which way the Jays go. The Rays would stick with the kids for sure, the Yankees would sign whichever free agent they could get. Jays could go either way.

ayjackson - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 12:37 AM EDT (#407684) #

I'd have a good long look at Moreno at 3B this fall/winter and into next spring.

Mike Green - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 07:10 AM EDT (#407685) #

Me too, ayj. Don't acquire Donaldson; try to make yourself a younger version.

greenfrog - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 08:26 AM EDT (#407686) #

It�s a good problem to have. Incidentally, I hope his thumb has healed properly. He missed a ton of time due to the injury.

uglyone - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 10:17 AM EDT (#407688) #

Get Donaldson (won't cost much in assets) AND create a younger version.

greenfrog - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 10:24 AM EDT (#407689) #

"Get Donaldson"

Why?

uglyone - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 10:37 AM EDT (#407691) #

Because he's good?

Mike Green - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 11:00 AM EDT (#407692) #

Donaldson turns 36 in December. UZR has him as a below average defender this year; DRS has him as an average one. The eye test suggests that UZR might be more accurate in this case but that's not the key point.

He can still hit, but given his injury history, you can't expect more than 450 PAs from him. If he's willing to accept a contract that reflects those diminished expectations, you could do worse. I am pretty sure that he won't. Big boppers who draw walks still get paid. But at this point in their careers, Donaldson is not much more valuable than Santiago Espinal.

greenfrog - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 11:03 AM EDT (#407693) #

In 2021, Espinal produced 1.6 fWAR to Donaldson�s 1.9 fWAR, in fewer than half the PA and at a tiny fraction of the cost. I�m not sure how much upside there is in guaranteeing Donaldson $50m for his age 36 and 37 seasons (including 2024 buyout). He might be a useful player to have around, but there is a fair bit of risk there.

Mike Green - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 11:07 AM EDT (#407694) #

Never mind. Donaldson is under contract next year for $21 million. That's a little more than he's worth. The Twins ought to be sending value to another club for taking on the contract, and the Jays have better uses for that kind of money.

Chuck - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 11:48 AM EDT (#407696) #

Donaldson is under contract next year for $21 million.

And another 21M after that. And then a 16/8 team option. So he's guaranteed 50M over the next two seasons. I worry more about his ability to stay in the lineup than I do to produce on the field.

Chuck - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 11:50 AM EDT (#407697) #

Oops, came in late, see that GF already cited JD's contract terms.

uglyone - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 12:30 PM EDT (#407700) #

That contract should make him nice and cheap to acquire asset-wise.

greenfrog - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 12:44 PM EDT (#407704) #

Not sure if an injection of Donaldson is what the FO is looking for in terms of building clubhouse culture.

uglyone - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 12:46 PM EDT (#407705) #

yep sure would suck to have a guy with the proven ability to lead a team through a playoff race and into the playoffs.

greenfrog - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 01:03 PM EDT (#407706) #

Donaldson career wRC+: 137
Donaldson career postseason wRC+: 108

bpoz - Tuesday, September 28 2021 @ 02:34 PM EDT (#407709) #

Paying all of Donaldsons salary is expensive but the prospect capital should be cheap.

If Minnesota pays some of the salary that would be better.

I suppose his 3B defense is still good enough.

If he needs some DH time then he shares with Kirk and others which is no problem I suppose. Springer spent a lot of time on the IL. When healthy enough to play he was DH a lot. This cannot happen with Donaldson & Springer.

In the off season we can judge Grichuk's 2021. If both Donaldson & Grichuck can stay healthy for the next 2 seasons (bet on Grichuk), they are probably equal? Maybe trade for each other with the Jays getting some cash too. Then we don't need to replace Semien.

bpoz - Wednesday, September 29 2021 @ 10:49 AM EDT (#407825) #

I am starting to evaluate the season of some of our low ranked prospects.

J Maese: A+ 33 games 53 IP. A big achievement, hope his arm is ok.

H Danner: 1st time pitching as a pro. 25 games 35 IP 2.02 ERA. Survived a mid season injury and basically dominated.

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