What more could go wrong?

[Figgy1R22R]

As I sit here in Afghanistan, I can't help but feel absolutely terrible for the way the Blue Jays have started and decided I needed to vent a little bit. I wake up every morning at 3:30 during weekdays (games are luckily 9pm here on weekends), to follow the Jays on the internet via MLB.com with Gameday. While I haven't actually seen a single game this year, I feel like by watching the games through Gameday I have gotten a good feeling for the way this team plays ball. Guys are not taking the right approach at the plate, playing sloppy defence, questionable management decisions, pathetic leadership, as well as injuries has essentially tanked this team where before the season we were being viewed as possible WS contenders, to quite frankly the laughing stock of the league.

 

First of all, the Jays play completely selfish baseball. When you have a runner on 3rd base with no outs, there is no excuse to not get this runner home. The "heart" of the order actually have no heart and are strictly playing for their own stats. Rasmus, Bautista, JPA need to understand that you do not need a home run every at bat. Sure they will knock them out every now and then but solo home runs are not going to win ball games. When you have a runner on 3rd, shorten your swing and f***ing drive the guy home with a ground ball. Sacrifice yourself for the good of the team. How is this not one of the most obvious things to the coaching staff?

 

Secondly. Sloppy defence. Ok Bonifacio. I am sorry dude, but I have been following the Jays religiously for the pas 10 years (not that long, I know), but come on man. You could be the worst player I have ever seen. How are you still here? You have literally done nothing productive for the team. I don't remember the last time you actually contributed. How is this guy still in the Majors? Is our depth at AAA really that bad? It is actually embarrassing that this guy is on our team even in a platoon role. Any value this guy has is on the base paths, where 1, he never gets, and 2, is equal in R. Davis whom is a much better player overall. With that being said defence hasn't been causing the losses lately and has been actually improving but jesus.

 

Questionable management decisions. What am I talking about? Taking pitchers out way too early (See R.A last night vs Rays), putting Bonifacio in the game, allowing Rasmus to stay in the lineup every day, not giving Lind a chance, consistently putting Loup in positions where he will fail, starting Blanco (hello Thole anybody?), the revolving door of AAA pitchers where after one not perfect outing are immediately sent back down, bringing Ricky I can't throw a f***ing strike Romero up after he was sent down to completely re-tool his mechanics and only got one start in A ball where he wasn't spectacular, so whatever little confidence he gained is now completely shattered, did I mention Blanco aka Machete K, putting out possibly the worst 6-9 lineup in the history of the Majors and not changing a thing because "Things will turn around, there is plenty of time." AA, if you seriously think this team is going to the playoffs this year you could possibly be the most delusional person I have ever seen. Things are not going to turn around, this is becoming embarrassing and completely pathetic.

 

Leadership. Bautista, you are supposed to be a leader. Do you really think that crying, bitching, moaning and complaining to the ump is getting you any credibility on this team? Who is our best leader? I dare say Mark DeRosa who is new to this team. How does a team allow a new player to come in and be their voice. This needs to be established internally within the organization. Seriously, other than him who would we call our leader? I am sure some of you have played sports before, every team has a captain, and alternates who provide guidance, leadership, accountability and tutor the young guys to show them the right way to play the game. One of the best of all time at this and sorry to say for all of you Yankees haters, is Derek Jeter. Who is our Derek Jeter? True, players like him don't come around every day but for crying out loud, who is our leader? Brett Lawrie could learn a thing or two from him, also possibly how to speak like a mature young man. Just saying...

 

Injuries. Ok, injuries happen, we are all aware of that. But has a team in the last year and a half suffered as much as the Blue Jays have? Tonight we have Ramon Ortiz starting. Our only starter who is healthy is MB who is so beyond washed up it's scary that we are still giving him the ball. Keep the ball down, hit the corners and you might have another year in you. Morrow is delayed until next start because of back spasms, does anybody here actually think he will be back next start? Being set to miss one start with the Blue Jays FO means you are out at least a month (see JJ, Bautista, Lawrie, anybody who has ever been injured with the Jays.) Reyes is down so now we are starting some guy who I literally have never heard of. And what is sad is that that's our best option. A AA quality SS at best. Happ, what can you say about that one other than bad luck but f*** me it's getting ridiculous. Someone needs to be held responsible for all of these injuries. Someone, somewhere is not doing his job either in ST or in the off-season to ensure the players are actually working out to avoid injuries. Do you blame the players? Do you blame the staff? Probably a bit of both but somebody needs to be held accountable, and somebody needs to pay the price for it.

 

It's fair to say that all fans in Canada had high expectations of the team this year and while most of us are shocked, I am actually becoming disgusted in the team this team is able to consistently lose and not just lose, but get blown out. I realize that we are 4-8 in one run games, not getting the bounces, things aren't going right ******** I say. These one line baseball gods are against us s*** has been repeated ad nauseam from every players mouth and enough is enough. Step up, get back to .500 and attempt to at least salvage a bit of personal pride. Or else this could be one of the most pathetic excuse for a baseball team that I have seen since the start of the movie Major League with Charlie Sheen.

[oakville69]

You make a lot of good points. The Jays would look better with Jose Reyes playing 150 games a year. Josh Johnson has always been an injury risk. I think the Jays had to get Buerhle as the price for Reyes. It's funny that everyone was happy he was coming to the Jays because he could throw 200 innings a season without getting hurt. Of course, if he keeps it up, 200 innings at 6+ ERA would be historically bad. I think he should improve.

 

The Dickey trade was confusing. AA never struck me as someone who would like a "gimmick " pitcher. I suppose it looked good on paper getting a Cy young winner.

 

I think that better days are ahead for the Jays but playoffs are almost impossible at this point.

[CHRIS]

The Dickey trade was confusing. AA never struck me as someone who would like a "gimmick " pitcher. I suppose it looked good on paper getting a Cy young winner.

 

To me, I could see anyone making the deal as part of an all-in move. The more dubious decision may have been to go all-in in the first place.

[GD]

Huh, I opened this think it'd be a troll thread, but it was really well written and thought out.

[Metallijay]

really good post, sums up what has been wrong with the team. Now with the rotation in shambles....sad to say, season is most likely already lost.

[Figgy1R22R]

Huh, I opened this think it'd be a troll thread, but it was really well written and thought out.

 

Thanks GD. Had to get this off my mind. It really is a shame because I am sure we were all expecting so much better. Thanks to you as well Metallijay and oakville 69.

[Figgy1R22R]

You make a lot of good points. The Jays would look better with Jose Reyes playing 150 games a year. Josh Johnson has always been an injury risk. I think the Jays had to get Buerhle as the price for Reyes. It's funny that everyone was happy he was coming to the Jays because he could throw 200 innings a season without getting hurt. Of course, if he keeps it up, 200 innings at 6+ ERA would be historically bad. I think he should improve.

 

The Dickey trade was confusing. AA never struck me as someone who would like a "gimmick " pitcher. I suppose it looked good on paper getting a Cy young winner.

 

I think that better days are ahead for the Jays but playoffs are almost impossible at this point.

 

Hard to believe that MB ERA will remain that high so yes I agree it will go down to probably mid 4.5s but even then, is that what is considered a quality starter? For some reason it is considered a quality start, but I think that stat is a little too easy to achieve. It's great to eat innings and everything as you mentioned, but if you keep giving up runs and not giving your team a chance to win, what is the point.

 

Giving up that much for a 38 year old pitcher just doesn't make sense to me. If you are a GM, the best thing to have is quality, contract controlled young players. It reminds me of games like NHL in GM mode. Datsyuk sure is a great player, but he's old so his value is lower than say a younger player in his prime. You are only going to get a couple years out of him. We gave up way too much in that trade, and now that it is blowing up in our face, (hindsight is 20/20 blah blah i know) I don't see how AA salvages his job without a massive turn around of the Jays season.

[Arkadium]

This team is the worst. I would appreciate an all out firesale Marlins style, this team is never going to work and no minor changes will make a difference

 

Sad truth

 

Sounds like you'd be a great GM.

 

So you'd just get rid of all these guys? Bautista, Edwin, Lawrie, Dickey, Morrow, Janssen, Cecil, Loup, Delabar?

[SAAviour]

After watching Wakefield dominate and f*** with us all those years, I thought the Dickey trade was good.

People s*** on AA for trading for Reyes and JJ because they're injury prone...well it might turn out that d'arnaud is also injury prone. Plus syndergard is a pitcher, most of which fail, his next pitch could tear his shoulder apart, he may never make the majors...and yes of course he might, but that's why trading is risky.

 

People need to stop s***ing an AA for putting a team on paper that should of dominated. The players have sucked! I'm still all over AA's cock!

[LGBJ29]

Rebuild from square 1, get some scrubs who will atleast put forth an effort!

 

You know.. hustle to first base, dive into the walls for fly balls... all the simple winning plays these overpaid Jays refuse to do

 

Its not a lack of effort, its a lack of execution. We arent losing because guys aren't running out ground balls, or diving for fly balls, do you even watch the games? You really think thats the difference between wins and losses right now?

[Arkadium]

After watching Wakefield dominate and f*** with us all those years, I thought the Dickey trade was good.

People s*** on AA for trading for Reyes and JJ because they're injury prone...well it might turn out that d'arnaud is also injury prone. Plus syndergard is a pitcher, most of which fail, his next pitch could tear his shoulder apart, he may never make the majors...and yes of course he might, but that's why trading is risky.

 

People need to stop s***ing an AA for putting a team on paper that should of dominated. The players have sucked! I'm still all over AA's cock!

 

Dickey IS and WILL be a great trade, I have absolutely no doubt about this.

[Arkadium]

Its not a lack of effort, its a lack of execution. We arent losing because guys aren't running out ground balls, or diving for fly balls, do you even watch the games? You really think thats the difference between wins and losses right now?

 

From what I've noticed it's a lack of mental aptitude for baseball, I know that sounds bad, but that's my observation. We have many talented players that are playing stupid baseball.

[Metallijay]

Dickey IS and WILL be a great trade, I have absolutely no doubt about this.

 

I agree (Odd I know) dickey is the least of our worries, hes been a battler even when hes not had his best stuff. In fact, other then reyes he's been by far the best addition and he will keep getting better.

[Smokey]

People s*** on AA for trading for Reyes and JJ because they're injury prone...well it might turn out that d'arnaud is also injury prone.

Trading for injury prone players is one thing but going all-in with those players and not having any depth whatsoever is another. Going into a year where you've invested so much without a single viable backup at SS for example, is inexcusable.

 

People need to stop s***ing an AA for putting a team on paper that should of dominated. The players have sucked! I'm still all over AA's cock!

 

You've got to be f***ing kidding me... So it's not AA fault that the injury prone players that he's acquired are now injured and now we're forced to play Kawasaki and Ramon Ortiz??? LMAO

 

Enjoy AA's cock I guess...

[dineke]

After watching Wakefield dominate and f*** with us all those years, I thought the Dickey trade was good.

People s*** on AA for trading for Reyes and JJ because they're injury prone...well it might turn out that d'arnaud is also injury prone. Plus syndergard is a pitcher, most of which fail, his next pitch could tear his shoulder apart, he may never make the majors...and yes of course he might, but that's why trading is risky.

 

People need to stop s***ing an AA for putting a team on paper that should of dominated. The players have sucked! I'm still all over AA's cock!

 

Eww, tu es maricon.

[Nox]

Trading for injury prone players is one thing but going all-in with those players and not having any depth whatsoever is another. Going into a year where you've invested so much without a single viable backup at SS for example, is inexcusable.

 

 

 

You've got to be f***ing kidding me... So it's not AA fault that the injury prone players that he's acquired are now injured and now we're forced to play Kawasaki and Ramon Ortiz??? LMAO

 

Enjoy AA's cock I guess...

 

Welcome to the new board Norman. I see you haven't changed. This pleases me.

[kcjaysfan]

So it's not AA fault that the injury prone players that he's acquired are now injured and now we're forced to play Kawasaki and Ramon Ortiz???

 

In the case of Reyes, no it's most definitely not his fault.

[Smokey]

In the case of Reyes, no it's most definitely not his fault.

 

If you think it was a wise move to go all-in with Reyes and izturis as your middle infielders without a single viable option as backup, then I don't know what to tell you.

[LGBJ29]

From what I've noticed it's a lack of mental aptitude for baseball, I know that sounds bad, but that's my observation. We have many talented players that are playing stupid baseball.

 

sure, and I would agree with that as well. But to imply that all this team needs is to put in more effort to win is ludicrous

[Arkadium]

sure, and I would agree with that as well. But to imply that all this team needs is to put in more effort to win is ludicrous

 

Yeah, they don't need more effort, they need a higher baseball IQ (or just general IQ).

[G-Snarls]

Yeah, they don't need more effort, they need a higher baseball IQ (or just general IQ).

 

Yep

 

Laurie

Davis

Thames

Rasmus

Arencibia

 

It's a problem

[GeorgiaPeach]

Sounds like you'd be a great GM.

 

So you'd just get rid of all these guys? Bautista, Edwin, Lawrie, Dickey, Morrow, Janssen, Cecil, Loup, Delabar?

 

I'd get rid of everyone there except Lawrie.

[kcjaysfan]

If you think it was a wise move to go all-in with Reyes and izturis as your middle infielders without a single viable option as backup, then I don't know what to tell you.

 

I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that Reyes' injury was not related to him being injury-prone. It was a fluke accident that could have happened to anyone.

[Metallijay]

I dunno, he made probably the worst slide attempt I've ever seen from a major league player, and hurt himself doing it. Dangerously awful technique resulting in injury isn't really a random occurrence.

 

I agree, I really like reyes, but that was terrible, for one never assume, he assumed the batter struck out, and then he made a horrible slide when he realized the batter never struck out, me made 2 mistakes there. That slide was atrocious.

[G-Snarls]

Led to one of the best Taoisms this year too:

 

April 12 @TaoofSteib Damn you, José Reyes. Damn you and your indecisive slide.

[o2cui2i]

I'd get rid of everyone there except Lawrie.

 

AA and Beeston would have to be fired and someone else brought in to start a complete rebuild.

[crrr]

I dunno, he made probably the worst slide attempt I've ever seen from a major league player, and hurt himself doing it. Dangerously awful technique resulting in injury isn't really a random occurrence.

 

Unless that type of slide for him is a random occurrence.

[crrr]

What is this I don't even

 

I think he's saying that the players we got are way more sure things than any of the prospects we gave up, for which I would suspect there are a maximum of two legitimate major league contributors, and would put the o/u at 1.

[o2cui2i]

Unless that type of slide for him is a random occurrence.

 

Reyes is more of a head first kind of guy. this was just a case of indecision after the fact. he should have been sliding no matter what. he was going to walk into the base and saw the ball coming and panicked. he got caught off guard.

[crrr]

AA and Beeston would have to be fired and someone else brought in to start a complete rebuild.

 

 

Given these trades, the team was expecting to compete for 3 years. That's likely still what they're looking to do, and if they intend to keep building the team, they may spend again this off-season.

 

ROS will be a way better indicator of what we have than April. Let's wait and see.