Everyone Calm Down

[theblujay]

First time posting hey everyone! I was on the Sportsnet forums for years but now that they have been gone for a while I've come here!

 

About last nights game though, it was dreadful to watch. I couldn't believe the amount of hacks they were taking at the second pitch. I wasn't expecting them to start swinging at the first pitch (even though sometimes thats the only one your gonna get a good chance to make contact on, especially against a guy like price) but they definitely defeated themselves last night. I think the other issues are this team has no identity at the moment, no core, no in-game chemistry. I don't feel like a single thing has changed since last years final game of the season.

 

Thats just where I stand today. The future at least to me doesn't look bright nor dark, but a very uncomfortable grey. Im not of the impression were a play-off team which is disappointing but I didnt drink the kool-aid after last years off-season thank goodness because i'd be more devastated.

 

Welcome. You'll find that the majority here are overly pessimistic, but I like your description of uncomfortably grey

[Cooler Heads Prevail]

This is why people don't like you. Entitlement generation? Way to paint people with a generic negative brush. I know several perfectly capable hard-working people just a couple years younger than me in their late 20's who can't find a decent job and have no chance of home ownership anytime soon. You might say, "yeah so, they have to earn it, or work their way up" or something along those lines. Which is fair, I wouldn't disagree with that.

 

But to paint with the same generic negative brush, the entitlement generation has already come and gone. They're the Baby Boomers....you know...the people who require home ownership, multiple car ownership, cottage ownership, unlimited free health care and who racked up so much debt that they can't leave their high paying middle-management jobs (union blue collar work included - every time there's some moron yapping about a strike it's usually centered around 50+ year old high school educated people who expect "job security" for their $80K+ driving forklifts or taking TTC tickets or whatever) and let the younger generation take over. Oh and in this mess have managed to continue the f***ing up of our environment, learned by their parents.

 

Entitlement generation...jeez....

 

Ok I'll agree with you the term was a little harsh, wasn't meant to be, and I was referring more to the roughly ages 16-24 group ( my kids generation, one I'm familiar with ). This generation has in general been protected by their parents and had it fairly good until they get out in the world. And I agree fully with you, baby boomers have messed up the world for them. So its natural to be cynical and complain a lot at this age once this reality sets in. And its also obvious there is a lot more anxiety out there as a result.

 

So there you go, we pretty much agree with each other ( surprise surprise ). I still don't fully get the pages of complaining on here, the Jays are who they are and in some respects they have some interesting younger players now and I love cheering for a clear underdog. The GDT was kind of extreme for game one. I don't think getting all riled up about the Jays is constructive, if they suck wind and AA fails to fill their holes ( as he failed to do in 2013 ), I'll lose interest quickly and not watch their games. I would have fired AA end of season 2013, and I have never liked Gibbons. But I do like a lot of the players, including some guys that get a lot of overdone flak on here.

[G-Snarls]

Let's not try to resume arguments from days ago,

 

It's tiresome.

 

Oh the irony. LOL

 

I'm not just picking on you.

[fatcowxlive]

You're starting to sound like all the curmudgeons on here. This team is aging you man. LOL

 

It's just sad to see people getting paid big $$$ f*** up on things that only need common sense, it's really pissing me off now ugh lol too much for me

 

First time posting hey everyone! I was on the Sportsnet forums for years but now that they have been gone for a while I've come here!

 

About last nights game though, it was dreadful to watch. I couldn't believe the amount of hacks they were taking at the second pitch. I wasn't expecting them to start swinging at the first pitch (even though sometimes thats the only one your gonna get a good chance to make contact on, especially against a guy like price) but they definitely defeated themselves last night. I think the other issues are this team has no identity at the moment, no core, no in-game chemistry. I don't feel like a single thing has changed since last years final game of the season.

 

Thats just where I stand today. The future at least to me doesn't look bright nor dark, but a very uncomfortable grey. Im not of the impression were a play-off team which is disappointing but I didnt drink the kool-aid after last years off-season thank goodness because i'd be more devastated.

 

Hello, welcome to the board!

 

'Uncomfortable grey'? This is interesting. What's keeping the future from being dark to you? Because the way I see it, we have an oldass team that are missing pieces. With the way AA is moving, it seems like we're going to keep pushing with the same core guys, nothing new. And with the farm in shambles after last year's off season, it seems pretty dark to me (dark and expensive).

[G-Snarls]

First time posting hey everyone! I was on the Sportsnet forums for years but now that they have been gone for a while I've come here!

 

About last nights game though, it was dreadful to watch. I couldn't believe the amount of hacks they were taking at the second pitch. I wasn't expecting them to start swinging at the first pitch (even though sometimes thats the only one your gonna get a good chance to make contact on, especially against a guy like price) but they definitely defeated themselves last night. I think the other issues are this team has no identity at the moment, no core, no in-game chemistry. I don't feel like a single thing has changed since last years final game of the season.

 

Thats just where I stand today. The future at least to me doesn't look bright nor dark, but a very uncomfortable grey. Im not of the impression were a play-off team which is disappointing but I didnt drink the kool-aid after last years off-season thank goodness because i'd be more devastated.

 

Welcome aboard

[G-Snarls]

Interview today with Dirk Hayhurst if you want to listen:

 

http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/DN_DirkHayhurst_April1.mp3

[GeorgiaPeach]

Seriously people, chill out! It was 1 game. ONE!!!! There will be 161 more. Everything that could have went wrong did go wrong. Reyes injury, Dickey unlucky outing, and Goins getting stuck unprepared against one of the best LHPs in the game.

 

I believe in this team. They can get the job done. Now everyone join me and ditch the freaking out after one game. Seriously. It's time to take a step back and relax. Big picture. We're set.

 

Big picture of what? This team is moving further and further from contention as the team ages and IMO is not a contender as the team stood prior to Opening Day 2014.

[GeorgiaPeach]

Proof beyond "MUH WRC+ IN AAA"? I'd love to hear how you 100% know this.

 

We don't. It will be so fantastic if he breaks out like Bautista.

[GeorgiaPeach]

Ok, let's get back on track. People need to stop being so negative.

 

Discuss.

 

Enjoy baseball outside of Toronto. It makes losing easier.

[GeorgiaPeach]

Brace yourself for angry responses telling you why you are an idiot...

 

I predicted the Jays would win 161 Games this year. And I'm not an idiot because no one is 100% sure they won't.

[GD]

I predicted the Jays would win 161 Games this year. And I'm not an idiot because no one is 100% sure they won't.

 

I have been trying to figure out how to phrase this and you nailed it.

[GeorgiaPeach]

Who's on the Rays bandwagon? BTS and I need a driver so that we can have our celebratory drinks.

 

drinking & driving is the new market efficiency

[GeorgiaPeach]

Well i get that it's one game....Reyes getting hurt on the first AB was such a Buzz kill. We escape Spring Training with one of the more healthy teams in baseball and then BOOM Reyes on the 15 day DL after the first AB.

 

Why are people saying he was hurt in the first AB???

[GD]

drinking & driving is the new market efficiency

 

Matt Bush signing imminent

[GeorgiaPeach]

Matt Bush signing imminent

 

Gibbons firing and LaRussa coming out of retirement.

[GD]

Gibbons firing and LaRussa coming out of retirement.

 

Miguel Cabrera traded for.

[gruber92]

Somehow I doubt that...

 

I also don't see 4.5 ERA but I do see this: http://www.bluejaysmessageboard.com/threads/2468-ST-GDT-New-York-Yankees-Toronto-Blue-Jays-Leroux-vs-Dickey-1-05-PM-ET?p=217195&viewfull=1#post217195

 

Well I see it where it counts, on the wager board.

[gruber92]

I have been trying to figure out how to phrase this and you nailed it.

 

Awwwwwwwwwww...

[Halladays]

It's just sad to see people getting paid big $$$ f*** up on things that only need common sense, it's really pissing me off now ugh lol too much for me

 

 

 

Hello, welcome to the board!

 

'Uncomfortable grey'? This is interesting. What's keeping the future from being dark to you? Because the way I see it, we have an old ass team that are missing pieces. With the way AA is moving, it seems like we're going to keep pushing with the same core guys, nothing new. And with the farm in shambles after last year's off season, it seems pretty dark to me (dark and expensive).

 

Whats keep the future from being dark to me is that they do have a group of players they can build around within 2-5 years to get back on track. Whats stopping the future from being bright is that same group of core players cant seem to stay healthy or show up on the same days on fire(Hard to do, I guess thats why they say play a hot bat while its hot).

 

To be fair I have been pretty grumpy since Noah was traded... I felt the whole future shift that day.... Its a damn shame they could of just been patient for a year or two playing the prospect game, had a full wallet as well as decent young pieces to build off of(maybe im just grumpy about Noah I had really high hopes for him being our future ace which we NEED in the AL east).

 

Thats my two cents I am sure there's more I could write. Oh and thank you for the welcomes guys im sure to be a bit more backed up with my arguments with statistics and such as I get more comfortable being here. Thanks again.

[Olerud363]

Seriously people, chill out! It was 1 game. ONE!!!! There will be 161 more. Everything that could have went wrong did go wrong. Reyes injury, Dickey unlucky outing, and Goins getting stuck unprepared against one of the best LHPs in the game.

 

I believe in this team. They can get the job done. Now everyone join me and ditch the freaking out after one game. Seriously. It's time to take a step back and relax. Big picture. We're set.

 

Hey JSFIP

 

I am much happier today. Keep posting. I will give you a thanks every time things look brighter...

 

So beyond some slight unmedicated bipolar disorder I do think last nights game (like the opener) was more then just a game.

 

The opener basically was everything I am against. Older, injury prone guys getting injured, an old slop baller getting hammerred.

 

Last nights game was everything I am for. Young starter, pulled early and able to leave on a good note. Multi-inning longish relief outing by youngish reliever. Hell we had two guys far away from age 30 pitch 7 innings of shut out.

 

So I will give my prediction

 

clean slate - 82-80

after day 1 - 80.5-81.5

after day 2 - 81.3-80.7

 

Will update depending on events... try to keep me grounded and avoid over-reacting to a single loss... instead react to projected season win totoal depending on current win total and roster related events (injuries etc.).

[G-Snarls]

Fuel for discussion:

 

[pickoff22]

Fuel for discussion:

 

 

Can someone with insider access post this article please

[G-Snarls]

We are only few days into the 2014 season and there is no reason for a team to panic if it gets off to a slow start -- unless you’re the*Toronto Blue Jays. For the Jays, it's time to accept the fact that they are not going to make the playoffs this year.*

 

The four other teams in their division are well-equipped to make a playoff run, while the Jays are plagued by a lack of pitching depth and have already seen*Jose Reyes*-- the key to any 2014 revival -- hit the DL again with a hamstring injury.*

 

Now, I'm not going to blame general manager Alex Anthopoulos for this predicament. Back in the fall of 2012, he sensed that the*New York Yankees*and*Boston Red Sox*might be poised to drop off -- a sentiment shared around the league at the time -- and decided to see if he could capitalize by trading a number of elite prospects, such as Noah Syndergaard,*Travis d'Arnaud,*Jake Marisnick*and Justin Nicolino, in two separate deals with the Mets and Marlins that netted him*R.A. Dickey,*Mark Buehrle,*Josh Johnson*and Reyes.*

 

Everyone in baseball believed the*Blue Jays were headed for October*-- and many thought Anthopoulos would win executive of the year -- but their playoff hopes were dashed by injuries and underperformance.*Things only look worse now, as Reyes is hurt, the back end of the Jays' rotation is filled with question marks, and the upper levels of the farm system have been gutted by the aforementioned trades.*

 

The worst thing that Anthopoulos can do now is double-down on his situation and stay the course in an attempt to salvage his big moves from 2012. Instead, he needs to accept his current reality and make the kind of veteran-for-prospect deals he once benefited from. And if he does it now, he can be ahead of the curve and let all contending teams know that he has the final pieces for their playoff run. They don’t have to wait until June or July. Need a middle-of-the-order power bat? No problem, we have*Jose Bautista*and*Edwin Encarnacion. Need a veteran reliable starter to provide quality starts? We have Dickey and Buehrle. Need a dynamic All-Star shortstop who might never get healthy? Perhaps you'd be interested in Reyes.*

 

It’s not time to dwell on deals gone bad. It’s time to dwell on what happens if you keep looking at deals gone bad, because it can go from bad to the unemployment line very quickly.*

 

So how do the Blue Jays fix it? By making some big trades. Here is a look at their most tradeable pieces and some possible destinations.*

 

1. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B*

Encarnacion is in his prime after belting 78 home runs the past two years and his contract is even better than his power numbers. He makes just $9 million this year, $10 million next year, and has a team option in 2016 for $10 million. Teams will line up with prospect packages for this impact middle-of-the-order bat. He could be the best player available this summer.*

Possible destinations:*Rays, Mariners, Pirates, Brewers, Marlins and Mets*

 

2. Jose Bautista, OF*

Bautista slugged 97 home runs in 2010 and 2011 in becoming one of the game's best sluggers. However, the four-time All-Star has had to deal injuries the past two seasons reducing him home run total to 56 in that time. But when he plays, he mashes. The 33-year-old will make just $14 million each of the next two years with a club option in 2016 for the same amount. An affordable contract with reasonable length that should lead to a tremendous trade return.*

Possible destinations:*Tigers, Pirates, Marlins, Mets*

 

3. Jose Reyes, SS*

The Blue Jays need to make him sit for weeks after he says he’s ready to go. They need to make sure the hamstring is 100 percent before he gets back on the field and onto the trade block.*

Possible destinations:*Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers (*Hanley Ramirez*to third base)*

 

4. R.A. Dickey, RHP*

Dickey is only one year removed from the National League Cy Young Award and with the hard knuckleball being his best pitch, there is no reason why he can’t pitch a few more years. A return to the National League would give him his best chance to recapture his elite status.*

Possible destinations:*Pirates, Padres, Dodgers and Braves*

 

5.*Colby Rasmus*

Rasmus will be a free agent at season’s end, which limits his trade value a little since a team that acquires him can't give him a qualifying offer and reap a draft pick. He is just starting to come into his own at age 27 after hitting .276/.338/.501 with 22 home runs last year. He’s not a middle-of-the-order bat, but he is a solid contributor who can lengthen a lineup.*

Possible Destinations:*Tigers (left field), Padres and Rockies*

 

6. Mark Buehrle, LHP*

Buehrle still can provide quality starts and has won in double digits and pitched 200 innings every year since 2001. A contending team in need of a quality No. 3 or 4 starter would be the perfect fit for him. The Blue Jays, however, would have to be prepared to eat significant salary since he’s due to earn $18 million this year and $19 million next year as part of the backloaded deal Miami gave him.*

Possible destinations:*Angels, Mariners, Athletics and Rangers*

 

7.*Casey Janssen, RHP*

The closer has had a sub-3.00 ERA for three straight years and saved 56 games over the past two. He's on the DL with a back strain but will be a good trade chip once he proves he's healthy.*

Possible destinations:*Orioles, Diamondbacks, Mets and Tigers*

 

8.*Brett Cecil, LHP*

An All-Star last year with a 2.82 ERA, his stock will never be higher.*

Possible destinations:*Angels and Nationals*

 

9.*Steve Delabar, RHP*

Another once-in-a-lifetime All-Star last year, and, like Cecil, his value is at its peak.*

Possible destinations:*Tigers, Yankees, Indians, Mets and Giants*

 

10.*Sergio Santos, RHP*

He is healthy once again and pounding the strike zone. He had a 1.75 ERA last year in 29 games and didn’t walk a batter in six appearances this spring. If he gets off to a good start, he could be a good under-the-radar pick-up for someone.*

Possible destinations:*Orioles, Mets, Rangers, Indians

[G-Snarls]

Why does Bowden get to decide we can't compete? lol

 

Yeah that is premature IYAM

 

Team has till the all star break to declare itself

[awsomest]

Why does Bowden get to decide we can't compete? lol

 

because he works for E!SPN

[pickoff22]

Thanks for posting. Pretty sure there are other teams with valuable trade bait that have even less of a chance of competing that he could pick on (hello Philly?)

[jays_fever]

Jim Bowden articles should be treated with the same attitude as everything that comes out of Bleacher Report. He makes Heyman look good

[Atothe]

Troll for views from a guy who thought the 2005 nationals were close to contenders

[Halladays]

Troll for views from a guy who thought the 2005 nationals were close to contenders

 

HAHAHA If I were the Nationals I would of sued under some kind of hearsay .

[G-Snarls]

Didn't know where to post and not thread worthy. Good for a chuckle anyway.