General 2018 Blue Jays Discussion Thread

[SAAviour]

It’s clear to me we are rebuilding without tanking, and the beauty so far of Atkins and Shapiro is that while we rebuild we have an outside shot at the wild card!

And the best part about baseball is everyone has a chance on opening day (unless your team full on tanks).

And hey, IF Alford hits .320, and if Borucki wins a spot in the rotation and is successful, and if Sanchez is an ace again, and if Grichuk is Smoak II, and if Smoak is for real etc etc we can have a playoff team...and even if some of that doesn’t happen or possibly if something else unforeseen happens we have a playoff run.

[glory]

I think the Jays are probably a .500 team in '18, but I want them to make the playoffs now if only to shut Krylian up.

[Krylian]

I think the Jays are probably a .500 team in '18, but I want them to make the playoffs now if only to shut Krylian up.

 

I will graciously shut the f*** up if the Jays make the postseason. Something tells me I won't need to.

[Brownie19]

I will graciously shut the f*** up if the Jays make the postseason. Something tells me I won't need to.

 

Do you want us to sacrifice the future or accelerate our win curve to make the playoffs in 2018?

[Krylian]

I don't feel like they're going after it in 2018, and I don't feel like they're rebuilding either. They're creating the illusion of competing this year but I don't feel they will. They're trying to salvage attendance at the request of Rogers I'm guessing. Being a little bit pregnant doesn't work.

 

I guess I don't really have a problem with what Atkins is doing...I just don't don't buy that this team will be competitive in 2018.

[o2cui2i]

Visiting a friend in NY in April. Might get tickets to Jays v Yanks. it's the weekend I head back home but I hope I can work it in. it would be another ball park off my list of to do's

[Spanky99]

https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-josh-donaldson-aims-for-2018-success/c-266277742

[The Iceman]

Reading through the "Right now" rankings Jays have 2 players in the top ten for their positions.

JD and Osuna.

Stro would be the only other guy close I would imagine.

 

Not nearly enough talent on this team to compete with the big boys.

[justafan]

Okay, but on what are you basing your opinion? Articles you've read about Tulo specifically stating he likes being seen as the go to player on his team and if he's not that guy he feels it disrupts his ability to play?

 

If so, please link them. Otherwise it's just pure speculation with no basis in reality

 

Which, btw if theres even a shrednof truth to your statement of opinion, why would he have waived his no trade clause and accepted a trade to Toronto when he did, knowing full well Jose and Edwin and Martin and Donaldson were already here and he wouldn't be seen as the man?

 

I did say it was my opinion. Anyone wants to go to an all-star team until its not. If I recall, Tulo went something like 0 for 24 in the games immediately before he was traded. I'll let you verify. I think he was asked, felt he wasn't wanted and lost confidence.

[Mikeleelop]

Can we expect the Jays to add a roster player between now and the start of the season???

[G-Snarls]

[G-Snarls]

The patch idea is a good one

 

Lasts all season long

Edited February 12, 2018 by G-Snarls

[Ehjays]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/blue-jays-sign-craig-breslow-minors.html

 

The Blue Jays are in agreement with left-handed reliever Craig Breslow on a minor league contract, tweets Robert Murray of FanRag Sports. Breslow, who is represented by the Baratta Partners, will vie for a bullpen job in Major League Spring Training.

Toronto has been stockpiling bullpen options on minor league deals lately, as they’ve now added Breslow, John Axford (link) and Jake Petricka (link) in the past week alone. Toronto also added Al Alburquerque on a minors pact earlier this winter. The 37-year-old Breslow will give the Jays an option to compete alongside Aaron Loup, Matt Dermody, Tim Mayza and fellow non-roster pitcher Chad Girodo for a spot as a lefty in the ’pen.

Breslow opened the 2017 season with the Twins on the heels of a winter in which worked to alter his mechanics and lower his arm slot. He didn’t fare particularly well in Minnesota (5.23 ERA in 31 innings), although that was largely due to the fact that other injuries throughout the bullpen (and some short outings from the rotation) early in the season forced the Twins to use Breslow against right-handed opponents far more than would be preferable. Breslow faced twice as many righties as lefties in 2017, and they clobbered him at a .330/.393/.542 clip. However, lefties were utterly befuddled against Breslow, hitting just .196/.294/.286.

[Dick_Pole]

 

This should come as a surprise to no one. Anything less would be a pretty bad oversight by management.

[Orgfiller]

Reading through the "Right now" rankings Jays have 2 players in the top ten for their positions.

JD and Osuna.

Stro would be the only other guy close I would imagine.

 

Not nearly enough talent on this team to compete with the big boys.

 

Did they not rank Martin as a top 10 catcher? Because they should.

[The Iceman]

Did they not rank Martin as a top 10 catcher? Because they should.

 

2 lists.

No Martin.https://www.mlb.com/news/buster-posey-remains-atop-2018-top-10-catchers/c-265337230

[justafan]

Did they not rank Martin as a top 10 catcher? Because they should.

 

I don't think so.

[Spanky99]

Did they not rank Martin as a top 10 catcher? Because they should.

 

Just missed, as was Smoak...it's Mike Petriello, and the rest of the MLB Network consensus as the "shredder". The only guy worth listening to on these is Brian Kenny.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/buster-posey-remains-atop-2018-top-10-catchers/c-265337230

[G-Snarls]

Deciding between seeing Jays in Dunedin VS Orioles on March or Jays @ Orioles the next day in their ST facility. I've been to Dunedin once. Anyone been to Orioles facility?

[Brownie19]

Deciding between seeing Jays in Dunedin VS Orioles on March or Jays @ Orioles the next day in their ST facility. I've been to Dunedin once. Anyone been to Orioles facility?

 

Jays @ O's March 8th? I'm going to that game. I've never been to Sarasota myself. Looking forward to it

[G-Snarls]

Jays @ O's March 8th? I'm going to that game. I've never been to Sarasota myself. Looking forward to it

 

Yes that's the game

[Brownie19]

Yes that's the game

 

Nice - if you go to that game, let me know and I'll buy you a beer.

 

I've been to Dunedin a few times and (unless they've done a lot of reno's lately) it's not a great park. I'm looking forward to seeing a few different stadiums this year (also going to Bradenton to see the Pirates).

[spats]

Nice - if you go to that game, let me know and I'll buy you a beer.

 

I've been to Dunedin a few times and (unless they've done a lot of reno's lately) it's not a great park. I'm looking forward to seeing a few different stadiums this year (also going to Bradenton to see the Pirates).

 

I don't think the renos will start until after Spring training. Both the Sarasota Park and Bradenton are a step up from Dunedin.... the 2 nicest parks in the area are Phillies in Clearwater and Steinbrenner Park in Tampa.

I can't wait to get down there in April to watch some A ball. Hopefully Vlad and/or Bichette may be there but I'm not counting on it.

[Brownie19]

I don't think the renos will start until after Spring training. Both the Sarasota Park and Bradenton are a step up from Dunedin.... the 2 nicest parks in the area are Phillies in Clearwater and Steinbrenner Park in Tampa.

I can't wait to get down there in April to watch some A ball. Hopefully Vlad and/or Bichette may be there but I'm not counting on it.

 

I went to the Twins stadium in Fort Myers last year. It's been renovated and I thought it was gorgeous FWIW.

[Todd]

Blue jays still need two starting pitchers and maybe two more bullpen pitchers and back up catcher who can hit. Edited February 14, 2018 by Todd

[AledmysDiaz]

Blue jays still need two starting pitchers and maybe two more bullpen pitchers and back up catcher who can hit.

 

If we were competing for a division title maybe, In front office's view point this is a .500 team with a small probability of doing better, and as such they want to accumulate pieces that could over perform and potentially be moved for prospects.

[Spanky99]

If we were competing for a division title maybe, In front office's view point this is a .500 team with a small probability of doing better, and as such they want to accumulate pieces that could over perform and potentially be moved for prospects.

 

lol... you kids should play in a pod!

[The Iceman]

Blue jays still need two starting pitchers and maybe two more bullpen pitchers and back up catcher who can hit.

 

If they acquire a SP then Biagini slots back into a late inning relief role where he is a proven commodity and my preference. One signing fills 2 spots.Jays have their top 4 spots locked in. no reason to acquire 2 SPs that are better than Estrada their 4th pitcher or Estrada would be a bullpen arm. That is not going to happen. So the thought of signing 2 good SPs is just a dream.

Edited February 14, 2018 by The Iceman

[flafson]

Blue jays still need two starting pitchers and maybe two more bullpen pitchers and back up catcher who can hit.

 

Usually a catcher that can hit is a starter.

[Boxcar]

Usually a catcher that can hit is a starter.

 

What are you talking about? Every team in baseball has a David Ross type.