General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2022)

[L54]

Culture shift this offseason, looks like the FO saw the same flaws as some of us did. More business will actually lead to more fun on the bench so everyone will have their cups filled.

[L54]

You’ll be so happy handing out the trophies to your kids little league team after they finish the season 0-20

“It’s all about having fun guys. Especially you Steven, you probably caught 25 imaginary butterflies in LF”

 

Steven actually sounds like a right fielder

[Krylian]

I hope the team has even more fun on the bench next year, especially when they're losing.

 

They won't lose. All the winning will be more fun than they can handle.

[Brownie19]

You’ll be so happy handing out the trophies to your kids little league team after they finish the season 0-20

“It’s all about having fun guys. Especially you Steven, you probably caught 25 imaginary butterflies in LF”

 

I know what you're saying, but your analogy should have referenced like U15 elite baseball - not Little League. The goal in Little League (which is local league) is simply to have everyone sign up to play baseball again the next season. It truly is about having fun. I've been through it for years now with my boys and as sad as it is - for FAR too many kids, the few hours a week they get to play baseball might be their best. It might be their only escape from a toxic home environment and/or could be some of their only physical activity or social interaction. It might be their first time being on a team of any sorts and it takes time for them to understand what that structure looks like and what it means to be a teammate. You need to create a warm, inviting, fun environment for everyone. The absolute last thing they need is some Tony LaRussa wannabe yelling at them like it really matters if they win this Tuesday night game against the neighboring Town.

 

I didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it was when I first started out coaching in it and it took some time for me to adjust. The kids who succeed are those with families who have the time/desire (and often the money) to play baseball with their kids at home, between practices and games. Those kids typically all move on to Rep/Select programs to play with kids of similar talent. It's at that point you can start to set expectations and establish consequences. That said, it's 100% about development until they hit like 14 or 15. The last thing you ever want to do is take the love of the game from a child (which, unfortunately, I've seen all too much).

 

You can rip this all you want. Make your jokes about participation trophies, but or some kids in Little League - that may be the only trophy they ever get. The twinkle in their eye when they get it is 100% worth it. There are LOTS of opportunities available to expose kids to competition - where winning matters and playing time is earned. That isn't in Little League or public school sports though. It never should have been.

[bendera3]

I know what you're saying, but your analogy should have referenced like U15 elite baseball - not Little League. The goal in Little League (which is local league) is simply to have everyone sign up to play baseball again the next season. It truly is about having fun. I've been through it for years now with my boys and as sad as it is - for FAR too many kids, the few hours a week they get to play baseball might be their best. It might be their only escape from a toxic home environment and/or could be some of their only physical activity or social interaction. It might be their first time being on a team of any sorts and it takes time for them to understand what that structure looks like and what it means to be a teammate. You need to create a warm, inviting, fun environment for everyone. The absolute last thing they need is some Tony LaRussa wannabe yelling at them like it really matters if they win this Tuesday night game against the neighboring Town.

 

I didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it was when I first started out coaching in it and it took some time for me to adjust. The kids who succeed are those with families who have the time/desire (and often the money) to play baseball with their kids at home, between practices and games. Those kids typically all move on to Rep/Select programs to play with kids of similar talent. It's at that point you can start to set expectations and establish consequences. That said, it's 100% about development until they hit like 14 or 15. The last thing you ever want to do is take the love of the game from a child (which, unfortunately, I've seen all too much).

 

You can rip this all you want. Make your jokes about participation trophies, but or some kids in Little League - that may be the only trophy they ever get. The twinkle in their eye when they get it is 100% worth it. There are LOTS of opportunities available to expose kids to competition - where winning matters and playing time is earned. That isn't in Little League or public school sports though. It never should have been.

 

Back when I was in my early teens my town didn't have a little league team but we did have a fairly well funded "Rec Center" league. It was a building that was basically a private YMCA on steroids. My coach the two years I played (12 and 13 years old) told us to go out there and have fun and he and the other coaches who were volunteers taught us the fundamentals of the game and how to get better through patience and practice. I remember Chuck had three rules: 1) if you step out of the box while swinging it was 10 pushups, 2) if you let a ball go through your legs, 10 pushups, and 3) if you want to fight a teammate you both have to carry a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand around the field and then you can fight afterwards. In my opinion youth sports shouldn't be about winning it should be about developing people. Less than 1% of the population will be professional players so why act like actually winning a regional baseball tournament when you're 13 actually matters?

 

We were a very good team both years I played and the second season we won the league championship, but I still remember a game where Chuck lost his cool on an umpire (volunteer dad asked before the game) calling balls and strikes and after the game he took the field to apologize to everyone for his behavior. Unless you're on a high school team youth sports should be about learning, getting better, having fun, learning teamwork and how to be a part of a team. Just my two cents.

[connorp]

Back when I was in my early teens my town didn't have a little league team but we did have a fairly well funded "Rec Center" league. It was a building that was basically a private YMCA on steroids. My coach the two years I played (12 and 13 years old) told us to go out there and have fun and he and the other coaches who were volunteers taught us the fundamentals of the game and how to get better through patience and practice. I remember Chuck had three rules: 1) if you step out of the box while swinging it was 10 pushups, 2) if you let a ball go through your legs, 10 pushups, and 3) if you want to fight a teammate you both have to carry a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand around the field and then you can fight afterwards. In my opinion youth sports shouldn't be about winning it should be about developing people. Less than 1% of the population will be professional players so why act like actually winning a regional baseball tournament when you're 13 actually matters?

 

We were a very good team both years I played and the second season we won the league championship, but I still remember a game where Chuck lost his cool on an umpire (volunteer dad asked before the game) calling balls and strikes and after the game he took the field to apologize to everyone for his behavior. Unless you're on a high school team youth sports should be about learning, getting better, having fun, learning teamwork and how to be a part of a team. Just my two cents.

 

I kind of feel like there’s conflicting info here. Making you do push-ups is more than just having fun. There’s expectation of performance

[Deadpool]

I kind of feel like there’s conflicting info here. Making you do push-ups is more than just having fun. There’s expectation of performance

 

There's an expectation of effort.

[polar bear]

Gotta say that I'm impressed with what Atkins has done so far this offseason. Didn't think he had the balls

to put an end to the party boy culture. Removed the cancer and added a 4.6 WAR lefty bat. And most importantly didn't move Kirk.

 

Now go get Reynolds and make Keermyer the 4th outfielder!

 

Happy new year!

 

Party boy culture.The ringleader will still be in the dugout.

[The Cats Ass]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMF3aCCwT/

[connorp]

There's an expectation of effort.

 

Idk, I got Willie Mayes Hayes vibes from it. Like every time Vlad hits a ball into the ground, 10 push-ups

[L54]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMF3aCCwT/

 

Donaldson, Bautista and EE was insane. Power and discipline. The good ol days

[jaysblue]

Donaldson, Bautista and EE was insane. Power and discipline. The good ol days

 

That lineup in 2015 was one of the best.

[Stangstag]

That lineup in 2015 was one of the best.

 

Big slugger Chris Colabello. Ben Revere leading off. Defensive wiz Ryan Goins rounding out the bottom

[L54]

Big slugger Chris Colabello. Ben Revere leading off. Defensive wiz Ryan Goins rounding out the bottom

 

Smoaky was a masher too

[L54]

I guess I remembered wrong his best seasons were 17 and 18 Edited January 2, 2023 by L54

[Grant77]

Big slugger Chris Colabello. Ben Revere leading off. Defensive wiz Ryan Goins rounding out the bottom

 

It's unfortunate that Devon Travis couldn't stay healthy. He was outstanding for such an inexperienced hitter.

[L54]

It's unfortunate that Devon Travis couldn't stay healthy. He was outstanding for such an inexperienced hitter.

 

Devo looked like he was going to be a really nice long term piece. Too bad, he seemed like a great guy too.

[Laika]

Devon Travis was in the news recently. Younger brother is a college football star I think?

[TheHurl]

Devon Travis was in the news recently. Younger brother is a college football star I think?

 

Florida St QB. Announced this week that he wasn't entering the draft. Devon is f***ing annoying on social media clapping back at everyone that says anything negative about Travis. Guy has talent though

[L54]

Florida St QB. Announced this week that he wasn't entering the draft. Devon is f***ing annoying on social media clapping back at everyone that says anything negative about Travis. Guy has talent though

 

Ah didn’t know that. I don’t follow him anywhere but that is definitely annoying.

[mellowgold]

Osuna was money. And Stro. Douche or not, dude bled Toronto. That team had all kinds of attitude.

[Grant77]

The A's have made Seth Brown available. What do we think of that for LF?

[Eat My Shatkins]

The A's have made Seth Brown available. What do we think of that for LF?

 

Would be kind of like getting Gurriel back, if he were left handed and still hit HR's

 

Not a bad option depending on the cost to acquire I guess, just sucks that he's kind of a tire fire defensively.

[Jimcanuck]

The A's have made Seth Brown available. What do we think of that for LF?

 

Pass

[L54]

There are like no good RHH outfielders left. It’s basically Pollock and Duvall. Profar and Grossman are switch hitters. Duvall might come real cheap and is another good defender.

[TheHurl]

I think everyone is thinking much higher up than the front office. If the Jays have bad OF injuries and need a Lefty killer who can also play D they will deal with that via trade at the time. Forth OF now needs to be cheap. Play LF (don't care how well) and hit okay against LHP. I would bet that they are looking more at a Daza type (cheap on the payroll and cheap to aquire) who can be a pinch runner despite his s***** bat. He did manage to hit lefties better last year and most of his horrible fielding came from his time in CF. He also can hit fastballs better than most Jays against LHP. Not enough to make an opposing manager think, but at least he'll make contact.

 

Honestly haven't done a deep dive just think this is the type of player they will look at if any.

[Carlos Danger]

I think everyone is thinking much higher up than the front office. If the Jays have bad OF injuries and need a Lefty killer who can also play D they will deal with that via trade at the time. Forth OF now needs to be cheap. Play LF (don't care how well) and hit okay against LHP. I would bet that they are looking more at a Daza type (cheap on the payroll and cheap to aquire) who can be a pinch runner despite his s***** bat. He did manage to hit lefties better last year and most of his horrible fielding came from his time in CF. He also can hit fastballs better than most Jays against LHP. Not enough to make an opposing manager think, but at least he'll make contact.

 

Honestly haven't done a deep dive just think this is the type of player they will look at if any.

 

I believe the days of just putting a guy out there regardless of his D ( or s*** D) are over. Everything the Jays have done this year has been toward the objective of run prevention. Why would they do all that and trade a bat like Teo, only to get some other s*** defensive fielder.

 

Point being, I think they do care. Unless your name is Bo, you better bring the D on this new Team.

[Carlos Danger]

There are like no good RHH outfielders left. It’s basically Pollock and Duvall. Profar and Grossman are switch hitters. Duvall might come real cheap and is another good defender.

 

The more I think about Duvall, the more I like it. Plus D, probably would mash in the AL East, playoff experience.

[Grant77]

I think everyone is thinking much higher up than the front office. If the Jays have bad OF injuries and need a Lefty killer who can also play D they will deal with that via trade at the time. Forth OF now needs to be cheap. Play LF (don't care how well) and hit okay against LHP. I would bet that they are looking more at a Daza type (cheap on the payroll and cheap to aquire) who can be a pinch runner despite his s***** bat. He did manage to hit lefties better last year and most of his horrible fielding came from his time in CF. He also can hit fastballs better than most Jays against LHP. Not enough to make an opposing manager think, but at least he'll make contact.

 

Honestly haven't done a deep dive just think this is the type of player they will look at if any.

 

It's already known that we need a 4th outfielder that can hit a bit. Other than putting Merrifield out there and starting Espinal at 2B, we're already short on options if we bench Kiermaier against lefties (we should).

 

There's Pollock, McCutchen, Duvall, Pham, Cain.

Offer them all minor league deal worth a couple million and see what we have in Spring Training. Rafael Ortega projects better than all of them and just signed a minor league deal.

 

Two bench spots are essentially wide open for the right player at any position. Let's put them to good use.

[WryNGinger]

Full stop on bringing anything close to fringe/bounceback/reclamation project players unless they are %100 MiLB training camp invites. There just isn't the type of depth player at whatever the cost will be that can legimately

Compete for playing time

 

The Jay's should be invested in a player via trade or signing that fits the clubs needs to fill a need the FO sees OR they let their minor league talent show what they can do through the first month or so of the season.

 

It's basically trade for established talent, sign coin-flips for league minimum or let the young talent play.