GDT: Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners (4/4) 2:07 ET

[Benito]

The American League gave up on catching NY a month ago.

 

True.

[Jays333]

Is there a bigger disappointment than the Blue Jays in MLB? Maybe the White Sox?

 

Probably equal in disappointment. Both teams anointed the most exciting young world series contending teams, turns out both fringe wildcard teams 2.5 games apart.

[Benito]

Honestly, probably the Jays, based on pre-season picks. I can't remember, but I think Vegas gave them high odds?

 

Angels I think are another big disappointment, though not on same level as Jays and White Sox. They invested quite a bit on pitching in the offseason.

[Stangstag]

Is there a bigger disappointment than the Blue Jays in MLB? Maybe the White Sox?

 

Angels

[Stangstag]

At least the good thing about today’s game was that Castillo had a good start. Looks far better than Hatch or Lawrence. Give him a shot in the 5th spot in the rotation for now

[WryNGinger]

Two things...

 

f*** this team

 

Go Jays

 

Ugh

[glory]

Is there a bigger disappointment than the Blue Jays in MLB? Maybe the White Sox?

 

The Jays were a World Series pick by many outlets if I recall correctly. They have to be the biggest so far. The White Sox were supposed to win their (s*****) division but the Jays were supposed to be the best team in the AL (or at least damn close to it).

[BigCecil]

It's crazy how much the Canadian sports media covers for this team. I NEVER hear criticism of Montoyo or Atkins... Imagine the New York media if the Yankees were 16.5 back in the division and fighting neck and neck with the Orioles?

 

Didn't people expect this to be a WS contender? 3 months later and the narratives completely changed and no one's being held accountable.

 

Boone was almost chanted out of town at gms in '21 when the Yanks skidded and the FO was flamed. If we were BoSox or Yanks, heat would be HIGH.

 

In retrospect, in '22 that doesn't look like the brightest thing for media & fans to have done as they now laud the same people running their record breaking team.

 

I do think some heat at Ned Flanders Atkins is more than warranted at this point. I'm not saying fire them. Personally I can't even listen to the guy. He talks in more platitudes than Tabby. But its fine and warranted to continue to have a hard look at the team and direction. Montoyo needs to go, but is a bit player in this years disappointing results to date IMO.

[BlueJaysFever]

You guys worry about the media. They spend their time talking about which Leafs 4th liner is going to be signed to put them over the top. It’s very difficult to find any decent Blue Jays oriented media discussion when entire radio segments dedicate 15 mins max to takes, that shockingly, parallel hockey takes. One of the morning show hosts can’t remember spent an entire segment talking about how the Jays should trade a future 1st and 3rd draft pick for relief pitching. Dude had no idea that draft picks aren’t currency in baseball That’s the quality of the content I’ve found available. Thankfully there are podcasts available now.

[Jonn]

You guys worry about the media. They spend their time talking about which Leafs 4th liner is going to be signed to put them over the top. It’s very difficult to find any decent Blue Jays oriented media discussion when entire radio segments dedicate 15 mins max to takes, that shockingly, parallel hockey takes. One of the morning show hosts can’t remember spent an entire segment talking about how the Jays should trade a future 1st and 3rd draft pick for relief pitching. Dude had no idea that draft picks aren’t currency in baseball That’s the quality of the content I’ve found available. Thankfully there are podcasts available now.

 

The media is rarely very insightful to begin with. If you want real Baseball discussion you have always had to dive deeper. I couldn’t careless what the people doing the sports highlights care about the team. Tons of content on the internet available from people who actually do their homework.

 

I keep hearing people bring up this team needs more media pressure like it’s actually going to accomplish something.

 

What I would like to see is more Atkins and Shapiro in the spotlight when things are going poorly. I feel they are in the shadows unless something significant happens where they are basically forced to address it.

 

One of them should speak publicly atleast once a week. Charlie Montoyo as basically the figure head and voice of the team is kind of train wreck. He doesn’t command the respect of anybody. And being a nice guy in sports rarely accomplishes anything. This team looks like it could use more of a direct and stern voice. The dancing in the dugout after solo home runs when your team has lost 8 of their last 9 games is so cringy.

[BlueJaysFever]

Meh like every thing else there are those who are insightful and those who aren’t so I don’t actually care too much about that. I see people hoping for media pressure but from where I’m sitting there’s not even that much Jays coverage in general. I understand it feels nice to have pressure put on an organization when it feels needed and in some cases I’m sure it can be useful, but the Yankees media coverage(since it was referred to ) and large portions of the fanbase are toxic and overdo it.

[Brownie19]

Meh like every thing else there are those who are insightful and those who aren’t so I don’t actually care too much about that. I see people hoping for media pressure but from where I’m sitting there’s not even that much Jays coverage in general. I understand it feels nice to have pressure put on an organization when it feels needed and in some cases I’m sure it can be useful, but the Yankees media coverage(since it was referred to ) and large portions of the fanbase are toxic and overdo it.

 

Wait - there are fans who think that if Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker openly rip the team, that will somehow create pressure and Shatkins will be forced to do something about it? Seriously?

Edited July 11, 2022 by Brownie19

[Jonn]

I can honestly say I have never once listened to a Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker segment in my life. I have seen the odd clip and if those are suppose to be the highlights of their discussions I have concerns.

[BigCecil]

Wait - there are fans who think that if Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker openly rip the team, that will somehow create pressure and Shatkins will be forced to do something about it? Seriously?

 

No. I used to hate Barker, but at the risk or heresy OTB, he has gotten a lot better. He knows he was a top prospect who failed. His technical understanding on hitting is excellent even though he often admits he couldn't get it done himself. I like some of his stories about Winter League all over hells half acre he played in Mexico, Venezuela, DR etc. He is blunt both positive and negative much like Siddall. Blair is just annoying.

 

Rather have that than mushy, empty, cheerleading and clichés from the likes of Tabby all day long.

[Stangstag]

No. I used to hate Barker, but at the risk or heresy OTB, he has gotten a lot better. He knows he was a top prospect who failed. His technical understanding on hitting is excellent even though he often admits he couldn't get it done himself. I like some of his stories about Winter League all over hells half acre he played in Mexico, Venezuela, DR etc. He is blunt both positive and negative much like Siddall. Blair is just annoying.

 

Rather have that than mushy, empty, cheerleading and clichés from the likes of Tabby all day long.

 

Barker has an annoying voice but is generally ok. Blair is a f***ing douche and doesn’t know what he’s talking about

Edited July 11, 2022 by Stangstag

[Brownie19]

Regardless of whether Barker is improving at his job or not - why would anything the media says every impact what the FO does? I guess people think that if the media is more critical of the Jays, then fans will believe them and get more angry and if fans get angry the FO will impart change?

 

I find it really sad if this actually happens in cities.

[Spanky99]

Regardless of whether Barker is improving at his job or not - why would anything the media says every impact what the FO does? I guess people think that if the media is more critical of the Jays, then fans will believe them and get more angry and if fans get angry the FO will impart change?

 

I find it really sad if this actually happens in cities.

 

I get what people are saying, it's about putting pressure on the FO to shake things up, but what I find, most on here don't understand is call in shows on SN throughout the day, everyday from the morning till night, do talk about this s***, and no, the Management won't do it because of media... even Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith throw shade when the Jays are struggling on their podcast, it's part of their job. Same with Tim and Friends, Barker and Blair... etc, it sure as f*** doesn't move the needle for Ross and Co. That would be absurd. It's about results, that's where they feel the pressure.

[BigCecil]

I get what people are saying, it's about putting pressure on the FO to shake things up, but what I find, most on here don't understand is call in shows on SN throughout the day, everyday from the morning till night, do talk about this s***, and no, the Management won't do it because of media... even Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith throw shade when the Jays are struggling on their podcast, it's part of their job. Same with Tim and Friends, Barker and Blair... etc, it sure as f*** doesn't move the needle for Ross and Co. That would be absurd. It's about results, that's where they feel the pressure.

 

I agree with this. I was just saying I like Barker better now lol. Not that he is going to Jedi mind game Ross with his barely comprehensible southern drawl.

[Spanky99]

I agree with this. I was just saying I like Barker better now lol. Not that he is going to Jedi mind game Ross with his barely comprehensible southern drawl.

 

lol... I watch part of the show on SN360 when available. I don't mind him. The comparison to Siddall was on point by the way.

[BigCecil]

lol... I watch part of the show on SN360 when available. I don't mind him. The comparison to Siddall was on point by the way.

Lol. Funny. I'd also say in terms of markets, even the talking heads you mention above are very gentle when looking for viewers, compared to some media markets in our division. It's pretty soft overall. That's ok. But man let's fire this thing up 2nd half! We suck right now.

[5ToolPhenom]

We aren’t conceding s***. Athletes aren’t like fans.

 

No one's conceding anything. With all of the playoff spots, most teams have a viable shot. That means it's going to be difficult to add the meaningful pieces that we need to be a true contender though. Certainly we could sneak in the playoffs, but would it be all that fulfilling if they just get smoked in the wild card series like in 2020?

 

This team just doesn't have the pitching. The bullpen's pathetic and there isn't enough talent in the rotation to really stretch things out. At the beginning of the year one could believe that the offense would be so good that it wouldn't matter, but they don't look like the offensive juggernaut that most hoped it would be.

 

It might be time to smell the coffee

[5ToolPhenom]

You guys worry about the media. They spend their time talking about which Leafs 4th liner is going to be signed to put them over the top. It’s very difficult to find any decent Blue Jays oriented media discussion when entire radio segments dedicate 15 mins max to takes, that shockingly, parallel hockey takes. One of the morning show hosts can’t remember spent an entire segment talking about how the Jays should trade a future 1st and 3rd draft pick for relief pitching. Dude had no idea that draft picks aren’t currency in baseball That’s the quality of the content I’ve found available. Thankfully there are podcasts available now.

 

Oh man, the mainstream media is pitiful in their baseball coverage. I don't even bother with it anymore.

 

That's the problem though. It's the mainstream media who has access to the team, they're the ones who should be getting all the scoops and the "inside baseball" but they don't do jack s***. Back in the day you'd get the scoop about player conflicts, manager issues and so and so forth, now the media is so conformed in their takes that it's almost like state run media. It's also the media who's supposed to hold management accountable but you don't see any of it.

 

It's odd to me because the Jays are more popular and relevant than they've been in a long time. I'm not an old guy but I think back to 2000-2010 and it seemed like the media would drop juicy stories and things like that. Not anymore. What the hell happened?!

[5ToolPhenom]

The media is rarely very insightful to begin with. If you want real Baseball discussion you have always had to dive deeper. I couldn’t careless what the people doing the sports highlights care about the team. Tons of content on the internet available from people who actually do their homework.

 

I keep hearing people bring up this team needs more media pressure like it’s actually going to accomplish something.

 

What I would like to see is more Atkins and Shapiro in the spotlight when things are going poorly. I feel they are in the shadows unless something significant happens where they are basically forced to address it.

 

One of them should speak publicly atleast once a week. Charlie Montoyo as basically the figure head and voice of the team is kind of train wreck. He doesn’t command the respect of anybody. And being a nice guy in sports rarely accomplishes anything. This team looks like it could use more of a direct and stern voice. The dancing in the dugout after solo home runs when your team has lost 8 of their last 9 games is so cringy.

 

Well said man. You're the first person I've seen raise this issue. Montoyo's a horrible orator. That's not a dig on his accent or anything, it's just that he never has anything insightful or interesting to say about the team. It's all empty platitude after empty platitude.

 

You compare it to the AA era and AA was always talking off the ears of the media. Fans may not have liked a lot of his decisions as he was growing into the role, but we as fans could never complain that we were out of the loop. There's definitely a bit of a disconnect with this current administration.

[BlueJaysFever]

Good Blue Jays talk is hard to come by. I’ve found some decent podcasts but mostly just on the history of baseball. Not sure if there are any Jays podcasts I might be missing out on.

[5ToolPhenom]

Didn't the guys on this forum used to have a podcast? Whatever happened to that?

 

Seems like it could fill a niche that's desperately needed

[Laika]

Didn't the guys on this forum used to have a podcast? Whatever happened to that?

 

Seems like it could fill a niche that's desperately needed

 

just lost interest in it and no longer had the time

[John_Havok]

just lost interest in it and no longer had the time

 

yeah you f***ers kept getting married and having kids, kinda puts a strain on availability.

 

Whatever the case may be, the 1 Jays minor leaguer we spoke to made the big leagues (for Boston sure... ) so I call the entire thing a success.

[Laika]

yeah you f***ers kept getting married and having kids, kinda puts a strain on availability.

 

Whatever the case may be, the 1 Jays minor leaguer we spoke to made the big leagues (for Boston sure... ) so I call the entire thing a success.

 

we got a lot of things right honestly

 

ranking prospects is easy