General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[BigCecil]

Nice recap! The only thing I'd argue is our offense is just not nearly as solid or consistant as the 2014-2016 Jays. Infact, I miss that team and run.

 

That team if I recall had a pretty high K rate offensively and there was lots of complaints about lack of contact/balls in play and too much reliance on the HR. It was a hell of a fun watch though most days and in the playoffs 15 and 16 they didnt win but came to play giving us some iconic franchise moments.

 

But man we went from 3 guys with 40 HRs to a team where nobody might hit 30. Some bombs would help with the ol' RISP # in 2023. We feel out of too many games this year based on being behind too few runs to actually feel that way lol. I will never forget the 93 Jays beating the Phillies 15-14 in that World Series after a s*** start from Todd Stottlemyre. They were never out of a game.

 

I do miss the no excuses "this isn't the try league...this is the get it done league" attitude from JD and others of that era. They wouldn't blame anything on randomness and luck, even though it is a factor. Especially against KC in the playoffs, and that forever f***tard ump Nelson.

[polar bear]

Lol ok chill. He’s been here barely 2 years. MAYBE he starts making demands if we miss this year and look bad next year.

 

If I am him,first opportunity I’m out the door.

[polar bear]

It's fun watching good players on other teams work the count, foul off tough pitches and wait until they get good pitches to hit. Even when they make outs they have great at bats. You always feel like they might make something happen.

 

Then you have f***ing Vlad flailing away at whatever s*** the pitcher throws to the plate without a single f***ing care in the world and when he does get a cookie, routinely missing them. Quite the dichotomy.

 

How is it possible that he got this bad? I don't think I've ever hated a Blue Jays player more. There have certainly been worse players, but that's because they weren't talented. I've never experienced the type of physical anger this man brings out in me. I literally don't want to see him play anymore. I'll take Schneider or anybody else they want to call up. It can't be worse at this point.

 

Why not bench him for three or four straight games? Maybe it will make him mad. Maybe an angry Vladdy might actually be good for us. Because happy-go-lucky don't give a s*** Vladdy who knows he's going to play every day isn't working for anybody.

Ah! Someone else shares my opinion of this faux superstar.

[metafour]

Gausman is 100 percent asking for a trade this off-season if this team misses the playoffs. He's not wasting the remainder of his prime here if they don't get their s*** together.

 

Is he now? It must be very frustrating for him to have to play on one of the Top 7-8 teams in the league. Is he going to demand a trade to a Top 3-5 team?

 

How often do "star players" ask for trades off of clearly competing teams LOL? If Gausman is going to ask for a trade, does that mean that it's going to be open season for the under-.500 Padres and their stable of superstars? Surely under the same logic I expect Soto, Tatis, etc, etc. to demand trades this offseason?

 

Talk about melodrama. There are star players who play for teams much worse than the Blue Jays whom I've never heard a peep out of.

[BlueBaller]

Is he now? It must be very frustrating for him to have to play on one of the Top 7-8 teams in the league. Is he going to demand a trade to a Top 3-5 team?

 

How often do "star players" ask for trades off of clearly competing teams LOL? If Gausman is going to ask for a trade, does that mean that it's going to be open season for the under-.500 Padres and their stable of superstars? Surely under the same logic I expect Soto, Tatis, etc, etc. to demand trades this offseason?

 

Talk about melodrama. There are star players who play for teams much worse than the Blue Jays whom I've never heard a peep out of.

 

He likely upset about how clowny they are.

[Stangstag]

Down to just 4 teams still without a 20 home run hitter this season:

 

#BlueJays (18 - Vladdy/Bo)

Cleveland (19 - Ramirez)

Cincinnati (18 - Steer)

San Francisco (18 - Flores)

 

Don’t think anyone expected this much regression.

 

I was looking today, and the power numbers overall are way down across the board. Doesn’t really make much sense considering the lineup is the same as last year minus Teo and Lourdes (who barely hit any homeruns anyway).

 

Just a lot of underwhelming seasons from everyone minus Bo and Belt.

 

ISO, SLG, HRs are all around 15ish out of 30 in MLB. Not nearly good enough.

[Laika]

I was looking today, and the power numbers overall are way down across the board. Doesn’t really make much sense considering the lineup is the same as last year minus Teo and Lourdes (who barely hit any homeruns anyway).

 

Just a lot of underwhelming seasons from everyone minus Bo and Belt.

 

ISO, SLG, HRs are all around 15ish out of 30 in MLB. Not nearly good enough.

 

So, the new outfield dimensions and the new construction may be one big thing going on.

 

I know they tried to keep the changes mostly "neutral" with the wall coming in and out, up and down in various places. But things like closing off the way air flows into the tunnel might actually end up being a significant reduction in the HR park factor.

 

I would say that we need to watch it for a few years to really know but they are making more changes this offseason and the reduction of foul territory should make a significant improvement for hitters so we will never really "know".

 

But the 2023 statcast park factors for RC show a 98 park factor overall and a 92 for home runs.

[BigCecil]

He likely upset about how clowny they are.

I don’t think Gausman wants to go anywhere. He just wants to win. Also his last 10 starts are way down from his first 10 results wise. I’m sure he knows that and is thinking about what he can do to get back to that level for his team.

[Omar]

I don’t think Gausman wants to go anywhere. He just wants to win. Also his last 10 starts are way down from his first 10 results wise. I’m sure he knows that and is thinking about what he can do to get back to that level for his team.

 

Gausman is in no position to demand anything. Shut up and pitch.

[BigCecil]

Gausman is in no position to demand anything. Shut up and pitch.

 

I liked Price’s line and the post it note he had on his locker door “Pitch Better”.

[Omar]

I liked Price’s line and the post it note he had on his locker door “Pitch Better”.

 

“If you don’t like it, pitch better.”

[BigCecil]

“If you don’t like it, pitch better.”

 

Dam one upper!

[wilko]

I liked Price’s line and the post it note he had on his locker door “Pitch Better”.

 

Price was lights out for the Jays. Not sure how much better he could have been lol.

[Omar]

Dam one upper!

 

…..

[Jonn]

Is he now? It must be very frustrating for him to have to play on one of the Top 7-8 teams in the league. Is he going to demand a trade to a Top 3-5 team?

 

How often do "star players" ask for trades off of clearly competing teams LOL? If Gausman is going to ask for a trade, does that mean that it's going to be open season for the under-.500 Padres and their stable of superstars? Surely under the same logic I expect Soto, Tatis, etc, etc. to demand trades this offseason?

 

Talk about melodrama. There are star players who play for teams much worse than the Blue Jays whom I've never heard a peep out of.

 

He literally called out the lineup in the media. His body language is showing clear frustration as well. Obviously he wants to win and he enjoys being here. But he’s at the top of his game and knows that doesn’t last forever. Can’t afford to waste Seasons in your prime. He wants a World Series. I don’t know if the Jays are better than any of the teams in front if them currently. I thought they were better than Seattle but a lot of players are turning their Season around and they have great rotation and Bullpen.

 

I think if the Jays miss the post season a lot of changes will be made. I could see a directional change as a team as well. Going young with Chapman, Merrifield, and Kiermaier out the door.

[Stangstag]

He literally called out the lineup in the media. His body language is showing clear frustration as well. Obviously he wants to win and he enjoys being here. But he’s at the top of his game and knows that doesn’t last forever. Can’t afford to waste Seasons in your prime. He wants a World Series. I don’t know if the Jays are better than any of the teams in front if them currently. I thought they were better than Seattle but a lot of players are turning their Season around and they have great rotation and Bullpen.

 

I think if the Jays miss the post season a lot of changes will be made. I could see a directional change as a team as well. Going young with Chapman, Merrifield, and Kiermaier out the door.

 

I definitely think Chapman/Merrifield/KK/Belt are gone regardless of what happens. We should be looking to fill 1-2 spots internally and try to sign a few guys to short-term deals. Guys like Pederson, Teo, Anderson, etc

[max silver]

I definitely think Chapman/Merrifield/KK/Belt are gone regardless of what happens. We should be looking to fill 1-2 spots internally and try to sign a few guys to short-term deals. Guys like Pederson, Teo, Anderson, etc

 

I suspect Chapman is gone due to likely exorbitant free agent contract cost, and Kiermaier doesn't make a lot of sense to retain due to Varsho's most valuable position also being center field, but I can see potential returns for both Merrifield and Belt as each of them should be relatively affordable on shorter term deals.

[Terminator]

Yeah I was even saying this two months ago about this easy part of the schedule. Some of these teams aren't duds and you can't just assume the Jays, under pressure right now, to completely dominate these teams. I hated the excuses some posters were using in June that the Jays haven't had an easy schedule yet and that "oh there is nothing to worry about since they have the easiest schedule down the stretch." The Jays better f*%king step up or else they pissed away their season.

 

“posters”

[Brownie19]

I definitely think Chapman/Merrifield/KK/Belt are gone regardless of what happens. We should be looking to fill 1-2 spots internally and try to sign a few guys to short-term deals. Guys like Pederson, Teo, Anderson, etc

 

This - 100%. You're fooling yourself if you expect to see Chapman, Belt, Merrifield and KK back next year. I'd be surprised if we keep 1 of those guys, regardless of whether we miss the playoffs or win the WS this year.

[BlueBaller]

“posters”

Some people here are eternally optimistic.

[Stangstag]

This - 100%. You're fooling yourself if you expect to see Chapman, Belt, Merrifield and KK back next year. I'd be surprised if we keep 1 of those guys, regardless of whether we miss the playoffs or win the WS this year.

 

I wouldn’t bank on any of these guys repeating their 2023 numbers. Chapman sure, but his cost will be way too high anyways.

 

Just doesn’t make sense to bring any of them back.

[Omar]

I suspect Chapman is gone due to likely exorbitant free agent contract cost, and Kiermaier doesn't make a lot of sense to retain due to Varsho's most valuable position also being center field, but I can see potential returns for both Merrifield and Belt as each of them should be relatively affordable on shorter term deals.

 

Belt should end his career with the Giants.

[Omar]

This - 100%. You're fooling yourself if you expect to see Chapman, Belt, Merrifield and KK back next year. I'd be surprised if we keep 1 of those guys, regardless of whether we miss the playoffs or win the WS this year.

 

And frankly speaking (writing?) I don’t want to see any of them back (well maybe KK). Let’s move on.

[jaysguy44]

Matt Chapman since May 1st among qualified hitters:

.212 BA (134th)

.303 OBP (124th)

.361 SLG (128th)

86 wRC+ (126th)

29.5% K% (10th)

-1.91 WPA (137th)

-1.42 Clutch (137th)

 

32 wRC+ High Leverage (217th)

56 wRC+ RISP (249th)

19 wRC+ RISP/Leverage (287th)

[Spanky99]

Matt Chapman since May 1st among qualified hitters:

.212 BA (134th)

.303 OBP (124th)

.361 SLG (128th)

86 wRC+ (126th)

29.5% K% (10th)

-1.91 WPA (137th)

-1.42 Clutch (137th)

 

32 wRC+ High Leverage (217th)

56 wRC+ RISP (249th)

19 wRC+ RISP/Leverage (287th)

 

I saw that tweet, is it correct?

[Stangstag]

Matt Chapman since May 1st among qualified hitters:

.212 BA (134th)

.303 OBP (124th)

.361 SLG (128th)

86 wRC+ (126th)

29.5% K% (10th)

-1.91 WPA (137th)

-1.42 Clutch (137th)

 

32 wRC+ High Leverage (217th)

56 wRC+ RISP (249th)

19 wRC+ RISP/Leverage (287th)

 

Wow. Dude had a historic April and then… completely lost it

[Spanky99]

Atkins had a live presser this afternoon, wasn't aware... anyhow, I can't find the full interview...

 

Here's a couple links...

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/atkins-believes-in-blue-jays-hitting-approach-despite-dip-in-production/

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/i-feel-good-about-the-team-atkins-confident-in-blue-jays-offence-and-defence/

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/blue-jays-atkins-gives-latest-on-manoahs-health-future-plans/

[deanmike]

I suspect Chapman is gone due to likely exorbitant free agent contract cost, and Kiermaier doesn't make a lot of sense to retain due to Varsho's most valuable position also being center field, but I can see potential returns for both Merrifield and Belt as each of them should be relatively affordable on shorter term deals.

 

Agreed on Chapman and KK, but I also think Belt is just as likely to not return as the other 2. Next season Biggio and Horwitz can battle to fill his spot at a cheaper cost, and payroll can be better allocated to fill pressing needs that next year's team will have.

[Sorrow]

I think if you can’t bring Chapman back you need to get Candalerio. There are not any good other options at 3B on the market.

[deanmike]

I think if you can’t bring Chapman back you need to get Candalerio. There are not any good other options at 3B on the market.

 

Jays might bet on Barger being ready for the majors next season and all he needs is a platoon partner like Espinal/Clement for games against lefties.