General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Stangstag]

100%. If Bo and Chappy are on the IL get Barger up too. We are the anti Orioles who are playing their young players with great success.

 

When we actually DID play our youngsters on fire, it worked out extremely well in Manoah and Kirk (at the time). Not sure why management has changed philosophy the last couple years.

[Stangstag]

Its like management won’t give any guys outside the top 100 prospect a fair shot

[Terminator]

Ugh, guess we’re gonna be forced to see more of that black hole Don Schneider

 

I’ve been banging the Babe Schneider drum louder than anyone but he doesn’t play SS or 3B

[Terminator]

The problem is it actually *IS* a little difficult getting Schneider into the lineup every day because you want Merrifield getting full playing time too

 

But IYAM you just have to find a way every day as often as you can. This offense need all the help it can get and Scnheider/Merrifield >>>> Espinal/Biggio

 

Just play him at 2B or LF every day and figure out everything else after. He’s too good to sit.

[max silver]

I’ve been banging the Babe Schneider drum louder than anyone but he doesn’t play SS or 3B

 

I'd have him taking a ton of reps at third base to see if he can passably handle the position when Chapman isn't available. Given what we've seen from Espinal defensively this season and Biggio in past seasons at third base he can't be much worse than those two.

[RobinThicc]

 

This seems not great for the jays

[G-Snarls]

 

This seems not great for the jays

 

As Stangstag pointed out in another thread, the Mariners and Rangers play each other 7 times in September. That definitely helps everyone else.

 

But of course no matter what else happens the Jays have to win a bunch of games now or it won't matter to them.

[BigCecil]

As Stangstag pointed out in another thread, the Mariners and Rangers play each other 7 times in September. That definitely helps everyone else.

 

But of course no matter what else happens the Jays have to win a bunch of games now or it won't matter to them.

 

I am for the first time all year coming to the realization we might not even make the 3rd wildcard. Its a tad bewildering how we have gone from "lets win the division to just make it in to better luck next year" reckoning and rationalizations.

 

We may still make it in, but will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat now. Margin for error increasingly smaller.

[Terminator]

I'd have him taking a ton of reps at third base to see if he can passably handle the position when Chapman isn't available. Given what we've seen from Espinal defensively this season and Biggio in past seasons at third base he can't be much worse than those two.

 

I'm sure the team has considered it. They HATE playing Cavan there but they even have him over there before they put Schneids.

 

Regardless, my point was that it shouldn't be hard to get Schneider in the lineup. Just pencil him in everyday and then make the decisions about who else is in the lineup afterward. The dude is mashing and clearly needs to be playing every day.

[G-Snarls]

I am for the first time all year coming to the realization we might not even make the 3rd wildcard. Its a tad bewildering how we have gone from "lets win the division to just make it in to better luck next year" reckoning and rationalizations.

 

We may still make it in, but will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat now. Margin for error increasingly smaller.

 

So very disappointing the way things have gone

[Terminator]

I am for the first time all year coming to the realization we might not even make the 3rd wildcard. Its a tad bewildering how we have gone from "lets win the division to just make it in to better luck next year" reckoning and rationalizations.

 

We may still make it in, but will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat now. Margin for error increasingly smaller.

 

Yeah losing that series to Cleveland was a real dagger. It ain't over yet but there is no denying that the season is on the brink after that series.

[G-Snarls]

And to make it worse it's not even the Yankees or Rays that are the problem but the Orioles and Mariners

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[DigitalRock]

I could be crazy but something seems off with this team. Body language is not good. Wonder if there is s*** going on behind the scenes.

[glory]

I am for the first time all year coming to the realization we might not even make the 3rd wildcard. Its a tad bewildering how we have gone from "lets win the division to just make it in to better luck next year" reckoning and rationalizations.

 

We may still make it in, but will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat now. Margin for error increasingly smaller.

 

Yeah I’m not expecting the Jays to get in at this point, but I think their one potential saving grace is the Rangers tanking down the stretch. That four game series in Toronto in Sept will be huge.

 

When they missed the playoffs in 2021 it was gut wrenching because you sensed that they had a legit chance to win it all. I honestly don’t know what to feel about the 2023 team if they get in.

[bones10]

 

This seems not great for the jays

 

I mean the rangers are already in free fall, and we play them directly + they’re playing the mariners 7 times, given that jays still 100 percent control their own destiny. Too bad they’re playing like dog s*** right now.

[Stangstag]

I am for the first time all year coming to the realization we might not even make the 3rd wildcard. Its a tad bewildering how we have gone from "lets win the division to just make it in to better luck next year" reckoning and rationalizations.

 

We may still make it in, but will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat now. Margin for error increasingly smaller.

 

It’s definitely getting dicey. That 4 game series against Texas will be HUGE. If they can’t do damage there (3-1 or a sweep) I think the playoffs are a lost cause. 12 games against NY and Tampa to end the year.

[Stangstag]

I could be crazy but something seems off with this team. Body language is not good. Wonder if there is s*** going on behind the scenes.

 

Im sure we’ll discover in a few years that half the coaching staff was smoking weed in the office 20 minutes before gametime, that Vlad would show up an hour late to every game, that Springer and Kirk were playing through injuries for most of the season, that Manoah had Mono all year… yadayadayada

[BigCecil]

Yeah I’m not expecting the Jays to get in at this point, but I think their one potential saving grace is the Rangers tanking down the stretch. That four game series in Toronto in Sept will be huge.

 

When they missed the playoffs in 2021 it was gut wrenching because you sensed that they had a legit chance to win it all. I honestly don’t know what to feel about the 2023 team if they get in.

 

The least likeable team, for me at least, in this window going back to 2020. Personality and performance wise. Thats totally subjective and just my personal view/experience. I was looking at options to head to TOR this morning, to take in some more games in Sept, but I'm going to pass.

 

I caught 4 over the last couple weeks and the team was listless. Just didn't enjoy the product much even though 3 games were in front of packed houses.

[hanton]

I could be crazy but something seems off with this team. Body language is not good. Wonder if there is s*** going on behind the scenes.

 

so much for the culture change

[Stangstag]

The least likeable team, for me at least, in this window going back to 2020. Personality and performance wise. Thats totally subjective and just my personal view/experience. I was looking at options to head to TOR this morning, to take in some more games in Sept, but I'm going to pass.

 

I caught 4 over the last couple weeks and the team was listless. Just didn't enjoy the product much even though 3 games were in front of packed houses.

 

I agree. Been on vacation away from Toronto most of the summer, heading back in a few days. Not exactly excited to spend the hour commute downtown to watch this team right now…. Thought i’d be pumped to go see them.

 

I’ll still go see a couple games because I can’t control myself but im sure i’ll be ripping my hair out.

[Stangstag]

so much for the culture change

 

Im pointing to the coaching staff which has remained 95% the same.

 

Obviously the players are mostly to blame, but we know they’re capable.

[DigitalRock]

The least likeable team, for me at least, in this window going back to 2020. Personality and performance wise. Thats totally subjective and just my personal view/experience. I was looking at options to head to TOR this morning, to take in some more games in Sept, but I'm going to pass.

 

I caught 4 over the last couple weeks and the team was listless. Just didn't enjoy the product much even though 3 games were in front of packed houses.

Easily one of the least likeable jays team, such a frustrating team to watch.

[BigCecil]

I agree. Been on vacation away from Toronto most of the summer, heading back in a few days. Not exactly excited to spend the hour commute downtown to watch this team right now…. Thought i’d be pumped to go see them.

I’ll still go see a couple games because I can’t control myself but im sure i’ll be ripping my hair out.

 

Id be same if i lived closer. I remember flying from Calgary 2015 for the final home stand vs the Rays Sept 2015 with my wife and son. Packed house. Roof open blue sky. September crispness. White towels waving. Everyone standing.

 

We won all 3 games with JD capping off a comeback in the 3rd game hitting a walk off bomb to win on the Sunday Sept 27th. I was jumping up and down when he smoked that ball as soon as you heard the crack I knew it was gone, and then I fell on top of this nice couple from PEI beside me lol.

 

Just hard to recapture that incredible buzz and atmosphere/feeling. That team was just never out of it.

[Stangstag]

Id be same if i lived closer. I remember flying from Calgary 2015 for the final home stand vs the Rays Sept 2015 with my wife and son. Packed house. Roof open blue sky. September crispness. White towels waving. Everyone standing.

 

We won all 3 games with JD capping off a comeback in the 3rd game hitting a walk off bomb to win on the Sunday Sept 27th. I was jumping up and down when he smoked that ball as soon as you heard the crack I knew it was gone, and then I fell on top of this nice couple from PEI beside me lol.

 

Just hard to recapture that incredible buzz and atmosphere/feeling. That team was just never out of it.

 

Yup I was at that final game with the Donaldson walk-off. Those few weeks in September/October were the most exciting time to be a Jays fan that I can ever remember (im not old enough to remember the WS wins)

 

I just want to feel that again

[TheHurl]

Im pointing to the coaching staff which has remained 95% the same.

 

Obviously the players are mostly to blame, but we know they’re capable.

 

A good solid run at the right time, likely changes opinion but it really does appear like a lost team. So really whomever, the players feel like they don't have backing from will be the fall guys, if that run doesn't happen.

 

I hate it because I loved the build of this team, so for me this is on coaching staff. But public and media are are Anti-F.O. and from some of the rumours I am hearing, there is a disconnect between the F.O and the players

[leaffie]

This is the first year in the last ten, that I havent gone to Seattle to see the series. And I have thought all year that there is something wrong with the make up of this team.

 

Obviously I dont know what it is, but there never seemed to be any importance to winning. Always excuses, but no changes to try and fix it.

[BigCecil]

Yup I was at that final game with the Donaldson walk-off. Those few weeks in September/October were the most exciting time to be a Jays fan that I can ever remember (im not old enough to remember the WS wins)

 

I just want to feel that again

 

Crazy euphoria. Tougher for you younger guys who didn't experience those teams. I lived through watching "Blue Monday" and Expos highs and lows...as well as the Jays emergences and collapses before the 92 and 93 WS wins. I still remmember everyting about them - where I was - who did what etc.

 

On the flip side there hadn't been a Jays PO game since 1993 so I flew in from Cal for the TEX series and lost both games, and on top of that Cecil tore his knee in a run down in GM 2. That was the opposite of euphoria...then of course games 3, 4.....and FIVE happened.

[BigCecil]

A good solid run at the right time, likely changes opinion but it really does appear like a lost team. So really whomever, the players feel like they don't have backing from will be the fall guys, if that run doesn't happen.

 

I hate it because I loved the build of this team, so for me this is on coaching staff. But public and media are are Anti-F.O. and from some of the rumours I am hearing, there is a disconnect between the F.O and the players

 

I don't think they are anti FO. Fans chase winners and recency bias abounds. Fans in NY and Bos are even more demanding/fickle. I'm not a huge fan of this FO and I cant stand listening to Ross, but they are definitely smart, more than competent and very professional. This is a 90 ish win team. You can debate a lot of things about their decisions including this year at the deadline, state of the farm, trades of players/prospects, quality of picks, cost of team, FA signings etc etc, but overall they are solid and put together a pretty well constructed team.

 

I have a hard time putting it on the coaching staff when the FO chose them, and has stuck with them. It was only last year Ross fired Charlie.

 

If they win they are all Pat Gillicks, Citos, Beestons and on the LOE. There is only one reason Joe Carter is up there. If they don't they go the way of Bunyoto, Ash and JPR eventually.

[JaysAllMighty]

[bones10]

If Espinal is at third tonight heads should roll