General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[Jays24]

54 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

Didn't we literally have this conversation yesterday?  I was comparing the 2025 Jays to the 2024 Mets, who really only had 3 really good hitters and then a bunch of guys who were just above league average.  Or was that someone else?

I must say - I'm warming up to you and jaysblue.

Wasn't me but if Jaysblue said it, I'll sign off on it without even knowing what he said lol. 

[BB17]

6 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

Pop is hot garbage so hard to argue just about anyone else' inclusion over him lol. I guess he's been fine in Spring and the stuff in theory has potential. On the other hand, with Yariel also starting out in the bullpen, he's pretty much that long arm with some upside, and I don't know how common it is to have multiple guys capable of going 3+ innings in the bullpen at once.

Pop is infuriating because if you look solely at his fastball and slider they are plus pitches with good velo and movement, yet he just crumbles against any type of pressure it seems and then his command just implodes.

His numbers in high leverage and with runners on base are so overwhelmingly bad compared to no one on base, it really does seem like he has an issue between the ears. He also really struggles against LHP so he really is basically just a guy you want to use to eat innings in a blow out.

May as well just have him in Buffalo and bring him up when you need a fresh arm because I don't think any Jays fan is confident when he's on the mound lol.

[BTS]

14 hours ago, Terminator said:

https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-2025-opening-day-roster

Keegan Matheson's Opening Day Roster predictions

C: Kirk, Hiney-man

1B: Vlad

2B: Gimenez, Wagner

SS: Bo

3B: Clement, Barger

LF: Schneider, Loperfido

CF: Varsho

RF: Taters, Springer

SP: Gausman, Berrios, Bassitt, Scherzer, Francis

RP: Hoffman, Yimi, Chad Green, Yarbrough, Little, Sandlin, Yariel, Pop

That bullpen is going to have a bad time 

[Brownie19]

9 hours ago, BB17 said:

Pop is infuriating because if you look solely at his fastball and slider they are plus pitches with good velo and movement, yet he just crumbles against any type of pressure it seems and then his command just implodes.

His numbers in high leverage and with runners on base are so overwhelmingly bad compared to no one on base, it really does seem like he has an issue between the ears. He also really struggles against LHP so he really is basically just a guy you want to use to eat innings in a blow out.

May as well just have him in Buffalo and bring him up when you need a fresh arm because I don't think any Jays fan is confident when he's on the mound lol.

Pop seems like one of those guys who needs to spend the offseason in the lab - tinkering with tunneling, pitch shape, etc. to find the right combo.  The arm talent is elite - he just needs the right tweak it seems.

[Brownie19]

2 hours ago, BTS said:

That bullpen is going to have a bad time 

We really need Sandlin, Yariel and Little to step the f*ck up in the pen this year.

[jaysblue]

3 hours ago, BTS said:

That bullpen is going to have a bad time 

Gotta hope Yariel steps up in a big way and turns into a lights-out reliever.

The Nick Sandlin 2021/2022 version is greatly needed as well. 

Signing someone like David Robertson or Joe Kelly would be nice if possible. 

[max silver]

10 hours ago, BB17 said:

Pop is infuriating because if you look solely at his fastball and slider they are plus pitches with good velo and movement, yet he just crumbles against any type of pressure it seems and then his command just implodes.

His numbers in high leverage and with runners on base are so overwhelmingly bad compared to no one on base, it really does seem like he has an issue between the ears. He also really struggles against LHP so he really is basically just a guy you want to use to eat innings in a blow out.

May as well just have him in Buffalo and bring him up when you need a fresh arm because I don't think any Jays fan is confident when he's on the mound lol.

It would certainly be nice to be able to stash Pop away in Buffalo but he's out of options. I suspect there's only one spot available between Pop and Nance, personally I think Nance offers more realistic upside of the two but neither one would be a huge loss if they were snagged on waivers.

[Brownie19]

1 minute ago, jaysblue said:

Gotta hope Yariel steps up in a big way and turns into a lights-out reliever.

The Nick Sandlin 2021/2022 version is greatly needed as well. 

Signing someone like David Robertson or Joe Kelly would be nice if possible. 

I'm down for the Joe Kelly action.  He's entertaining at least.  

[BatFlip]

1 minute ago, jaysblue said:

Gotta hope Yariel steps up in a big way and turns into a lights-out reliever.

The Nick Sandlin 2021/2022 version is greatly needed as well. 

Signing someone like David Robertson or Joe Kelly would be nice if possible. 

Yup, if either Yariel or Sandlin can succeed in a late inning role it will completely change the complexion of the bullpen.  

Pop has been so frustrating to watch since he's arrived here, and I'm pretty sure Nance ain't it.  There has to be a half dozen arms they could sign right now for very reasonable dollars that could at least offer more floor on the back-end of that bullpen.

[max silver]

4 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Gotta hope Yariel steps up in a big way and turns into a lights-out reliever.

The Nick Sandlin 2021/2022 version is greatly needed as well. 

Signing someone like David Robertson or Joe Kelly would be nice if possible. 

I looked up Joe Kelly and he mentioned back in January that he wanted to sign with the Dodgers only or he would retire. He also mentioned at that point he wasn't fully recovered from a shoulder injury so he doesn't appear to be a realistic target. I have no idea why Robertson is still lingering in free agency though unless he's being too picky for destination and/or asking for far too much money. It feels like pitchers that sign this late more often than not have terrible seasons so hopefully the Jays can sign him up sooner rather than later. 

[jaysblue]

35 minutes ago, BatFlip said:

Yup, if either Yariel or Sandlin can succeed in a late inning role it will completely change the complexion of the bullpen.  

Pop has been so frustrating to watch since he's arrived here, and I'm pretty sure Nance ain't it.  There has to be a half dozen arms they could sign right now for very reasonable dollars that could at least offer more floor on the back-end of that bullpen.

Brooks Raley would be an interesting target as well for a LHP. Posted seasons of 0.8, 1.0 and 0.7 WAR from 2021-2023 and has a career 10.23 K/9. He would definitely provide more floor than Little and Walker. 

[Orgfiller]

7 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Brooks Raley would be an interesting target as well for a LHP. Posted seasons of 0.8, 1.0 and 0.7 WAR from 2021-2023 and has a career 10.23 K/9. He would definitely provide more floor than Little and Walker. 

Raley is recovering from TJS which he had last May 30th.

[jaysblue]

1 minute ago, Orgfiller said:

Raley is recovering from TJS which he had last May 30th.

Welp. 

[jerb]

 

[jerb]

 

[Laika]

Great news on Swanson

[Terminator]

34 minutes ago, jerb said:

 

He's looking pretty slim

[BB17]

43 minutes ago, jerb said:

 

My first thought was: Is that Jason Momoa on the mound lol.

If Manoah can come back in July-September that would be a huge bonus. That said, I'm not holding my breath and any value he can provide is gravy at this point.

[BB17]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:33 AM, Brownie19 said:

Pop seems like one of those guys who needs to spend the offseason in the lab - tinkering with tunneling, pitch shape, etc. to find the right combo.  The arm talent is elite - he just needs the right tweak it seems.

I feel like some time with a sports psychologist would be beneficial too. Just having a reliever's mentality and attacking the zone I think would do him well. Cuz when he struggles its a full implosion and the wheels come right off.

[John_Havok]

1 hour ago, jerb said:

 

So basically, he has carpal tunnel syndrome or, maybe more likely pronator syndrome.

Kinesiology classes coming in clutch.  

[Spanky99]

1 hour ago, jerb said:

 

Yes!!!

[Brownie19]

Does Manoah look like he's "corkscrewing" into his back leg more than he did previously?

[John_Havok]

2 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

Does Manoah look like he's "corkscrewing" into his back leg more than he did previously?

Hard to tell without a side by side

[Orgfiller]

2 hours ago, jerb said:

 

The long hair suits him.

[jaysblue]

2 hours ago, John_Havok said:

So basically, he has carpal tunnel syndrome or, maybe more likely pronator syndrome.

Kinesiology classes coming in clutch.  

[Daniel Labude]

4 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

Does Manoah look like he's "corkscrewing" into his back leg more than he did previously?

This

[bones]

Nice new forum, excited for baseball planning on watching a lot of games this year.

Team looks somewhat interesting.

[Laika]

20 minutes ago, bones said:

Nice new forum, excited for baseball planning on watching a lot of games this year.

Team looks somewhat interesting.

Welcome!

[Spanky99]

33 minutes ago, Laika said:

Welcome!

I believe bones is from the BJMB, jus' sayin'

[bones]

30 minutes ago, Spanky99 said:

I believe bones is from the BJMB, jus' sayin'

yessir, I dont have access to that email I used over there, new account.