General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[jaysblue]

On 7/2/2025 at 6:46 PM, Terminator said:

So Atkins said he is looking for a right handed bat.

What position should that bat be? Probably more OF than INF, right?

I would say OF, but trying to think of some names on who could be available.

- Luis Roberts Jr (on the IL currently and has sucked this season, but maybe a change of scenery and Postseason run lights a fire under him).

- Randal Grichuk (as a bench bat with some pop).

- Lane Thomas (struggling this season but has had success before, plus he's a former Jays draft pick haha). 

- Harrison Bader (having a solid season so far posting 1.4 fWAR). 

As for infielders, Eugenio Suarez would be a huge bat at 3B, though doubt the Jays want to break up their defensive infield and I likely wouldn't either. Unless they benched Gimenez and started Clement at 2B, but that won't happen or an injury. Another option could be Luis Urias from the Athletics as a bench bat. 

[jaysblue]

6 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

And a good Canadian kid too, thats extra points.

Sportsnet would love it! Jays probably would sell some extra jerseys and player tee's for sure. Could also do some Mary Brown Chicken commercials down the stretch haha! 

As a reliever in 2024: 36 innings, 2.75 ERA with 60 K's. He could be a valuable arm in the Postseason. 

 

[PickleJ]

First time poster. Longtime Jays fan, not quite a day one Jays fan. But a fan since the beginnings of the Stieb, Fernandez, and Bell era Jays  

Finally signed up here because I’m excited about this year’s squad. I had grown weary of the Guerrero, Bichette, and Shapiro era, so I’ve been caught off guard by my current excitement level.

l love watching Barger try to tear the cover off the ball. I appreciate what Clement brings to the team defensively and enjoy watching him battle at the plate. I even enjoy when he works a walk, as I know that is violently against his nature. Kirk has always been good defensively in the most boring way by being elite at framing pitches, but he is fun to watch when he is driving the ball all over the diamond. Giminez can’t hit, but he is elite defensively and helps soothe my annoyance with Bichette at short. Straw can’t hit, but has been so valuable covering CF during Varsho’s extended absence. Lukes is good enough that I discovered I’ve been mispronouncing his name for years. Rodriguez and Little bring fire and intensity from the pen, and Fisher is like a modern day Mark Eichorn with his endless supply of off speed pitches (though Eichorn could never threw 96 mph).
 

And Springer’s dead cat has definitely bounced. 
 

Things are good when the only thing I’’m worried about is Heineman failing a PED test. That seems inevitable at this point, doesn’t it?

So I’m looking forward to rooting on the team with all of you for the rest of season, as we brainstorm unrealistic ways for the team to improve and whine intensely about the smallest of mistakes. I am hoping we all get to see a couple of electric starts from old man Scherzer in the playoffs. That would be fun.

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

2 hours ago, PickleJ said:

First time poster. Longtime Jays fan, not quite a day one Jays fan. But a fan since the beginnings of the Stieb, Fernandez, and Bell era Jays  

Finally signed up here because I’m excited about this year’s squad. I had grown weary of the Guerrero, Bichette, and Shapiro era, so I’ve been caught off guard by my current excitement level.

l love watching Barger try to tear the cover off the ball. I appreciate what Clement brings to the team defensively and enjoy watching him battle at the plate. I even enjoy when he works a walk, as I know that is violently against his nature. Kirk has always been good defensively in the most boring way by being elite at framing pitches, but he is fun to watch when he is driving the ball all over the diamond. Giminez can’t hit, but he is elite defensively and helps soothe my annoyance with Bichette at short. Straw can’t hit, but has been so valuable covering CF during Varsho’s extended absence. Lukes is good enough that I discovered I’ve been mispronouncing his name for years. Rodriguez and Little bring fire and intensity from the pen, and Fisher is like a modern day Mark Eichorn with his endless supply of off speed pitches (though Eichorn could never threw 96 mph).
 

And Springer’s dead cat has definitely bounced. 
 

Things are good when the only thing I’’m worried about is Heineman failing a PED test. That seems inevitable at this point, doesn’t it?

So I’m looking forward to rooting on the team with all of you for the rest of season, as we brainstorm unrealistic ways for the team to improve and whine intensely about the smallest of mistakes. I am hoping we all get to see a couple of electric starts from old man Scherzer in the playoffs. That would be fun.

 

Welcome to Jays Centre!

[Brownie19]

11 hours ago, jaysblue said:

If the Jays were to target a pitcher, Michael Soroka would be interesting. He's pitched better as of late and is an expiring contract, so the Nats would move him. Could use him as a starter if someone goes down or even a multiple inning reliever. He was lights-out last season out of the bullpen and he could definitely be a weapon in the Postseason if utilized in that kind of role. 

Yeah I like that idea. I was hoping the Jays would find a way to add him this off-season.  He ended up signing for more than I expected, but he's pitching well!

[Brownie19]

7 hours ago, PickleJ said:

First time poster. Longtime Jays fan, not quite a day one Jays fan. But a fan since the beginnings of the Stieb, Fernandez, and Bell era Jays  

Finally signed up here because I’m excited about this year’s squad. I had grown weary of the Guerrero, Bichette, and Shapiro era, so I’ve been caught off guard by my current excitement level.

l love watching Barger try to tear the cover off the ball. I appreciate what Clement brings to the team defensively and enjoy watching him battle at the plate. I even enjoy when he works a walk, as I know that is violently against his nature. Kirk has always been good defensively in the most boring way by being elite at framing pitches, but he is fun to watch when he is driving the ball all over the diamond. Giminez can’t hit, but he is elite defensively and helps soothe my annoyance with Bichette at short. Straw can’t hit, but has been so valuable covering CF during Varsho’s extended absence. Lukes is good enough that I discovered I’ve been mispronouncing his name for years. Rodriguez and Little bring fire and intensity from the pen, and Fisher is like a modern day Mark Eichorn with his endless supply of off speed pitches (though Eichorn could never threw 96 mph).
 

And Springer’s dead cat has definitely bounced. 
 

Things are good when the only thing I’’m worried about is Heineman failing a PED test. That seems inevitable at this point, doesn’t it?

So I’m looking forward to rooting on the team with all of you for the rest of season, as we brainstorm unrealistic ways for the team to improve and whine intensely about the smallest of mistakes. I am hoping we all get to see a couple of electric starts from old man Scherzer in the playoffs. That would be fun.

 

Welcome!  That an incredible 1st post. I love it.

[Spanky__99]

On 7/2/2025 at 6:46 PM, Terminator said:

So Atkins said he is looking for a right handed bat.

What position should that bat be? Probably more OF than INF, right?

Where, when did he say this? They need a stud SP, lip service if it was recently.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I wonder if there is any chance the Nats would trade Gore?

[Spanky__99]

On 7/2/2025 at 9:38 PM, John_Havok said:

Davis Schneider is really wanting that RH bench bat role right now

Yeah, this team needs arms, TORSP and a good setup man. Git R Dun... Ross.

[max silver]

17 hours ago, PickleJ said:

First time poster. Longtime Jays fan, not quite a day one Jays fan. But a fan since the beginnings of the Stieb, Fernandez, and Bell era Jays  

Finally signed up here because I’m excited about this year’s squad. I had grown weary of the Guerrero, Bichette, and Shapiro era, so I’ve been caught off guard by my current excitement level.

l love watching Barger try to tear the cover off the ball. I appreciate what Clement brings to the team defensively and enjoy watching him battle at the plate. I even enjoy when he works a walk, as I know that is violently against his nature. Kirk has always been good defensively in the most boring way by being elite at framing pitches, but he is fun to watch when he is driving the ball all over the diamond. Giminez can’t hit, but he is elite defensively and helps soothe my annoyance with Bichette at short. Straw can’t hit, but has been so valuable covering CF during Varsho’s extended absence. Lukes is good enough that I discovered I’ve been mispronouncing his name for years. Rodriguez and Little bring fire and intensity from the pen, and Fisher is like a modern day Mark Eichorn with his endless supply of off speed pitches (though Eichorn could never threw 96 mph).
 

And Springer’s dead cat has definitely bounced. 
 

Things are good when the only thing I’’m worried about is Heineman failing a PED test. That seems inevitable at this point, doesn’t it?

So I’m looking forward to rooting on the team with all of you for the rest of season, as we brainstorm unrealistic ways for the team to improve and whine intensely about the smallest of mistakes. I am hoping we all get to see a couple of electric starts from old man Scherzer in the playoffs. That would be fun.

 

Welcome to the board.

I'm a huge Kirk fan, but truthfully he brings so much more to the table defensively other than just framing as he's 100th percentile in blocking runs and 97th percentile in Statcast runs. I believe he's head and tails above all other catchers defensively in MLB this season but he may be robbed of a gold glove because it seems that DRS is heavily weighted in the gold glove criteria and Kirk isn't leading the DRS board based on a bogus catcher's ERA statistic.

Oh the topic of Heineman I don't think there should be any fear of him failing a PED test. He's been the luckiest hitter in MLB based on his highest in MLB .086 wOBA-xwOBA split this season. His results are trending downwards as expected based on regression to the mean as evidenced by a 91 wRC+ over the last 2+ months of the season.

[204Jays]

While I think/know this team has more to offer with Varsho and Santander still out, how sustainable is this current run? Is this a team likely to endure a losing streak just the same?

[John_Havok]

On 7/2/2025 at 4:46 PM, Terminator said:

So Atkins said he is looking for a right handed bat.

What position should that bat be? Probably more OF than INF, right?

Truly I don't think the position matters as much as the "lefty killer" with power part. 

With Varsho coming back soon, that pushes Straw back to the bench into his PH/PR late inning defensive replacement role with the occasional start when Varsho needs a day off. That's really where he should be since his defense is only a sliver worse than Varsho, but his bat is an entire forest away. 

 Current 40 man roster guys (assuming all healthy) that can play the OF - Loperfido, Clase, Lukes, Robertson, Roden, Santander, Springer, Schneider, Straw, Varsho, Barger. 

Eliminate the lefty hitters and you have Clase, Santander, Springer, Schneider and Straw.   Clase certainly isn't much of a killer of anything except hope... Santander is a ? atm, Springer is hitting like Judge, Myles has a Straw bat, and Schneider has been doing everything possible to show he can be that guy. 

On the IF - Barger, Schneider, Bo, Clement, Gimenez, Jimenez, Vlad, Orelvis and Wagner.  Orelvis is a non-factor right now. Scratch the lefties again and Clement is a lefty killer but with limited pop so you can easily plan on his numbers regressing a bit. Bo is always gonna be in the lineup when healthy, Jimenez is a 125 wRC+ against LHP in his MLB career, and has always hit LHP well in the minors but like Clement, very limited power output. 

Right now, the only real power threat from the R side that wouldn't be in the lineup everyday is Schneider, and even with his current hot streak, he's far from a sure thing power-wise. 

Anyways, all of this rambling aside, there's enough guys on the roster that can play both IF and OF, and we have enough LHH and SH, that all we really need as a hired gun to hit from the R side and launch nukes off the bench, position doesn't really matter so much. 

[Jonn]

On 7/4/2025 at 11:36 AM, jaysblue said:

As for infielders, Eugenio Suarez would be a huge bat at 3B, though doubt the Jays want to break up their defensive infield and I likely wouldn't either. Unless they benched Gimenez and started Clement at 2B, but that won't happen or an injury. Another option could be Luis Urias from the Athletics as a bench bat. 

I don't think anyone would really be opposed to this. Gimenez has difficulties staying on the field to begin with. If nothing else the Yankees are rumored to really want him. It would be nice to both fill the Jays need and keep him from the Yankees.

[John_Havok]

4 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I don't think anyone would really be opposed to this. Gimenez has difficulties staying on the field to begin with. If nothing else the Yankees are rumored to really want him. It would be nice to both fill the Jays need and keep him from the Yankees.

Suarez is the worst baserunner in the league and a butcher on defense though... something to think about. No doubting the bat though. 

[Jonn]

4 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

Suarez is the worst baserunner in the league and a butcher on defense though... something to think about. No doubting the bat though. 

I mean yes you are right but he doesn't have to play 3B everyday he can cycle through DH. They will want Ernie to get 3B reps as well. Barger will still see a little time at 3B but pretty sure they would prefer for him to settle into RF long term. Adding that kind of power would just be a massive boost. He almost has twice as many homeruns as our homerun leader. And it doesn't look like we should expect Santander back anytime soon.

[max silver]

5 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I mean yes you are right but he doesn't have to play 3B everyday he can cycle through DH. They will want Ernie to get 3B reps as well. Barger will still see a little time at 3B but pretty sure they would prefer for him to settle into RF long term. Adding that kind of power would just be a massive boost. He almost has twice as many homeruns as our homerun leader. And it doesn't look like we should expect Santander back anytime soon.

Suarez's bat would be a tremendous addition but he's a really imperfect fit for this roster. If/when Santander is ready to return that would create a monster logjam at the DH position. Both of Santander and Springer should be everyday players and each is best suited at DH due to declining defense. Barger needs to be in the lineup close to every day but this would serve to erode the available playing time for him. I think the team is well served with 3B positions with players on the roster, and there are a lot of high end DH options on the roster at present with all of Springer, Kirk, Vlad and eventually Santander being able to capably fill the position.

[PickleJ]

Fun game last night. Nice to squeak out a win so we can keep talking about who we want to add to the squad.

After watching last nights game, I’m wondering what people would think of adding Kenley Jansen. He always seems closed to being washed, maybe because he’s a big dude with a scraggily beard.  But as I watching him last night, I began to talk myself into adding his cutter to our bullpen. Definitely, showing major recency bias here, but I’ve always been a fan of a great cutter.  

[Eat My Shatkins]

I'd like to see Milner added to the pen. Texas should be selling and with Fluharty struggling and sent down the Jays could use another lefty in the pen.

 

I'd also be interested in Bird from the Rockies as a late inning setup up reliever.

[max silver]

12 minutes ago, PickleJ said:

Fun game last night. Nice to squeak out a win so we can keep talking about who we want to add to the squad.

After watching last nights game, I’m wondering what people would think of adding Kenley Jansen. He always seems closed to being washed, maybe because he’s a big dude with a scraggily beard.  But as I watching him last night, I began to talk myself into adding his cutter to our bullpen. Definitely, showing major recency bias here, but I’ve always been a fan of a great cutter.  

Out of Angels relievers I'd love to see the team target Detmers. He features the type of stuff that really plays in the post season, but as a player who is under team control for 3 more seasons he's bound to be very expensive to acquire. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Jays are in a weird spot with the rotation because as it stands they have 5 'good' performing starters but at the same time they have 0 'elite' starters. And at the same time it feels like one or two wheels could fall off any minute now between Lauers track record or Scherzers thumb.

 

If you add another back of the rotation starter does it really move the needle? Well, if a wheel falls off then sure it does, but what if the wheels stay right where they are?

Seems like they should add a #1 somehow, and if they cant then just stand pat with the rotation and add a high leverage reliever or two.

[max silver]

1 minute ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Jays are in a weird spot with the rotation because as it stands they have 5 'good' performing starters but at the same time they have 0 'elite' starters. And at the same time it feels like one or two wheels could fall off any minute now between Lauers track record or Scherzers thumb.

 

If you add another back of the rotation starter does it really move the needle? Well, if a wheel falls off then sure it does, but what if the wheels stay right where they are?

Seems like they should add a #1 somehow, and if they cant then just stand pat with the rotation and add a high leverage reliever or two.

It's a tricky question about adding a starter. This would likely force Lauer into a swingman role, and he's been the steadiest member of the rotation once the team moved him there full time. Scherzer's health is going to be a lingering question mark for the rest of the season and it would be prudent for the team to add another capable arm and figure out the pecking order for the rotation if/when another started is acquired.

[PickleJ]

3 hours ago, max silver said:

Welcome to the board.

I'm a huge Kirk fan, but truthfully he brings so much more to the table defensively other than just framing as he's 100th percentile in blocking runs and 97th percentile in Statcast runs. I believe he's head and tails above all other catchers defensively in MLB this season but he may be robbed of a gold glove because it seems that DRS is heavily weighted in the gold glove criteria and Kirk isn't leading the DRS board based on a bogus catcher's ERA statistic.

Oh the topic of Heineman I don't think there should be any fear of him failing a PED test. He's been the luckiest hitter in MLB based on his highest in MLB .086 wOBA-xwOBA split this season. His results are trending downwards as expected based on regression to the mean as evidenced by a 91 wRC+ over the last 2+ months of the season.

No doubt Kirky is elite defensively. And I appreciate all his skills back there. He would be worth his contract even if he wasn’t driving the ball all over the place. But it is tough to drum up too much excitement framing pitches and blocking balls in the dirt, though these things do contribute to winning. And winning is typically exciting.

Offensively, he is much more interesting when he is driving the ball. His plus eye and contact skills are offset by the fact he’s a roadblock on the bases. He’s someone I’d like to see sell out for a little more power at the expense of his OBP. I think he is most valuable offensively when he is driving balls into the gaps that can score runners from first even if he can’t always scoot his way to second for a double.  

He seems to be trending in that direction now and doing so without disrupting his overall approach at the plate, which is fantastic. I now find myself looking forward to when he comes to the plate because I expect a solid approach with the chance to do a little damage.

And I’ll accept all the luck that Heiney can muster. Heck, I’ll take a 91 wRC+ from him all day long as well. 
 

[PickleJ]

22 minutes ago, max silver said:

Out of Angels relievers I'd love to see the team target Detmers. He features the type of stuff that really plays in the post season, but as a player who is under team control for 3 more seasons he's bound to be very expensive to acquire. 

No doubt. I always find it interesting when a higher end starting pitching prospect such as Detmers, Bachman, and Hoffman (oh… and Yariel, in a sense, as well) shifts to becoming a reliever. I think it’s often a challenging decision to make for both the team and player, considering both the premium on starting pitching and the corresponding earnings potential. But Detmers’ stuff really seems to play up in the bullpen. 
 

And you never know with the Angels. They seem stuck, Trout looks very human, and I’ve always found their organizational decision making to be erratic. Maybe they start to sell high on relievers.
 

 

[max silver]

5 minutes ago, PickleJ said:

No doubt Kirky is elite defensively. And I appreciate all his skills back there. He would be worth his contract even if he wasn’t driving the ball all over the place. But it is tough to drum up too much excitement framing pitches and blocking balls in the dirt, though these things do contribute to winning. And winning is typically exciting.

Offensively, he is much more interesting when he is driving the ball. His plus eye and contact skills are offset by the fact he’s a roadblock on the bases. He’s someone I’d like to see sell out for a little more power at the expense of his OBP. I think he is most valuable offensively when he is driving balls into the gaps that can score runners from first even if he can’t always scoot his way to second for a double.  

He seems to be trending in that direction now and doing so without disrupting his overall approach at the plate, which is fantastic. I now find myself looking forward to when he comes to the plate because I expect a solid approach with the chance to do a little damage.

And I’ll accept all the luck that Heiney can muster. Heck, I’ll take a 91 wRC+ from him all day long as well. 
 

I'd be happy to see Kirk selling out a little more for pull side power, but at the same time I'm also very happy with what he's being doing at the plate as he's returned to the type of middle of the order bat he featured in the 2022 breakout season. I had a look at his batted ball numbers, and he doesn't tend to produce very well when he hits the ball up the middle as evidenced by a 32 wRC+ on balls hit to the middle of the field. His air results (line drives + fly balls) in center field indicate that he's been comically unlucky on these types of batted balls as evidenced by a .582 xwOBA/.242 wOBA split. I can't help but feel he'd be well served to add a bit of pull side line drives/fly balls to his approach as he's received far closer to the type of results the expected stats indicate with a more neutral .657 xwOBA/.745 wOBA split.

[Doubleplay21]

If the Jays win the division Atkins will win GM of the year for adding Giminez, Santander and Scherzer. They will be big factors in September.

 

[Ryu In My House]

There are lots of okay RH batters on the market, but I think the Jays have enough okay internal options. I think the FO should target and really good/great impact bat. I would not be satisfied with a marginal upgrade.

[Ryu In My House]

On 7/4/2025 at 7:26 AM, Governator said:

 

 

 I was actually silently hoping that would DFA Springer before the season.

[Jonn]

1 hour ago, max silver said:

Suarez's bat would be a tremendous addition but he's a really imperfect fit for this roster. If/when Santander is ready to return that would create a monster logjam at the DH position. Both of Santander and Springer should be everyday players and each is best suited at DH due to declining defense. Barger needs to be in the lineup close to every day but this would serve to erode the available playing time for him. I think the team is well served with 3B positions with players on the roster, and there are a lot of high end DH options on the roster at present with all of Springer, Kirk, Vlad and eventually Santander being able to capably fill the position.

Long term it is more of an issue. But this division is right for the taking right now. Santander can’t be activated until August it looks like now. Depending if they actually think he will be healthy enough to return for the stretch drive is something they will have to determine. He did not look very good before getting hurt so if you have the bat that solves all your issues now I don’t think you pass on because you have Santander.

[max silver]

13 minutes ago, Jonn said:

Long term it is more of an issue. But this division is right for the taking right now. Santander can’t be activated until August it looks like now. Depending if they actually think he will be healthy enough to return for the stretch drive is something they will have to determine. He did not look very good before getting hurt so if you have the bat that solves all your issues now I don’t think you pass on because you have Santander.

I believe that Santander is expected to return to swinging a bat before too much longer so the team should be able to get a better read on his potential availability closer to the trade deadline. Hopefully the shoulder issue isn't something that saps his power as he doesn't have a ton to offer aside from parking the ball in the seats. 

[PickleJ]

27 minutes ago, max silver said:

I'd be happy to see Kirk selling out a little more for pull side power, but at the same time I'm also very happy with what he's being doing at the plate as he's returned to the type of middle of the order bat he featured in the 2022 breakout season. I had a look at his batted ball numbers, and he doesn't tend to produce very well when he hits the ball up the middle as evidenced by a 32 wRC+ on balls hit to the middle of the field. His air results (line drives + fly balls) in center field indicate that he's been comically unlucky on these types of batted balls as evidenced by a .582 xwOBA/.242 wOBA split. I can't help but feel he'd be well served to add a bit of pull side line drives/fly balls to his approach as he's received far closer to the type of results the expected stats indicate with a more neutral .657 xwOBA/.745 wOBA split.

I’d be down for that. Whatever he needs to do to get the ball past an outfielder, I’m down for.  And thanks for evidence based info. I always love that stuff, though I tend to be a bit too lazy to dig it up myself.  

My quick glance at his underlying metrics seems to indicate he is hitting the ball harder this year and his fly balls also seem to be up compared to his ground balls, though I’m not seeing much of a change in his spray chart (pull:middle:oppo).

Is this accurate or are you seeing something different? And if so, I’m curious if his exit velocities are up across the entire field or more so to the pull side. Because if they are up more so on the pull side, then it might be another indicator that he could  tap into some more production by becoming more pull focused, as you mentioned (though that probably goes against his natural instincts).