General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[Grant77]

Max Scherzer revealed on on a podcast why MLB wouldn't allow George Springer to return from his concussion even though the Jay's doctors had cleared him.

He wasn't able to correctly answer the question "What is a parallelogram"?

 

[Grant77]

1 hour ago, sliderguy35 said:

its really impressive that schneider's been able to make meaningfully more contact & cut the strikeouts from "atrocious" to just a normal level of "bad" without hampering his quality of contact (more barrels, still pulling the ball in the air more than basically anyone in the league).

it's unrealistic to think he's going to keep being a 140 wRC+ guy (it's almost impossible to carry a BABIP over .300 in a larger sample size when you hit that many flyballs), but he's proven he's at least able to do a credible isaac paredes impression this year (albeit with a bit more raw pop so he's not as ballpark-dependent). schneider is just going to be subject to more hot/cold variance since he doesn't make nearly as much contact as paredes does, but it probably balances out to a guy who's slightly better than league average in the long run. 

 

also, i wonder if all the work the jays have been doing in Japan the last few years will have them as one of the leaders to land munetaka murakami this winter. he'll /probably/ be able to stick at 3rd, (at least for the first few years) & you can move barger to be a full-time outfielder next year.

normally i'd be the first guy out on a profile like this since there are GLARING red flags (sub 65% contact rate in 2024 in NPB!!! hasn't handled velo very well recently, etc), but it's not hard to talk yourself into a guy like this. Hes going to be a 26 year old with legitimate 80 grade power who's shown the ability to be elite already & could potentially be a swing tweak away from being a 130-140 wRC+ cornerstone in the lineup.

the jays are one of the few teams with the depth & financial muscle to be able to weather if he doesn't work out too. would love to see them take the shot because if it works out... sheesh

 

Defensively, I'd rather keep Barger at 3rd and go after an outfielder, but I can't deny that Murakami is intriguing.

[L54]

 

[Masterbather]

1 hour ago, Grant77 said:

Max Scherzer revealed on on a podcast why MLB wouldn't allow George Springer to return from his concussion even though the Jay's doctors had cleared him.

He wasn't able to correctly answer the question "What is a parallelogram"?

 

I'm given to understand that he did at one point know what a parallelogram was?

He is American after all.

[Spanky__99]

2 hours ago, Grant77 said:

Max Scherzer revealed on on a podcast why MLB wouldn't allow George Springer to return from his concussion even though the Jay's doctors had cleared him.

He wasn't able to correctly answer the question "What is a parallelogram"?

 

lol... that's wild.
 

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769 likes, 7 comments - bluejaystodaypodcast on August 19, 2025: "Max Scherzer shares a hilarious story on one of George Springer’s concussion test questions 😂 @simplyspikedca #ad...

 

[AMS528]

Sometimes people don't look at the article posts (although you should), so I'm reposting this here as well about Manoah's rehab start. 

Did not hit anyone. Threw 75 pitches. Velocity was apparently started with velocity as 92-93 but dipped down to 90 as the game went on. Looked better at the end of it with 9 straight batters out. Gave up a solo shot in the first. Here's him getting a strikeout on his slider. 

https://x.com/Worden_Zach/status/1958236630390812957

He's obviously not ready to help the team or anything, but this was a much more positive looking outing than he's had generally during his rehab. Hopefully he's able to build on it. 

[Terminator]

20 minutes ago, AMS528 said:

Sometimes people don't look at the article posts (although you should), so I'm reposting this here as well about Manoah's rehab start. 

Did not hit anyone. Threw 75 pitches. Velocity was apparently started with velocity as 92-93 but dipped down to 90 as the game went on. Looked better at the end of it with 9 straight batters out. Gave up a solo shot in the first. Here's him getting a strikeout on his slider. 

https://x.com/Worden_Zach/status/1958236630390812957

He's obviously not ready to help the team or anything, but this was a much more positive looking outing than he's had generally during his rehab. Hopefully he's able to build on it. 

Well that's better. He has an option next year so I assume we tender him and use him as depth. I'm not expecting much beyond that though.

Here's an article which discusses his elaborate glove raise.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/notes-on-more-pitching-rehabbers/

[Brownie19]

7 minutes ago, Terminator said:

Well that's better. He has an option next year so I assume we tender him and use him as depth. I'm not expecting much beyond that though.

Here's an article which discusses his elaborate glove raise.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/notes-on-more-pitching-rehabbers/

I knew his mechanics looked different....that's a while glove raise.

[bronson44]

News: The #BlueJays have optioned Braydon Fisher to AAA. This roster spot can be used for Shane Bieber Friday.

[John_Havok]

14 minutes ago, bronson44 said:

News: The #BlueJays have optioned Braydon Fisher to AAA. This roster spot can be used for Shane Bieber Friday.

It's pretty cool they actually had to send someone down twice this week that didn't really deserve it. BUt it also sucks at the same time. 

[Stangstag]

On 8/20/2025 at 3:20 PM, Terminator said:

Well that's better. He has an option next year so I assume we tender him and use him as depth. I'm not expecting much beyond that though.

Here's an article which discusses his elaborate glove raise.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/notes-on-more-pitching-rehabbers/

I would not be surprised in the least if he ends up holding down a rotation spot for the entire year next season.

I don’t expect him to pitch like he used to, but im pretty certain he could match what Berrios is doing this year. And with potentially 3 rotation spots up for grabs next year, he could play a big role.

[keggy]

On 8/20/2025 at 4:32 PM, bronson44 said:

News: The #BlueJays have optioned Braydon Fisher to AAA. This roster spot can be used for Shane Bieber Friday.

Optioning your most reliable reliever this season is certainly a move.

[hanton]

guess we can't have 3 lefty relievers?  dumb

[Orgfiller]

Just now, hanton said:

guess we can't have 3 lefty relievers?  dumb

For all intents and purposes Lauer is basically still a starter. I very much doubt you'll see him come into the game out of the bullpen unless it's with the purpose of eating 3+ innings. So really you only have two lefties in Fluharty and Little to come into the game in leverage spots.

[hanton]

5 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

For all intents and purposes Lauer is basically still a starter. I very much doubt you'll see him come into the game out of the bullpen unless it's with the purpose of eating 3+ innings. So really you only have two lefties in Fluharty and Little to come into the game in leverage spots.

wait check that ...for some reason I had Fisher as a lefty in my head (must be his funky delivery). 

That makes this demotion even more surprising

[BatFlip]

On 8/20/2025 at 12:54 PM, AMS528 said:

Sometimes people don't look at the article posts (although you should), so I'm reposting this here as well about Manoah's rehab start. 

Did not hit anyone. Threw 75 pitches. Velocity was apparently started with velocity as 92-93 but dipped down to 90 as the game went on. Looked better at the end of it with 9 straight batters out. Gave up a solo shot in the first. Here's him getting a strikeout on his slider. 

https://x.com/Worden_Zach/status/1958236630390812957

He's obviously not ready to help the team or anything, but this was a much more positive looking outing than he's had generally during his rehab. Hopefully he's able to build on it. 

I love how the Manoah recap starts with "Did not hit anyone."

Finally some semi-positive news.  He's definitely looking like a roll the dice reclamation project for next season as opposed to current year depth, but that's fine given where we are at with the rotation right now.

[John_Havok]

29 minutes ago, keggy said:

Optioning your most reliable reliever this season is certainly a move.

Only guys with options were him, Little, Varland and Fluharty. 

Not gonna option Little or Varland... so Fluharty or Fisher it had to be.

Probably just wanted to keep two lefties instead of just 1 since Lauer is the long man.

There was no right answer...just the one that had to be made. He'll be back Sept 1 along with Loperfido certainly

[max silver]

2 hours ago, John_Havok said:

Only guys with options were him, Little, Varland and Fluharty. 

Not gonna option Little or Varland... so Fluharty or Fisher it had to be.

Probably just wanted to keep two lefties instead of just 1 since Lauer is the long man.

There was no right answer...just the one that had to be made. He'll be back Sept 1 along with Loperfido certainly

It's ultimately a good thing that Nance pitched so well he made it necessary to option a completely undeserving reliever down to the minors for the next week and a bit. 

[jaysblue]

22 hours ago, John_Havok said:

Only guys with options were him, Little, Varland and Fluharty. 

Not gonna option Little or Varland... so Fluharty or Fisher it had to be.

Probably just wanted to keep two lefties instead of just 1 since Lauer is the long man.

There was no right answer...just the one that had to be made. He'll be back Sept 1 along with Loperfido certainly

Yeah exactly and it's just for one week as well. They'll bring Fisher and Loperfido back in September.

Better to keep Nance in the fold since he's pitched well and don't want to risk losing him to another team. 

[hanton]

Gimenez seems to have good baseball instincts good iq - just listening to his interview with Arden.  I'm a fan - hopefully that bat can be average - with his other skills it should be enough for him to start everyday....a little Alomar in him

[Spanky__99]

2 minutes ago, hanton said:

Gimenez seems to have good baseball instincts good iq - just listening to his interview with Arden.  I'm a fan - hopefully that bat can be average - with his other skills it should be enough for him to start everyday

No doubt, it shows in his play.

[jaysblue]

Gimenez is so smooth in the field. Makes everything look easy. I know his bat has been subpar, though very impressed with him defensively. 

[Masterbather]

So as it stands right now, Bieber is your number one and you hope nothing happens to change that.

Gausman is two. He's still a bit up and down but he's the best of the remaining options. 

I still don't know who three is.

Scherzer is susceptible to bombs which is exactly what you don't want in the postseason. Maybe the cooler air will help a bit but it's a serious concern.

Bassitt and Berrios are probably the most susceptible to absolute stinkers. Between the two I trust Bassitt more.

Lauer deserves it the most based on the results but how real do we think he is and do we believe he can hold up to the pressures of the postseason?

It might depend on the lineup we're facing but I have Lauer as my three right now if current trends continue.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Scherzer just had 5 quality starts in a row before last night where he still went 6 innings and gave up 4 runs instead of 3 or less. Plus, he has a wealth of experience in the post season. 

He is your clear number 2 starter in the playoffs, if Bieber holds up as the number 1, in my opinion. 

[jaysblue]

7 minutes ago, Masterbather said:

So as it stands right now, Bieber is your number one and you hope nothing happens to change that.

Gausman is two. He's still a bit up and down but he's the best of the remaining options. 

I still don't know who three is.

Scherzer is susceptible to bombs which is exactly what you don't want in the postseason. Maybe the cooler air will help a bit but it's a serious concern.

Bassitt and Berrios are probably the most susceptible to absolute stinkers. Between the two I trust Bassitt more.

Lauer deserves it the most based on the results but how real do we think he is and do we believe he can hold up to the pressures of the postseason?

It might depend on the lineup we're facing but I have Lauer as my three right now if current trends continue.

If Bieber is healthy and if he's the Bieber we saw last Friday, for sure he is your number one. 

Would also include Scherzer & Gausman in your top 3, no questions asked. Scherzer despite the long ball concerns has pitched very well since coming back. As well, can't dismiss Scherzer and his Postseason experience. 

Lauer would be next in line. You don't need Lauer in a 3 or 5 game series, though possibly in a 7 game series. Also, depends on if the Jays want to utilize Lauer as a multi-inning reliever and occasionally use him in a leverage spot if they need to use a lefty.

I don't even consider Bassitt or Berrios as starters in the Postseason unless there is an injury to one of the other 4 arms mentioned or if the Jays decide to use Lauer strictly out of the pen. Would only feel comfortable using Bassitt at home. 

 

[Masterbather]

3 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Scherzer just had 5 quality starts in a row before last night where he still went 6 innings and gave up 4 runs instead of 3 or less. Plus, he has a wealth of experience in the post season. 

He is your clear number 2 starter in the playoffs, if Bieber holds up as the number 1, in my opinion. 

He has the worst home run rate on the team though, that doesn't concern you? And you have him ahead of Gausman? 

[jaysblue]

2 minutes ago, Masterbather said:

He has the worst home run rate on the team though, that doesn't concern you? And you have him ahead of Gausman? 

You could start either Scherzer or Gausman in Game 2. Jays management will make that call. Will depend on their throwing schedules and the matchup as well. 

Me personally, when Bieber wasn't in the picture before the trade deadline, would have used Scherzer in Game 1.

[Brownie19]

20 minutes ago, Masterbather said:

He has the worst home run rate on the team though, that doesn't concern you? And you have him ahead of Gausman? 

There are other ways teams score in the playoffs...

Max has been incredible lately - I certainly want him on the rubber ahead of Lauer, Bassitt, Berrios.

[Terminator]

The Top 3 are pretty set but that 4th spot isn't as easy as just slotting Lauer in there to me.

I'd probably piggy-back 2 of Bassitt, Lauer and Berrios depending on the matchup.

[Eat My Shatkins]

33 minutes ago, Masterbather said:

He has the worst home run rate on the team though, that doesn't concern you? And you have him ahead of Gausman? 

I'd be fine with either Gausman or Sherzer in game 2 at this point, right now I lean towards Sherzer though because he's really been good lately. 5 straight QS is no joke and he's got a huge history in the playoffs. 

 

The top 3 are very clear though unless something changes.