General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[infinitebook]

49 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

I don't believe you can do this sir, since they went to a 26 man roster the rule is 13 Position players and 13 Pitchers, IIRC. 

No post season roster doesn't have to be balanced. Teams have carried larger benches and taken less pitchers in the past. 

[Jonn]

1 minute ago, infinitebook said:

No post season roster doesn't have to be balanced. Teams have carried larger benches and taken less pitchers in the past. 

13 is the max.

[Spanky__99]

16 minutes ago, Jonn said:

Depending matchups having all of them would be nice. You take out Bruihl, Nance, and IKF. Insert Bo, Bassit, and Scherzer and you got length. The option to use one as a 4th starter. Or leverage roles depending on what you need. 

Do we want Nance on the mound in any situation we wouldn't rather see Max or Bassit?

Well, Nance is a low leverage arm in the first place, we'll see what happens.

[Spanky__99]

17 minutes ago, infinitebook said:

No post season roster doesn't have to be balanced. Teams have carried larger benches and taken less pitchers in the past. 

Really, since the 26 man has started?

[Spanky__99]

17 minutes ago, Jonn said:

13 is the max.

That's what I thought.

[Spanky__99]

1 hour ago, Anal Hershiser said:

Would you drop a different reliever? Assuming Briuhl is already dropped for Bassitt

No.

[Anal Hershiser]

17 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

No.

I think many people (myself included) were under the impression you didn't necessarily have to have a balanced roster, so dropping Nance was to fit Bo, if healthy. If you'd have to drop IKF (or a different batter) then I wouldn't want to drop Nance either

[Jonn]

I think I want Bo on the roster now just so it prevents IKF from making starts against left-handed pitching the rest of the playoffs

[Spanky__99]

29 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I think I want Bo on the roster now just so it prevents IKF from making starts against left-handed pitching the rest of the series. 

It would have to be IKF if Bo's back, Barger's fine at 3B. 

[glory]

1 hour ago, Jonn said:

I think I want Bo on the roster now just so it prevents IKF from making starts against left-handed pitching the rest of the playoffs

Trying to rationalize why IKF is starting against Tarik Skubal is a terrifying thought. 

[Terminator]

3 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

I don't believe you can do this sir, since they went to a 26 man roster the rule is 13 Position players and 13 Pitchers, IIRC. 

The Yankees just had a 5 man bench and only 12 pitchers against us in the ALDS.

They did it because they carry an extra catcher as Ben Rice and Wells are both in the lineup so that other lefty guy they have rides pine just in case.

The rule is max pitchers is 13, there’s no limit on position players.  

[Brownie19]

4 hours ago, max silver said:

Max Scherzer was never going to start game 1 of a playoff series for the Blue Jays. His previous track record doesn't matter very much compared to what he realistically has to offer at this point of his career.

Jays24 has a point.  While few claimed he would be the Game 1 starter, but most of us saw him as a playoff starter and one of our Top 3 options.  It is wild how he went from that to off the roster in 6 weeks.  Too bad really.

[Brownie19]

3 hours ago, Jays24 said:

I know youre smart enough to know Lauer's role has been shrunk down to a short outings now.  He isnt stretched out anymore and has proven he can be used in high leverage situations.  Let Scherzer take the mop up role since Nance is last on the depth charts with Bruhil anyways. 

I'm not so sure I agree with this.  I suspect he could throw 5 innings if you let him.  I think the reason he's being used in much shorter stints is simply because the Jays don't think he'll be effective for 4-5 innings.  They only let Bieber go 2 2/3rd.  I'd be shocked if they give Bassitt goes more than 4 innings, even if he's pitching well.  I think it's a philosophy.

Of course I could be wrong, but I don't think he's being pulled because he's out of gas and can't give you more innings because he isn't stretched out.  I'm almost sure that's true.

[Spanky__99]

1 hour ago, Terminator said:

The Yankees just had a 5 man bench and only 12 pitchers against us in the ALDS.

They did it because they carry an extra catcher as Ben Rice and Wells are both in the lineup so that other lefty guy they have rides pine just in case.

The rule is max pitchers is 13, there’s no limit on position players.  

Ah... I see, thanks for the schooling Sheriff. 😉

[Jonn]

I thought it was implied that I meant you can only have a max of 13 pitchers. Of course you can have less but it would seem only crazy to take less. Yankees situation was really unique but even that put them in a bind by only really allowing them to take one left-handed reliever. The fact that they carried 3 catchers which they didn't use or didn't use Dominguez until the final inning of their season. They probably would have been way better served to take another pitcher.

[Terminator]

2 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I thought it was implied that I meant you can only have a max of 13 pitchers. Of course you can have less but it would seem only crazy to take less. Yankees situation was really unique but even that put them in a bind by only really allowing them to take one left-handed reliever. The fact that they carried 3 catchers which they didn't use or didn't use Dominguez until the final inning of their season. They probably would have been way better served to take another pitcher.

A-Rod called it the “worst constructed roster he’s ever seen” or something like that lol

 

[Ryu In My House]

18 hours ago, Terminator said:

It's fun having a team that hates the Yankees as much as the fans do. Same goes for our broadcast team (Buck & Jamie Campbell). I bet Shapiro and Atkins hate Cashman too.

Why does Vladdy seem to dislike the Jays so much? Did they screw his dad over somehow? I legit don't know the story.

[saskjayfan]

9 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

Jays24 has a point.  While few claimed he would be the Game 1 starter, but most of us saw him as a playoff starter and one of our Top 3 options.  It is wild how he went from that to off the roster in 6 weeks.  Too bad really.

Max gave up 3 and struck out 11 at the end of July in a game where he was touching 97 and hitting 95 and 96 regularly.  His next 4 starts he gave up 1 run, 2 runs, 1 run and 1 run.  His stuff looked great.  Then the end of August and into September we saw a run of poor outings.  The velocity dipped.  The breaking balls weren't as sharp.  The command wasn't as good.  He's an old guy. Was it just physically he wasn't feeling as good?

I still see Max as a bit of a wild card.  He's had time off.  They saw the 5 inning simulated game.  If they liked what they saw and his stuff is playing up again, I could see the veteran with the adrenaline of the playoffs, the focus that a veteran has, providing a good start in the playoffs.  If he starts a game and he comes out hitting 96 vs 93 his spin rates on the off speed pitches are likely higher too.   Time will tell, but I won't be surprised if he's on the roster next series. 

[Angrioter]

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[saskjayfan]

2 hours ago, Ryu In My House said:

Why does Vladdy seem to dislike the Jays so much? Did they screw his dad over somehow? I legit don't know the story.

I assume you meant to say the Yankees.  Ortiz was like an uncle to him.  Vlad's favourite player growing up was his Dad.  Ortiz was his second favourite player.   If Ortiz was your second favourite player growing up you're probably not going to like the Yankees.  

[Brownie19]

26 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

Max gave up 3 and struck out 11 at the end of July in a game where he was touching 97 and hitting 95 and 96 regularly.  His next 4 starts he gave up 1 run, 2 runs, 1 run and 1 run.  His stuff looked great.  Then the end of August and into September we saw a run of poor outings.  The velocity dipped.  The breaking balls weren't as sharp.  The command wasn't as good.  He's an old guy. Was it just physically he wasn't feeling as good?

I still see Max as a bit of a wild card.  He's had time off.  They saw the 5 inning simulated game.  If they liked what they saw and his stuff is playing up again, I could see the veteran with the adrenaline of the playoffs, the focus that a veteran has, providing a good start in the playoffs.  If he starts a game and he comes out hitting 96 vs 93 his spin rates on the off speed pitches are likely higher too.   Time will tell, but I won't be surprised if he's on the roster next series. 

They said he would have been on the roster if we played the Red Sox - so it's not like the Jays have given up on him at all.  I love Max and would love NOTHING more than to see him throw meaningful innings in the next 2 series...

[saskjayfan]

Just curious.  Who does everyone want, Detroit or Seattle?  I'm not even sure myself matchup wise.  I kind of leaning towards Detroit because Seattle has never been to a world series and I'd feel bad for their fanbase when we beat them..lol

[SeranthonySantander]

3 hours ago, Ryu In My House said:

Why does Vladdy seem to dislike the Jays so much? Did they screw his dad over somehow? I legit don't know the story.

Pedro Martinez is Vlad's godfather too.  Apparently Vlad Sr was going to sign with the yankees and they ended up taking Sheffield over him.  So he's been raised that way.

[Stangstag]

17 minutes ago, SeranthonySantander said:

Pedro Martinez is Vlad's godfather too.  Apparently Vlad Sr was going to sign with the yankees and they ended up taking Sheffield over him.  So he's been raised that way.

There’s also an alleged story where Guerrero Sr. was at Yankee stadium as an opponent (possibly with the Angels) and Vlad Jr. was on the field with him before the game doing warmups/practice. Yankee staffer allegedly said kids weren’t allowed, and kicked him off the field. Meanwhile Yankees player’s kids were allowed to stay.

Apparently the Yankees did the same thing to Griffey Jr when he was a kid visiting with his dad. 

Also probably has to do with the Yankees fans treatment of Pedro Martinez, his godfather. 

Just a bunch of little things that add up over the years.

[Brownie19]

6 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

There’s also an alleged story where Guerrero Sr. was at Yankee stadium as an opponent (possibly with the Angels) and Vlad Jr. was on the field with him before the game doing warmups/practice. Yankee staffer allegedly said kids weren’t allowed, and kicked him off the field. Meanwhile Yankees player’s kids were allowed to stay.

Apparently the Yankees did the same thing to Griffey Jr when he was a kid visiting with his dad. 

Also probably has to do with the Yankees fans treatment of Pedro Martinez, his godfather. 

Just a bunch of little things that add up over the years.

I'd never heard those - that's cool, thanks for sharing.

But I mean - most people don't need much to hate the Yankees

[Laika]

58 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

Just curious.  Who does everyone want, Detroit or Seattle?  I'm not even sure myself matchup wise.  I kind of leaning towards Detroit because Seattle has never been to a world series and I'd feel bad for their fanbase when we beat them..lol

Detroit for me but it's closer than people think.

Seattle has a better rotation, particularly if Woo can pitch. That being said, Detroit has the best single SP and Seattle's starting pitching is overrated because of their park. The fact that Skubal would be the Game 3 starter and you could potentially close out a series having only faced him once is pretty big here. 

Seattle has a better bullpen, or at least some better late inning options. Detroit's is pretty boring. 

Seattle has a better offense. Top 5 in wRC+ since June 1st. 

Seattle has a bad defense. Detroit's is not good but it is more average. 

It's the offense alone that I would want to avoid. The top 6 in Seattle's lineup is just very good, and they could hit anybody, and they have a couple of true stars who could get hot and dominate all series. 

Detroit does not have that star on offense. You can pitch to Torkelson, Greene, and Kerry Carpenter. Detroit does have more bench utility so they will pinch hit and change their lineup more. 

[max silver]

10 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

I'm not so sure I agree with this.  I suspect he could throw 5 innings if you let him.  I think the reason he's being used in much shorter stints is simply because the Jays don't think he'll be effective for 4-5 innings.  They only let Bieber go 2 2/3rd.  I'd be shocked if they give Bassitt goes more than 4 innings, even if he's pitching well.  I think it's a philosophy.

Of course I could be wrong, but I don't think he's being pulled because he's out of gas and can't give you more innings because he isn't stretched out.  I'm almost sure that's true.

If I recall correctly Lauer hasn't even thrown 50 pitches since the start of September and has maxed out at 40 or so pitches in the last 5 weeks. That's not stretched out to go 4-5 innings unless he was super efficient producing outs.

[keggy]

Some food for thought:

• Nance had a bad 1/3 of an inning on Sunday. Outside of that he has been one of our best relievers for months. Yariel is the better pitcher, but only when you don't consider walks, strikeouts, home runs, and ground balls.
• Lauer absolutely smothered the Tigers when he started against them. He deserves a starting slot or major innings if it's the Tigers.
• If he's at game speed Bassitt should get a spot. Max isn't a horrible option if you protect him by starting him in the bigger opposing ballparks. And clearly nerves won't be a problem in any ballpark for Max.
• If Bichette is hobbled and limited to DH/pinch hitting it's hard to have a smooth functioning roster without IKF. If Bichette is back Santander might be the odd man out. Springer would have to play the field in that case anyways and Straw/Lukes/Schneider is plenty to cover the last spot. Just keep IKF's ass glued to the bench for defensive replacements where he belongs

[Brownie19]

1 hour ago, max silver said:

If I recall correctly Lauer hasn't even thrown 50 pitches since the start of September and has maxed out at 40 or so pitches in the last 5 weeks. That's not stretched out to go 4-5 innings unless he was super efficient producing outs.

I'm aware.  It just REALLY seems unlikely the Jays would ever pull Lauer because he's reached his pitch count.  It's much more likely he is pulled based on matchups and # of times through the order.

Even if Lauer was still "stretched out" and could throw 80-90 pitches - there's literally no chance the Jays would let him do that in the playoffs.  The only way they would if if we were down 10 runs and they just need him to soak up innings.  I still think if that were the case, he could give you 50-60 pitches again - he'd just be down for 4 days.  

[Terminator]

1 hour ago, Laika said:

Detroit for me but it's closer than people think.

Seattle has a better rotation, particularly if Woo can pitch. That being said, Detroit has the best single SP and Seattle's starting pitching is overrated because of their park. The fact that Skubal would be the Game 3 starter and you could potentially close out a series having only faced him once is pretty big here. 

Seattle has a better bullpen, or at least some better late inning options. Detroit's is pretty boring. 

Seattle has a better offense. Top 5 in wRC+ since June 1st. 

Seattle has a bad defense. Detroit's is not good but it is more average. 

It's the offense alone that I would want to avoid. The top 6 in Seattle's lineup is just very good, and they could hit anybody, and they have a couple of true stars who could get hot and dominate all series. 

Detroit does not have that star on offense. You can pitch to Torkelson, Greene, and Kerry Carpenter. Detroit does have more bench utility so they will pinch hit and change their lineup more. 

Yep this makes sense.

The Tiger's best hitter is Riley Greene who strikes out over 30% of the time and can't hit lefties.

Skubal makes them scarier in a playoff setting but the rest of the roster (lineup, bench, bullpen, defense) is best described as "not bad". If the Jays play their game they should win.

The Mariners are tougher to beat. Their bench sucks and their bullpen isn't very deep. But if they get a couple of hot hitters, their starting rotation performs, and their late inning relievers deliver (all of which is very possible) they are going to be difficult to get past.