General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[Eat My Shatkins]

Haha

[jaysblue]

4 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

Don't discount the possibility of Varland being tried as a starter. 

Yeah I could see it, especially if the can't sign two arms this offseason. There have been a lot of success stories of relievers transitioning to the rotation and Varland does have 5 pitches and was a starter in the minors. Maybe Pete Walker can unlock something with him in the rotation. 

Gausman

Yesavage

Berrios

Varland/Lauer

Add another top starter to that mix whether its Bieber, Cease, Woodruff, Valdez and that doesn't look bad.

Would keep Lauer in the pen if Varland impresses during ST. Can use Lauer as an extra lefty/multiple inning reliever and as a SP when needed. 

As for Francis, wouldn't guarantee him a spot. Though could be solid AAA depth. Has one remaining option I believe. 

Unfortunately, Berrios making $18M will be guaranteed a spot if healthy. Let's hope he can bounce back and give the Jays a 2-3 WAR season. 

 

 

[Eat My Shatkins]

5 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Yeah I could see it, especially if the can't sign two arms this offseason. There have been a lot of success stories of relievers transitioning to the rotation and Varland does have 5 pitches and was a starter in the minors. Maybe Pete Walker can unlock something with him in the rotation. 

Gausman

Yesavage

Berrios

Varland/Lauer

Add another top starter to that mix whether its Bieber, Cease, Woodruff, Valdez and that doesn't look bad.

Would keep Lauer in the pen if Varland impresses during ST. Can use Lauer as an extra lefty/multiple inning reliever and as a SP when needed. 

As for Francis, wouldn't guarantee him a spot. Though could be solid AAA depth. Has one remaining option I believe. 

Unfortunately, Berrios making $18M will be guaranteed a spot if healthy. Let's hope he can bounce back and give the Jays a 2-3 WAR season. 

 

 

Hopefully Berrios' downfall was just him wearing down and he gets right during the off season. Francis I could see converting back to a reliever again maybe.

[John_Havok]

52 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Hopefully Berrios' downfall was just him wearing down and he gets right during the off season. Francis I could see converting back to a reliever again maybe.

I suspect Berrios is going to have some sort of surgery in the offseason. Maybe just a cleanup or something, but he's definitely going under the knife. His ongoing discomfort could be a real cause of his downturn this season and be reason to expect at least a little bit of a bounceback in 2026 - depending on the procedure of course. If its tendon related, he may be gone for the whole season

[Spanky__99]

38 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

I suspect Berrios is going to have some sort of surgery in the offseason. Maybe just a cleanup or something, but he's definitely going under the knife. His ongoing discomfort could be a real cause of his downturn this season and be reason to expect at least a little bit of a bounceback in 2026 - depending on the procedure of course. If its tendon related, he may be gone for the whole season

Nah man, he's already throwing again. If anything it might be a clean up of his elbow. Jose was pretty decent in the first half, 2nd half was pretty rough including the tail end of the first half, I think he'll be a lot better by next ST.

[Spanky__99]

The Jays have been killing it at the plate this PS(it's insane, especially the K rate and ISO too) and it isn't particularly close, one could say they're scoring at will....

 

#	Team	TG	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	BB%	K%	ISO	BABIP	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	xwOBA	wRC+	BsR	Off	Def	WAR
1	TOR	11	179	431	20	71	66	1	7.7%	14.8%	.227	.309	.296	.355	.523	.372	.365	143
2	LAD	10	152	392	13	46	43	2	8.9%	23.7%	.174	.315	.256	.340	.430	.331	.355	113
3	SEA	12	185	467	20	49	47	7	10.3%	27.6%	.181	.259	.215	.305	.396	.304	.314	101
4	NYY	7	106	261	6	28	27	1	7.7%	25.3%	.128	.319	.251	.314	.379	.300	.319	93
5	CHC	8	120	277	12	23	22	3	7.6%	29.2%	.169	.274	.221	.288	.390	.294	.311	88
6	PHI	4	65	158	3	15	14	4	10.8%	24.1%	.146	.265	.212	.299	.358	.285	.316	80
7	DET	8	124	328	6	29	29	2	8.8%	26.8%	.110	.276	.207	.290	.317	.269	.301	69
8	MIL	9	146	312	8	26	25	6	9.3%	24.0%	.133	.232	.194	.270	.326	.265	.314	68
9	CLE	3	54	99	3	10	8	0	9.1%	24.2%	.144	.206	.178	.253	.322	.251	.265	60
10	SDP	3	47	105	2	5	5	3	4.8%	19.0%	.116	.216	.189	.243	.305	.242	.317	58
11	CIN	2	33	79	0	9	9	1	12.7%	31.6%	.030	.302	.194	.304	.224	.251	.260	54
12	BOS	3	47	108	1	6	6	1	9.3%	27.8%	.063	.277	.198	.280	.260	.249	.262	54

[Stangstag]

Teams that score a bunch are fun to watch, and that’s been a big part of why this run has been so enjoyable.

Oh and also because we bent the Yankees.

[Spanky__99]

5 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

Teams that score a bunch are fun to watch, and that’s been a big part of why this run has been so enjoyable.

Oh and also because we bent the Yankees.

And the M's and Dodgers next... we're at the finish line and they're done.  GJG!!!

[Grant77]

4 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

The Jays have been killing it at the plate this PS(it's insane, especially the K rate and ISO too) and it isn't particularly close, one could say they're scoring at will....

 

#	Team	TG	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	BB%	K%	ISO	BABIP	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	xwOBA	wRC+	BsR	Off	Def	WAR
1	TOR	11	179	431	20	71	66	1	7.7%	14.8%	.227	.309	.296	.355	.523	.372	.365	143
2	LAD	10	152	392	13	46	43	2	8.9%	23.7%	.174	.315	.256	.340	.430	.331	.355	113
3	SEA	12	185	467	20	49	47	7	10.3%	27.6%	.181	.259	.215	.305	.396	.304	.314	101
4	NYY	7	106	261	6	28	27	1	7.7%	25.3%	.128	.319	.251	.314	.379	.300	.319	93
5	CHC	8	120	277	12	23	22	3	7.6%	29.2%	.169	.274	.221	.288	.390	.294	.311	88
6	PHI	4	65	158	3	15	14	4	10.8%	24.1%	.146	.265	.212	.299	.358	.285	.316	80
7	DET	8	124	328	6	29	29	2	8.8%	26.8%	.110	.276	.207	.290	.317	.269	.301	69
8	MIL	9	146	312	8	26	25	6	9.3%	24.0%	.133	.232	.194	.270	.326	.265	.314	68
9	CLE	3	54	99	3	10	8	0	9.1%	24.2%	.144	.206	.178	.253	.322	.251	.265	60
10	SDP	3	47	105	2	5	5	3	4.8%	19.0%	.116	.216	.189	.243	.305	.242	.317	58
11	CIN	2	33	79	0	9	9	1	12.7%	31.6%	.030	.302	.194	.304	.224	.251	.260	54
12	BOS	3	47	108	1	6	6	1	9.3%	27.8%	.063	.277	.198	.280	.260	.249	.262	54

The strikeout rate is even more striking than it was in the regular season. It's not just that we're good, we're like 10+% lower than the average and also hitting for the most power. The latter part is pretty wild considering both of our opponents have had a 'swing for the fences on every single pitch mentality.

[Spanky__99]

45 minutes ago, Grant77 said:

The strikeout rate is even more striking than it was in the regular season. It's not just that we're good, we're like 10+% lower than the average and also hitting for the most power. The latter part is pretty wild considering both of our opponents have had a 'swing for the fences on every single pitch mentality.

Sure, but I seem to recall you calling the Blue Jays a sorry excuse for a contender, Grant?  

[bones]

Is there any chance Bo can play the field? If he can’t no chance he’s doing anything other than pinch hitting for us in the World Series, which would still be nice 

[infinitebook]

6 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

The Jays have been killing it at the plate this PS(it's insane, especially the K rate and ISO too) and it isn't particularly close, one could say they're scoring at will....

 

#	Team	TG	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	BB%	K%	ISO	BABIP	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	xwOBA	wRC+	BsR	Off	Def	WAR
1	TOR	11	179	431	20	71	66	1	7.7%	14.8%	.227	.309	.296	.355	.523	.372	.365	143
2	LAD	10	152	392	13	46	43	2	8.9%	23.7%	.174	.315	.256	.340	.430	.331	.355	113
3	SEA	12	185	467	20	49	47	7	10.3%	27.6%	.181	.259	.215	.305	.396	.304	.314	101
4	NYY	7	106	261	6	28	27	1	7.7%	25.3%	.128	.319	.251	.314	.379	.300	.319	93
5	CHC	8	120	277	12	23	22	3	7.6%	29.2%	.169	.274	.221	.288	.390	.294	.311	88
6	PHI	4	65	158	3	15	14	4	10.8%	24.1%	.146	.265	.212	.299	.358	.285	.316	80
7	DET	8	124	328	6	29	29	2	8.8%	26.8%	.110	.276	.207	.290	.317	.269	.301	69
8	MIL	9	146	312	8	26	25	6	9.3%	24.0%	.133	.232	.194	.270	.326	.265	.314	68
9	CLE	3	54	99	3	10	8	0	9.1%	24.2%	.144	.206	.178	.253	.322	.251	.265	60
10	SDP	3	47	105	2	5	5	3	4.8%	19.0%	.116	.216	.189	.243	.305	.242	.317	58
11	CIN	2	33	79	0	9	9	1	12.7%	31.6%	.030	.302	.194	.304	.224	.251	.260	54
12	BOS	3	47	108	1	6	6	1	9.3%	27.8%	.063	.277	.198	.280	.260	.249	.262	54

Its amazing how the Jays aren't even having batted ball luck, with a very normal .309 BABIP. Even just thinking of a guy like Ernie, he missed a homer by an inch on that triple, and has been robbed multiple times by great defensive plays, the guy if anything has gotten UNLUCKY. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

20 minutes ago, infinitebook said:

Its amazing how the Jays aren't even having batted ball luck, with a very normal .309 BABIP. Even just thinking of a guy like Ernie, he missed a homer by an inch on that triple, and has been robbed multiple times by great defensive plays, the guy if anything has gotten UNLUCKY. 

Yeah, Ernie had a homer taken away by Arozarena and how many rockets did the Jays hit right at guys with Bryce Miller on the mound?

[Grant77]

5 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

Sure, but I seem to recall you calling the Blue Jays a sorry excuse for a contender, Grant?  

I'm not sure about those exact words, but there have definitely been times where I didn't believe in this year's team, for sure.

The way we play down to lesser opponents has really frustrated me, but that could work in our favour against the Dodgers.

[Angrioter]

 

[Jimcanuck]

17 hours ago, John_Havok said:

Don't discount the possibility of Varland being tried as a starter. 

Varland stretched out to be a swingman would be a smart move.  Having the flexibility of using a pitcher as a long man, short man, or starter is valuable.

Jays should be able to find a FA or internal option to be the regular 5th starter.

[ComeTogether]

I remember going to that stadium in the 90s to watch Nomo pitch.  

 

 

[Jays24]

Blue Jays' Bichette takes ground balls at 2B ahead of World Series
https://thescore.com/mlb/news/3376110

This is the best case scenario for us!!!

[Terminator]

I know Don Mattingly isn't everyone's favorite around these parts, but I am happy that he is going to the World Series in at least some capacity. By all accounts, he's a great guy on and off the field.

He was probably the best player in baseball for a 4 to 6 year stretch and looked like a lock for the HoF before injuries derailed his career.

The Yankees really let him down by surrounding him with subpar talent for all those years. They couldn't get him to the World Series but I'm glad that the Jays did.

[Jimcanuck]

34 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

Blue Jays' Bichette takes ground balls at 2B ahead of World Series
https://thescore.com/mlb/news/3376110

This is the best case scenario for us!!!

Yep, Clement @ 3B, Gimenez @ SS, Bichette @ 2B, and Vlad @ 1B is outstanding.  I count 3 gold gloves.

[Terminator]

Just now, Jimcanuck said:

Yep, Clement @ 3B, Gimenez @ SS, Bichette @ 2B, and Vlad @ 1B is outstanding.  I count 3 gold gloves.

Kirk at C, Lukes in LF, Varsho in CF, Barger in RF and Springer at DH. That's one hell of a lineup.

I suppose Schneider might get the Game 1 nod against the lefty Snell.

[Spanky__99]

On 10/17/2025 at 9:21 PM, Grant77 said:

The fact that two teams as awful as this made it to the ALCS is a real indictment on the league. For the first time in my life, the NL is vastly superior to the AL. They probably have at least the 5 best teams right now. The league can't possibly justify any expansion in this half of the league with such little talent.

 

On 10/20/2025 at 10:15 PM, Grant77 said:

Pitching essentially went to plan tonight, but they picked a bad time for the most embarrassing offensive effort in the history of the Blue Jays franchise. 

We're looking at a lot of history. This will probably be the worst team in the history of baseball to make the World Series. I'll be putting $1000 on the Dodgers to win.

 

6 hours ago, Grant77 said:

I'm not sure about those exact words, but there have definitely been times where I didn't believe in this year's team, for sure.

The way we play down to lesser opponents has really frustrated me, but that could work in our favour against the Dodgers.

Hmm... 😅

[G-Snarls]

56 minutes ago, Jimcanuck said:

Yep, Clement @ 3B, Gimenez @ SS, Bichette @ 2B, and Vlad @ 1B is outstanding.  I count 3 gold gloves.

It's a dream if they can pull it off

 

1. Springer - DH

2. Lukes - LF

3, Vlad - 1B

4. Bo - 2B

5. Kirk - C

6. Varsho - CF

7. Barger - RF

8. Clement - 3B

9. Gimenez - SS

 

Against a lefty I probably move Clement up in the order and put Schneider in LF and maybe Straw in right. 

Lukes comes in later in the game against a rightly or for defense.  Same with Straw for Barger vs a lefty reliever. 

[Olerud363.354]

33 minutes ago, Terminator said:

I know Don Mattingly isn't everyone's favorite around these parts, but I am happy that he is going to the World Series in at least some capacity. By all accounts, he's a great guy on and off the field.

Love Don Mattingly.   I think the reason some didn't like him is that they didn't think it was possible to build a team around hitting for average anymore.    As an outsider seems like Mattingly envisioned a team hitting with his style.... which I was skeptical of working.  Sort of chuckled at Mattingly, a guy who struck out 30 times in 700 PAs and hit .350 once giving hitting tips to Joey Loperfido.  Like those hitting tips won't work if you don't have 99.9th percentile hand eye coordination.

Seems like in the end Popkins was a great compliment to Mattingly and perhaps (just speculating as an outsider) can relate to Schneider, Barger, Loperfido, like the high k Buffalo Boys better.  Mattingly's approach probably works for Clemente and Lukes (I mean works as in they get most out of their skills with the line drive contact approach, not that they are Mattingly). 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Jays win % by decade:

#6 - 1970's - 0.343 (The Expansion era)

#5 - 2010's - 0.490 (The AA "Flash in the pan" era)

#4 - 2000's - 0.497 (The JP Riccardi era)

#3 - 1990's - 0.515 (The B2B World Series champs era)

#2 - 1980's - 0.523 (The get the franchise off the ground era)

#1 - 2020's - 0.543 (The "Ross the Boss" Atkins has rebuilt the MFing Jays era)

 

[Spanky__99]

I was there... 💥⚾
 

 

[Spanky__99]

Also...

 

 

[Spanky__99]

 

[Omar]

1 hour ago, Terminator said:

I know Don Mattingly isn't everyone's favorite around these parts, but I am happy that he is going to the World Series in at least some capacity. By all accounts, he's a great guy on and off the field.

He was probably the best player in baseball for a 4 to 6 year stretch and looked like a lock for the HoF before injuries derailed his career.

The Yankees really let him down by surrounding him with subpar talent for all those years. They couldn't get him to the World Series but I'm glad that the Jays did.

Was there a better first basemen with the glove than Donny?  Not that I have ever seen. 

[Spanky__99]

I would think the Jays have interest.