Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2026)

[Orgfiller]

So much discussion about Kirk being an issue when he's still sitting at 0.8 WAR in only 34 games despite a thumb injury and his worst offensive showing by a wide margin. Don't know where people are getting this illusion that he's not still one of the best defenders in baseball, he's still only 27 years old and signed until his age 31 season, well before his impending bad body breakdown of doom that everyone is always afraid of happens.

Obviously the bat hasn't quite been there, but hand/wrist injuries can be annoying to come back from during the season. He should get back to his league average to slightly above ways next season.

For what it's worth, all 3 Molina brothers played until their mid to late 30s and never saw their defense decline. Bengie who's the most comparable to Kirk body wise was basically the same player his whole career.

[Terminator]

11 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

So much discussion about Kirk being an issue when he's still sitting at 0.8 WAR in only 34 games despite a thumb injury and his worst offensive showing by a wide margin. Don't know where people are getting this illusion that he's not still one of the best defenders in baseball, he's still only 27 years old and signed until his age 31 season, well before his impending bad body breakdown of doom that everyone is always afraid of happens.

Obviously the bat hasn't quite been there, but hand/wrist injuries can be annoying to come back from during the season. He should get back to his league average to slightly above ways next season.

For what it's worth, all 3 Molina brothers played until their mid to late 30s and never saw their defense decline. Bengie who's the most comparable to Kirk body wise was basically the same player his whole career.

He's been hitting really well since the ASB too. He's only logged about 100 ABs this year, so I wouldn't be surprised if his final slash line ends up looking pretty good in the end. Thus rendering the panic from some of the board's more highly regarded members moot.

[Terminator]

On 7/25/2026 at 8:49 AM, jaysblue said:

Once Kirk starts slipping defensively, his value takes a major hit. Offensively, he hasn’t shown that he can consistently replicate his 2022 or 2025 production from year to year. If he’s no longer an elite defensive catcher, he’s not automatically a 2–3 WAR player. When the defense and offense are both there, he can be a 4–5 WAR catcher. But if the bat regresses and the defense begins to decline, his overall value drops pretty quickly.

Yes, if any position player in the entire league's bat and defense both decline, then their overall value will drop pretty quickly. 

[Jays24]

18 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

He is so superior to us.  I will never doubt any of his opinions again.  He's the smartest!  Maximum fake internet points!

Not really... its you and a few others who try to come off as superior to others.  Just wanted to send a reminder youre not and far from it.  Will help send further reminders to some of you in the future as well lol

[bronson44]

No Tommy John for Barger so some good news.