JAYS PLAYOFF TRACKER

[jaysblue]

38 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

You can't convince me thay Springer isn't better defensively in the OF than either Sanchez or Pinango.

Granted, Sanchez is probably non-tendered but Pinango has a decent chance of starting next year beside Bateman and Lukes until Barger comes back

I would be fine if they played Springer in the OF sometimes, especially if it meant keeping another bat in the lineup if they needed rest from the field. I don't think he would be a disaster like you said over who the Jays have been running out there like Sanchez or Pinango, but for some reason, they felt like only having Springer DH this season. 

In 2025, he made 67 appearances in the outfield (51 of them starts). Sure defensively he was a liability, but eh didn't really hurt them since they came in first place and were one of the best defensive teams overall in baseball lol. Plus, Springer had his best offensive season in years. 

[jaysblue]

Not many OF free agents to choose from.

Some of the solid options:

• Ian Happ - 108 wRC+ and 2.1 WAR
• Randy Arozarena - 141 wRC+ and 3.4 WAR
• Seiya Suzuki - 133 wRC+ and 3.2 WAR
• Jazz Chisholm - 94 wRC+ and 2.5 WAR (maybe on a one-year prove himself contract, but he's a clown).
• Daulton Varsho - 86 wRC+ and 1.0 WAR

Most of the guys listed above are already over 30, so depending on how the market develops, you could probably get the first three listed on three-to-five-year deals. Arozarena is probably the top outfielder available and could command four or five years, although I’m not convinced he’ll remain this good offensively going forward. Happ or Suzuki would both be solid corner-OF options if you can get either on a three- or four-year deal. They would be nice upgrades over Lukes/Sanchez. 

If you can live with Chisholm’s personality, I’d also be open to a one-year, high-AAV deal for him to play LF and try to rebuild his value. As for Varsho, I’d have no issue bringing him back on a one-year deal to play CF again. At the very least, he raises the floor defensively and allows the Jays to keep Bateman in AAA until he’s fully ready.

[max silver]

10 hours ago, Jays24 said:

At what point do we question wtf our training staff are doing lol

Go ahead and show how any of those injuries is the fault of the training staff. 

[Governator]

17 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

I would be fine if they played Springer in the OF sometimes, especially if it meant keeping another bat in the lineup if they needed rest from the field. I don't think he would be a disaster like you said over who the Jays have been running out there like Sanchez or Pinango, but for some reason, they felt like only having Springer DH this season. 

In 2025, he made 67 appearances in the outfield (51 of them starts). Sure defensively he was a liability, but eh didn't really hurt them since they came in first place and were one of the best defensive teams overall in baseball lol. Plus, Springer had his best offensive season in years. 

Considering we're not a first place team and have a lackluster offense, the defense has to be on point for all these tight games.

[Laika]

2027 OF

CF - Batman
LF - Best RHHOF you can get on a one year deal. Lane Thomas, Luis Robert? Ramon Laureano? 
RF - Barger

BN - Straw (bring him back for a few mill)
BN - Lukes 

 

I am not doing anything crazy to plug LF with the bigger FA options. They can platoon two outfield spots if need be. 

[Laika]

Do we cheer for Cleveland today or Detroit?

[jaysblue]

I wonder if the Mets pick up Luis Robert’s $20M option. I guess a lot of that depends on how he finishes over the next month and a half.

I’m fine with finding a RHB to platoon with Lukes or Sanchez in LF, but this team still needs to add as much offense as possible even if that means upgrading left field. I’d have no issue signing someone like Happ or Suzuki to play LF because it raises the overall floor of the lineup, especially if injuries hit again or some of the current bats struggle. And if the plan is to give Bateman everyday ABs in CF while Gimenez plays every day at SS, then you have to make up that offense somewhere else in the lineup. Left field is one of the obvious places to do it.

[Terminator]

[SeranthonySantander]

13 minutes ago, Laika said:

Do we cheer for Cleveland today or Detroit?

Always the team that is lower in win percentage/standings.  I like seeing GB number get smaller.  Worry about tie breakers later.

[max silver]

7 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

I wonder if the Mets pick up Luis Robert’s $20M option. I guess a lot of that depends on how he finishes over the next month and a half.

I’m fine with finding a RHB to platoon with Lukes or Sanchez in LF, but this team still needs to add as much offense as possible even if that means upgrading left field. I’d have no issue signing someone like Happ or Suzuki to play LF because it raises the overall floor of the lineup, especially if injuries hit again or some of the current bats struggle. And if the plan is to give Bateman everyday ABs in CF while Gimenez plays every day at SS, then you have to make up that offense somewhere else in the lineup. Left field is one of the obvious places to do it.

I just don't think Robert offers enough upside to make his option worth picking up. If he doesn't heat up at the plate that would make 3 consecutive well below average offensive seasons for him. I think he's pretty much guaranteed to not have his option picked up as that's akin to lighting money on fire at this point.

[Orgfiller]

14 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

I wonder if the Mets pick up Luis Robert’s $20M option. I guess a lot of that depends on how he finishes over the next month and a half.

I’m fine with finding a RHB to platoon with Lukes or Sanchez in LF, but this team still needs to add as much offense as possible even if that means upgrading left field. I’d have no issue signing someone like Happ or Suzuki to play LF because it raises the overall floor of the lineup, especially if injuries hit again or some of the current bats struggle. And if the plan is to give Bateman everyday ABs in CF while Gimenez plays every day at SS, then you have to make up that offense somewhere else in the lineup. Left field is one of the obvious places to do it.

You have to wonder if the Mets will pick up the option of a guy who has been replacement level in two out of the last 3 seasons, with an 84 wRC+ for the duration of that time?

[G-Snarls]

Yeah the outfield market is crap 

And to think we could have given Kyle Tucker 300 million dollars to put up 1 WAR this year

[John_Havok]

14 hours ago, jaysblue said:

Well, for someone who is a numbers guy, weird post coming from you.

Lukes against LHP this season: .128/.226/.149

As for wanting Lukes starting over Sanchez, well, both suck against lefties, but Sanchez this season overall has a .748 OPS and has hit extremely well at Rogers Centre (.901 OPS), whereas Lukes with a .689 OPS.

Springer has been banged up as well, and only way to get Okamato's bat in the lineup, had to be from the DH spot. This is why re-signing Springer for next season is a bad idea. It's nice to use the DH spot like how the Jays did tonight for Okamoto. 

In the Lukes vs Sanchez thing, both are garbage against lhp. Sanchez better vs RHP with more thump. Lukes so much better defensively and on the basepaths its not particularly close. So its a situation of pick which strength you want more and deal with the resulting weakness as best you can.

The only way i envision Springer coming back is if Atkins pullsoff a miracle and sonehow moves Santander. Or maybe they get lucky and he's just injured to the point where he has to live out the contract on the 60 day IL.

[jaysblue]

3 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

You have to wonder if the Mets will pick up the option of a guy who has been replacement level in two out of the last 3 seasons, with an 84 wRC+ for the duration of that time?

Geez, just discussing baseball dude. Chill. 

 

[jaysblue]

3 hours ago, max silver said:

I just don't think Robert offers enough upside to make his option worth picking up. If he doesn't heat up at the plate that would make 3 consecutive well below average offensive seasons for him. I think he's pretty much guaranteed to not have his option picked up as that's akin to lighting money on fire at this point.

Yeah agreed, unless he really convinces them over these next 1.5 months, since it is a thin market for outfielders but doubt it. It's the Mets so who know's. He was a 5 WAR player but yeah that was 3 years ago. Didn't realize how bad he's been geez. He's probably worth half of that $20M option if there is a team that wants to roll the dice on his upside. 

[Orgfiller]

9 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Geez, just discussing baseball dude. Chill. 

 

Not sure what about my post made it seem like I was attacking you. Robert cannot stay healthy and his performance has sucked. Barring an insane, earth shattering, September, there's no chance the Mets or any other team are taking up his $20M option. The Mets were buying on a potential bounceback that didn't happen, the same flaws were present this season and the upside didn't materialize. He's gonne be a free agent in the upcoming offseason.

[Stangstag]

9 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

Just a heads up man, but you've ghosted 4 teams in Fantasy. 2 of which you could like make the playoffs man?

Yeah sorry man been out of it the last couple weeks. I’ll check in

[max silver]

12 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Yeah agreed, unless he really convinces them over these next 1.5 months, since it is a thin market for outfielders but doubt it. It's the Mets so who know's. He was a 5 WAR player but yeah that was 3 years ago. Didn't realize how bad he's been geez. He's probably worth half of that $20M option if there is a team that wants to roll the dice on his upside. 

Robert Jr. still possesses elite physical tools including top end swing speed and sprint speed but he's seemingly lost his ability to square up the baseball. I think he might be a candidate to dial back the swing intensity a touch in order to allow him to find more barrels. 

[SeranthonySantander]

The Angels Angels are giving the rangers a raw a** f***ing again 

[G-Snarls]

1 hour ago, SeranthonySantander said:

The Angels Angels are giving the rangers a raw a** f***ing again 

It's unbelievable 

The Angels just beat them 3 in a fn row 

That's embarassing 

 

[G-Snarls]

Oh... And deGrom was pulled after 2 innings with some kind of arm thing 

[SeranthonySantander]

5 minutes ago, G-Snarls said:

Oh... And deGrom was pulled after 2 innings with some kind of arm thing 

washed

[jaysblue]

7 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

It's unbelievable 

The Angels just beat them 3 in a fn row 

That's embarassing 

 

It's not all doom and gloom if the other teams ahead of the Jays have an easy schedule. Like we've seen teams before struggle against teams who are supposed to be easy opponents. Heck even look at the Jays in early April. Just have to keep winning ball games and series if you're the Jays and the rest will take care of itself. Control what you can control. 

If you told me at the start of the week that the Jays would win 3 of 4 against Boston and the Rangers got swept by the Angels, would definitely have thought you were crazy. 

[Laika]

EVERY "tough" game remaining for Toronto happens in the next 10 days. 

NYY x6 and TBR x3 

If they can get through that within 3 games, the playoff will be easy to make. Every other series remaining is either easy or even money against a WC3 opponent that Toronto should be able to best. 

Three game sets against: KCR, SEA, CLE, KCR, ATH, BAL, DET, TEX, BAL, CIN

[BTS]

The expanded playoff format sucks. Its offensive that a team that has been this s*** all year is in the playoff picture. We used to mock the NHL for this nonsense. 

[G-Snarls]

14 minutes ago, BTS said:

The expanded playoff format sucks. Its offensive that a team that has been this s*** all year is in the playoff picture. We used to mock the NHL for this nonsense. 

NFL too with so many divisions has also sent teams with losing records to the playoffs 

[Laika]

The regular season is virtually meaningless and it is why we see so many bubble teams cheap out, and teams like the Dodgers barely use Glasnow and Snell in the regular season, etc. etc. 

[G-Snarls]

1 minute ago, Laika said:

The regular season is virtually meaningless and it is why we see so many bubble teams cheap out, and teams like the Dodgers barely use Glasnow and Snell in the regular season, etc. etc. 

Yeah if the Dodgers can win the division handily playing at 70% intensity, why not

[Brownie19]

I still think MLB and NFL do it pretty well.  12 of 30 teams make the MLB playoffs (40%) and 14 of 32 teams make the NFL playoffs (44%).  NHL is 50% and NBA is 53%.  You could argue that NBA is even higher now with the play-in tournament.  It's really bad - especially since the 7th and 8th seeds almost never win.  They should reduce it to 12 of 32 IMO.  At least in hockey, the first round is often a battle no matter what, and there are upsets.

I'd be OK if MLB went back to 10 of 30 (33%).  I think 40% is fine though.  You have to appreciate the value it adds - the more playoff races and more playoffs teams there are, the better it is for franchises, viewership, etc.

[jaysblue]

1 hour ago, Brownie19 said:

I still think MLB and NFL do it pretty well.  12 of 30 teams make the MLB playoffs (40%) and 14 of 32 teams make the NFL playoffs (44%).  NHL is 50% and NBA is 53%.  You could argue that NBA is even higher now with the play-in tournament.  It's really bad - especially since the 7th and 8th seeds almost never win.  They should reduce it to 12 of 32 IMO.  At least in hockey, the first round is often a battle no matter what, and there are upsets.

I'd be OK if MLB went back to 10 of 30 (33%).  I think 40% is fine though.  You have to appreciate the value it adds - the more playoff races and more playoffs teams there are, the better it is for franchises, viewership, etc.

It's all about the money at the end of the day when it comes to sports. Expanded playoffs in MLB and other leagues means more money.

FIFA wants to expand the World Cup in 2030 to 64 teams now as well lol.