TheHurl

Only thing I know about the guy is that he got his son a sweet ass job in the press boxes even though the kid is a degenerate. That's how Solway's (original Jays lawyer I believe) grand-kid got an internship too (nice guy, fun to drink with, but I'm sure there were better candidates rejected). I'm fine with the Jays losing some Canadian content if it gets rid of Beeston's Friends and Family hiring plans I'm good with it. Occasional BJMB contributor Doug Fox had a nice little interview with Shapiro. I really think this guy would do an AMA with us (Shapiro...not Doug) https://futurebluejays.com/2017/10/25/mark-shapiro-on-the-state-of-the-blue-jays/

By the numbers Tulo has barely helped us at all (much sooner than I predicted). I honestly don't know what to give credit for a 43-18 run. To say Price and Tulo provided that is ridiculous. It was a lot luck, a lot positive mindset...a little on the team being improved. Did I mention a lot luck

I'd also have extended Reyes for 3 years for $50M if it meant 2 guaranteed playoff appearances. Question really is could have Hoffman got you a different SS?

Just the Jays.

And Heyward's D is still fine (18 DRS is second best among RFers), baserunning stats will fluctuate. I don't think his legs are what has caused him to drop from a pretty consistent 120 wRC+ guy to being a 71 wRC+ in his prime years. I personally don't think Harper will, and would risk a 10 year contract with zero thoughts about it...but no one is immune to dropping off a cliff.

He's such a different free agent though being just 26 when he hits the open market. I think even Jimbo would be looking at locking him up. Of course I said the same when Heyward went to the open market

Essentially it's ARod and Seattle. Did everyone know that both the Cards and Angels will be paying Pujols over $1M a year until 2030 (Angels on a Personal Services Contract for 10 years after he retires, Cards deferred $9M and will pay him $1.2M a year starting 2020) Lastly Chocolate Thunder throwing out the first pitch in a NC playoff game is a personal fave.

I think he goes to FA...but ends up re-upping with the Nats

I firmly believe that the in game decisions of a manager make virtually zero difference in baseball but I have to believe that the Nats just got better.

541–575 and one of the great quotes after he watched Moneyball he said something like I admired that Oakland had a plan and stuck with it regardless what anyone thought "IN TORONTO WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A PLAN"

I thought he killed the fastball in the MLB though (haven't looked that up) and off speed stuff was his issue.

International talk got me to looking up some stats for the Asian season. Willin Rosario put up a .339/.414/.661 season. The 9.8% BB rate is likely a factor in them pitching around him rather than him developing a new found patience, but only 61k's in 510 PA's is impressive. Looks like he's a 1B now, only 28 still. Can he be Thames light?

I am still in mourning, I can't celebrate the Otani ownership yet. There are other internationals on their way. I truly believe that Yamada gets posted and with 2B as his likely spot for now he'll be a valuable asset.

I honestly considered him over Otani. That would have been much worse than my worst trades.

I tried to convince him not to bother with sweating the lottery and trade the pick but he wouldn't listen. Well luckily it's only a Brady Singer year.

Soon Martin will be needing a 2 out of every 5 day backup (maybe as early as next year) so hopefully one of them develops soon and we don't have to go into the backup barrel too many more times. I've given up trying to figure out what works for a catching prospect. TINSTAACP

Last year's BA write up The Pirates drafted McGuire with the second of their two first-round picks in 2013, No. 14 overall, and the Blue Jays acquired him in a deadline deal that also brought lefty Francisco Liriano and outfielder Harold Ramirez to the Jays. Only one prep catcher has been drafted as highly since McGuire's selection (Reds, Tyler Stephenson, 11th overall in 2015), and high school catcher is a notoriously risky demographic. McGuire's risk is with his bat. He is a solid catch-and-throw backstop with has soft hands, good agility and an average arm that plays up with a quick transfer and plus accuracy. He threw out 37 percent of baserunners, third-best in the Double-A Eastern League. He opened the season as one of the youngest players in the EL, and it has caught up to him offensively. McGuire has drawn walks and made contact in full-season ball but has just 54 extra-base hits, including only four home runs, the last three seasons. McGuire's short swing path is flat and helps him make consistent contact, but he doesn't have the bat speed or strength to consistently drive the ball. The Jays lacked upper-level catching prospects until acquiring McGuire, who needs offensive development but could be Russell Martin's heir if it happen But with that said someone posted minor league framing and he rated poorly.

Don't your remember when the Jays went down 2-0. Tickets dropped below cost

King is a Humber Sporto now. I can confirm.

I am all for no DH in the NL. The reasoning brought forth in the 70’s is barely relevant now as it seldom is that legendary player extending their career because they are able to DH. But from a business point of view it makes complete sense. More scoring is good for the game and it protects some already fragile assets from doing something which they don’t train for. Maybe someday they will have rules outlawing Alcedes from ever picking up a bat…but only to please you AG.

There is probably a lot of speculation in this article, but at the last Winter meetings there was a lot of buzz about realignment and removing the NL pitchers hitting. It makes sense to do something that isn't going to make a large chunk of fans happy at the same time as something which you can use as a distraction. DH removed - Look Portland releases their nickname. Re-alignment - Hey Expos are back and have shiny new uniforms.

Expansion is one way to make changes that on their own wouldn't happen...and it is then in general considered a positive (if he suggests removing the DH from the NL on it's own there will be a f*** tonne of annoying traditionalists saying "why change the game"). Realign everything, making some other changes necessary. More playoff games means the bidding for the contract is still going to be around the same as the last one...which keeps the owners onside even though there will be less home games. This goes along with what I've been saying all along is that the game is in need of some changes.

Welcome back on!

I am all for player safety first and foremost. Baseball is a non contact sport...it's really stupid that catchers were ever treated different than any other player on the field.

everything you want in your announcers...encouraging people to turn off their tv's.