Laika

In the other direction, the systems largely kept telling everyone that Vlad would still be a great hitter despite all of his MLB mediocrity. Preseason 2021 Steamer said .372 wOBA!

hahaha eat s*** Tyler

I was hoping for so much more from Toronto - Montreal. The Habs just are not good enough. 4 goals in 4 games against the Leafs is pathetic. Carey Price is only mediocre now; he can't steal a series anymore.

Hockey is a pretty bad sport tbh It's not as bad as football but still barely watchable

I kind of like that these slapdick hitters are slapdick hitters again. Was getting sick of seeing twerps like DJL and Cavan Biggio hit a bunch of cheap homers. It just sucks that it is happening at the same time as all of these pitchers evolving into legendaries with their spin science and advanced training and pitch design. A lot of these hitters need to revert their approaches to the dumb up the middle, take it the other way for a single s***.

Oh that's another good one for the list. Kevin Pillar has hit 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th multiple times this year.

But Stroman has cool shoes!

Looks like Biggio might be super 2 as well, same track as Vlad. At least per Cots right now. So you might be wrong on Biggio. Not on control but on the Arb years. He's close to the normal cutoff though and I don't remember when MLB/MLBPA releases that determination. Vlad will for sure be going to Arb1 next year, Biggio may or may stay at league min. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1krcN5UUeCGrMvzf3hPyrcuwWKbYoWomK5WmL7paNDaA/edit#gid=1520401900

Toronto is in a great spot for payroll. 2024 is the year that Vlad, Biggio, Borucki, and Gurriel all hit Arb3. Romano and Bo Arb2 that year. Teoscar's Arb3 is 2023. Grichuk and Ryu come off the books after 2023. That helps with the other guys hitting Arb3 that year. Over the next two years Toronto will probably have payroll room each offseason to add solid veteran free agents. The Semien signing looks amazing right now. I don't see a pressing need to trade Hernandez in particular but I think you are generally right. They aren't going to extend ALL of the good young players. The Rays would trade most of these guys at ideal times. Toronto should be trying to keep most of them but they would be wise to look for an ideal time to trade specific players. Something like - if Biggio has a monster 2022 season you unload him for some elite prospects. If Jansen has a good second half and has some trade value, deal him in the offseason the control through 2024 is helping his value. If Gurriel has a huge season in 2022 he's a big trade chip too. I expect we will see one or more of these guys get dealt. The Rays would do it for prospects and total value but Toronto might focus more in getting a return that fills an MLB hole. We'll see.

Haven't watched any games. Good to hear this.

Yeah but why? Why is he a cat? Where does it come from?

Vladdy is the best hitter in baseball right now. He has become the elite, MVP caliber hitter his tools said he could be. But have you also noticed... He is ELEVENTH out of all qualified position players with +2 BsR. Seriously. These are the other names in the top 15: Kiner-Falafa, Edman, Baez, Merrifield, Acuna, Nicky Lopez, Tim Anderson, Bogaerts, Chris Taylor, Newman, Betts, Hampson, Josh Rojas. Basically all highly athletic players with speed. LMAO the guy might be a plus baserunner for now at his size? Surely some randomness here but still... at the very least he seems to have completely murdered the boneheaded baserunning mistakes from his repertoire. He is the SECOND best qualified 1B by UZR. His +8.6 UZR/150 trails only Max Muncy. This figure is higher than the 2020 end of season UZR/150 figures of Olson and Evan White, two highly-regarded defenders. This is a 70 grade UZR/150 for a 1B. This is completely supported by the eye test, too. Maybe +8 consistently is wishful but certainly the guy is a well above average 1B. He is the total package. A big puma. Also just tons of fun.

famous last words?

It's not even that early in terms of time. He was arguably the top college P in the 2019 draft. There are 2018 high school picks that have debuted now. Obviously he is missing the typical amount of minor league games but that doesn't necessarily mean he has missed any development.

Blue Jays trying to shake out any new fans this series. See ya guys.

Ugh Bergen. Would prefer leaving Chatwood in

Chatwood mad

Haha sick Not sure why but I love pitchers who are converted catchers. Something cool about it.

Montoyo has done this before. Evidently the front office has given him unfettered discretion over these in game decisions. He's not getting fired

He's probably best thought of as a utility prospect. He can hit and has some speed but probably doesn't have average power. Some defensive utility but it doesn't sound like he's a good shortstop. There's a small chance his hit tool is just good enough to carry the whole package into being a league average second baseman or something like that. His more reasonable ceiling is a bench SS/2B/OF. It sounds like he does the little things right.

Jean Carlos Mejia was placed on debut waivers

15 homers and 80 ribs, boring. Catchers suck

Legit it is extremely hard to bunt modern pitches. It's all 96 mph above the zone or wicked spin breaking away. Tv broadcasters like Buck and Pat have their heads too far up their vaginas to acknowledge this. Good for you Buck, you could bunt a 88 mph sinker in play. Whoop Dee pop.

I guess Adolis Garcia is this year's out of nowhere slugger?

I can never forgive Montoyo for that Espinal bunt call. And because it's like the tenth two strike bunt call during his tenure I can also never forgive Shatkins. Just thoroughly sad. Downgrading my opinion of Shatkins a full letter grade. Pathetic tactical decision making.