jaysblue

Great point!

Defensively, Varsho was still more superior than Pillar in CF. In 2022 and 2024, that was prime Varsho defensively. Offensively, Varsho came with more pop, upside and was a better overall all offensive player when he was going right. Pillar couldn't even crack a 100wRC+more than once. Pillar pretty much was similar to Ernie Clement right now. Overall, Varsho had his moments here for us in Toronto, but overall never reached the expectations we all had for him unfortunately. Some subpar performances and injuries played their part. Would have been nice to see what a healthy Varsho in 2025 could have done over a full season offensively. Likely would have been a 4-WAR outfielder with 30+ HR's if he played in 140-150 games.

Keep the momentum going! Would be nice to at least get the split here guaranteed this early in the series!

He pitched Saturday. I saw he got ejected before Sunday's game however for chirping at the ump from Saturday who called him on a balk during the 5th inning lol.

The hope during this stretch is to stay within striking distance and not fall too far behind. As well, if they come out of it playing well, gives them some momentum and something to build on during their next stretch of 15 games against the Royals, Mariners, and Guardians. If they finish this stretch still 3.5 or 2.5 games back, consider that a success. If they fall further back like 5.5 or 6.5 back, season is over.

I know we basically declared the season over a couple of weeks ago, but this next stretch really could be the final nail in the coffin. If they can split the Boston series and then take at least 2 of 3 from both the Yankees and Rays, that gives them an 8-5 record over those 13 games. It doesn’t move the needle dramatically, but it at least keeps them within striking distance of the third Wild Card without falling even further behind. Obviously, if they could somehow go 9-4 or 10-3, that would be huge and might actually make things interesting again. I just don’t think that’s very realistic given how they’ve played this season.

I'm available to come out of the pen tonight! Can top out at 80-85 and got my 45 mph Barry Zito 12-6 hook curveball that I could throw in for some swing & misses!

RA Dickey won a Cy Young Award when he was 38, maybe Waldron could as well.

Nobody is complaining. I simply said trading Hoffman at the deadline hurts more if the Jays end up making a late run, because they don’t really have another late-inning reliever with that kind of swing-and-miss stuff. Hoffman was giving them a 14.12 K/9 with a 2.50 FIP. That’s different from Gausman, who they replaced with Soriano, or Varsho, where they can still run out Sanchez, Bateman or Straw without completely falling apart at the position. Hoffman’s specific role and stuff are much harder to replace internally. Unless someone steps up like Miles, Fisher or Estrada in the late innings.

Yeah the Hoffman trade was the biggest hit on the team IMO if they were to go on a late run this season. Not easy to replace his arm at the back end of the pen, especially the way he's been pitching since May. Would have been nice to keep Varland/Rogers and Hoffman all together, but understand. Let's hope the pitching prospect they got is worth it!

Was in NYC for the weekend as I was travelling back from Europe and went to the Braves/Yankees game yesterday. Couldn't pass up watching a Chris Sale vs. Gerrit Cole pitching matchup. Both likely future Hall of Famers.

Just stop it man.

Very well said! Soriano is a great arm to have during the regular season in terms of giving a team quality innings and durability over 162. He's still alright being your #3 or #4 starter during the Postseason. Like you mentioned with Bassitt - he was great to have over the course of a 162 game season because those innings and durability are important. Though Bassitt was hardly relied on during the Postseason, only out of the bullpen, where he actually was very effective. Did we want him starting a Game 2 of a Postseason series though? In a 5 or 7-game series, I think you still need another pitcher that is close to Cease's caliber when you battle a team like the Yankees, or Dodgers, or anyone for that matter. Maybe Yesavage steps up into a #2 or even Soriano takes his game to another level next season, who knows.