jaysblue

Need to travel to Quebec haha. But they had some locations in the GTA. Pretty much identical to Swiss Chalet, but way better!

St. Hubert is way better than Swiss Chalet!

Agreed!

Just give it up man. IKF has looked like a great signing so far, so will give Atkins credit for that. But more needed to be done to upgrade the lineup.

Great post Omar. I am probably viewed as a "miserable SOB" on here by some but I'm not. I want this team to succeed and win a World Series. I wanted Atkins to make moves in the offseason that upgraded the offense. I've praised Atkins on many occasions on the great things he has done during his tenure, while also offering rational criticism on things he should have done or improved on. He's been a mediocre GM - hasn't been the worst, though definitely could have been better. He's failed to take the next step with his teams, and that is clearly evident given the missed opportunities with this roster during the 2021-2024 window. Would like to add that some of the posters on here like Brownie however came across as arrogant and pretty much anytime you criticized Atkins or the FO, he acted as a know-it-all. He was always arrogant and rude, not just to myself but other posters. Also, him and some others still remained in a state of blissful ignorance when it came to this team, not acknowledging any of the issues with this ball club. If you criticized Atkins or asked questions, you were too dumb to ask those questions or to offer any criticism.

Yeah I wouldn't want Atkins in charge that's for sure. Need a new vision and mind, whether it's for a rebuild or retool IMO. I think if you get an elite package of prospects for Gausman, would definitely do it. If you're not getting anything worthwhile, it's just best to keep him. As for Bassitt, not sure you would get much for him either way given his age and salary, and regardless the Jays will need a veteran arm to eat innings in 2025.

I was willing to give Atkins one more chance but after the atrocious offseason he had and the BS that he constantly spews, I think it's time for a new mind to lead this club.

If they plan on doing a quick retool for 2025 and taking one more chance at it, probably need both Gausman and Bassitt. Though that would require more creativity this upcoming offseason by seriously addressing areas of need, which it seems like Atkins has a hard time doing. I think they could get a really solid return for Gausman given his salary and control. Would be open to moving him, but has to be an elite package of young players/specs coming back. Bassitt, regardless if they rebuild or retool for 2025, will still be useful to keep around. He'll provide innings next season and is off the books anyways after 2025.

I don't think this team needs to go full on tank mode. They must trade some impending FA's like Kikuchi, Garcia, Jansen and entertain offers on Vladdy, Bo, and Gausman if they get solid returns. Ideally, it would be nice to do a quick retool for 2025 though that requires a busy and creative offseason to do so. Not sure I would want Atkins at the helm for that after his huge screw up this past offseason. I do agree with DP that right now you're likely not getting much for both Vlad or especially Bo given their struggles, even with 1.5 years left of control. Better to keep them for 2025 and hope their bats explode in their FA year, which benefits the Jays in terms of contending and also increases their trade value if they need to move them. Definitely have to trade Kikuchi, Jansen and Garcia IMO and anyone with an expiring contract. Gausman I think could bring in a nice return still given his affordable contract and control. As for Berrios, would be nice to clear him off the books moving forward but that will be tough.

Nothing wrong in being optimistic. I'm also optimistic as well and like you said we all want the Jays to win a World Series at the end of the day! However, if you ever questioned or criticized Atkins and the FO, some of those guys would go crazy or snap. They were mostly arrogant in any discussion.

Yup that didn't help either. But warning signs were there. Kirk really only was great offensively for 1.5-2 months of 2022. Chapman always had flaws offensively, but he should have been good for 25-30 HR's at least! Something was fundamentally wrong with their lineup last season and it carried over into this season. Would have been nice if the Jays added a bat or two at the deadline last year. Didn't have to be a stud or anything. Someone like a Teo, Pederson, Candelario, Canha, Pham, Josh Bell, Jake Burger, Carlos Santana etc. Not saying any of those guys would have guaranteed a World Series, but definitely would have given them a better chance down the stretch and in the Wildcard/Postseason.

Brownie completely went into hiding. He'll only show up and act arrogant when the Jays sweep the White Sox. EatMyShatkins is around, but you can tell he's frustrated. Spanky I think has waved the white flag, but he won't ever hide at least. Max out of that group is at least the most rational and respectful as he's someone you can actually have a discussion with. I don't mind Max at all.

Yeah the 2023 team was just missing some bats, otherwise the rotation and bullpen along with their defense were all spectacular! It's a shame they wasted an opportunity with that pitching staff in top form.

This team isn't good enough to go on a winning streak lol.

The Jays have pieces that will be coveted, but they'll have competition. Gotta hope a lot of their big trade chips can stay hot over the next month!

Mets could be sellers if they fall out of things. They have Alonso, Severino, JDM, Manaea and Quintana. Rays likely shop Eflin, who will be attractive given he's under control for another season. Jack Flaherty has been one of the better arms in the AL and likely will garner a lot of interest.

The 2021-2024 window could have also been much better if Atkins actually made upgrades to areas of weakness on the roster.

Ross Atkins: "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking."

LMAO Seriously you can't write this stuff. What a clown show this season has been!

Tim Lincecum in 2008 and 2009 was one of the most dominating and fun starters I've watched. I purchased MLB Extra Innings those years to watch every start of his.

This has to be one of the more frustrating seasons in Blue Jays history. I know this organization has had awful seasons before, though given the timeline and expectations of being a Postseason contender, this really sucks. As well, the product on the field for the most part isn't entertaining to watch or easy to root for. Other than the rotation and the Buffalo guys. At least during the Gord Ash years, there was Roger Clemens, Shawn Green, Carlos Delgado, Shannon Stewart, Jose Cruz Jr, Jose Canseco, Brad Fullmer, Tony Fernandez to name a few players who were so much fun to watch! In the JPR years, they had Halladay in top form, Delgado, Wells, O-Dog, Glaus, Reed Johnson, the Cat, Burnett, McGowan and Marcum. During the AA years, the first couple of years were tough but we all knew it was a rebuild and didn't expect the team to contend. Still had Bautista, EE, Ricky, Yunel, Brandon Morrow, Brett Lawrie, Colby Rasmus, Casey Janssen. I would say the 2013 and 2014 seasons were frustrating given the massive trades and expectations the Jays had, especially the 2013 season.

These guys always love falling for the bait haha.

You're picks for awards thus far at midseason: AL MVP NL MVP AL Cy Young NL Cy Young AL ROY NL ROY

Brownie19 and the Atkins cult got so excited when the Braves offense was in a rut for that short stretch. Braves actually have talent up and down their lineup and it was just a matter of time until they were going to bounce back. They're 42-31 even with Acuna being awful and out for the season, Harris being awful, along with some other bats and missing Murphy for a good chunk of time. They got guys who can hit for power at least. Rotation wise, tough losing Strider for the entire season. It would be the equivalent of the Jays losing Gausman. Rotation was looking a bit shaky, but Schwellenbach has looked better. Chris Sale has looked like a Cy Young candidate, Max Fried has been solid and Charlie Morton keeps doing his thing at the age of 40. Reynaldo Lopez still looks sharp and hasn't looked like he's struggling with an increased starters workload. Think it would be wise for the Braves to maybe add another elite arm to their rotation if they could, or some elite BP pieces at the deadline. Every team has issues such as injuries, players struggling etc. during the regular season. Though it shows you that you can't make excuses. Look at the Braves and Yankees for example with all the challenges they had to endure in the first half.

Haven't seen Brownie19 post in a while. Need the Jays to sweep the White Sox so he comes out from hibernating haha.