jaysblue

Well we at least now know that RA Whiffleball isn't Grant77 😂

It’s still a long season, boys. There’s plenty of time left. The Jays just need to survive this rough stretch and stay as close to .500 as possible. Once this team starts getting healthy and finds a rhythm, they’re capable of going on a run where they win 7 or 8 out of 10. Luckily, most of the AL has been pretty mediocre so far, so nobody is really running away with the Wild Card outside of Tampa. And honestly, the Jays likely have an advantage in a Wild Card round in comparison to other AL teams. Ideally, you avoid that route altogether since its a short series and anything can happen, but rolling out Gausman, Cease, and Yesavage over three games gives you a real shot.

The AL East is definitely an uphill climb right now, with the Yankees out in front and the Jays sitting under .500, but there’s still a lot of season left. I get the frustration after April, but I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom either. The Jays obviously didn’t get off to the start anyone wanted, and the division looks like it’s going to be tough - especially with the Yankees playing well and 9 games ahead. But baseball seasons are long, and things can change pretty quickly. Teams go through hot stretches and cold stretches all the time. A bad April doesn’t automatically define the rest of the year. There’s still enough talent here for this team to go on a run if the lineup starts clicking, the rotation settles in, and the bullpen avoids extended rough patches. We’ve seen plenty of teams look mediocre early and then completely change the narrative by June or July. Winning the division might be difficult, but it’s not impossible. And even if the Yankees remain tough to catch, the Jays don’t need to be perfect right now. They need to stabilize, get back over .500, and give themselves a chance to build momentum. It’s fair to criticize the team after a disappointing month, but some posters acting like the season is already over feels way too premature. There’s still time for this to turn around.

As much as I like Brownie19 and Max - and I’ll admit I’ve gotten along with them much better over the last year or so - they can still come across as arrogant and like they always have the final word on everything. The bigger issue is that whenever someone criticizes the organization, Atkins, or even just questions a certain player or roster decision, they seem to go straight into attack mode. It often feels less like actual debate and more like certain posters sticking within their own clique and piling on anyone who doesn’t share the approved opinion. I was basically public enemy No. 1 on here a couple of years ago, and honestly, I’d consider myself one of the more rational posters on this board. Could I be wrong sometimes? Of course. Everyone is. But that’s the whole point of discussion. You debate, you disagree, and you make your case. With them, though, it often turns into personal shots, condescension, and arrogance instead of an actual exchange of ideas. That kind of tone does turn people away from the board, because not everyone wants every disagreement to become some hostile back-and-forth.

Ah yes, nothing says “rational baseball discussion” quite like telling people to GTFO because they don’t express optimism in the exact approved format. Also, the “uncle” comment is pretty inappropriate and unnecessary. You can disagree with someone’s baseball opinion without turning it into weird personal stuff. If the whole argument is that people are being unreasonable or incapable of discussion, maybe don’t immediately follow that up with insults and personal shots. Nobody said Barger can’t help the offence. Nobody said he lacks upside. Nobody said the organization isn’t in great shape either. That’s the strawman here. The Jays can be in one of the best positions they’ve been in for decades, and people can still have concerns about individual players, roster construction, or how much immediate impact a young hitter is going to have. Being “inches away” from a championship doesn’t mean every player projection suddenly has to be sunshine and rainbows. If anything, when you’re that close, the details matter even more. But sure, let’s pretend the only two choices are blind optimism or negative drivel. Very nuanced stuff.

Nah, now more delusional Leafs fans are going to think they're winning the Stanley Cup next season 😂

I don’t think anyone is saying your original point was unreasonable. Saying Barger has the potential to add some needed thump to the lineup is perfectly fair. I agree with that. The pushback is more about how these discussions seem to turn into absolutes. Someone can like Barger’s upside and still point out that there are reasons to be cautious. That doesn’t mean they’re saying you called him a savior, and it also doesn’t mean they’re attacking the fanbase for hoping he helps. My point was simply that there’s room for both opinions: Barger has real power and could give the lineup a boost, but he’s also still a young hitter with flaws that pitchers can exploit. That’s not anti-Barger, anti-Jays, or “wishful thinking” in either direction. It’s just a balanced view. And honestly, if the complaint is that people aren’t having rational discussions, then immediately turning around and calling people “antisocial buffoons” or accusing others of “white knighting” doesn’t exactly help the conversation either. It just turns a pretty normal baseball debate into another personal back-and-forth.

Some MLB times are stupid. Wait till tomorrow when all the games start at 12:30/1PM 😂

The point is context. Yes, you can say it about a lot of young players. Baseball is full of adjustments, and plenty of talented players go through rough stretches once the league gets a better book on them. But that doesn’t mean every young player carries the exact same level of risk, or that it’s pointless to discuss it. Barger isn’t Gunnar Henderson or Caminero in terms of pedigree or established track record. He has exciting tools, especially the power, but there are also real approach questions and swing-and-miss concerns. That makes it perfectly reasonable to say expectations should be tempered a bit. Nobody is saying he can’t help the team. Nobody is saying he’s a bad player. The point is that some people act like any caution around Barger is “negativity” or “wishful thinking,” when really it’s just a rational read on where he is developmentally. You can be excited about the upside and still acknowledge that young players with flaws often have growing pains. That’s not some controversial take.

Most people understand Barger is young, has upside, and could absolutely give the team a boost. Nobody is saying the opposite. But pointing out that there are still flaws in his game, or that expecting a sophomore slump is reasonable, isn’t “wishful thinking” or negativity. It’s just a realistic assessment of a young player who still has to adjust as the league adjusts to him. Some posters seem to take any criticism of the Jays’ roster construction, development, or young players as if it’s a personal insult. That’s where these discussions go sideways. You can be optimistic about Barger and still acknowledge that there are legitimate concerns. Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. The problem isn’t people being excited about him. The problem is acting like any cautious or critical opinion automatically means someone is cheering against the team.

I’m still a big believer in Addison Barger’s talent. He’s young, he’s athletic, he has defensive versatility, and there’s legitimate pop in the bat. When he gets a pitch he can drive, the upside is pretty obvious. That being said, I don’t think it’s irrational to be a little cautious with expectations. Barger still has some swing-and-miss in his game, and his approach can get aggressive at times. As the league gets more of a book on him, pitchers are going to test those weaknesses more consistently. That’s usually when you find out how quickly a young hitter can adjust back. So if he does go through a sophomore slump, I don’t think it should be viewed as some shocking development or proof that he can’t be part of the core. It would simply be part of the learning curve. Young hitters rarely develop in a straight line, especially ones with power-oriented profiles. There’s a lot to like with Barger, but he’s still not a finished product. You can be excited about the upside while also acknowledging that some regression or growing pains would be perfectly reasonable.

Not necessarily. Some people operate better under a tight budget. When you have more cash flow/money available in front of you, most people blow it on brand new toys or hookers and alcohol after.

It depends - money/payroll doesn't always mean good FA signings, trades etc. Our front office has actually been good at handing out big FA contracts in comparison to other organizations. Look at Gausman, Springer, Cease and, Bassitt. We've also handed out bad contracts as well - Santander (so far), Roark, Morales - though they happen to everyone, For the most part, nothing crippling which is good.

Meh I agree to an extent, but then they likely would have never operated as they have all these years. Would be nice if they increased payroll when they're in contention.

Send Lauer to the moon!

AL Cy Young now: Dylan Cease!

If he comes back healthy and pitches at an elite level, he still should be able to get the largest pitcher contract. Definitely some team will throw money at him. As for the Tigers, this hurts them more since now you likely can't trade him for top dollar and who knows if he's back in July.

Schneider has options, so would send him down to Buffalo and keep Sosa around a bit longer. As for Heineman, he's been awful this season. He's also 35-years-old. We got a really good season out of him last year, though did we expect him to be worth 2.1 WAR again? I would keep Valenzuela around even when Kirk gets back and send Heineman to the moon. But yeah I understand if the Jays want Valenzuela to get AB's on a day-to-day basis in Buffalo and keeping around extra catching depth on the 40-man. I doubt a team claims Heineman, but not sure he would accept a minor league assignment in Buffalo after.

Makes you appreciate how good Kirk really is behind the plate and the difference he makes day in and out. Even if his bat was off to a cold start, can't replace him behind the plate. Hopefully we get him back soon.

Yeah in this economy, the average Joe isn't spending hundreds or thousands on graded rookie cards etc. Even if a card is worth a couple thousand, you need to find the right buyer who has that money and willing to spend it. Secondly, you never get full book value for cards anyways. A sports collectible shop likely gives you 50% of what the card is actually worth or less, since they need to then sell it afterwards.

Yeah I think when all is said and done, as long as he's healthy, the numbers will be there. Unless the Mets curse is real haha.

Because Ronny Mauricio suffered a fractured left thumb. Bo likely plays short now until Lindor gets back.