jaysblue

Yeah some other pieces might fall into the Jays lap if they only require a one-year deal or a contract that includes an opt-out. You would hope if Chapman or Bellinger only settle for a one-year deal, the Jays pounce on one of them at least. Would make a huge difference.

Atkins isn't a bad GM at all. Does he get more praise on here than he deserves? I think he does. The 2020 season was a joke. 60 game schedule and 8 teams in each league made the Postseason. 2021 was the most exciting team and best team IMO assembled in the Atkins era. It's a shame that team never made the Postseason because I think they could have went on a big run. Atkins missed that "big push" in 2021 which would have been really helpful. Yup under AA, Jays had to work with a tighter payroll even prior to the 2015 season. As well, there was no expanded Playoffs, so the Jays either had to win the division or more than 90 games for a WC spot.

I could see that happening lol. Bullpen's are always volatile from year-to-year, so ititss possible someone gets injured or sucks. I'm more worried about the starting rotation to be honest. Things were so good last season with the rotation, it's expected that the rotation performs exactly the same. Everyone is a year older and there could be some concerns e.g. whether Kikuchi can deliver two years in a row, how does Bassitt respond to throwing a career high 200 innings from last season, what type of Berrios do we get, and if Gausman is still in elite form like being a 5-6 WAR pitcher. Hope Manoah can rebound as well, which would definitely make things easier if one of the above happened to the other 4 arms.

Yeah I also felt that the 2015 team on paper and the way they were playing down the stretch, the Jays had a World Series caliber team. It definitely did feel that way. They had an epic comeback, coming back down 0-2 from the Rangers in the DS. The Royals were a tough matchup and everything was clicking for them. f***, even Alcides Escobar was the ALCS MVP lol. Who knows if they were able to pull out a Game 6 win, what could have happened in Game 7. Even in that Game 6, a lot of calls went more the Royals way. Kinda felt like MLB was pushing for KC, but who knows. Even the 2016 season, despite them winning a WC, you had that feeling that squad could have went on a deep run and they did. Beat the Orioles in a one-game WC at the Rogers Centre, demolished the Rangers, though again ran into a Cleveland team playing great baseball and that had great pitching in the ALCS. Nightmares of Andrew Miller haha. Disappointing series, because Cleveland really walked all over the Jays. I never felt good about the Jays team in 2022 and 2023 heading into the Postseason. It was more "what if" scenarios and if they got hot at the right time, they could go on a run. The lineup struggled over 162 games in 2023, yet if the bats woke up all of a sudden in Game 163 and 164, the Jays had a chance. Didn't feel that confident with this group heading into the Postseason at all. Like you said, ironically the 2021 team felt like the best team Atkins assembled on paper and the way they were playing in the final half of the season, but they missed the Postseason. Atkins could have used that "big push" mentality in 2021.

Great to see Kershaw back. I think it was pretty obvious he's back with the Dodgers or retires lol.

The Jays pretty much have been a borderline WC team the past three seasons and it's looking like it will be another season as well. Atkins has really just been average. He's made some great moves and some questionable ones, but at the end of the day he hasn't taken this team to the next level. A lot of posters bashed AA about a depleted farm system and ageing roster when he was here, but Atkins seems to get a free pass. For a $230M payroll like you said, you would expect it to be better. Jays farm system is also pretty average as well.

Spanky

The playoffs won't be easy to make for the Mariners. The playoffs will be easy to make for the Blue Jays.

Haha its on a Thursday afternoon in September ugh couldn't fly down for a weekday game unfortunately.

Is this season the last year the A's are playing in the Coliseum? If so, want to plan a trip to the Bay Area this spring/summer haha.

The A's have added both Stripling and Alex Wood from the Giants, so probably a good spot for both arms to build back their value with a guaranteed rotation spot. As well if either have a strong first half, definitely trade bait at the deadline.

Meh I wouldn't think the Yankees suck. They could still be a team that could pull off 90+ wins if they get lucky and stay healthy. I don't see them being worse than they were last season. Right now I think they sit between 85-88 wins, similar to the Blue Jays. Red Sox really haven't done much to move the needle but if some of their young core players take a step forward and they get some bounce backs from Tyler O'Neill, Trevor Story and Lucas Giolito, they could pull off a .500 season or better.

Great move by the Orioles. Burnes actually gives them a legit No. 1 starter, which is what they have been lacking. This definitely moves the needle for them. AL East just got a lot tougher.

What? haha

This.

Maybe was a glitch on Fantrax. Yeah I see it now. Thanks!

Says invitation was revoked lol. PM me the password and I'll sign up.

I have no issue with Turner. Only a one-year deal and he's been one of those guys who has aged like fine wine. He put up real solid numbers last season. Just hope he doesn't fall off a clip at his age though. Still think this teams needs a big power bat. They failed to address that need so far in the offseason and from the looks of it, won't be adding a guy like Soler or JDM. Gotta hope Vlad bounces back power wise, or else this lineup might not have a bat who could hit 30+ home runs.

Blue Jays were also one of the favourites in Vegas to win the World Series in 2013.

I'll join

Frenchsoup would go crazy!

Yeah they were up 24-10 I believe at that point in the third quarter. Should have taken the points. Campbell is a hot head and I said that to others heading into this game that he could screw things up for them. If the Lions kicked those two FGS, they win 37-34 and the 49ers on each of those drives start at least at the 25 yard line, instead of further up.

If you bet the Lions money line before the game, they were 4 to 1 and you got an early pay out since they were up by 17 pts. Double dipped and put some money on San Fran in the 3rd quarter when they were down 2 touchdowns and were pay 5 to 1.

Dan Campbell is an idiot.

If you're in win-now mode, I would. If Judge plays a majority of the season, he's a huge difference maker for your squad.