jaysblue

Yeah I had no issue with the KK and IKF signings, but even said at the time as long as they don't hinder or tie up the Jays from making other offseason moves later on. As we approach ST, seems like they have unless the Jays sign/trade for another OF or 3B. I was talking with someone and said the same thing - think Atkins jumped the gun signing KK and IKF to those deals early in the offseason, when there wasn't really any serious interest for the both of them. The way the offseason has gone, would wager that KK and IKF would still be FA's right now. Atkins tends to act early to fill holes/roster spots in the offseason e.g. like he did with Kendrys Morales as a DH signing him to a 3-year deal at the beginning of the offseason when he didn't really have to rush or need to.

I suggested Votto or JD as bench pieces/veteran bats. Have no issue with them signing Escobar and Vogelbach as bench pieces as well to MiLB deals. Hopefully both don't get more than 200 PA's unless injuries happen. Though given the Jays rolling with IKF as their main 3B, I could see Escobar getting PA's especially if IKF struggles offensively earlier on.

I mean if Bellinger and Chapman both end up signing one-year deals that are reasonable, would be disappointing if they weren't able to sign one of them.

There isn't anything wrong with signing guys like Vogelbach or Escobar to minor league deals and as depth options, though if the Blue Jays don't sign anyone else, good chance both of them somehow end up on the MLB roster and get playing time early on.

Seems like that offseason where JPR signed guys like John Thompson, Tomo Ohka and Victor Zambrano lol.

I'm buying an Eduardo Escobar jersey this morning! Nice depth signing for ST and only a minor league deal, so not complaining.

I bet KC when they were 3 to 1 and down only a TD. Really wanted the 49ers to win, but saw in-game the Chiefs were the best bet.

I said this at the time of the IKF signing: I have no problem with the Jays bringing him aboard as a utility option who could play all over, but if his salary prevents the Jays from upgrading the roster in other areas, would be disappointed. Looks like that could be the case. As well, they shouldn't have had to go two-years on him, which is still a head scratcher IMO.

I know he's not a favourite on here by some (Boxy and Spanky specifically lol), but after watching the Super Bowl yesterday, you can never bet against the more experienced quarterback in the big game like Patrick Mahomes. Even with the 49ers up by a field goal before the end of the game, and up a field goal in OT, you saw how cool and collected Patrick Mahomes was in those moments like he was just playing backyard football. You got the sense he was going to drive the ball down field and score. Chiefs had a tough schedule: beat both the Bills and Ravens on the road to get to Las Vegas. Pretty remarkable for Kansas City to win two years in a row. Mahomes definitely has cemented himself more as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, whether you like his style of play or not.

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!