jaysblue

What did I say wrong or controversial? Both lineups weren't anything special in 2023. You can debate all day long whether who had a better lineup, the Jays or D'Backs. It's not black and white was all I said. When the Jays lineup is clicking like it was in 2021 (even when you exclude Semien), it definitely is much better. Though that wasn't the case in 2023. Overall the Jays lineup as a whole in 2023 performed poorly and below expectations. It's kind of hilarious how you and others continue to rip on the D'Backs constantly in order to defend the disappointing season the Jays had.

If Player A and Player B posted a similar wRC+ and WAR, would have the Jays lineup this season benefited more having Player A who hit around 25 HR's this season and who played everyday or having Player B with little power, who only hit 8 HR's and who was just a platoon bat?

Lmao he would have led the Jays in HR's this season. Jays lineup could have really used a 30-HR bat.

It's not black and white. It can be debatable. Blue Jays had more bats with a wRC+ over 100 so yeah they had a deeper lineup, but nobody really had a huge standout year offensively. A lot of Jays bats like KK, Springer, Biggio, Chapman, Jansen and Kirk were pretty much all around 100 wRC+ and had meh numbers offensively. Belt was outstanding, but he was used strictly in a platoon role and only played against RHP. Bo was really the only bat who performed at a high level offensively on a day-to-day basis. Vladdy wasn't that bad as well according to wRC+ but still a huge underperformance for what was expected and could have been better in other areas. D'Backs got an MVP performance from Corbin Carroll and both Ketel Marte and Christian Walker had really strong years offensively. Their top 3 bats were better than the Jays top 3 bats this season offensively IMO. The rest of the D'Backs lineup was meh, but even a player like Gurriel who just had a 106 wRC+ also provided 24 HR's while someone like KK who had a similar wRC+ of 104 just hit 8 HR's and only played against RHP. Overall, both lineups weren't anything special in 2023. D'Backs got better performances from their star players, whereas the star players on the Blue Jays like Vlad and Springer underperformed. If this Blue Jays lineup was hitting like they did in 2021 (even minus Semien), they have a much better lineup.

I need more consistency from a second goalie. Demko has been great so far, but need Korpisalo or Raanta to start playing better. Being without two big forwards in Laine and Landeskog sucks. I need a breakthrough from one of my younger players. Drury needs to be better, he has sucked in 9 games thus far. Can't just rely on Pastrnak carrying my entire offense.

Should I call up Adam Fantilli?

The Hurl is an old man, he probably forgets which day it is during the week and probably doesn't even remember he manages a fantasy hockey team.

Yeah definitely a gutsy performance. Kelly is like a bulldog on the mound. Reminds me a bit of Shaun Marcum.

I wouldn't mind if the DS went 7 games instead of 5 to be honest. It's only an extra 2 games which I'm sure they could squeeze into the schedule. Plus means extra $ for owners and baseball. I remember the NBA went with Best of 5 in R1 before but then changed it. NHL makes every round Best of 7. Don't see why the MLB can't have three rounds that are best of 7, when the other leagues have 4. I said this before but I think having a full 5 days off or even more for the top teams doesn't help them. Baseball is a game of routines and timing for players and playing everyday consistently is important. A 5 day layoff likely does impact some players or pitchers. I know some have said well those teams could still change their workout routines, play simulated games, etc., but it's still not the same. I would suggest having the WC matchups right away after the season is complete like play the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and then start the DS on Thursday or Friday. Instead of two days off, only give the WC teams one day off either before or after their WC series. I understand the issue with tightening the schedule in the Postseason could be an issue if weather doesn't corporate. You do keep an extra day after the WC at least if one of the games is rained out. Doubt they would allow a doubleheader to be played in the Postseason haha. DS should be 7 games though. I think that would definitely be a start, even if it means the Postseason finishing a couple days later. I'm sure MLB could make it work without shortening the regular season.

I hope so!

Yeah pretty similar numbers. Definitely a solid No. 2 starter.

He's a solid arm! Two 3.2 WAR seasons in a row. Signed at a bargain (2 years/$18M) for 2023/2024 and has a club option in 2025.

I said this even last year at this time, but these betting ads are becoming too much. I understand running a 30-second commercial during a game, but can't stand watching Ken Reid and Evanka Osmak encouraging betting or discussing odds during broadcasts or during intermissions. Like I just want to watch a game without all this annoying and repetitive BS. I'm glad now they banned sports athletes to appear in betting app commercials. But more needs to be done. Pretty much when you watch Sportsnet or SportsCentre, it's become a giant ad for Bet365 or Fan Duel.

Very well said!

Yeah let's hope guys like Vlad, Springer, Kirk and Varsho all bounce back. Can't just assume all that will happen, which is why it's important to add another high-end bat or two this offseason. This is definitely a make or break it offseason for Atkins IMO.

Max said the Jays had three high end bats in Vlad, Belt and Bo. I said they weren't all high end bats. Belt was just a platoon guy, and Vladdy struggled all season long. Bo was the Jays best overall hitter throughout the year. Out of those three, Bo is really the only guy I would consider high end given the season he had. Term then responds to my post and makes it seem like I'm a huge D'Backs supporter, bringing up their bats and how they are inferior to the Jays. I never even mentioned the D'Backs bats in my response to Max. Regardless, the D'Backs aren't as bad as Term and others are making them out to be. Carroll had an MVP type year and both Marte and Walker offensively were really solid. I don't know why it's so controversial in stating that on here. Like seriously it's insufferable. I couldn't care less about comparing the Blue Jays to the D'Backs. It's really sad and pathetic some posters on here are dismissing the D'Backs success in the Postseason and using it as an excuse to justify a Blue Jays early exit lol. At the end of the day, I just want to watch good Postseason baseball and looking forward to a Texas/Arizona World Series.

What made you think after 162 games, bats like Vlad, Springer, Varsho, Kirk etc. were all going to wake up and carry this team when they pretty much were awful all year? Yeah when we're talking about high end bats, I'm talking about elite bats that could make a difference. Outside of Bo, the Jays really never had that type of bat this season. You need to get off the Kool aid dude!

Marte hit 25 HR's and posted a 4.2 WAR season. Christian Walker hit 33 HR's and posted 3.8 WAR. Also, both of them weren't platoon players! If both of them were on the Blue Jays, you and others would be praising them as amazing haha.

Yankees aren't standing pat this offseason. They're going to make some big moves. For those posters who thought the Yankees and Red Sox weren't going to be threats next season better wake up!

Raps pick up a win on Opening Night!

Belt is a platoon bat and that's it. He managed to stay healthy this season and he dominated against RHP. Bo is a high end bat, but definitely capable of being better, which is what I said. Vlad didn't play like a high end bat this season, lets be realistic. None of those guys above were like Bryce Harper, Yordon Alvarez, Adolis Garcia, Corey Seager, Corbin Carroll etc. The Blue Jays overall this season struggled offensively. If you considered their bats to be high end this season, you're nuts!

Can you tell me how many ABs Belt had against righties vs. lefties? Belt had a great season. Not arguing that. But he's not a difference maker like Bryce Harper, Adolis Garcia, Yordan Alvarez etc.

Vlad didn't play like a high end bat all season lol. Belt was mostly a platoon guy and not a difference maker. Bo was their best bat, but even by his standards, he could have been way better.

Both the D'Backs and Jays were borderline WC teams in their respective leagues this season.

The D'Backs are a decent team with nice pieces. They're not an elite team or anything. They were pretty much a borderline WC team who grabbed the last WC spot, got lucky in catching a Brewers and Dodgers team in a short series not at 100% and who played well enough at the right time to beat the Phillies in a 7 game series.