jaysblue

BS that the Braves/Phillies game is on SN 360 and not the regular SN channels. As well, MLB TV doesn't air Postseason games in Canada.

Blue Jays should use that song when a player hits a HR.

I agree their strategy did work like you said earlier and wasn't the sole reason why they lost, though wasn't a fan of the move personally. The bullpen outside of Kikuchi giving up those two runs that inning (Berrios responsible for one of them) did a rock solid job the rest of the way. Hicks almost cracked in his inning but he held his own. You got the Twins taking out lefties from their lineup, leaving them with a thin bench and had favourable matchups for the Jays bullpen the rest of the way. I understand that. I think that strategy works better if your starter isn't dealing and you see signs of him struggling in the early going. I'm sure most BP arms would have been available, but we know some relievers pitching two days in a row in high stress situations isn't the same as when they have a day rest. Depends on the pitcher. As well, if the game does go into extras, which they had to factor in, would have likely made a lot of arms unavailable or limited in terms of usage in Game 3. I'm not sure the same strategy could be implemented for a Game 3.

I would never count out the Yankees or Red Sox given that they could just spend money at anytime. Red Sox won 78 games this season in what was considered a rebuild year. They actually played good baseball earlier on and were around .500 most of the season until the final couple of weeks. They even gave the Jays a tough time earlier in the year. They could make the jump maybe to 82-85 wins possibly. As for the Yankees, they just need to open up their wallets and they could be back being a 90 win team. They won 82 games this season considering all the disappointing years from certain players and pitchers. We'll see what happens this offseason.

Just wondering, was the bullpen fully available if there was a Game 3? What happens if Game 2 went into extras and the Jays ended up winning but burned through everyone in their pen? I know the priority is focus on Game 2 first and then worry about Game 3 later. But their strategy of pulling Berrios early possibly could have hindered their bullpen usage in Game 3. Just saying.

Yes it's a strategy that has worked so far. And I've given Atkins credit for assembling a strong rotation. But there is a factor of luck involved with everyone staying healthy, which you fail to acknowledge. Next season or the year after it could be different.

AL East is overrated

Took Julius Randle

Yup and good thing Berrios and Kikuchi stepped up in a big way! Rays still lost guys like McClanahan, Springs, Rasmussen, and were without Glasnow to start the season. Definitely a bigger blow. Braves were without Kyle Wright and Fried missed some time due to injury. Also didn't have Mike Soroka and looks now like Charlie Morton could be injured. Dodgers only got 15 starts from Buehler, Gonsolin underperformed and got injured, lost Urias to suspension, and lost Dustin May to injury. Kershaw also only made 24 starts. If the equivalent happened to the Blue Jays, they would be in trouble.

It's not lame Jay. Some posters have actually said that lol. If one or two starters get injured next season, it will be because of bad luck and there was no way they could see it coming, so free pass. But 4/5ths of their rotation stays all healthy and makes 31+ starts this season is because this FO is brilliant with their own secret formula in targeting only healthy and durable pitchers. Some luck is involved with everyone staying healthy. We can't assume that will keep staying the same in 2024 and 2025 where everyone is making 30+ starts. You should have also read the rest of my post where I clarified that I think the rotation is still very strong on paper and give Atkins credit for assembling a strong rotation!

Still just 28, and had a 4 WAR season in 2021 and a 5.5 WAR season in 2019. Only 1 year left as well + a club option.

Like Glory said, maybe you can lower the price on Roberts if you take Andrew Benintendi off their hands. He's owed $60M though still over the next 4 years. Maybe the Sox could eat some of it? If Benintendi was a free agent, likely a team rolls the dice on him on a 1-year contract worth $10-12M. Kind of like how the Jays rolled the dice on Belt last offseason. In 2022, Benintendi had a 122 wRC+ and 2.8 WAR. As well, he's still only 29. Roberts and Moncada would both be great. If you added Benintendi meh, but he would have a starting spot in the lineup replacing Belt and playing sparingly in the OF. If it he lowers the cost on Roberts, I would consider it.

I agree to a ceasefire until tomorrow morning at 7am when I make my coffee. For now, no more attacks during the Orioles/Rangers game.

Wait a second, doesn't the Jays FO have a secret formula that no other team has where they only target veteran, durable and healthy starting pitchers? Their starters can't get hurt! If one or two starters do miss time, it will just be bad luck and under performance though! On a more serious note, I think the rotation is still very strong and I give Atkins credit on that front. Luckily everyone stayed healthy and made 31+ starts. Can't assume that all will happen again next season though. Like you said, maybe Bassitt or Berrios have an injury, Kikuchi regresses a bit, or Gausman loses a tick. It could happen. 4/5ths of their rotation are 30 or above and acquired as FAs or via trade. Tough really for the Jays to lose the equivalent arms of what the Rays lost or Dodgers or Braves this season with their rotations. That's why the Jays need to take advantage of having guys like Gausman at the top of his game and their other rotation arms healthy and productive. Every year that passes, they all get older, more innings on their arms, and who knows what the next season holds. Window keeps getting smaller and smaller.

I would take Moncada as a 3B option. Not a bad player to the roll the dice on and has some nice upside.

Yeah and where did I say if they don't add an elite/star player, they won't make the Postseason?

Yeah we don't know haha. Bo was really the only bat who performed to his expectations out of the group. You had both Belt and KK who stayed healthy and were solid offensively, but nothing spectacular. Something was definitely up with their approach and coaching this season. For an entire lineup to struggle as a whole, it wasn't just bad luck.

I'm not worried about Bo at all. His defense can be painful to watch at times, but his bat is elite and if healthy should be good for 4-5 WAR easily again. Hoping he really puts together a monster year since he's coming close to free agency. Would be sweet if we got a 6-7 WAR season out of him.

Yeah LGJ isn't a perfect player, but considering the Jays offensive struggles this season, having a bat like him would have been nice, even if added at the deadline. Those 24 HR's would have been helpful and would have been second best on the team. I don't think teams will be lining up to sign a corner OF/DH like him but he'll definitely have a couple of suitors. Likely will get a 2 year deal max from someone.

I'll keep those 6 guys yeah! Thanks! Leonard Murray Vucevic Ayton OG Sexton

Yeah I obviously would prefer signing Ohtani if the Jays have the money rather than trade for Juan Soto. Heck if the Jays signed Ohtani, I would go all in and trade for Soto. Why not! I never declared the Jays need to add a 4 win player to make the Postseason. I said it would be nice if the Jays could add another elite player that could provide 4-5 WAR since Vladdy hasn't been that guy and you can't rely on him being that guy heading into 2024 to give yourself the best chance. I agree there are definitely different ways of improving and that's where Atkins will have to be creative. Can't keep the status quo is all I'm saying. AA before the 2015 season went out and traded for an elite player in JD after the team was mediocre in 2013 and 2014. Look at the difference JD's addition made in 2015. Hopefully Atkins can make a move or FA signing that has the same impact in 2024. After being tarred and feathered by you just now, I will never stand down and will always counterattack your attacks. Cheers!

Not the greatest analogy lol.

Who else do I own? Trying to get my Yahoo login info on my new computer.

Yup. Atkins is in desperation mode if he's kept around. He can't just expect to have another 85-90 win team that is a borderline WC team. He needs to make a big splash and move. An Ohtani signing or a big trade for Soto or Roberts definitely takes some heat off of him and gives the Jays a better chance to succeed in 2024.