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jaysblue

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Everything posted by jaysblue

  1. jaysblue
    Jays have to replace 4 bats in their starting lineup, as well as improving over some of the other bats they have. Vladdy was supposed to be one of their elite players but he isn't. Sure he has the potential to have a monster season, but heading into 2024 you can't rely on Vladdy being one of your elite stars. Springer is 34 years old and looks like his best days are behind him. Kirk needs to get into better shape and hit for some more power. Varsho who was supposed to be a top offensive contributor on this team when they traded for him has a career 94 wRC+ over 1600 plate appearances. Jansen is made of glass. Throwing some suggestions out there for who the Jays could target this offseason. Yeah going after an elite player I think is important because other than Bo, this team doesn't really have another elite star unless Vladdy returns to his 2021 form.
  2. jaysblue
    Personally, I think the trade route is the best option but not sure the Jays would have enough to land a bat like Soto if they dealt just prospects. It's a shame because I thought Shapiro and Atkins from Day 1 wanted to always have an influx of highly touted young prospects in the minors. I don't really see that. I'm not comfortable giving Bellinger $25-30M per season. But if the Jays can't go the trade route, Belly would be better than nothing. We'll see what happens. Soto would be ideal and since he only has one year left, Padres might be open to moving him. Window is closing fast. 2024 and 2025 are probably the last good opportunities to go for a World Series.
  3. jaysblue
    Yeah it was shocking how earlier in the season Moreno at 23 years old was considered to have very little upside and a noodle bat. Yet Varsho at age 26 with a career wRC+ under 100 had all the upside in the world.
  4. jaysblue
    Some possible OF trade candidates: - Juan Soto - Luis Robert Jr. - Christian Yelich Would be nice if they could add a 4-5 player regardless of what position. I don't think you can go into 2024 relying on Vlad to be that guy. While he could be, can't be hoping he is. Need to pair Bo with another elite player.
  5. jaysblue
    Bellinger if they open up their wallets. Or try to trade for one.
  6. jaysblue
    I would bring KK back as a 4th outfielder but he likely lands a gig where he's guaranteed 400 ABs from someone in a platoon role. Jays really can't offer that. Definitely the Jays should spend their money on finding a big masher for LF who can provide 4-5 WAR.
  7. jaysblue
    Yeah both pretty much provide similar value. I guess with KK there are more red flags like age, health and lack of pop. Varsho at least is still just 26, has some pop and durability isn't really that much of a concern. Jays are stuck with Varsho until 2027, so makes sense to put him in CF. As well, he should only be hitting at the bottom of the order, either 7th, 8th or 9th. Let's hope we never see Varsho hit cleanup ever again.
  8. jaysblue
    Difference is Varsho at least could hit one out of the park, which is what this team needs more of. He should be good for 20+ HR's, whereas you only likely get single digits from KK. Also need KK to stay healthy in order for him to post a 2+ WAR season.
  9. jaysblue
    That's on the front office. If Atkins and the front office are brilliant and have all the data, they shouldn't have thought of Varsho as a middle-of-the-order bat. Their player evaluation was way off. Like you I believe if he starts the year in CF and is healthy, he can be a 3-4 WAR player. Hope he improves on his offensive numbers. Likely won't be anything special with the bat, but I'll take .250/.320/.450 with 25-30 HR's from him any day if he's playing excellent D in CF. He probably should be hitting 7th in the lineup, not any higher. Regardless Jays need a big masher or two this offseason. If you can't trade for one, go out and sign Bellinger to play LF and JD Martinez to DH. Would also look and see what deals are out there for Vladdy and Springer.
  10. jaysblue
    I hope both Atkins and JS are gone. After catching up on what was said at the press conference and hearing more about the player morale in the clubhouse after that decision was made, can't really get excited if Atkins and JS are back. I think you need to bring in new leaders to right the ship. Can't keep the status quo again with Atkins and JS.
  11. jaysblue
    I like Varsho and think he can still be a useful player. Easy guy to root for. Not a star or anything. Did the Jays overpay for him though? Right now it's safe to say they really did overpay for a career 96 wRC+ type of bat. Varsho has some good skills but a lot of flaws. When you trade a top prospect like Moreno, you want to trade him in a deal for an elite player or pitcher with a track record. Varsho isn't that. Even coming into 2023, his highest wRC+ was only 107. Far from elite offensively. I think having Varsho in CF next season will definitely provide more value defensively and make up for his bat. Sure he still has some potential offensively. Likely settles in as a .250/.320/.450 type of bat with 25-30 HR's and 15-20 SBs. I think that's his ceiling. That's solid offensive production from your CF, though he's not a middle-of-the-order bat or offensive star we thought he could be.
  12. jaysblue
    The Springer contract could end up being a disaster moving forward. He's 34 years old coming off a 104 wRC+ season. Still owed $75M over the next three seasons. Jays really need him to bounce back next season or else that's a good chunk of payroll locked up over the next three seasons to an aging declining player. Probably his contract is immovable unless you take on another contract. There is nothing wrong in suggesting that Atkins could have added some lumber at the deadline or earlier when they realized the lineup was an issue. Didn't have to be anyone flashy but a solid player with experience and track record who could have got hot for you at the right time. Like you said, who actually moved is not conclusive on who could have moved. I'm sure other bats were available. It's a real shame that the Blue Jays were unable to take advantage of having such a strong pitching staff this season. Every season is different so we can't expect the pitching staff to have the exact same success in 2024 or 2025. The Jays have to take advantage of these windows. It's only going to get more difficult moving forward.
  13. jaysblue
    Went to Game 1 in Atlanta on Saturday night! Atmosphere was electric before and during the game. Sucks the Braves lineup played like the Jays haha. Really cool seeing Spencer Strider pitch. One of my favourite pitchers in the game. Went 7 strong innings against that Phillies lineup. Wish he came out for the 8th haha. I'll see if I could upload some pictures after. Truist Park is a great ballpark. Feels small and intimate, so no matter where you sit you're close to the action. Awesome food and drink concessions all around. A lot of interactive activities and games for kids as well. The Braves Hall of Fame in the 100 level concourse behind the home plate area is a really nice touch. Wish we had something like that at the Rogers Centre. A lot of great standing room areas and rooftop bars in the ballpark as well. The Battery area is really built up with awesome bars, restaurants and shops. Definitely a cool area to hang out before or after the game. Fun atmosphere. Would be cool to stay at the Omni Hotel there next time during a series.
  14. jaysblue
    D'Backs!
  15. jaysblue
    If Vladdy is back next season, he can't be thought of as one of your elite pieces to build around. The Jays need to go out and acquire a 4-5 WAR player and can't rely on Vlad to be that. Vlad definitely has the potential to be that type of player again and if he is, even better! I'm sure there are some challenge trades out there to be made for Vlad. Some teams might still value his potential, and two years of control left. Some teams might be looking to shake up things as well.
  16. jaysblue
    A lot of Atkins apologists on this board. I bet if these teams were under AA, majority would want him and his FO gone.
  17. jaysblue
    Yup, need to replace 4 spots in the everyday lineup. I'm thinking they use Schneider/Biggio at either 2B or 3B. Have to get a masher for LF and 1B/DH. Also, whether it's Atkins or a new GM, I think you have to make a challenge trade by moving someone like Vladdy or Springer if you find a trading partner. Rotation is fine but we can't assume all 4 starters come back and make another 31+ starts again. Would be nice to add another No. 4/5 starter for depth and have Manoah, White, Francis and Tiedemann waiting in the wings when an opening presents itself. Bullpen is fine as well, but relievers are volatile and we can't assume all those arms comes back and pitch at a high level like they did this past season. Would definitely look at retaining Green or Hicks, but regardless I think there is enough depth if anything does go wrong and they could always add at the trade deadline. Focus should definitely be offense and adding two big bats. Hopefully if those bats fill LF and DH, won't take a huge hit on the defensive side of things.
  18. jaysblue
    Should open a new poll
  19. jaysblue
    Going to the game in Atlanta on Saturday! Pumped to see Strider pitch! The atmosphere should be electric!
  20. jaysblue
    We'll see. Hopefully Springer does bounce back and provide some more pop and Kirk also bounces back offensively. I like Kirk behind the plate, and if you get his bat going again, even better! Probably can't trade Springer anyways given his contract and age now. Kirk's trade value is at its lowest. So hope they both bounce back in 2024. I'll give Kirk a mulligan on this season since he's still young. Hope he comes into camp in the best shape of his life next spring!
  21. jaysblue
    It really makes you appreciate the 2015 season and the days Gibby was around. The managers Atkins has brought in - Montoyo and Schneider - both seemed like just puppets and didn't have the respect in the clubhouse. Both are beta's.
  22. jaysblue
    I was at that disaster last fall haha. Glad the Jays were on the road this year for the WC. Like you, I wasn't planning on paying for tickets to see them in the WC this season if they were playing at home. I thought Game 2 of last years WC was one of the worst managed games, but Schneider pulls it off again a year later in the exact same situation.
  23. jaysblue
    The question is who is to blame for implementing that system if there was one? The coaching staff or FO?
  24. jaysblue
    How is my argument stupid? Atkins traded away one of his top young assets for Varsho, who s*** the bed offensively. Springer is aging and on the decline. Vladdy wasn't the superstar this organization thought he was. Kirk's 2022 season was a mirage. Chapman despite him being a valuable piece, wasn't a middle-of-the-order bat they thought he was. It looks to me as Atkins and this FO really messed up on their player evaluations when constructing this lineup. Belt was great this season and so was KK. But we really got lucky they performed at the level they did. Could have went the other way with one or both of them.
  25. jaysblue
    I knew you were going to pull this out of your hat haha. Tommy Pham would have been a nice addition sure. We can't just go by who was moved at the deadline and assume they were the only bats the Jays could have acquired. I'm sure other bats were available that we don't know of. The window is pretty much closing with this roster. The FO failed this season to capitalize on a strong rotation and bullpen. Sure we have 4 arms back next season, but we can't just assume they all 4 stay all healthy again and pitch at the same high level.
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