jaysblue

Yeah for the Jays just need to win games right now and worry about the Wildcard seeding when they clinch. To be honest, doesn't matter if they play the Twins or Rays in the WC rounds. Tampa isn't as strong as they were in May/June, so I'm not too worried about them. Would like to have home field in WC1 but we saw how that went last season against the Mariners. Maybe playing away for the WC round won't be a bad thing. Less pressure from the home crowd.

Yeah when people use the excuse that "the Orioles are only good is because they had 5 losing seasons" really need to give their head a shake. What have the Jays done since 2017, during the same period? Yes the Orioles were able to draft high and stockpile their farm system for those years from losing season, but more should be attributed to their scouting & player development over the years. The Rays operated on a low payroll and were a losing team for many seasons before 2008, though there were some posters on this board who praised and were obsessed with their organization. The big question mark for the Orioles will be what they do with this talent over the next several years and how do they complement it? If they just stand pat and not add to the roster like adding quality start pitching, then yes they're wasting these prime years by cheaping out. As well, their window isn't going to be 10 years. We've seen time and time again how things in baseball could change quickly. Right now their prime window is for the next 3-4 years with their young core. Jays had losing seasons in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They were 32-28 in a shortened 2020 season. Winning seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Orioles had losing seasons in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Winning seasons in 2022 with an 83-79 record and in 2023 with 90 wins thus far. Jays were competitive for only 1.5 more seasons than the Orioles since 2017. Overall, like you pointed out both the Jays and Orioles have won 0 postseason games from 2017. The Jays, while they've been solid over the last couple of seasons, haven't won in the Postseason yet and their window is closing quicker than the Orioles. Results have been mediocre thus far given the expectations this team has had.

Yeah those are excellent points. Even for tickets to enter a sporting event or anything now, you need a cell phone and the Ticketmaster App in order to attend. No more hard copy tickets at all as everything is electronic. Not everyone has a cell phone or data plans. It's a small percentage of people likely but still. Cash should be accepted everywhere regardless. I understand the convenience of using a credit card or Google Pay, but not everyone can have access to one like you mentioned.

3 bats on the bench? I didn't have any bats on the bench Thursday haha.

Yup, it's become apparent. They either want you to pay with your credit cards or phones now at most places with Google Pay and Apple Pay. Even companies like Tim Hortons and McDonald's have apps that you order and pay from. I was at Earls the other day for Happy Hour and their pay machine system went down, so anyone who ordered anything before, management came around to tell them their bills were on the house. They had to put a sign in the window after that they were only able to accept cash until the issue was resolved. Managed to have a couple free beers haha. Shows you that cash is still important though and we can't solely rely on credit cards and phone apps.

Yeah gotta hope one of the vets like Gausman, Bassitt or Springer can take Manoah aside this offseason to talk some sense into him. Struggles are a part of the game. Heck even look at Gausman earlier in his career when he struggled for a couple seasons. Manoah needs to grow up and work harder to help this team in 2024. What sucks is that this drama is all happening during a Postseason race. Hopefully it doesn't become a distraction.

Trade Manoah for Kirby.

Sucks now at a lot of places you can't use cash. Not just a Rogers Centre thing, but most sporting venues and theme parks etc. are like that now.

John Schneider: "You wouldn't have been out there for the 6th if I was managing!"

Nah, that's really light. If Ryu came back and had a 5 something ERA, probably would get a 1 year deal at that amount. Kyle Gibson got $10M and he sucks. Ryu has actually pitched well since coming back and has the pedigree of years where he has been solid. He'll get above $10M easily in this market. $15M being the max but probably see him settling for something more around $12M.

Haha you just said $15-18M for one season. Stop changing your words around you dingleberry haha.

Was tempted to put a couple of bucks on the Lions haha. Didn't want to touch this game at all though. Got a $20 parlay yesterday with the Braves run line and Coco Gauff winning her match, so I'm happy.

I think 2 years is the max I would go with him. Would prefer one. As long as the money is available and it won't tie the Jays hands down this offseason, at the deadline and in the 24/25 offseason from adding to the roster, I'm fine with bringing back Ryu. If money will be tight, would rather save that money and spend it elsewhere.

Haha. Yeah I bet Ryu still will get $12-15M from someone on a one or two year deal given how he's pitched since coming back.

Yeah take the Chiefs back after hearing Kelce was out. 14-14 now in the 3rd. Lions could upset.

Chapman is a no brainer. Would you offer a QO to Ryu?

Yeah 6-3 isn't that bad regardless. Even with Belt, Bo, Chapman and Jansen, this team could have still went 6-3.

Chapman or Ryu?

It's faster paced than the NFL. Definitely give the CFL a watch during the Playoffs or the Grey Cup. It's a different game than the NFL. 3 down football vs. 4 down football and larger field. More focus on the passing game than running game. Some games can be really fun. Still prefer the NFL in terms of competition and talent though.

Some NFL games can be boring if there is very little scoring and just field goals. Though if you watch two good teams play, should be a great game. To be honest I find the CFL more entertaining and faster paced.

Yeah I agree with your points. I don't place entire blame on Atkins and the front office for everything that happens on the field. Majority of the blame should be placed on the players such as Vlad, Manoah, Kirk, Varsho, Springer, Chapman, Espy, Cimber, Bass etc. for heavily underperforming. I've stated that numerous times. Still that's a lot of players underperforming all at the same time, so I do believe that the front office should own some of it. They're the ones putting this roster together at the end of the day, so you have to then question those projected performances when most don't play to those expectations. I'm sure Atkins would be the first person to say that as well. But yes, I do acknowledge everything shouldn't be blamed on Atkins. He's built competitive teams every season which is excellent and kudos to him. Hope we can see this team take it to the next level in the Postseason this year or in 2024. As for the coaching staff, same thing. Don't place 100% of the blame on them, but when a most of the Jays bats aren't hitting for the power they're capable of and hitting a ton of ground balls, you have to start questioning the approach being taken and why haven't certain adjustments been made. That's on some of the coaching staff, but at the end of the day solely on the players. It's great to finally see some guys in the upper minors getting called up and actually contributing. I know it sucks because it's at the expense of Bo and Chapman being injured. If the Jays make the Postseason, guys like Schneider, Clement, Genesis, Horwitz etc. definitely played huge roles in helping the team get there. Small sample sizes but still can't complain on the job they're all doing thus far. Will praise Atkins on that, even if a bit of luck is involved. Kind of wish guys like Schneider/Clement were called up a bit earlier to replace Biggio/Espinal but oh well. Like you said, there's all kinds of variables at play. Can't just place blame on one entity entirely. You're always going to have trolls post in the GDT's or call in on radio shows where they call for Atkins or Schneider being fired for losing one game. I'm sure it happens in every city haha. Unfortunately if the Jays don't win a World Series in the next three seasons, Atkins and company, along with the coaching staff are likely gone. That's how it goes, even if it's not entirely their faults. Let's just hope this team gets into the postseason and with this pitching staff, gotta like their chances to go on a run. Hopefully one or two big bats could come alive, which would be a huge plus.

Best NFL Picks for this week? I take the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens and Cowboys as locks. Upsets I like the Browns, Dolphins, and Rams.

Ohtani in NYC in a Yankees uniform likely brings in more and gives them a very good chance at a World Series. As a Jays fan, would prefer Ohtani stays on the west coast.

Yup those are valid points. Gibson definitely did come with more risk and we've seen him implode lately. I understand having to pay Bassitt more in terms of salary and years, but his innings and durability have been really valuable and needed. Also, Berrios and Kikuchi like you said were question marks at the time. Definitely glad they've had the season they've had given Manoah turning into Josh Towers out there. I just hope Bassitt's 20M salary in 2024 and 2025 doesn't tie the hands of the front office if they need to add another big player during the offseason.

If you're ever downtown during the Postseason, a round of beers on me!