jaysblue

Stanton has turned into a pumpkin. He's a .230/.280/.430 guy now which is awful. Only way the Yankees turn it around is if they offer huge money to Ohtani which is still a possibility. He would check off a lot of boxes - big middle of the order bat and ace pitcher. Having him and Judge in the same lineup and him with Cole paired up as a 1-2 punch would definitely be fun to watch and would make them relevant again as AL East favourites. As a Jays fan wouldn't want to see it though.

Tell Brownie19 then to stop bickering. He seems like he's the one who can't let it go!

Yeah Romano might not be as flashy as some of the other relievers or closers out there like Bautista etc. Though he's solid, reliable and has the mental makeup to pitch in the role. Even some guys with A+ stuff can't handle the closers role. Overall, in the bottom of the 9th if it's a 1-2 run game, I feel confident in him getting the job done. He definitely was a really nice find by Atkins and company, so definitely props to them for finding a closer like him!

Which year did you win his jersey, in 2004 or 2005?

I'm not deleting my account after all these years because of a little dweeb like you who easily gets triggered and all pissy when someone criticizes this front office. I've been on this message board since 2004 and I never came across a poster as annoying and insufferable as you. Sure there have been some annoying trolls, but never engaged with them. But even other posters I've had disagreements with, they never were as annoying as you!

I'm attacking people? You're always looking for any post I make to quote one certain part of it and paint me as someone who 100% hates Atkins and this FO, if I just make one criticism. You really need help because it's like you're out 24/7 scanning this message board looking to defend Atkins and this FO. Like I said, I'm done arguing back and forth with you about Atkins and this front office. You can't even offer any criticism without you getting triggered. This front office has done a tremendous job at fielding a competitive team year in and out (which I've said numerous times), though THUS FAR the team hasn't taken it to the next level. Let's see how 2023 goes if they make the Postseason and in 2024/2025 and then my judgement can change.

Yeah agree with everything you just said. They're definitely some better 1/2 combos out there than Gausman and Berrios. Though still the Jays aren't in a bad position at all if they're your first two starters in a Postseason series. It's a good problem to have when you're discussing who should be your No. 2 and 3 starter in the Postseason versus scrambling for one. Kikuchi hasn't really done anything lately where you would move him out of the rotation. In a short series, having a lefty would be good to throw out at your opponents. If Kikuchi isn't used in the rotation, would be interesting to see if he's used as a multi-inning reliever in the pen. Would be nice to see how he does in that role before the Postseason, but sometimes you have no choice to throw guys into the fire right away.

Not sure I would say he's an ideal legit #2, though his bounce back this season has been huge for this team. Sometimes he will get hit around a bit and have short outings, otherwise he's been a very reliable arm for the Jays. Should finish with a 3 WAR. Obviously we'll see how he performs in the Postseason against other top arms, which will be the key! I consider him a very high-end No. 3 or low end #2. Otherwise, we both agree he's been a real solid and reliable arm this year.

Never said anything bad with Romano. He's a great closer and is reliable. Richards has an elite K/9 this season and has been fantastic. I'm not sure he has been used much though in high leverage spots in a close 1-run game like in the 7th or 8th inning. Would be nice if he's given more opportunities given his success this season to see if he could be comfortable in that role. Hicks has big velocity for sure. If he's going right, he could be a huge piece. Also can be erratic as well. Green, if he returns to his old form, can be that missing piece of the puzzle in terms of that elite arm to bridge with Romano. Overall, the Jays bullpen is really solid and has a lot of depth. As long as everyone is used properly, the bullpen will be more than fine, especially if the starters can go 6-7 innings in a close game.

I just said, let's hope Green comes back and if he's in the same form as he was with the Yankees, that would definitely change things haha.

I don't agree 100% but they do have a lot of solid options down in the bullpen. Romano has been a solid and reliable closer, so can't complain. Mayza is having a great year. Swanson has been solid but he's not that elite lockdown reliever. Hicks can be that guy, but he could also implode as well. Let's hope Green can come back and be that elite arm in the pen.

I still have it! Thanks so much again! Which game by the way did he wear it? Also have another Josh Towers jersey that he autographed for me!

Yeah after Gausman, there really isn't a true No. 1A or 2 guy but still Berrios, Bassitt and Kikuchi are solid arms behind him. Manoah was supposed to be that guy but this season for him is a wash. The Jays do have a deep bullpen, but they still lack an elite arm in the pen. Romano as closer is fine, but before him gotta hope Green could be that guy. Hicks can be erratic but also be lights out. Mayza has been solid. Swanson is decent but not that elite pen arm this team was lacking. The rest like Garcia, Cabrera and Richards are guys in the 6th or 7th innings. This lineup is going to have a difficult time against elite pitching in the Postseason. Pretty much the Jays starters and BP have to be near perfect.

I'm glad I brought this thread back to life.

Just need the lineup to start hitting. Agree, the rotation with Gausman, Berrios and Bassitt/Kikuchi should matchup well against anyone. Bullpen wise, let's hope Romano comes back at 100% and having Green would be icing on the cake.

The Jays are stuck in limbo with Vlad. Can't trade him now while his value is at an all time low, and can't sign him to an extension. You gotta hope he figures it out next season or in 2025.

I would say Vlad is done or compare him to Eric Hinske but Brownie19 would get triggered.

I give AA maybe a 3-4 window of contention. In 2014, they were 83-79 and if there was the expanded Postseason as there is now, maybe AA is more aggressive and adds at the trade deadline. AA was only here for 5-6 years, whereas Atkins pretty much will be here an entire decade most likely. I'll also consider 2017 part of that window since before the season started, the Jays were planning on being competitive. In 2015 and 2016, the team did make the ALCS. The 2015 team on paper had an excellent chance at winning the World Series. Overall, both AA and Atkins have done a lot of positive things for this organization. AA brought Postseason baseball back to Toronto for the first time in over 20 years and came close to bringing the team to a World Series. Atkins has built a competitive team year in and out since 2021. All he needs to do is take this team to the next level, which he hasn't yet though still has this season and 2024/2025 to do so.

Yeah not arguing that Atkins hasn't created a competitive window here. He hasn't taken this team to the next level yet though, but he still has 2024 and 2025 so we'll see. This season as well if the team makes the Postseason and gets hot at the right time. We'll see how the offseason goes, but it's not going to be easy replacing Chapman and improve on the three other vacant spots in the lineup, given the money they have tied up to other players and players who will be getting raises. Sure, I give Atkins some credit for 2016. More AA because it was the core he left in place. Though Atkins did a solid job signing JA Happ to replace Price, trading for Liriano and Grilli at the deadline. The team even under Atkins went for it in 2017, though injuries did derail their season and lead to the start of the rebuild. I think in 2017 they would have still been competitive but yeah sucks a bunch of injuries pretty much derailed their season. I don't know what happens after 2025, anything could happen. If the Jays don't win a World Series before then, Atkins is likely gone anyways. I don't see any prospects who are knocking on the door to replace some aging players or FA's but that could change depending on how well the team drafts in the next two years. Even though we disagree on some things, glad you're always open to civil discussion Terminator. Can't say that about some other posters. I do have the utmost respect for you despite some of the disagreements we've had. You're a class act!

Aging roster as well with some big contracts. Name me an elite core positional player here after 2025? Or name me a top prospect who can step in and make a huge impact over the next year or so? As well, Gausman and Berrios will both be older and who knows if they keep pitching at the same high level after 2025. Do the Jays have arms that could step in? You have to expect some regression from Gausman and Berrios as they age. You need to take advantage of them while they're pitching in top form now, not 3 years down the road when it's uncertain if they can keep that level up.

He gets triggered easily when you offer constructive criticism of this team. He needs to realize things aren't all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to Atkins and the front office!

I've never been unhinged all these years Jay, you know that. But not going to let whiny posters like Brownie19 or Stangstag get away with their BS!

You called me out for criticisms I said in other threads while you said pretty much the same things lol. Don't get all pissy because I called your bluff!

Should be a good pitching matchup!

After the game, he'll be downing some Philly Cheesesteaks!