jaysblue

They don't have to win 100 games literally. I meant it more as taking that next level from a fringe Wild Card contender to becoming a World Series contender/elite team. But yeah in the AL East, 90 wins likely doesn't win the division, therefore it's a tougher path to get through. Now you're going to say some fringe Wild Card contenders have won a World Series before, which is true. Agreed, just get into the Postseason and anything can happen. A little luck and getting hot at the right time. You're satisfied with this team fighting for a Wild Card berth and think that's good enough rather than being an elite dominant team. The issue with the Jays is they haven't taken that next level yet, and its a shame with the pieces they have on this roster. Again your homerism showing as you won't be critical of this front office or question them at all. Rather if this Jays team misses the 2023 Postseason or gets eliminated in the Wildcard rounds the next season or so, isn't that a failure of this FO to take this team to the next level?

Yeah the Jays still have one or two more cracks at it after 2023, even if they fail to make the Postseason this year. It's a shame though they never took full advantage of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, Springer will be older which is the concern. Gausman will be older and will he keep up this elite level of performance or regress a bit? He's at his best now so this is when you want to make a deep run. Bassitt will be older, same with Berrios. Who knows if Romano is still the closer by time 2025 rolls around since relievers can be volatile from year to year but he's been consistent. Jays won't have Chapman in 2024 and 2025, so he's a big piece to replace. Lastly, the Jays don't have a pipeline of talent in the minors waiting in the wings who could step in and make an impact right away. Atkins has done a formidable job with FA signings and trades and keeping this team afloat around 90 wins every season. However in the AL East, they need to take that next step and become a 100 win team, which they haven't done in the last three seasons. Also, with the Rays around and Orioles likely set to improve, the Yankees always spending, 90 wins in the AL East isn't enough.

lol I only put down $10. Nuggets were paying .20 cents I believe, so not worth it. Heat played pretty well most of the game but in the 4th quarter Nuggets pulled away. Wish the cash-out was closer to $25-30 when Miami was up, otherwise would have taken it.

Rutchman and Henderson have been solid thus far and look like they could be studs. Hays and Mullins have been pretty darn good as well. That's 4 of 9 with some more impactful talent waiting in the wings. If the Jays had the Orioles farm system I'm sure you would be salivating over all their prospects and think everyone of them would become impactful bats. But since its the Orioles, meh!

10-12 game winning streak like I said and trade for Ricardo Rincon.

10-12 game winning streak like I said and trade for Ricardo Rincon.

So Jays will be the fourth best team in the division?

Agreed 100%. The real test will be how the FO compliments their young talent. How have the Jays done in that respect though? Would you say they have botched the situation?

Yeah we'll see how the FO does to compliment the young talent they have. That will be the challenge. Same as with the Jays FO taking them from a 90 win to a 100 win team, which they have failed to do thus far. But to say your not impressed with their drafting and targeting certain players etc., is pretty hypocritical. The Rays were terrible for how long and pretty much collected talent through the draft and inherited some players as well along the way. As for the Orioles starting pitching, I agree it's not the strongest and on paper looks meh. But Wells, Gibson and Bradish haven't been all that bad. Kremer has held his own as well. It's a bunch of No. 3/4 starters pretty much. They definitely lack having an ace like Gausman that's for sure. Their bullpen however has been pretty darn good.

The way the Jays have been playing, I don't think so. I hope they do, but they need to improve and play better fundamental baseball. Don't let the homerism in you cloud your judgment.

lol c'mon man! You read this board every single day so you know exactly who the big homers are. Do I have to list every single poster? In any case, I'm not referencing you. I know you're a big Jays supporter but at least your rational.

I'm just reiterating what I've read some homers on here say about Baltimore.

Baltimore is an awful organization, so the Blue Jays shouldn't have a problem!

Blue Jays could definitely use a big winning streak. Even a 10-12 game run would be amazing!

Looking back, some of the Covid rules themselves were stupid and didn't make sense. I guess you're referring to him breaking curfew?

Laika trolling with bait.

Yeah depends on the situation obviously, but having Gausman, Bassitt and Berrios work deeper into games isn't a bad thing if it means limiting the exposure to some bullpen arms. Guys like Garcia, Cimber, Bass weren't effective when used in the 6th/7th innings. Swanson/Mayza can be relied on in the 7th/8th depending on matchups. I'd like to see Pearson being used more in high leverage spots but will take time to fully trust him. Romano is your guy in the 9th innings.

Blue Jays need to trade for Ricardo Rincon!

I put a pause on my season tickets for next season. Glad I did.

Yeah ridiculous either way. Some bets aren't worth making. I think it's best to just bet Miami tonight at 4 to 1.

Does Miami extend the series tonight or does Denver wrap it up?

The Mets have to be one the biggest disappointments in baseball. Would have thought it would have been a close NL East battle between them and the Braves.

Lmao you know who.

Manoah and sometimes Kikuchi. Gausman has had 3 implosions I think, otherwise he's been the best pitcher in baseball. Bullpen despite the depth and despite how some on here praised it as an elite pen, isn't one still. Romano is rock solid, Swanson has done a formidable job, Pearson looks like he has found a new home down in the pen, Mayza has been great and Richards is having a terrific season. The rest have been extremely disappointing (Bass, Cimber, Garcia, Pop). They've been dumpster fires when they're supposed to be arms you could rely on in the 6th/7th inning's. Bass actually looked like he was starting to turn things around, but won't go there. Otherwise, if they were posting solid numbers, this pen would look completely different. Offensively, it's not the main problem but still is an issue. This team has underachieved offensively power wise and are also inconsistent on a day-to-day basis. Like I said before, you might be only looking at one 30 HR bat in this lineup which is Bo, who typically shouldn't be your team HR leader.

Difference with Beltre is he was a gold glover at 3B like you said. Vladdy needs to be a 40 HR threat almost every season. His floor should be 30 per season at least. Right now Vladdy is looking like a Lyle Overbay type bat at 1B, which would be a disappointment when all things considered. I wonder if Vlad even tops 20 HR's this season if he keeps this up.