jaysblue

I've had Raptor season tickets since 2014. I'm not saying they'll all of a sudden get only 10K fans at the games, but there won't be much demand for tickets if this team starts to lose over the next 4-5 years. Even this season I see it a bit. It's way tougher to unload tickets even for a Friday night game which is unusual. Depends on the date and opponent obviously as well. Like I even said in a previous post, I couldn't even get rid of my seats for Game 7 against the 76ers in 2019 at face value. And that's a Game 7! Leafs fanbase is completely different than the Raptors fanbase.

Yeah it has to do with timing for sure. Also, baseball isn't like hockey or soccer where you can give players/pitchers a month off to have a WBC tournament. Tough to alter routines for baseball players/pitchers and have them sit out for an extended period of time and then start up again.

Yeah the WBC isn't the same as Olympic hockey, or the World Cup. It's always going to be tough to get the best players competing in this tournament unfortunately. That's the way it is.

Meh Raps fanbase is completely different than the Leafs. Attendance numbers will take a hit for the Raps if they start losing big. As a season seat holder, I see it even this season and in previous years when this team was even better. Trust me.

They do to a certain extent. You'll have fans across Canada and watching on TV but when it comes to the attendance at games, could be a different story. As a season ticket holder I see it. When the Raps are hot, I'm selling tickets online no problem. When they're cold and losing, it's tough to get rid of them. Just saying from my experience on that front. Even during the NBA Playoffs in 2019. Game 7 against the 76ers, I couldn't even get face value for my seats. So instead I went to the game, and glad I did since it was probably the best Raps game in team history. But regardless that shows you that even this fanbase going into a Game 7 against the 76ers in R2, they don't even have the confidence or heck even willing to pay face value (season seat prices) for an important playoff game. If it was a Game 7 in Round 2 for the Leafs, those seats would be a hot item and no question sell fast for way more than face value.

You have to hope the Raps extend Poeltl, FVV and/or Trent. At least 2 of the 3. I think there needs to be some shakeup somewhere on the roster. Like you said make an upgrade at guard or if OG is upset here in Toronto, see if you could move him for multiple pieces or a similar type player. Hope Barnes develops into a better player and they should be in good shape. Roster depth will be important as well. Given the Raptors lack of a superstar player, bench depth for this team is important especially when injuries occur. I think the Raps are better getting back to being a 4th/5th place team in the East that could make the 2nd or 3rd round rather than be a losing team for 4-5 years in a row. At least they can always make a move that puts them over the top if they need to like they did with Kawhi for 2019. I don't see Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Atlanta or the Bucks being a huge roadblock as lets say the Cavs when they had LeBron. Raps fan base also will disappear if this team starts losing. It's not like the Leafs.

Yeah other option is have a condensed WBC tournament in the middle of the season for either one week or two. Kind of like what the NHL did with the Olympics. Players and pitchers would be in game form unlike during spring training which is a plus. I guess some starters would still be limited in terms of innings or pitch counts, which I understand. But at least maybe a starting pitcher can go 5 innings. Create a pitch count/inning pitched threshold for a SP during the tournament. Like you said, limit the amount of teams in the tournament to like 8 or 12 (USA, Japan, Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico) and have others qualify like Canada, Italy, Australia, Panama, Colombia etc. based on their rankings or previous finish. The one or two week break I don't think will have a major effect on players/pitchers not playing in the tournament. Might be good for some players as its a time to rest and get healthy in the middle of the season. Players and arms can always go down to their teams ST facilities to work out and stay in shape if they want. An obstacle would be the host cities/countries. Would have to be in North America or Latin American countries IMO if in the middle of the season. Would be tough to have MLB players travel overseas to Japan or Europe to play.

Updated my trade block. Have some solid vets that I could move and that could make an impact down the stretch for some playoff teams.

Watch Preller resign Profar to a 3-year-deal in the next week.

Padres probably bidding against themselves for Wacha. No need to give him multiple years at this point in the offseason. I guess we'll have to wait to see the details of the contract.

As a fan, happy that regular season games end sooner now. Watching a game go 17-18 innings can be boring (nothing really happens) and completely depletes each team for their next game. As a fan in attendance, watching a 6-7 hour game is too much. I understand in the Postseason, there isn't much you can do so you have to let them play. Which I don't have an issue with if a game goes 12 or 13 innings.

I thought at the end of the season wouldn't be a bad idea as well, but I'm sure some players/pitchers after 162 game grind probably don't want to participate. Also, you would still have a month that includes the Postseason, so some arms anyways wouldn't be pitching for a month and then all of a sudden start again. Not sure there is a perfect/ideal time for this tournament. Obviously as a fan, you want to see the best and in a big matchup you want to see an arm like Verlander battle Ohtani, and not just for three innings. The WBC games have become bullpen games pretty much anyways. Starters only pitch 2-3 innings and on a strict pitch count. It's still entertaining to watch but what sucks is you know you'll never see the best of the best competing or WBC matches managed like actual MLB games.

I think the WBC benefits hitters more than pitchers before the season. Tough to schedule a WBC. Not sure there is a perfect time during the calendar year. Sucks you won't ever have the best of the very best compete but that's the reality.

Same with the Cincinnati Reds in the LOD.

Most women on social media loved the halftime show lol. But agree with everything else you said.

Lost out on my Philly $50 bet moneyline and $10 parlay (moneyline, score first and lead at half). Decided betting in-game on kickoffs - can bet either for a touchback or no touchback. Bet for touchbacks every kickoff. Odds were like -300 or -400 majority of the time. Started doing some $50 bets and then $100 bets afterwards. Was making like $20-25 each time. Think I made close to $200 just doing that on Bet 365 haha.

Ending sucked but yeah otherwise leading up to that 3rd down flag, was a terrific game. Entertaining for sure.

Not sure you make that call for holding at that point in the game. The game was great up to that point. Last two minutes felt disappointing. Late flag as well. Philly was the better team IMO, but that fumble in the first half hurt and also allowing that punt return in the second half. Lead to two easy touchdowns. KC capitalized. Mahomes was alright but he even threw under 200 yards. Sucks to see the game be decided on a 3rd down penalty call that looked questionable, but oh well.

Put $50 on the Eagles to win. Might add more later on.

Nice deal by the DBacks signing Chafin to $6.5M for one year.

Adam Loewen still pitching. Good to see him suit up for the WBC. Canada's roster isn't that bad. Would have been nice if Josh Naylor could have suited up.

I don't have high hopes for the Raps this season. Even if they get the play-in, they're getting knocked out R1.

Happy Birthday Spanky!!!! Drinking beer and raising a glass for you tonight!

In a perfect world, would have been nice to sign Kluber or Cueto to a one-year deal but oh well. Still, Jays SP depth I think is fine. Sure if we're talking about a season ending injury to one of their top arms, then different story. They can hold the fort down if a starter has to miss 2-3 turns. I think White for 20 starts wouldn't hurt or Thompson for 10-12 starts would be fine. Plus some of the young guys the Jays have who could come up.

Yeah this is one of the deepest rosters we have seen. In terms of depth, position versatility, lineup balance, behind the plate, defense, starting pitching and bullpen. Even last season on Opening Day, kind of felt this team had some holes and wasn't that complete. Really pleased with the job Atkins and company have done this offseason. If majority of this team stays healthy, they'll be excellent in 2023. Even with some minor injuries, this team has enough quality depth to hold down the fort for a couple of weeks if they lose a big bat or starter. We won't be seeing 500 AB's wasted on Tapia, Zimmer in the lineup everyday for a stretch, or innings wasted on guys like Casey Lawrence.