jaysblue

Crazy about what the Brewers said about Burnes. I even imagine that hurts their image with other players and arms around baseball. Not sure the Jays have enough to trade for Burnes right now. If the Jays still had Moreno, could have been a possibility. Only other guy would be Bo, which isn't happening haha.

Yeah shocked baseball hasn't taken off in Asia-Pacific countries. Huge populations as well, so definitely a good market to target. I think South American countries are a lot like European countries, they prefer football. Baseball never really took off in Brazil. It's nonexistent in countries like Argentina/Uruguay/Chile etc. Only Colombia and Venezuela, northern countries closer to Latin America and the Caribbean.

It's the encouragement of gambling during in-game program that is the issue. It's easy to differentiate that versus regular commercial ads IMO. There is nothing wrong with an ad for Bet 365 during a commercial break. Regular commercial ads are fine. I don't have an issue with Wayne Gretzky appearing in a Bet MGM ad during a commercial break as well. Though if your watching a Leafs/Raptors or Blue Jays game, you shouldn't have actual Sportsnet/TSN broadcasters telling you live odds and encouraging you to bet during their programs. I just kind of find that going overboard. That's the issue IMO. It's like beer ads during commercial breaks. No problem with those ads, though take it a step further, imagine Jay Onrait cracking a beer open on set and saying grab yourself a cold Bud or Canadian during Sportscentre haha.

Yeah baseball in Australia has grown. They also have the perfect climate year round as well. Never knew about Iraq. Interesting.

$20

More Lamonte Wade Jr and Jonathan Villar trade offers incoming.

I think it's gone too overboard IMO. I don't ever recall this much in-program advertising during a game. Programs on Sportsnet or TSN should not be encouraging gambling like they do. I understand advertising during a commercial break, but when you have Jay Onrait talking about betting odds during his program, or a TSN/Sportsnet broadcaster talking about betting odds during a game, I think that's too much. I don't have an issue with a Bet 365 ad during a commercial break, that's fine. But Sportsnet or TSN themselves should not be encouraging gambling.

I never recalled ever watching a Leafs, Raptors or football game and seeing in-program betting updates during a game or even during a halftime show or intermission etc. That's too much IMO. I don't have an issue with a Bet 365 ad during a commercial break, though I don't think networks like Sportsnet and TSN should be promoting/encouraging gambling during their programs.

Agreed, its overkill. Annoying now to watch any sports game on TSN or Sportsnet. They shouldn't be promoting gambling like that. Sure, air a Bet 365 or Fan Dual or Bet MGM ad during commercials but there is no need for Evanka Osmak or Ken Reid during a commercial break or during their show to tell us about live money line odds or player props etc.

Europeans don't like baseball and I don't think baseball will ever be a huge hit overseas there. Just my two cents. Baseball is huge in North America, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, along with some Latin American countries like Cuba, Dominican, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Panama.

I have Bet365 and use it once in a while. Though yeah all of a sudden this past year realized how much Sportsnet and TSN were promoting gambling and all these betting apps, which was becoming annoying. Like every Sportsnet or TSN broadcaster now has to mention the odds on this team, or player props etc. They're all just advertising for Fan Dual or Bet365 which is kind of sad. I think it's definitely a slippery slope. You're having major networks like Sportsnet and TSN promote gambling like every commercial or heck even during their news segments postgame etc. I understand commercials for Bet365 or Fan Dual, but Sportsnet or TSN broadcasters should not be promoting gambling IMO when they're on air. Just my two cents.

Sorry passed out early last night and didn't check my e-mail when I woke up at 3am when I came onto the board. Otherwise, I've made all my picks in every league (the DDL, LOD and BORED) in a very timely manner and early in my windows. Feel free to skip my remaining picks, I don't have any room now in my minors anyways.

Yeah, you need the best MLB players participating to make the WBC a better success for sure. In other sports like basketball, it's easier to pick up and play during the summer Olympics in August after a bit of a layoff, whereas in baseball it's really tough. You do have more athletes overall wanting to participate in Olympic Hockey, Olympic Basketball and tournaments like the World Cup/Euro Cup. With the WBC it's all about timing that makes it difficult. Also, some athletes might not view it as such a prestigious tournament just yet.

Cole Rodon Severino German Still a very deep rotation. Obviously if one of Cole, Rodon or Severino go down, different story.

Yeah I hope the Raptors don't increase ticket prices again. They've been increasing them every year. I started out paying $5200 for my two seats back in 2014 which was very reasonable and now it's $8100. If the team isn't winning or doesn't have a chance at being a Top 3 or 4 team in the East, I don't see how MLSE can justify to continue raising prices. For a family of 4 to go down to a Raps game is super expensive, especially if you buy from the Raptors online. Blue Jays are still the best deal in town for families or larger groups.

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.