jaysblue

Who does Jays Talk these days? If Springer flips over a table, he might pull something and land on the IL. Your summary of this team is pretty much dead on IMO. This team was way overrated during Spring Training as the were made out to be World Series favourites when in reality as we're seeing they're an 85-90 win team at best over a 162 game season. There have been some guys like Stripling and Kirk over exceeding expectations while several big pieces like Vlad, Bo, Teo, Berrios all under performing. The pen was middle of the road since Day 1, and the addictions of Bass or Pop really don't move the needle in that regard. The FO during the offseason never properly addressed the BP, which is frustrating because of the core they have in place along with the team timeline. I know some stat heavy posters on here said the Jays having a heavy RH lineup doesn't matter, though it does. The Jays seriously lack a prominent LH bat in the middle of this lineup and that plays a role. There is no balance whatsoever. Tapia, Biggio, and Bradley aren't those pieces. As for Berrios, he's been a huge disappointment. I expect him to bounce back next season, but even still the Jays FO should bring in another solid #2-3 starter since you can't afford a guy like Berrios or another arm to take a step back. Springer needs to stay healthy, and the focus should be to move him to a corner and DH him most of the time to keep him on the field or else this team needs to go out and add another outfielder who you can give 300-400 ABs to and someone who will play above replacement level. Can't waste ABs and playing time on guys like Tapia or Zimmer. This front office also needs to learn when to cut the leash on some guys like Tapia. They rode him for too long during April/May/June and he hurt this team everytime he stepped out onto the field. The deadline reinforcements like you said were meh. I didn't mind them but at the same time they weren't and haven't been enough to move the needle. Atkins wasn't going to shake this team up or pull a big AA trade deadline. They probably do need a bit of a shakeup this offseason. I would go after a LH bat that could a corner OF spot or ideally CF would be nice so Springer can be used more at DH. Add at least two elite bullpen arms, even if it costs money since you have this core in place still for 2023. Teo can be replaceable after 2023, though Chapman will be a big loss. That's why it's best to win when you have Chappy under control and when Springer is still in his early 30s. Target a No. #2-3 starter which doesn't hurt. Can't rely on Berrios being one and if he is, then even better and gives the Jays excellent rotation depth #1-4 with White as a No. 5 guy. Take a chance on an arm recovering but who could be back in June/July if one is available for depth purposes. I hope they still snatch up a Wildcard spot, but I don't have much confidence in this team. They can definitely win and advance or like you said get blown out. Hope they're playing their best baseball at that time.

A 23.14 ERA with the Padres!

Bring back Gibby!

Ross Atkins and this FO is the best though. Every decision they make, is the correct one. Even if they miss the playoffs, it's bad luck but the computers say this team can be a World Series contender again next season! No need to spend money on the last couple of roster spots like on the bench and in the bullpen just because!

Likely set them back close to 2K or more I imagine just to make a weekend trip to Toronto.

You should be a motivational speaker for the Leafs in their locker room!

Leafs fans say what you say every new season and then Round 1 of the Playoffs its deja vu!

Had Arenado's 4 for 4 game benched yesterday ugh. That sucks. Hope my score holds with Dinger at least.

Tweet Arash Madani haha I swear sometimes Sportsnet coverage of this team is so cringeworthy. It's biased for many reasons obviously.

You said it perfectly. Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Astros already have a lot of wins in the bank and can afford to have a string of losses at this point in the season. The Blue Jays aren't in that position because of their inconsistency until this point. If the Blue Jays want to make the Postseason, they can't be losing games against .500 teams and they can't afford to lose series, plain and simple. Would be a shame if the Blue Jays miss out on the Postseason by one or two games.

$20-22M for one year of Conforto? You're nuts!

Geez, took his new team how many days to DFA him? Shows you the Jays keep the leashes way too long on some guys.

Angels aren't an easy walkover like I said. Ohtani pitching today. Not looking good for the Jays to take 2 out of 3 but lets hope they can win this series!

I just said at the end of my post, he's probably comfortable just staying in Houston. More advantages as well staying in Texas. Only way you would get Verlander is paying him way more than the Astros.

LMAO!!!! Leafs fans are hilarious!

He's spent most of his career in Detroit and has always pitched well at the Dome including the 2 no-hitter's in Toronto. I'm all for giving him a blank cheque. $30M + for one season, whatever it takes. If he's looking to pitch on a contender, Toronto would be perfect. Though who knows given his age, maybe he's comfortable just staying in Texas.

You can always sign guys from free agency who either are looking to rebound such as coming off an injured season or down year. Most likely they would be happy getting 300-400ABS or more if they hit they're way into the lineup more. As well, Tapia yes did post a 0.8 and 0.7 WAR the previous two seasons, though the difference between lets say the Blue Jays and other teams like the Dodgers is that the Tapia experiment wouldn't go for over 300 ABs like it has with the Blue Jays. A team with World Series aspirations shouldn't be giving a player that much playing time and for an extended period as well, especially if that player wasn't producing. Big difference. This team doesn't know how to keep players on short leashes.

I hope Pearson can become a lights out reliever in the pen. Jays should focus on him pitching out of the pen in 2023 instead of gambling on him being an effective front of the rotation starter given their position right now. If the Blue Jays lacked starting pitching and still retooling, then sure I would still work Pearson as a starter and hope he turns into something. Pearson helps the Blue Jays more out of the bullpen than banking on him as a starter.

For the rotation, the big key will be Berrios. Though given the Blue Jays World Series aspirations why not go after a solid No. 2 or 3 starter this offseason and drop Berrios down to No. 4? If Berrios then rediscovers his old form, the rotation is set #1-4 and you have guys like White, Kikuchi, Zulu, Tiedemann and maybe some other FA signings for that No. 5 spot and pitching depth. The bench/lineup depth is definitely stronger now with Merrifield and Bradley Jr. Espinal and Biggio can platoon again at 2B, with Biggio getting some starts at 1B and in LF occasionally. Though for reassurance, I would try to go after an outfielder who can play all 3 positions and who wouldn't hurt you if he got 300-400ABs. You can't rely on Springer for 150+ games per season. As for catchers, you can't beat Kirk and Jansen along with Moreno. Though realistically it's probably best to trade one of Jansen or Moreno for a piece that could help you in another area if a trade is out there for the right arm or player. As for the bullpen, relievers are extremely volatile. Wouldn't surprise me if there is some turnover in the bullpen. You can't go into next season expecting guys will repeat their performances from this season. Injuries happen as well. Always good to build up bullpen depth in the offseason since it's easier and less expensive than at the trade deadline. As well, if a bullpen upgrade is available for a top closer or setup man, do it. This team has a good enough core where missing the Postseason should be viewed as unacceptable. If the Jays miss the Postseason again this season, then again have to ask why? Yes some of their star players have underachieved, though I wouldn't mainly point that as the reason. Guys like Vladdy, Kirk, Teo, Lourdes, Chapman, Springer (when healthy) and even Bo have been productive and valuable pieces. Gausman is having his best season and Manoah is having a breakout. If they miss out by one or two games, it's because of rostering below average players/arms at the end of the roster and giving them extended playing time when guys have been injured.

Jay, the Leafs haven't made it past the first round since when exactly? 2003? Right now, any hockey team that makes the playoffs have a better chance at going further than the Leafs.

What I meant by fielding the best team is making sure the roster come Opening Day 2023 doesn't having any glaring weaknesses or holes. Address those needs in the offseason. Make sure there is adequate roster depth so if injuries happen (e.g. Springer), you're not wasting ABs on players who hurt your team more than help. Make sure you have some arms who could start and provide you innings at the MLB level so your not scrambling to find some scrap heap in the minors. Make sure the bullpen is deep with a plethora of arms as well. We saw what happened earlier on this season and hope we're not seeing players like Tapia getting more than 300 ABs in 2023. As well, this rotation currently is on thin ice. If one of Gasuman or Manoah miss 3 or 4 turns in the rotation due to injuries, kiss the Postseason goodbye.

He is a game changer for sure. That's why lets hope the Blue Jays don't let this season and next season go to waste as I've been saying for the last couple of weeks. You want to win when you have guys like Chapman or Teo under control before they become FAs. The focus should be fielding the best team possible in 2023.

The Happening was an awful movie, yet it was so bad that it was good.

As Arash Madani would report: "something special is happening."

2.86 xFIP and a 13.19 K/9 in the second half despite his rough stretch. He'll right the ship in no time.