jaysblue

Also, lets revisit the term "Hall of Fame caliber player" in the context it was just used. Can we say for example someone like Tim Lincecum was a "Hall of Fame caliber player" developed in the Giants system? Lincecum was probably one of the most, if not most dominant pitchers in baseball during 2008 and 2009 winning the NL Cy Young in both of those years. As well, he did have some other quality seasons as well and helped the Giants win three championships. Though is he going to be a Hall of Famer? Likely not since he had a short career. Though if he stayed healthy and continued to pitch at a high level until his age 30 season and was at least a solid/consistent arm after his age 30 season producing seasons of 3-4 WAR, he likely would be a Hall of Famer.

Devers is only 25 and Bogaerts has already posted a career 31.6 WAR at the age of 29. Even already this season Bogaerts has 3.3 WAR which is tied for 8th best in the MLB. Devers is second with a 4.0 WAR. As long as they stay healthy and continue to produce at an elite level into their thirties, I don't see why not. Unless they completely fall off a cliff at the age of 30 and start becoming dumpster fires, though I doubt it. Most American writers and Boston writers will definitely give them votes. Plus winning a couple of Championships won't hurt. Playing for a team like the Red Sox or the Yankees always has its benefits. Maybe they don't get in on the first ballot, though don't see why they wouldn't get in during any one of the remaining years they're eligible if they continue to play well into their mid-to-late thirties.

If Devers and Bogaerts stay healthy and continue to produce at an elite level as they have, they definitely will make the Hall of Fame.

Don't blame OG at all.

Jay always holds onto his price. I had to give in to get Liam Hendriks off of him in another league.

Michael Brantley for Carlos Carrasco

Good deal! I think a trade is very possible. Judge to the Blue Jays and he signs a 10-year extension worth $500 million to play in Toronto!

Moreno, Pearson, Biggio + a 1st round pick for Aaron Judge

Kadri with the big goal!!!!

During an offseason, you can target buy low RP options and hope they have a great ST and start to the season. Nothing wrong with that. Agree 100% with what you said about struggling relievers midseason. Down the stretch you need guys performing, not guys who are still figuring it out or complete dumpster fires (e.g. Brad Hand last season).

Jays were way overhyped entering the season. Yes they were still good enough of paper to make the Postseason and still are. But this isn't a World Series team. Roster still had some holes, but they were dismissed by the FO and mainstream media and even some fans/posters on here. Didn't have a deep bench at all, mediocre bullpen that was patched together with no thought. Yes the lineup was amazing, and the rotation was upgraded with the addition of Kevin Gausman. Otherwise, they could have done more during the offseason or ST to address these potential issues that have occurred mid-season. Instead, the Jays will be looking to spend valuable assets on BP arms or bench options rather than going after a big bat or arm that could really be a difference maker this season and long term.

If he gives the Red Sox a solid 15 starts this season down the stretch, he'll be a weapon for them.

He's completely finished!

Agree. Some of those guys could have turned into good bullpen arms possibly. Pearson I still have hope for if he's healthy. If the Jays could turn Anthony Kay into the next Brett Cecil over the next two seasons, would take that in a heart beat.

I remember some posters counting on the Red Sox in April or during the offseason (Grant77 cough cough). They will be above .500 and contend for one of the WC spots. Don't kid yourself. They won't be a pushover.

The Blue Jays built really solid bullpens under J.P. Ricciardi and AA. Did a great job at finding arms with high K% and did a great job with failed starters and turning them into reliable BP arms (e.g. Scott Downs, Brett Cecil, Casey Janssen, etc.)

He was yes, but many pitchers have 1 or 2 seasons that are dumpster fires in their career and then turn it around. Not discrediting the work Pete Walker has done and I'm sure he definitely helped Ray right the ship to get back on track, though I don't think the Ray from 2016 and 2017 was all that different than the Ray we saw in 2021. Advanced stats show that. Pretty much the same pitcher IMO. Maybe just tighter pants haha.

Ray was actually pretty solid with Arizona for a couple of years. He had seasons of 3.3 WAR in 2016 and 2017 which wasn't far off that from his 3.9 WAR season with Toronto. So not sure it was a huge remarkable career turnaround. He was always capable of putting together a season like that.

Blue Jays should bring him back haha

Pitching mechanics played a huge role with Mark Prior, and yes alongside with pretty ridiculous usage of both him and Kerry Wood in their Chicago Cubs days, which I haven't at all supported or think anyone would with a young arm. Not like I suggested Kershaw throw 120-130 pitches or more. Big difference. I guess when we talk about baseball we shouldn't criticize or question decisions made by the front office and management because me or neither you are experts. We shouldn't question Charlie Montoya hitting Tapia high up in the order because we aren't experts! I never said I was a medical expert or anything. But a veteran like Kershaw who at only 80 pitches after 7 innings with a perfect game intact, I don't think having him throw an extra 10-15 pitches would have made a difference in the big picture. Heck, he could have given up a hit to the first batter in the 8th after 1 pitch and boom you take him out. If Kershaw said to Dave Roberts, "Hey I'm done and can't go out for the eighth," then sure. Regardless, this already happened and I guess we'll both agree to disagree.

Didn't Roy Halladay throw other pitches with high spin rates? Also, how has Justin Verlander done throughout his career. He seems like a max effort guy and he's always good for 7 or 8 innings per start and is never babied.

Can you provide facts that Roy Halladay and other elite arms in the 1990s or 2000s were throwing at 70% physical intensity?

My point I was trying to make was did pulling him after 80 pitches really make a difference and keep him healthy afterwards? He missed majority of May being on the IL. Considering most of his pitches weren't in high stressful situations, would have it made a big difference letting him take the mound in the 8th inning given how he was in the midst of a perfect game? And at his age, who knows if he'll ever get close to one again. Holding a pitcher back doesn't always work out. Same with inning caps on young arms. Did the innings limit on Strasburg earlier in his career really benefit him and the Nationals? How about with Aaron Sanchez during the 2016 season? It's really sad to see how pitchers are babied these days when they reach a certain pitch count or innings total. I don't ever recall elite arms like Roy Halladay, Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, Roy Oswalt, Chris Carpernter, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, etc being held back and on innings caps.

He was a great buy low in fantasy. Anyone who traded pennies for him will greatly reap the benefits moving forward.

Didn't Kershaw miss most of May anyways? I guess the plan worked! Not having him throw an extra 15-20 potential pitches in a historic game really helped keep him off the IL.