jaysblue

Roark and Kikuchi never had the previous success like Ray and Matz did.

Ray had some really good seasons with Arizona before he came to Toronto. I don't think the 2021 Ray was any different from the Ray in 2016/2017 for example. He hit a rough patch in 2020 and the Jays helped him back on the right track. Matz was always a decent No. 4-5 starter with the Mets and who had some untapped potential. Injuries were always his concern.

Damnit that sucks from a fantasy baseball perspective in terms of Carpenter.

Outside of the bullpen, I think player to player and the top of the starting rotation is fairly even to the 2015 team. The seasons Vlad and Bo has last season would definitely help. The 2015 team did have an MVP season from Josh Donaldson, and both Jose Bautista and Edwin had monster years as well. Gausman leads all MLB pitchers in WAR.

I like this idea a lot. Would love to see the Blue Jays try that with him. It's a good strategy.

I think Romano definitely is in the 15-20 range of closers.

Where did I say Kimbrel was easily ahead? I mentioned that list was in no particular order. Regardless Kimbrel has been better this season (1.0 WAR, 12.46 K/9, 2.14 FIP) and it's one of his down years.

I know that. My statement was made towards the posters on here who panic too easily.

So its possible.

It's so hilarious. One day the Blue Jays are unstoppable and are World Series contenders when they blowout a team 10-0, and the next day they're huge disappointments. Make up your mind people.

He's not a Top 10 closer. I could name 10 closers or more easily ahead of him this season (in no particular order): Diaz Kimbrel Hendricks Jansen Hader Helsley Devin Williams (now) Clase Bednar Lopez Holmes Bautista (now) Iglesias Dorval Romano has done a solid job and held his own, but to say he's been a Top 10 closer is a little homerish.

How many games did the Blue Jays make up on the Yankees in 2015?

If the Blue Jays hold the top Wildcard likely will play either Seattle or Tampa at the Rogers Centre. I know it's still early since some teams can get hot right in September or during that last week, though who would you rather play - the Rays or Mariners?

I do like Toronto's first three (Gausman, Manoah and Berrios) more than the Yankees (Cole, Cortes and Montas) in a Postseason series. For the Yankees, a healthy Severino will be the key, otherwise Gerrit Cole is pretty much their only true elite starter.

Do we want the Mariners or Yankees to win? Either way should be a fun series.

Kevin Gregg. He wore goggles!

Roberto Osuna > Jordan Romano.

As much as I would love a healthy deGrom, he likely would never sign here in Toronto and I wouldn't want to hand him a monster contract given his health record.

In terms of WAR, there are 45 other relievers who have a higher WAR than Romano. He's been a solid closer and has done a decent job in the role thus far, though what other options did the Blue Jays really have? Roberto Osuna > Jordan Romano.

It's only been a week so still way too early to declare winners though okay! Yankees look very vulnerable right now and don't think they are locks for the World Series as they looked a month ago. Definitely have a lot of issues. I like the Blue Jays roster when healthy better in a short series than the Yankees.

Yes once fully healthy with Springer, they have positional depth with Merrifield, Biggio, Espinal (one of them starting at 2B), Tapia (-0.2 WAR), Collins, Zimmer (-0.3 WAR). Tapia and Zimmer have both been negative WAR players and playing them over a long period on a consistent basis hurts the team more than helps, though yes as much I would love an upgrade, you can live with them as a 4th or 5th outfielder when everyone is healthy. Zimmer actually posted a 1.4 WAR last season, so when utilized right he's valuable. The Merrifield trade definitely helped with roster depth since he can play CF when Springer is DHing or out of the lineup with Biggio/Espinal playing 2B, or Merrifield plays 2B on a more regular basis. Back in May when the Jays were missing Lourdes and Teo, Jansen, Springer on and off as well, Biggio was in the minors still figuring stuff out, that is when you really saw the Blue Jays depth tested. Most posters on here were having panic attacks. Kind of funny how now most have forgot that now since the Jays lineup is pretty much at 100% (outside of Springer). Though I'm sure if the lineup suffers an injury or two where someone is out for two-three weeks, people will be crying and wishing the Jays had more roster depth. Additionally, we've already seen the rotation losing Ryu and now Stripling, the rotation is quite thin if they lose another arm especially someone like Gausman or Manoah. If they lose one of their top arms for 3 or 4 starts or longer, that will be tough to overcome. As for the bullpen, I applauded the Bass and Pop trade and said both arms are upgrades to the pen. All I was saying is that during the offseason it felt like the Blue Jays FO somewhat neglected the BP and roster depth and during the offseason that's when its best bringing those guys in whether on MLB deals, or even minor league deals. Whereas at the trade deadline, you're always paying a premium. The Jays don't have a strong bullpen like they did in 2015, so I'm a bit skeptical of this bullpen pitching 3 or 4 innings in a close game against a top team, especially on the road. Though regardless, it's still decent and Atkins made solid upgrades with Bass and Pop like I said. The Blue Jays have probably their best core in place since the 1992/1993 World Series since most guys are still young, in their prime or just entering their prime and under club control still for the next couple of years. I don't think you or me or other posters want to see the Blue Jays miss the Postseason again this year by only one game. I definitely think this roster can succeed in the Postseason, though it's just a matter of getting there. If this club is healthy and there is no significant losses in the rotation or lineup, they should easily get there.

Where did I say the Blue Jays should trade Moreno and Tiedemann for BP arms? I said the Blue Jays FO should have done a better job in the offseason addressing the bullpen and roster depth so they wouldn't have been in this position. It seems like they ignored both and instead focused on the starting 9 and rotation. It's easiest adding to the bullpen and roster depth during the offseason. Not sure why they couldn't add to those areas of the roster as well during the offseason.

Watched the Mets/Braves after the Jays game was finished. deGrom was dealing. If he could just stay healthy, he's the best arm in baseball IMO.

It's okay. If he did that in his debut with the Blue Jays, fans would give him a free pass.

Just the other day, weren't some posters on here saying the Padres team was such a fun team to watch? Haha