jaysblue

I'm sipping a McDonald's coffee as we speak.

The fans complaining about how AA left this organization need to really give their head a shake and stop with the BS. The Jays were still in great shape in 2016 and World Series contenders. Who knows what would have happened in 2017 with AA still at the helm, but regardless, on paper the team still looked good heading into 2017. Obviously a slow start and injuries started to pile up, but to say the team was already finished before entering the 2017 season with the core they still had? Under Atkins, we've never come anywhere close to experiencing the vibe and excitement we saw with the Jays in 2015 after the trade deadline. Heading into that Postseason, the Jays had one of the better teams on paper and you felt they were good enough to make it and win the World Series. Couldn't say that about the 2022 and 2023 teams heading into the Postseason. Maybe the 2021 team if they had a better bullpen and got to the Postseason. Otherwise, give me the two years we had in 2015 and 2016, where the Jays made it to the ALCS and were World Series contenders over the 3-4 year period we had under Atkins.

Damn his 2006 season was so dominant! Coming out of the pen to Slipknot's Duality was some of the best closers entrance music! He came back in 2008 and had a respectful season, but never looked like his dominant self. Then in 2009 at the age of 33, was toast.

I bet $100 on the Athletics to win the World Series on Bet365 back in November haha. Same with the Blue Jays at 71 to 1, but damn after the way this offseason has gone, thinking I should just cash out and get my money back haha.

Kim is a gold glove winner, has posted seasons of 3.6 and 4.2 WAR, could get on-base at a high clip and is capable of stealing anywhere from 30-40 stolen bases over a full season. He's also proven he can be successful over a full season. Clement likely has a sub .300 OBP and hasn't proven he can handle a full season. He likely doesn't even top 3 WAR over a full season. Offensively, Kim is so much better and upgrades this lineup. Stop pretending it's close.

Whatever makes you sleep at night. You're obsession always comparing Atkins with AA is hilarious.

Went down to the Bills game today. Cleared up for game time and no rain at all during the game. Drive down and coming back different story haha. Rodgers looks done and looks uninterested.

Started drinking early today eh Max haha.

I think he could carve out a nice role in the Mets BP if he stays healthy.

Speaking the truth. Can't stand the guy. Most arrogant poster on this board. I'm not the only one who shares those views FYI. Max is a nice guy and actually can have a discussion with him, even if we don't agree on certain things.

Yup, you're making two upgrades with one move. Even if Quantrill replaces Y-Rod in the rotation, innings won't be an issue and Y-Rod out of the pen likely can be as valuable if not more than he would be in the rotation on an innings limit.

Maybe if you change your attitude and don't come across as an arrogant prick all the time. At least someone like Max is reasonable, rational and respectful. You're the complete opposite.

It's always an issue regardless. Tough to convince new players to come play here.

Stop it please.

There were a lot of other free agent starters available earlier this offseason and some decent trade candidates who wouldn't have cost a whole lot like Jesus Luzardo, but here we sit now with just Pivetta and Flaherty as the two only worth acquiring. Would love to see either, but I doubt the Jays sign Pivetta to a 3-year/$75M deal or hand Flaherty $120M for 5 years. As well, I don't think they would want to come here, unless the Jays offer them the most guaranteed money. We're likely looking at guys like Jose Quintana, Martin Perez or Cal Quantrill as guys who would be willing to sign anywhere for $8-10M and a guaranteed rotation spot. Agreed that would like to see Y-Rod pushed to the pen, if a No 2/3 starter were brought in. Improves two areas at once and I think Y-Rod could be a solid leverage reliever if given the opportunity.

If he goes for mid-rotation type money, what makes you think other teams aren't going to be in on him? I would love to see the Jays sign Flaherty as well. Give him a similar contract to Gausman and maybe include an opt-out. I just don't see it happening however.

Yeah definitely can place the blame on Rogers and Shapiro as well. It's common sense that any top FA is asking these questions when it comes to considering the Blue Jays. What is the future outlook? What is going on with Vladdy and Bo? What is the farm system like? How long will a rebuild/retool be? Who is going to be the President and GM after 2025? There is a lot of uncertainty right now and that has been the biggest issue. All are to blame: Rogers, Shapiro, Atkins for creating this disaster. There is no clear plan or direction with this organization at the moment. Currently it's in limbo.

He's wearing blinders when it comes to Atkins and this front office. It's getting really sad that he's going down with the ship defending this front office right to the very end with excuses after excuses.

No, he's criticizing Atkins and the front office for creating this situation. You continue to wear blinders.

Its deja vu like last offseason. This season we started with names like Soto and then Fried and Burnes and then Teo. The FA market is starting to dry up. According to most reports, the Jays have always been second or third lol. So that tells me something: most top FA's are worried about the future of this organization after 2025 given both Vladdy & Bo are likely gone and also Shapiro/Atkins likely are gone/walk away after as well. There is a lot of uncertainty and as an elite FA, would definitely have a lot of questions and concerns about signing a long term contract in Toronto. Therefore if it's close, they're choosing the other teams. Only way Jays could sign these top FA's is outbidding the other teams significantly, which I don't think they have been willing to do.

I really don't see any of those arms signing here. Flaherty and Pivetta will require a big financial commitment and even still doubt they would want to sign here given the uncertainty of this organization after 2025. Scherzer or Verlander definitely not and probably want to pitch close to home. Maybe Lynn on a one-year deal, but even still I bet he would rather pitch somewhere down in the States. The only guys I could see them signing are maybe Jose Quintana or Martin Perez or Cal Quantrill since they are still likely to be available come mid-to-end January and would sign a one-year deal anywhere for $8-10M.

Blue Jays will come in second.

Yeah the more I think about, the Brewers did lock up Yelich to a big deal, and regardless have pulled off some nice trades for contracts close to expiring and still haven't missed a beat. Even last season, without Burnes and Woodruff, they still won the division. They operate well under a tight budget and have always drafted/developed guys well. Forgot about the Angels haha, my bad. But definitely they deserve to be on that list in the high 20's. Wasted prime years on Ohtani and Trout, awful contracts and very poor farm system. Jays definitely in the 20-25 range.

Yeah as a DH, could do way worse. At least JDM might run into 25-30 HR's if he's healthy and fresh.

Off-field issues aside, Roberto Osuna was dominant when he was the closer here and helped the team during their 2015 and 2016 runs. Can't believe he's still just 29-years-old as well. He could have carved out a really nice MLB career if not for the trouble he got himself into.