jaysblue

Yeah big loss for Cleveland going down 3 to 1. They really needed to win Game 4. Stanton on a tear in the postseason. If he was able to stay healthy all these years, imagine the numbers he would have put up. One of the best power hitters IMO.

Atkins still made some good moves in 2022 and 2023. The Chapman trade was great and he still made some great FA signings in Gausman & Kikuchi that offseason. The following offseason, Brandon Belt and KK were solid signings. I think Atkins biggest mistakes were a misjudgment in roster construction. Like for example, the 2021 team lacked a very good bullpen which cost them from making the Playoffs by one game. In 2022, it was awful defense. In 2023, it was the lack of punch in the lineup after going too heavily on defensive minded players. In 2024, it was some poor FA signings (outside of IKF) along with the weak farm system being exposed when they lost a lot of BP arms or other players to injuries. Atkins has been so/so during his tenure here. He's done some things very well but has also done some things very poorly. It's been mediocre overall, which is a fair assessment.

AA traded for Donaldson and signed Russell Martin to that 5-year deal prior to the 2015 season. He never really went on a crazy spending spree or scorched earth during the offseason. At the trade deadline, different story. Went after David Price, Tulo, Ben Revere, Latroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe. Jays don't really have the assets like they did in 2015 to acquire big pieces at the trade deadline. Atkins will have to spend his way pretty much to add wins for 2025.

Spanky just went AWOL. Hope he is okay.

Olympic Stadium is in the middle of nowhere in Montreal. Ideally a new ballpark or state-of-the-art venue should be built downtown or along the waterfront.

I've sent some trade offers out.

Would actually be cool if the Rays played some home games at the Rogers Centre if it's available haha.

Yeah not a bad idea. Sure they can play some series down in Puerto Rico or Dominican. MLBPA would have to approve and some teams might object to playing somewhere else geographically. Could also play some games at the Marlins ballpark or Truist Park in Atlanta when they're not being used. Turner Field in Atlanta is still up, but Georgia State renovated it and turned it into a football stadium lol.

Ah darn. Not sure where else in Florida they could go.

Not sure if any team plays there throughout the year. They probably could schedule maybe like 40 or so home games during the regular season. Orlando is a tourist spot, so might get some decent attendance.

Yeah but the Dunedin Jays play there throughout the season. It's gonna be tough to play at a ST ballpark since most are used during the season. George M. Steinbrenner Field is right next to the football stadium where the Bucs play, so it's right in Tampa. Don't think any minor league club plays there throughout the year.

Am I okay making my pick now?

I guess since Spanky has two consecutive picks, he gets a 12 hour window total.

Since the Rays are an AL East team, I think Montreal would make the most sense. Only other option is if they play down in a ST park somewhere in Florida but that will be tough with minor league ball going on or Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

Don't have to worry about Hurricanes in Montreal. Just bad snow storms. They would be used to playing in another s*** hole. Pretty much the O is like the Trop. Closest to home-field they would get haha.

Rays should play in Montreal next season.

Made my pick and e-mailed Spanky. Will still be around to make my pick after Jay makes his two.

Baty was a highly-touted prospect coming up and has some upside. Might be a great buy low.

At the end of the day, can't use those excuses in the corporate world. If a company doesn't have a strong quarter or year, the people at the top are held accountable.

Bills responded by adding Amari Cooper from Cleveland. Division is definitely wide open between the Bills & Jets.

He's still only 24 as well. Wonder if it makes it easier now for the Mets to part with Brett Baty.

Chicks dig the long ball.

Connor, sent you some trade offers bro!

Wonder if they can swing a trade for a power bat or a #3/4 SP with some years of control. They likely can only afford one power bat via free agency. Even a lower tier guy like O'Neill or Pederson minimum would cost around $15M AAV to sign here on a one or two-year deal. As for a starter, wonder what Bieber would cost on a one or two-year deal? Worth taking a gamble and the Jays have arms to fill out the rotation until he's ready. Some cheap SP options who likely could sign for one-year and under $10M would be Matt Boyd or Spencer Turnbull. Wouldn't be bad cheap options since most veteran FA arms are likely to get 3 or 4 year deals and would cost $15M-20M AVV per season. Walker Buehler would be interesting as well as a reclamation project if he signed for under $10M. But he likely signs with a team in a pitcher friendly park where he can build back some value. Yeah they likely can roll with Clement/Barger at 3B to save some money, with Vladdy getting some time in at the hot corner as well. They likely can sign one good BP arm and then aim for a upside play or bounce back candidate with the second BP arm. Reese McGuire or another backup that would cost only $1M should work.

I know I just said that it would be tough lol. Those are all the areas on the 26-man roster they need to add to or make upgrades though. So yeah might have to get creative via the trade market.