jaysblue

Yeah given the payroll constraints, I think they can target a cheap starter instead. Someone like Turnbull or maybe Michael Lorenzen, who could flip between the rotation and BP if need be. Adding an extra arm for depth and allows the Jays to push Y-Rod to the BP. Can fill two needs with one move.

This team as it stands now is likely a 78-80 win team. Like you said, can't just add Anthony Santander. If they go out and spend the $80 or so million to sign Tony, need other moves to compliment that signing and get the team to around 85-86 wins. Not sure they do that and/or have the payroll to do all that.

More like Martin Perez or Jose Quintana.

Newcomer of the Year: Jays24 Most Valuable Poster: BTS Humorist of the Year: Terminator Most Insightful Poster: BigCecil Ross Atkins’ Biggest Fan: Brownie19 Best Foreign Poster: Angrioter Thread of the Year: Countdown to ST and Around Baseball Drama Queen Award: Stang Ross Atkins’ Biggest Hater: Masterbather Infrequent Poster of the Year: Chappy Best Moderator: BTS Who do you think is the oldest poster award: TheHurl

Yeah that's the reality. We've gone from Ohtani, to Soto, to Teo, to Burnes to now signing someone like Austin Hays and Jose Quintana. Still a lot of holes for this team to fill before spring training. If Vladdy and Bo give you a combined 10 WAR, they likely are in it for majority of the year, but that still won't be enough. We'll see.

I mean, Laika is mentioning some way worse names that are going to cost pretty much the same and who have lower upside. Kepler has had success at the MLB level and would have been a nice bounce back candidate. All I was saying is a team like the Phillies could patch up their roster with these type of guys because they have a strong core already in place. The Jays aren't in that position.

Yeah that's what they seem intent on doing. I don't agree with it, but whatever. I think if you keep Vlad and Bo around, you have to make some bold moves. I think you get more for Vlad right now than you do at the trade deadline. Forgot about Flaherty, and agreed he would be a nice signing if you can get him on a 5-6 year deal. Would be a nice arm to have around for the re-tool/rebuild post-2025.

You're a complete tool! What did I just say about Atkins that is ridiculous? Sure you might disagree with me on some things, and that's fine. But at least stop being an arrogant prick like you are when someone criticizes this front office!

Can start using this thread for Around Baseball discussion at midnight!

Opening Day is the real New Year and so much better!

Yeah 100%. The list of quality FA's keeps getting smaller and smaller. Only a few left like Santander, Bregman, Pivetta, Profar and some elite relievers still remain available. The rest have question marks. Nothing wrong with that, but you can't fill every hole on the roster with players who are question marks and expect to contend in the AL East. Maybe one or two spots, but even still that requires having a strong core in place. Like for example, the Phillies were able to roll the dice on Kepler in the outfield since they already have a strong lineup. Roll the dice to see if he bounces back. If he does, great value signing. If not, it's not the end of the world. They don't have to sign Santander to a $100M deal. When I suggested Kepler earlier as an option this offseason if the Jays needed to save some money, others told me that was awful and even said players like Kepler or Pederson are moves you make in January lol. Even those options are dwindling since the Jays have been just sitting idle. Laika's solution is pretty much fill every position with a veteran stopgap on a 1-year deal and hope you get lucky. While I agree with that to an extent given the Jays situation, then you need to explore options of trading Vladdy and Bo. Keeping them around is a waste since you're just keeping the status quo. If you keep Vlad and Bo for a run in 2025, you have to go all-in signing top players rather than signing cheap scrubs. That window has likely passed, unless the Jays go big and sign Bregman/Santander and or Pivetta, which is highly unlikely,

League should be on Fantrax. Would make things easier. I even hate the Yahoo interface and roster page. Looks so damn confusing.

Welcome to the new board Brownie! Hope we can put aside our differences in 2025! I agree with you that Atkins doesn't stand out in the category of the "very best" or the "very worst." He's been a decent GM and has done a lot of good things, especially in his earlier years. His magic has worn off the last 2-3 years though and with a very poor farm system, high payroll, a simple-minded approach when it comes to building a roster and the uncertainty him and Shapiro have created with this organization moving forward, his time likely has expired. There have been a lot of missed opportunities as well during his tenure, but we'll have to agree to disagree on those.

Jesse Litsch was a cool guy. Easy to root for and had solid years in 2007 and 2008 on the mound. When I was in Philly for the Jays/Phillies home series in 2010, stayed at the same hotel as the Jays. At the bar after the Friday night game, Litsch was at the hotel bar and actually came to talk with us for like 10-15 mins. He was saying how he was good buddies with Ryan Howard and saying you should see house haha. But otherwise, great with fans and likeable guy!

Should put up Joe Carter's 93 walk-off HR trot as a replacement!

Grant won't be happy haha

Looks great Brock! Awesome work!

Woah awesome!

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.