jaysfan2014

This new format is already looking like a disaster..

We would be a horrible team with those guys. Will you give this a rest already? And Escobar was traded due to racial slurs in his eye paint, and ownership didn't exactly want that image. And that Pirates team went through 20 years of futility.. and we cannot afford ANY 100 loss seasons, especially being a big market team. TDA would've frequented the DL.. he still isn't staying healthy with the Mets. And BTW, we're better off with Russell Martin catching. Yan Gomes can't take a walk to save his life this season (.218/.234/.327, 44K/3BB), and that deal the Indians gave him is going to end up being an albatross on the Indians franchise in coming years when the big money comes in (it's heavily backloaded). Plus, he's been hurt. As for the starters, outside of Syndergaard, none of those guys would survive in the AL East. Nicolino's numbers in AAA are awful(1.406 WHIP) plus a 4.62 FIP in the majors, which likely explains why he hasn't gotten a chance in Miami. Henderson Alvarez has been awful and hurt this season. DeSclafani has been mediocre at best, and needs a trade out of Cincy (his road numbers are much better). He cannot pitch in a small ballpark.. he needs to be in a market like San Diego, Pittsburgh or somewhere like that. Only Syndergaard is a real regret for AA.. of course, whether Noah lasts in NY will depend on ownership not making a stupid move, such as trading him for a big bat (which I can see happening, as they are under orders to make the playoffs or risk Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson losing their jobs at season's end. The Mets desperately need offense, and Syndergaard's their best trade piece.)

This HR Derby is going to get postponed to Tuesday(with the ASG moving to Wednesday). The forecast isn't promising for tonight in Cincy.

Reds make Jay Bruce available. How about it? I wouldn't mind it.. especially if they package a pitcher like Leake in there. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25240350/sources-reds-right-fielder-jay-bruce-is-available-in-trade

Cards aren't taking that contract and his option. They've got $128.9M(estimated) committed for 2016, plus have no real need for him, plus they have Matt Adams returning next season. More likely they got after a cheaper option.. I can see them going after Napoli if the Red Sox fall out of it.

Not sure about the closer, but SP and an OF for sure.

I remember how horrid the Jays system was back in 2009/2010.. check out this article from 2009 from our farm system back then under JPR.. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8609 Travis Snider is basically a journeyman now, and whatever happened to Scott Campbell? And boy did JPA bust...

And yet Kratz still can't get an MLB job. KC took Butera over him, and the Red Sox didn't want him either. He has yet to pass backup C Jesus Sucre on the depth charts.. Hey, it got us Valencia, a decent bench player vs. lefties. And we got Hendriks back on waivers..

Then you can say the same with every other AL team not named Yankees, Royals, Twins, Angels and Astros.. everyone is trailing by 3 games or more. More likely that AA goes after controllable talent than an actual sale.. Boston is likely to do the same thing, as they're set to miss the playoffs, even if they have a modest recovery in the 2nd half. If Houston collapses which I expect, especially with Springer out till mid-August and their rotation running on fumes, Toronto is probably best set to take advantage.. Tampa doesn't have the offense and a worn down bullpen, Detroit can't pitch and is missing Cabrera, and Baltimore has been as mediocre as the Jays (actually, they've been worse.. 2-8 in their last 10) and their pitching has been weak. It is important that AA adds a starter at the deadline.. but unless Hamels waives his no-trade clause to Toronto, avoid rentals! Don't blow prospects on a short-term rental that won't resign. Aim for a controllable pitcher.

And Bautista/EE still have options for next year. They should resign Bautista.. but EE should be considered for trade.

No fire sales. We're still within contention, and Bautista/EE still have a year of control remaining. And despite his terrible D, Reyes still is good with the bat.. he just needs to move to another position (OF?) Collabello is still controllable for a while.. but should be DHing, and we should avoid the temptation to get rid of him until he proves that he is worthless. Donaldson's not going anywhere, as we still have 3 years left of control, as he's about to hit his prime. Neither Norris or Boyd are MLB ready.. didn't you watch them pitch earlier this season? I sure did.. Calling up Pompey is a tough call at the moment. Smoak isn't a free agent until 2017, so we already control him for 2-3 years. As for Gibbons.. can we wait until season's end? What you suggest could be said for many other teams not leading the division or wild card.. most are trailing 3-4 games off the Twins and Astros, along with the Yanks, Royals and Angels.

JP Riccardi left a mess when he was fired. Remember the bottom-ranked farm? AA did clean it up.. but that 2012 trade caused me to give him a neutral mark. And JPR was the one who picked garbage like Russ Adams, David Purcey and Ricky Romero over better talent..

Every other team outside of the AL East don't have the frigging Yankees and Red Sox in their division outspending everybody. And this whining will be coming to Tampa and Baltimore in the next few years, as their windows to contend are about to slam shut due to money and/or free agency. Baltimore didn't make the playoffs for 14 years after their appearance in 1998 and likely went through this same issue. And it's going to be a long time before Tampa sees the postseason again until they get a new stadium..

Hey, at least we're not in danger of turning into the Phillies, which is where the Tigers are headed.. similar record as the Jays, and huge albatrosses. Hell, their GM, Dave Dombrowski, may be fired at season's end. Perhaps he can take Brad Ausmus with him.. many of the Tigers fans want him gone too. And BTW, the mess is REALLY bad in the Tigers organization.. multiple potential albatrosses, no farm, and no payroll relief in sight for the rest of the decade.

Most of the AL East outside of the Yankees have similar issues. Why do you think everyone is so bunched together in the standings?

The real question for the Nats is sustainability.. like their AL counterparts, the Orioles, they stand to get gutted in free agency. And like the O's, there isn't much in their farm system to replace it. Heck, the Nats may not even make the playoffs, especially with the Mets hanging around and with deeper pockets and prospects to add a big bat at the deadline. Nats payroll is already at $164.1M for 2015.. not sustainable long term. With $134M in commitments for 2016, they're going to have a tough time keeping this team together. And the 2016 roster has huge holes in CF, SS(depending on Trea Turner's development), and in the rotation, as Fister and Zimmermann leave. And 2017 could be ugly.. when Bryce Harper hits arbitration, and like sees his salary more than quadruple from 2016 ($5M). Don't be surprised if they buy and sell at the deadline. As for the Cards..they're safe until 2018 (but it will depend on whether ownership can afford the salary raises. Don't be surprised if they try to do what they did to Boston to get John Lackey if they have another underperforming asset and a depth piece to trade.) Pittsburgh is also in good shape for the next few years, with most of the core locked up. Same with the Astros.. but they need more pieces around that core, as the current team likely is about a year or two away from being a playoff team (they're going to collapse in the 2nd half without significant buys.) Tampa's outlook is cloudy and dependent on a new stadium, plus they may need to trade one of their arms for a bat or two, because they don't have money to get it in free agency, and their farm lacks any impact bats.

As for the Jays.. we have Tampa next at home (who have had troubles on the road recently and are missing Souza). And all this talk about how great Oakland and Seattle are.. explain why one can't score (Seattle) or play decent defense (Oakland). When Matt and Pat were bragging about the A's and Mariners pitching, they don't realize both teams have issues, which explain why they're at the bottom of the AL West. I mean, the SS for the A's, Marcus Semien, has 28 errors this season, Lawrie has 14(78 errors as a team). And it's not of the question several of the A's players(Kazmir, Clippard, Zobrist) are gone by the time the Jays see them. Expect the trade market to heat up once the Reds finally start their fire sale as soon as All-Star festivities end. As for Seattle.. this team would be even worse without Nelson Cruz. It's a mess there..

After their poor performance vs. the Yankees and Buchholz's injury, it's uncertain they will contend. (BTW, they're 7 in the loss column). They have a tough Angels series coming up after the break, then Houston (which should be winnable for Boston.. Springer's absence is really hurting). They then get Detroit, Chicago and Tampa.. they're going to be in tough after the break.

No one in the AL East outside the Yankees is a playoff contender at this point. Basically, they need a Houston collapse or the Yankees to regress. (the Houston collapse is more likely.)

Yanks have 2 games in hand. And we're 4 in the loss column with a collapsing Astros team. And considering that team's youth, struggling offense, and lack of SP depth, especially once their young arms hit innings limits, and still no George Springer, a 2nd half collapse in Houston is very high..

We need a LF and a SP at minimum at the deadline. But I'd prefer someone with multi-year control.. we're not in a position to rent. LF should be easier to find..

And 4.0 GB of the Houston Astros, who have been in meltdown mode (8 of their last 9 have been losses).

With the All-Star break, I wonder if major changes will be made during the time off (trades, firings, etc.) Amazingly, the Jays are still in contention (4.0 GB/4.5 GB). Yet, outside of the Yankees, no one in the AL East is making much noise.. and it's questionable how the Yankees will play in the 2nd half, especially with questionable starting pitching.. they can't expect to keep hitting their way through the season. BTW, did anyone notice Houston's meltdown? The long awaited regression on that team has finally hit.. with an Angels win, LA will be in first place, and the Astros will be the team to chase. And that team has a difficult post All-Star break sked and no sign of when Springer will return.. and they desperately need another SP.

Whoa, this is not Royals baseball.. tie game! All because Escobar and Infante bobbled that ball..

And Bautista doubles in a run! Really need a big inning here.