jaysfan2014

If we didn't do anything that offseason, we wouldn't have won in a decade.. the franchise was a mess after the 2012 season, and was headed for a 100-loss 2013 season without any moves. What happened in 2013 was caused by injuries.

So far, the trade has been mixed. Escobar got traded to Tampa (and really sucked last year.. and got traded to Washington, and was moved to 3B likely due to his poor SS defense in Tampa.), Hechavarria hasn't been that great, DeSclafani was stupidly traded to a bad Cincy team for Mat Latos, a horrible trade for the Marlins, Nicolino is still a question mark, and Marisinick is now in Houston and struggling to keep a starting spot. Shoulda kept Yan Gomes and Aviles.. that trade was bad. But the Indians are still going nowhere as that team has been as poorly managed(in position players) as the fans feel AA does with the Jays. No team should be making stupid deals for guys like Bourn and Swisher, who are crippling the team. The Mets trade.. that was bad, I agree. But jury's still out on Syndergaard.. and he could still be dealt again for offense, as the Mets currently are under pressure to make the playoffs.. OR ELSE Terry Collins will be gone, and Sandy Alderson(along with JP Riccardi) will be gone as well. And the Mets also have Kevin Plawecki as well.. who are the Mets going to build their catching around, especially if d'Arnaud can't stay healthy? I mean, they were supposed to be the best team in the NL East by now.. but they can't hit a beach ball!

At least the bullpen will be fully refreshed for tomorrow with Buehrle pitching a CG.. we're going to need it, depending what Doubront brings.

2.5 and 2 back after Reyes' misplay tonight ruining Buehrle's gem. We can't afford to keep blowing games.. let's hope they figure it out tomorrow. I mean, the rest of the series is ours for the taking.. the rotation for the White Sox drops off after Sale, and they lack the offense to be a huge threat. This game was the one the White Sox were most likely going to win.

Will you stop that? Don't keep beating a dead horse. We know the trade sucked. And BTW, neither the Mets or Marlins are contending, even with those guys.

Vs. Quintana. No guarantees.

I'm not saying anything... but really, did you really think we were beating Sale?? Damn Reyes...

Well, Alexei just missed that.. now Bautista needs a blast here.

If you're referring to Escobar, not only is his SS defense worse than Reyes, he's no longer playng SS.. he's a 3B now.

They're getting it in.. the rain's not expect till about 10:30-11:00.

He's on the DL.. if it weren't for that knee injury he'd be here right now.

At least until AA either gets another OF or Saunders comes off the DL.

And most of the AL East is also picking (excluding Tampa, which I expect a fire sale.) -Yanks are said to be not interested in selling the farm for big names, especially being in a transition period right now towards when A-Rod, Sabathia and Tex become free agents/retire, looking to build from within with guys like Judge, Severino, and others. Could add a backend starter, though.. and maybe a 2B. -Orioles are in a tough situation.. going all in now risks the team being really awful next year, as it the O's stand to lose most of their core, as Chen, Davis, Wieters, Pearce, Hunter are free agents, and Tillman could also be on the list, as he is a non-tender candidate with his horrible season(good thing they didn't extend him!), and Peter Angelos is a cheapskate, not willing to resign these guys, especially considering he needs to save money for Machado's HUGE extension or arb raise coming. They also have a decision to make on top prospect Dylan Bundy, who due to being grandfathered from the previous draft rules and an early callup, plus endless DL stints, is out of options, and has yet to perform in the minors.. Andrew Brackman, anyone?). Plus, the O's farm isn't actually that strong.. Hunter Harvey is hurt, Wright and Wilson have already been used at the MLB level (with mixed results), and most of their prospects rank average to below average at best.. they don't have a lot of currency to deal without hurting the MLB roster. -Rays.. I expect either no moves or a fire sale, as the franchise is facing significant financial tumult (and yes I am aware of revenue sharing and TV money) because of poor attendance, ownership rumored to want to sell the team to owners in Montreal to relocate the team, as rumored last offseason, no signs of a new stadium coming, which will likely cause ownership to pull the plug on the team, similar to what happened to the Expos, and overall mediocrity despite strong pitching. This last week has shown signs that this Rays team is going to be out of it by the All-Star break, especially with a tough sked coming up this week with the Royals and Astros. And BTW, by fire sale, I mean dealing anyone making significant money (Longoria, DeJesus, Loney, McGee, Jepsen.. heck, even Forsythe is a trade candidate as he will see a substantial arb raise in 2016, which will be far beyond what the Rays can afford). -Jays.. AA needs to add a LF and at least one (maybe two SP). But preferably, we need someone who will resign with the Jays, or someone under cost control for multiple years. A bullpen arm would help too. The money's there.. but do we really want to deal more talent, especially after the Donaldson deal? But we need to do something.. but I am against going after a pending free agent for significant prospect cost, especially if he doesn't resign with Toronto.) They are NOT out of it, despite what some people say on this board.. but they MUST make a move this deadline, especially for a SP. -Red Sox.. Their recent rebound will mean less chance of selling, but they could still look to add a cost controlled starter, as rumored by Boston media. But it won't be Hamels.. Boston can't afford to blow up its farm for a guy like that, especially if he ties up the payroll and ends up mediocre in the AL.. they already have an albatross in Rick Porcello as is. Otherwise, they also need to find a natural 1B.. Napoli isn't going to cut it anymore. They could buy or sell here, depending what happens in the coming weeks in the AL East and wild card, which lacks extraordinarily strong or weak teams.

One other thing to watch out for.. the Red Sox have gone on a 7-4 run in their last 11, and have climbed to with 6 of the Yankees (and 5 in the wild card.) With their offense chugging, that team could be a threat all of a sudden, thanks to Buchholz, Ed-Rod, and the emergences of Betts/Holt/Bogaerts.. Pedroia's injury was a blessing in disguise, because it finally forced Farrell to change the lineup. As for the Jays.. We really need a good week vs the White Sox (who can't hit and their bullpen is ghastly.. see today's O's game. Even Sale can't save this mess, and don't guarantee he'll dominate the Jays.. he's only 6-4 because the Sox don't give him any run support.), and the Royals (top ranked bullpen and D, mid-road offense and the worst rotation in baseball.. even when Yordy Ventura returns.)

Royals walk off on the Twins on an Eric Hosmer double. Jays now 1 back of Minnesota.

Devlin really continues to mess up Nick Castellanos' name...

Rays win. Jays will pick up ground if they beat the Tigers this afternoon.

Hey, it's still better than Rob Faulds...

If they don't start a rebuild soon, the Tigers are going to end up like the Phillies in the next year.. 100 losses and a lot of albatross contracts.

That was awful by Verlander...

Whoa, Verlander stinks..

What the heck was that?? Bad misplay by Cespedes there.

No idea what we're going to see in Verlander. After all, this isn't the Verlander that no-hit us a few years back.. far from it.

Pretty much. Chicago's not going to contend, and Shark's a free agent at season's end, so Chicago's leverage is a bit low.

Then explain why the Rays are crashing in the standings despite their great pitching and defense? And why are the Yankees leading the division despite horrible defense and a mediocre pitching staff? And the Royals aren't going to keep this up... try having 3 or 4 RA Dickeys in that rotation, which pretty much sums up the Royals. Worst starting pitching staff in the majors, only offset by a strong bullpen. Sooner or later, the Indians, Twins or Tigers are going to catch up to them if the Royals don't add a starter at the deadline. If you want a well-built team, look at this year's Houston Astros.. that team is almost certain to win the AL West, especially if they add another SP.