Brownie19

So why are these numbers being leaked now? I have to assume this comes from the Vlad camp, which is odd, seeing as he set the internal deadline. Is he trying to save face and have fans believe he's actually being reasonable after repeatedly telling them he wants to be a Jay forever? If that's Vlad's true number, then why didn't he counter with that number during negotiations? Could it be that Vlad didn't view the spring training deadline as a true deadline and thus wasn't willing to come down to his "real" number? I was worried he didn't have any reason to truly negotiate with the Jays as the only real deadline is when he hits the market. He had no reason to do anything about shoot for the stars in hopes the Jays were stupid enough to bite. I do wonder if something changed. I know $500M is an overpay, but it doesn't sound like they are "that" far apart now - it may only be $5M per season, which is the cost of spare parts. Given all the factors (face of the franchise, fan favourite, potential HOF bat, trouble attracting stars to TO, etc.) - I think you get it done, even if it leaves a little sour taste in your mouth.

Didn't we literally have this conversation yesterday? I was comparing the 2025 Jays to the 2024 Mets, who really only had 3 really good hitters and then a bunch of guys who were just above league average. Or was that someone else? I must say - I'm warming up to you and jaysblue.

Huh? So his "counter" that was just under $600M isn't the number? If the Jays are at $450 and Vlad wants $500M - then they should get this deal done...like right now. I guess the Jays might be in the low $400's in present day value, but this is more encouraging nonetheless. I'm willing to meet him at $500M if he signs right now.

I think that's right around "the line" that most (intelligent) Blue Jays fans felt they could justify to resign Vlad. Vlad clearly never wanted to sign an extension unless he was grossly overpaid.

Suggesting Varsho is our cleanup hitter only helps to prove Jays24's point. Then again, we already had this discussion yesterday... We'd love to have a stronger "4th and 5th best hitter", but we have above average depth 1 through 9. We also have some upside bats who could step up and become more consistent middle of the order bats. It is what it is at this point. Outside of a deal, there's really no obvious fit who's going to drastically improve the lineup.

Yikes - sounds minor enough, but not what we wanted to hear... Max Scherzer has been scratched from Thursday’s start due to right thumb soreness. Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters the club is being “extra careful” with the decision to scratch Scherzer from his next scheduled outing due to right thumb soreness.

Those hats look ridiculous.

Term - if we just keep saying it, people will believe it. I mean - I see that strategy being used everyday with great success.

Waves to talent are starting to crash onto the shores of Toronto.

Probably a wRC+ of 250 the way he runs and plays defense.

That's my kinda ball player...

Holy f***ing aggression. I still have hope he can figure it out and be a solid MLB contributor. We need guys like him to step the f*** up.

Just pretend Taters is the DH and Roden is the LFer. I suspect that would be the configuration a lot if Roden plays himself into a full-time role. It sure looks like they are trying to find ways to get Wagner in the lineup at various positions.

That's exactly how I feel about it. We do have to remember that offense is down around baseball. Lineups aren't stacked like they used to be. Our lineup lacks star power, outside of the big 3, but otherwise, we have a ton of guys all projected to be above average from a wRC+ perspective. The 2025 Jays remind me a bit of the 2024 Mets. Lindor, Vientos and Alonso were the Top 3 (137, 133, 122) and then they had a bunch of average, to just above average hitters (Nimmo - 109, JDM - 108, Marte - 104, Alvarez - 102, Taylor - 98, McNeil - 97, Bader - 85). Of course they also had Iglesias magically give them 133, but < 300 PA's. Mets finished 7th in runs scored and wRC+ last year. The 2025 Jays are projected (Steamers) for: Vlad 156 Taters 123 Kirk 120 (seems optimistic) Bo 118 Wagner 118 (seems optimistic) Springer 110 Gimenez 104 Clement 103 Varsho 101 and a bunch of bench guys all projected around 100 wRC+ (Barger, Lukes, Schneider, Jimenez, Orelvis) Roden is projected at 110 - he's the sleeper of the bunch. I see a lot of similarities.

We could really use David Robertson right now. I suspect he's holding out for $8M+ thought. He'll wait until enough injuries pile up that someone will pay him to play.

That would be great. We're due for something to break right in our pen.

To be fair. Cole has been a stud for these guys. I know why they wanted to keep him. But this is devastating.

OOPSY! Baseball's newest - and most optimistic - player projection system https://thescore.com/mlb/news/3235025 Fun little read on the new projection system. Shout out to Tom Tango - did he make it over to the new board?

Vladdy details talks with Jays: Asking price was 'much less than Soto' https://thescore.com/mlb/news/3235167 Vlad says his "last counter offer" was 14 years and didn't exceed $600M. Sounds to me like his original request was over $600M - which is crazy. But it is encouraging to see he did seemingly negotiate with the Jays (somewhat). But it seems obvious he was asking for a huge bag of $$$. Can't blame Atkins or Rogers for walking away from that demand.

What is the correct pronunciation?

Absolutely not. I mean if Varsho is on a hot streak, I'm OK moving him up there for a week or 2, but it's not a sustainable approach. Give me Wagner there to start the year. I need Varsho healthy, patrolling CF and hitting in the bottom 1/3 of the order. Has there been any reports on when his arm will be strong enough to play CF?

My point is those underlying numbers are a better indication of future results and over the long run. Those with strong underlying numbers, typically end up with strong actual results. That applies in both spring training and the regular season. Can someone have strong on the field results, with poor underlying numbers? Yes, of course they can, but it's less common and is typically a sign those results aren't sustainable.

That mentality shouldn't really change much when you head into the regular season...

2-3 with 3 ribeyes today. He's back baby!