Brownie19

I think for that to work, that LF free agent you're signing better mash to the tune of a 4+ WAR season. All of this kind of depends on what they do with Bo. If everything falls into place and they are contending for a playoff spot next year, would they actually just keep him at the deadline and let him walk after the season? That just seems really stupid. So either he's gone this offseason (creating another big hole to fill) or we aren't actually contending next year and he's dealt at some point before the deadline.

Perhaps. I'm not sure we were ever as bad as they played earlier in the year. We probably finish around .500 and may even sneak up into 3rd place in the division when it's all said and done. Getting absolutely nothing from Bo, KK, Swanson and Romano this year really screwed them over. I think we knew they needed things to break right to be a playoff team. Didn't happen.

We have the best record in the division since over the past 45-50 games I think.

The response will be that it creates depth (which it would). If there was a mid-level starter they really liked this year, they could get him now to ultimately replace Bassitt the following year, while giving Yariel another year to build up his innings. They will ultimately need to replace Gausman at the top of the rotation soon. Berrios really f***s everything up. Paid like a top of the rotation guy, pitching like a #4. They Jays are going to need someone like Francis or Yariel to make a jump to the top of the rotation (or some massive bounce back from Berrios) if they are going to be contenders again. I guess you could try and sign Burnes this offseason if you want to pour another $30M into our rotation....but he's no longer the guy he was in 2021/22 either. They are in a tough spot.

Doesn't mean I have to agree with it. I don't want to be the Angels, Mets, Giants or the Cubs (I guess we already are....blah).

I don't think you're going to get Santander, Teo or Walker for 3 years $42M. That's what LGJ and Soler signed for and they both suck balls and don't have near the track record of the other 3. It may take $60M+ or a 4th year to get those guys. They "could" produce enough in 2025 to help the Jays get back to the playoffs, but I still think that's a stretch and it would take several other things to break their way. My issue is the Jays already have too much money sunk into declining guys (Berrios, Bassitt, Springer, Gausman). I'm not sure I'm "pushing my chips in" for a shot to make the playoffs in 2025, only to have them become dead money soon afterwards. Almost all the other guys you just listed f***ing suck, or have a strong probability of sucking very soon. Profar and O'Neill likely cash in on a 2-3 year deals (and I'd want no part of that), but I'd agree the rest will likely settle for 1 year deals. I could see being appealing to the Jays, but honestly, I'd just roll with what we have over brining in guys like Winker, Conforto, Kepler, Hoskins, etc. They are all non difference makers and that money is probably better spent on some bullpen help (although I hate the idea of spending on the bullpen too). Building through free agency rarely works.

I guess that's true. Except you're in Buffalo, instead of vacationing in Florida or Arizona. Oh and except the starters and top prospects actually play at spring training (imagine being in Atlanta and Michel Penix Jr. doesn't play a single snap in a preseason game). I do enjoy a good tailgate though - I'd probably enjoy it even more if I lived in Buffalo.

I would agree with this. I suspect the probability Vlad can provide even slightly below average defense at 3rd base over a full season is <20%. I think he's defensively Jake Burger at 3rd. Do I think they can hide him at 3rd like 25% of the time if they want to play that game with all kinds of late game defensive subs.

There's no way we sign Soto. You think it's in the best interest of the team to outbid the league for guys like Bregman, Santander, Walker, Teo and/or Alonso? I suspect the market for these guys is going to make everyone's butt clench up. I could see Bregman and Alonso getting 5-7 year deals and the other three getting 3 year deals and they are all hitting the decline portions of their careers. I'm not so sure that dumping money at these guys is the right path forward for the Jays. Santander, Teo and Alonso may all be DH's in a year or two (if they shouldn't already be full-time DH's). IMO, the probability the Jays can buy their way back into the playoffs next year aren't very good.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/calculating-war-using-re24/ Interesting little article from Fangraphs on RE24 based WAR. I'd always thought that "when" you get the hits was somewhat outside of the batters control (hence why it's really hard to be "clutch" year after year), but that's essentially what RE24 is based on. Curious what others think. This metric suggests Vlad (3.74) and Varsho (3.65) are similar in WAR because Varsho has been so "clutch" this year.

I just read this "Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that Oneil Cruz will start seeing some time in center field. It makes some sense. The talented 25-year-old has a -3 Outs Above Average at shortstop this season and has a -13 mark for his career. If you prefer Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) then he has a -3.4 mark in that and if you like Error Runs Above Average (ErrR) then he sits at -3.9. Essentially, he has been a below-average shortstop, and the Pirates are recognizing that. Cruz is 6'7" which is not common for centerfielders, but moving to the outfield is likely the best chance for Cruz to remain on the field as an everyday player for the long term. There’s no indication of how soon this will take place" Will IKF take over at SS?

I have no idea what's changed. Could be something he did on his own this offseason, could be working with new coaches, or could be random statistical SSS noise.

I was going to just let it go, but I agree. If I've followed this correctly, they are dunking and claiming victory that the org heard Bassitt's comments and wanted him to clarify himself. Yeah no s***. That's like a grown man dunking on a Little Tykes basketball net. I've yet to see any evidence that Bassitt put his tail between his legs and retracted his original intent because the org told him to (or else!). I mean, he might have - but there's a chance that his clarification is exactly what he meant too. The case remains wide open IMO...likely never to shut.

How did the Pirates fix Joey Bart? 133 wRC+ in over 200+ PA's now. He couldn't even hit at AAA while he was with the Giants.

Yeah - I'd be in favour of that. He's a mess - let's give some at bats to other young players.

Can you clarify what victory you're claiming? That Bassitt was being critical of the FO and thinks they are s***, but was forced to backtrack on his comments by the FO? Is that it?

Yeah - he's coming back out.

He's coming back out. I can't see him getting to the end though (unfortunately). Hoping for a quick 5-6 pitch inning!

How about Bowden Francis? Unreal.

No - I wasn't. I played fantasy sports for about 15 years, but I don't have time for it anymore.

Donnie probably can't run an ipad. The hitters typically want to see video of themselves. It also doesn't seem unreasonable that Hague would be the hands on guy who does the grunt work.

boy - I wonder why.

Do we even know exactly what Donnie's role even is? I mean I'm certainly not surprised that there aren't articles about Donnie working with hitters, using resistance bands in the cages. I thought he looked after the offensive gameplan/approach or some s*** like that.

What on earth is wrong with that statement? Loperfido has obvious holes in his swing, which is the primary reason he was available as a secondary piece in a trade for a rental in Kikuchi in the first place.