Brownie19

Interesting...but you do think the answer was to double down on an offensive team that was below average defensively after we missed the playoffs in 2021 and had the 2022 WC game defensive collapse? Personally, I certainly enjoy a team that hits the snot out of the ball and scores a lot of runs, but that didn't exactly produce the results we wanted either and blowing games with defensive lapses is still super frustrating. I can't say I blame the FO for trying to find some balance - it just hasn't worked out at all, as the offensive core we expected to produce simply hasn't at all.

Is jaysblue still talking about me ad nauseum? I only see some tidbits when he's quoted. What a f***ing creep. You need to let it go man. Just put me on ignore and move on with your life. You've now accused me of "going into hiding" a couple of times this year, when in fact, I'm simply on vacation (the first time I was in Punta Cana). I just returned from a week in Pittsburgh with our U14 team. Cap Classic tournament. Kids got to play on some amazing turf fields, but battled through that f***ing heat wave. It felt like 50 degrees on the turf everyday. Fun city though, took the kids to PNC for their first time and they loved it. Great memories. Taking the team to a tournament in Detroit in a few weeks - mark that in your calendar so you know why I've "disappeared" again psycho.

Wonder if that elbow strain he had in spring training is still causing issues. That, combined with the accident with his son this spring and his results this year must be a f***ing nightmare for him.

Lourdes f***ing sucks. He's a 1.5-2 WAR corner outfield. He's an overrated player who has ALWAYS been completely replaceable. IMO, he shouldn't be mentioned as someone who had any type of major impact on this team. Teo was an impact player for the Jays.

We had a 50-60% chance of making the playoffs when the season started. It's easy to just point at the results and scream that everything sucks. Especially when it fits people's initial concerns. The bullpen has been as bad, if not worse than the lineup...I don't remember the board experts voicing their concerns about that before the season.

I find it hilarious that short term FA signings are now one of the top complaints of this FO. That's literally been one of the things that Atkins has consistently gotten right in his time in Toronto. Free agency signings are a crapshoot at best and Atkins has a pretty damn good track record - but as soon as he misses on a few, he's s*** on by fans for not being perfect. Drafting, player development - s*** on that all you want. It's the reason there's was so much pressure on them to "hit" in the FA market the last couple of years. But the Jays have been in the playoffs in 3 of the past 4 years (should have been 4 for 4) on the back of Atkin's ability to bring in quality free agents (and for the team to fix them and/or get the most out of them).

What did I do? Is it my comment on the Yanks great coaching? Did I hurt your feelings connorp?

Branden Belt

It must be their incredible coaching staff. Their pitching and hitting coaches all need big fat raises.

Springer can play the role of 2023 Evan Longoria!

Ranking 2024's new MLB City Connect uniforms https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2925595 Bias, but The Score ranks the Jays city connects #2

I posted this last week, but there are LOTS of regulars who are struggling mightily (even on good teams with good managers/FO's). I don't think this is uncommon at all around baseball. I suspect the Jays will move off Turner as a starter 1st, which I think has already started to happen and will continue. I think they'll give Springer more rope. That said, I agree that this team needs to act with more urgency than someone like the Phillies needs to with Castellanos, the Yankees need to with Rizzo or the Dodgers need to with Lux. It's interesting that the reigning World Series Champions are starting guys who have sucked balls like Turner and Springer this year. Texas keeps running Leody Taveras (72 wRC+), Jonah Heim (75 wRC+), Ezequiel Duran (77 wRC+), Langford (75 wRC+) and Carter (78 wRC+) out there (plus Garcia at 89 wRC+). I understand those players are different than the old vets the Jays keep running out there, but Texas should be playing with the same sense of urgency as the Jays right now. Is Bruce Bochy now a moron like John Schneider? He was GOD last November.

Yes, I have been. I still lean that way, but I may have underestimated how bad Houston and Texas would be. I think it would be fascinating for this Jays team to somehow win the WC3 position and then go on to win 2 or 3 playoff series. A lot of fans seem to believe that playoff wins are very important when evaluating the success of the team and FO. If the Jays had gone to the WS or the ALCS in 2020, 2021 or 2022 (or even won 3-4 rounds combined over those seasons), I think most would have a drastically different view on this FO. It would be quite ironic to have them go deep into the playoffs this year, when most agree it's time for a new GM and/or a rebuild/re-tool. Then take it one step further and imagine we do it on the back of our pitching and defense and the MLB networks start talking about how the Jays built their team around the old adage that "pitching and defense wins baseball games - especially in the playoffs" and they start telling the TV audience how smart that was and how building a team around the longball doesn't fly in the playoffs and other teams take note and start following suit (as we do see copycat trends regularly). That would be f***ING HILARIOUS. I highly doubt this would happen, but man, it would be entertaining to watch that unfold.

What did St. Louis do to Jordan Walker? 85 wRC+ in AAA? Did they ruin him?

I'm super happy that Matt Waldron is having so much success this year. Baseball needs more knuckleballers. We can't let them die off!

I think Barger is a legit prospect. He was lights out in his Age 22 season, before batting injuries last year. I also think Horwitz looks pretty solid at 2nd base (which is kind of crazy) and his bat obviously plays very well there. I don't think there's any chance we deal Bo this year if we stay in the WC hunt. It's a Bo hot streak that could carry us through the playoffs.

Can we get Kevin Pillar to the All Star Game this year? How awesome would that be?

Yeah, he might. I suspect most fans would opine that Arenado is better than J-Ram. It's really too bad they can't fix or improve the gold glove system. It could/should be something quite meaningful, but unfortunately, it's been so bastardized over the years with the wrong players winning it, that it loses it's value to some (most?). I do still think it holds value with HOF voters....but will it still 10-15 years from now?

Arenado isn't even at 50 WAR and his in his age 33 season. I think he needs a dead cat bounce. Goldy probably does too. Both great players, but perhaps not HOF worthy. I think the other 4 you mention do, but J-Ram likely needs a few more great years.

I mean, the Rangers won the WS without DeGrom or Scherzer last year, but I do hear you. Getting absolutely nothing from Carter and Langford - what a disaster those 2 have been. Heim, Duran and Taveras are hitting like Ryan Goins. Garcia is an absolute pumpkin. Crazy how fast things can change. Must be the hitting coaches fault.

It will be interesting to see how he ages. His bat is good, but not elite and you have to expect the defense and baserunning will decline in his early 30's. Great player though. Good chance for the HOF.

What is up with the Texas Rangers? They kind of limped into the playoffs last year, then go on this magical run, win the title and now they are s*** again?

Wouldn't it be glorious for this team to climb back into a WC spot and then go on a 2023 Diamondbacks run in the playoffs? Honest question to the Debbie Downers - would that completely change your opinion of this FO if this team finishes with 84 wins and goes on a deep playoff run? (if someone could post their answers for me, that would be appreciated)

I'm just saying that DS hasn't been hot lately. Perhaps they think he's tired or needs a mental break (piggybacking on a day off is super common). Maybe they just want to get him some better matchups to get him back on track. I think there are some logical reasons why DS got a few days off. If he starts playing just 3-4 days a week moving forward, I'll have an issue with that. Do I know why Springer continues to play everyday? No I do not. I think the emergence of Barger could cut into his playing time if he doesn't turn it around quick.

I love Davis Schneider, but he's got an 82 wRC+ over his last 101 PA's...