2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

"Closer" is an anochronysm anyway. They should go with a committee approach for save situations and just use the best pitcher for any given set of matchups. Hoffman doesn't pitch well with too much rest or too little rest, so using him only in save situations is a bad idea. Then if you need to promise "closer" to someone in a trade you don't have an incumbent.

The thing is that many relief pitchers seem to struggle with the idea of getting outs 25 to 27 for whatever reason. So there is some moxy required for a Closer that requires a bit more than just good stuff to close out a game. There's guys who can mow down the 1-2-3 hitters in the 7th no problem. But ask them to do it in the 9th and they completely clam up. So I think the reason that a lot of teams do not seem to take this approach is that psychologically it's more of a hurdle than it should be. I mean Hoffman got beat by the weakest hitter in the lineup of all guys.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The thing is that many relief pitchers seem to struggle with the idea of getting outs 25 to 27 for whatever reason. So there is some moxy required for a Closer that requires a bit more than just good stuff to close out a game. There's guys who can mow down the 1-2-3 hitters in the 7th no problem. But ask them to do it in the 9th and they completely clam up. So I think the reason that a lot of teams do not seem to take this approach is that psychologically it's more of a hurdle than it should be. I mean Hoffman got beat by the weakest hitter in the lineup of all guys.

I think that's a paychological thing that comes externally though - if thr team was clear they valued the last 3 outs exactly the same as the other 24 I think you could get guys over that. Especially if you rotated through your leverage guys.

[bluejays]

Yankees apparently bringing back Yarborough. Guessing Jays have their sights set on something bigger (hopefully).

[mile]

https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/article/passa...s-n1-46999006/

The Blue Jays, coming off their first World Series berth in more than three decades, have no plans to slow down. They are considered the favorite by other executives to land Tucker.

But teams haven’t been scared off of Bichette at shortstop, according to sources. Beyond the Blue Jays, who have Andrés Giménez to play short but still could conceivably sign Tucker and Bichette, the Atlanta Braves and Detroit have holes at the most important position on the infield.

Beyond the Yankees, who would like a return engagement with Bellinger -- particularly if Trent Grisham rejects a qualifying offer -- the Blue Jays see him as a perfectly good alternative to Tucker. And the Dodgers, who nontendered Bellinger three years ago, have expressed interest as they peruse the outfield market.

Because of his production and leadership skills, Schwarber fits just about anywhere. The Boston Red Sox are still kicking themselves for letting him go after 2021. The New York Mets stealing him from Philadelphia would be a coup. The Toronto Blue Jays want a left-handed complement to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Cincinnati is 40 minutes south of where Schwarber grew up. The Detroit Tigers need some thump in their lineup.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Yankees apparently bringing back Yarborough. Guessing Jays have their sights set on something bigger (hopefully).

I would hope the team 1 inch away from a World Series title have their sights set on something bigger than Ryan Yarborough, yes.

[Roof-Daddy]

Passan is pretty legit. Imagine landing both Tucker and Bo...

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Passan is pretty legit. Imagine landing both Tucker and Bo...

That's almost too many good position players. Who sits?

You have Santander/Varsho/Springer/Tucker/Barger for a total of 4 OF/DH spots.

I suppose you could move Barger to 3B and platoon Clement/Gimenez...

Might as well sign Schwarber as well. It's not my money!

Edited to add: if you can get/afford Tucker obviously you take him - he's a great Springer replacement for 2027+ so you make it fit in 2026.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

That's almost too many good position players. Who sits?

You have Santander/Varsho/Springer/Tucker/Barger for a total of 4 OF/DH spots.

I suppose you could move Barger to 3B and platoon Clement/Gimenez...

Might as well sign Schwarber as well. It's not my money!

Edited to add: if you can get/afford Tucker obviously you take him - he's a great Springer replacement for 2027+ so you make it fit in 2026.

C: Kirk, Heinemen
1: Vladdy, Clement
2: Bo, Gimenez, Clement
3: Barger, Clement
SS: Gimenez, Bo, Clement
CF: Varsho, Straw
LF: Santander, Straw, Lukes, Schneider
RF: Tucker, Santander, Lukes, Springer
DH: Springer, Vladdy, Barger, Santander, Tucker

[Roof-Daddy]

Yep, Clement would get plenty of reps at 3B/SS/2B/1B and Barger could get some reps in RF.

[Since1984]

With a batting lineup like:

1. Springer R
2. Tucker L
3. Vladdy R
4. Bo R
5. Barger L
6. Kirk R
7. Santander/Varsho S/L
8. Varsho/Santander L/S
9. Gimenez L

That lineup with tweaks based on who the opponent is putting on the mound is so much fun to think about.

[Since1984]

Then if we really want to dream, if the Jays spend all the money, the SP's next season could be and :
1. Gausman
2. Cease
4. Valdez
3. Yesavage
5. Bieber

Sign Bassitt as a flex type pitcher where he can spot start but also be a long man in the BP or one of the setup guys. you can try to trade Berrios for futures or move him to the BP as well.

If we can move Hoffman to the 8th inning setup guy and get a bonafide closer they are laughing.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Since1984

Then if we really want to dream, if the Jays spend all the money, the SP's next season could be and :
1. Gausman
2. Cease
4. Valdez
3. Yesavage
5. Bieber

Sign Bassitt as a flex type pitcher where he can spot start but also be a long man in the BP or one of the setup guys. you can try to trade Berrios for futures or move him to the BP as well.

If we can move Hoffman to the 8th inning setup guy and get a bonafide closer they are laughing.

I also agree the team will be good if Rogers is willing to go to $400MM on payroll.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Since1984

C: Kirk, Heinemen
1: Vladdy, Clement
2: Bo, Gimenez, Clement
3: Barger, Clement
SS: Gimenez, Bo, Clement
CF: Varsho, Straw
LF: Santander, Straw, Lukes, Schneider
RF: Tucker, Santander, Lukes, Springer
DH: Springer, Vladdy, Barger, Santander, Tucker

I don't mind that (although you have 14 position players so one of the bench guys needs to get cut). Personally I'd start Clement over Gimenez at SS 100% of the time vs lefties and at least half the time vs righties as well. I don't think his defense is much of a downgrade and his bat is way better.

[Roof-Daddy]

Signing Tucker keeps him off the Yankees too. Last thing we need is him going there, staying healthy and putting up some 8 WAR seasons and dropping fly balls over the short porch in right field for 81 games per season.

[flamingred89]

It's too bad they have Santander clogging up a spot. I get that the idea of 35+ HR power is enticing. But that's a bad contract no matter how you shake it. But it's not my money so hopefully they can work around it.

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1990915483822952657

[Roof-Daddy]

Man I hope Ricky T comes back healthy and SHOVES.

Would be like finding a $50 bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn in a couple years.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Man I hope Ricky T comes back healthy and SHOVES.

Would be like finding a $50 bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn in a couple years.

When I was young and broke and living paycheque I once cleaned out a clothing dresser and found a pair of tan dress pants I bought for a job interview, and wore only for that job interview.

Went to wash them with the other clothes and found $370 in cash in the pocket that I must have shoved in there at a time when I use to carry most of my paychecks in cash due to issues with my bank from being a degenerate idiot with money at the time. I still remember the exact amount decades later because that find meant that much to me. My reaction was likely similar to those old couples that do the interviews after winning millions on the 6/49.

[Sylvanfan]

in hindsight your story could be better had you just spent $20 more dollars. You know what I found in my pockets...3 fiddy!

[Blaster86]

It was at this point in time I noticed that jayswin was eight stories tall and a crustacean from the protozoic era