2021 Blue Jays Season Thread

[Jason14h]

Especially after 12 playoff games or so

[bluejays]

Oh, watching this Houston/Seattle game it seems so slow and hollow. I really enjoy watching Houston when they're losing.

[flamingred89]

Bregman tying it up in the bottom of 9 against the Mariners is so bittersweet. I hate everything about him and those cheating cheaters, but would like to see the Jays put some distance between them and the Mariners. Although there is a scenario where the Astros, Yanks, and Sox miss the playoffs. But that would take some major Pedro Cerrano and Jobu voodoo so wont hold my breath on that one.

[Roof-Daddy]

I think the Jays will make a serious effort to bring both Ray and Semien back, hopefully they succeed.

I can also see them taking a serious run at Schwarber as well. Can fill in at 1B/LF/DH and brings a career .830 OPS with a much needed left hand bat.

Berrios
Ryu
Manoah
Stripling

All 4 of those guys under control for next season, so it's already an above average rotation on paper. Bring back Ray and it could potentially be one of the best from top to bottom.

[DoubleK]

Honest question: Do MLB players like playing in Toronto?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Honest question: Do MLB players like playing in Toronto?

I'm sure some do.

I think COVID and the border is going to hurt the Jays though when it comes to attracting and/or keeping players.

I think Semien is as good as gone. He'll probably end up signing in San Fran.

[Roof-Daddy]

Good lord.

Bosox lose again
Mariners lost
A's are losing in the 7th 4-1
Jays have won 6 in a row against the A's and Yankees

What is happening!?
Where am I!?

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Honest question: Do MLB players like playing in Toronto?

I really think the Hispanic players do. The Jays have always had such great Hispanic players on the team from Bell, Fernandez, Alomar, Delgado through to this iteration, that I think the team and fans really embrace them. It's also an easier sell to non Americans to come live in another country.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm sure some do.

I think COVID and the border is going to hurt the Jays though when it comes to attracting and/or keeping players.

I think Semien is as good as gone. He'll probably end up signing in San Fran.

I agree on the Semien front. He's played his cards so close to his chest and it's been reported that he's already turned down offers from the Jays to reach the market. So it's hard to get a read on if he even wants to come back.

I obviously don't know what the Jays are willing to spend but I would think the ability to unload Grichuks 10.3 might play into what the Jays are willing to offer for both.

But then it kind of gets scary thinking about if they do sign them, they'll likely have 100 million tied up in Ryu, Springer, Ray, and Semien. And it's not like Bo, Teo, and Vladdy's arbitration years are going to be cheap the way they're going. So you gotta wonder if Rogers wants a ~200 million(American) payroll...

[DoubleK]

Thanks guys. I really didn't know the answer.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

I really think the Hispanic players do. The Jays have always had such great Hispanic players on the team from Bell, Fernandez, Alomar, Delgado through to this iteration, that I think the team and fans really embrace them. It's also an easier sell to non Americans to come live in another country.

Stroman has the Toronto skyline tattooed on him.
Kevin Pillar loved playing in Toronto and almost came to tears when he was traded.
Donaldson loved being a Jay.
Roy Halladay.

I think a lot of players love being in Toronto. Once they get there they realize how truly multicultural it is. It is a world class city with a lot to offer, especially if you are a professional athlete.

But then you have the Shea Hillenbrands, Frank Thomas' and Roger Clemen's who probably won't say many nice things about T.O.

[Roof-Daddy]

If the Jays can't get Semien to come back, I hope they throw everything they have at Correa. The guy is only 3.5 years older than Bo.

Won't be easy to get a SS in his prime to sign with the Jays with Bo already here though. Maybe you can convince one of them to move to 3rd or 2nd.

What a piece that would be to add to the core though.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Jays have shown two off seasons in a row now that they will be players in free agency.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Stroman has the Toronto skyline tattooed on him.
Kevin Pillar loved playing in Toronto and almost came to tears when he was traded.
Donaldson loved being a Jay.
Roy Halladay.

I think a lot of players love being in Toronto. Once they get there they realize how truly multicultural it is. It is a world class city with a lot to offer, especially if you are a professional athlete.

But then you have the Shea Hillenbrands, Frank Thomas' and Roger Clemen's who probably won't say many nice things about T.O.

Don't forget about David Wells who pouted the whole season he was traded back to Toronto. Or Ted Lilly and Scott Rolen. Some real grade A weenies there.

You're right though. Plenty of evidence to suggest that lots of player love playing in Toronto. Adam Lind married a girl from Toronto and spends time in the area. Romero maintains a home there still. Probably many others too.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If the Jays can't get Semien to come back, I hope they throw everything they have at Correa. The guy is only 3.5 years older than Bo.

Won't be easy to get a SS in his prime to sign with the Jays with Bo already here though. Maybe you can convince one of them to move to 3rd or 2nd.

What a piece that would be to add to the core though.

It would be a little bit of hard pill to swallow to become Astro's north but can't argue with the talent.

Trevor Story would be an interesting player to look at as well. His numbers are down quite a bit this year so might be able to get him on some show me contracts.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

But then you have the Shea Hillenbrands, Frank Thomas' and Roger Clemen's who probably won't say many nice things about T.O.

Did Clemens hate the city, or did he hate the ownership? From what I remember he was a bit peeved that they didn't bring back Canseco after he had a decent season as the Jays DH. Although as it turns out that likely had more to do with Canseco's juicing skills than anything.

But you look at Thomas and Clemens and those were two Free Agents who did sign with the team. So when they've been willing to spend they have landed players.

Rogers get's a lot of flack for not spending more to keep that 2015 era team together. But I think that Atkins and Shapiro made the right decisions to move on from Joey Bats and EE who were commanding big dollars given how the rest of the system looked at the time. Outside of them and Donaldson there was little else and Stroman is one of the few guys from that team still in the league pitching today. But this time they have a lot more of a home grown core of players, so I think Rogers will be a bit more willing to put money into payroll to try and be a better team since the likes of Vladdy and Bo still have many productive years in front of them, and the supplementary guys like Hernandez, Gurriel, and now Kirk are still youngish too. Plus if Biggio get's back to healthy and can be a versatile bat who can post a 800 OPS like he did the previous two seasons that could be 4 above average home grown guys to back those two and they have Springer for a few more years. So this group is built for a much longer window to be be trying to win.

[Roof-Daddy]

A's ended up losing

Man, everything coming up Blue Jays since last Friday. It's incredible.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Honest question: Do MLB players like playing in Toronto?

I would guess most do. Especially now that they’re good again.

When the Jays matter, Toronto gets onboard unlike any market outside of New York or Boston.

Bautista, Encarnacion, Donaldson, Price, Stroman, every notable player of the last seven or eight years has wanted to stick around.

They’ve landed marquis free agents the last two years with Ryu and Springer, I think the only way They don’t keep Berrios is if his arm explodes.

Toronto has a very similar vibe to Chicago, and nobody has an issue playing there.

[Enoch Root]

Current streaks:

NYY: L4
BOS: L3
SEA: L2
OAK: L4

TOR: W6!!!

[BoLevi]

People in this thread are really over rating Toronto. I spend a lot of time in Toronto and it's not that good of a city.