2025 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

That doesn't seem like a huge problem since he's still hitting 300+

And lots of hard hit balls so some of them will start going over the fence. He's only hit 25 or more HR once - I think he'll settle in as a 15 HR guy. Although he's hard to project imo because of his swing type (weird).

When he was hitting 20-25 HRs and stealing 20 bases he was still hitting .300

Usually guys develop power into their mid 20s. He had it completely disappear

And where did the speed go? He was a 95% success 25 base stealer who doesn’t try at all anymore

It’s just perplexing . He has a .700 OPS and a OPS+ of 108. He has become a slap hitting no speed no power SS who can’t play D

What happened ? He can still hit the ball - just with no power .

I swear he got so obsessed going opposite field he forgot how to pull the ball . I have no explanation why he doesn’t run anymore

[Andrew]

The guy was injured most last year. Baseball at his age... general players move to means. Hang tight

[Wastedyouth]

nvm.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Saw this on Jomboy today and thought it fit here

https://x.com/jomboy_/status/1912672322546282922?s=46

God damn. I thought that was fishy at the time. Unreal. And they went on to lose that game by a run.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

When he was hitting 20-25 HRs and stealing 20 bases he was still hitting .300

Usually guys develop power into their mid 20s. He had it completely disappear

And where did the speed go? He was a 95% success 25 base stealer who doesn’t try at all anymore

It’s just perplexing . He has a .700 OPS and a OPS+ of 108. He has become a slap hitting no speed no power SS who can’t play D

What happened ? He can still hit the ball - just with no power .

I swear he got so obsessed going opposite field he forgot how to pull the ball . I have no explanation why he doesn’t run anymore

He's leading the league in hard hit balls. So the power is still there he just needs to work on the launch angle. He's also bulked up significantly in recent years. Which likely explains the lack of stealing. He's just not as quick as he used to be.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

God damn. I thought that was fishy at the time. Unreal. And they went on to lose that game by a run.

The problem is Vladdy always wants a review on every play he's involved with where the call goes against him, even when he's out by a step, so you can't go by him.

Although maybe Febles should have known he was ok and asked for the challenge.

[KelVarnsen]

Every player wants a review

[jayswin]

That was just stupid seeing it broken down like that. Basically the Orioles catcher called Vladdy out and then home plate umpire who was not watching Vladdy at all just listened to the catcher, walked a few steps and called him out.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by jayswin

That was just stupid seeing it broken down like that. Basically the Orioles catcher called Vladdy out and then home plate umpire who was not watching Vladdy at all just listened to the catcher, walked a few steps and called him out.

I used to do this a couple of times a year and it almost always worked. I would watch the umpires on a fly ball and if they weren't watching and it was a close game, I'd catch the cut off (usually played SS when not pitching) and if there was no play, I'd immediately call time and say that the runner left early and throw to the base. It was incredible how often this worked.

If I was pitching I'd be yelling almost immediately that the runner left early and when the ball got back to me, same thing, call time, throw to the base.

Stupid that the Jays didn't challenge, but they may have already lost a challenge in that game? It's why we need what the NFL has implemented and expanded for next year where the off-field officials can call down to the on-field officials on egregious plays to quickly overturn. I think that should be only for the most obvious of plays though.

[KelVarnsen]

Babe has been sent to Buffalo
https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/toronto-blue-...le-a-1.2290574

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by zukes

I used to do this a couple of times a year and it almost always worked. I would watch the umpires on a fly ball and if they weren't watching and it was a close game, I'd catch the cut off (usually played SS when not pitching) and if there was no play, I'd immediately call time and say that the runner left early and throw to the base. It was incredible how often this worked.

If I was pitching I'd be yelling almost immediately that the runner left early and when the ball got back to me, same thing, call time, throw to the base.

Stupid that the Jays didn't challenge, but they may have already lost a challenge in that game? It's why we need what the NFL has implemented and expanded for next year where the off-field officials can call down to the on-field officials on egregious plays to quickly overturn. I think that should be only for the most obvious of plays though.

They still had their challenge, it was fairly early in the game though so may not have wanted to waste it. Schneider said afterwards that they didn't think they'd have the camera angles to overturn, in which case the call on the field stands and they lose their challenge.

That was a big momentum change though, even if you thought it was 50/50 that's a good spot to use one from an expected runs point of view.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Babe has been sent to Buffalo
https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/toronto-blue-...le-a-1.2290574

Interesting timing. So I guess he's going down for Barger (effectively once Lukes comes back) and then they'll send someone else down when Varsho is back. Probably Lukes I suppose but maybe if Barger heats up Wagner could go down.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Interesting timing. So I guess he's going down for Barger (effectively once Lukes comes back) and then they'll send someone else down when Varsho is back. Probably Lukes I suppose but maybe if Barger heats up Wagner could go down.

Lukes out of options. He would go on waivers

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Lukes out of options. He would go on waivers

That's an important factor I hadn't considered, but fan graphs says Lukes has 1 option left. I looked at transactions on sportrac and it looks like he was only on the 40 man in 2023 and 2024, so he should have an option remaining for 2025. Where did you see he was out of options?

Edited to add: I'm pretty confident he has an option left - you get 3 option years and this is only his third year on the 40 man roster.

[KelVarnsen]

He can be optioned down
https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2025/...n-nathan-lukes

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

He can be optioned down
https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2025/...n-nathan-lukes

My bad could have swore he was out

[KelVarnsen]

FYI. Tonight is an Apple TV game

[looooob]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

FYI. Tonight is an Apple TV game

great timing of course- off day yesterday, no hockey today. holiday. perfect storm for some pent up viewership

[FireGilbert]

The Apple games are pretty much the only time I can watch the Jays. Looking forward to the game today especially with Francis on the mound. Go Jays Go!

[flamingred89]

I quite enjoy the Apple broadcasts. Only thing missing is Dan on the call.