None of it is surprising anymore.
It's clear the Jays need a closer in the front office, someone a lot more of a dynamic personality.
I'm sure they were right up there, again. Money was probably there as was term and the player was wooed with the facilities etc etc and a very polished presentation that players are impressed with.
But Atkins and Shapiro are eggheads with the personality of a can of paint. Schenider is no help, he's a lacky and not widely popular either among MLB players. Put it this way, no one is coming to Toronto because they want to play under Schneider.
Besides the money, facilities and intangibles, most players need to feel some actual fire and conviction in the team from the guys selling it, as well as a level of trust, and not just have them be sitting back and letting a slick corporate presentation speak for itself. AA would be great here for that type of fiery personality that can sell players on the Jays.
Furthermore, as discussed here ad nauseum, any talk or sell job from those two about how much the Jays want the player they are talking to, to build around, falls especially flat when they aren't taking care of (one way or another) their own stars or near stars this or last offseason and leaving all that in limbo.
Honestly, I’m not upset that they’re missing out on these guys. The Jays apparently have internal assessments on each players’ worth and if they go for more than that, they accept that. If this was a closing year where they were one or two pieces away from contention I’d be critical, but truly they’re not. So missing out isn’t terrible even though optically it does reflect badly on their capability to get it done.
I’m much more concerned about the overall direction and how it seems directionless with Vlad and Bo at the moment, and the lack of development of internal stars. They really do need to have some reassessments of their model of Vlads value after the Soto contract, and establish if they want to pay the increased cost, and if not, deal him. They’ve been in purgatory for too long now and that’s annoying. Player development also speaks for itself.
I certainly hope they don’t try and overcompensate with a big free agent signing now. Barnes would’ve allowed a pitcher to be dealt for more assets but now that that’s gone it seems like a rebuild should be on the table. I do like that idea as it seems like the most honest option that’s been staring us in the face. Hopefully Atkins will be around for only a few
More months.
This Jays franchise is the most impotent version I have witnessed in my 40+ years.
Embarrassing as they nickle and dime their home grown stars.
Are you saying they should hand out mega deals to Vlad and Bo?
I think they realized long ago that Vlad and Bo are not the super stud core players you want to build around, but they keep taking turns sucking for long stretches which makes it hard to trade them because they get pennies on the dollar in trade value.
I'm still hoping for a Vladdy trade before the season starts, he finished strong last year and might fetch a decent return right now.
Yep, Jays current situation with Vladdy not signed is a factor
Key free agent's would have concerns
I can see it being a factor but it’s almost always a money factor first likely followed by lifestyle. Toronto has the money, but I guess the choice of sun throughout the year is something they can’t compete with. Vlad not being signed is probably the 5th most important thing they’re looking at.
I can see it being a factor but it’s almost always a money factor first likely followed by lifestyle. Toronto has the money, but I guess the choice of sun throughout the year is something they can’t compete with. Vlad not being signed is probably the 5th most important thing they’re looking at.
I would disagree, player who is looking to sign a long term deal.
It would depend on what you've accomplished too. For someone like Soto whose already won a World Series he might be more interested in cashing in now regardless of the Mets' future.
For someone who hasn't won and wants to win they would be cautious about signing long-term with a team whose future is in question with two of their top players potentially leaving. I know I would be.
Gleyber Torres on a 1 year deal to the Tigers. A bit of a show-me contract given his age and performance last year. Be interesting to see what the Yankees do for that spot. They've replaced Soto with a poor-man's Soto (Bellinger) and added pitching, but haven't upgraded anywhere else. They've got a couple of holes now, 2B obviously, but I think Verdugo isn't a starter on a championship team so could use another OF as well.
Not MLB related but thought it fit for baseball offseason. Went to the Puerta Vallarta Delfines (Dolphins) baseball game yesterday on vacation. They play in the Nayarit winter league, which is roughly the 3rd tier of Mexican pro ball. Semi-pro, but I was surprised by the quality of the game. Tickets were 50 pesos (~$3) for adults, kids were free. General admission, and we sat third row behind home plate as we arrived at the start time. It didn't really fill up until the 3rd/4th inning.
I don't think they have a website - i found out about it by searching Facebook. It was a family friendly crowd - average per person was probably at least 3 beers but nobody was out of control and the neighbourhood was safe (could walk from the Sheraton). I'd highly recommend it.
The pitching was quite good - all the pitchers had good fastball velocity and decent control on the fastball. The Delfines starter also had good command and threw a change up that visibly fooled the hitters - he used it as a strikeout pitch. The opposing pitcher threw harder, but his main breaking weapon was a curveball that he couldn't really control, and it wasn't effective for him. His fastball was tough for the hitters as it was fast.
I thought the pitching was excellent, the hitting was good/ok, but defense definitely had holes - a couple of misjudged fly balls in the OF and the delfines 3B missed two balls in a row. Granted one bounced off the base but he probably should have charged it.
There was a few weird things like that - including one play where the 2B dropped (on purpose, I think) a routine pop up and they turned a double play with a runner on first. Argument for the infield fly rule to apply with 1 on base.
The fences were 305ft to the corners and 350ft to centre. On lefty on the visiting team hit a fly ball to the track at the right field pole. Must have been a known pull hitter as the RF was playing nearly on the line and made the catch easily. Same guy hit one over the fence but foul earlier.
Anyway, i enjoyed it a lot and it was a great local/authentic thing to do. The tickets were cheap, and we had a great meal at Kosta Taco across the street. Probably the highlight of the whole trip, imo, but with almost no information out there I thought I'd add this in case anyone is interested on a future trip. I think the season is roughly Oct-mid Jan.
My younger (non-baseball loving) son said the highlight was the fresh roasted nuts. At 15 pesos (~$1) he got quite a few packets.
Last edited by bizaro86; 01-04-2025 at 11:13 AM.
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Dodgers send Gavin Lux to the Reds for an outfield prospect (Mike Sirota) and competitive balance A pick. Clears up the log jam in the IF for the Dodgers after the Kim signing (from the KBL).
Lux has 2 years left until FA so a win-now move for the Reds.
Sad news as Bob Uecker has passed away. He pretty much carried those Major League movies as Harry Doyle. Had a long successful career as a real life broadcaster too.
__________________ "Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
