2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[flamingred89]

Bummed about loperfido because he was such an interesting prospect. But the Jays are absolutely in win now mode so likely wanted a more polished piece to put in the lineup. Sanchez still has some upside too that maybe the Jays can tap into.

6 long weeks until opening day.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by browna

One can’t let the success on the field last year mask the fact that this GM, President and even the manger don’t and haven’t in the the last few years, seem to endear themselves to too many players.

Is it possible you are projecting here because of your general dislike for the management team?
This team seems to have built up a strong culture including an ability to re-sign players (not all of them) and attract new players (not all of them).

Winning is a lot of that. Winning is fun and players will be happier when they are winning.

But I can't see how you can't give management at least some credit for the culture that has been built.

What are the other examples of players who haven't been happy with the front office?

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by browna

Fully agree. The team chemistry, that has to be organic, that Buck kept alluding too for much of the season was a major factor to the success. That’s all players, not managers and obviously not executive.

.

I just find it funny that we openly cheer and celebrate that with the Blue Jays but when its brought up in the NHL/Flames its scoffed at and dismissed as something a team should be aiming for, that culture isnt a big thing to worry about. Its interesting how the mindset is totally different between sports.


Anyways - Im interested in seeing what Popkins can squeeze out of Sanchez, maybe turn him into the next Teo for the Jays.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Is it possible you are projecting here because of your general dislike for the management team?
This team seems to have built up a strong culture including an ability to re-sign players (not all of them) and attract new players (not all of them).

Winning is a lot of that. Winning is fun and players will be happier when they are winning.

But I can't see how you can't give management at least some credit for the culture that has been built.

What are the other examples of players who haven't been happy with the front office?

The treatment of the two star players who wanted to be in Toronto, in Guerrero and Bichette before signing aren’t enough? And now this Berrios thing, however seemingly minor and blame being mostly assigned to the player, but players don’t leave the dressing room if they don’t feel severely mistreated by some level of the organization. No one taking responsibility for pulling Berrios years ago in the playoffs has to be on his mind as part of that too.

“Adding a power bat is low hanging fruit” when asked last offseason about the risk of losing Vlad’s power if he doesn’t re sign. Not including Vlad in the pursuit of Soto and seemingly prioritize others.
What does that say to the rest of the roster and players thinking of coming to Toronto when your legit players are being run through the dirt?

Bichette got the same treatment about not being really wanted but obviously his negotiations are a lot more private.

Shapiro pulls the strings on the business side and acts as the conduit for funding between Ed Rogers and Atkins, and he’s been successful in that. The organization is well funded and the players on the roster are taken care of off the field.

If that organizational (stability) is what you mean by culture, then sure, they have it.

The culture I was taking about was the dressing room unity last year.

As for the Sanchez, I thought Atkins said they would not be “significantly active” in the outfielder market a couple days ago after announcing the Santander injury?

[Jiggy_12]

I hope this trade parallels some previous deals we made for guys with some good underlying power potential who hadn't quite broke through yet. Bautista, Teoscar, Edwin - acquired all of them for cheap and went on to be varying levels of success stories.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I don't know about a lot of that. They got Vlad signed and he seems very happy. I don't see any issues there. The Bo stuff? Maybe. it seems like the organization wasn't as keen on having him back as fans were.

But as a data point here is a MLB player survey including what organizations have good reputations v. bad ones.

Jays are middle of the road, skewing slightly positive.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...5-player-poll/

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Digging in to some of the advanced stuff as mentioned by previous posters - has me a little more excited about Sanchez.

At the very least, I think it makes us better right now

And he's not much older.

Loperfido is 26 turning 27 on May 11.

Sanchez is 28 turning 29 on October 8th.

So really there is only 18 months difference in age between the two players as well.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by browna

As for the Sanchez, I thought Atkins said they would not be “significantly active” in the outfielder market a couple days ago after announcing the Santander injury?

It's debateable since the term is subjective but I'm not sure I'd quantify raising the floor on the strong-side platoon outfield bat as “significantly active”.