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Parker, it was agreed later, had crushed the pitch, hitting the ball exactly in its middle with the middle of his bat, so that it flew toward Dauer without any spin - a knuckleball, in short, which took a sudden and characteristic knuckleball veer at the last instant and skipped free. Tim Foli, running toward second, was the nearest witness, and he said later, "I could see the seams of the ball, so I knew what had happened. It was so strange to see a ball hit that way, and hit so hard, that I yelled 'Look out!' as it went by me. Dauer never had a chance."
-- Parker's seventh inning single off Jim Palmer to break up a scoreless tie in Game 6 of the 1979 World Series. in Roger Angell, Late Innings

Dave Parker had been ill with Parkinsons for more than a decade and he knew his time was running out. He had reached a point where he simply hoped to live long enough to make it to Cooperstown for his Hall induction next month, or failing that, to at least hear his son accept the honour on his behalf. It didn't work out that way, and that's sad. At least he knew his name had been called. He was one of those guys, like Jim Rice or Dizzy Dean, whose Hall case isn't really about his career numbers - it's about how freaking awesome he was at his peak. And at his peak, Dave Parker was really awesome. As a hitter, he was a little like a left-handed Vladdy Jr, but better. Someone who was not really a slugger, but a guy who was so big and so strong and who hit the ball so hard that a few of them couldn't help going over the fence. Parker was even bigger than Vladdy - which made him simply enormous compared to your average 1970s ballplayer - and when he was young and trim he ran well enough to steal 20 bases while also possessing the most feared outfield arm of his time.

He had his last truly great season in 1979, when he was 28. A taste for cocaine knocked him off track, along with knee problems. But he was good enough to hang around until he was 40, finishing up with a September cameo with the 1991 Blue Jays. Which brings us, by a commodious vicus of recirculation, to Don Mattingly. Because if Dave Parker and Jim Rice are in the Hall, it might be hard to keep Mattingly out.

The classic Hall of Fame career path is based on being a great player, with an clear and obvious peak, in your 20s and then being good enough when you're past your peak to accumulate some impressive career numbers as well. Dave Parker took that usual path - he was a great player in his 20s, and he played until he was 40. Mattingly was a little more like Rice - neither hung around long enough to add to his career totals.  Mattingly retired at 34 with 2,153 Hits, 222 HRs, and a .307/.358/.471 slash line, an OPS+ of 127. Parker, through his age 34 season, had 1,850 Hits, 216 HRs, a slash line of .304/.352/.492 and an OPS+ of 130. Mattingly was an even better defensive player than Parker, though at a less important position. (Rice was a better hitter, but merely a competent defender compared to either.)

Well, I don't know what the standards are, I don't know where the line is drawn. I know Jose Bautista has a six year peak that's more impressive than either Parker or Mattingly or Rice - but Bautista hit his peak so late (he did nothing whatsoever until he turned 29) that there was no time left to pad his career stats once his peak had passed. He's only going to Cooperstown to visit. Rice is there, Parker will be inducted in a few weeks, and I now expect Mattingly's turn will come.

Mattingly, of course, was a Yankee lifer, spending his entire playing career in pinstripes, and no sports franchise has as many of those guys as the Yankees. The Boston Celtics can field a team at least (Russell, Bird, Havlicek, McHale, Heinsohn, Lewis, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones) and the Montreal Canadiens have the beginnings of an impressive roster (Beliveau, the Rocket, the Pocket Rocket, Cournoyer, Lemaire, Gainey, Joliat, Lach, Blake, Laperriere, Bouchard, Durnan, Dryden, Price) although it gets very thin on the blueline. But the Yankees are something else altogether:

Catcher - Thurman Munson. It's actually awfully hard to choose between Munson and Bill Dickey - they're about as close as two players could be. Jorge Posada is a distant third, and Posada was quite a player.

First base - Lou Gehrig was merely the greatest first baseman the world has seen so far. It's no disgrace for Don Mattingly to take a seat behind him. Joe Collins was kind of Mattingly-lite.

Second base - Tony Lazzeri maybe isn't quite a Hall of Famer, though he was inducted long ago. He was awfully good. Bobby Richardson couldn't carry Lazzeri's bat, but he was a wonderful defender.

Third base -  Gil McDougald. Obviously Alex Rodriguez and Graig Nettles were the greatest third basemen in team history but neither is eligible here. Red Rolfe is, but he only had a few good (very good!) seasons. McDougald only played third base full time in his first few seasons- he was a superb infielder wherever you put him, and Stengel put him everywhere, with full seasons at second base and shortstop.

Shortstop - Derek Jeter, obviously. But Phil Rizzuto and Tony Kubek were very good players as well and Frankie Crosetti was a good glove for a long time.

Right field - Tommy Henrich started late, was platooned when he came up, and lost three years to the war. He did hit .282/.382/.491 for his career along with the first walk-off homer in World Series history. Huntsville's own George Selkirk started late, retired young, and was likewise platooned by McCarthy. Not quite as good as Henrich, I think. He may have to move over for Aaron Judge some day. I don't think they're going to let him get away. 

Centre field - Mickey Mantle at his peak was about as great a player as it's possible to be. Before him, they had a fellow named Joe DiMaggio. Before him they had another Hall of Famer, Earle Combs. Since Mantle, they've had Bernie Williams.

Left field - Roy White was a wonderful player, who came up in the CBS era but stayed long enough to play with Reggie and Thurman. He was better than Brett Gardner, who was pretty good himself.

Pitchers - Whitey Ford, Mel Stottlemyre, Ron Guidry, Spud Chandler, Atley Donald, Mariano Rivera.

That's 28 players I've singled out with the bold type, who never played a game for any other team (and the franchise actually has others, who simply weren't good enough to bother mentioning.) And of those 28 immortals and near-immortals, Don Mattingly has a distinction all his own.

He never played in a World Series. He's the only one. 

So surely, it's up to the Blue Jays to get him there.

Matchups!

Mon 30 June - Rodon (9-5, 2.92) vs Scherzer (0-0, 5.63)
Tue 1 July - Fried (10-2, 1.92) vs Gausman (6-6, 4.21)
Wed 2 July - Warren (5-4, 4.37) vs Berrios (4-3, 3.26)
Thu 3 July - Schmidt (4-4, 3.09) vs Bassitt (7-4, 4.29)
New York at Toronto, June 30-July 3 | 207 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 01:41 PM EDT (#462593) #
Is it even possible to construct such a team for our Jays?
Magpie - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 02:57 PM EDT (#462596) #
Garth Iorg would have to play,,, everywhere! Him and Danny Ainge.

There are a few pitchers - Ricky Romero, Jerry Garvin, Jesse Carlson, Mike Willis. All southpaws, strangely enough.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:29 PM EDT (#462597) #
sounds like they're not gonna pay up for a top of the rotation SP.


Keegan Matheson
@KeeganMatheson
·
5m
Ross Atkins says the #BlueJays have been looking to add a right-handed bat. Pitching depth sounds like another priority ahead of the deadline.

He adds that the Jays have had ownership support financially all along and that they should be able to “continue to flex that muscle.”
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:38 PM EDT (#462598) #
Probably because there isn’t one available.

If they acquired Suarez, a #4 SP, and an elite reliever (like Duran), I would be pretty happy.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:39 PM EDT (#462599) #
this sounds slightly different:


Shi Davidi
@ShiDavidi
·
3m
Based on what Blue Jays already have in-house, Atkins said the opportunity to add is "probably on the run prevention side, more just from a depth standpoint. If we can score more, we'll look to do that. ...


Shi Davidi
@ShiDavidi
·
4m
Atkins cont: "Adding a right-handed hitter to our team is something we've been trying to do internally and considered external alternatives, as well. But on the run-prevention side, it's probably going to come from pitching, as good as our defence has been."
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:41 PM EDT (#462600) #
Shi Davidi
@ShiDavidi
·
50s
Ross Atkins said Anthony Santander suffered a left shoulder subluxation (partial separation) when he crashed into the wall in Anaheim in May.

"He tried to play through some pain and got to the point where it seemed like it wasn't the best thing to do," said Atkins.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:57 PM EDT (#462601) #
Lineup vLHP Rodon

SS Bichette
3B Clement
1B Guerrero
C Alejandro
DH Springer
RF Barger
CF Straw
LF Schneider
2B Wagner


Gimenez sitting vs the lefty. Worth keeping an eye on.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:57 PM EDT (#462602) #
worth noting they could have had the same lineup with Springer in RF, Barger at 3B, Clement at 2B, and Wagner at DH.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 03:59 PM EDT (#462603) #
So Wagner gets called up and sits against two righties (with Clement playing 1B in one of the games), only to then start vs. one of the best lefties in baseball.

Springer clearly likes DHing, so that could be why we see today's defensive alignment as opposed to the other one suggested.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 04:20 PM EDT (#462604) #
Rodon has been excellent on the road (and very good generally) this year, so a tough matchup for Toronto tonight.

Vladdy has excellent career numbers against Rodon (1.817 OPS), so maybe he can be a difference-maker today. Springer has hit Rodon well, too (.865 OPS).
Gerry - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:26 PM EDT (#462606) #
Bo scratched with knee discomfort.
Gerry - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:28 PM EDT (#462607) #
Tony Kubek mention.....loved him as a commentator too.
Marc Hulet - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:31 PM EDT (#462608) #
Right knee issues again for Bo. Not good...
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:34 PM EDT (#462609) #
Ugh, that sucks in front of a big series against the Yankees. Hopefully it's just precautionary.

This injury moves Schneider to 2B. If he looks okay defensively, it will open up a lot more lineup options for the manager.
christaylor - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:38 PM EDT (#462610) #
No great, but we all ought to be OK with resting him against the Yankees. It is not even July yet.
Gerry - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:43 PM EDT (#462611) #
I was thinking about the trade deadline today. Assuming no injuries to the starters (and 3 of the starters have been very healthy), what would the Jays do with another starting pitcher? I don't think they are dropping Lauer unless they get an ace but I don't think there will be aces available. So if they picked up a 3 or 4, would they bump someone or put the new guy in the bullpen until needed as a starter.

When it comes to be post season I know baseball is ruthless but I don't know how it would play in the clubhouse if one of Berrios, Gausman, Bassitt or Scherzer were bumped from the playoff starters schedule. The first three have been loyal servants for several years and have the respect of the clubhouse.

And that is the Jays post season problem. The Jays rank middle to low middle for starters ERA. While they are all good, none rise to the ace level. So in a playoff series the Jays will be counting on third and fourth level pitchers to get them a win. That has been the Jays post season Achilles heel and it looks like it could continue.
Glevin - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 05:56 PM EDT (#462612) #
Agree with Gerry that it doesn't make much sense anyway to acquire a starter who isn't obviously better than what Jays already have. Unless that is, they are under contract longer term in which case, it makes sense for different reasons. As of right now, don't see that top of rotation guy out there.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 06:25 PM EDT (#462613) #
Gerry my thoughts there would be that Scherzer might be the guy to move to the 'pen if we were to add a top rotation SP.

Someone else here pointed out that his stuff isn't necessarily the kind that would play up in the bullpen anymore - but i would think that everybody's stuff plays up in the bullpen.
pooks137 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 06:31 PM EDT (#462614) #
I just don't think you can count on thw current starting 5 to either be effective or healthy for the entire 2nd half od the season. Realistically, it's only been the last week where the team is actually rolling an intact starting five consecutively.

Maybe the Jays don't need a #1 or #2, but they do need more SP depth to get them through the 2nd half of the year competitively.

Scherzer really can't be counted on at all. Even if he can remain healthy for the 2nd half, there's no guarantee he can remain effective at 40 and banged up.

Bowden Francis is likely gone for the year.

There's no guarantee that Alek Manoah can return this year as a MLB starter.

Eric Lauer has been an amazing story but is due for major regression. And the coaches barely trust him to go 4-5 innings.

Bassitt and Gausman are getting old.

Berrios has been a machine but also has had rough stretches in past years.

The Jays could use a swingman type who can be stashed in the bullpen. Or someone better than Scherzer/Lauer who could push Lauer back to being a swingman himself if everyone ia healthy.
99BlueJaysWay - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 06:43 PM EDT (#462615) #
While it’s not true that a lack of frontline starters has been the Jays’ Achillles heel in previous years*, I do agree it’s a problem now. That’s why I have my fingers crossed for Manoah.

* in both 2022 and 2023 the Jays had two starters collect Cy Young votes, both times with one of their starters finishing 3rd

uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 07:20 PM EDT (#462616) #
then again, maybe we have an Ace already!
electric carrot - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 07:30 PM EDT (#462617) #
seems odd they would put Ned Flanders at 2nd and have Wagner DH. I would presume that Wagner was the better defensive choice -- and it's not like he's been overused.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 07:39 PM EDT (#462618) #
maybe Max and the Jays were just faking the injury. had it set up all along that he would rest for the first half.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 07:45 PM EDT (#462619) #
Maybe Schneider is at 2B so that the manager can use Gimenez at 2B later in the game (possibly as a PH against a RHP), while keeping Wagner’s bat in the lineup throughout the game.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 07:48 PM EDT (#462620) #
Huge half-inning right here.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:02 PM EDT (#462621) #
Max definitely not shying away from this matchup!
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:02 PM EDT (#462622) #
MAX POWER!

gets him again!
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:04 PM EDT (#462623) #
lol.

and there's the benefit of hitting in a lineup with Judge in it, even if he's not behind you and not on base.

After the huge 2nd K Max relaxes and grooves the first pitch for Chisholm and it's outta here.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:12 PM EDT (#462624) #
Devastating home run after that fantastic pitch to strike out Judge. But this game isn’t over yet.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:17 PM EDT (#462625) #
nice battle from the bottom of the order both times through. lots of rodon pitches used up there.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:29 PM EDT (#462626) #
For those who are satisfied with this Blue Jays lineup:

Eugenio Suarez career vs Rodon: .333/.429/.500
Eugenio Suarez career vs Fried: .364/.462/.909

He would seemingly be a good addition for the postseason and/or the Sept 5-7 series in Yankee Stadium.

Do the Blue Jays want to advance in the postseason, or go gently into that good night again? That is the question the FO needs to ask itself.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:38 PM EDT (#462627) #
Scherzer hurt or they didn't want him to face the order for the 3rd time?
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#462628) #
Sounds like thumb injury may have been flaring up.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 08:43 PM EDT (#462629) #
Or maybe thumb issue impacting Max's shoulder or some other body part, as he has said tends to happen when the thumb isn't right?

Anyway, it's not entirely clear. I guess we'll find out more later in the game or postgame.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:01 PM EDT (#462630) #
Schneider pushing all the right buttons there, allowing Straw to face the righty and then pinch hitting for the switch hitter Clase despite it being his better side.

What a break the Jays just caught from the 3rd base umpire, despite it being a Canadian team facing the beloved Yankees. Alas, it did not matter.

Enormously clutch PA there from Clement vs. a RHP.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:04 PM EDT (#462631) #
gotta love what the bottom of the order did tonight (Schneider, Straw, Clase/Lukes, Wagner). Averaged 4.4 pitches per PA helping to burn Rodon early, got 5 hits, a walk, and some good baserunning to boot.


Magpie - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:12 PM EDT (#462632) #
Strange pull by Boone. Straw was 0-7 with 5 Ks against Rodon, and bringing in the RH would lead you to expect a pinch-hitter (even if it didn't happen.)
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:13 PM EDT (#462633) #
Maybe now we can all just accept that Clement is a good overall player and be happy when he’s in the lineup. And move on to more fruitful topics.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:16 PM EDT (#462634) #
Nice high leverage usage of Fisher here. Good to see.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:18 PM EDT (#462635) #
Not sure about leaving Fisher on the mound to keep Dominguez on his much stronger side, but Fluharty hasn't been pitching well lately.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:26 PM EDT (#462636) #
Great team effort so far. Now let’s close it out. Going to be a tense eighth and ninth (unless Toronto adds on some runs).

Scherzer’s start illustrates why the team needs another solid SP. He looked great, but he barely got through his second 2025 appearance before health issues cropped up for him. It might be good for the team to baby Scherzer over the next couple of months in an effort to keep him healthy-ish for the playoffs.

Fluharty makes me super-nervous here. (I wrote this before the Bellinger HR.)
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:30 PM EDT (#462637) #
Fluharty's had a tough run. Underlyings are still strong but he just keeps giving up runs. Might have to go down.

apparently yimi and burr are ready to go.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:31 PM EDT (#462638) #
It sucks that Green is their best option here vs. Stanton's power.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:31 PM EDT (#462639) #
just walk him, Green.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:31 PM EDT (#462640) #
Intentional unintentional walk?
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:33 PM EDT (#462641) #
Could have used Hoffman T8 and Green T9 (against the bottom of the lineup).

Whatever. Just get it done, Green. You can do it!
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#462642) #
Nice to have a true center fielder in the game in these situations.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#462643) #
Don't forget to breath, everybody. It's still June.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:35 PM EDT (#462644) #
If there's one pitcher where OF defense is worth every penny, it's Green.

phew.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:37 PM EDT (#462645) #
I'd love to know exactly what situation Hoffman was warming up there for alongside Green.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:42 PM EDT (#462646) #
ok Mr.Closer, always be closing.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:45 PM EDT (#462647) #
I was worried Hoffman might get escarred by the leadoff hitter. Didn’t happen.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:50 PM EDT (#462648) #
Well, we lost a few good men along the way, but we took that hill in the end!

onwards and upwards!
christaylor - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:51 PM EDT (#462649) #
Doesn't do much for the run differential, but a win is a win.
92-93 - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:51 PM EDT (#462650) #
What a freaking ballgame.

Recently I said that I'd rather see Schneider against RHP than Clase, and I stand by that. He looks good at the plate, despite always getting screwed by the umps on high pitches. He plays so infrequently that two hits bumped him to a 107 wRC+.

These teams will be fighting each other on the RP trade market over the next few weeks.
Glevin - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:51 PM EDT (#462651) #
Great win. Hope Springer is OK. Can't afford to keep losing guys.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#462652) #
.....and the lowly A's just took the lead over the rays in the top of the 9th.

2gms back of 1st.

potentially .5gms back of TB.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:54 PM EDT (#462653) #
What happened to Springer?
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 09:56 PM EDT (#462654) #
he slid into Chisholm's knee at third. seems like he hurt his throat or something.
electric carrot - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:00 PM EDT (#462655) #
The other horrifying thing about Springer's slide was that it knocked his batting helmet off and you could clearly see that he had a Josh Donaldson haircut circa 2015.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:01 PM EDT (#462656) #
I think the Blue Jays can win without Scherzer. I’m not sure they can win without Springer and Bo. Although short-term they can probably weather the storm without those guys. The key thing will be to get everyone healthy over time and not force Bo or others to play hurt.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:02 PM EDT (#462657) #
rays lose.

NYY ---
TBR 1.5
TOR 2.0

greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:16 PM EDT (#462658) #
The manager thinks Springer is probably OK, got hit in the throat and winded. Might be able to play tomorrow.

He also said Bo tweaked his knee when he stepped on a ball during warmups. Doctors checked him out, no further tests ordered at this time. Currently day-to-day but sounds like there is a bit of concern there.
Magpie - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:23 PM EDT (#462659) #
Nice to have a true center fielder in the game in these situations.

I would have pinch hit for him when Leiter came in. Good thing I'm not running the show.
Gerry - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:25 PM EDT (#462660) #
Having seen the last three series, you can really appreciate how good the Jays defense is. You expect every ball in play to be turned into an out. The opposition, not so much.
SK in NJ - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:26 PM EDT (#462661) #
Big win and fun game overall. The injuries are tough. With Varsho and Santander already out, it's going to be difficult to generate offense if Bo and Springer also have to miss time. Glad they got the W tonight though with Fried tomorrow.
uglyone - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:48 PM EDT (#462662) #
Just noticed that despite being super old the Yanks have had just one position player injury of any significance (Stanton), and not one notable position player underperformance.

Must be nice.
greenfrog - Monday, June 30 2025 @ 10:55 PM EDT (#462663) #
Well, Grisham left tonight’s game with a hamstring issue. And Wells is dealing with a circulation issue in his hand.

Judge has stayed healthy so far, but he’s always a bit of an injury risk.
christaylor - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 12:27 AM EDT (#462664) #
This. Springer is the key to the team... an experienced winner with a clear desire to play for the org. As a New Englander, I recognize that his personality has been shaped by the crucible (ref intended) that is Connecticut.
John Northey - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 12:45 AM EDT (#462665) #
Well, as injuries go Bo is probably the easiest to cover for - Clement to SS, Barger to 3B, one of the 1001 OF to RF or DH. Mix in Springer and it gets more difficult as then 2 OF/DHs are needed. So guys like Clase, Straw, Lukes, Schneider, and Wagner will get even more playing time now. Hopefully Bo isn't out too long, same for Springer. Really bad timing with both of them, but what can you do? The OF crew & Wagner went 6 for 14 today (at least 1 hit each for Wagner, Straw, Lukes, Clase, and Schneider) so one can't complain about that.

The pen tonight went 4 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 4 BB 5 K's - solid, but not great. The 2 LH's gave up a run each. I'd love the Jays to find a solid LH reliever so Fluharty isn't being counted on so much. Same for Little. I just don't have a lot of trust in either. Caleb Ferguson with Pittsburgh is probably the best outside of Boston's scumbag Chapman who I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole. He is a free agent post 2025 so the Pirates will be looking to trade him. Brandon Eisert with the ChiSox has a poor ERA, but all his other stats (K/9, BB/9, FIP, xFIP) suggest he would be a solid addition - he was here last year, but sold to Tampa who lost him on waivers to the ChiSox.

The pickings are thin for free agency unless someone big decides to dump (Atlanta, Baltimore, a few others could drop out of the race too). It'll be interesting to see what happens as July 31st approaches. The only semi-non-contender with a solid RH bat that could be available seems to be Boston with Refsnyder.
Dr B - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 02:09 AM EDT (#462666) #
I'd love the Jays to find a solid LH reliever so Fluharty isn't being counted on so much.

Justin Bruihl sez: "Harsh!"
Dr B - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 02:23 AM EDT (#462667) #
I wondered if there was any help coming from Buffalo in terms of relievers. At some point they wish to try Lazaro Estrada in the bullpen. He’s doing pretty well, albeit without dominating as a starter in AAA. The pitcher who is doing best (after promoted Justin Bruihl) is...old friend Tommy Nance. His peripherals are excellent (e.g., 2.1 BB9 and 12 SO9) even if it hasn’t shown up in the ERA.
Jonny German - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:25 AM EDT (#462668) #
Entertained myself by reading the postgame thread on Yankees reddit. Surprise surprise, Yankee fans sound like Blue Jay fans when things are going bad.

"I don't see how they will ever win another World Series unless they completely transform the team culture. "

"All other teams like the Dodgers and Mets will eat bad contract's. Yankees however will continue trotting DJ out there hoping for a miracle, when in reality he's beyond cooked"

"Hell will freeze over before the smartest man in baseball [Cashman] admits and acts on his mistakes"

"To the Volpe defenders, what are you seeing right now? Genuinely what?

Because all I see is a guy that just can’t live up to the moment. He’s atrocious at the plate and plays hero ball way too much."

"There’s 1 player who had a multi hit game tonight, he came in as a defensive replacement in like the 5th inning. He’s also slashing .341/.391/.415 in his last 15 games, but it’s somehow impossible to play him 2-3 games in a row. "

"This team consistently chokes when the lights are too bright."

"Jazz is our hottest hitter right now, so naturally he's the one bunting because?????? The one time to NOT play small ball, the Yanks do it."
scottt - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:42 AM EDT (#462669) #
Canada Day game. I think am still fuming about that extra inning game in which Encarnation was tossed for being upset at a horrendous strike call.
18 innings was it?
92-93 - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 09:50 AM EDT (#462670) #
Excellent stuff, Jonny German. Keep em coming.
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 10:28 AM EDT (#462671) #
the crucible (ref intended) that is Connecticut.

Wasn't the play set in Massachusetts?

Well, whatever. You spelled "Connecticut" correctly, which I can never do without external assistance.
Marc Hulet - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 10:42 AM EDT (#462672) #
Jays always seems to get blown out in games on special days like Canada Days, etc... and with Fried on the mound it might be an ugly day.

Im also concerned with playing with a shor at bench with Springer (maybe) and Bo banged up. I echo that it's time for Fluharty to get a AAA reset.

But I loved how they handled Judge yesterday and didn't give him anything to hit. Hopefully that continues today and they make the rest of the team hurt them.

I also thought Kirk did a much better job setting up later than normal. I've long suspected teams are getting pitches/location based off him setting up too early (which in turn helps with his framing).
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 10:57 AM EDT (#462673) #
A number of years ago I posted a comment about the lack of TJ's in the Jays system compared to others. That now seems a double edged sword. Because even though they stayed comparatively healthy, they kept fizzling out. Now we've emphatically joined the TJ club.

Mitch Bannon at the Athletic has an excellent piece on what happened and how the Jays are hoping to reverse this trend. Some highlights:

"In 2020, perceiving they had fallen behind the sport’s top organizations in developing pitchers, the Blue Jays increased efforts to catch up. They built a sparkling new pitching lab. They joined the rest of the industry in the chase for velocity and new pitch shapes.

But top prospects suffered major injuries. Toronto had still failed to produce big-league starters, prompting yet another round of change.

At the end of the 2024 minor-league season, the Blue Jays let go of pitching coordinator Cory Popham and several other members of Toronto’s player development staff."

Sclafani and others in the org felt it was time for a shift.

"That shift came in the form of a new director of pitching, Justin Lehr, and a new development philosophy. Pushing strike-throwing ahead of the relentless chase for stuff and velocity, the Blue Jays are once again seeing hints of success."

There is a lot more in the story and I recommend anyone with a subscription to check it out.
Glevin - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 11:28 AM EDT (#462675) #
Clase down, Jimenez up which makes sense in a lot ways but AAA outfield is now Roden, Clase, Robertson, Pinango, Loperfido, and Schreck (and Tirotta who has hit this year).
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 11:33 AM EDT (#462676) #
Probably related to Bo's knee but at least it's not an IL situation (yet).

It'll be interesting to see which one of Jimenez or Schneider looks better now.
John Northey - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#462677) #
Good challenge for the manager in AAA - who do you sit and who do you play with 6 guys who deserve to play in the OF? One will DH for sure, maybe experiment with one at 1B too, can any play 2B or 3B?
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 11:47 AM EDT (#462678) #
Schreck is on the IL.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 11:59 AM EDT (#462679) #
Jimenez does significantly better against LHP historically, so if Bo has to miss some time then today would be a good time to start Leo (though tough assignment with Fried pitching).
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 12:07 PM EDT (#462680) #
I've been waiting to see what happens when the MLB and AAA rosters get close to healthy but at this point i don't think we'll see it before the deadline, and I expect pieces to be moved out at the deadline so we'll never see it.

But if we were actually health i'd love to see all the younger guys, even though some of the older guys like Robertson 27 Stefanic 29 Clarke 27 Tirotta 26 have been very good.

CF Clase 23
RF Schreck 24
LF Roden 25
3B Jimenez 24
SS Kasevich 24
2B Martinez 23
1B Nunez 24
DH Pinango 23
C Bethancourt 33

UT Wagner/Schneider 26 --- (Palmegiani 25)
OF Tirotta 26 --- (Robertson 27)
IF Rivera 24 ---- (Stefanic 29)
C Sanchez 28 ---- (Clarke 27)


But we definitely seem primed to package some of those 23-25yr olds at the deadline - a number of these guys deserve to be getting their chance in MLB already, and have legit mlb starter upside.


uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 12:34 PM EDT (#462681) #

Keegan Matheson
@KeeganMatheson
·
20m
Max Scherzer feels the same today as he did after his last start, Schneider says, which is good enough news. This will remain a start-to-start thing.

Bo Bichette is feeling better, too, so it doesn’t sound like he’ll miss much more time. #BlueJays
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 01:09 PM EDT (#462682) #
I've just been assuming that Bichette hurt his right knee (same one he hurt running the bases in 2023) but I can't recall if anyone actually said which one it was. Anyone know?
Cracka - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 01:17 PM EDT (#462683) #
Very promising news on the injury front. I saw the lineup with Leo Jiminez starting at SS and initially feared the worst.

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see Clase again. He's out of options after this season and had a fair shot with regular playing time over 6+ weeks. I think his defense is the deal-breaker -- a guy with his skillset has got to be a plus defensive player, especially on a team that puts a huge value on that skillset. I think he'll be traded or DFA'ed this month as other players are added.
John Northey - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 01:45 PM EDT (#462684) #
For Clase I suspect traded is most likely - for more relief help is my bet. I could see a package of 'semi-failed prospects' being put together, Orelvis Martinez, Clase, Loperfido who a bad team might see badly needed hope in.
Marc Hulet - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 02:24 PM EDT (#462685) #
Bo hurt the same knee (right) as last year.

Jays will definitely look to move players out of options (Clase, Jimenez) and fringe R5 guys. Pinango is interesting because he's a milb FA if not added to the 40-man.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#462686) #
I suspect the Jays will be doing the opposite of what they did last trade deadline, so expendable mid-tier prospects (Orelvis, Roden, Loperfido, Jimenez, Clase, Wagner, etc) for rentals. Maybe the front office's perceived job security + an actual shot at a division title makes them more willing to trade bigger prospects for more controlled talent, but if the season ended today, then the AL East winner would be playing in the WC round, so quality of the team (how they look in 3-4 weeks) will determine how best to proceed. Acquiring complementary pieces and hoping the returns of Varsho, Santander, Manoah, etc, add to the existing lineup seems more likely to me, but we will see.
99BlueJaysWay - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:08 PM EDT (#462687) #
To those saying the Jays don’t need to trade for a starter, I present to you: today’s starter Kevin Gausman on 4 days rest
krose - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:21 PM EDT (#462688) #
Ump is pissed at Jays.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:30 PM EDT (#462689) #
The Jays definitely need a starter who is better than Gausman/Berrios/Bassitt, but that's going to be tough to find. Alcantara would have been the safest bet but he's been significantly worse than those 3 so far this season. If the Jays end up making the playoffs then they will probably have to hope that those 3 get hot at the same time.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:33 PM EDT (#462690) #
Gausman


6 days rest

4/04 NYM: 5.1ip, 87pc, 3er, 40gamescore
6/26 CLE: 8.0ip, 104pc, 0er, 83gamescore

5 days rest

4/15 ATL: 6.0ip, 98pc, 2er, 58gamescore
4/21 HOU: 6.0ip, 96pc, 4er, 47gamescore
4/27 NYY: 2.2ip, 71pc, 6er, 25gamescore
5/03 CLE: 6.0ip, 94pc, 0er, 78gamescore
5/09 SEA: 5.1ip, 99pc, 3er, 45gamescore
5/15 TBR: 5.2ip, 101pc, 6er, 31gamescore
5/21 SDP: 7.0ip, 96pc, 0er, 80gamescore
6/01 ATH: 4.2ip, 96pc, 3er, 41gamescore
6/07 MIN: 6.0ip, 104pc, 3er, 54gamescore
6/13 PHI: 5.0ip, 95pc, 4er, 46gamescore
6/19 ARIL 4.1ip, 81pc, 7er, 22gamescore

4 days rest

4/09 BOS: 8.0ip, 93pc, 0er, 82gamescore
5/26 TEX: 8.0ip, 96pc, 1er, 74gamescore
7/1 NYY: 4.0ip, 81pc, 2er, ??gamescore -- IN PROGRESS



This would be his first non-dominant start on 4 days rest of the year. Yanks are pretty good too.
dalimon5 - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:35 PM EDT (#462691) #
Gausman 2 runs against...what am I missing about him being a bad starter?
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:40 PM EDT (#462692) #
The Blue Jays are not going to be a SP-dominant team in the postseason. The best move, in my opinion, would be a three-pronged approach: add a good SP (Peralta or Merrill type arm), a good bat (Suarez), and a good RP, with a view to being a good all-around team that can pitch, field and hit.

In other words, they should give themselves a very solid chance of competing and then see what happens.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:46 PM EDT (#462693) #
GIMENEZ GOES DEEP AGAINST THE TOUGH LEFTY!!!
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 04:47 PM EDT (#462694) #
Gimenez mic drop
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:00 PM EDT (#462695) #
Very nice work, Kevin
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:01 PM EDT (#462696) #
Ump cheezed him around a bit but Gausman got through 5 relatively well. Didn't hide from Judge either.
92-93 - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:05 PM EDT (#462697) #
Gausman's career splits on 4/5 days rest tell a very different story. Way to gut this one out, for sure.
92-93 - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#462698) #
Is it Clement5 Jimenez6 because Jimenez is a better SS, or because he isn't a good 3B?
99BlueJaysWay - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:12 PM EDT (#462699) #
He did only give up 2, he also had at least 2 runners on base every inning but the second. 4 walks (one should have been a K though). Lots of fastballs around 90 in the middle innings as well.

He skated away from disaster but this wasn’t a good outing
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:14 PM EDT (#462700) #
Gausman Last year

4 days: 10gms, 6.2ip/gm, 2.77era
5 days: 15gms, 5.8ip/gm, 4.07era
6 days: 6gms, 5.5ip/gm, 5.18era
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:14 PM EDT (#462701) #
Sandlin with only 8 pitches. Does he come out for the 7th?
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:15 PM EDT (#462702) #
I would be OK with Sandlin pitching the seventh as well.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:15 PM EDT (#462703) #
so is it Yariel this inning?
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:25 PM EDT (#462705) #
ok Fisher prove BBox right.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:26 PM EDT (#462706) #
Not the ideal outcome from Bruihl, but getting Jazz to ground out into a fielder’s choice was a big out.

Big PA coming up.
99BlueJaysWay - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:31 PM EDT (#462707) #
Two blown double play balls. Brutall
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:32 PM EDT (#462708) #
That Clement error was brutal. Stanton is slower than Kirk, that was an easy double play. Should be 4-2 Jays. Now it's 4-4 and the Jays pen is depleted.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:38 PM EDT (#462709) #
Big opportunity here to turn the game right back around.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:45 PM EDT (#462710) #
Big opportunity just got bigger.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:47 PM EDT (#462711) #

Just when you get angry at Ernie he goes out there and immediately redeems himself.

Can't ever stay mad at Ernie!
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:49 PM EDT (#462712) #
Summer of George! (Canada Day Edition.)
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:49 PM EDT (#462713) #
by george we did it.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:51 PM EDT (#462714) #
Redemption for Clement and then a Springer slam. Nice.
John Northey - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:52 PM EDT (#462715) #
Funny how many here (myself included) wanted Springer gone this spring to make room for the kids. Thankfully the Jays management was on the ball and didn't do that.
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:53 PM EDT (#462716) #
Who ever thought getting the ball up in the air more would be a good thing?
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:55 PM EDT (#462717) #
Springer career wRC+: 126

Springer 2025 wRC+: 139

Incredible season for our George.
dalimon5 - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 05:59 PM EDT (#462718) #
I never really lost any faith in Springer.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:03 PM EDT (#462719) #
If Popkins helped engineer Springer’s turnaround (one of the Sportsnet commentators alluded to this the other day), then that development alone made hiring him worth it.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:03 PM EDT (#462720) #
I totally lost faith in Springer, but glad he proved me way wrong.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:05 PM EDT (#462721) #
The Blue Jays are beating Fried and the Yankees 9-4 without Bo, Santander, or Varsho. Impressive.
electric carrot - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:08 PM EDT (#462723) #
Thank you George "Toast" Springer. Nice job making me and others look stupid.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:11 PM EDT (#462724) #
It's the tyranny of aging curve graphs!

When you plot thousands of players the aging curve looks nice and smooth. But individually, absent major injury, the aging curve rarely goes straight down year over year.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:13 PM EDT (#462725) #
very cool and surprising stat:


Inside Edge
@IE_MLB
·
6m
The Blue Jays have answered-back in 35% of innings after an opponent scores in late innings this season, highest in MLB; League Avg: 26%.
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:13 PM EDT (#462726) #
Funny how many here (myself included) wanted Springer gone this spring to make room for the kids.


I expect him to bounce back with something like his 2018 season in Houston: .265/.346/.434. 

Not to toot my own horn, even though I don't get too often enough, but... TOOT!


greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:15 PM EDT (#462727) #
I would argue the front office is making a *lot* of people look bad. Fans across MLB have been mercilessly trashing them for months if not years. But the team is doing great and the farm system is on the upswing.

You know they’re turning their reputation around because no one is using that infamous derogatory term to describe the president and GM anymore!
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:16 PM EDT (#462728) #
you mean Greatkins?
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:20 PM EDT (#462729) #
Long hot summer of George!
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:20 PM EDT (#462730) #
(george should really stay at the top of the order btw)
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:21 PM EDT (#462731) #
Doesn’t mean I expected this.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:28 PM EDT (#462732) #
Heineman’s 85-PA performance aside, Springer now has the highest wRC+ on the team this year (140).

I know we all thought that would be the case on July 1!
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:32 PM EDT (#462733) #
Low leverage mop up guy Yariel Rodriguez to close out a blowout again. Schneider making sure we don't enjoy the win too much.
Glevin - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:37 PM EDT (#462734) #
Amazing. Team just keeps winning and they beat Rodon and Fried back to back which is no easy task.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:42 PM EDT (#462735) #
Looking at the lineup before the game, I thought there was no chance the Jays were winning this game, much less by 8 runs. As mentioned, beating Rodon and Fried back to back is huge. Still some tough pitchers coming up, but good start to the series. Hopefully, Berrios and Bassitt can give the team a bit more length over the next 2 games. Gausman gutted out 5 innings but that's not enough when Scherzer is unpredictable and Lauer doesn't go more than 4-5 a start.
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:45 PM EDT (#462736) #
I think the game was Fluharty-safe by the ninth but Yariel was probably already loose..
Magpie - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:48 PM EDT (#462737) #
Could have had Clement pitch the ninth but who would play short?
99BlueJaysWay - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:52 PM EDT (#462738) #
They said on the broadcast that Fluharty, Little and Hoffman were down today. Who would you have Schneider use instead of Rodriguez, SK? Your options are Lauer and Bassitt, and tomorrow’s starter Berrios.
SK in NJ - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:53 PM EDT (#462739) #
"Who would you have Schneider use instead of Rodriguez, SK?"

Chad Green for a 2nd inning.
scottt - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 06:57 PM EDT (#462740) #
The guy I lost faith in was Guillermo Martinez.
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 07:01 PM EDT (#462741) #
Green pitched yesterday. They weren't going to give him 2 innings today.
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 07:06 PM EDT (#462742) #
Coming into today's game Fried's 1.92 ERA was 2nd best of 69 qualified SP's.
Weaver's 1.53 ERA 6th of 175 RP's.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 07:41 PM EDT (#462744) #
Remember that nobody thought Yariel was worth rostering to start the year - treating him like a reliable high leverage guy might be a bit hasty.

Manager seems to be giving his relievers varied usage and that might make sense with the lack of proven guys.
dalimon5 - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 07:50 PM EDT (#462745) #
Now is the time to put some chips in to get some over the top talent here. Get me two electric and reliable arms for the bullpen (one L and one R) and a RH bat.

Douran (MIN)or Clase (CLE) or Helsley (STL)
Eugenio Suarez (ARZ)
Taylor Rogers (CIN)

I'd be happy with Berrios, Gausman, Scherzer, Bassit, Manoah rotation with a bullpen of:

Hoffman
Helsley
Rogers
Garcia
Rodriguez
Sandlin
Little
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 08:24 PM EDT (#462748) #
All of those relievers currently play for teams that are in or somewhat close to a WC spot. So we may not know which bullpen arms are available for another 3-4 weeks.

Personally, I like Duran because of his

-High strikeout rate (career 11.41K/9)
-Low walk rate (career 2.84BB/9)
-High GB rate (career 75.9%)
-High velocity (100.3 MPH average FB this year)-Nice bonus: zero HR allowed this year
-Relatively young age (27)
-Years of control (free agent after 2027)

Not sure Minnesota would trade him for a non-outlandish return, though.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 08:31 PM EDT (#462749) #
Updated pitching stats thru today's games....


SP1 RH Berrios 17gms, 6.0ip/gm, 21.4k%, 8.9b%, 81era-, 98fip-, 101xfip-, 3.5war/32
SP2 RH Gausman 17gms, 5.8ip/gm, 23.2k%, 7.2b%, 104era-, 90fip-, 98xfip-, 2.6war/32
SP3 RH Bassitt 17gms, 5.6ip/gm, 22.6k%, 6.1b%, 107era-, 88fip-, 88xfip-, 2.4war/32
SP4 LH Lauer 12gms, 3.8ip/gm, 24.9k%, 7.7b%, 65era-, 94fip-, 101xfip-, 2.0war/32
SP5 RH Scherzer 3gms, 4.3ip/gm, 23.5k%, 5.9b%, 121era-, 119fip-, 94xfip-, 0.5war/32

SP6 LH Lucas 5gms, 4.3ip/gm, 23.7k%, 10.8b%, 145era-, 132fip-, 103xfip-, -0.6war/32
SP7 RH Francis 14gms, 4.6ip/gm, 18.8k%, 9.4b%, 150era-, 165fip-, 124xfip-, -1.3war/32



RP1 RH Hoffman 37gms, 1.0ip/gm, 34.0k%, 6.9b%, 120era-, 101fip-, 66xfip-, -0.2war/65
RP2 LH Little 39gms, 1.0ip/gm, 34.0k%, 13.8b%, 53era-, 57fip-, 70xfip-, 1.3war/65
RP3 RH Fisher 22gms, 1.1ip/gm, 37.1k%, 5.6b%, 47era-, 48fip-, 57xfip-, 2.0war/65
RP4 RH Rodriguez 34gms, 1.2ip/gm, 24.2k%, 8.3b%, 70era-, 103fip-, 100xfip-, 0.8war/65
RP5 RH Garcia 21gms, 1.0ip/gm, 28.9k%, 12.0b%, 78era-, 71fip-, 84xfip-, 0.8war/65
RP6 RH Sandlin 16gms, 0.9ip/gm, 23.3k%, 13.3b%, 49era-, 101fip-, 110xfip-, 0.5war/65
RP7 LH Fluharty 37gms, 0.9ip/gm, 26.2k%, 11.0b%, 138era-, 93fip-, 97xfip-, -0.4war/65
RP8 RH Green 37gms, 1.0ip/gm, 19.6k%, 7.4b%, 100era-, 148fip-, 116xfip-, -0.4war/65

RP9 LH Bruihl 3gms, 1.0ip/gm, 30.8k%, 15.4b%, 75era-, 82fip-, 108xfip-, 0.0war/65
RP10 RH Schultz 12gms, 2.0ip/gm, 25.2k%, 7.5b%, 114era-, 100fip-, 91xfip-, -0.3war/65
RP11 RH Burr 0gms

John Northey - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 08:34 PM EDT (#462750) #
dalimon5 - probably best to look to non-playoff teams for trades. Cleveland is just 3 out, Minnesota 4, and St Louis has the 3rd WC in the NL. Arizona is 4 out, Cincinnati is 2 1/2 out. Few teams within 5 of the playoffs will be selling right now. ChiSox, A's, Rockies, Nationals, Pirates are all 10+ out, with Atlanta, Miami, Baltimore, and KC in the deadly 'are we or aren't we' area (5-9 1/2 out) - a hot streak and they will think they have a shot, a cold one and they fall out of it.

  • A's: Miguel Andujar LF/3B/RF/1B 103 OPS+ lifetime, 104 this year, free agent post 2026, bats right.
  • ChiSox: Steven Wilson RH RP 1.73 ERA but 4.01 FIP so maybe not good. Hard to see any value there.
  • Rockies: Jake Bird RH RP 173 ERA+ vs 115 lifetime, 10.9 K/9 vs 3.6 BB/9 0.4 HR/9 in Colorado(!) under team control through 2028 (age 29).
  • Pirates: David Bednar RH Closer 152 ERA+ 12.9 K/9 2.5 BB/9 0.6 HR/9, would be sweet. Dennis Santana R RP, Caleb Ferguson L RP are both solid for the Pirates but 7 K/9 range is a bit low.
  • Nationals: Alex Call R RF/LF 120 OPS+ 101 lifetime might be a fit (age 30), Kyle Finnegan L closer 154 ERA+ 7.3 K/9 2.9 BB/9 free agent post 2025 could fit in too.
There really isn't much in the dregs as one should expect - there is a reason they are a mile out of it.
greenfrog - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 08:41 PM EDT (#462751) #
Some of the contenders will fade over the next month. Expect the trade landscape to shift a lot in the week or so immediately before the deadline. The next few weeks will likely involve a lot of trade exploration, but little or no trade consummation.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#462752) #
TB trailing by 1 heading into the 7th.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 09:03 PM EDT (#462753) #
Jays vs. Yanks

1B Guerrero 368pa, 134wrc+ --- RF Judge 378pa, 222wrc+
DH Springer 311pa, 140wrc+ --- CF Grisham 282pa, 132wrc+
3B Barger 224pa, 121wrc+ ----- 3B Chisholm 229pa, 134wrc+
C Alejandro 279pa, 120wrc+ --- DH Rice 276pa, 124wrc+
3B Clement 298pa, 115wrc+ ---- LF Bellinger 329pa, 120wrc+
SS Bichette 379pa, 106wrc+ --- 1B Goldschmidt 331pa, 116wrc+
LF Lukes 179pa, 107wrc+ ------ SS Volpe 341pa, 100wrc+
CF Varsho 100pa, 105wrc+ ----- C Wells 258pa, 92wrc+
2B Gimenez 230pa, 75wrc+ ----- 2B Lemahieu 129pa, 89wrc+

UT Santander 209pa, 64wrc+ --- UT Stanton 47pa, 82wrc+
OF Straw 164pa, 72wrc+ ------- OF Dominguez 268pa, 106wrc+
IF Schneider 67pa, 106wrc+ --- IF Cabrera 122pa, 83wrc+
C Heineman 85pa, 150wrc+ ----- C Escarra 85pa, 97wrc+

UT Roden 111pa, 66wrc+ ------- UT Vivas 53pa, 52wrc+
OF Clase 112pa, 69wrc+ ------- OF Reyes 34pa, 32wrc+
IF Wagner 74pa, 53wrc+ ------- IF Peraza 133pa, 43wrc+
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 09:06 PM EDT (#462754) #
and Danny Jansen ties it up with one swing.
BlueJayWay - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 09:39 PM EDT (#462755) #
Fun game to be at
Petey Baseball - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 09:47 PM EDT (#462756) #
Having read Keegan Matheson's chapter in his recent book on the post '23 offseason and the Ohtani negotiations from a Jays perspective, last seasons results don't seem all that surprising. The top brass (Shapiro, Atkins/front office and Schneider) believed they had landed the top star in all of sports...and then they didn't. And there was no plan B. The die just seemed cast from the moment Ohtani's Instagram dropped where he decided on LA.

The first half of this season the entire operation just seems to have that extra push. They've had great contribution from unheralded players, and they've had two players (Springer and Kirk) return to the prime production. The acquisition of Myles Straw has been so under-rated and should be commended, as he is one of the best defensive center fielders out there and has saved a few games this season already because of his range. If it's Jonatan Clase or even an average center fielder, I think they lose both today's game and yesterday's games. Straw made 3-4 catches in the gaps in these series that saved the game.

I have been as critical as anyone of this manager, and I still rate his bullpen management as below average, but I have been impressed with his platoon management and his lineup construction for the most part. The consistency of the energy level of the team, even after tough losses, has been very good which I attribute partly to the manager and a few new coaches on the staff. It's been pretty solid.

So returning to the "extra push" point; it seems Atkins really needs to win a division and or win a playoff series or two to keep his job so we should expect some impact moves made. I think these last two games against the Yankees, as others pointed out, are really impressive are indicative of their depth. If there's a David Price for two or three upper tier prospects type deal to be made, and you're mulling over whether this year is the year, I think Atkins pulls the trigger.
christaylor - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 09:48 PM EDT (#462757) #
The 2025 season is currently very enjoyable and a welcome distraction from life's other nonsense.
hypobole - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 10:03 PM EDT (#462758) #
This is weird. There are only 2 teams with longer current winning streaks than the Jays 3 in a row. That would be the Pirates who won their 5th straight tonight 1-0, and the Marlins who beat the Twins 2-0 for their 8th in a row.

Prior to today's games, only 2 divisions had a winning record. AL East +17 and the best division in baseball; the NL Central at +20.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 10:06 PM EDT (#462759) #
And the Rays shockingly drop a second game to the lowly A's.


Your Toronto Blue Jays now own the 1st wild card, and are in 2nd place in the division, 1gm out of first.
Marc Hulet - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 10:39 PM EDT (#462761) #
Given how bad Barriera and Maroudis have looked coming back from hybrid TJ surgery, I wouldn't put much faith in Manoah helping this year... the rehab program doesn't seem to be clicking.

I'd make a big playe for Edward Cabrera... he's entering his arb years in Miami.
Petey Baseball - Tuesday, July 01 2025 @ 11:10 PM EDT (#462762) #
Bregman would be a perfect, perfect addition to the lineup, and make for quite a formidable lineup with Vlad and Bo having big second halfs, with Santander and Varsho coming back healthy. It would suck for Clement, since he's been such a solid contributor and likeable success story, but it's a slam dunk from pretty much every other angle. Man, what another huge blow that would be for Boston if they had to trade him within the division after winning the battle with Detroit over him in free agency. I wouldn't even care if Bregman opted out after the season, it would only lower the price.
vw_fan17 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 12:15 AM EDT (#462763) #
The Blue Jays are beating Fried and the Yankees 9-4 without Bo, Santander, or Varsho. Impressive.
And without Vlad, more or less... (0-5 today)
dalimon5 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 12:23 AM EDT (#462764) #
About those teams "still in contention," who won't trade. I don't count games back really. I just ask will team X be able to catch teams A B and C? Cleveland and Minnesota will both miss the playoffs imho because of the strength of the AL East. NYY, TB and Toronto will all get in before any Central team other than the division winner.

Cincinnati is already behind too many teams.

Arizona is in a similar situation where they need to catch the Dodgers, Padres, Mets, Brewers, Cubs, etc etc... I don't see it happening. I see all of these teams deciding soon to fold for 2025 unless they get a win streak in the next week or two.

Cleveland is cheap and will want to move on from expensive players. Arizona has no Burnes or Carrol and will likely concede this year... who else did I mention? Cincy?

There's plenty of players to acquire from those teams...
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 06:44 AM EDT (#462765) #
My read is that the  team is looking for a right bat to play against lefties.
There's no hole in the lineup to fill.
Springer is doing very well at DH and actually likes DHing.
That's a stark contrast to Santander who should play a corner outfield spot if he ever gets back.

The biggest need is in the pen.
Even if they win the division--and that is a huge if--they could have to play a wildcard game.
Those games are basically bullpen games if the pen is deep enough.
ISLAND BOY - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 07:02 AM EDT (#462766) #
Maybe it's the Jays playing well, but the Yankees don't look scary to me. They have a tough schedule coming up in July: 2 more with the Jays, 3 with Mets, 3 with the Mariners, 3 with the Cubs, All-Star break, 3 with the Braves, 3 with the Jays, 3 with the Phillies and 4 with the Rays to close the month.

As someone else on here said, Springer, postgame, mentioned how the hitting coaches, led by Popkins, has really helped him this season. The biggest difference I see in this Jay's team this year is that they actually get key hits with men on base and give pitchers tough at bats. The last two years they didn't and we complained how frustrating it was to watch their games.
christaylor - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 07:48 AM EDT (#462767) #
He's been hurt frequently and has looked off since April. I'm a big Bregman fan, but for any team picking him up, they're likely not going to see what they like medically.
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 08:23 AM EDT (#462768) #
Springer brought his own hitting coach from Houston, so for him, there's probably been a legit adjustment this year.
SK in NJ - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 09:51 AM EDT (#462769) #
Edward Cabrera would be a great target as he’s 27 with 3.5 years of cheap control left (arbitration) but what’s it going to take to get him if he’s available? Do the Jays have enough, and/or is the FO willing to pay that price? Curious to see how the FO operates at the deadline. There’s a real chance at a division title for the first time in a decade (though that might not prevent a Wild Card series) and the system is heavy on pitching now which is the most volatile type of prospect, so trading some at high value may not be a bad idea depending on the return. If they focus more on rentals then the cost should be significantly less and they have the type of near ready prospect depth that might make those types of trades easier to pull off.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 10:16 AM EDT (#462770) #
I do think that Springer finally came to terms with his aging this offseason and made some big changes instead of just trying to get back to his old swing.


Trying to find the underlying metrics for Springer that really pop out as different this year:

1. 44.9% swing percentage

This is significantly down from the last 3 years where he was at 49.2, 49.3, and 50.9. Even lower than his first year in Toronto when he was at 45.8. This is down closer to his typical swing% levels in Houston (47.7 43.8 44.4 44.8).

So clearly there's been a change in approach even before looking at any mechanical changes. All of the other swing data is in line with recent years, but this one change has also helped drop his first pitch strike percentage to 59.2%, his lowest since houston, and way down from the 65.3% he had last year.

2. Barrel%

His Barrel% is way up to 14.5%, 2nd highest of his career. This is way way up over his last few years of 9.0 7.7 and 8.3. This is helping him post the best hardhit% of his career at 44.4%, even though his average exit velo is only - 112.3 - up from last year but down from previous years still.

3. Launch Angle

While the exit velo is nothing special, his launch angle is back up near career highs at 16.7. This stat had been steadily declining since he got to Toronto - 19.0 13.9 12.0 9.4 but now it's back up to where it was during his best years.


All this has combined to him posting near career highs in LD% and FB% and near career lows in GB%.

In terms of pitch data, his improvement has been across the board really.

His 1.27/60 value on 4 seamers isn't near where it was in his peak years (around 3.00), but up solidly over the last 2yrs. Can't expect him to maintain his peak as age slows his bat, but it looks like he made an adjustment which lets him still be effective against heat again.

The other two most frequent pitches are sinkers and sliders and he's doing similarly well on both those pitches at 1.47 and 1.29 - which are massive improvements over his past couple years where both pitchers had big negative values for him, and both among his best career grades.

His biggest improvement has been against the Cutter, which he only sees half as much as the other pitches, but has a 3.71/60 value, 2nd best of his career and way better than the past couple years when it was a negative pitch for him.

The only other pitch he sees regularly is the change, where he's at -0.39, which isn't great but close to neutral where he usually is there, and isn't among his career worsts.



scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 10:19 AM EDT (#462771) #
All the pitching prospects are high risk.
The team as constructed could really use one or two good young starters, so it would be really hard to trade some for a rental.
You don't see the Dodgers doing that.
earlweaverfan - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 10:47 AM EDT (#462773) #
Someone here will know how to look this up about Vladdy - by my eyeballs, he seems to be impatient at the plate. I just don’t see many long at bats. Am I wrong?
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#462774) #
i've been tracking vladdy closely so i'll answer that earl - it's your eyeballs!

Vladdy's at 3.69 pitchers per PA, one tick above his career 3.68. Insignificantly lower than the 3.73 he put up last year. Only one year has been significantly higher - his rookie 20yr old season when he was at 3.86.

In fact, vladdy's putting up the best walk rate of his career at 12.8%!

there's only been one thing missing from Vladdy's hitting this year - pure power. His .169iso is way below the .221 he put up last year, his .209 career iso, and his .203 projected iso.

but even that seems to be coming along now:

APR: .134iso (118wrc+)
MAY: .165iso (146wrc+)
JUN: .226iso (153wrc+)

That .226 is more in line with expectations. He still hasn't gone on a scorching power tear yet this year (like last year when he put up .291 in June, .347 in July, and .298 in August), but I expect it's coming at some point.

And other than his power, everything else is looking good - the batting average is good without any babip help, strikeouts are the lowest of his career, and his walking more than ever which is giving him an elite OBP without any artificial babip boost.

BlueJayWay - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 11:10 AM EDT (#462775) #
Someone here will know how to look this up about Vladdy - by my eyeballs, he seems to be impatient at the plate. I just don’t see many long at bats. Am I wrong?

As uglyone posted, his pitches per plate appearance is right in line with his career numbers. In addition to that, I took a look at his bbref page and found that his swing %, the percentage of pitches swung at, is by far by the lowest of his career. It's at 41.8% currently, compared to his career mark of 47.9%. The major league average is consistently 47-48%. So he's swinging at a substantially fewer amount of pitches than both his career and MLB average rates.
pooks137 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 11:52 AM EDT (#462776) #
The biggest need is in the pen.

Another fireballing setup guy or closer would be a luxury, but I think the pen could actually benefit more from having a rubber-armed multi-inning mop up guy for the second half.

The problem with the current pen as constructed is that it only takes one Spencer Turnbull/Kevin Gausman/Chris Bassitt disaster start to go from completely rested/needs works to exhausted and everyone unavailable over one game as Schneider burns the one-inning guys one by one in a blowout game.

A true mop up guy capable of pitching 3+ innings when called upon makes the pen better by simply keeping them out of garbage time situations themselves and keeping them fresh to be deployed in optimal situations.

It's possible this role ends up being Eric Lauer if a better SP is acquired. But with Max already complaining about his thumb 70 pitches into Start #3, it's unlikely that Lauer isn't needed in the rotation unless two new starters are picked up.

Springer brought his own hitting coach from Houston, so for him, there's probably been a legit adjustment this year.

Is this referring to Dave Hudgens?

92-93 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 11:56 AM EDT (#462777) #
Shulman said during the game yesterday that Burr was with the club on the taxi squad because someone was a little banged up. Was there any follow-up to that? Let's hope it's Fluharty and not Hoffman or Little.

A fresh Burr and Garcia could help the bullpen tonight.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 12:10 PM EDT (#462778) #
We can upgrade anywhere, but I kinda like our bullpen tbh. It's been comfortably above average even with a bunch of key injuries (both to the pen and the rotation).

325.2ip (#9)
91era- (#10)
92fip- (#9)
95xfip- (#4)
2.85wpa (#12)
2.75wpa/li (#5)
2.3fwar (#12)
1.7ra9war (#15)


SK in NJ - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 12:25 PM EDT (#462780) #
With the way Schneider uses the pitching staff, I think a high leverage reliever does make sense, especially in a playoff setting. Schneider is more likely to go to the pen early than try to squeeze an extra inning or batter out of a starter, and I would imagine that tendency will magnify in the playoffs (see Berrios in 2023, or Gausman in the "Game That Shall Not be Discussed"), so the more leverage arms in there, the better.
hypobole - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 12:56 PM EDT (#462781) #
Fangraphs covers the best defences at the halfway point, starring the Jays at #1.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-best-team-defenses-of-2025-so-far/
John Northey - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 01:51 PM EDT (#462784) #
The defense isn't a shock, given the Jays have focused on it a lot. The big negative being Bo isn't surprising either - but that could change in 2026 if Bo leaves and Clement or Gimenez takes over at SS. Jimenez at SS wouldn't be the best unless he has a big improvement over last year (-3 OOA, -3 FRV, 1 DRS) which he hasn't shown in his 7 innings yet (-1 DRS in 1 game is a bad sign).

As to the pen - 22 relievers used. The 8 with most IP are Rodriguez, Little, Green, Hoffman, Fluharty (all over 30 IP), Fisher, Garcia (in the low 20's each), and Schultz (19 IP). Lauer is at 18 2/3, Sandlin 13 2/3. Everyone else is sub 10 IP (still here in AAA mostly are Barnes, Tate, Lucas, Bruihl, and the 2 hitters who pitched in Heinemann and Stefanic). So 10 guys who got a fair amount of roster time (10+ IP), plus 4 others who are still here and 6 who were dumped. A bit of depth, but how good is it? Bruihl seems to have been forgotten by Schneider (just 3 games, just 1 with any leverage and it was high and he got the hold, but the guy after him allowed both his runners to score, one was an intentional walk of Judge).

So the question is - who can we count on come playoffs? We'll need 4 starters (ideally), and a core of 4-5 relievers in the circle of trust, plus 4-5 more who can eat some innings if/when needed. Current 'trusted' is Rodriguez, Hoffman, Little, Fisher with Sandlin appearing to move there quickly, Fluharty on the rocks right now, Green moving up. Garcia will be there instantly. Schultz is an inning eater when here, Bruihl isn't close to trusted. Green is the only one with a visible negative fWAR score (-0.6) but has been showing hope lately. If he gets back to form then the pen is a big strength. fWAR has the Jays pen at #12, but #21 since the start of June (tied for 19th at 0.4), just 24th in Fastball velocity since June started, and 29th in ground ball rate in that same window, 29th in BB/9 (yikes!) with an xFIP of 4.55 which is 28th. So clearly there are issues that need to be addressed, and some are. But a top notch closer level guy being brought in would be a big asset so Hoffman isn't leaned on so hard going forward. Garcia might be that guy, with Barr being a long man, which might do the trick. Just like Manoah returning might stabilize the rotation (go to a 6 man rotation thus allowing a bit of rest for the older arms). We'll see what happens. But yeah, a top starter, a top reliever, and a strong RH bat would put the Jays in much better condition.
92-93 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 02:00 PM EDT (#462785) #
Our team needs a righty, Magpie, so don't forget Jesse Litsch.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#462786) #
don't like the stats that the projections give for pitching, because they're not adjusted numbers, but here's how the pitching staff projects according to steamer and zips combined:


Scherzer 3.86era, 3.86fip
Gausman 3.91era, 3.80fip
Bassitt 3.99era, 4.02fip
Berrios 4.22era, 4.28fip
Lauer 4.35era, 4.50fip

(Manoah 4.29era, 4.25fip)
(Macko 4.49era, 4.65fip)
(Francis 4.72era, 4.83fip)




Hoffman 3.21era, 3.21fip
Little 3.41era, 3.59fip
Garcia 3.56era, 3.53fip
Burr 3.79era, 3.75fip
Fisher 3.96era, 4.00fip
Rodriguez 4.05era, 4.02fip
Sandlin 4.06era, 4.26fip
Fluharty 4.10era, 4.17fip

(Bruihl 4.13era, 4.33fip)
(Schultz 4.39era, 4.33fip)
(Green 4.45era, 4.52fip)
(Pina 4.56era, 4.47fip)
(Yesavage 3.51era, 3.54fip)
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#462787) #
Yimi is activated.

Fluharty down to buffalo.

I'm interested in seeing how Bruihl does. I've liked what i've seen so far. I also think Fluharty has a future and will be back eventually.
Glevin - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:12 PM EDT (#462788) #
Yimi activated. Fluharty sent to AAA. I don't think the Jays NEED another reliever but relievers in playoffs become way more important but reliever has to be clear improvement to make sense. (Jax, Bednar, Miller, etc...) I'd put reliever need behind starter and RH bat but if Jays can't upgrade significantly at starter, then going bullpen heavy is an option as I mentioned before (2015 Royals).
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:13 PM EDT (#462789) #
So the pitching staff is officially finally "healthy" and at full strength. There are injured guys who might possibly contribute (manoah, etc) but those guys have to not only get healthy but prove their mlbers, too.

And with a healthy pitching staff now, there's 4 guys in buffalo that I think can easily be on the mlb roster if need be, mostly as RP - Burr, Fluharty, Pina, Schultz - as relievers. That makes for a pretty deep bullpen tbh.

Some might put Francis and Macko in that group, even if just as relievers, but i'm not at all confident in them. and i definitely don't have confidence in them as starters - so we don't have any real starting depth to speak of.



uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:15 PM EDT (#462790) #
So now it's just Santander and Varsho injured. Tantalizingly close to actually being healthy. Though safe bet someone gets injured before Santander comes back.

Any word on Varsho?
Magpie - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:26 PM EDT (#462792) #
Our team needs a righty, Magpie, so don't forget Jesse Litsch.

I feel shame. Especially because I also forgot Luis Leal. We might be able to cobble together a starting rotation, if you don't mind sending Jeff Byrd out there on a regular basis.

Hmmm. Better keep looking...
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:35 PM EDT (#462793) #
The shock there isn't the Jays.
It's to have the Yankees 4th and the Rays 12th.
The worst defenders from bad to terrible are Orioles, A's, Nats, Angels and Rockies.
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:38 PM EDT (#462795) #
I believe Varsho is running and could be back in the next series.
Santander is close to taking swings again.
He could be the right bat they need needs before the trade deadline.
Magpie - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:53 PM EDT (#462798) #
Our team needs a righty

It needs a whole lot more than that!

This is a little embarrassing, actually. Obviously, the Jays can't compete with the two dozen teams that were there before, and the decades ruled by the reserve clause. But the freaking Colorado Rockies have Todd Helton and Charlie Blackmon. The Seattle Mariners started at the same time - they've got Edgar and King Felix. The Royals only have an eight year head start - George Brett, Frank White, Paul Splitorff, Dennis Leonard, John Wathan, Alex Gordon.

We're asking a lot of Garth Iorg here.
christaylor - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#462799) #
Count me in on the reliever train. I'm more checked out from baseball than I want to be, but I hope Greatkins get at least two lottery tickets for very little. Without a Bumgartner or someone similar, the pen is *the thing* in the current play-off format.
pooks137 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:02 PM EDT (#462800) #
Garcia might be that guy, with Barr being a long man

Ryan Burr might work as a low/mid leverage guy, but he doesn't really solve the long man problem because he doesn't give length. He's more appropriate to the RHH middle leverage role that Green currently occupies right now.

Burr pitched for more than an inning only 6 times in 34 appearances last year. Many of those were 4 outs.

His highest pitch count was 35 pitches, which also came in a single inning.

Ryan Burr doesn't give any more length than Paxton Schultz does. And Schneider hasn't been allowing Schultz to pitch multiple innings most outings, let along stretching him out for 2-3.

Jonny German - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#462801) #
“So now it's just Santander and Varsho injured. Tantalizingly close to actually being healthy. Though safe bet someone gets injured before Santander comes back.”

Nyah. Bo is out of the lineup again today. And Lukes must be banged up too, he’s out and Schneider is in left field.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:07 PM EDT (#462802) #
Keegan Matheson
@KeeganMatheson
·
1m
John Schneider says that Bo Bichette feels a bit better today and will try to warm up with a regular day. They’re hoping he’s available off the bench tonight, but that’s still TBD. #BlueJays
Glevin - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:09 PM EDT (#462803) #
Pretty incredible that the Jays won first two with Bo, Varsho, and Santander all out. Lineup is just very weak without them.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:17 PM EDT (#462804) #
is it tho? this lineup has no issues depthwise tbh.



Gimenez jumping all the way to the leadoff spot tonight is a bit funny, but he's hitting a bit so why not let him hit in Bo's spot for a night as a nice boost.

More interesting is Springer at 2 and Barger down to #5. I think that might be a permanent swap (would rather have George #1 and Bo #2 tho).


hypobole - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:21 PM EDT (#462805) #
FG also has a piece about Junior Caminero's propensity for hitting into double plays. He hit into his 23rd today, 8 more than 2nd place. Got me wondering how we are doing. Not great again. 5th most.

In fact since the start of the 2022 season no team has more GIDP's than the Jays. A look at the leaderboard shows why. 21 players have hit into 50 in that span and 4 are Jays. Kirk, Bo, Springer and Vlad are all there.

Springer has hit into 9 this season, Lukes 8, Kirk and Bo 7, Santander and Clement 6 each. One name is notably absent - Vladdy. The player who had more GIDP's than anyone in baseball the past 3 seasons is in 142nd place this year with 4.

92-93 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:30 PM EDT (#462806) #
That could be a precursor to Springer/LH/Guerrero/Bichette
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:40 PM EDT (#462807) #
I don't think there's anything wrong with Lukes.
The Jays seem allergic to having too many left bats in the lineup.
Gimenez, Barger and Wagner must have seemed like enough.
SK in NJ - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:48 PM EDT (#462808) #
If there's nothing wrong with Lukes, then he should be in the OF with Barger at 3B. Instead it's Schneider in LF and Wagner at 3B against a RHP, which is sub optimal both offensively and defensively. Only way that alignment makes sense is if Lukes can't play. In which case they would need to fill 2 OF spots between Barger, Jimenez, Wagner, and Schneider, so obviously Barger and Schneider are the only ones capable of playing the OF in that group. If Lukes is healthy and they just decided this is the best lineup, then maybe they had a little too much fun on Canada Day and it got to their senses.
earlweaverfan - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:57 PM EDT (#462809) #
When players struggle compared to their career standards and then go on the IL for a while, I often wonder whether they played poorly because they were already injured. Was Santander’s poor start evidence he was playing while hurt OR just SSS OR a suggestion that he is fading more permanently OR could he have the potential to rebound after all the extra time he will have spent getting special coaching during his recovery?

Otherwise, If he comes back no better than his season start, can we truly say we’ve been missing him?

Given Santander’s limited defensive skills, if he returns as DH, Springer would need to shift back to the OF (not good). If Santander plays LF, then OF defense suffers (also no good).
92-93 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 04:57 PM EDT (#462810) #
Warren has extreme splits, so you can be sure Lukes is a bit banged up.
pooks137 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 05:02 PM EDT (#462811) #
I suspect that Schneider gets a start in LF against a RHP as a sort of reward/confidence boost for him actually having some middling success against LHP over the last few games.

Probably a similar case to Gimenez leading off after the 3 run dinger and a few multihit games.

Caleb Joseph talked in the postgame about David Popkins and the hitting coaches really trying to use positive reinforcement in the cage recently with guys like Gimenez. Similar to the Brad Pitt/Billy Beane in Moneyball yelling at Chris Pratt/Scott Hatteberg in ST trying to convert from C to 1B that he's a "picking machine".

I suspect putting Schneider in against a RHP tonight is along similar lines as a psychological reward.

Lukes likely needs less positive reinforcement/show-me starts because he's an older vet compared to a bubble 26 y/o Davis Schneider whose 4th/5th OF spot on the team is a lot more cemented.
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 05:06 PM EDT (#462812) #
Springer could have played LF.
Maybe Lukes runs for Kirk late in the game and comes in as a defensive replacement.
uglyone - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 05:12 PM EDT (#462813) #
as a guy who still believes in Schneider's track record, the thing is is that there's a) no real reason to see him as a platoon bad, and b) still good enough track record that they may be trying to salvage him as a fulltime player still, and not just condemn him to a platoon role.

Even in his terrible year last year, he was still actually near league average vRHP, but useless vLHP.


Career vRHP: 421pa, 99wrc+
Career vLHP: 241pa, 107wrc+

2025 vRHP: 18pa, 59wrc+
2025 vLHP: 49pa, 123wrc+

2024 vRHP: 315pa, 92wrc+
2024 vLHP: 138pa, 49wrc+

2023 vRHP: 87pa, 132wrc+
2023 vLHP: 54pa, 243wrc+
92-93 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 05:21 PM EDT (#462814) #
Schneider also just looks hitterish at the plate right now, even when he's constantly getting screwed by umpires on the high pitch out of the zone. I like his body language after it happens.
SK in NJ - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 05:40 PM EDT (#462816) #
No issues with Schneider starting, more so Wagner at 3B (he’s not good defensively there and I’ve never believed in his bat), but if Lukes is not available, then they didn’t have much choice.
92-93 - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 05:48 PM EDT (#462817) #
Jimenez didn't do himself any favours last night at SS; there were two plays that he didn't make that, even if he couldn't have been expected to, he didn't look all that good on. That leaves only Wagner, and Warren's career splits are .671/.830 OPS R/L.
scottt - Wednesday, July 02 2025 @ 07:31 PM EDT (#462823) #
I think the answer is that Schneider has faced Warren in the minors and has homered off him.
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