Alejandro Kirk activated, designated Tyler Heineman for assignment. Varsho on the IL, Davis Schneider back up. Yariel Rodriguez cleared waivers and is back in Buffalo. Heineman can reject a AAA assignment even if he clears waivers. We will see what happens.

Plus, the message it sends: Valenzuela appears (to me) to have done everything the coaches have asked, and has noticeably improved on various aspects. He's still young, seems coachable, and seems to have better tools than Heineman, and is more athletic and may still improve.

I will miss TH, since he was my 2nd favorite "feel-good" story of last year, behind Myles Straw. But demoting Valenzuela now would be a real blow to him, I'm sure, and TH will catch on somewhere, probably. At worst, back in the Jays system on a minor-league deal, I would imagine.

Agreed 100% vw_fan17. Heineman is a guy who is fun to cheer on - he does everything he can to help, just limited by his raw talent. If effort was #1 he'd be at Ohtani level, however raw talent is there still. No matter how much I tried I'd never be a pro athlete. TH can do everything right and still not be a good ML hitter - last year everything fell just right for him and he had a great season, but his real talent level is more the 74 wRC+ level he has lifetime than the 15 this year or the 120 of last year. I hope someone gives him a shot for his sake, and when he retires that the Jays offer him a coaching role somewhere.

Nice start, rare for this season

First time through the order and this is the most consistently good set of ABs from the lineup in quite some time. Very few swings at pitches out of the zone. Grinding Weathers.

Like a 2025 Jays game so far.

Getting a bit scary now, but damn what a day for Kirk no matter what. Gotta love that.

Kirk got fouled by Jones.
He crouches a ton so his strike zone is higher than it seems.

The positive: that was the best offensive performance 1 through 9 and for 8 innings they’ve had for a very long time.

The negative: on the season, Yesavage is getting absolutely crushed third time through the lineup. Right now he’s a 4-5 inning starter.

Yesavage is fine, if he can limit the walks.
He doesn't always have control of his breaking balls, but even when he doesn't have them he doesn't get shelled.

Kinda interesting that the broadcast mentioned the Jays are close to dead last in most offensive categories with two outs in an inning.

Probably statistical noise. But another curious dagger data point into all the hoopla from their Cinderella 2025 run where the earned a reputation as a high contact, aggressive, low K, grindy offense that was hard to put down.

One would think a very similar cast with a high contact, low K, pass-the-baton approach would statistically be doing a lot better putting balls in play/pressuring defenses/extending innings/scoring with 2 outs.

Wow, Kirk jumped from a 59 wRC+ to a 131 after tonight's 3 for 3 with a walk game. Of course, that is over just 26 PA so far thus why it can shift like that. He now leads the Jays in wRC+ by 10 points over Valenzuela and Sanchez.

"Nice start, rare for this season"

per the broadcast only the second time this season Jays have scored 3 1st inning runs. Only other almost 2 months ago when they scored 8 in Arizona.

One thing not mentioned in the Heineman decision is that Aaron Parker sure seems to be on the verge of earning a promotion (122wrc+, 160 over his last month or so, with iirc solid defense).

A promotion to AAA i mean.

Damn, Parker looks promising. 6th round pick in '24, 1.029 OPS in college, 852 in summer leagues, now 3 pro seasons with OPS of 899-686-823 in A-A+-AA respectively. Now 23, I fully expect him to be in AAA by the all-star break. His partner in crime in AA is Patrick Winkel who is 26 so a touch older but has a sweet 328/395/567 line - Jays took him from the Twins last winter (lifetime 249/326/401 in the minors and has AAA experience). Buffalo has Willie MacIver (29 years old, first ML experience last year with the A's, 576 OPS there in 33 G, 262/349/436 lifetime in minors, 688 OPS in AAA (Jays/Rangers) this year) mixed with Will Simoneit (29 also, lifetime 249/344/406 in minors, 868 OPS this year, never in majors). I suspect the Jays would dump either of them in a second if they feel Parker is ready for AAA. CJ Stubbs (also 29) has bounced Rk/A/AA/AAA this year with a 690 OPS overall, has 1 game in the majors (last year Washington 0-3), 711 OPS lifetime in minors. Those 3 (MacIver, Simoneit, Stubbs) are just filler - if an injury happens one of them gets the call, probably MacIver (most ML time), but ideally they all stay in the minors this year or get traded (for cash probably) to help someone else who is short a catcher. So basically I see nothing blocking Parker from AAA outside of how the Jays evaluate his defense/offense.

Amazing to me to see this - Jays with 2 young ML catchers, traded a third a few years back, and now have another on the way. After so many years where the best we could hope for was JP Arencibia this is sweet.

One of the main reasons we won last night was our pitchers going 3 for 3 with the bases loaded. Yesavage with a K and pop up, Fisher with a fly out.

The Yesavage K was only our 8th bases loaded K this season, lifting the Jays out of sole possession of last place. 6 teams have between 22 and 25 (Mets).

Fortunately, we haven't gotten into many of these situations, the 3 batters faced lifted the staff from 13 IP to 14 IP with base loaded. Only 6 teams have fewer, with only the Cubs much fewer at 9.2 IP. Cincy is at 24.2 iP.

The 3 outs also lowered opponents batting average to .286, bit worse than median. Tampa is at.375. Seattle best at .155.

2nd best is Cincy at .198, although how they are doing it is not ideal. They are one of the leaders in K's with 23, but have issued a crazy 19 bases loaded walks. Astros 2nd with 11, 2 teams are at 1. Jays have 5.

Jays haven't thrown a wild pitch or hit a batter. They have induced 6 GDP's. 2 best teams have 7.

Jays have given up 2 grand slams. Mets at 6, 5 teams at 0.

Vlad is not in the lineup today. He said his back tightened up on him yesterday.

Surely Schlittler can’t have already engendered a “Nolan Ryan sore back” day off? :)

Guerrero's OPS against Schlitter is .1250

So many of this offense's problems come from chasing everything so pitchers don't need to come into the zone or have good control. This team has a 34.1% chase rate which is second worst in baseball. Last year, it was 29.3%. Because of guys like Clement and Gimenez, Jays will always have some chase but it's costing them this year.

Wow that’s an awful bunt.

After 2 straight walks I hated the bunt call. Then a terrible bunt.

Leadership problems? Yanks doing everything they can to give this one to the Jays.

Wait, what happened with PH in the 8th for McAdoo?

I too hated the bunt call. Per Fangraphs run values, runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs is worth 1.55 runs. Runners on second and third with one out is worth 1.41.

Also Ernie is a good hitter and he is a fast runner so there is less chance of a double play.

I thought this was an analytics focused organization? I guess not.

Yeah, that confused me - you have Kirk & Vlad on the bench - use them! Might result in ugly defense, but you got to try.

This looks to be a well earned loss from a number of perspectives.

Bunting is always bad but especially bad with one of your best hitters this year.

Clement leads the league in hits!

Clement leads the league in hits!

Horrible bunt call but also dislike not pinch hitting for McAdoo. Game on the line in the 8th with the bases loaded and you're letting one of your weakest and least experienced hitters, hit.

Just watched what happened. That has got to be the sleepiest managing I've seen in a long time. What we
Ere the directions that inning? "Ernie, try to bunt but make sure you don't surprise them, square up early." "Kirkie, stay down you need to rest for tomorrow, McAdoo's got this." "Hey Pete, make sure Varland is ready to close out the 9th after Myles scores from first when McAdoo clears the bases."

Why wouldn't you use Vlad for McAdoo at least. This was a loss that could have been avoided by making any effort managerially. 

To say nothing of letting Gimenez hit with 2 out and the bases loaded. Then repeating that with 2 out and men on 2nd and 3rd. This team doesn’t look like last year’s team and it’s not on the players. Could it be that they really miss their bench boss?

Wtf was up with that bunt call. And not pinch hitting for McAdoo. 

That hung curveball to Goldschmidt who probably doesn't catch up to the fastball.

I find the Jays pitchers often challenge hitters inside but guys like Guerrero hardly ever see an inside fastball.

Varland was bound to give up a HR. Keeping Gimenez in is very defensible since he's your best defender. That bottom of the 8th was butchered by Schneider.

Yeah, and if Vlad is really too injured/sore to PH in this game you can surely pinch hit Kirk for either Giminez or McAdoo. They did call up Schneider who could then in the worst case take the field for either of them (Clement to SS if for G, either Schneider or even Okamoto to 1b if McAdoo), right?

That was a weird game. It was like Schneider forgot who was on the bench or something. Ah well.

Now the question becomes what is next? Varsho returns in a week probably and McAdoo probably back to AAA with Schneider as the 13th man (been around awhile, should be able to handle the long breaks being in that role demands). But the big question is what happens when Barger is back then - you could send down Schneider and use Barger at 3B/Okamoto 1B to give Vlad days off here and there, but you really need a RH bat to allow Gimenez to have days off (via Clement to SS or by getting a good hitting RH SS, but that is extremely unlikely). Ideally for offense they'd find a trade partner who wants one of our LH OF (Lukes/Sanchez/Varsho/Pinango) and has a good RH OF/IF to send back. But I don't see that happening.

It is odd how the Jays got here - 5 LH OF who all deserve to be here (Lukes/Sanchez/Varsho/Pinango/Barger), 3 RH OF who can't hit (Schneider, Straw, and Springer), and an IF with moveable parts (Clement/Gimenez both excellent 2B/SS, Vlad/Okamoto theoretically can both play 3B/1B), 2 good hitting/great defensive catchers as well. And of course, the 3 minor league OF with 100+ PA and the highest OPS are all LH too (Bohrofen AA 24 932; Munguia AA/AAA 27 873; Cunningham A+/AA 25 868). Go figure.

Right now though the Jays OF is ranked #13 overall by fWAR, #11 by wRC+ (106). As a team the wRC+ after today is 96 (21st overall, behind the Angels, ahead of Cleveland). Checking 100+ PA after today, the Jays best is Pinango 123, Valenzuela 121, Sanchez 118, Clement 117 - that's it for guys 110+. Ouch. 2 rookies leading who both get lots of days off. Kind of messed up. Kirk leads at 130 but that is over just 26 PA. Springer at 86 really needs bench time imo, especially against RHP (0-5 with a walk today - he was at a 73 wRC+ vs RHP before that vs 126 vs LHP, 3rd best on the team behind Vlad's 156 and Okamoto's 131). Pinango should be benched vs any LHP for now, -18 wRC+ vs them, dead last on the team for guys with 10+ PA, even Sosa & Heineman hit LHP better than he does so far. So an obvious thing to do is Pinango DH vs RHP, Springer vs LHP for now (or have them share LF and use the guy not catching as the DH).

Okamoto hasn't played 1B since mid-April, and I've come to the conclusion that he's not seen as a viable option at that position. Since then, only Sosa and McAdoo have backed up Vlady, and I'm fairly convinced that McAdoo batted today with the bases loaded because they didn't trust anyone else to play 1B in the 9th inning (other than Vlady, who clearly wasn't available). Okamoto does have 500+ games of experience at 1B in Japan, but this doesn't seem to be his role on this team.

If anyone is up for a quiz. 12 Blue Jays have had 20 HR/20 SB seasons. Who?

Bonus A: 4 of those 12 did it twice. Who?
Bonus B: 2 of those 12 made it to 30/30. Who?

I think Jose Cruz Jr. (2001) and Shawn Green (1998?) are your 30/30 guys. Possible one of them did 20/20 twice but not sure whom, my guess would be Cruz.

Also didn't Bichette have a 20/20 season here? 2022? He would have to be the most recent one, methinks.

They were the 2 30/30 guys, but it was Green who had a second 20/20 season here, not Cruz.

2021 for Bichette, but not the most recent.

And a correction to the Bonus A - only 3 Jays, not 4, have done it twice, Green and 2 others.

Mondesi

Yes, Mondesi 4 of 12.

If mondesi was here for 2 full years then he probably did it both yeqrs actually.

And i wanna say gruber did it too.

My brain has a memory of Canseco stealing a bunch of bases for us so i'll say him.

And Vernon must have done it once at least.

And my brain is telling me Aaron Hill stole some bases but that doesn't feel right.

Hint: 5 players between 85-93, 2 joined Cruz, Green, Mondesi between 98-01, and the most recent.

To go along with verno i'm guessing the other CFs did it too - moseby and devo.

No Gruber, Wells, Hill.

Yes, Mondesi twice and yes Canseco in 98.

The Shaker yes, but Devo peaked at 17 HR, although he had 3 30+ steal seasons here.

Oh wait Jesse had legs when he was young and always hit HR - barfield must have made it once.

I'm legit surprised Verno and Devo never made.

I have to take a look and see how close they got....

Verno 32+17 and 15+17. And those were his best sb years.

Devo 17+37 and 17+33.

Ah but Devo did do it twice in his career - a 24+32 with the angels before being a jay, and a 22+22 with zona after.

Barfield once. 5 more plus who was the 3rd Jay to do it twice?

Springer did it a couple of years ago. I have this vague memory that Delgado did it once but that one could be age related dementia.

Going back to the CF well once more....Shannon must have done it once and maybe more.

Oh wait - was old man Molitor still stealing bases when he got here? Somehow iirc he was.

(Nigel - yes Springer in 2023. I thought he did it last year , but only stole 18 - he was the reason I had to change the multiple year guys from 4 to 3)

and yes you have dementia, Carlos stole 14 bases his entire career.

Shannon in 2000, but he only has 1. And yes Molitor.

2 names to go plus who did it twice.

I think the great Jays outfield of Bell/Moseby/Barfield all had 20/20 seasons and Moseby had the most SB so I'd say he did it twice.

Robbie must have done it.

Bell did it the same year as Barfield, and yes Moseby is the other multiple. No for Alomar.


The only one missing is the most prolific. Did it 5 times total with 3 different teams including a 30/30. Think iconic.

Merely the latest sign:)

Me too Nigel. Not only messed up Springer, But forgot to check Mondesi - he was the most prolific with 6 total 20/20's.

No Vlad or Gimenez today. Gimenez hurt his wrist yesterday.

hypobole - damn that is tough. Someone else guessed Canseco who was legendary for being the first 40-40 guy. Hrm.... Molitor was guessed, Alomar, Fernandez never had that much power, Winfield didn't have any speed by the time he was here, Junior Felix could've but damn well isn't iconic. Devo was checked off, oh crap, why did it take me this long... Joe 'touch them all' Carter. He did it with Cleveland, SD, and here. DOH!!!!

I said it last year when Gimenez got hurt - the possibility of improved offence might more than offset the defensive loss. It’s less likely this year but still possible.

yeah if schneider can get back to normal the gimenez injury might be a good thing, like it was last year.

big IF tho - schneider has really wasted an opportunity so far this year.

This weekend has been a masterclass in how to turn potential rallies into nothing.

Yeah Joe Carter had 3 20/20's ( one being a 30/30) with Cleveland, another with the Padres and his last with Toronto.

feels like the first hard hit ball by Davis this year, at any level.

Schneider just got tossed after a balk by Hoffman in the eighth. Hoffman did finish off the Yankees with it tied 3-3.

I feel like it's kinda on Atkins now... team is not good enough. Either get a better bullpen if you're planning to win your games 3-1 and 2-1 every time or get more offense so you aren't trying to win/close out so many close games.

Walking Rice was an absolute no brainer. More terrible late game management.

Probably the third time this season that I'm more upset that the team is losing a series due to the bush managing from the night before. Oh boy what a season this is becoming. Just seems like the tiniest of tweaks would make this team so much better.

I don't think the issue is the bullpen which has generally been good despite being overworked, it's the offense which can't string hits together and has almost no power. They also have almost no speed so they need to have power to score.

Or could the bullpen be overworked? We can't really know but it could be an issue.

Yeah it’s not really on the pen. They haven’t had enough innings from the starters and the lack of offence has meant that most pen innings are high leverage. Guys like Fisher and Fluharty have been ridden like rented mules so far this year.

I really think the fluky year the team had last year hitting with RISP masked some of the team’s broader issues on offence. I’m still optimistic though. The team isn’t as good as its record from last year when everything went right and it isn’t as bad as its record this year when so many things have gone wrong. I think they have a good shot to be a wildcard team.

After the game seven loss, Bichette was in the dugout with his arm around Mattingly’s shoulder and they were sharing a quiet conversation. I wondered about that little chat. I have a new narrative about what was discussed. For the most part last years team was my favourite! Not only because they won so many games but mainly because that team played smart baseball. That was the first time in many years the Jays looked smart.

I don't buy the ideas that last years World Series team some how made it in disguise. Nonsense. They were a legit standout team last year.

When you look at cumulative stats you can argue that the bullpen is overworked but when you just look at it game by game this team is making things harder on themselves. Simple things that the other teams don't do.

Examples...not pinch hitting for McAdoo. Another example, leaning too much on Hoffman earlier this season. Another example...Vlad almost never gets good pitches to hit...other teams come into town and basically make sure that the best hitter in the Toronto line up does not beat you. Simple. Pitch around him, pitch him hard. Tonight with Rice at the dish required the same approach but instead he saw 3, 4 or 5 sliders until he put the game away.

When you look at innings pitched over 2 and a half months you can make up lots of theories why it's not on the bullpen that the team loss. Of course the bullpen can't take full responsibility but when you look at the critical game moments you have to ask yourself why you're getting beat when you could do what the better teams do and not get beat. Can guarantee you Ben Rice would have faced any pitcher on the team and not had an off-speed pitch down and in to crush if this team was managed by Kevin Cash.

I think it's really as simple as Springer and Vladdy being awful and bad after being excellent and very good last year. Give those two even close to the seasons they had last year, and Jays are in a very different place.

Checking the live stats I see the Jays are 9th in fWAR for starting pitchers, but 26th in IP which has led the pen to be 5th in IP to go with being 8th in fWAR. 2nd in xFIP, 14th in ERA for the pen - our WOW defense has been a dud.

The team's bullpen isn't the problem. The Jays have the sixth highest WAA from their bullpen across the majors. ERA is a very flawed stat, but another website shows that they have the 7th lowest bullpen ERA across the majors. If the coaching staff or the pitchers are making terrible decisions consistently with their pitch selection, I wonder how good they would be with better decision-making.

You mention Tampa's bullpen, but the pitcher with the second-lowest FIP in Tampa's bullpen is Kevin Kelly. Toronto has five relievers with lower FIPs in their bullpen (Varland, Rogers, Hoffman, Fluharty and Nance) and a sixth (Miles) might be there by tomorrow morning. Plus, the Jays have two more on the IL or in the minors who have more than 10 innings pitched in relief (Macko and Mantiply).

Maybe that's "making up a reason" that it's not on the bullpen, but the stats demonstrate that Toronto has, generally, had strong performance from its pitching, both starters and relievers, and has struggled at the plate, where they rank 23rd in the majors in WAA.

I'm not sure why the Jays didn't walk, or at least pitch around, Rice, and Hale/Walker made a mistake there, which compounded a terrible decision by Fisher to make an off-balance throw when he had no chance to get Goldschmidt, but overall the Jays have had very good performance by their bullpen and today's 9th inning doesn't change that, IMO.

I think Kevin Cash is a better in-game manager than Schneider and he probably wouldn't have made the same decision the Jays' coaching staff did today. However, I'm sure that a Tampa Bay forum is full of people criticising Cash's moves in certain games, the same way Dave Roberts is still criticised by Dodgers fans and Francona was criticised by Red Sox and Guardians fans and so on.

Katie, I don't disagree with any of those points and it seems you agree with my gripe about the pitching to Rice and Kevin Cash being a better manager. You wonder how much better the good bullpen could be with better decisions... that's where I'm think the Jays could have made up 5 or 6 games in the Win column. Just because the bullpen is your strength doesn't mean it isn't where the biggest improvement for wins this season can come from. It's it's how this team is built right no, and no, I don't think Schneider is a terrible manager, just that he can do better and the Jays could be at around .500.

I also don't think Springer's been as bad as mentioned and I didn't expect 2021 and 2025 playoff Vlad this year based on his track record without protection.

Not much question the offense has been the issue, but I think it has been more in timing than anything else - look at today, one or two well timed hits and the first HR in the 9th would've been irrelevant, and if you knock out the starter in the 3rd or 4th then NY would've been in a lot more trouble.

Jays wRC+ is 96 overall, 21st in the majors, last 30 days 101 wRC+, 15th in majors so trending in the right direction and with Kirk here now instead of Heineman it should keep moving the right way. FYI: Straw over those 30 days had a 15 wRC+ so he might be getting close to the point where the Jays start debating if keeping him is a good idea or not with the OF glut (Sanchez-Lukes-Pinango-Varsho all 115+ wRC+ the past 30 days, then you have to add in Barger coming back and Springer maybe getting time out there, 97 wRC+ past 30 days so maybe he is coming back).

I suspect the next guy sent down will have to be either Schneider or McAdoo depending on what the Jays want on the bench (coverage at 3B/2B/1B or LF/2B). Then comes the tough choice once both Varsho & Barger return - you should cut an OF and Straw would clear waivers most likely but is loved by many on the team so would they have the guts to cut the weakest bat? We'll see.

Random baseless speculation:

Blue Jays REALLY need a RH hitting OF to play against lefties...White sox REALLY need some depth in their starting and relieving pitching staff.

Blue Jays are getting Bieber back likely in a week and Garcia imminently and don't really have any place to put them without losing someone who has some value.

SO - Patrick Corbin and/or Tommy Nance for Randal Grichuk?

It might be a fluke and it might be BABiP but he's hitting .333/.390/.685/1.075 vs lefties this season. Platoon him with Sanchez in LF and you're better for it.

albeit there's still the crowding problem

2 catchers, 5 infielders, six open spots:
Springer
Varsho
Sanchez
Grichuk
Barger (if/as/when)
Lukes
Straw

That's one too many. I don't have an answer for that.

Team wRC+

Bases Empty: 96 (#14)
Runners On: 96 (#24)
Runners iSP: 81 (#30)

Last year

Bases Empty: 110 (#4)
Runners On: 116 (#3)
Runners iSP: 122 (#2)

The roster crunch of 13 hitters/13 pitchers coming.

• Hitters: over by 4 with IL, 8 if you add in top prospects who are close: C (2) Kirk/Valenzuela; IF: (5) Vlad-Clement-Gimenez-Okamoto-McAdoo; OF (5) Pinango-Sanchez-Lukes-Springer-Straw; IF/OF (1) Schneider; IL (4) Sosa-Barger-Santander-Varsho; Close Prospects (4+) Kasevich-Clase-Schreck-Keys jump out (Clase still on 40 man)
• Starters: (5) Gausman-Cease-Yesavage-Scherzer-Corbin; Pen: (8) Varland-Rogers-Hoffman-Fisher-Fluharty-Nance-Miles-SWR; IL: (7) Berrios-Bieber-Estrada-Francis-Ponce-Garcia-Mantiply; I won't get into prospects as that is very long.

So there is the situation. Who gets cut as the IL returns? Barger and Varsho the only hitters likely to be seen here in '26 (Sosa should be released, Santander I doubt anyone really expects back). Who do you cut for them? Schneider & McAdoo are the obvious choices but then Barger becomes the only real IF on the bench (sorta). I think someone has to go of Pinango-Sanchez-Lukes-Varsho but none deserve to be cut/sent down. Straw hasn't hit for awhile now and should be on thin ice but being a RH bat who has a great defensive rep, he is hard to cut. Springer is starting to hit (high 90's wRC+ the past month) and I can't see being cut. It'll be interesting.

2025 wRC+ with RISP

1. Bichette 164pa, 189wrc+
2. Springer 142pa, 171wrc+
3. Guerrero 177pa, 149wrc+
4. Barger 137pa, 131wrc+
5. Kirk 147pa, 125wrc+
6. Varsho 75pa, 125wrc+
7. Lukes 118pa, 124wrc+
8. Clement 155pa, 89wrc+
9. Gimenez 87pa, 86wrc+

B. Schneider 58pa, 129wrc+
B. Heineman 49pa, 129wrc+
B. Straw 82pa, 66wrc+
B. Santander 61pa, 49wrc+

X. Loperfido 20pa, 148wrc+
X. Clase 28pa, 141wrc+
X. Wagner 36pa, 101wrc+
X. France 25pa, 24wrc+
X. Roden 31pa, 6wrc+



This year:

1. Kirk 10pa, 118wrc+
2. Sanchez 50pa, 106wrc+
3. Guerrero 64pa, 104wrc+
4. Varsho 50pa, 100wrc+
5. Gimenez 60pa, 97wrc+
6. Lukes 27pa, 87wrc+
7. Clement 64pa, 80wrc+
8. Okamoto 82pa, 72wrc+
9. Springer 54pa, 51wrc+

B. Schneider 19pa, 135wrc+
B. Pinango 35pa, 119wrc+
B. Valenzuela 37pa, 110wrc+
B. Straw 32pa, 54wrc+

X. McAdoo 11pa, 122wrc+
X. Jimenez 7pa, 58wrc+
X. Heineman 22pa, 8wrc+
X. Barger 10pa, -20wrc+
X. Sosa 23pa, -49wrc+

In the happy case that every one is healthy and effective I think Pinango is who goes down (as he did briefly in early May the first time Barger came back). He's the youngest and he does have defense he could work on.

But everyone healthy and effective is the good sort of problem to worry about. It is usually the case someone else will get injured.

With lukes playing plenty of CF in varsho's absence i wonder of they're toying with the idea of dropping straw.

Dalimon, I don't disagree with you. I'd maybe argue that number slightly, but there's a scenario that's very easy to imagine where the Jays are several games better with different bullpen decisions.

My thoughts on Schneider have always been that he is much better at managing people more than in-game strategy (which isn't a unique thought) and this year isn't doing anything to change my belief.

uglyone - that is what I was thinking too - for the tiny gain in defense you get with Straw over Lukes the bat spread is just too much. Straw has a 71 wRC+ vs LHP this year, Lukes though is at 26 (yikes), Varsho 109, Sanchez 12 (!), Pinango -22 (!!!). So I see the need for RH OF'ers to fill in for Sanchez, Pinango, and Lukes vs LHP but Straw at 71 while an improvement isn't much of one. Schneider though is at 55 (he has had a nightmare year so far), McAdoo 108 (9 PA). Randal Grichuk with his 195 wRC+ vs LHP (120 lifetime) would be a good fit it seems. By some miracle the White Sox are in 1st in the AL Central, but odds are they could use some help elsewhere. As TamRa said - maybe a few of our relief excess/OF excess could do the trick.

Another interesting name: MLBTR reports the Giants are likely to sell. Laying aside speculation about Luis Arraez (how much tolerance would they have for his defense, after all) there's also Casey Schmitt. Pretty good hitter, a RH that has good splits against lefties; second, short and third; 3 years of control after this one. No reason for the Giants to want to move him but not a future core piece either.

Arraez might be exactly what the Jays want though - high average, good #1/2 hitter with a 352 OBP right now, rarely K's, covers 2B/1B and has experience at 3B/LF/SS years ago. On a 1 year deal ($12 mil) so no long term issues. Sadly yet another LH hitter.

Heliot Ramos is on the IL, but they have control of him through 2029, a LF who can play CF/RF with a 110 OPS+ lifetime. He'd be nice but probably expensive. Casey Schmitt I agree is ideal - LF/1B/2B/3B and can even cover SS. 99 OPS+ lifetime, but 130 this year, and is a RH bat. Those years of control would cost though.

Rafael Devers they'd love to get rid of I suspect with his 101 OPS+ this year, 1B/DH only now and signed for 7 years/$225 mil. Ugh. No idea what they'd need to give back/take back from the Jays to make that work - Berrios ($19/24/24 = $67 mil over 3)/Springer ($24.2 mil)/Santander ($45 mil over 4 years) = $136.2 mil in dead money for Devers who might come to life as our DH over the next 7 for an $88.8 mil difference. Depends on if the Jays feel Devers would be a cancer or not (Vlad should know) and if the Jays feel either of Berrios/Santander can be of value, and if Springer can help in 2026 (a second dead cat bounce?). Lots of variables with a high 'wow' potential (Devers had a 141 OPS+ in '25 and 142 the year before, at 29 should have a few solid years still). Can't see the Jays doing that, or the Giants, but fun to speculate.

Bo >>> Devers

There were several recent articles suggesting Bo is likely to opt out after this year. I think that seems crazy as I don't think Bo should get a better contract this offseason than last after this year (absent a terrific 2nd half tear). But some of the articles were speculating that maybe Toronto would (over)pay for an opted out Bo.