Your Toronto Blue Jays

[Boges]

JD, EE and Estrada are American League All-Stars.

Estrada has been dealing with back problems, should he pitch in the All-Star game?

You can vote to add Michael Saunders online.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2016/fv/ballot.jsp?tcid=EngRD-ballot-2016

Edited July 6, 2016 by Boges

[Boges]

Also a concern for Free Agency is the fact that Michael Saunders contract expires this year.

He's performing admirably as the Clean-up hitter. They actually legit tried to trade him in the offseason.

[Boges]

I wonder how long Jays fans will continue to fill the building to watch this rubbish?

I think you may want to take this statement back, at least for the time being.

[Boges]

This is the first time the Jays have hit the All-star break with 50+ wins since . . . . . . . . 1992.

Still not in first place but if Bautista has any productivity left in him, he'll help the team down the stretch. Watch out! Assuming he can't be traded.

Edited July 11, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

It would be great if they get something for Bats, even better if he could make a contribution to a World Series appearance; even though that will mean the Jays get nothing for him. However, there is the chance that he hangs around and struggles and they still get nothing for him.

[Boges]

It would be great if they get something for Bats, even better if he could make a contribution to a World Series appearance; even though that will mean the Jays get nothing for him. However, there is the chance that he hangs around and struggles and they still get nothing for him.

I don't think they should expect to get anything from him. His Free Agent value has plummeted. At this point he may re-sign for a more modest deal just because he may have the chance to play for a winning team after spending so long with a mediocre one.

Saunders is actually the more important player to re-sign at this point.

[overthere]

I am optimistic how players like Barney and Carerra have filled in, making this team's bench quite capable. Collabello is set to come back soon, perhaps he'll be more productive without the shadow of a huge suspension being cast over him. Though he can't play in the playoffs, should the Jays make it this season.

It would be that much more exciting if any of those guys could pitch.

Shut down Sanchez. Check.

Stroman struggling bigtime. Check.

Estrada niggling injuries on an older arm. Check.

Dickey is Dickey. Check.

Replace one or more of these guys with HUtchison, who has yet to establish himself as a MLB pricher. Check.

The bullpen remains scary. Check. We still have no leftie worth much, Cecil remains awful. Check.

Our entire game 'strategy', which has been pretty much the only Jays 'strategy' for decades, is hit the 3 run homer and hope it holds up. The last time that worked(and it was accompanied by a very good bullpen then) was in 1993.

There is no doubt at all that pitchers are available and have been available( see Pomeranz, for one example). The Jays have trade peices, right now. Setting aside the horrific AND UNDENIABLE pissing away of bigtime trade pieces in EE and Bats, why is Shapiro continuing to sit on his thumb while a solid opportunity to contend withers away?

It would be great if they get something for Bats, even better if he could make a contribution to a World Series appearance; even though that will mean the Jays get nothing for him. However, there is the chance that he hangs around and struggles and they still get nothing for him.

Nostalgia is for high school reunions. Don't believe for a second that Bautista feels much of it any for Toronto, he made it clear to management that he wants money, long term and lots of both. If TO offers him too much of both, he'll stay. Otherwise, he will shop himself. At this point, his negotiating position is mediocre in that he has has injuries, and a generally mediocre season. His demand for $30 million per year for 6 years is pretty shaky and probably always was shaky. But don't belive for a minute it matters in Toronto. If he stays here, it will because he is forced to climb down because he is old and may be witnessing the diminishment of his skills. If Toronto signs him then, they will only to compounding the major screwup of not trading him pre season.

Encarnacion is worse, much worse situaion for the Jays. He is having a fantastic year, and has no reason at all to sign with the Jays now. They will give Boston their next cleanup hitter, to replace Ortiz, and get absolutely nothing back except watching Encarnacion pound the Jays from the Boston lineup 19 times a year.

So the likley otucome of the Jays miserable management with their two top free agents is that they'll lose EE in his prime for nothing in return, and perhaps resign a gimpy Bautista for far too long and for far too much money. At this point it, might be better just to lose Bats too fro nothing.

Our management SUCKS.

Major league baseball is about winning(for fans) and about money(for players).

[Boges]

Jays lose one game, pitchers duel, and the they suck again?

This team seems to be winning isn't it? Without Bautista!

And you know exactly what was offered for Edwin pre-season right? To assume that something was offered that makes this team better WITHOUT a cleanup hitter that leads the league in RBIs is high speculative. No evidence to support it.

If Bautista does re-sign because he's had a mediocre year with a lengthy stint on the DL lowering his value, then he'll probably be DH going forward.

As for the pitching, Estrada pitched well in an L last night. Stroman is hit and miss right now but you could say he's the 4th best starter right now. Sanchez and Happ have been solid and Dickey has been what he's been since he's been here. I'm not sure what the problem is here. If a deal is there to be made, it'll be made.

The Sawks just gave up a huge prospect for Drew Pomerantz and he sucked his first start, they have David Price 7 years and he's being charitably average if not bad. Where's the claim that their management team sucks?

Edited July 23, 2016 by Boges

[overthere]

Oh FFS. The Sox acted to improve their starting pitching, a weak point for them. The Jays have failed to do anything that matters all season to shore up a weakness obvious to anybody except you.

I don't accept 'next year' arguments. I'm sick of them with this team. The Jays had an opportunity to win now, this season, and they are pissing it away. They are going to waste 2 major assets, and they'll get nothing back. Nothing except applause from diehard fans who accept losing as normal; and acceptable. I won't accept Shapiros excuses. I am already pissed that they will certainly lose Encarnacion to a bitter rival, for absolutely nothing in return. And they will likely pay too much for Bautista, whilst pretending that he is a big part of some solution on the field. He isn't. His value is clearly and obviously diminished and still dropping- outside the free agency issue.. You can cheer that, God knows why since Jays management/Rogers has an entire department devoted to stroking fans and making excuses. And I sincerely hope that the '3 run homer strategy' works. It is all they are willing to try, apparently. But it won't.

[Guest]

I have to agree with Boges' take on the team and their performance. Your bitter, negative assessment isn't based in reality.

[Boges]

Oh FFS. The Sox acted to improve their starting pitching, a weak point for them. The Jays have failed to do anything that matters all season to shore up a weakness obvious to anybody except you.

I don't accept 'next year' arguments. I'm sick of them with this team. The Jays had an opportunity to win now, this season, and they are pissing it away. They are going to waste 2 major assets, and they'll get nothing back. Nothing except applause from diehard fans who accept losing as normal; and acceptable. I won't accept Shapiros excuses. I am already pissed that they will certainly lose Encarnacion to a bitter rival, for absolutely nothing in return. And they will likely pay too much for Bautista, whilst pretending that he is a big part of some solution on the field. He isn't. His value is clearly and obviously diminished and still dropping- outside the free agency issue.. You can cheer that, God knows why since Jays management/Rogers has an entire department devoted to stroking fans and making excuses. And I sincerely hope that the '3 run homer strategy' works. It is all they are willing to try, apparently. But it won't.

Grilli is an effective set up guy right now. Now the Storen trade has turned out to be a massive failure. But Ben Revere isn't exactly missed either.

The bullpen wasn't the problem this past week. Seattle kept them from hitting and Dickey went Dickey, that'll happen sometimes. But Happ and Estrada put up great starts.

Out of the 3 teams fighting for the AL East, the Jays have by far the best starting pitching so far.

I can't really argue this Edwin thing with you anymore. You seem convinced there was a good offer on the table for him in the off season. There's no evidence of that and the team would be greatly weakened without the MLB RBI leader on the roster this season. What if they traded him for a guy that turned into Storen? You'd be howling!

Edited July 25, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

I can't really argue this Edwin thing with you anymore. You seem convinced there was a good offer on the table for him in the off season. There's no evidence of that and the team would be greatly weakened without the MLB RBI leader on the roster this season.

Exactly. I recently had this conversation with a friend of mine. He, and many others, get caught up in the "we're going to loose him and get nothing in return" argument. I point out that if EE's signs with a different team next season the Jays didn't get nothing, they got this year's performance. If they dealt him in the off season for another player, they would also lose Edwin's performance this year which is currently top in RBI and top 3 in HR. No team was going to offer up an Edwin quality hitter with multiple years left on a contract for Edwin with no time left on the contract.

What kind of teams trade for a rent-a-bat? Teams in contention. Are the Jays in contention? Yep. So is it worth keeping EE? Yep.

Edited July 25, 2016 by Guest

[Boges]

Looks like Melvin Upton Jr. is a Jay.

http://m.mlb.com/player/425834/melvin-upton-jr

16 HRs 45 RBIs .256 BA .304 OBP

Not elite, but not terrible. Kind of like another Ben Revere. Does Carrera get sent down or does this mean they try to unload someone else to make room.

I'm hearing this is a move for next year assuming they lose Saunders, Bautista or both to Free Agency.

Edited July 26, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

Too bad we couldn't get Kate Upton!

[Guest]

Looks like Melvin Upton Jr. is a Jay.

http://m.mlb.com/player/425834/melvin-upton-jr

16 HRs 45 RBIs .256 BA .304 OBP

Not elite, but not terrible. Kind of like another Ben Revere. Does Carrera get sent down or does this mean they try to unload someone else to make room.

I'm hearing this is a move for next year assuming they lose Saunders, Bautista or both to Free Agency.

I was at the game last night. It was nice to see them get Upton in the game and the standing ovation from the crowd. It was an ugly way to win, but kudos to the Jays for hanging on and coming back to make it possible. I suspect Carrera will be sent down right now and Upton could become a good fit in the lead off spot.

[Boges]

I was at the game last night. It was nice to see them get Upton in the game and the standing ovation from the crowd. It was an ugly way to win, but kudos to the Jays for hanging on and coming back to make it possible. I suspect Carrera will be sent down right now and Upton could become a good fit in the lead off spot.

I was too actually. Left when Chavez gave up the home run though. I have a job and live out in the West end. Heard the winning call crawling in traffic on the Lakeshore (Why are they still tearing down the Indy set up?)

I don't think Upton was brought in to lead off yet. And Carrera won't be sent down. They had an 8 man bullpen before. They only really need 7 guys. Keep Carrera and Upton for now. Carrera is a valuable left-hand bat and Upton is much better against righties.

Storen was actually dealt to Seattle, so Bo Shultz is headed back to Buffalo with Ryan Tepera.

http://www.tsn.ca/jays-acquire-benoit-from-mariners-for-storen-1.533383

Joaquin Benoit is no Jason Grilli but it'll be hard for him to be worse than Storen.

Edited July 27, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

I think Upton was just a depth/insurance move but he may play himself into a lead off role.

I stayed until the end, it was a late night and early morning today. Though I saved some time on Lakeshore by cutting through the Princess Gates and coming back out after the Indy tear down.

True that Benoit won't be Storen, but I think Gibbons talked him up a bit much. Oh well, he, Grilli and Dickey can share stories of aching joints, gray ear hair and what it was like in the good ol' days. I expect we'll see a few rocking chairs in the bullpen soon.

Edited July 27, 2016 by Guest

[overthere]

Grilli is an effective set up guy right now. Now the Storen trade has turned out to be a massive failure. But Ben Revere isn't exactly missed either.

The bullpen wasn't the problem this past week. Seattle kept them from hitting and Dickey went Dickey, that'll happen sometimes. But Happ and Estrada put up great starts.

Out of the 3 teams fighting for the AL East, the Jays have by far the best starting pitching so far.

I can't really argue this Edwin thing with you anymore. You seem convinced there was a good offer on the table for him in the off season. There's no evidence of that and the team would be greatly weakened without the MLB RBI leader on the roster this season. What if they traded him for a guy that turned into Storen? You'd be howling!

Revere had the second highest batting average on the Jays in 2015. What we ultimately got in return is a 39 year old mutt. We traded a valubale player and got very little in returnI have difficulty applauding that move. Others do not.

Now let us compare that to the situation with Bautista and Encarnacion. How could there not be offers on the table for two- not one but two- of the best hitters in MLB over the last five years. Their value on any roster is indisputable, and to be fair that includes the Jays roster. They are going to get paid. Losing both of them for absolutely no return at all -nothing- is criminal, horrific management. And that is also indisputable. The situation would be lessened if the Jays had no other hitters that could replace one of them in the middle of the order. In fact, they have several.

Worse, the Jays will at very best end up signing an aging, increasingly gimpy Bautista for too much term and money because they will have to appease their fans.

The Jays have, or perhaps had, the assets to create a championship team. Looks like Gibby, Atkins and above all Shapiro will be working on ensuring that won't happen. They could partially redeem themselves by getting some pitching in the next few days, but now they are going to have to give up some real assets to do it. Perhaps getting Upton is part of that, making Saunders or Pillar expendable

[Boges]

Revere had the second highest batting average on the Jays in 2015. What we ultimately got in return is a 39 year old mutt. We traded a valubale player and got very little in returnI have difficulty applauding that move. Others do not.

And this year he's hitting .215, the trade was a failure for both parties. At least the Jays were able to unload Storen for something.

Now let us compare that to the situation with Bautista and Encarnacion. How could there not be offers on the table for two- not one but two- of the best hitters in MLB over the last five years. Their value on any roster is indisputable, and to be fair that includes the Jays roster. They are going to get paid. Losing both of them for absolutely no return at all -nothing- is criminal, horrific management. And that is also indisputable. The situation would be lessened if the Jays had no other hitters that could replace one of them in the middle of the order. In fact, they have several.

Worse, the Jays will at very best end up signing an aging, increasingly gimpy Bautista for too much term and money because they will have to appease their fans.

There wouldn't have been a good deal on the table because they're in their walk year! Same reason you wanted to unload them in March would be the same reason another team wouldn't give away the farm to get them for a season unless they're already contenders. But then what do you get in return and how does that help you win?

The Jays have, or perhaps had, the assets to create a championship team. Looks like Gibby, Atkins and above all Shapiro will be working on ensuring that won't happen. They could partially redeem themselves by getting some pitching in the next few days, but now they are going to have to give up some real assets to do it. Perhaps getting Upton is part of that, making Saunders or Pillar expendable

Upton is a contingency plan because it's likely either Saunders or Bautista won't be on the team next year. He's under control and San Diego is picking up a chunk of his contract. Also, Apples to Apples he's actually the better player than Bautista this season. On the surface, the trade seems like a steal.

Edited July 28, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

Now let us compare that to the situation with Bautista and Encarnacion. How could there not be offers on the table for two- not one but two- of the best hitters in MLB over the last five years. Their value on any roster is indisputable, and to be fair that includes the Jays roster. They are going to get paid. Losing both of them for absolutely no return at all -nothing- is criminal, horrific management.

What type of teams spend on rent-a-players? Contenders, right? Are the Jays potential contenders?

Offers for players in their walk year aren't going to be great and for the deal to be worthwhile the Jays, a contending team, would have to receive something that would help them to win, right now, as much or more than EE or Bats can. How likely is it that another contending team would offer up a player or players with more immediate value than the guy their trading for, to a team they may have to compete with down the stretch or face in the post season?

[Boges]

Losing both of them for absolutely no return at all -nothing- is criminal, horrific management.

Only if you can demonstrate that a trade could have been made that no only fills the void they leave but makes the team better in a year where they have a good chance of winning it all.

They've fulfilled their contract and played excellently, that's not nothing.

This is the type of mentality that has pundits saying the Jays must make a deal for JD this offseason because he'll be a lame duck next year if they don't.

Edited July 28, 2016 by Boges

[overthere]

And this year he's hitting .215, the trade was a failure for both parties. At least the Jays were able to unload Storen for something.

LOL. Who cares what the outcome was for the Nats?. What matters is the outcome for the Jays, and it was this : traded valuable player in Revere for nothing. Because Benoit- unless he undergoes a Lazarus like revival -is worth pretty much nothing. Both he and Storen earn $8 million which no doubt facilitated the trade. The most interesting stat is that Benoiut is 39 years old and Storen is 28. Wow. It gets worse: we gave up two pitching prospects to get Revere. Lets dig that grave a little deeper.

There wouldn't have been a good deal on the table because they're in their walk year!

Roll out the revisionism. They had far more value in March than they do now. The Jays had to sign or trade one of them. Wholesale failure.

another team wouldn't give away the farm to get them for a season unless they're already contenders.

I did not say they would get Clayton Kershaw for either or both of them in March. But I now you;d rather die than admit they had far, far more value to the Jays in March than now. The only possible thing that will cushion the blow to our team is if the Jays win a World Series, then lose Bautusta as well as EE. It is a foregone conclusion they will lose EE for absolutely zero return. Next year we'll see Edwin running the parrot around Rogers Centre in a Red Sox uniform.

Also, Apples to Apples he's actually the better player than Bautista this season.

LOL. Next, lets pretend that Upton was one of the best hitters in baseball in March, 2016. Go ahead, I need a laugh.

[Boges]

LOL. Who cares what the outcome was for the Nats?. What matters is the outcome for the Jays, and it was this : traded valuable player in Revere for nothing. Because Benoit- unless he undergoes a Lazarus like revival -is worth pretty much nothing. Both he and Storen earn $8 million which no doubt facilitated the trade. The most interesting stat is that Benoiut is 39 years old and Storen is 28. Wow. It gets worse: we gave up two pitching prospects to get Revere. Lets dig that grave a little deeper.

And the Jays were trading for a potential closer last year. A much more vital need than a left fielder who they had on the roster already for a lot less money. Who's being revisionist now? No one criticized this trade in January.

Roll out the revisionism. They had far more value in March than they do now. The Jays had to sign or trade one of them. Wholesale failure.

Yeah because having the MLB RBI leader on a team that's contending is awful. Much better to have a middling starter on a team that already has pretty solid starting pitching.

LOL. Next, lets pretend that Upton was one of the best hitters in baseball in March, 2016. Go ahead, I need a laugh.

Bats is hitting .224 with only 12 Home Runs and 42 RBIs. His OBP is great but his defence and speed are questionable. He also spent time on the DL.

Upton was hitting .255 with 16 Home Runs and 45 RBIs on an AWFUL!!! Padres teams. His defence and speed are both an asset.

I'm not saying Upton is better nor should he be the starting right fielder. But if you assume the continued decline of Bautista due to age and the price he'll require to re-sign, it appears the Jays have found a competent replacement.

Edited July 28, 2016 by Boges

[Boges]

Two minor pitching moves at the deadline for the Jays.

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-jays-trade-rhp-chavez-to-dodgers-1.536414

Toronto acquired right-handed pitcher Scott Feldman from the Houston Astros in exchange for pitching prospect Gaudalupe Chavez on Monday. Shortly after that, the Blue Jays got righty Mike Bolsinger from the Los Angeles Dodgers for reliever Jesse Chavez and cash considerations.

Feldman has appeared in 26 games for the Astros this season, including five starts, posting a 5-3 record with a 2.90 earned-run average. Since his move to the bullpen at the end of April, Feldman has recorded a 2.41 ERA over 37.1 innings. In his 12th Major League season, Feldman is 69-76 with a 4.35 in 307 games (183 starts) for Texas, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore and Houston.

The 18-year-old Gaudalupe Chavez is in his third professional season and second with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays. He is 4-1 with 1.69 ERA in six starts this season.

Bolsinger, 28, has made six starts for the Dodgers, posting a 1-4 record with a 6.83 ERA. In 13 games (two starts) with Oklahoma (PCL) Bolsinger is 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA over 29 innings. He was 6-6 with a 3.62 ERA over 21 starts in 2015 and owns a career mark of 8-16 with a 4.61 ERA in 37 games (36 starts).

Trading Chavez for a guy with a huge ERA doesn't seem to make sense. I'm looking forward to seeing this Scott Feldman guy though. Interesting that they got him from the team they visit tonight. And the Astros are chasing them for the Wildcard.

[Boges]

Apparently they've also traded Hutch to Pittsburgh for Francisco Liriano.

It appears he'll be brought in to replace Aaron Sanchez as he gets moved to the bullpen.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Boges