Toronto Escorts

The 2017 Blue Jay season thread

Phil C. McNasty

Go Jays Go
Dec 27, 2010
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That is a given. LOL

Hopefully, you are willing to share the stage with skyrider
I was kidding shack. Obviously I don't know more than the GM, and neither do you.

Have you tried lightening up a bit??
 

Nad Smith

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2004
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I have been in the anti Gibbons column....I think his record is mediocre...we lost the last 2 seasons to teams we could beat...and Cleveland was far better prepared than we were, so was KC. So congrats to those who are satisfied with making the playoffs. But even if you like him as a manager....why the job security? Managers all know they are going to get fired some day.... We have a few guys ..Tulo Bautista, Martin....even Donaldson - Grilli with limited years left.....but old John will be there in 2019 and 2020 when the re-tooling has to happen.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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I was kidding shack. Obviously I don't know more than the GM, and neither do you.
You're talking to the wrong guy. I dare you to find posts where I claim I know more than the GM or manager. Although I do have lots of posts critical of those who do.

Have you tried lightening up a bit??
Absolutely. I'm down about 10 pounds in the last month.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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I have been in the anti Gibbons column....I think his record is mediocre...we lost the last 2 seasons to teams we could beat...and Cleveland was far better prepared than we were, so was KC. So congrats to those who are satisfied with making the playoffs..
It sounds like your philosophy is that there is only one good manager each year. The other 29 are losers.

But even if you like him as a manager....why the job security? Managers all know they are going to get fired some day.... We have a few guys ..Tulo Bautista, Martin....even Donaldson - Grilli with limited years left.....but old John will be there in 2019 and 2020 when the re-tooling has to happen.
And it is widely accepted that Gibbons would not be a good choice for a young, retooling team. But this is a veteran team and you listed all the leaders in the clubhouse. And in my opinion, a 2 year deal for a guy that got them to the ALCS 2 years in a row is just reward, yet very far from long term security. Keep in mind, only 5 teams in all of baseball made the playoffs the last 2 years, let alone get to the final 4.

Just curious, what would you do, fire him?
 

Nad Smith

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Nov 23, 2004
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It sounds like your philosophy is that there is only one good manager each year. The other 29 are losers.


And it is widely accepted that Gibbons would not be a good choice for a young, retooling team. But this is a veteran team and you listed all the leaders in the clubhouse. And in my opinion, a 2 year deal for a guy that got them to the ALCS 2 years in a row is just reward, yet very far from long term security. Keep in mind, only 5 teams in all of baseball made the playoffs the last 2 years, let alone get to the final 4.

Just curious, what would you do, fire him?
No, I would not fire him now (might have after 2013)...but I would not have given him the extension.....I actually would give him a passing grade for last year (the year before, you could have managed them with the same results). My argument is 2 fold...if you want to be good enough for the playoffs but not the ws, reward him. If you think a major re-tooling might be necessary in a couple years - you may want a new manager then
 

Dawgger

Active member
Jan 3, 2005
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No, I would not fire him now (might have after 2013)...but I would not have given him the extension.....I actually would give him a passing grade for last year (the year before, you could have managed them with the same results). My argument is 2 fold...if you want to be good enough for the playoffs but not the ws, reward him. If you think a major re-tooling might be necessary in a couple years - you may want a new manager then
Whether or not they will need a major retooling depends on the moves ShapiroAtkins make between now and then. A lot of the problems the Jays have had, IMO, have been caused by the front office more so than things the manager have done.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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No, I would not fire him now (might have after 2013)...but I would not have given him the extension.....I actually would give him a passing grade for last year (the year before, you could have managed them with the same results). My argument is 2 fold...if you want to be good enough for the playoffs but not the ws, reward him. If you think a major re-tooling might be necessary in a couple years - you may want a new manager then
Can't argue much there.

My only comment regarding the extension is that without it, he is basically a lame duck manager and restricts him somewhat. Giving him an extension strengthens his hand with the players and if it doesn't work out, the team can more than afford a few million if they have to cut him loose.
 

Nad Smith

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Nov 23, 2004
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Marcus Str OOOOOO man! If he pitches like this, he will be a superstar. No hitter for 6 innings tonight in wbc
 

gww

not banned
Mar 2, 2004
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Somewhere but not here.
Marcus Str OOOOOO man! If he pitches like this, he will be a superstar. No hitter for 6 innings tonight in wbc
Spring training time too - hopefully just getting warmed up for the season.

Also sure Gibby is smiling as he says I told you so. Next time there's a big game and he picks Stro over all the rest to start he can point to this as a good example of why. Seems maybe he know a wee bit more about the team than the armchair GMs who want him gone.
 

Nad Smith

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2004
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ok armchair managers....we have 5 starting pitchers....in what order will they pitch to start the season? I say Happ, Stroman, Estrada, Liriano, Sanchez.........I split the left handers and I split Stroman and Sanchez...and I know Gibbons won't take my advice
 

smitherz

Team Player
Dec 9, 2002
515
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The Jays have 2 off days in the first week or so of the season.

I'd go with

@ Orioles Apr 3 Season Opener Stroman
Apr 4 Off Day
@ Orioles Apr 5 Happ

@ Rays Apr 6 Estrada
@ Rays Apr 7 Sanchez
@ Rays Apr 8 Liriano
@ Rays Apr 9 Stroman

Apr 10 Off Day

vs Brewers Apr 11 Home Opener Happ

Stroman is the unofficial ace of this staff as far as I'm concerned, he was lights out in the the wild card game and is coming off WBC MVP win.
Happ deserves the home opener for his brilliant 20-win season last year, especially after all the twitter hate from Jays fans after his signing.
I'm expecting a good year from Liriano, he still has dominating stuff and it' a contract year for him.
No innings limit for Sanchez this year so there's at least one less distraction to deal with.
Estrada just needs to stay healthy. he was in the running for CY Young last year until his back started acting up.
This might be the best opening day rotation the Jays have ever had.
 

Nad Smith

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2004
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Since we like the old baseball guy...old baseball guys reward their pitcher from last year the opening day assignment.....and Happ had the best record.....Stroman was only fair...Sanchez would also deserve the honour, but I think they still unofficially want to not overwork him, so holding him back makes some sense. I also agree that Stroman is the old baseball guy's favourite..so won't be surprised if he gets opening day again.

By the way, am trying to watch spring training game...but Tabler won't shut up and I don't want to watch spring training with the sound off......how I wish the radio was synchronized with the tv.....Jerry and Joe much better than Buck and the human agreeing machine
 
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