Jays 2023

[onomatopoeia]

Went directly to Baseball Reference to get the actual stats - Since the All Star Break Biggio has been solid but its a very small sample size over 25 games.

26 AB, 32 plate appearances
.269 AVG (7 hits, 1 HR)
.406 OBP (4 BB, 2HBP)
.829 OPS

That OPS is Solid, but again its only 32 plate appearances.
Biggio needs to have a good 45 games or so to close the season, otherwise I would be very surprised he get offered arbitration. He is currently a -0.5 WAR player this year - you don't need to pay $3.2 million for that. You can get that for the league minimum or for a cheaper low level utility free agent (somewhere between $600K and $1.5 million) It sucks that we now discuss as Biggio as low level utility guy but it is what he has been this year and last. Disappointing given how he started his career. I hope Biggio picks it up and gives the Jays a difficult decision come November - as of right now its not a hard one.

The infield depth could very different for the Jays next year. Bichette is in and Schneider is in, but the others could all be free agents by year end.

Dejong has about a $15M team option, with a small buyout ($2 million I believe) - he is getting bought out. That buyout was likely factored in the cash that the Cards sent to pick him up.

Biggio is likely not getting offered arbitration of 3.2 million, unless he closes very strongly.

Espinal is also arbitration eligible and would need to be offered $2.4 million. Not sure if the Jays offer him that.

Of course the Jays could try to bring all 3 back for cheaper once they are declared free agents and available to everybody.

Wins above replacement compared to Salary is a huge factor. Even if Cavan goes hitless for the rest of this year, hr would get a generous pay bump based on arbitration eligibility, if he is tendered a contract.

The League is full of players like him. Many are middle inning relievers; few teams give those guys multi year deals.

 

[shack]

Watching Vladdy at bat, I don't know whether to call it frustrating or painful.

He swings at balls that are up at eye level or 8 inches outside and low. And then when they throw him a fastball down Broadway, the bat stays on his shoulder for strike 3. And why is every swing of his with maximum effort/velocity. It's like he wants to hit 3 home runs with one swing.

I think I have a harder time watching his terrible at bats even more than Varsho's even though Varsho has more of them. It may be because we've seen what he's done in the past and to see him regress so much is tough.

OK. I've decided to call it painful.

 

[shack]

Bases loaded and nobody out with a slim 1 run lead in the 8th. They get sweet fuck all. I hope they lose.

 

[Toronto Passions]

I consider the sample size to be too small to be significant to anyone other than a podcaster.

Lol those two guys are clowns. They are both professional comedians. But their podcast is usually OK and they have had some good guests on there too.

My favourite podcasts right now are -

Blair and Barker

The Gibby Show

The Walk Off

Bluejays Digest is horrible. After watching that podcast, I was convinced Marcus Stroman would be coming here. Lol. Geez I feel so gullible.

Philip

 

[Nad Smith]

Guerrero is so frustrating. He gets 2 hits but has 2 terrible at bats in game. Springer hits homer after fouling off a bunch. Possibly Guardian (ew that name) pitcher is going to throw a get it over fast ball first pitch and Vlad should be ready for that...instead the fast ball is way too high and he swings and misses, and then watches the down the middle fast ball for strike 3. In other key at bat...bases loaded....he swings at first pitch and hits into tailor made double play. Somebody has got to fix this guy mentally...are the coaches even trying?

And once again the Jays make another pitcher look like a cy young candidate

 

[bemeup]

The fact that their best offensive game lately was that 13-1 blowout of the Red Sox, and that Vladdy sat out that game (rest day), speaks volumes about Vladdy’s current form.

 

[Toronto Passions]

Watching Vladdy at bat, I don't know whether to call it frustrating or painful.

He swings at balls that are up at eye level or 8 inches outside and low. And then when they throw him a fastball down Broadway, the bat stays on his shoulder for strike 3. And why is every swing of his with maximum effort/velocity. It's like he wants to hit 3 home runs with one swing.

I think I have a harder time watching his terrible at bats even more than Varsho's even though Varsho has more of them. It may be because we've seen what he's done in the past and to see him regress so much is tough.

OK. I've decided to call it painful.

Vlady generates so much natural power that he could probably just take a nice easy swing and hit it out easier. Kind of like Aaron Judge. Judge is so easy on the eyes with a nice smooth swing.

Philip

 

[shack]

Vlady generates so much natural power that he could probably just take a nice easy swing and hit it out easier. Kind of like Aaron Judge. Judge is so easy on the eyes with a nice smooth swing.

Philip

It's like in golf, when you swing easy it gives you a better chance of making good contact. You swing wild and you're all over the place because you can't control the club.

A buddy used to say "Swing easy and accept the extra yardage you get."

 

[unassuming]

It's like in golf, when you swing easy it gives you a better chance of making good contact. You swing wild and you're all over the place because you can't control the club.

A buddy used to say "Swing easy and accept the extra yardage you get."

Also your head moves, instead of staying put, which results in taking eye off ball.

 

[unassuming]

Tonight's game is on AppleTV only.

 

[tml]

Let's hope Baltimore can cool off Seattle starting tonight. The Jays are unlikely to catch Baltimore, so let them win against Seattle.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Let's hope Baltimore can cool off Seattle starting tonight. The Jays are unlikely to catch Baltimore, so let them win against Seattle.

The Orioles have a fairly easy schedule for the rest of the season, so it would be difficult for the Jays to catch them.

The Mariners play their last ten games against the Rangers and Astros, but they have thirteen games left against the Royals and Athletics.

 

[Toronto Passions]

Alek Manoah demoted to AAA. Good he needs another wake up call.

Philip

 

[unassuming]

Career is over, he's toast!

 

[Toronto Passions]

Career is over, he's toast!

He got too comfortable with his talent and slider, and didn’t put in the work. As my man Rocket Roger would say after the Mitchell report, “I had success, because I worked my tail off.” Lol

Philip

 

[onomatopoeia]

Alek Manoah demoted to AAA. Good he needs another wake up call.

Philip

Not the way you'd want to play at four different levels of the organization in the same season.

These demotions are going to cost Alek a year before he qualifies for both salary arbitration and free agency.

 

[Insidious Von]

Rougned Odor says veng' anche io, the fans yell "NO TU NO".

 

[Toronto Passions]

Rougned Odor says veng' anche io, the fans yell "NO TU NO".

This entire thing is so beautiful. Totally chokes me up. I’m just waiting for Shack to upload a video of himself singing the Jose Jose Jose song lol. Seriously though, I get goosebumps just thinking about this. August 12th has been in my calendar for months and this damn game has been sold out for months. I tried to get tickets on Ticketmaster and it’s not happening.

Philip

 

[Nad Smith]

Manoah was supposed to really like Ryu. Ryu came back 20 pounds lighter...why doesn't Manoah?

 

[Toronto Passions]

Tonight's game is on AppleTV only.

I have Rogers Ignite (best TV package I’ve ever owned) and for some reason Apple TV just comes with my cable package and I get this game tonight. I probably synced my phone to my TV once like a year ago because I have Apple TV on my phone with my Apple ID/iTunes and I have a bit of a movie collection etc. etc. but I never signed up for any additional games package. It’s just there and it’s included.

Philip