I used to think that the first sign of spring was pitchers & catchers reporting for spring training. Now I'm thinking the first sign is the increase in complaints by TERBites about the team.
The 2017 Blue Jay season thread
- Thread starter Phil C. McNasty
- Start date
Do you think the roster is better than last year? Have they improved in the off season?
Not debating with you shack. But remember that this is a team that made the playoffs for the past two seasons. It's not a team that's going to lose 100 games this season (hope I haven't jinxed them!). The Jays are still a team with first rate starting pitching, serious power, and a reliable closer. They will play exciting ball, and I expect that they will have a winning record. Will they make the playoffs? Will they win the World Series? I'm going to enjoy watching them and finding out. Go Jays!!!!
Jays collapsed in September due to injuries (Donaldson, Russell, Travis) and an out of sync Bautista coming off long term DL. That allowed opposing teams to pitch around EE and there was nothing else left in Jays' BO. They out-gutted O's for the WC win and then gobbled up a nervous TX that was unable to play anywhere near its capability. Jays then pretty much collapsed again against Cleve.
This year, the same high quality starting pitching. Position players are a year older and we subbed Morales for Eddie. But pretty much the same team. We have better pitching than O's. Sox played amazing last year, but may fall off this year. Yanks might come on with Sanchez, but are still probably a year off contending seriously. I see us making the playoffs again and contending w Bosox for the AL E.
I dont follow MLB as closely as some of you guys, but wasnt there very few quality free agents available in the off-season this year??
Why?
Yes, it would seem.
Just beyond the left field fence, where it's always been at Rogers Centre (Skydome).
Yes, unless the club folds, and maybe, if their record is good enough.
After Edwin, I'm not really sure.
My question was sincere, not rhetorical or demeaning. I am curious if anybody feels the Jays have improved significantly in any areas as they approach training camp.
I am with you on the "go Jays" part. But for a team that was very close the last two years, I assume that it wouldn't take more than one or two quality pieces to get them even closer. What has Shapeero added to improve the team?
I might rephrase that. "The same starting pitchers".
Can we expect these guys to equal last year's performance, let alone be better? They remained amazingly healthy last year. I hope they repeat but it may be a lot to expect. If they don't then they had better be improved elsewhere, which is what begat my original question. Where have they improved?
I am hopeful yet skeptical.
You and Costanza might think the bullpen is a joke but where is the bullpen? (The Costanza Shack comedy ream strikes again.)
My question to you was sincere also, I didn't really see a whole lot of quality free agents in the off-season.
I'm not letting Shapiro off the hook though, he's gotta do better than this
No, not suggesting that the Jays could have sign anybody, not even Cecil. Just that we have a weak bullpen (weaker than 2016 in my opinion) which will or could put more pressure on our starters to go deeper in games.
Phil you keep asking everyone the same question.....so before you ask me.....IMO the problem started with the signing of Smoak and the acquisition of Upton. They now have two guys that are underperformers and about 9 million of salary pissed away. They fucked up badly on their analysis of the free agent market. Without Smoak and Upton under contract they probably look at things differently and EE returns. Still need bullpen help and maybe another corner outfielder. If someone is trying to unload salary might be able to pick up a bat that can play the corner and lose Upton or Smoak.
