Who gets the next "Kirk extension" next? That contract looks brilliant in retrospect, great value deal. Maybe an out-of-nowhere Bo deal, not holding my breath on that one. I'd like to see a Varsho extension at this point personally. Should be able to get some decent value out of the extension with his injuries and struggles, and I think there is more in the tank. Worst case scenario, lock down defense in CF when healthy.
For the mailbag, would love to get your thoughts on what you'd like to see happen at the trade deadline -- particularly around who you'd like to see the team keep among the older-but-still-interesting prospect-ish and Rule V guys at the bottom of the MLB roster and in the upper minors (Wagner, Loperfido, Clase, Roden, Orelvis, Pinango, V. Arias, etc.) who are, or are about to be, in need of 40-man spots.
Also, there's no way Josh Naylor can fit on this roster, whether at the deadline or as a free agent...right?
Last one: Is it possible that Kendry Rojas, not Yesavage or Tiedemann, is the team's best pitching prospect?
I think the Vlad 'situation' is definitely worth a deep dive, so thanks for this. The fact that he has become somewhat of a polarising figure is perhaps not that hard to understand. He was built up with such massive expectations and coming out of 2015/2016, fans were hungry for more success, and he was the player who was going to lead us back into contention.
Then his 2019/2020 seasons were underwhelming and as you mentioned, his conditioning came under question and that earned him his 'fat' label, which has persisted today even though he's not fat at all and is pretty fit and athletic (and surprisingly fast although not as fast as I think he thinks he is).
2021 presented us with the superstar performance we were all expecting. And since then, he's been very good, but hasn't reached those lofty 2021 heights except for late last year when he raised our expectations again.
Then the Jays were totally backed into a corner and signed him to that crazy contract and the fans now had a financial reason to attach massive expectations to him - and he hasn't delivered yet.
So it's really about disappointment and unfortunately fans like a scapegoat and as good as he is, Vladdy will be the number one scapegoat for likely the duration of that contract. Well, perhaps after Atkins and Shapiro (who won't even be around that long).
Fans want 2021 every year and that is just not going to happen unfortunately. There will be ups and downs with Vladdy and the scrutiny will never go away. If the Jays start having bad seasons in the future alongside a so-so season by Vlad, I fear it could get quite ugly.
The lack of clutch is interesting. I subtly found myself over the years starting to groan when he came to the plate late in a game in a an important at bat. The stats you present don't back up why I felt/feel that way, but maybe it's because there's an expectation that Vlad needs to come through every time - and that is just impossible.
So it really comes down to unfair expectations by the fanbase on so many fronts.
Hi Andrew! Another question for ya! Just read a TSN article where Buster Olney says the Jays might focus on elite relievers. If you could rank the priorities of starter, bat, reliever, which one or two do you think the Jays should prioritize? Sorry, and thanks again! - Andre
Hi Andrew! Jambo from Zanzibar! As always, thank you so much for the incredible work you do covering ours Jays. Very happy to be a paid subscriber, and will continue to be for as long as you do this!
I booked this trip to Tanzania thinking Blue Jays baseball wouldn’t be worth hanging around town for this summer, but here we are, and our boys are in first place in the AL East, and not far behind some of the best records in baseball.
I do believe, as I’m sure many (including Ross) do, that the Jays need some reinforcements if they are to keep hold of their division lead, and hopefully secure a top-2 record in the AL to advance to the ALDS.
I am of the mind that the Jays should target 3 impact players (easier said than done, I know) - a power bat, a starter who could start a playoff game, and a high leverage reliever - in order to really feel like they can compete against the big boys in October.
Do you think the Jays have enough pieces to trade for those stars without sacrificing Nimmala and Yesavage?
Side note: Really like the JoJo Parker pick. Any thoughts? Sorry for the long one, it’s been a while since I’ve been this excited! Take care, and enjoy the lead up to the trade deadline! - Andre
Who gets the next "Kirk extension" next? That contract looks brilliant in retrospect, great value deal. Maybe an out-of-nowhere Bo deal, not holding my breath on that one. I'd like to see a Varsho extension at this point personally. Should be able to get some decent value out of the extension with his injuries and struggles, and I think there is more in the tank. Worst case scenario, lock down defense in CF when healthy.
For the mailbag, would love to get your thoughts on what you'd like to see happen at the trade deadline -- particularly around who you'd like to see the team keep among the older-but-still-interesting prospect-ish and Rule V guys at the bottom of the MLB roster and in the upper minors (Wagner, Loperfido, Clase, Roden, Orelvis, Pinango, V. Arias, etc.) who are, or are about to be, in need of 40-man spots.
Also, there's no way Josh Naylor can fit on this roster, whether at the deadline or as a free agent...right?
Last one: Is it possible that Kendry Rojas, not Yesavage or Tiedemann, is the team's best pitching prospect?
Great look at what's up with Vlad, and preempts the mailbag question I was going to ask!
I think the Vlad 'situation' is definitely worth a deep dive, so thanks for this. The fact that he has become somewhat of a polarising figure is perhaps not that hard to understand. He was built up with such massive expectations and coming out of 2015/2016, fans were hungry for more success, and he was the player who was going to lead us back into contention.
Then his 2019/2020 seasons were underwhelming and as you mentioned, his conditioning came under question and that earned him his 'fat' label, which has persisted today even though he's not fat at all and is pretty fit and athletic (and surprisingly fast although not as fast as I think he thinks he is).
2021 presented us with the superstar performance we were all expecting. And since then, he's been very good, but hasn't reached those lofty 2021 heights except for late last year when he raised our expectations again.
Then the Jays were totally backed into a corner and signed him to that crazy contract and the fans now had a financial reason to attach massive expectations to him - and he hasn't delivered yet.
So it's really about disappointment and unfortunately fans like a scapegoat and as good as he is, Vladdy will be the number one scapegoat for likely the duration of that contract. Well, perhaps after Atkins and Shapiro (who won't even be around that long).
Fans want 2021 every year and that is just not going to happen unfortunately. There will be ups and downs with Vladdy and the scrutiny will never go away. If the Jays start having bad seasons in the future alongside a so-so season by Vlad, I fear it could get quite ugly.
The lack of clutch is interesting. I subtly found myself over the years starting to groan when he came to the plate late in a game in a an important at bat. The stats you present don't back up why I felt/feel that way, but maybe it's because there's an expectation that Vlad needs to come through every time - and that is just impossible.
So it really comes down to unfair expectations by the fanbase on so many fronts.
> but maybe it's because there's an expectation that Vlad needs to come through every time - and that is just impossible.
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.
Hi Andrew! Another question for ya! Just read a TSN article where Buster Olney says the Jays might focus on elite relievers. If you could rank the priorities of starter, bat, reliever, which one or two do you think the Jays should prioritize? Sorry, and thanks again! - Andre
Hi Andrew! Jambo from Zanzibar! As always, thank you so much for the incredible work you do covering ours Jays. Very happy to be a paid subscriber, and will continue to be for as long as you do this!
I booked this trip to Tanzania thinking Blue Jays baseball wouldn’t be worth hanging around town for this summer, but here we are, and our boys are in first place in the AL East, and not far behind some of the best records in baseball.
I do believe, as I’m sure many (including Ross) do, that the Jays need some reinforcements if they are to keep hold of their division lead, and hopefully secure a top-2 record in the AL to advance to the ALDS.
I am of the mind that the Jays should target 3 impact players (easier said than done, I know) - a power bat, a starter who could start a playoff game, and a high leverage reliever - in order to really feel like they can compete against the big boys in October.
Do you think the Jays have enough pieces to trade for those stars without sacrificing Nimmala and Yesavage?
Side note: Really like the JoJo Parker pick. Any thoughts? Sorry for the long one, it’s been a while since I’ve been this excited! Take care, and enjoy the lead up to the trade deadline! - Andre