What is your least favorite feeling about Manfredball? For me it's the cold, slimy sensation of seeing Justin Turner batting cleanup for a contender who intentionally traded for him and knowing that it makes sense.
Multi Mail Bag Questions for my fav baseball writer.
1. Spencer Horwitz definitely looks like a long term keeper. I'm a big fan of his approach, his steady hitting and the great guy he appears to be. Could you reinforce my thoughts on him so I don't sound like a gushing fan boy?
2. Jon Heyman says the Jays have a 1-25 chance of signing Soto. I'm thinking he would love to play with his buddy Vladdy. Do you think there's a chance they both get a truckload of cash from Rogers this winter?
Q: So they do end up signing Vlad for huge money long term (and maybe Bo too)...is that enough of an anchor to build around? If this season is not a blip anymore, it seems like next year won't be much different either without a few free agent signings, which ideally round the roster out as opposed to overpaying a big star or two to come on a contract that won't age well. I don't see the path of Vlad and Bo's aging curves, plus those of free agent additions (if we were to splash this offseason or next) and the next crop of players in our system. Your thoughts on Vlad and Bo's prime and timing of new crop having an impact.
Would be lots of hurdles and might be impossible. if Vladdy won't sign... maybe there is a window to trade Vlad for Mike Trout? Angels need to change things up. Mike Trout in the AL East!
Hey Stoeten, do you think Pete Alonso’s free agency this winter helps set the market for Vlad and potentially move the parties closer together to get a deal done? Pete is a few years older but the career WAR numbers are pretty similar.
Naturally they should just pay the man because the alternative is too miserable to contemplate but this might help with a useful indication of where the market is for AAV?
Totally agree that the season has been a miserable, frustrating failure, and that more with expectations removed, it's now just a failure. I'm looking forward to watching some baseball qua baseball, with nothing riding on the outcome. And seeing some young bucks get a chance is always fun. Nice to share in the joy of someone's first major-league whatever.
Record aside, I think we can all agree that the Jays were frustrating and not very fun to watch last year. Ditto this year up to the deadline, and for largely similar reasons. It doesn't seem like the FO has taken that lesson to heart. Shapiro has talked a lot about winning as the goal, the importance of winning, etc., but I don't think I've heard him talk about the importance of _fielding an entertaining team_ and you know, being fun to watch, although maybe I've missed it.
I think a lot of the negative fan reaction to the offseason was at its core a complaint that the team sucked to watch and the front office didn't rectify that. Hanging on to narrow leads through great defense and a lockdown bullpen is fun now and again, but it seems like it's - too stressful maybe? too demoralizing when it doesn't work and you lose yet another 3-1 game? - and it doesn't seem like this FO realized that even if that approach "works" in terms of winning enough games to make the playoffs, it doesn't work as an entertainment product. Are they - paradoxically - maybe too focused on winning??
Have you seen any discussion or quantification (because baseball nerds love quantification!) of what makes teams fun to watch or not? Or any sign of front offices (especially this one) taking that into account when putting the team together?
What are your thoughts on what makes a team "fun" or entertaining beyond just winning ball games and the responsibility of a front office to take that into account?
Having your most excellent starting pitchers pitch a 1 or 2 run game, and still lose, repeatedly, is about as 'not fun' as it gets. You think 'these guys deserve a better team behind them'. And then you think, 'ah, and that goes for me, too.'
Stoeten, thanks for providing the perspective I needed to endure this season. I'm on to the next already. Here's my dream offseason. 1. Vladdy extension. 2. Sign Soto. 3. Find a legit internal 3rd baseman between Clement, Wagner or Orelvis, or sign Bregman. 4. Fix the bullpen. Horwitz has earned regular 2nd base reps IMO, Kirk is fine at catcher (no one has great catching, so don't spend here) and Yariel/Bloss/Francis should be cost-effective 4/5. If no Bregman, need a legit power bat for DH/3B. I'm not going to accept the right players weren't there for them again this offseason. Ohtani switched teams. So did Soto. Quit signing aging vets on short term deals and go get proven studs and pay the market rate, unless there are legit pillow deals to be made. Are you onboard with this plan, or should we just etch in stone our 32nd straight season without playing for the World Series? To me, it is something pretty aggressive or might as well sell Guerrero, Bichette, Bassitt and Gausmann. The middling middle is maddening
So, the Jays are giving the kids an audition until the end of the season, and they got some close-to-MLB talent at the deadline, but even if some work out, they will still need more reliable bats. They have kind of proved they can't just rely on positive regression past Vladdy.... How many do you think they need to get in? One, two, more?
I'm finding it a mite hard to believe that _Spencer Horowitz_ is the left handed power bat we've always needed ... but assuming that this is so, where do we play him? I was thinking 2nd before Will Wagner showed up. Can either of these two play third? And Clement has a thing to say about that too .... decisions, decisions. Got any insight, Andrew?
I would give Vlad all the Rogers money, but realistically, how high would you go if you were running the team (and let’s be honest, it would be baller if you ran the team). That for all your writing , podcasting, and analysis - it is some of the best out there.
Should Toronto be interested in Elias Díaz?
What is your least favorite feeling about Manfredball? For me it's the cold, slimy sensation of seeing Justin Turner batting cleanup for a contender who intentionally traded for him and knowing that it makes sense.
Multi Mail Bag Questions for my fav baseball writer.
1. Spencer Horwitz definitely looks like a long term keeper. I'm a big fan of his approach, his steady hitting and the great guy he appears to be. Could you reinforce my thoughts on him so I don't sound like a gushing fan boy?
2. Jon Heyman says the Jays have a 1-25 chance of signing Soto. I'm thinking he would love to play with his buddy Vladdy. Do you think there's a chance they both get a truckload of cash from Rogers this winter?
Q: So they do end up signing Vlad for huge money long term (and maybe Bo too)...is that enough of an anchor to build around? If this season is not a blip anymore, it seems like next year won't be much different either without a few free agent signings, which ideally round the roster out as opposed to overpaying a big star or two to come on a contract that won't age well. I don't see the path of Vlad and Bo's aging curves, plus those of free agent additions (if we were to splash this offseason or next) and the next crop of players in our system. Your thoughts on Vlad and Bo's prime and timing of new crop having an impact.
Would be lots of hurdles and might be impossible. if Vladdy won't sign... maybe there is a window to trade Vlad for Mike Trout? Angels need to change things up. Mike Trout in the AL East!
Hey Stoeten, do you think Pete Alonso’s free agency this winter helps set the market for Vlad and potentially move the parties closer together to get a deal done? Pete is a few years older but the career WAR numbers are pretty similar.
Naturally they should just pay the man because the alternative is too miserable to contemplate but this might help with a useful indication of where the market is for AAV?
Q: Do you think Springer has enough left to not eat his contract? Who (internal or not) plays RF if you decide he’s not the guy?
Totally agree that the season has been a miserable, frustrating failure, and that more with expectations removed, it's now just a failure. I'm looking forward to watching some baseball qua baseball, with nothing riding on the outcome. And seeing some young bucks get a chance is always fun. Nice to share in the joy of someone's first major-league whatever.
Record aside, I think we can all agree that the Jays were frustrating and not very fun to watch last year. Ditto this year up to the deadline, and for largely similar reasons. It doesn't seem like the FO has taken that lesson to heart. Shapiro has talked a lot about winning as the goal, the importance of winning, etc., but I don't think I've heard him talk about the importance of _fielding an entertaining team_ and you know, being fun to watch, although maybe I've missed it.
I think a lot of the negative fan reaction to the offseason was at its core a complaint that the team sucked to watch and the front office didn't rectify that. Hanging on to narrow leads through great defense and a lockdown bullpen is fun now and again, but it seems like it's - too stressful maybe? too demoralizing when it doesn't work and you lose yet another 3-1 game? - and it doesn't seem like this FO realized that even if that approach "works" in terms of winning enough games to make the playoffs, it doesn't work as an entertainment product. Are they - paradoxically - maybe too focused on winning??
Have you seen any discussion or quantification (because baseball nerds love quantification!) of what makes teams fun to watch or not? Or any sign of front offices (especially this one) taking that into account when putting the team together?
What are your thoughts on what makes a team "fun" or entertaining beyond just winning ball games and the responsibility of a front office to take that into account?
Having your most excellent starting pitchers pitch a 1 or 2 run game, and still lose, repeatedly, is about as 'not fun' as it gets. You think 'these guys deserve a better team behind them'. And then you think, 'ah, and that goes for me, too.'
On the other hand, if they make a new habit of blowing 6-0 leads, I think I could learn to really hate this way to lose, too.
Stoeten, thanks for providing the perspective I needed to endure this season. I'm on to the next already. Here's my dream offseason. 1. Vladdy extension. 2. Sign Soto. 3. Find a legit internal 3rd baseman between Clement, Wagner or Orelvis, or sign Bregman. 4. Fix the bullpen. Horwitz has earned regular 2nd base reps IMO, Kirk is fine at catcher (no one has great catching, so don't spend here) and Yariel/Bloss/Francis should be cost-effective 4/5. If no Bregman, need a legit power bat for DH/3B. I'm not going to accept the right players weren't there for them again this offseason. Ohtani switched teams. So did Soto. Quit signing aging vets on short term deals and go get proven studs and pay the market rate, unless there are legit pillow deals to be made. Are you onboard with this plan, or should we just etch in stone our 32nd straight season without playing for the World Series? To me, it is something pretty aggressive or might as well sell Guerrero, Bichette, Bassitt and Gausmann. The middling middle is maddening
What do you think of the whole starting pitchers have to throw at least 6 innings rule that's getting tossed around? I think I'm all for it!
Thanks for the coverage, reading your website and listening to the pod are two of my favourite things about baseball :)
So, the Jays are giving the kids an audition until the end of the season, and they got some close-to-MLB talent at the deadline, but even if some work out, they will still need more reliable bats. They have kind of proved they can't just rely on positive regression past Vladdy.... How many do you think they need to get in? One, two, more?
I think they have to figure out what's wrong with Bo before moving forward.Besides the bullpen woes his lack of offense is what sunk the team.
I'm finding it a mite hard to believe that _Spencer Horowitz_ is the left handed power bat we've always needed ... but assuming that this is so, where do we play him? I was thinking 2nd before Will Wagner showed up. Can either of these two play third? And Clement has a thing to say about that too .... decisions, decisions. Got any insight, Andrew?
I would give Vlad all the Rogers money, but realistically, how high would you go if you were running the team (and let’s be honest, it would be baller if you ran the team). That for all your writing , podcasting, and analysis - it is some of the best out there.
Hey Stoeten, just wondered if you had a take on the Sportsnet radio coverage so far this season? Thanks!