I was backpacking overseas in 1992, had moved to Australia in 1993, and could not take time off work in 2015 and 2016. The wildcard teams of 2022 and 2023 did not inspire me. But this team does. So as a lifelong and diehard fan my question is: at what point should I book a ticket home to watch the Jays in the playoffs?
Late question. Have seen fans pining for Suarez or Kwan, but given the fit and likely acquisition cost, Taylor Ward seems like a better target to me. I don’t think the jays need to add a position player, but if they do what are your thoughts on Ward?
Nick asked a similar question in your podcast last week, but a slight tweak: If the Jays started a 3-game wild card round tomorrow, who would you have as the starters, and who would go to the bullpen? I find it crazy how difficult it is to really separate the the confidence levels between these five pitchers. (FWIW I'd probably go Bassitt, Berrios, Gausman, as I think Lauer and Scherzer could be better suited to bullpen/longman)
How would you kindly explain to a beloved family member who thinks the Jays should trade Bo now before he "leaves for nothing" that they are, politely, a fucking idiot?
We've spent a number a seasons performing below expected performance, per a number of different metrics, which is well documented in your work over this period (say last 5 years ish)...except this this year. Tell me the opposite isn't true in 2025 and regression to the mean isn't what I want to hear this year :)
What do you see them doing with the rotation at the deadline? It seems like pitching-wise what they need is A) a front-end starter and B) real depth in case of injury. And while things do seem to work themselves out on the injury front, it feels like adding a starter to this mix right now (as of Sunday night) would be awkward. Are Mad Max's next two starts going to determine a lot of what they do here? Have I had to much to drink at Lauer Hour? If Max is healthy going into August, the bullpen (and getting a guy who can play a swingman role) feels to me like the best place for them to really cash their chips. Can't remember a deadline with the Jays buying where the options have been this wide open.
Who do you expect to be the best trade deadline non-acquisition player we get to finish off the season? Our 2 strongest defenders Varsho or Giminez, an out of nowhere back of the bullpen (please) Manoah, Francis finding his August /September 2024 form, Santander doing something not horribly on the field or yet another rookie proving out of nowhere he's actually a guy?
Sorry, need to vent here so not a real question. How can Sportsnet be so dumb to mistakenly post a picture of MIke Flanagan during their tribute to Jim Clancy before the first game against the Giants? Clancy was a franchise stalwart who deserved better. Embarassing and shameful. How hard is it to get that right? I haven't seen an apology - I hope there was one.
Is there a less aesthetically appealing expression of hitter frustration than slamming the bat on home plate when the alternatives including snapping it like a small branch over one knee and/or slowly removing each batting glove while staring into the far distance?
Hey Andrew. Finally paid up to make sure you get the $ you deserve… and to ask you this question: It seems pretty clear Bo is keen to test free agency, and who could blame him? But given the fact the Jays finally seem competitive, and he seems happy, and the team has a lot of money coming off the books soon… what odds would you give to Bo’s next contract being with Toronto?
Bo go or Bo no go
I was backpacking overseas in 1992, had moved to Australia in 1993, and could not take time off work in 2015 and 2016. The wildcard teams of 2022 and 2023 did not inspire me. But this team does. So as a lifelong and diehard fan my question is: at what point should I book a ticket home to watch the Jays in the playoffs?
Late question. Have seen fans pining for Suarez or Kwan, but given the fit and likely acquisition cost, Taylor Ward seems like a better target to me. I don’t think the jays need to add a position player, but if they do what are your thoughts on Ward?
Nick asked a similar question in your podcast last week, but a slight tweak: If the Jays started a 3-game wild card round tomorrow, who would you have as the starters, and who would go to the bullpen? I find it crazy how difficult it is to really separate the the confidence levels between these five pitchers. (FWIW I'd probably go Bassitt, Berrios, Gausman, as I think Lauer and Scherzer could be better suited to bullpen/longman)
How would you kindly explain to a beloved family member who thinks the Jays should trade Bo now before he "leaves for nothing" that they are, politely, a fucking idiot?
We've spent a number a seasons performing below expected performance, per a number of different metrics, which is well documented in your work over this period (say last 5 years ish)...except this this year. Tell me the opposite isn't true in 2025 and regression to the mean isn't what I want to hear this year :)
Is Barger a better Right Fielder or Third Baseman? What is his future position?
What do you see them doing with the rotation at the deadline? It seems like pitching-wise what they need is A) a front-end starter and B) real depth in case of injury. And while things do seem to work themselves out on the injury front, it feels like adding a starter to this mix right now (as of Sunday night) would be awkward. Are Mad Max's next two starts going to determine a lot of what they do here? Have I had to much to drink at Lauer Hour? If Max is healthy going into August, the bullpen (and getting a guy who can play a swingman role) feels to me like the best place for them to really cash their chips. Can't remember a deadline with the Jays buying where the options have been this wide open.
Who do you expect to be the best trade deadline non-acquisition player we get to finish off the season? Our 2 strongest defenders Varsho or Giminez, an out of nowhere back of the bullpen (please) Manoah, Francis finding his August /September 2024 form, Santander doing something not horribly on the field or yet another rookie proving out of nowhere he's actually a guy?
Sorry, need to vent here so not a real question. How can Sportsnet be so dumb to mistakenly post a picture of MIke Flanagan during their tribute to Jim Clancy before the first game against the Giants? Clancy was a franchise stalwart who deserved better. Embarassing and shameful. How hard is it to get that right? I haven't seen an apology - I hope there was one.
Dear Favorite Baseball Writer,
Hi. Hope things are well. I have a 2 pronged question.
What the hell ever happened to Bowden Francis and why the hell does nobody ever mention him?
Is there a less aesthetically appealing expression of hitter frustration than slamming the bat on home plate when the alternatives including snapping it like a small branch over one knee and/or slowly removing each batting glove while staring into the far distance?
This question has nothing to do with Vlad.
Hey Andrew. Finally paid up to make sure you get the $ you deserve… and to ask you this question: It seems pretty clear Bo is keen to test free agency, and who could blame him? But given the fact the Jays finally seem competitive, and he seems happy, and the team has a lot of money coming off the books soon… what odds would you give to Bo’s next contract being with Toronto?