2024 Blue Jays

[Arn]

So how do we feel about the Kiermaier deal?

I feel like they?ve very much stood still while the rest of the division has improved.

And when you think they were meant to be in on Ohtani and Soto etc, it makes it feel even more underwhelming.

 

[Arn]

So how do we feel about the Kiermaier deal?

I feel like they?ve very much stood still while the rest of the division has improved.

And when you think they were meant to be in on Ohtani and Soto etc, it makes it feel even more underwhelming.

https://theathletic.com/5177668/2024/01/03/blue-jays-ohtani-kevin-kiermaier-isiah-kiner-falefa/

Speaking to the media Wednesday for the first time since signing Kiermaier and Kiner-Falefa, GM Ross Atkins said the front office still sees ways to make the roster better offensively but stated more than once that they ?feel very good about the team that is in place? and are optimistic they?ll see internal improvement, in part because of structural staff changes, to build on their 89-win 2023 season.

Actually turns out they don?t need anyone to replace Belt or Chapman. They hope they?ll just be a bit better.

 

[Highlander]

StroBro now a Yankee.  Goo signing for them.

 

[Bender]

So how do we feel about the Kiermaier deal?

I feel like they?ve very much stood still while the rest of the division has improved.

And when you think they were meant to be in on Ohtani and Soto etc, it makes it feel even more underwhelming.

https://theathletic.com/5177668/2024/01/03/blue-jays-ohtani-kevin-kiermaier-isiah-kiner-falefa/

Speaking to the media Wednesday for the first time since signing Kiermaier and Kiner-Falefa, GM Ross Atkins said the front office still sees ways to make the roster better offensively but stated more than once that they ?feel very good about the team that is in place? and are optimistic they?ll see internal improvement, in part because of structural staff changes, to build on their 89-win 2023 season.

Actually turns out they don?t need anyone to replace Belt or Chapman. They hope they?ll just be a bit better.

This is insane.

 

[Frank E]

So how do we feel about the Kiermaier deal?

I feel like they?ve very much stood still while the rest of the division has improved.

And when you think they were meant to be in on Ohtani and Soto etc, it makes it feel even more underwhelming.

https://theathletic.com/5177668/2024/01/03/blue-jays-ohtani-kevin-kiermaier-isiah-kiner-falefa/

Speaking to the media Wednesday for the first time since signing Kiermaier and Kiner-Falefa, GM Ross Atkins said the front office still sees ways to make the roster better offensively but stated more than once that they ?feel very good about the team that is in place? and are optimistic they?ll see internal improvement, in part because of structural staff changes, to build on their 89-win 2023 season.

Actually turns out they don?t need anyone to replace Belt or Chapman. They hope they?ll just be a bit better.

This is insane.

There's a lot of posturing in the media...I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[Frank E]

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1745617048472785271

 

[herman]

https://x.com/francysromerofr/status/1747663728428872180
Is this good

 

[L K]

He's an interesting player.  Could be a reliever....could also be a starter and I think he wants to start.  96-97MPH fastball with a good slider and curveball.  I think he can also throw a splitter and changeup but his fastball and curve are his best pitches.

Interesting as a mid-inning relief guy to balance out bad starts or a guy who can compete for the 5th spot in the rotation if Manoah stinks.

 

[bustaheims]

Good upside, relatively low risk. 4 years, $32m total. Even if he ends up a bullpen/6th starter type, that?s a reasonable deal. Definitely potential for him to be more - probably tops out as a good 4/5 starter, but that?s great value if that?s how he pans out.

 

[herman]

I see we also got:
https://x.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/1747340283400888445

 

[herman]

Jays have signed pitching prospect Jordan Powell.

https://x.com/treadhq/status/1751289256268505427

More importantly, this is also part of his skill set:
https://x.com/sportsguyeli/status/1403883540094271489

 

[Frank E]

Just sitting here at Sportsnet Grill in Skydome...there's only 7 weeks until their first game here, but this field sure doesn't look like it's going to be good to go in 7 weeks.  According to the schedule, they don't play here until April 8th as they have scheduled their first 10 games on the road to start the season.

 

[herman]

Now that the Blue Jays media doesn?t have anything to get excited about, all I?m hearing now is their gushing about how svelte and jacked Vladdy and Manoah are looking now.

 

[bustaheims]

Now that the Blue Jays media doesn?t have anything to get excited about, all I?m hearing now is their gushing about how svelte and jacked Vladdy and Manoah are looking now.

We?ve definitely heard that about Vladdy before, but, from the article in the Athletic, it sounds like Manoah did legitimately make some major changes to his diet and training this off season.

 

[Highlander]

Now that the Blue Jays media doesn?t have anything to get excited about, all I?m hearing now is their gushing about how svelte and jacked Vladdy and Manoah are looking now.

We?ve definitely heard that about Vladdy before, but, from the article in the Athletic, it sounds like Manoah did legitimately make some major changes to his diet and training this off season.

Nice when millionaire athletes have to boast about coming to camp in top shape instead of showing up prepared in the first place. Which Manoah basically said last season he showed up as a fat cat.

 

[Darryl]

Feels like a make or break year for this squad(again). Do they blow it up and deal everyone next winter should they falter in the opening round again? Could see it.

 

[dappleganger]

I feel if the Jays miss the playoffs, maybe blow it up.

The Dodgers also went winless in the playoffs last year. It's a crap shoot.

 

[bustaheims]

https://x.com/TheAthletic/status/1766186194835304527

 

[Arn]

I really hope the Votto thing works. At least we'd have a nice feel good story to follow for the season.

 

[Frank E]

I really hope the Votto thing works. At least we'd have a nice feel good story to follow for the season.

Given the rather unsuccessful off-season acquisitions, it smells a little desperate of the Jays to me...like, "no way could we get this guy when he was great, so here he is at 40 years old."