Toronto Sun
Mudcat
yap
- Since
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 32,603
- Score
- 431
- Tokens
- 0
A new season is sneaking up on us. Please god let there be not-so-much endless gab and hand-wringing about innings limits this year.
From a Blue Jays perspective, I am not sure what to expect. I heard a couple of impartial, non-Toronto experts gabbing about the Jays' - and they both projected them around .500 for the season. One guy I think landed on 79 wins as his prediction which is below .500.
I say bullshit. I think the Jays are better than that. The top of the rotation looks good. Obviously we hope for a pleasant surprise or two from depth guys. If Jose Bautista could return to his average offensively, that would be big. Hopefully there is progression and not a sophomore jinx from Joe Biagini. That would be so important to the bullpen.
But who knows? There are question marks for sure. I'd kinda prefer to never see Melvin Upton at the plate again. The bullpen is full of uncertainty (but the Jays are far from the only team in that boat.) I could go on and on.
Injuries blah, blah, blah.
The Red Sox are clearly pretty scary within the division right now - but I don't see them as the unstoppable juggernaut that some do. Papi is gone. Price might be declining (but then again he might not). But they do have Sale. And then after that they got a bunch of guys in the rotation like the Jays where, if they pitch like their best year, great - but if they pitch to their average ---> not so scary. Cy Young winner Rick Porcello is the prime example of that.
But then same can be said of J.A. Happ.
Dunno. Looking forward to it. Go Jays!
From a Blue Jays perspective, I am not sure what to expect. I heard a couple of impartial, non-Toronto experts gabbing about the Jays' - and they both projected them around .500 for the season. One guy I think landed on 79 wins as his prediction which is below .500.
I say bullshit. I think the Jays are better than that. The top of the rotation looks good. Obviously we hope for a pleasant surprise or two from depth guys. If Jose Bautista could return to his average offensively, that would be big. Hopefully there is progression and not a sophomore jinx from Joe Biagini. That would be so important to the bullpen.
But who knows? There are question marks for sure. I'd kinda prefer to never see Melvin Upton at the plate again. The bullpen is full of uncertainty (but the Jays are far from the only team in that boat.) I could go on and on.
Injuries blah, blah, blah.
The Red Sox are clearly pretty scary within the division right now - but I don't see them as the unstoppable juggernaut that some do. Papi is gone. Price might be declining (but then again he might not). But they do have Sale. And then after that they got a bunch of guys in the rotation like the Jays where, if they pitch like their best year, great - but if they pitch to their average ---> not so scary. Cy Young winner Rick Porcello is the prime example of that.
But then same can be said of J.A. Happ.
Dunno. Looking forward to it. Go Jays!
:
Mudcat
yap
- Since
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 32,603
- Score
- 431
- Tokens
- 0
Just remembered, I had a dream last night. I was watching Aaron Sanchez pitch - and he kept making these offerings where the ball would sweep beautifully, majestically into the strike zone - and the batter wouldn't swing - but he wasn't getting any calls from the ump. Over and over. He bombarded the strike zone from all angles.
No calls.
Damn I was mad.
No calls.
Damn I was mad.
Mudcat
yap
- Since
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 32,603
- Score
- 431
- Tokens
- 0
The season is almost upon us. My assessment:
If you take everyone who has looked really good in the spring and assume they will continue to look like that all year - and you disregard everyone who has been crap during the spring because spring training performances don't mean a fucking thing so they'll be fine ---> the Jays should be really great.
If you take everyone who has looked really good in the spring and assume they will continue to look like that all year - and you disregard everyone who has been crap during the spring because spring training performances don't mean a fucking thing so they'll be fine ---> the Jays should be really great.
Mudcat
yap
- Since
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 32,603
- Score
- 431
- Tokens
- 0
On the day before the season opener: I definitely don't mind that the Jays have released Melvin Upton Jr. A full season of watching that guy close his eyes and swing at pitches ---> I was not looking forward to it.
However Roberto Osuna going on the DL - after having a crap WBC and grapefruit league spring ---> it is not giving me warm fuzzies.
However Roberto Osuna going on the DL - after having a crap WBC and grapefruit league spring ---> it is not giving me warm fuzzies.
roguejuror
rouge
- Since
- Jan 24, 2010
- Messages
- 64,100
- Score
- 5,569
- Tokens
- 36
Mudcat
yap
- Since
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 32,603
- Score
- 431
- Tokens
- 0
Remember prior to last season when Jose Bautista was looking at impending free agency, and he talked about expecting 5 years/$150 million? At the age of 36? Because getting old didn't apply to him? Because he was going to try really hard to stay in shape? Like he was going to keep working out and everything?
Currently batting .109 with 1 RBI
Currently batting .109 with 1 RBI