Blue Jays Discussion: The trade deadline has passed. Time to see what this can do (most acquisitions expected to be present Thursday in Minnesota)

[Dr.Funk]

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Still not sure why the Yanks traded Montgomery for Bader. Montgomery with another solid outing in a huge divisional game

Speaking of the Yanks, with another loss tonight, they are 1-8 in their last 9. Of course the Jays have completely shat the bed during that timeframe or else they'd be within striking distance. Sigh.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games for drug violation; Preller cites ‘trust’ issue

WASHINGTON — Fernando Tatis Jr. will not play for the Padres this season. The 23-year-old shortstop was suspended Friday for 80 games by Major League Baseball for violation of the l…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Tatis said in a statement the positive result for the banned substance Clostebol stemmed from a medication he took to treat ringworm. In the lengthy statement, he apologized to Padres Chairman Peter Seidler, President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller, his teammates and fans and said he was “devastated” to not be playing.

“That’s his story,” Preller said Friday night, speaking in a tunnel outside the visitors’ clubhouse during the Padres’ game against the Nationals. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it yet. But ultimately, that’s his explanation. I think the biggest thing … is there is a drug policy in place. He failed the drug screen and, ultimately, he’s suspended and he can’t play. That’s the biggest thing. It’s the player’s responsibility to make sure that he’s in compliance. He wasn’t.”

Tatis, who became one of the biggest stars in the sport almost as soon as he debuted in 2019, is in the second year of a 14-year, $340 million contract. His salary is $5 million this year and $7 million in 2023.

Preller, who was highly supportive of Tatis when it was announced he would undergo surgery in March to repair a wrist fracture suffered in an offseason motorcycle accident, was clearly less so Friday.

“It’s very disappointing,” Preller said. “He’s somebody that from the organization’s standpoint we’ve invested time and money into. When he’s on the field, he’s a difference maker. You have to learn from the situations. We were hoping that from the offseason to now that there would be some maturity, and obviously with the news today, it’s more of a pattern and it’s something that we’ve got to dig a bit more into. ... I’m sure he’s very disappointed. But at the end of the day, it’s one thing to say it. You’ve got to start showing by your actions.”

When Tatis was injured in the offseason, multiple team sources said the Padres were not going to take advantage of any clauses in his contract to recoup money. The decision was based on a desire to maintain good relations with a player they consider a cornerstone of the franchise over the next decade-plus.

Preller said Friday the organization would “revisit” some of the details from Tatis’ offseason.

“We’ll start digging into the shoulder and wrist; we’ll look a little bit more into that now, because we’ll have some more time to have some conversations there,” Preller said. “I think what we need to get to is a point in time where we trust. Over the course of the last six or seven months, I think that’s been something that we haven’t really been able to have there."

“From our standpoint, obviously he’s a great talent, he’s a guy we have a lot of history with and do believe in. But these things only work when there’s trust both ways. I think that’s going to be something that we’re going to have plenty of conversation and time to talk to Fernando about. That’s something that clearly, if we’re going to have a partnership and a real relationship, we’re going to have to make sure that that’s strong.”

Preller said he received a call from one of Tatis’ representatives shortly before 4 p.m. ET. Multiple team sources said no one with the club had an inkling of Tatis’ failed test until then.

The joint drug program agreement between the league and its players’ union prohibits MLB from informing clubs of a suspension until the player accepts the suspension without an appeal or his grievance has been denied.

Tatis decided to accept the suspension Friday. His mom posted a photo on Instagram that appeared to show a rash on what appeared to be her son’s neck.

 

[Canada4Gold]

 

[Blitzkrug]

Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games for drug violation; Preller cites ‘trust’ issue

WASHINGTON — Fernando Tatis Jr. will not play for the Padres this season. The 23-year-old shortstop was suspended Friday for 80 games by Major League Baseball for violation of the l…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Tatis said in a statement the positive result for the banned substance Clostebol stemmed from a medication he took to treat ringworm. In the lengthy statement, he apologized to Padres Chairman Peter Seidler, President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller, his teammates and fans and said he was “devastated” to not be playing.

“That’s his story,” Preller said Friday night, speaking in a tunnel outside the visitors’ clubhouse during the Padres’ game against the Nationals. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it yet. But ultimately, that’s his explanation. I think the biggest thing … is there is a drug policy in place. He failed the drug screen and, ultimately, he’s suspended and he can’t play. That’s the biggest thing. It’s the player’s responsibility to make sure that he’s in compliance. He wasn’t.”

Tatis, who became one of the biggest stars in the sport almost as soon as he debuted in 2019, is in the second year of a 14-year, $340 million contract. His salary is $5 million this year and $7 million in 2023.

Preller, who was highly supportive of Tatis when it was announced he would undergo surgery in March to repair a wrist fracture suffered in an offseason motorcycle accident, was clearly less so Friday.

“It’s very disappointing,” Preller said. “He’s somebody that from the organization’s standpoint we’ve invested time and money into. When he’s on the field, he’s a difference maker. You have to learn from the situations. We were hoping that from the offseason to now that there would be some maturity, and obviously with the news today, it’s more of a pattern and it’s something that we’ve got to dig a bit more into. ... I’m sure he’s very disappointed. But at the end of the day, it’s one thing to say it. You’ve got to start showing by your actions.”

When Tatis was injured in the offseason, multiple team sources said the Padres were not going to take advantage of any clauses in his contract to recoup money. The decision was based on a desire to maintain good relations with a player they consider a cornerstone of the franchise over the next decade-plus.

Preller said Friday the organization would “revisit” some of the details from Tatis’ offseason.

“We’ll start digging into the shoulder and wrist; we’ll look a little bit more into that now, because we’ll have some more time to have some conversations there,” Preller said. “I think what we need to get to is a point in time where we trust. Over the course of the last six or seven months, I think that’s been something that we haven’t really been able to have there."

“From our standpoint, obviously he’s a great talent, he’s a guy we have a lot of history with and do believe in. But these things only work when there’s trust both ways. I think that’s going to be something that we’re going to have plenty of conversation and time to talk to Fernando about. That’s something that clearly, if we’re going to have a partnership and a real relationship, we’re going to have to make sure that that’s strong.”

Preller said he received a call from one of Tatis’ representatives shortly before 4 p.m. ET. Multiple team sources said no one with the club had an inkling of Tatis’ failed test until then.

The joint drug program agreement between the league and its players’ union prohibits MLB from informing clubs of a suspension until the player accepts the suspension without an appeal or his grievance has been denied.

Tatis decided to accept the suspension Friday. His mom posted a photo on Instagram that appeared to show a rash on what appeared to be her son’s neck.

Several dermatologists have apparently already debunked that what he was taking doesn't actually treat ringworm.

So there's one of two ways to read that; He's an idiot, or he knows exactly what he was taking it for.

 

[canucksfan]

Interesting Berrios thread

 

[Blitzkrug]

Interesting Berrios thread

Very interesting deep dive and stuff like this is why I love baseball. You could write a dissertation on the mechanics of a single guys one pitch lol.

Back on the topic of the actual thread: that is very very worrying. A guy who can't throw a fastball is basically worthless. The fact it started deteriorating two years ago and has apparently gotten worse is not at all what you want to read give he still has 6 years left on his contract.

Not really any way to spin it but "uh oh" and hopefully the conclusion of Berrios' needing surgery rather than it being an arm issue is correct.

Edit: the Jays already have a guy who is mortified by the thought of throwing a fastball anywhere near the plate. How's that one worked out?


Edit 2: the other theory I found interesting, apparently believed by some Reddit users and the Guardians broadcast team is Berrios was tipping his pitches.

 

[phillipmike]

Bichette and Kikuchi for Tatis.

 

[as Pure as Evil]

Bichette and Kikuchi for Tatis.

the way his teammates are ripping on him i wouldn't be surprised if he's moved out in the fall

 

[Dr.Funk]

 

[Dr.Funk]

 

[Eyedea]

Right as I get a notification for Rasmussen’s perfect game, I look at the boxscore and see the O’s hit a leadoff double. Classic

 

[Puckstuff]

To lighten the mood after a bad game.

 

[stickty111]

Warning signs this team is near callapse mode.

 

[CherryToke]

Whit Merrifield and his 48 wRC+ is the jolt that this offence needed

 

[LaP]

Whit Merrifield and his 48 wRC+ is the jolt that this offence needed

I get the trades that were made. All the guys will be able to help next year. But none of the guys address the biggest needs of this team. I still believe this team need a 8th or 9th inning pitcher with a strong fast ball. Someone you can send against the Yankees and who will do the job 9 times out of 10. The team also need a strong top 3 starter. Someone who can throw 6 or 7 innings on a regular basis. And the team needs a George Springer who can play more then Gorges Springer and not always be injured. I get those needs could not have all been addressed at the deadline. Maybe none of them could. But Atkins have lot of work to do this winter It's a good core. You can build around this core. But it needs help and not bargain bin help.

 

[Eyedea]

Assuming the pockets really are flushed, there’s plenty of FA talent available this winter. Don’t think they had enough minor league talent available to entice teams around the deadline.

 

[Marmoset]

Warning signs this team is near callapse mode.

Is this team nearing collapse, or was it simply not as good as everyone thought it was?

As the trade deadline approached, many fans and especially the media were grabbing onto how the Jays needed to make some big trades to compete with the big boys this year. That lead to huge disappointment with the trade deadline results.

For me, this team has never looked like a contender this year. The pitching has never been consistent except for that early stretch, and the offence has never performed to the level it was expected to for any length of time. It's been good, but not great! I don't feel like they've teased a higher level of play. They've been remarkably consistent as a good but not great team. They win some, lose some. They had that one winning streak around the all-star break against mostly bad teams.

Coming into the season I, like most people, expected this team to be doing better. But based on the team's performance I believe the management was right not to empty the farm system to try and win this year. You need to make moves based on what the team is, not what we want it to be. Granted, it's possible they tried to make bigger moves and just couldn't. I think that would have been a mistake unless the moves were for long term pieces.

I don't follow the Jays religiously so I could be wrong, but perhaps my more casual following gives me a different view compared to someone who follows the team closely, Watching the Leafs last season, you knew they were good and you're basically waiting for the playoffs to start. Watching the Jays doesn't feel like this at all, it feels like watching a team a tier below.

 

[Eyedea]

Is this team nearing collapse, or was it simply not as good as everyone thought it was?

As the trade deadline approached, many fans and especially the media were grabbing onto how the Jays needed to make some big trades to compete with the big boys this year. That lead to huge disappointment with the trade deadline results.

For me, this team has never looked like a contender this year. The pitching has never been consistent except for that early stretch, and the offence has never performed to the level it was expected to for any length of time. It's been good, but not great! I don't feel like they've teased a higher level of play. They've been remarkably consistent as a good but not great team. They win some, lose some. They had that one winning streak around the all-star break against mostly bad teams.

Coming into the season I, like most people, expected this team to be doing better. But based on the team's performance I believe the management was right not to empty the farm system to try and win this year. You need to make moves based on what the team is, not what we want it to be. Granted, it's possible they tried to make bigger moves and just couldn't. I think that would have been a mistake unless the moves were for long term pieces.

I don't follow the Jays religiously so I could be wrong, but perhaps my more casual following gives me a different view compared to someone who follows the team closely, Watching the Leafs last season, you knew they were good and you're basically waiting for the playoffs to start. Watching the Jays doesn't feel like this at all, it feels like watching a team a tier below.

They’re playing worse than expected, but that’s largely due to players not catching fire at the same time. Bullpen, Kirk, Gausman, Manoah, they were hot at the beginning of the year. Vladdy, Chapman, Teo, and Lourdes get hot, the others cool down. Bichette never really catching fire, Berrios being consistently inconsistent, Springer in and out of the lineup. They just never look like they’re fully clicking.

 

[LaP]

Anybody got the stats about how many runs this team score with Springer in the lineup and without Springer in the lineup for the last 2 seasons? I'm curious about it.

 

[Marmoset]

They’re playing worse than expected, but that’s largely due to players not catching fire at the same time. Bullpen, Kirk, Gausman, Manoah, they were hot at the beginning of the year. Vladdy, Chapman, Teo, and Lourdes get hot, the others cool down. Bichette never really catching fire, Berrios being consistently inconsistent, Springer in and out of the lineup. They just never look like they’re fully clicking.

All of that is true. It's mid August now though. Aren't we at the point where they are what they are, rather than a team that's really good that just hasn't "clicked"? Top end teams do exactly what the Jays have been unable to do - have all of the pieces working together and producing extended winning streaks.

 

[stickty111]

Is this team nearing collapse, or was it simply not as good as everyone thought it was?

As the trade deadline approached, many fans and especially the media were grabbing onto how the Jays needed to make some big trades to compete with the big boys this year. That lead to huge disappointment with the trade deadline results.

For me, this team has never looked like a contender this year. The pitching has never been consistent except for that early stretch, and the offence has never performed to the level it was expected to for any length of time. It's been good, but not great! I don't feel like they've teased a higher level of play. They've been remarkably consistent as a good but not great team. They win some, lose some. They had that one winning streak around the all-star break against mostly bad teams.

Coming into the season I, like most people, expected this team to be doing better. But based on the team's performance I believe the management was right not to empty the farm system to try and win this year. You need to make moves based on what the team is, not what we want it to be. Granted, it's possible they tried to make bigger moves and just couldn't. I think that would have been a mistake unless the moves were for long term pieces.

I don't follow the Jays religiously so I could be wrong, but perhaps my more casual following gives me a different view compared to someone who follows the team closely, Watching the Leafs last season, you knew they were good and you're basically waiting for the playoffs to start. Watching the Jays doesn't feel like this at all, it feels like watching a team a tier below.

Thats a good observation. This team did have some holes that weren't addressed. One of the main ones was a lacklustar BP that management believes doesn't matter.
Still even if this team was overrated and I said the media already crowned them before the season started, it's up to management to fix issues and they just didn't. We can't wait for them to get rolling, this is what they are it seems and it's team that can't matchup with the great teams.

 

[canucksfan]

I get the trades that were made. All the guys will be able to help next year. But none of the guys address the biggest needs of this team. I still believe this team need a 8th or 9th inning pitcher with a strong fast ball. Someone you can send against the Yankees and who will do the job 9 times out of 10. The team also need a strong top 3 starter. Someone who can throw 6 or 7 innings on a regular basis. And the team needs a George Springer who can play more then Gorges Springer and not always be injured. I get those needs could not have all been addressed at the deadline. Maybe none of them could. But Atkins have lot of work to do this winter It's a good core. You can build around this core. But it needs help and not bargain bin help.

There are definitely a lot of good pieces here. Looking at the starting pitching Gausman, Manoah, and Stripling have been solid. Berrios has been awful and the same with Kikuchi. Kikuchi was a gamble but Berrios was at least supposed to be a consistent piece. I think next year they will need to get another starter that can fill the role Berrios was supposed to unless, of course, they fix Berrios.

I would like to see them give Springer a corner outfield spot which means they would have to trade Teo or Lourdes.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Thornton needs to be thrown out the door. Enough is enough.